Butlin’s Bognor Regis has revealed a 300% increase in event bookings for January 2024, compared with the same month last year.
Pharmaceutical clients are behind 66% of the events staged this month and for the first time, a single Butlin’s resort has hosted more than one exclusive hire event within a single month.
Nearly 1,000 delegates from January’s two exclusive hire events had access to everything on-site at Butlin’s for three days this month.
A third event will now take advantage of the shared break model, using the Conference Centre for the event, before delegates enjoy an evening of drinks and games at Hot Shots and then stay over at the on-site accommodation.
According to Dan Elliott, Butlin’s national sales manager, “Butlin’s is attractive for pharma clients because we tick all the boxes for them. Our exclusive hire options ensure that clients have complete privacy at their events. We’re classed as a three-star proposition–which meets industry regulation standards–and Butlin’s makes budgets go further. We have world-class AV and equipment included in our venue rental, as well as fun activities to engage their team and have a good time.
“And it’s the fun that’s important,” Elliott continued. “One of our clients in January advised they were sending out 600 invites and would expect 400 people to come. Last year, they went to a conventional hotel in Brighton and 400 people attended. This year with them coming to Butlin’s the client has the full 600 people coming. That’s a 50% increase in attendance because it is at Butlin’s. It will be fun and something different. Plus, this event is not compulsory for the delegates – they can choose if they want to come, which speaks volumes.”
Butlin’s is confident that the future of events is ‘fun’, and is focused on continually improving guest experiences. In September, Butlin’s Bognor Regis will open PLAYXPERIENCE – a 50,000sqft indoor activity centre, available for private hire and featuring nine experiences including escape rooms, tech putt and laser tag.
“We’re also upgrading one of our largest event spaces, Studio 36, to make it a permanent venue,” Elliott concluded. “We will be reinforcing the floor which will make it load-bearing to allow vehicles in there and we will also be soundproofing the venue, which allows us to now be able to offer Studio 36 as a late-night venue. We will also be opening our brand-new 128 Premium Lodges at Skegness in May. This will be a premium accommodation space for clients using our Skegness resort.”
