Held at Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford, Manchester

The Manchester Independent Economic Review (MIER) is the biggest urban study ever commissioned in the UK and invested in it are Manchester’s hopes for a clear strategy to sustainably generate higher levels of economic growth with more jobs and prosperity. Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Alistair Darling spoke of the immense opportunities available to Manchester: The city is "one of the best brands in the world", he said, which provides "great advantages when you're competing with cities you've never heard of". He went on to say that Manchester is well positioned to meet the challenges of the changing world economy. Having strength in the financial services, creative industries and science and research sectors would, he said, stand the city and its region in good stead over the next 20 or 30 years.