Marketing Manchester is searching for a new generation of ‘Ambassadors’ to help them bring valuable conference business to the city.

Suitable movers and shakers will be invited to become part of Manchester’s new Conference Ambassador Programme – a project to encourage and assist the city’s key academic, medical and industry figures to bid to bring national and international conferences within their field to Manchester.

The programme follows research which estimates that 70% of international conferences take place where they do because of the involvement of a local representative from that industry.

Conference Ambassadors will be supported by Marketing Manchester in a number of ways, from unbiased venue finding and delegate accommodation booking, to preparing bids and presentations as well as providing guidance with applications for civic funding.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: “We’re fortunate that Manchester already has a very healthy conference business. But we can’t take it for granted. Securing events for the city is a full time job.

“The Conference Ambassador Programme will help us to identify all types of industry events that could take place in Manchester. These will not only bring economic benefits to the city and surrounding region but will also help us to raise Manchester’s profile on the international stage.

“Through their role in helping to organise the conference, Ambassador’s can also expect a higher profile in their own industry. It’s a win-win deal.”

For more information about the project or to apply to become a Conference Ambassador, visit: www.manchesterconferences.com/conferenceambassadors