There are thousands of venues to choose from in the UK and most people will initially think of a hotel or purpose-built conference centre as the most economical and practical solution for the meeting they are planning.
However, up and down the country there is a wealth of unusual and beautiful venues to choose from, stately homes, museums, castles and sporting venues all offer excellent meeting facilities at competitive prices.
With technology developing at such a fast rate it is becoming increasingly difficult to drag people away from their busy working day to attend a face-to-face conference, rather than conducting a webinair but choosing an inspiring and unique venue for your conference can create the wow factor needed to encourage delegate attendance without breaking the budget.
Here are my top tips on selecting a unique venue:
Decide what type of experience you would like your delegates to have. If you choose a specific theme then select a venue that reflects the feel of the event you are trying to create. Many stately homes have extensive grounds and are able to offer outdoor pursuits such as quad bikes, archery etc which are ideal for teambuilding and ‘away day’ fun. Make the event one to be remembered for a long time.
The majority of venues will try to accommodate all your requirements and will negotiate on the price. Arranging a conference on a Monday or Friday will often be better financially rather than midweek. However, discounting on price is not always the answer and adding value will often be more beneficial. Be very explicit about your requirements and ensure the venue can meet your needs from the outset. Eighty per cent of the success of any conference, meeting or event is dependent on the choice of venue.
If you are planning a public conference, market your event well and be sure to use all social media tools (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blogs etc) available. Offering an unusual venue may well assist in marketing and encouraging participation at the event.
As with all venues, make sure you visit the property prior to signing the contract and confirming the conference. Firsthand knowledge is essential to ensure the space meets all your requirements, and it is helpful to establish and build a rapoor with the person who will be your ‘on the day’ contact. This will give you peace of mind and ensure the smooth running of the event. Be sure to take into account access to the building for equipment etc as some older properties are not as accessible. This will also apply for any disabled delegates and you will need to ensure the facilities on offer meet all their requirements.
– Simon Thompson, Managing Director of Conferences Group.
Any comments? Email cmw@mashmedia.net
Comments are closed on this post.
