Sussex Business Times - Issue 378 2014

Page 42

Conferences in Sussex With Gatwick Airport at its heart, London a few miles to the north and the rising media hub of Brighton pulsing on its picturesque south coast, Sussex provides the perfect meeting place for both UK and international businesses

With hundreds of hotels, golf courses, racecourses and Focus business centres scattered liberally across the county, there really is no end of choice when it comes to organising a business conference, meeting, or team building day in Sussex.

Why choose Sussex? Excellent transport Links Sussex is equipped with an excellent network of transport routes linking even the most rural parts of the county with major ports and cities, including Southampton, Portsmouth and London. The Gatwick Express train runs from Victoria every 15 minutes, and will take passengers from London to Gatwick Airport in just 30 minutes, making this an ideal place for London-based businesses to meet international clients.

How to choose a conference venue Sussex offers so much choice – but where do you start? With so many excellent conference venues to choose from in Sussex, it can be difficult knowing where to start. While it might only seem like a backdrop to the conference itself, the venue you choose can make a big impact on how things go. Grasping a good understanding of who the delegates are and what you want to achieve at the meeting is vital. It is important that the surroundings

42 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

match the purpose and nature of the conference, while adding a little extra something to ignite people’s interest and get ideas flowing. Here are five things to consider before booking a venue for your business conference: 1. Business image First off, think about the business or businesses attending the conference. What kind of corporate images do they embody? It can be a good idea to keep your target audience in mind when choosing a venue – will they expect a formal atmosphere, or something more stimulating to foster creativity? Tailoring the venue to the nature of the conference never fails to create a good impression. 2. Where is it? Where are delegates travelling from? If people are travelling in from different parts of the country, or from overseas, then it may be necessary to find somewhere with good travel links close to main airports and train stations. You might also want to consider whether the venue has overnight accommodation for delegates who need to stop over, or if there are suitable hotels nearby. If people are driving in, make sure there is suitable parking and request instructions to pass on to delegates. 3. Size matters It goes without saying that the venue needs to be large enough to seat those attending – but is it going to provide a comfortable experience? Are people going to be able to see the speaker

with obstructions? Are walkways and exits big enough to prevent queuing and resulting delays as people arrive and leave? Considering the layout prior to the big event will help things to move more smoothly on the day. 4. Gadgets and refreshments While a country house might seem like a unique and atmospheric setting for a business meeting, check that it has all of the mod cons you need, such as projectors, electronic white boards, WiFi, access to laptops and so on. Often for bigger conferences, having a number of smaller rooms nearby for breakaway meetings can be useful. Also consider whether refreshments such as tea, coffee, snacks and meals will be provided, and


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.