In the world of conferences, the choice of venues can be mind boggling. Here in the South West we have an abundance of great venues. Each one has its own worth,
So, what are some of the things you need to consider when you’re thinking about hiring a conference venue?
Capacity
Size matters; if yours is a huge conference, a venue like Escot won’t be the right fit. You’ll need a huge venue to match! If, however, you are looking for a suitable venue to house your smaller event, you can enjoy sourcing somewhere that has the added value of charm – and often a peaceful setting.
Location
Location, location, location! A conference venue needs to be accessible. Big venues tend to be in or near a city and easily found. We wouldn’t suggest somewhere in the middle of a maze of countryside lanes where your delegates might get lost. Somewhere that’s easy to find but with the benefit of a beautiful vista and a serene setting. Somewhere with an outside space your delegates can enjoy during breaks (we’re talking Escot of course!).
Acoustics
Nobody enjoys a conference when you can’t hear what the speakers are saying. It’s important that the acoustics are good for your needs. If you have an audience of hundreds, then you’ll need an amazing PA system. If you have a smaller crowd, then good acoustics are equally important. You may not need a PA system, but you need to make sure everyone can hear.
Catering
Big is not always beautiful when it comes to catering. For a large conference you are likely to find that there’s a conveyor belt attitude towards meals (although that’s not always the case). If you have a vegetarian delegate who forgot to mention their dietary requirements, they may end up with a salad…. At Escot all the food is homecooked in our own kitchens. This gives us total flexibility to respond to all dietary requirements, although if 100 delegates suddenly became vegetarians without notice, it might be a big ask!
Character
For some conference organisers, the overriding need is for a modern venue that does the job. What it looks like on the outside, what the rooms are like on the inside are not necessarily a consideration. For others, booking a conference venue with bags of character beats sleek and shiny hands down.
There’s definitely room for both. What’s important is to choose a Devon conference venue to fit the bill for your event. If it works for you, you can develop an ongoing relationship with the venue, which is good for everyone!
