The chief executive of Manchester Central has hailed the "promising" start to 2022 for the city centre events complex.
The venue welcomed over 135,000 delegates in the last four months of 2021 while it has more than 110 events booked into its 2022 calendar.
The 10,000 capacity venue is hosting a number of large public exhibitions and trade conferences this month, including the global fitness race, HYROX Manchester, where over 2,000 athletes will gather to compete on January 29.
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Planned events for February look set to bring over 10,000 delegates into the city, and include Future Cheer 2022, Bricktastic 2022 and the Built Environment's Northern Powerhouse Economic Growth Conference, while in March, the venue will host UCAS, Northern Restaurant and Bar Show 2022, Digital City Festival 2022, the North of England Dentistry Show and the BSAVA Congress among others.
Shaun Hinds, CEO at Manchester Central, said: "We have started the year promisingly with a number of significant enquiries for events in 2022, on the same par as we saw upon reopening last year, proving that businesses are eager to get back to live events.
"Despite economic pressures, we continue on a strong upward trajectory and have a healthy pipeline in place.
"We currently have more than 110 events booked into our calendar year, including a number of new concepts which we are excited to host.
"In the same period, we’ve also confirmed new bookings for 2023, indicating real appetite and eagerness in the live events sector as it continues in its recovery.
"Although there is a natural nervousness as organisers return to hosting, our teams are continuing to work closely with businesses as they plan their events to ensure a safe, successful and enjoyable experience for all at Manchester Central."
Manchester Central also welcomed several new recruits at the start of the year across several departments including sales and hospitality, and still has a number of vacancies available across the business.
Mr Hinds added: "Live events are such an important part of the regrowth and regeneration of the city-region and critical to our wider economic and societal recovery.
"Our sector added £30bn into the UK economy annually pre-Covid, and our venue brings around £150m into Greater Manchester in a typical year.
"On average, for every £1 spent at Manchester Central, a further £6 is spent in the wider city, in our hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and taxis. Being able to support other businesses in this way is something we are extremely proud of."
