About.

MEET UP North logo in white with panel image behind

What is MEET UP North? 

MEET UP North is Hotel Designs‘ premier, northerly networking event for the UK hospitality and design community. Having taken place on 18th March 2026, at Brickhouse Social Manchester, the evening event offered a dynamic blend of professional insights and vibrant social interaction, where attendees listened in on an engaging panel discussion as well as networking opportunities with some of the UK’s best design studios and hospitality brands.

What are the benefits of attending MEET UP North? 

Tailored for interior designers, hoteliers, and product manufacturers, this high-energy networking event blends the buzz of a party with meaningful professional insights. Mingle with industry peers over drinks and street food bites in Manchester’s cultural and creative hub, then tune into an insightful panel discussion from the Hotel Designs team and special guests.

Whether you’re seeking fresh collaborations, forward-thinking inspiration, or just a great night with like-minded professionals, this is the place to be. Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and celebrate innovation in style.

What’s included in the ticket price? 

Guests will have access to an industry-leading panel talk and plentiful networking. Complimentary food and drinks will also be available.

How can I get my ticket? 

For more information on discount codes, the event and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Katy Phillips via email, k.phillips@forumevents.co.uk or call +44 (0)1992 374050.

Thanks to our 2026 sponsor

Haven’t attended a Hotel Designs MEET UP before? Check out the highlights video from our Liverpool 2025 event here, as well as past MEET UP pictures below… 

MEET UP North, Hotel Designs’ spring networking event, is a ticketed event. 

Supplier Booking Form.

MEET UP North 2026 took place on 18th March. Tickets are still available for MEET UP London which takes place on 29th April 2026. 

Tickets for 2027 events will go on sale January 2027.

You can contact Katy Phillips on 01992 374050 or email k.phillips@forumevents.co.uk for further information.

Buyers Booking Form.

MEET UP North 2026 took place on 18th March. Tickets are still available for MEET UP London which takes place on 29th April 2026. 

Tickets for 2027 events will go on sale January 2027.

You can contact Katy Phillips on 01992 374050 or email k.phillips@forumevents.co.uk for further information.

*For those who do not qualify as a designer, architect, hotelier, or developer – for example, suppliers – tickets can be purchased for £150 +VAT here. Please note that attendance is on a ‘first come’, ‘first serve’ basis.

Agenda.

MEET UP North 2026

18:00: Guests arrive at Brickhouse Social Manchester

Arrive at Manchester’s liveliest music and events venue and make your way to the ‘Greenhouse’. Grab a drink, find a friend, have a chinwag or a boogie – the night is young!

19:00: Welcome

The fabulous Hotel Designs team will take to the stage to welcome you all to our amazing venue in preparation for the night’s events.

19:30: Exclusive Panel Talk

Hosted by:
Jess Miles, Editor, SPACE magazine

The Panel:
Imogen Woodage, Associate Director, SpaceInvader
Leanne Armstrong, Creative Director, Black Ivy Design
Afsaneh Mehrai, Owner, Mehrai Design

Embracing Design Tech in Hospitality
How can technology be thoughtfully integrated in design to elevate hospitality interiors and the guest experience? This panel will explore how technology can support human centred design rather than dominating it, strategies for future-proofing hotel interiors, and the use of AI as a support tool.

20:15 onwards: Networking (to include drinks and food)

The floor is yours! Tell your peers what you thought of the panel discussion and share your thoughts with the Hotel Designs team too! Indulge in Manchester’s best street food and share a drink or two with some new faces… want to dance the night away with your new pals? Be our guest – we’ll see you on the dancefloor!

Venue.

MEET UP North 2026

Brickhouse Social is Manchester’s go-to spot for good times! Located in the heart of Manchester, BRICKHOUSE is the ultimate hangout for laid-back drinks, buzzing nights, and unforgettable events.

Brickhouse Social

11-13 New Wakefield Street

Manchester

M1 5NP

Contact.

To find out more information about Hotel Designs MEET UP events please get in touch:

Katy Phillips

Publisher

01992 374050

k.phillips@forumevents.co.uk

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.