Manchester delegation celebrated at MeetEngland Impact Network Launch

Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester, has taken part in the launch of MeetEngland Impact Network, part of VisitEngland, reaffirming the city region’s status as a world-class knowledge hub and conference destination.  

The Impact Network is a national initiative designed to celebrate conference ambassador programmes and serve as a connecting platform for destinations, academics, and industry leaders across England. Manchester was one of 15 destinations attending and was recognised in the inaugural MeetEngland Impact Network Roll of Honour. 

Image credit: VisitBritain/ Fiona Finchett

A delegation from Manchester, featuring three distinguished Manchester Conference Ambassadors (Mbassadors)   - Professor Tim Cable (Manchester Metropolitan University), Professor Kirsty Fairclough (Manchester Metropolitan University), and Professor Andy Miah (University of Salford) - attended to highlight Greater Manchester as a hub for successful events, knowledge exchange and innovation. 

The Manchester Conference Ambassador Programme (Mbassador Programme), established by the Manchester Convention Bureau in partnership with our local universities and support of the local meetings industry stakeholders, brings together and supports influential leaders from across the region who champion Manchester on the global stage, helping to attract major conferences and events to the city while amplifying its principal sector strengths. 

During the event, Professor Tim Cable, from the Institute of Sport at Manchester Metropolitan University, was presented a Roll of Honour Award acknowledging him as “a passionate advocate for the power of business events to accelerate research impact”. The award recognised his pivotal role in securing the 2027 edition of the Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and his work to raise the profile of Greater Manchester as a leading sporting city. Professor Cable also represented Manchester on the panel From conference to catalyst, examining the role of conferences in driving change, facilitating new partnerships and collaboration between ambassadors and destinations in securing major events. 

On the day, Professor Kirsty Fairclough, Professor of Screen Studies at the School of Digital Arts (SODA), Manchester Metropolitan University commented: "The launch of the MeetEngland Impact Network highlights the critical role that intellectual capital plays in securing our position as a global leader in innovation. My experience working with the Manchester Convention Bureau to win the MeCCSA Conference and multiple other event bids has shown me the power of collaboration between academia and destination experts. 

"For me, being an ambassador is an honour that allows us to shine a light on Manchester’s expertise in digital arts and cultural studies on the world stage. I urge my peers across all sectors to step forward as ambassadors. Partnering with your city’s bureau opens doors to new collaborations and provides the platform needed to bring prestigious, high-value events to our doorsteps." 

Professor Andy Miah, Chair of Science Communication & Future Media at the School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford said: “It's a pleasure to be one of the Mbassadors for Greater Manchester. We have such a strong, collaborative knowledge economy in the region and we are very aware that our destination is incredibly attractive to global and national audiences. At Salford University, our properties across MediaCity and Salford Crescent have become destinations for major events from the Healthy City Design conference to the BEYOND Conference and each event we host breathes new life into our community." 

Dr Dmitrijs Andrejevs, Senior Conference Research Executive at Marketing Manchester, noted: “Securing high-value international events for Greater Manchester is a team effort, and our Manchester Mbassador Programme is at the heart of that success. We are proud to see our Mbassadors’ expertise recognised nationally, and participation of our ambassadors in the MeetEngland Impact Network ensures that our local expertise is aligned to amplify Greater Manchester’s strengths on the global stage.”  

Image credit: VisitBritain/ Fiona Finchett

Join the Mbassador programme 

Are you an influential leader in your field, passionate about bringing your community together in the city-region? Join our network of experts and access the support infrastructure to help further amplify the region’s sector strengths and to support us in bringing leading events to Manchester. Learn more here: Ambassadors | Meet in Manchester.