29 January 2026, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester has unveiled more details about its upcoming launch show, revealing a bold new direction for the event. The evolved format will introduce a festival-style atmosphere, a city-wide fringe programme, and a strengthened national profile.
Set to take place at the AO Arena on 30 September, CHS Manchester builds on the strong momentum of its debut year, outlining a clearer vision for how the show will operate, connect with audiences, and come alive both within the venue and across the wider city.
The event has confirmed increased investment in production, visitor and Hosted Buyer recruitment, a more dynamic show layout, and an expanded programme of education delivered across multiple stages. “The aim is to create a more immersive, high-energy environment that reflects how the events industry now wants to meet, learn and connect. This will be a modern show, in a modern setting, for a new events industry,” commented Emma King, Founder & CEO, CHS Manchester.
At the centre of this evolution is the introduction of a major new fringe programme, developed in close collaboration with Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester, and the AO Arena, as well as a growing list of industry partners. Running before, during and after the main show, the fringe will extend the CHS Manchester experience beyond the exhibition floor and into the city itself.
The programme will bring together a series of simultaneous experiences designed to showcase Manchester’s strengths as a business events destination, including creativity, media, sustainability and culture, creating reasons for visitors to arrive earlier, stay longer and engage more deeply with the city.
Alongside the expanded format, CHS Manchester is looking to underline the show’s status as one of the key national exhibitions for the UK events industry. This ambition is demonstrated not just through its host city’s continued rise as a leading business events city, but also its central geography and transport links. The show is already marketing that ‘all roads will lead to Manchester’ come 30th September.
“Our aim is to give every visitor a city-wide welcome and richer experience, across Manchester,” continues Emma. “The support we’ve already had from the city is amazing, and our industry associations are working with us to create more content, more interest and more value for our visitors. It’s really exciting to see it take shape.”
Regardless of the ambition, the core CHS personality will remain firmly in place. The show continues to champion positivity, care and a genuinely welcoming experience for visitors, values that have defined CHS events over many years and remain central to how CHS Manchester will be shaped.
With a reimagined format, deeper integration with the host city and growing national momentum, CHS Manchester is positioning itself as a key date in the UK events calendar.
For early registration, exclusive insight and access to further announcements on the fringe programme, education content and exhibitor features, visit the CHS Manchester website.
CHS Manchester takes place on 30 September 2026 at AO Arena, Manchester.
