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13th July 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester will adopt a new approach to the visitor experience, when the show goes live on 30th September at the AO Arena, Manchester. Recognised for their human and personable personalities, this year the team at CHS are pushing from being of use to visitors to being of ‘unreasonable’ use to them.Inspired by the internationally acclaimed philosophy of Unreasonable Hospitality, the CHS team has fully embraced the ethos, from a team away day, to a trip to Nashville to see it brought to life through a live event. The ethos is built around creating memorable moments through thoughtful, unexpected acts of generosity that leave a lasting impression.Rather than focusing solely on what's on the exhibition floor, the show has been carefully curated around how visitors feel throughout their time in Manchester, from the moment they register to the conversations they have long after the event has finished.The approach is reflected throughout this year's programme. Kicking off the event, Manchester Calling, the official Welcome Reception, will invite delegates to experience the city itself, celebrating the venues, neighbourhoods, food, culture and people that make Manchester one of the UK's most vibrant event destinations. At the same time, a growing programme of fringe events, informal meet-ups and networking experiences will extend those conversations beyond the exhibition, creating opportunities to build relationships in a more relaxed and authentic way.While inside the event, visitors will discover an education programme featuring some of the industry's leading thinkers, alongside practical sessions exploring the latest AI solutions and technologies that are helping event professionals work smarter, save time and deliver more impactful events.CHS Manchester has also partnered with hotels across the city to provide exclusive accommodation for hosted buyers, and selected visitors, with the promise of a good night’s sleep ahead of a busy show. Participating properties include the Treehouse Manchester, Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, INNSiDE by Meliá, Moxy, Hotel Football Old Trafford, Hampton by Hilton, Hyatt House, Roomzzz Aparthotels, DakotaManchester, Hotel Indigo, The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly and The Deansgate Hotel.For the CHS Manchester team, however, these features are simply expressions of a much bigger ambition. Emma King, Founder and CEO of CHS Manchester, explained,"I've always believed that people don't remember events because of the size of the exhibition or the number of exhibitors. They remember how those events made them feel.""When we saw Unreasonable Hospitality brought to life in Nashville, it immediately resonated because it put into words something we've been trying to build at CHS for years. It's about looking beyond good customer service and asking ourselves a different question: what's the unexpected thing we could do that makes someone's day genuinely better?""That might be introducing a first-time visitor to people they'll still know years later. It might be helping someone discover a brilliant part of Manchester they'd never have found on their own. It might simply be making sure they have a wonderful night's sleep, so they arrive inspired and ready for the day ahead."The visitor experience builds on CHS's growing reputation for delivering practical education, meaningful networking and industry-leading innovation, while recognising that the moments between the meetings are often the ones that delegates remember most.

Judges praise team as "a template for how to run a marketing department" at annual Hotel Marketing Association ceremonyLondon, XX June 2026 – London Hilton on Park Lane has been named Best Hotel Marketing Team at the 2026 Hotel Marketing Awards, hosted by the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA), part of the Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA). Agilysys sponsored the award.The team outperformed a strong shortlist, including Luxury Family Hotels and Sutton Hotel Collection, and was recognised for strong leadership, clear strategy, and a high-energy approach. Judges described the team as "a template for how to run a marketing department," highlighting their agility, bravery, and ability to seize opportunities, and called them "everything you would expect from the ultimate marketing team."Hannah Pritchard, Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications at London Hilton on Park Lane, said: "This award is an incredible testament to the journey our team has been on together. Made up of five talented women, each person brings something unique to their role, strengthening not only our team but the hotel as a whole. Grace, Ellie, Lillie and Gabby are true culture drivers, combining creativity, commercial thinking and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such an inspiring group of people. To be recognised by the Hotel Marketing Association and a panel of industry judges makes this achievement even more meaningful. We're proud of what we've built together and excited to keep raising the bar."HMA Chairman Harry Fielder said of this year's winners: "The innovation and strategic clarity showcased by our winners this year are exactly what our industry needs for the future. From using AI frameworks, to executing beautiful, human-centric local partnerships, UK hotel marketers are proving that marketing culture has firmly returned to the heart of business strategy.”London Hilton on Park Lane was one of seven category winners, with HMA commending the team for bringing "agile, data-driven leadership" to one of the capital's most celebrated properties.

7th July 2026, UK: Meet In Wales has announced that the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) will bring its annual conference to Cardiff in 2027 — another strong endorsement of Wales as a compelling destination for global academic and professional gatherings.The conference will attract leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from across the UK and internationally, reinforcing Wales’s growing reputation as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration.Securing the event was led by Meet In Wales conference ambassador Professor Qingwei Wang, together with his colleagues, Professor Jill Atkins, Dr Svetlana Mira and Dr Dennis De Widt. Professor Wang is Professor of Finance and Head of Accounting and Finance at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. He also leads the Cardiff FinTech Research Group and has spent more than a decade at the university. During his career he has organised or co-organised around 20 UK and international conferences.Professor Wang said:“Cardiff combines a strong academic community with excellent conference facilities and a highly accessible location. Cardiff University has high strength in accounting, finance, and FinTech research, making it a great home for the BAFA conference. Cardiff also offers a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming environment for delegates.”Ambassadors form a key strategic part of Wales’ promotional plans, with a national ambassador programme as well as a city programme in Cardiff. Meet In Wales aligns its ambassador network with the key priority sectors and Research Excellence Framework which includes Fintech.The selection of Cardiff reflects the city’s strong academic ecosystem, excellent infrastructure and reputation for delivering high-quality conference experiences. Meet In Wales worked in partnership with Cardiff University and local stakeholders to support the successful bid and its Head of Business Events, Heledd Williams said: “Hosting the BAFA Annual Conference in Cardiff is another powerful example of international academic communities choosing Wales for its expertise, accessibility and warm welcome. Conferences like BAFA not only advance global knowledge exchange but also create lasting connections between international specialists and our research communities.”Today, the Wales tech sector is worth an estimated £8.5billion to the Welsh economy, with Wales leading the way in FinTech growth by combining rapid job creation with a strong ecosystem of innovators and global brands. FinTechs across the nation are expanding fast, with major employers such as Starling Bank, Sonovate, Delio, Pepper Money, and Wealthify driving sector growth.