FOCUS ON: Manchester Central
The Smart Display team ventures out to venues all over Europe but, as true northerners, they can’t help but proudly fly the flag for installing at northern venues like Manchester Central.
This year in particular has seen the firm’s most local venue increase its range of trade events, putting the centre firmly on the map alongside its bigger contemporaries the NEC and the ExCeL. With six months of the year still to go, there are already 21 major events planned at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, including the UK Space Conference, the UK Packaging Expo and Healthcare Estates.
Based just over the Pennines, Smart Display is the partner of choice for customers seeking exhibition stand design and build at Manchester Central. Having just come back from a successful edition of Design in Mental Health, the team is back in action, pre-building stands for Calibre Scientific at the Microscience Microscopy Congress 2025 next month, and Bender and Venesta at Healthcare Estates later in the year.
Smart Display’s proximity to the venue means the team can often build in just one day and, for overseas exhibitors in particular, having a trusted local partner is essential.
“This is our biggest and most important show and we generate a lot of traffic and deals from it,” said Mark Verhoeven, product manager at Netherlands-based Recornect at Design in Mental Health earlier this month. “It’s important that we have the right stand presence and – together with Smart Display – we have created a beautiful design which has the same look and feel as the branding on our website and our office in Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
“We receive a lot of positive feedback on the stand, and visitors saying that they remember us from last year. That’s because most of the elements are re-used, with a few new fabrics because we wanted to change some text. But for us, re-using the stand saves costs and contributes in the mission to be a very sustainable organisation in healthcare – so our visions align very well with that of Smart Display.”
For visitors and exhibitors alike, the location of Manchester Central has the dual bonus of a city centre location, and a geographically-central position which makes it easily accessible from the north, south, east and west. Overseas visitors can have a seamless journey too, thanks to the city’s major international airport. If you are heading to Manchester Central this year, here’s how to make the most of your trip;
Getting here
By tram
The nearest tram stop is St. Peter’s Square and is just minutes away on foot. Trams run so frequently that no timetable is required, and tickets can be bought via the machines at the station on via the Bee Network app. Find out more here.
By train
Most mainline services arrive into Manchester Picadilly station, which is a 20 minute walk from Manchester Central. Visitors can also consider a tram from the station, or a connecting train to Manchester Oxford Road, which is five minutes on foot from the venue.
By car
Manchester is well connected to the rest of the UK via the motorway network. If using a satellite navigation system, follow the postcode M2 3GX. There is an NCP directly below Manchester Central that is open 24 hours a day all year round, and can be pre-booked online.
Eat
As the UK’s fifth largest city, Manchester is home to every type of cuisine visitors could ever want, with notable destination restaurants including Australasia, Mana and Adam Reid at the French. However, for those seeking quick refreshments on-site, Manchester Central’s workspace the Junction offers coffee, alcoholic drinks, brunch, snacks and small plates all day, every day within an environment conducive to both working and networking.
Sleep
Manchester Central’s location makes it accessible to most hotels in the city, guaranteeing that you can find a hotel to suit your budget. However, if you prefer to walk to site, some of the closest options are;
The Edwardian Manchester – 106 metres from the halls
The Midland Hotel – 143 metres from the halls
Premier Inn Manchester Central – 150 metres from the halls
Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central – 0.3 miles from the halls
Hilton Manchester Deansgate – 0.3 miles from the halls
Moxy Manchester City – 0.3 miles from the halls
Manchester Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Portland Street) – 0.3 miles from the halls
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – 0.4 miles from the halls
The Oxnoble Hotel – 0.5 miles from the halls
Brewdog Doghouse Mancheter Hotel – 0.5 miles from the halls
Play
If your exhibition is your first visit to Manchester, it’s well worth adding on an extra day or two to explore the sights. Culture-seekers can enjoy a range of museums including the Science & Industry Museum, the People’s History Museum and the Manchester Jewish Museum. Football fans can take a tour around iconic stadia the Etihad and Old Trafford, while theatres including the Opera House, the Palace Theatre and the Lowry are regular hosts of national touring shows.
