What I learned on my Manchester fam trip (three months into the role)

March 26, 2026

HTS

What I learned on my Manchester fam trip (three months into the role)

By Rosie-Mai Blake, Conference Consultant

Three months into the industry, I was lucky enough to join a hosted Manchester fam trip, and it was a proper introduction to how much there is to take in, both in the city and in my role at HTS.

Packed schedule aside, the trip was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had so far. We always say you need to see a venue to sell a venue! Seeing venues in person, as well as what a city has to offer has allowed me to ensure I can maximise a client’s experience. Actually being there, walking the spaces and experiencing the city, really brings an event to life.

First impressions

We spent two nights staying at the Manchester Marriott Piccadilly, which was a great starting point.

A hotel room with a sofa, a bed, and a bedside table with a lamp.

Being just a few minutes’ walk from Piccadilly Station, the venue is an excellent location for conferences and events. Experiencing the journey myself made it much easier to picture how delegates would arrive. That’s often difficult to judge on paper, but it makes a real difference when recommending venues to clients, particularly when you can speak confidently about accessibility from key public transport hubs.

We also had breakfast in one of the meeting rooms but again, sitting in the space helped bring it to life. I’ve already found myself referring back to my experience when speaking to a client looking to host an event in Manchester.

Seeing venues properly (and what actually sticks)

One of our first stops was Cloud 23, where we had drinks and canapés with views of the city.

I didn’t expect the views to be that impressive – it completely changed my perception of Manchester as a destination for more high-impact moments like welcome drinks or networking events.

We then visited The Edwardian Manchester, which really stood out for a few reasons:

A large, flexible event space that can be split into smaller rooms
No pillars in the main room (which, I’ve now learned, is a big deal for conferences!)
A really strong food offering, including tailored dining experiences

A unique aspect that has really stayed with me is their suite-style rooms with an indoor ‘balcony’ feel. It’s covered, but feels like you are outside. This is something I hadn’t seen before and could work really well for group stays, or VIP guests.

It’s not just about meeting rooms

One of the biggest takeaways from the trip was how much Manchester offers beyond standard conference spaces.

We spent time at Food Sorcery, where we took park in a cooking experience, making chocolate fondants, gyozas and ramen. This was a particularly enjoyable aspect of the trip, and a real hands-on example of how effective interactive activities can be for team building.

A chef wearing an orange apron prepares food on a cutting board in a modern kitchen. Several ingredients are laid out on the counter, including vegetables and bowls of food.

A collection of ingredients for cooking, including vegetables like baby corn, carrots, and broccoli, along with an egg, shallots, garlic, chili, and soy sauce. Tools like peelers, tongs, and a cutting board are also visible.

Then there was Aviva Studios, which completely surprised me.

A spacious indoor venue with seating areas, industrial looking pipe work on the high ceiling, a stage, and "AVIVA studios" signage on the wall.

It’s huge – with theatre space, warehouse-style event areas, and the ability to run multiple large events at once thanks to soundproofing. It felt very creative and different to a typical venue.

Discovering the city itself

We had the privilege of doing a walking tour of the city, really putting myself into the clients’ shoes. I was able to spot nearby restaurants, and other amenities, particularly focusing on sustainability, which, in today’s world, is a key detail when venue sourcing.

I did not realise how much history Manchester has, particularly around the suffragette movement. It added a completely different layer to the destination and made me think more about how the city itself can be part of the event experience.

Our hosts also took us to some ‘hidden gem’ venues, including a very small historic library space that could be used for more intimate events. It’s the kind of place you would never find without local knowledge, and was a real eye-opening experience.

A tall ladder stands in front of towering, dark wooden bookshelves filled with numerous old books. The books are of various sizes and colours, with many featuring light-coloured spines and bindings.

Memorable moments make all the difference

Our gala dinner at Manchester Art Gallery was a real highlight.

A long dining table is set with place settings and lit candles in a gallery room with paintings on the walls.

A string quartet performs in a room adorned with hanging string lights, with paintings on the walls.

Upon entry, a string quartet was playing before a dinner set amongst the artwork. It’s exactly the kind of setting that leaves a lasting impression on delegates.

Sustainability and city pride

We also had a session with the Manchester Convention Bureau around sustainability.

What stood out most was not just the strategy, but how passionate people are about the city. There’s a real sense that everyone wants Manchester to succeed and improve, which comes through in how they talk about the city.

Why this trip mattered (especially early on)

Being so new to the industry, this trip was a true Manchester crash course – but in the best way!

Within days, I was already using what I had learned in real conversations with clients and colleagues. Being able to say “I’ve been there” or “I’ve seen that space” makes a huge difference for my confidence when providing recommendations.

It also made networking feel much more natural. It is a lot easier to build relationships when you have met people face-to-face rather than communicating solely through emails and phone calls.

Manchester really surprised me

A group of people stand in front of a large red brick building on a cloudy day. Some people are holding umbrellas.

There’s such a range of venues and experiences, from large event spaces to creative, interactive options, and everything feels very well-connected and easy to navigate.

Most importantly, the trip reinforced just how valuable it is to experience a destination properly. It is what allows us to move beyond just recommending venues and instead match the right spaces to the right brief with confidence.