A CHESTER hotel was chosen to host the North West’s annual UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP) networking event on Thursday October 20, 2011.

The prestigious UKAWP event held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester was part of just six national ‘Mingle and Mix’ evenings taking place simultaneously across the country. Other locations included London, Midlands, Yorkshire, and Scotland.

Chester’s ‘Mingle and Mix’ was organised by UKAWP associate members and local Cheshire wedding planners, Caroline Hale and Claire Hampshire of Pomp & Ceremony Planning.

The UK wedding industry is worth an estimated £5.5 billion per year and the average celebration costs £20,000. This wedding revenue is vital to Chester’s local economy and its small to medium sized businesses, such as the DoubleTree by Hilton and successful wedding planners like Pomp & Ceremony Planning.

Pauline Downing, DoubleTree by Hilton Chester Conference and Events Manager, says: “It was an absolute pleasure to play host to the North West UKAWP members during their annual Mingle and Mix evening.

“These individuals really are at the top of their games and understand the wedding market inside out.

“The wedding business is a competitive market in Cheshire and we are thrilled that the UKAWP chose our establishment for one of their most important calendar dates of the year. It’s a real coup for us and for the city to play host to such an influential group.”

Kelly Chandler, UKAWP Marketing and Finance Director, says: “We were delighted that DoubleTree by Hilton Chester hosted our Cheshire Mingle and Mix evening for us.

“The establishment has been recognised as one of the North West’s leading wedding destinations so we felt it was the ideal venue for the UKAWP networking event.

“We believe strongly in working closely with industry partners in long term relationships to benefit us all and we hope this is the start of a very fruitful one for the UKAWP and the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester.”

The UKAWP is the leading industry body for the UK wedding planning market. They promote professionalism in wedding planning via ongoing professional development, new planner training, business mentoring and special events such as the Mingle and Mix evenings.

For further information on DoubleTree by Hilton Chester weddings, contact Pauline Downing or Jemma Green on 01244 408814.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Chester is located on Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD.  Click www.doubletreechester.co.uk for details.

For further information you are welcome to contact 
Bryan Bell or Stuart Hughes
Oakbase PR, Oakbase House, Trafford Street, Chester, CH1 3HP
Tel: 01244 391391, Fax: 01244 370237
Email: bryan.bell@oakbase.co.uk or stuart.hughes@oakbase.co.uk