pro.manchester sums up sector in 2009

Networking has stepped up a gear in Manchester, as 5,862 professionals attended pro.manchester’s series of 100 events in the past 12 months.

The programme of high-level networking events hosted by the financial and professional organisation included 11 ‘big name’ speaker lunches, 58 sector-specific discussion groups, eight international visits (inward and outward) as well as a high profile event with the Mayor of the City of London.

With 2,500 members and 250 corporate members, professionals are tuned in to the value of working the network in the city region’s only financial and professional services forum.

2009 saw 1,740 bacon sandwiches consumed, while doing business at breakfast discussions and 3,020 glasses of wine supped to encourage the flow of business at professional lunches. The network also led to at least 8,000 handshakes to seal business opportunities in 2009.

Celebrating Manchester city region’s credentials as business hosts, pro.manchester held events at 45 different locations in 2009, 25 of which were held at members’ own venues, giving them the opportunity to showcase their offices.

Always keen to focus on international relations, given Manchester’s profile in the global market, pro.manchester hosted inward and outward delegations in 2009 with professional peers in The Gulf, India, Brussels, China and the US.

Commenting on the past year, chief executive John Ashcroft, said: “Manchester’s professionals have recognised networking is more important than ever to attract business. Our packed programme of events has attracted senior players in the financial and professional sector and created valuable business opportunities.