Centenary Celebrations

Earlier this month from 7 to 10 May, Manchester played host to a remarkable event – the centenary convention of the Inner Wheel, one of the largest women's service organisations in the world.? Organised by Apex Events & Exhibitions, working closely with the Inner Wheel, the convention brought together 2,300 members from over 50 countries. This year's event was particularly special as it marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the organisation.

The Inner Wheel is dedicated to fostering friendship, personal service, and international understanding. Established in 1924, it has grown to encompass over 100,000 members in more than 100 countries. The organisation focuses on improving lives and communities through various service projects and charitable activities.

At Apex we were proud to be selected as the managing agency by the Inner Wheel to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for all attendees, from initial registration to the many social, business and interactive sessions over four busy days in the Manchester Central convention centre.

Day one consisted of welcoming guests from around the world to Manchester. We registered all guests and provided them with the information they needed to make the most of their visit. In addition to seminars, the day featured the launch of the marketplace area, where charities and organisations could display their work. We also opened the House of Culture, which showcased projects and artefacts from a number of the countries where the Inner Wheel operates. This exhibition remained open for the duration of the event.

The second day began with the official opening ceremony, opened by the International President, Trish Douglas, and attended by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff. This was followed by lunch and several engaging business sessions for attendees. The highlight of the day was the Friendship Dinners, which offered an opportunity for networking and making new friends. Several iconic locations around Manchester, including museums, cathedrals, and monasteries hosted these dinners, showcasing the best the city has to offer while providing a fun evening of food and friendship.

Thursday was eagerly anticipated by our team and attendees alike, as it was time for the Gala Dinner. To celebrate the 100th anniversary in style, we recreated the atmosphere of 1924 with a roaring 20s theme. The evening featured flappers and feathers, food and fun, making it a night to remember.

All good things must come to an end, and the event concluded with another full day of cultural activities, idea sharing, business sessions, and a closing ceremony to thank all the delegates and look forward to the next 100 years.

We have already received wonderful feedback from the organisers, highlighting the success and smooth execution of the event. Our team worked tirelessly, and we want to thank the Inner Wheel and everyone who we worked with in making this celebration unforgettable.

The convention co-ordinator for the Inner Wheel, Pam McConnell, wrote:

“I want to begin the week by sending a huge thank you to all the staff at Apex who made last week's Convention happen. It goes without saying that without you there would have been nothing, I know I speak on behalf of all the committee - that last week's successful event was down to you and all the support you gave us, we really do appreciate everything you did for us.”