You could be forgiven for thinking that the size of the space, or the location in relation to nearby transport connections, would be the most important things about a venue that’s being used to host a professional event. But a new survey shows that it’s actually the responsiveness of the venue that’s one of the most important things.
Research conducted by Cvent found that event organisers cited inadequate responses and under-delivering on expectations as the two main reasons that venues weren’t chosen to host major events, Conference News reported.
Over one-third (37 per cent) of event organisers will read reviews of a venue before making a decision about whether to use it. Nearly half (41 per cent) think about a venue’s brand reputation before contacting it about hosting an event too.
But that’s not to say that things like location aren’t important. For 35 per cent of those surveyed, where a venue is situated was cited as a key consideration, along with the ease of staging (36 per cent) and the unique atmosphere of the venue (37 per cent).
Somewhere like the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester ticks a number of important boxes. It’s a unique venue with a fantastic atmosphere. Its central location in the city, within easy reach of train, bus and tram connections also makes it appealing for conferences.
There’s also plenty of parking available within walking distance of Bridgewater Hall. Find out more about why it’s one of the top conference venues in Manchester by getting in touch with us.
As well as picking out what event planners look for when they’re choosing venues, the Cvent survey also found that planners in the UK are organising a greater number of events and their events are for larger numbers of attendees than in the past.
Vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud Chris McAndrews told the news provider: “UK planners are busier than ever, and there is increasing pressure to deliver impactful experiences that drive revenue.”
He added: “With these higher expectations, event planners are keen to work with the hoteliers and venues that address their needs in a timely, proactive and concise way.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, event planners are increasingly turning to technology to help them organise conferences and other events, as well as to ensure they run smoothly on the day. One tool that might be of interest is OnePlan, an event site planning platform.
Event Industry News reported that it will be making its first public appearance at Event Tech Live. The software allows planners to map every aspect of the venue and ensure it’s got the appropriate facilities and is staffed properly to make the event run smoothly.
The idea behind OnePlan is to act as a mapping tool for different sections of a venue, and incorporate different maps into one overall plan. This allows teams to coordinate more effectively and ensures there are no gaps in the event planning process.
It has been created by experts in the event planning arena, some of whom have experience of working on incredibly high profile international events, such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
