Manchester move for Healthcare Estates

While Harrogate’s Regency charm, good choice of restaurants and shops, and generally relaxing feel, have made the Yorkshire town a popular venue with many exhibitors, conference delegates and other visitors, the IHEEM Education Committee says it is keen to enhance the show’s content, scope, and profile. The Committee argues that moving the conference and exhibition to “Britain’s third city” will both help achieve this and give Healthcare Estates “a truly national perspective”. Also cited are Manchester’s “greater accessibility for the whole of the UK”, and the fact that at Manchester Central the conference and exhibition will be able to be staged on one floor, with all activities arranged around a large foyer area. Manchester Central is close to the city centre, and to major road and rail links, with direct mainline rails services to Manchester from London, major motorway connections to all regions, and a location just nine miles from Manchester Airport. The city’s Metrolink tram system, meanwhile, simplifies local travel. Healthcare Estates has, the organisers say, “always reflected changing needs”, and the 2010 event will reflect this, for instance with the introduction of a new “Energy & Sustainability” area within the exhibition, where companies and organisations will be able to present relevant products, ideas and advice directly to visitors and delegates. The show, to be held from 5-6 October, 2010, will also again feature a “Focus on FM” area, and expanded “Hot on FM” presentations, while the organisers say the availability of a greater number of seminar rooms will allow a more comprehensive conference programme. A new pricing structure, meanwhile, will “directly reward” past exhibitors for their support, meaning that current exhibitors will, “in all likelihood”, be able to book their stand for 2010 at the same price, or less than, in 2009. For more information visit: iheem.org.uk or www.healthcare-estates.com