This year’s Health and Care Innovation Expo is to have a packed programme of exciting and fun fringe events.

As NHS England hosts its most important health and care event of 2014 at Manchester Central on March 3 and 4 with an array of key speakers, there will also be for the first time a series of free events.

As with all the best conferences, these will  take place around the main convention complex in bars, hotels and the coolest spaces, featuring the best and brightest companies, technologies, writers, entrepreneurs and anyone else breaking the mould in healthcare.

Expo Fringe offers something for everyone  – from innovators who want to learn more about the latest investment models and funding opportunities at Health 2.0 Manchester’s Investment Clinic breakfast – to public and private sector executives who want to gain a fresh insight into global future trends in the health technology sector at the Future of Health and Technology Dinner hosted by SoftServe.

You’ll be transported from a world of rubbing shoulders with the best in the healthcare biz to the best in showbiz for an evening of jazz with Tim Kelsey, NHS England’s Director of Patients and Information and his band and host MedeAnalytics.

You can even get your running shoes on for a gentle run and take in the cultural landmarks that central Manchester has to offer by signing up for the #ExpoRun.

Expo is expecting to host up to 10,000 people this year, so what better a place to launch a Fringe where anyone with an interest in healthcare innovation and a story to tell can put on a show for like minds?

Many of the best conversations happen after the main event has closed its doors, so Expo Fringe creates a different environment for business to take place in: one that’s fun, fresh and creative.

Expo Fringe is for you: Your ideas, your content, your way of doing things.

What’s happening at Expo Fringe?

The #ExpoRun:  It’s not every day that you see a few hundred faces from the healthcare industry running through Manchester city on a typical morning in March. But who said there was anything typical about the Expo Fringe?

The run, taking place on the morning of the 4th March, will be a fun and memorable way to stretch your legs, see some of the famous cultural sites of Manchester and network like you have never networked before.

The run is for everyone, regardless of ability and we are keen to get as big a turn out as possible. Pull yourselves away from those full English breakfasts, leave those tablets at home and join us bright and early for what is set to be a great start to the Expo.

Fancy being the face behind the running shoes? We are looking for a sponsor to help make this event as special as possible. Aside from being associated with the most sought-after event in town, we’ll feature your name and branding on our marketing and communications and let you select a winner from our prize draw. We can offer a bespoke package that’s tailor made for you – sponsorship costs vary but it’s free to take part.

SoftServe Future of Health and Technology Dinner: 3 March 2014 This dinner will provide an informal opportunity for Technology Directors, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Information Officers and other senior executives from the public and private sectors to learn more about innovation and global future trends in the health technology sector. This is an invite-only event.

Mede/Groove Party: Monday, March 3 2014 • 8.30 pm to 1am, Manchester

Tim Kelsey, NHS England Director for Patients and Information, and Wayne Parslow, MedeAnalytics General Manager, will both be getting their groove on in the Betting on Trains Jazz band, performing live.  The late-night party will also feature a world-class magician.  This is an invitation-only event.

Health 2.0 Investment Clinic breakfast: Are you a start-up or SME looking to learn more about investment opportunities in health tech? Come along to Health 2.0 Manchester’s Investment Clinic breakfast on Tuesday ,March 4 to hear from a panel of funding experts and direct your questions to them. Connect with Idalia at Health 2.0 Manchester to find out more.

ZPB Expo Fringe Drinks Party:  Get the Fringe Drinks Party in your diary now – straight after Expo day one wraps up, come and share your experiences with fellow delegates and exhibitors at Revolution de Cuba, Manchester’s hottest bar.

Free entry, all welcome. Pay bar. See you at Revolution de Cuba, 11 Peter St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M2 5QR from 5.30pm on March 3 2014.

NHS Change Day drinks party:  The NHS Change Day team would like to invite all Expo Fringe attendees to join them for a bit of a party on the evening of March 3.