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.
Any comments? Email conferencenews@mashmedia.net
