Manchester has become one of the UK's leading destinations for conferences, corporate events, exhibitions and incentive travel. This September, the city's events industry gets another major opportunity to connect when CHS Manchester arrives at the AO Arena.

Taking place on Wednesday 30 September 2026, CHS Manchester brings event professionals together with hundreds of venues, destinations and event suppliers from across the UK and Europe. For anyone involved in organising meetings, conferences, corporate hospitality or events, it promises to be an important date in the Manchester events calendar.

For businesses bringing clients, delegates or VIP guests into the city, however, the event also highlights an often-overlooked part of the event experience: getting people to and from the venue professionally and reliably.

What is CHS Manchester?

CHS Manchester is a new event for 2026, following the established CHS events in Leeds and Birmingham.

The event is designed specifically for people who organise and manage meetings and events. Its audience includes corporate event professionals, event agencies, PAs and EAs, venue finders, association and not-for-profit event professionals, and luxury and incentive travel agents.

The main event takes place at AO Arena on Wednesday 30 September, with the exhibition running from 9am until 4pm, followed by an after-show party.

Organisers say the Manchester event will bring together more than 300 suppliers, with education sessions, networking opportunities and opportunities to meet venues and event suppliers face to face.

For event professionals, that creates an opportunity to discover new venues, suppliers and ideas while building relationships with people working throughout the industry.

More Than a One-Day Trade Show

One of the interesting aspects of CHS Manchester is that the event begins before the main exhibition.

On Tuesday 29 September, CHS Manchester hosts its Manchester Calling programme at Manchester Central, giving attendees an opportunity to experience more of the city before the main event. The programme includes networking and access to Manchester venues, followed by the main exhibition at AO Arena the following day.

For Hosted Buyers travelling more than 60 minutes to the AO Arena, the programme can also include accommodation, the fringe programme, the welcome event, exhibition access, education sessions, appointments, lunch and refreshments, and the after-show party.

That makes transport an important consideration for visitors who may have several meetings, venue visits and networking commitments across Manchester.

Why Transport Matters at Corporate Events

Event organisers spend considerable time planning venues, catering, schedules, accommodation and delegate experiences. Transport can sometimes be treated as an afterthought.

Yet for important clients, speakers, executives and VIP guests, the journey between locations is part of the overall experience.

Manchester's city centre has excellent public transport connections, and AO Arena is directly connected to Victoria Station. However, public transport is not always the most appropriate option when guests are carrying equipment, travelling as a group, working to a tight itinerary or representing a corporate client.

There can also be occasions when an event itinerary involves several locations rather than simply travelling to and from AO Arena.

A guest might need to travel from Manchester Airport to a hotel, attend a meeting, continue to a venue visit, return to the city centre for an evening reception and then travel back to their accommodation.

For those situations, pre-booked executive transport can make the logistics considerably simpler.

Executive Chauffeur Services for Manchester Events

Manchester Chauffeur Service provides chauffeur services from Middleton, Manchester, including corporate and executive travel throughout the Manchester area.

For event organisers, a chauffeur service can be useful for more than simply providing a journey from A to B.

A pre-booked chauffeur can form part of a wider event transportation plan, helping organisers coordinate airport transfers, hotel transfers, venue visits, corporate meetings and evening events.

This can be particularly useful when guests have fixed schedules and need to arrive at different locations at specific times.

Supporting Corporate Event Itineraries

Corporate events rarely involve just one destination.

An event programme might involve:

• Manchester Airport arrivals
• Hotel transfers
• AO Arena
• Manchester Central
• Corporate offices and meeting spaces
• Restaurant and hospitality venues
• Client entertainment
• Evening receptions
• Conference and exhibition venues
• Transfers back to hotels or the airport

For an event organiser, having transport arranged in advance can remove another logistical task from the day.

It can also provide guests with a more private and comfortable environment between meetings, allowing them to prepare for their next appointment, make calls or simply take a break from a busy event schedule.

A Useful Option for PAs and EAs

The CHS Manchester audience includes PAs and EAs, who frequently find themselves responsible for organising travel and logistics on behalf of senior executives and clients.

For an executive attending a Manchester conference or corporate event, the details surrounding the journey can matter just as much as the destination.

A professional chauffeur booking can provide a straightforward solution where the itinerary involves multiple locations or where punctuality and presentation are particularly important.

It also means the transport arrangements can be organised ahead of time rather than leaving an executive or guest to arrange taxis during a busy event schedule.

Manchester Is Built for Business Events

CHS Manchester is also an opportunity to showcase what Manchester offers as an events destination.

The city combines major conference and exhibition facilities with hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, transport connections and a large business community. CHS itself is using multiple Manchester venues as part of its programme, with Manchester Central featuring in the pre-event Manchester Calling programme and AO Arena hosting the main event.

For event planners discovering Manchester for the first time, the city offers plenty of possibilities for building an event programme that extends beyond the conference room.

That makes reliable local transport particularly valuable.

Planning Your Journey to CHS Manchester

If you are attending CHS Manchester on 30 September, it is worth considering your transport arrangements before the event rather than leaving them until the day.

Think about:

1. Where are you staying?
   Your hotel may be outside the immediate city centre, particularly if you are travelling as part of a larger event group.
2. How many locations are involved?
   If you have meetings, venue visits or evening events alongside CHS, consider arranging transport around the complete itinerary.
3. Are you travelling with clients or senior executives?
   A private chauffeur can provide a more controlled and comfortable travel experience.
4. Are you arriving through Manchester Airport?
   Pre-arranging an airport transfer can provide a straightforward first and last leg of the trip.
5. Do you have a tight schedule?
   Building transport into the itinerary in advance can make it easier to keep the day running smoothly.

Making the Most of CHS Manchester

CHS Manchester is ultimately about connections — connecting event professionals with suppliers, venues and each other.

For those attending from outside the city, it is also an opportunity to experience Manchester as an events destination. The combination of the Manchester Calling programme on 29 September and the main CHS event at AO Arena on 30 September gives visitors the chance to experience more than a conventional exhibition.

And when the event involves important clients, executives or VIP guests, the journey between those experiences deserves some consideration too.

Whether you are organising delegate transfers, arranging executive travel or putting together a complete corporate event itinerary, Executive Chauffeur Service can provide professionally arranged chauffeur travel across Manchester and the surrounding area.

For event professionals attending CHS Manchester, it is another example of how the right local suppliers can help turn a complicated event itinerary into a smoother experience.

Planning corporate travel or executive transport in Manchester? Contact Executive Chauffeur Service to discuss your requirements.