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Corporate Venues 7 mins read
How to Find a Top Notch Hotel for Corporate Events
When planning a corporate event, it's essential to choose a hotel that offers flexible spaces, positive reviews, advanced technology, convenient location, and strong communication with the event coordinator to ensure a successful experience.
EH
Ellie H
3rd Sep 2020
When it comes to planning a work event, product launch or annual conference, a hotel for corporate events can be a great choice of setting for a number of reasons. Not only are they typically in the city centre with plenty of great transport links nearby, but they also are well equipped with audiovisual equipment, superfast WiFi and the necessary PA systems needed to carry out engaging presentations. On top of this, the abundance of hotel accommodation is useful for the multi-day events where delegates need a convenient place to stay.
At VenueCrew, we’ve spent a lot of time getting to know the luxury event scene in London, Sydney and Melbourne so we can spot out a great hotel for corporate events when we see one. Getting the venue right can be the key to creating the most stimulating and productive atmosphere for your guests. In this article, we’ve collated our top tips for finding the perfect corporate events hotel where discerning business travellers can network and conduct training workshops with ease.
Needing help securing a great corporate events hotel venue that’s practical, affordable and aesthetically pleasing? Our dedicated Venue Finders will go the extra mile to find you a function space that’s destined for success. Chat with one of our friendly team members today to receive a free personalised list of appropriate hotels for corporate events.
Searching for your ideal corporate events hotel starts with having a look at the blank canvas to see what’s possible with the event space at hand. Is the hotel function room large enough for your guest list capacity? Does it have a stage for presentations? Or what about extra meeting rooms or break out areas for smaller groups to get together and brainstorm ideas. Having a fluid and adaptable space can make all the difference when planning a successful conference.
An open-plan layout works well for corporate events so that the schedule of speakers can be easily seen on the stage. You can then dedicate zones for different activities you have planned. Also, don’t forget to glance around the space for branding opportunities. If you need to construct banners or slot logos into frames, make sure you jot down all the sizing specifications.
The Great Hall at Queen's House Greenwich
The Great Hall at Queen's House Greenwich is such an open and versatile space whether you're after long rectangle tables like pictured here; a U-shape set up, theatre, classroom or banquet.
Every hotel pitching for corporate events will tell you that their function spaces are the best on the market, so looking at tried and tested reviews from previous clients are useful for comparing what’s on offer. Reading realistic testimonials online is a key indicator of how well-received your corporate event will be at the venue in question.
Getting recommendations via word of mouth is another authentic way of securing the best corporate events hotel for you. Have a look at the photos of how they organised the space and you’ll start to imagine whether it will work for your brand. Want some more insider knowledge of what works and what doesn’t at the corporate hotel venue you have your eye on? Speak to one of our specialist Venue Finders to find your best match in Sydney, Melbourne and London.
Tip #3: Technology Is a Top Priority
As mentioned earlier, technology is important if you’re hoping to deliver a schedule of speeches, presentations, and interactive online elements for your corporate audience. To avoid pitfalls, it’s worth asking what technology is included and if the acoustics are on point. For instance, will they provide microphones, projectors and a technician to sort out any difficulties on the day? With all this information, you can then start a checklist of things you need to source from an external vendor.
Also, it’s always handy to view the hotel accommodation for corporate event delegates staying the night – is there complimentary superfast WiFi? Will they have access to copying and printing for those last-minute speech alterations? Or if they’re travelling from abroad, they might need to know what adapters are required for the power outlets installed.
Corporate party inside The Burlington Pavilion at Chiswick House & Gardens.
It's important to think about what tech will take your corporate event to the next level. Are you hosting a large-scale awards ceremony, where lighting and multiple projector screens are needed? Or, is the convenience of a well-equipped business centre more relevant? We love the corporate party atmosphere created in the Burlington Pavilion at Chiswick House & Gardens.
To make the journey as seamless as possible, choosing a centrally located corporate function hotel with nearby access to train stations, tubes, bus stops or taxi ranks is essential. Your conference attendees will need all of this information readily available so that they can plan their route and arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Also, providing wheelchair access is vital for those who might need it. If these requirements apply to your particular corporate event, it’s important to review information about the lifts, ramps and accessible toilets at the venue. The best hotel venues for corporate events are easy to navigate, with thoughtfully designed function spaces that are considerate of all abilities.
Hyde Hacienda at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney
There are so many fabulous hotel options for corporate events especially those located in the big cities. Not only does it make things easy and hassle-free for delegates arriving from out of town, but the buzz of the city centres is also hard to deny! Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has the best of both worlds - a ripping location and unbelievable views.
Tip #5: Great Communication with the Event Coordinator
Liaising with numerous suppliers and making sure everything goes to plan at your corporate event is no easy task, so enlisting the support of an event professional will take a lot of pressure off your hands. Working with an efficient and organised in-house event coordinator will ensure that your hotel corporate event runs without a hitch.
Meeting the venue’s event team and feeling on the same page is useful from the start. It’s best to keep an open email dialogue throughout the planning process so that all agreements are in a written format and no details are missed. If they’re proactive with email communications from the very start, you know you’re onto a winner.
Level 39 at The Gherkin
The Gherkin is one of our favourite corporate events hotels in London. Not only are there commanding views of the city from the heights of the skyscraper, but there are also three levels of modular function spaces to choose from.
At your corporate event hotel viewing, another good discussion point is the style of food that’s offered by the venue, and if all dietary requests can be accommodated. For example, if you’re looking for a seated vegetarian lunch or a buffet-style arrangement with gluten-free options, the event coordinator will be able to show you a sample menu to give you an idea of the catering.
Opting for nutritious, healthy and colourful food is best for keeping your conference attendees well fuelled into the afternoon. Or, if you’re hosting an evening corporate cocktail event, serving exciting canapés will keep the energy levels high and spark conversations between strangers.
Menu Sample at The Langham Sydney
Fresh from the harbour, corporate catering for Sydney functions, conferences and parties has got to include Sydney seafood! Guests and delegates attending events at 5-star hotels like The Langham are always in for first-rate cuisine.
Tired of corporate event hotel venues that seem all too similar? It’s refreshing for guests to attend a venue that has an impressive setting, top-notch wellness facilities or spacious outdoor areas. Our team at VenueCrew know a variety of great corporate hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and London that will inspire your guests and set the scene for a corporate event like no other. Chat to one of our Venue Specialists and let them know if you’re open to new ideas and unique space styles.
Grand Hall at Old Billingsgate
It's wonderful to see the innovation happening in the hotel corporate event space, like yoga and wellbeing days, cooking classes, and other culture-building events like are held at Old Billingsgate London.
