Change in the air as old favourite is revamped

The Annual Dinner is a pro·manchester tradition but 2010 was the year to shake off the cobwebs and revamp an old favourite.

May 13th saw laughter and glamour as over 500 guests descended on the Hilton Hotel for a black tie affair to remember.

Members enjoyed a five course meal and entertainment from funny man Hugh Dennis while outgoing Chairman Sue Webster talked about the new energy within the organisation, no  more felt than at the all new and very different Annual Dinner 2010.

Some new events were also added to the pro·manchester programme this year with the first Annual Lecture in March. Design guru Stephen Bayley was the inaugural lecture speaker, a colourful character Bayley argued the case for design versus politics and passionately spoke of his belief that the most important things are immeasurable. The first Annual Lecture was hosted by pro.manchester members, architects BDP and was attended by over 50 pro·manchester members. 

November brought the first pro·manchester Big Economics Debate, the gloves were off as pro·manchester Chief Executive John Ashcroft and Chief Economist at Barclays Wealth Michael Dicks debated the positives and negatives of the UK economy, Financial Times Business Editor Andy Bounds chaired the bout which ended with Dicks as the winner. Over 80 members attended the debate held at the Lowry Hotel.

The evolution of pro·manchester's events programme continues in 2011 with the Business and Professional Services Conference on 17th March also the introduction of short courses as part of the Connects programme planned for early 2011.