The UK Coach Awards (UKCA) shortlist announcement will be held at the Great Days Out Fair in Manchester for the first time in February.
The Great Days Out Fair is the biggest one-day group travel show outside London at which group travel organisers and coach operators can get ideas for trips across the UK & Ireland.
The organisers of the UKCA said incorporating the shortlist announcement with the event reflects the increased recognition and importance of the awards.
The event will take place on Saturday, February 25 in EventCity at Manchester’s Trafford Centre. The UKCA awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on April 19.
The shortlist announcement will take place in the Talks Area of the Great Days Out Fair at 1315hrs and all nominees are invited to attend, along with press and group travel organiser delegates at the fair.
UKCA chairman Allan Edmondson, said: “We are pleased to be working with Visit Manchester, organisers of the Great Days Out Fair, to host the shortlist announcement at an event which many coach operators will already be attending.
“Visit Manchester works closely with coach operators to help attract more business from the sector, so it is fitting the city should not only host the first short list announcement as well as the annual award ceremony.”
Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “Great Days Out is the UKs premier oneday group travel show. As such, it is an excellent platform at which to announce the shortlist for this year’s UK Coach Awards which is an incredibly important element of the groups travel market.”
Coach operators can bring a coach load of their key group organiser clients to the fair and give them a free familiarisation trip to venues en-route to the show on one of 17 specially arranged itineraries arranged by Visit Manchester. Two overnight itineraries to Manchester and Blackpool are also available.
Visit the UKCA website at www.ukcoachawards.co.uk and the Great Days Out Fair at https://greatdaysout.com
