The Key To A Successful Event Starts With The Venue Finder
http://www.corporatezone.net/articles/15838/1/The-Key-To-A-Successful-Event-Starts-With-The-Venue-Finder/Page1.html
Dominic Donaldson
Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the recruitment industry.
Find out more about Wales Jobs and why Wales is ideal for career relocation visit Need A Job. By Dominic Donaldson
Published on 10/25/2008
Finding the perfect venue for your conference isn't always as easy as it sounds. There are many factors the venue finder must consider before signing on the dotted line. This article takes a look at some of the key considerations that need to be made in order for a conference to be a success.
From the drawing rooms of plush country houses to beachfront locations in sunny Europe, my experiences of conference venues are certainly diverse. A few years back, while working for a quaint art book publisher, I was intrigued to turn up to the annual sales conference at the company director's country retreat. The morning consisted of observing presentations on art deco ceramics and abstract art while sitting among the family antiques. The afternoon continued to delight me as we gathered outside on the immaculate lush green lawns, sipping Pimms and Lemonade. Perhaps it was not what you would call a conventional sales conference, however memorable it certainly was.
Years later, as I sat on the balcony of my hotel suite, looking out into the ocean at yet another annual sales conference, I found myself questioning the importance of a good venue finder. As thrilling as it was to enjoy the luxuries of a five star hotel on someone else's budget, I couldn't help but question the necessity of holding such an event at such a location. Just how important is location, location, location?
Without a doubt, the venue and its location is an essential attribute to a successful conference. Once the budget has been set, the venue finder must consider an appropriate location for the target audience. Sitting among a sea of antiques in a house with beams dating back to the 1800's quite honestly was the ideal setting for a conference discussing decanters and pocket watches. A modern hotel suite simply wouldn't have created the atmosphere found in our countryside retreat.
Similarly, the venue finder must consider the type of venue they are booking. Booking a barn that holds five hundred delegates when there are only one hundred attending is bad planning and will only add unnecessary expense to the budget.
The location of the venue must be easily accessible, with adequate public transport links if necessary. Consider the surroundings of the venue. If the conference is to continue over a few days, it may be necessary to consider if there are nearby amenities, such as restaurants, supermarkets, cash machines or pharmacy's.
Once the location has been decided, it's important to consider the number of meeting rooms that will be required as well as general room capabilities. If electrical sockets or extra seating are required for example, it is essential that the venue can accommodate these requirements.
If the conference is to take place over a number of days, suitable accommodation will need to be sourced for the delegates, either at the venue or nearby. Similarly, if the conference is to include dining, the culinary options need to meet your demand. Like a good venue, people always remember good (or bad) food so it's important to be satisfied with the available menus.
A good venue finder will consider all these options prior to making the final reservation. More often than not, long after the delegates have thrown out their corporate gifts and the ink in their free pens has dried up, memories will most certainly remain of the time they spent in the beautiful, remote, classic or perhaps inspiring conference surroundings.
Years later, as I sat on the balcony of my hotel suite, looking out into the ocean at yet another annual sales conference, I found myself questioning the importance of a good venue finder. As thrilling as it was to enjoy the luxuries of a five star hotel on someone else's budget, I couldn't help but question the necessity of holding such an event at such a location. Just how important is location, location, location?
Without a doubt, the venue and its location is an essential attribute to a successful conference. Once the budget has been set, the venue finder must consider an appropriate location for the target audience. Sitting among a sea of antiques in a house with beams dating back to the 1800's quite honestly was the ideal setting for a conference discussing decanters and pocket watches. A modern hotel suite simply wouldn't have created the atmosphere found in our countryside retreat.
Similarly, the venue finder must consider the type of venue they are booking. Booking a barn that holds five hundred delegates when there are only one hundred attending is bad planning and will only add unnecessary expense to the budget.
The location of the venue must be easily accessible, with adequate public transport links if necessary. Consider the surroundings of the venue. If the conference is to continue over a few days, it may be necessary to consider if there are nearby amenities, such as restaurants, supermarkets, cash machines or pharmacy's.
Once the location has been decided, it's important to consider the number of meeting rooms that will be required as well as general room capabilities. If electrical sockets or extra seating are required for example, it is essential that the venue can accommodate these requirements.
If the conference is to take place over a number of days, suitable accommodation will need to be sourced for the delegates, either at the venue or nearby. Similarly, if the conference is to include dining, the culinary options need to meet your demand. Like a good venue, people always remember good (or bad) food so it's important to be satisfied with the available menus.
A good venue finder will consider all these options prior to making the final reservation. More often than not, long after the delegates have thrown out their corporate gifts and the ink in their free pens has dried up, memories will most certainly remain of the time they spent in the beautiful, remote, classic or perhaps inspiring conference surroundings.