Manchester would like to extend a warm welcome to delegates attending the SIOG Annual Meeting 2012. Manchester: a beautiful, historic and interesting city Located in the centre of the United Kingdom, Manchester is an accessible location for visitors from all over the world. The city has reinvented herself as a truly contemporary metropolis with modern landmark buildings, a brilliant art and culture scene, great bars and world-class hospitality.

Manchester boasts many attractions: the Wheel – dominating the city’s skyline and offering spectacular views, the Cathedral – of medieval origin, it took over 600 year to build, the Town hall – this neo-Gothic masterpiece if the pride of the city.

There are around 90 museums in and around the city, most of which offer free entrance. Offering a wide variety of shopping possibilities from high-street names to independent boutiques, Manchester will allow you to live the ultimate shopping experience. Eating out in Manchester is a real culinary pleasure. Whether it is British, Chinese, Russian, Thai or Brazilian, and no matter your budget the city has a tasty offering.

Be sure to make the most of your stay and allocate time to visit this city as there is something for everyone!

For more information, visit: www.visitmanchester.com

City by the Numbers

Population: over 422,000
Elevation: 78.02 m / 256 ft
Weather Averages in October
Temperature : 11°C - 52°F
Low Temperature: 8°C - 46°F
High Temperature : 14°C - 57°F
Orientation: Manchester is located in the north-western part of England, 128.7 kilometres (80 miles) kilometres north of Birmingham, 96.5 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of Leeds, east of Liverpool, and halfway between London and Edinburgh.

Quick Facts

Major Industries: biotechnology, financial services, tourism, textiles
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz, standard square three pin plugs
Time Zone: GMT (+1 daylight savings time); Greenwich Mean Time
Country Dialling Code: 44
Area Code: 161

Did you know that

Manchester was originally called Derryfield,
the first modern computer was built in Manchester, circa 21 June 1948,
the first passenger railway ran from Manchester to Dalton,
over twenty Nobel Prize winners have come from Manchester,
Manchester is where Rolls met Royce
Manchester has over 2,000 foreign owned firms
Manchester has the tallest UK building outside of London
Manchester is renowned for its music scene and its sporting links
Manchester is the third-most visited city in the United Kingdom by foreign visitors and the most visited in England outside London.

Getting there:

By Air:
The Manchester International Airport (+44 161 489 3000/ http://www.manchesteraiport.co.uk ) is the UK's third largest airport, serving millions of passengers each year to and from destinations worldwide. Airlines serving Manchester include: Purple Parking (http://www.purpleparking.com) offers airport parking for business and leisure travellers, as well as a 'meet and greet' chauffeur service.
SKYLINE bus services ( +44 161 228 7811/ http://www.gmpte.com) including Stagecoach, Trent and Arriva, offers transportation every half hour to and from the airport and areas in and around Manchester.
Metered taxis (+44 161 249 2313) are located outside of each arrivals hall at all three terminals and at The Station.
Airportcarz provides Taxi-buses, which must be pre-booked inside the arrivals hall at Terminal 3. For airport transfers Manchester Airport Taxis Ltd. is the best and Taxifone
The Station also includes rail service with regular service into Manchester's City Centre.
Trips to Manchester Piccadilly rail station take about 15-20 minutes.

By Bus:
National Express buses (+44 8705 80 8080/ http://www.nationalexpress.com) connect directly to Manchester from over 50 UK destinations. By Car: Manchester has an extensive motorway network and can be accessed via M6, M56, M60, M61, M62 and M66 motorways.

By Rail:
National Rail (08457 48 49 50/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides train service throughout the UK including regular stops in Manchester. The city's three main rail stations are Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly, and Manchester Oxford Rd.

Getting around:
Public transportation (+44 161 205 2000/ http://www.gmpte.com) throughout Manchester is easy and reliable. Metrolink is Greater Manchester's Tram System that runs throughout the City Centre and surrounding areas. Tickets must be bought before boarding and are available on the station platforms. Greater Manchester also has an extensive bus and rail network.