[Can Conference Industry Regenerate A City: To What Extent has Conference Industry Helping to Rejuvenate Manchester Economy?]

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Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

This study examines the opportunities and challenges Manchester will meet in establishing itself as an international conference destination. The UK government has plans for building UK's largest conference centre - the National Conference Centre in Manchester in order to cater for and capitalise on the global market. This would bring Manchester in line with international standards and enable the city to be capable of holding large-scale conferences. The research reviews literature regarding the conference industry and uses a discrete-choice set of twelve studies and three associations to analyse data. As a result, the research concludes that eight important criteria are used frequently and can be used to gauge the potential success of international conference cities. .The results provide a starting point for a discussion on whether Manchester is suited, and can become an international conference city. The future of UK's international conference industry depends on whether the country and the city can manage the challenges.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION6

Aims8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW9

The outcomes and impacts of the conference industry11

The economic outcomes and impacts12

The technological outcomes and impacts14

Other core positive and negative impacts16

Demand and supply-side motivations in the conference industry17

The importance of site selection criteria19

Conference facility19

Conference centre20

Reasons for building conference centres20

International conference centre investment21

Over-supply and market saturation, the depth of development21

Expenditure22

Environment23

Infrastructure24

Government support24

Entertainment opportunity25

Economic and social contribution of conference tourism26

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY28

Questionnaire design28

Characteristics of the sample and data analysis30

CHAPTER 4: STUDY RESULTS32

Respondent profile32

Analysis of leisure related motivations of conference attendees33

Personal inclinations and behavioral characteristics of conference attendees44

CHAPTER FIVE: CHALLENGES FACED AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANCHESTER58

Recapturing the 'lost' market58

The world-class facility59

Internal Factors59

Location GMEX60

Manchester & the Central Business District (CBD) precinct60

Expenditure61

UK economic challenges61

Super Manchester62

Spending in UK63

Environment63

Current state of Infrastructure in Manchester65

Transport networks65

Traffic issues66

Infrastructure investment66

Government support66

Entertainment opportunity68

Accommodation69

The outlook for increasing room yield69

Human resources70

Manchester labour market71

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS72

Limitations and Future research76

REFERENCES78

APPENDIX 184

APPENDIX 288

APPENDIX 390

APPENDIX 491

APPENDIX 592

APPENDIX 693

APPENDIX 794

APPENDIX 895

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Chair of the British Association of Conference Destinations and Chief Executive, Edinburgh Convention Bureau, Sue Stuart stated that the world has become a smaller place - horizons are widening and new cultures being absorbed daily. The Chair of Association of British Professional Conference Organizers and Managing Director, Healthcare Events Ltd, Jonathan Wilson considered that “humans like meeting each other, that we enjoy sharing experiences, in person; and that we'd rather listen to, and participate, in a talk in the company of our peers than in isolation in front of a PC. Today, people, enterprises and communities around the world, are linked closer than ever ...