Manchester, the winner of ‘Best UK Destination’ at Confex 2007, is returning to the event with a striking new look.

Visit Manchester, the tourist board for Greater Manchester, can be found at stand B439 along with a whole host of entertainment arranged for visitors to the stand.

Manchester Central has arranged for a performance by the Bar Wizards, who shot to fame in the TV series Britain’s Got Talent.

There will also be champagne and strawberries courtesy of Manchester United; and the Radisson Edwardian – one of Manchester’s finest five-star hotels – is hosting a luxury spa and pamper session.

Catherine Walker, head of conference and business tourism at Visit Manchester, said: “International Confex is the biggest event of its kind in the UK. As the current ‘Best UK Destination’ we’re looking to impress on visitors to Confex why Manchester is still the best place to do business. There have been some amazing developments in the city during the past twelve months and we’re confident the conference product is better than ever before.”

Some of the recent developments include the conversion of the historic Gorton Monastery, just outside the city, into a first class conference, exhibition and events space. Within the city centre, the former BT building on London Road has been transformed into a 338-bed, four-star Macdonald hotel complete with 13 meeting rooms and a main function suite for 280 covers.

Partners of Visit Manchester that will be on the stand include: Manchester United, Manchester Central, The Macdonald Manchester, The Hilton Manchester Deansgate, The M61 Group, The Palace Hotel, Premier Inn, The Radisson Edwardian Manchester Hotel, The Ramada Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, and The Rocco Forte Collection’s Lowry Hotel.

Visit Manchester has also been shortlisted for Best UK Convention Bureau in the Meetings & Incentive Travel Awards, which take place on 11^th February.