ARC expands CSR event offering as demand grows for purpose-led team building

30th June 26, Manchester, UK: Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, will continue its partnership with MAD//Fest this July, supporting two sessions at MAD//Fest London that explore the evolving relationship between brands, culture, sponsorship and social impact.

The activation follows a successful year for the partnership, which saw MAD//North return to Aviva Studios in March, bringing together thousands of delegates from across the creative, media and marketing industries.

Taking place on the event’s Sports Stage, the first session, Sport, Culture and Cities: Building a Multi-Venue Sponsorship Strategy, will see Tom Whiteside, Group Head of Sponsorship at Aviva, joined by Jane Hector-Jones, Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship Director at Factory International. Together, they will explore how sponsorship strategies are evolving beyond traditional sport to encompass culture, place-making and audience engagement across multiple venues and destinations.

The second session, Sponsorship for Social Change: The Brands Doing Well Out of Doing Good, brings together Jane Hector-Jones again, and Scott Branch, Senior Vice President and Integrated Business Lead at THE-TEAM. The discussion will examine how brands are using partnerships and sponsorship to create meaningful social impact, drawing on examples from sport, culture and community engagement.

The sessions reflect a growing appetite from brands for partnerships that go beyond visibility alone, creating experiences, conversations and connections that resonate with audiences in more authentic ways.

Stephanie Williams, Head of Events at Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, commented, "One of the things we've really enjoyed about working with MAD is the quality of the conversations that take place. The MAD//Fest sessions bring together people who are doing genuinely interesting work across sponsorship, culture and brand partnerships. What we’re seeing at Aviva Studios is brands that want ideas, creative partners and opportunities to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. That's something we love doing when we're hosting events."

The appearance at MAD//Fest London continues a successful collaboration between the two organisations, with both committed to creating events and experiences that inspire, challenge and connect creative communities.

29th June 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester has announced Manchester Central as the host and sponsor of ‘Manchester Calling’, the official curtain-raiser to this year's event and a new addition to the CHS Manchester experience.

Taking place on the evening before CHS Manchester opens, Manchester Calling has been designed to ease the industry’s arrival in Manchester, reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces and start the conversations that will continue throughout the show.

The evening will begin with dedicated networking opportunities for both exhibitors and hosted buyers, before opening into a larger shared reception, creating a relaxed and informal environment for the wider CHS Manchester community to come together. Hosted by Manchester Central, the evening will form part of CHS Manchester's wider ambition to create an event experience that starts before the doors open and continues long after they close.

Emma King, Founder and CEO of CHS Manchester, said: "We've always believed that some of the best conversations happen before the event even begins. You're catching up with friends, meeting new people, hearing what's happening in the industry and starting conversations that often become opportunities later on.

"Manchester Calling is exactly what it sounds like. It's our chance to welcome the industry to Manchester, set the tone for the event ahead and create an environment where people can relax, enjoy themselves and do business in the way our industry does best; through conversations, relationships and shared experiences."

Stephanie Newton, Commercial Director at Manchester Central, added: "Manchester is a city known for bringing people together, so we're delighted to be hosting Manchester Calling and helping to kick off CHS Manchester in style.

"The evening creates a fantastic opportunity for exhibitors, hosted buyers and industry professionals to connect in a relaxed setting before the show begins. It's a natural extension of the hospitality and community spirit that both Manchester Central and CHS Manchester are known for."

Manchester Calling will take place at Manchester Central on the evening before CHS Manchester opens (29th September), offering attendees the chance to settle into the city, connect with peers and begin their CHS Manchester experience ahead of a packed day of learning, networking and business.

June 2026: Hilton Birmingham Metropole team members have successfully completed an extraordinary 50-kilometre charity walk around Lake Windermere, raising funds for the Fisher House UK charity as part of the hotel's 50th anniversary celebrations.

To mark the milestone birthday of one of the UK's largest conference and events hotels, 25 team members embarked on the demanding 31-mile challenge around England's largest lake.

The ambitious challenge was undertaken in support of Fisher House UK, a charity that provides a vital "home away from home" for military personnel and their families at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, the receiving hospital for injured military personnel from the UK and around the world. The experience was especially meaningful as the Hilton Birmingham Metropole team is set to host members of the Invictus Games next year. The challenge also aligns with Travel with Purpose, Hilton’s strategy to drive positive impact and deliver lasting value to the people, guests, hotels and communities where we all live, work and stay.

With Hilton Birmingham Metropole set to host the teams and VIPs for the Invictus Games next year, it therefore felt a fitting charity to support. The project also supports Hilton’s Travel With Purpose initiative which aims to uplift and support local communities.

Together the team have raised an incredible £9.5k and welcome any final contributions to help exceed their target. To support the team and donate, please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/team/hiltonhikershbm2026

The 50km challenge forms part of a wider programme of activities celebrating Hilton Birmingham Metropole's 50th birthday throughout 2026. Since opening its doors in 1976, the hotel has welcomed millions of guests, hosted thousands of events and conferences, and played a significant role in the economic and social life of the Midlands.

Speaking about the challenge, Nicola Betley, general manager, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, said: "As we celebrate 50 years of Hilton Birmingham Metropole, we wanted to mark the occasion by giving back to a cause that makes a genuine difference to people's lives. Fisher House provides incredible support to military families during exceptionally challenging times, and we are proud to support their work. The determination shown by our team throughout this challenge was truly inspiring, and we hope our efforts will help raise both awareness and much-needed funds for this important charity."

The challenge reflects Hilton Birmingham Metropole's ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and charitable causes, while bringing colleagues together through meaningful fundraising initiatives