Labour Party Conference worth £25.4m to Manchester economy

The Labour Party is returning to Manchester from 21st to 24th September for its Annual Conference, an event which is expected to generate £25.4m for the local economy.

Ed Miliband, the shadow cabinet and some 11,000 delegates and exhibitors will attend the main plenary sessions at Manchester Central in what will be the fifth Annual Conference the Labour Party has held in the city since 2006.
 
The Party’s National Women’s Conference opens proceedings a day ahead of the Annual Conference on Saturday 20th September. Several hundred fringe events will then take place across the city over the period.
 
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, commented: “Events like this underline Manchester’s credentials as a major conference destination and help support our economy. Both of the main political parties have hosted conferences here in recent years and the feedback from delegates and other visitors has always been hugely positive. As the last conference before a General Election this year’s event has added resonance and I am pleased to welcome Labour back to our great city. Manchester is going to be on show to the world and I know we will demonstrate the warmth and vibrancy which makes our city special."
 
Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency that led the bid to bring the conference to the city, said: “In what is a poignant time for politics throughout the UK, we’re thrilled that Manchester will host the first major political party conference following the Scottish Referendum. In addition to the media coverage that the conference will attract - helping to boost the profile of the city around the world - it will also boost the local economy as delegates and exhibitors spend in our hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.”
 
Angie Robinson, Chief Executive of Manchester Central, added: “Manchester Central is looking forward to welcoming the Labour Party back to the venue and hosting yet another successful Annual Conference. The team is working closely with the Party as well as the venue’s city partners and is primed to deliver another outstanding event on behalf of the city.”
 
Business tourism generates £823m a year for the Greater Manchester economy. It supports the city’s £6.6bn tourism industry which attracts over one million visitors a year and supports 84,000 jobs.

Contact our team