The Conference & Hospitality Show is celebrating its tenth anniversary when it returns to Leeds next month – and show organisers have some advice for new attendees from the event’s longtime fans.
CHS19 takes place at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on April 30th. Here’s some advice from former delegates…
Jenny Stanley, Head of Sales at Everyman Media Group, explained what delegates can expect to see: “We are really excited to attend #CHS19 to promote our brand to PAs and EAs who may not be aware of the amazing corporate hospitality opportunities available at their local Everyman cinema, available for hire seven days a week.”
As well as debut attendees, new to the CHS experience, expect to see lots of superfans, who will be making their annual pilgrimage to the biggest annual conference expo outside of London, like Claire Ellison-Tope, Partner at Just Venues, who said: “I think for an exhibitor it’s really good because it’s big, but not too big, so it’s easy to get around and delegates get to see everything. You get a chance to see people and chat and find out what’s new, which is great for us. It’s the perfect place to get new contacts and update your knowledge, not just with group hotels, but the smaller independents are there too.”
Exhibition space for sold out in record time, and the sponsorship opportunities were snapped up with brands happy to celebrate the tenth landmark anniversary of #CHS19.
Lyndsey Cowgill, Marketing Manager at Continuum Entertainment, said: “This is the first time that we have exhibited at the Conference & Hospitality Show and we felt that the landmark 10th anniversary was the perfect event to launch our new corporate offering at The Emmerdale Studio Experience.
“It’s a ‘must’ for any fan of the show and our new corporate package provides a truly unique and creative location, and we’re really excited to launch our venue hire offer in our home town of Leeds.
According to Becky Wood, CEO & Founder, BEE Events and The YES (Yorkshire Executive Support) Network, they’re in good hands. She said: “Attending CHS19 is an effective and time-efficient way for me to be introduced to a diverse range of high quality and national venues and suppliers, network with my peers and be inspired and educated in a fun and entertaining environment. CHS gets bigger and better every year and no doubt this year will be no exception with the exciting 10th-anniversary celebrations.
“I would encourage anyone conducting an Executive Support role or working in the hospitality industry to attend CHS19 and my top tip would be to plan your schedule for the day in advance to maximise your time.”
If you’re on the lookout for new and different, then #CHS19 should have plenty instore that fits the bill. The tenth anniversary has drawn an enthusiastic crowd and some well-known brands, old and new, such as ‘80’s favourite The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, as Ruth Fearon, General Manager, explained: “We’ll be taking a mini version of The Crystal Maze with us, and for anyone who’s a fan of the television show, this is a ‘must-see’ event.
“The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience in Manchester and London are the ultimate team experience, perfect for corporate team building events. It’s frantic, interactive with great mental and physical challenges and, of course, a great adventure for group parties too. Our Maze Masters will be there on the day to talk delegates through the game explain the corporate opportunities available, and have some fun trying to master the maze!”
For Laura Blaire of theNational Trust, CHS is one of the calendar events of the year, she said: “The amount of learning, conversation and contacts I’ve made over the years, it’s something you don’t get to experience at a conference in the North anywhere else. The fact that it is aimed in part at PAs and EAs make this one to add to the list to attend.”
