Businesses on the Great Yorkshire Showground have been given a boost thanks to the internal appointment of a new Commercial Director.
2026 is already looking strong, with a number of brand new events coming to both venues as well as returning bookings.
A restructure has seen the appointment of Graham Thompson who has been promoted from Head of Venue Operations to Commercial Director, to further develop The Great Yorkshire Events Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate which host conferences, meetings, dinners and events throughout the year.
Graham will also oversee the Showground’s café shop Fodder – the Great Yorkshire Food Hall as well as Harrogate Caravan Park.
Graham, who joined the Showground in 2006, has worked his way up through the ranks after initially being appointed Deputy Events Manager at Pavilions of Harrogate.
In that time, the Pavilions of Harrogate has grown into hosting an event nearly every day of the year and the Great Yorkshire Event Centre has become a large-scale exhibition, conference and events venue for national events.
He said: “The Society has really gone from strength to strength and I am really delighted to be overseeing the commercial strategy for our commercial businesses including the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate, Fodder and Harrogate Caravan Park. When I started here 20 years ago, I knew it was a special place and I am more committed than ever to see the commercial side of the business go to the next level, helping to raise funds to support the charity work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.”
Allister Nixon CEO of Yorkshire Agricultural Socety said: “I am delighted to appoint Graham as the new Commerical Director of Yorkshire Event Centre Limited. Graham has been a valued member of our management team since joining the Society in 2006 from Morrisons. During his time with us, Graham has made a significant contribution to the organisation’s success.”
A raft of exciting new events have been announced for 2026, which will see thousands of visitors flock to Harrogate this year. Yorkshire Farming Conference organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, will be on Wednesday 28 January at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre.
Pascify Con, on Saturday 11 April at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre, will showcase hundreds of authors specialising in paranormal, science fiction and fantasy genres and sub-genres during a series of talks, panels, readings and Q&As.
The Northern Country Sports Show is on Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 June at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre. Organised by AW Events, it celebrates shooting, hunting and fishing sports.
Mathewsons Live, on Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 August at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre is two action-packed days for thousands of fans
Yorkshire Voices Conference 2026: Reset & Rise will return to Pavilions of Harrogate on Friday 27 February. Hosted by Yorkshire Ladies Links, it features journalist Christine Talbot and broadcasters Stephanie Hirst and Christa Ackroyd.
Everything Electric North, a Fully Charged production, will return on Friday 8 – 9 May to The Great Yorkshire Events Centre. The world’s leading home energy and electric vehicle expo features expert panel talks and new products.
For full event listings at the Great Yorkshire Showground in 2026, including the Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday 14 – Friday 17 July, click here.