Frequently asked questions

I'd like to share my work. How can I get involved?

We have a number of opportunities available for you to share your own work or experiences at The Manchester Rare Disease Showcase, including:

Sponsorship opportunities for companies

Please contact will@rarebeacon.org for more information.

Free exhibition booths for patient groups

Complete our patient group exhibition form

Lightning talks

Submit your proposal for a lightning talk during the registration process.

Where is the showcase and how do I get there?

The showcase is taking place at The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS.

Information on how to get to the venue can be found directly on their website.

Travel by Train:
Bridgewater Hall is located in central Manchester. The nearest train stations are:

Deansgate (2 minutes walk)
Manchester Oxford Road (3 minutes walk)
Manchester Piccadilly (19 minutes)
Manchester Victoria (21 minutes walk)

Travel by Car:

We recommend travelling by public transport whereever possible. However, there are a number of paid car parks nearby including:

Both car parks are within a 10 minute walk of the venue, can be pre-booked, and offer disabled parking spaces.

Travel by Plane

Bridgewater Hall is approximately 19 minutes drive from Manchester Airport, or 25 minutes by public transport.

Is there accomodation nearby?

There are a number of hotels within walking distance of the venue, including:

Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central
Premier Inn Manchester Central
Premier Inn Manchester City Centre

The hotels listed above have no affiliation with Beacon. Delegates are responsible for their own hotel arrangements.

Will food and drink be provided?

Yes!

Refreshments and lunch will be provided throughout the day, as well as a celebratory drinks reception at the end of the event.

Meat/fish and vegetarian options will be included as standard. Additional dietary needs can be met upon request. You can submit your catering requirements during the registration process.

Is the venue accessible?

The venue has step-free access via a lift and/or ramp and accessible toilets onsite.

If you have any accessibilty requirements, please note these on your registration form so we can ensure your needs are met.

To discuss any additional accessibility measures we can provide, please get in touch with our team at projects@rarebeacon.org.

Is there a charge for carers?

Free tickets are available for carers accompanying any paid and registered delegate. If you require a free carer ticket, please contact projects@rarebeacon.org.

Do you offer discounts on tickets?

An early bird discount is currently available.

We offer additional discounts for organisations looking to purchase 5 or 10+ tickets for their team. Get in touch with projects@rarebeacon.org to order your group tickets.

We may be able to offer complimentary tickets to a limited number of patients or patient groups for whom cost is a barrier to attending. To discuss options, please reach out to us at projects@rarebeacon.org.

Will you have COVID-19 protocols in place?

Attendees can expect:

Hand sanitisers and anti-bacterial wipes throughout the venue.
Facemasks on offer for any delegate who wishes to wear one.
A traffic light system for lanyards for delegates to express their level of comfort regarding social distancing.