The team behind the Conference & Hospitality Show reports that it is gearing up for a bumper event this year – one fitting to celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary.
According to the organisers, the #CHS19 tenth anniversary event – which takes places on Tuesday April 30th at the First Direct Arena, Leeds – sold-out in record breaking time with 30 per cent of exhibitors new to CHS. Launch week registrations were up by 50 per cent year-on-year and sponsorship opportunities were snapped up in record time.
Emma Cartmell, CHS Group CEO, said: “For us, this has always been about creating lasting relationships, so it is very important that our sponsors get great value for money and a significant return on their investment.
“We work really closely with them to make sure that they are getting the profile they need to achieve their marketing objectives – from the lanyards to the welcome party, to the tote bags – we’re really happy to flex so that it’s a good fit for their company brand and values. Our tenth-anniversary show means that they are in front of the right audience, one that has bought into our brand. A landmark event such as our 10th birthday has also attracted some big new names and new partners too.”
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols, Leeds is involved in the celebrations by being the host sponsor for the 10th Anniversary Welcome party for hosted buyers and exhibitors. Sarah Rosplock, Events and Corporate Sales Manager at Harvey Nichols Leeds explained: “We’re pleased to join with CHS in celebrating their landmark 10th anniversary and to host a truly memorable welcome event for their guests showcasing the style, creativity and flair for which Harvey Nichols is famous.
“Hosting this exciting event offers the opportunity for Harvey Nichols Leeds to showcase our unrivalled event experience in the most stylish retail and dining destination. We look forward to creating and building on new and existing relationships and exploring opportunities in the corporate sector.”
Harvey Nichols, Leeds is also providing treats for the VIP goodie bags.
MEETinLEEDS
The reusable tote bags which are sponsored by MEETinLEEDS, the award-winning conference and events team at the University of Leeds, are part of the University’s wider commitment to sustainability in the industry with their 2023 Single-Use Plastic Free campaign.
Harriet Boatwright, Sales and Marketing Manager for MEETinLEEDS, commented: “We’re really excited to be supporting the Conference Hospitality Show, especially on its 10th anniversary, and are delighted to welcome the show back to Leeds. MEETinLEEDS are strong advocates of this wonderful city of ours and it is a real privilege to showcase our venues with visiting delegates and event organisers.”
Zest Mixology
To help get the Welcome Party started, Zest Mixology will be providing exotic cocktails and mocktails, co-sponsored by Newbury Racecourse. Elena Gurgul, Head of Sales, Newbury Racecourse, said: “Newbury Racecourse has recently completed a £50m outdoor refurbishment and the CHS19 10th-anniversary welcome party is the perfect place to showcase our conference & events facilities together with our onsite hotel, The Lodge. It’s a great, well-organised event, in front of our target market and the perfect place for our relaunch.
“We are looking forward to meeting lots of new people and to share our brand awareness that Newbury has much more to offer than just a world-class racecourse.”
Event Prop Hire
To celebrate the landmark 10th anniversary, the CHS team were keen that the birthday celebrations start as soon as delegates walk through the doors. Event Prop Hire, based at Thorp Park, Wetherby, is sponsoring the level one concourse at the First Direct Arena. It’s the first time the company has attended CHS, as Marketing Coordinator, Sophie Calpin, explained: “We don’t want to give too much away too early, as delegates make their way through the double doors at the first direct arena, we want the ‘wow’ factor of what we’ve created to do the talking.”
“We’re very proud of our Northern roots but due to the demands of the industry, have been drawn primarily to the capital; opening our London showroom and attending shows down there. However, we now feel it is time to focus our attention back up North where the company began.”
The CHS tenth anniversary celebrations continue at #CHS19 on Tuesday 30th April at the First Direct Arena, where Zest Mixology and Preferred Hotels will be co-hosting the Rockstar Bar, entertaining VIPs with their tailor-made cocktails as Murdo McLeod, Managing Director, Zest Mixology, revealed: “As the UKs number one supplier of pop-up bars for business events, private parties and weddings, co-hosting the #CHS19 Rock Star Bar is our perfect gig. We can’t wait to celebrate the 10th anniversary with our perfect target audience.”
Preferred Hotels
It’s the first time that Preferred Hotels has co-hosted the Rockstar Bar. Nic Wood, Director Group Sales, Europe and the Middle East, Preferred Hotels & Resorts offered: “The Conference and Hospitality Show is one of the UK’s top shows and we are looking forward to attending once again for its 10thanniversary year. It’s essential for us to have a strong presence throughout the UK and the CHS Show is a perfect opportunity to promote our global brand message and meet with both existing and potential new clients.
“We are looking forward to updating delegates with news on our new properties in Europe and across the globe and we are looking forward to celebrating with a drink or two whilst we’re there!”
The Cookery School at The Grand, York
And finally, a brand-new addition to the Conference & Hospitality Show is The Demo Zone, sponsored by The Cookery School at The Grand, York. It’s the latest instalment of the hotel’s £15m renovation, which has seen the opening of 100 new bedrooms, two restaurants and an executive lounge.
Head Chef Tutor Andrew Dixon, who brings 30 years’ worth of experience to the school, said: “We’re thrilled to be presenting at #CHS19. It’s the perfect place to showcase the school’s immersive and creative experiences for delegates and team building, whether it’s part of a bigger conference, or as a stand-alone visit.
“We’ll have two full cookery demonstrations on the day of sweet and savoury options prepared from our mini-kitchen. We’ll also have a couple of interactive, ‘hands-on’ demos, where we’ll be challenging individuals to come along to see what they can do and to have some fun. The Cookery School at The Grand, York, is a place to make friends, relax, have fun, and try something new. Food is a great way to bring people together and delegates at #CHS19 will get a real flavour of what we can do.”
