Dial Events

Summer days, drifting away

Planning a summer event? Left it a bit late and starting to panic? Don’t worry – there’s still time to pull out all the stops and arrange a sizzling summer event that will fit the bill.

Yes, ideally you should have booked your venue and arranged your itinerary months ago but it’s really not too late. The secret is to get some expert help – and who better than Venues Event Management , part of the Expotel group? They have thousands  of all sorts of venues at their fingertips, and the knowledge and experience to get your event happening fast.

Alisdair Ross, Venues Event Management’s Head of Project and Events, knows all about tight deadlines. ‘”We recently had two months to plan an event for 9,000 people across six centres. It was a challenge but we did it and it was very successful,” he says. Here’s Alisdair top-tips.

• There’s still time to book a summer event but be aware that you may have to accept your second or third choice of venue. Alternatively, you might consider delaying your event a bit to get the venue of your choice.
• Sometimes you can get a good deal by booking at the last minute but only if there is plenty of availability, and that’s not always the case. It’s sensible to book as soon as you can.
• People are spending their money wisely and looking for venues with a difference, as a change from hotels. Instead of dinners, some companies are having drinks and cocktails, perhaps at an art gallery or museum.
• Team building events and family fun days are always very popular for summer. People want to get outside, especially if they have been at a conference. However, it’s vital in our unpredictable climate to make alternative plans for wet weather.
• Cost-cutting means many companies are booking events in the UK, as near as possible to their main sites to cut down on travelling. London is of course always popular as there are so many fantastic venues and Birmingham is also becoming more popular.
• Spain is a favourite good value choice for events abroad, particularly Madrid and Barcelona. More than ever, clients are looking for value for money and return on investment.

Venues Event Management  has a specialist project and events team who offer expert support to the company’s account teams as well as customers, consisting of nine professionals who can arrange bespoke events to meet any specification. Whether it’s adapting a game show format for a team building evening, a sophisticated cocktail party or an Olympics themed sports day, they continually seek out new venues and research ideas and always know the latest trends. 

“Basically, don’t panic! Contact us at Venues Event Management  and tell us what you want,” says Alisdair.  “As long as you give us a good brief we can get the right venue at the right price. We have the contacts and the expertise to ensure your event achieves exactly what you’d like it to.”

 This feature was written by DialExpotel for Expotel, the UK’s leading hotel, travel and venue booking agency. To find out more about Expotel and Venues Event Management, call 0844 793 7300.

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