ACADEMICS are being encouraged to act as ambassadors by putting Manchester forward as a major conference destination.

The new Academic Conference Ambassador Programme is co-ordinated by the Greater Manchester Visitor and Convention Bureau in partnership with the four universities in Greater Manchester.

It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Seventy top Manchester academics attended a launch presentation at Manchester Town Hall. Dr Patrick Greene, the GMVCB Chairman, said: "Since the launch more than 100 academics are keen to bring conferences to Manchester.

"Academics are very excited about the benefits of the new programme, not only for themselves and their university but for the region as a whole - the economic potential is enormous."

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