Co-op Live Welcomes Marketing in the Northern Powerhouse 2026
On 22 September 2026, some of the North's brightest marketing minds will come together at Co-op Live for Marketing in the Northern Powerhouse 2026.
Following a successful debut, the conference returns to Manchester for a day of insight, discussion and practical learning, bringing together more than 200 marketers, business leaders and industry experts from across the North West.
As both venue and headline sponsor, Co-op Live is proud to host an event that celebrates the ambition, creativity and innovation driving growth across the region.
From the impact of AI and emerging technology to brand building, customer experience and commercial growth, the programme is designed to help marketers navigate change and seize new opportunities. Alongside keynote speakers and industry panels, attendees will have the chance to connect with peers, share ideas and build valuable relationships with professionals from across the sector.
What to Expect
The conference runs from 09:30 to 17:00 and will explore:
- AI strategy and transformation
- Brand strategy and development
- Customer insights and experience
- Marketing-led business growth
- Leadership and innovation
Attendees will hear from an impressive line-up of speakers, including:
- Chris Daly, CEO, CIM
- Dr Marina Hauer, Brand Builder in Chief, Apricity Studios
- Imran Farooq, CIM Course Director & AI Strategist
- Mercè Cozens, Principal Management Consultant, Think Beyond
- Penelope Silver, AI Strategist, Educator & Founder, Soul Made AI
- Adil Ladha, Senior Marketing Manager, AutoTrader
- Jake Third, CEO, Hallam
- Nick Godbehere and Alex Bone, Hitch Marketing
- Tom Mulcrow, Seal Films
- Mike Liall, ITV
- Daniel Thompson, Freedom Media Group
Co-op Live Leads the Conversation on Placemaking
As headline sponsor, Co-op Live will host a featured panel exploring how entertainment venues are evolving far beyond the main event.
Destination Matters: The Power of Placemaking will bring together industry leaders to discuss how venues can become destinations in their own right, creating spaces where people connect, discover new experiences and build lasting relationships with places and communities.
As expectations continue to evolve, the best venues are no longer defined solely by what happens on stage. From food and drink to public spaces, culture and community, the experience now begins long before doors open and continues long after the final encore.
Moderated by Ben Tipple, Communications Director at Co-op Live, the panel features:
Rebecca Lott, Marketing Director, Co-op Live
Paul Mulholland, Head of Marketing & Activations, Medlock Square Entertainment District
Caroline Aikman, Director of Marketing & Place, MediaCity
Together, they'll explore how placemaking and destination marketing can help create vibrant, year-round destinations that attract audiences, support local communities and deliver lasting commercial impact.
Event Information
Date: 22 September 2026
Registration: From 09:30
Conference: 10:00 to 17:00
Venue: Co-op Live, 1 Sportcity Way, Etihad Campus, Manchester, M11 3DU
Prices: From £50.00
Join the Conversation
Whether you're leading a brand, growing a business or looking for fresh inspiration, Marketing in the Northern Powerhouse 2026 offers an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with fellow marketers and explore what's next for the profession.
Book your place now
Looking for a Venue That Brings People Together?
Marketing in the Northern Powerhouse 2026 is just one example of how Co-op Live is helping businesses create memorable events in a setting designed to inspire. From industry conferences and awards dinners to product launches, brand activations and corporate celebrations, our spaces bring people together in a way that's anything but ordinary.
Set in the heart of the Etihad Campus and surrounded by the growing Medlock Square entertainment district, Co-op Live offers flexible event spaces, award-winning hospitality and a team focused on delivering experiences people remember long after they've left.
Interested in hosting your next event at Co-op Live? Explore our venue hire options and discover a space built for big ideas.