A Key Date in the Event Industry Calendar
With spring in full swing, the new financial year beginning, and the industry exhibition season at its peak, April is always a buzzing time at Park Lane Events. One event that’s firmly in my calendar each year is CHS Leeds, especially this year with so many refurbishments and new openings currently taking place.
Taking place on Tuesday, 25th March, at The Royal Armouries, CHS Leeds is an essential one-day exhibition designed for anyone involved in organising business events. Whether you’re planning small meetings, corporate conferences, or large-scale gatherings, this is the place to be.
Why Attending Industry Events Matters
As someone dedicated to finding the perfect venues for my clients, staying up to date with new openings, refurbishments, and standout venues is crucial. As I have been approved as a hosted buyer, I have received a lovely invite to visit three venues the day prior with the following itinerary:
🍽 1:00 PM – Hilton Leeds City
Kicking things off with a delicious buffet lunch while exploring the hotel’s stunning refurbishments, including brand-new Premium guest rooms, a stylishly revamped lobby, City 3 Restaurant & Bar, and modern event spaces accommodating 10-400 delegates.
🌆 2:00 PM – Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Leeds
Taking an exclusive first look at this brand-new property, featuring sleek contemporary bedrooms and versatile meeting rooms. Then, heading up to the 12th floor Azotea Rooftop Hacienda, where I’ll be ‘soaking in breathtaking city views while indulging in Latin American desserts and refreshing drinks.’ What a great way to see Leeds!
🍸 3:00 PM – Liquor Studio Leeds
Rounding off the day with a non-alcoholic welcome drink, followed by a mini masterclass in flavour and mixology. Here I shall be: ‘Exploring the Science of Taste with fun, hands-on activities and guided tastings that will spark my senses.’ It’s always a great idea to experience these things firsthand before recommending them!
I’ll then pop back to the hotel to refresh before heading out to the evening CHS networking event at a local venue. I love this event because you can go alone and, within minutes, bump into someone you know. If not, it’s such a welcoming space where you can walk into an unfamiliar group with a cheery ‘Hi, I’m Lyndsey’… and the conversations just flow!
Making the Most of CHS Leeds
The next morning, I’ll be heading straight to The Royal Armouries for CHS Leeds. One of the reasons I love this show is that you only need to commit to four appointments throughout the day—something I easily accomplish in the first hour. This leaves the rest of the day free to walk the exhibition floor, catch up with venues I don’t know, and stop by those that catch my eye. It allows me to work with the flow of the exhibition rather than rushing from one scheduled appointment to another.
I’ve also earmarked a couple of seminars from the packed educational programme:
The ‘Welfare Show’ Theme
“The theme for CHS Leeds embodies everything from duty of care and protection to mental and physical health considerations. It’s about protecting our events, our delegates, and our teams.”
- The Importance of Welfare in 2025
- The Business of Female Friendship – The Hidden Key to Confidence, Success & Expansion
- Understanding Martyn’s Law: Practical Implementation Advice
- Getting Ready for the EU Accessibility Act 2025: What Event Professionals Need to Know
- How Safe Are Our Delegates Really?
- From Survive to Thrive
Exploring Leeds and Expanding My Knowledge
I’ve decided to stay and additional night or two, giving me the perfect opportunity to explore more of the city. My itinerary includes site visits to venues I’m currently booking, recently refurbished properties, and, of course, any exciting new openings. Staying up to date with the latest venue offerings ensures I can provide my clients with the best recommendations.
I also recently heard that Leeds has a Santander Co-Working Hub, where coincidentally, an event is taking place while I’m there: “Stop Living in Burnout Cycles Without Having to Give Up on Your Big Dreams” on Wednesday, 26th March. It’s always great to discover spaces that bring professionals together and offer valuable insights—plus, I’m always keen to hear fresh perspectives on work-life balance.
One of the highlights of my trip will be an in-person catch-up with a wonderful client based near Leeds. Face-to-face meetings are always a treat, and I’m looking forward to personally thanking them for all their support and business.
Five Reasons to Join Me at CHS Leeds
Still unsure about attending? Here are five reasons why CHS Leeds should be a non-negotiable date in your diary:
- Meet Over 150 Event Venues & Suppliers – Connect with a diverse range of venues, hotels, and service providers, all under one roof at this super friendly show.
- Enjoy VIP Treatment – Complimentary refreshments are provided throughout the day, making your experience even more enjoyable.
- Explore Leeds as a Destination – A perfect chance to discover what this vibrant city has to offer for your future events.
- Unmissable Networking Opportunities – From the welcome reception to the after-show party, it’s an ideal setting to build valuable industry connections.
- Educational Seminars & Free Entry – Gain insights from expert speakers, and if you’re an event buyer, you can attend at no cost!
How To Register
If you organise corporate events for your company, and haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Head to CHS Leeds to sign up as either a visitor, buyer or hosted buyer