CHS Manchester Unveils Advisory Board
23 March 2026
23rd March 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester is continuing to build momentum ahead of its inaugural show in September, with the announcement of a new Advisory Board, bringing together some of the most respected and well-connected voices across the UK events industry.
With leaders from across the events ecosystem, from agencies and producers to destinations, venues and community builders, the board reflects the breadth and creativity of the sector itself. Equally, the group has been created not simply to advise, but to actively influence the future of the show, ensuring its education, product mix, visitor experience and wider story remain relevant, inspiring and valuable to the industry.
The board includes an exceptional mix of talent and experience, including Dr Ferron Gray, a respected voice in events research and academia; Sharon Bannister, HTS, one of the industry’s leading opinion leaders; Lucy Nicholls, Founder and Creative Director, The PS Events Group; Leo Lloyd founder of Leopold Marketing, well known for his strategic communications expertise; Di Thompson, co-founder of The Delegate Wranglers and a driving force behind the industry’s most engaged community; Holly Moore, CEO of creative agency Make Events; Laura Mason from Marketing Manchester, representing the city’s powerful destination story; Steph Newton from Manchester Central, one of Manchester’s leading venues; and Sandra Sagar from AO Arena / Legends Global, the show’s host venue.
Together, the board represent exactly the blend of insight, creativity and credibility needed to help bring the Manchester vision for CHS to life, sharing ideas, experience and perspective to ensure the show reflects the ambitions of the modern events industry.
Emma King, CEO of CHS Group, said: “One of the things that has made CHS Manchester so exciting is the momentum building around it. The industry has really got behind the idea of a national show in Manchester, one that brings together the very best venues, destinations, suppliers and buyers in an environment that feels fresh, creative and genuinely useful.”
“This advisory board reflects exactly that spirit. These are people with huge experience, credibility and influence in our sector. They understand the industry deeply, and they also care about its future. Their role is to help us keep pushing the show forward — ensuring the content, the community and the experience live up to everything the industry wants it to be.”
CHS Manchester has quickly established itself as one of the industry’s most talked-about gatherings, a national ‘super show’ that blends business, community and creativity in a way that feels distinctly different from traditional exhibitions. Alongside a growing roster of exhibitors from across the UK, the show has also developed a festival-style atmosphere, with conversations, networking and collaboration continuing well beyond the show floor through a vibrant fringe programme across the city.
The new Advisory Board will play a central role in shaping that experience, helping ensure the show continues to evolve, reflect the industry and spread its positive influence across the UK events community as momentum builds towards the next CHS Manchester.
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