The offsite / local dynamic: part II of considerations for picking a venue for a large team event. Getting large groups together can be expensive. There is often a temptation to save money by hosting close to a head office or locus where lots of people live but this is a tradeoff. There are Pros and Cons both to paying to put everyone up in a hotel vs taking advantage of some people being local. Here's my take: 🤏 Option 1: Hosting close to local participants: Advantages: saves on cost e.g. for hotel and travel costs. Locals can help orient people to possibilities in the area surrounding the venue. Disadvantages: If participants aren’t hosted away from home, they inevitably have some kind of commute. Depending on the location and their home situation, they can get stuck in traffic or be in a different mindset to participants who are fully away from home. This can lead to delays while they reach the venue or a disconnect with participants who are further away from home. 🔭 Option 2: Hosting further afield (i.e. everyone is offsite): Advantages: all participants are away from home, so the mindset and energies of the participants tend to be better aligned. Commute distance is lowered, participants are typically less late (note: *typically* :)). Socialising possibilities tend to be taken up more extensively. Disadvantages: Typically costs a bit more to host everyone and have them travel to the venue. Less local knowledge of the area. One concern which always comes up if we make the suggestion to host offsite: "but people who live in-country will want to go home to their families." This is a tricky one. I totally get it: I'm not a fan of travelling for work generally. On the other hand, if people are travelling in from further afield, usually they will be away from their families - so the event organiser usually has to make a fairness and a connection call: put everyone in a similar boat, all away from home (which may be fairer) or try to allow as many people as possible to go home. Where do you stand on this? ☝️ #largegroupfacilitation #offsites #venuefinding
Lucy Chambers’ Post
More Relevant Posts
-
🌍 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. In-person events create a lot of emissions. Low-carbon food options? Encouraging the use of ‘sustainable transport’. Most of these are tinkering around the edges. Last year the travel bill alone for one small event was over £90,000. Just the travel! Not including the overnight accommodation and associated expenses. This year they hired an in-person online venue from us. Travel bill? Zero. And yet they held all the sessions, formats, and socials they had the year before. Plus, for the first time, EVERYONE attended, their whole organisation… because it was so much easier logistically, and much less of an ask for people to schedule a few hours. All the private meetings and inclusive networking happened just as well as they had the previous year. To say they were delighted would be an understatement. (Hint: Check the testimonials on our website at www.telepresent.online... all attributed). Plus: You can hire venues from us when you need them. No expensive platform fees, overheads, staff training, or re-directing internal resources. Just bolt on a specialist event team for the events you need. Find out more at www.telepresent.online Ir book a FREE initial consultation here: https://lnkd.in/eii8vJFy We really can re-create all the buzz of an in-person event online. #SustainableEvents #GreenEvents #EcoFriendlyEvents #VirtualEvents #CarbonNeutralEvents #Telepresent #EventProfs
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🌍 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. In-person events create a lot of emissions. Low-carbon food options? Encouraging the use of ‘sustainable transport’. Most of these are tinkering around the edges. Last year the travel bill alone for one small event was over £90,000. Just the travel! Not including the overnight accommodation and associated expenses. This year they hired an in-person online venue from us. Travel bill? Zero. And yet they held all the sessions, formats, and socials they had the year before. Plus, for the first time, EVERYONE attended, their whole organisation… because it was so much easier logistically, and much less of an ask for people to schedule a few hours. All the private meetings and inclusive networking happened just as well as they had the previous year. To say they were delighted would be an understatement. (Hint: Check the testimonials on our website at www.telepresent.online... all attributed). Plus: You can hire venues from us when you need them. No expensive platform fees, overheads, staff training, or re-directing internal resources. Just bolt on a specialist event team for the events you need. Find out more at www.telepresent.online Ir book a FREE initial consultation here: https://lnkd.in/d6pQhTX7 We really can re-create all the buzz of an in-person event online. #SustainableEvents #GreenEvents #EcoFriendlyEvents #VirtualEvents #CarbonNeutralEvents #Telepresent #EventProfs
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Event attendance in the middle of winter is a struggle! We've come up with 5 sure fire ways for you to engage your members and promote your space even on the coldest and darkest of winter days! ❄️🥶 1. Lunch and Learn - instead of trying to get your members to turn up to night time events in winter, offer a lunchtime get together to build your community. This is a great way to allow members to talk about their services and products with feeling too sales-y. Schedule a different member talk every fortnight and provide a light lunch or get everyone to bring their own and hold the talk in your kitchen area! 2. Wellness Wednesdays - partner with a local cafe or juice bar and offer immune boosting juice shots for members on a Wednesday. Holding this in a common area promotes conversation and connection. 3. Happy Hour. A tried and true event in the coworking world, happy hour is a great way to get members to connect and wind down after a long day. Hold it on a day when your space is at its busiest and not too late in the day that people are too tired and want to go home. For a winter twist why not serve mulled wine to warm everyone up! 4. Find a fun day on your marketing calendar and celebrate it in your space - it could be National Lamington Day, World Chess Day or tell a Joke Day. For some inspo on fun days download the marketing inspo calendar from our friends at Pop Media here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBm3CPKx 5. Organise a Scavenger Hunt in your space. Group members together in teams in order to solve clues, complete challenges, and unlock destinations as they race from place to place in pursuit of the finish line. All from the comfort and warmth of your workspace! Do you have any more ideas you can share with us? Drop them in the comments below ⬇️ #flexibleworkspaceaustralia #coworkingcommunity #communitybuilding #communitybuilders #teamwork #members #events #winterevents #teambuilding #coworkingspaces #flexspacesau #flexlife #bestlife
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
How you get there affects everything! Imagine planning your dream vacation and picking an exciting destination with your friends. You can't wait to get there and have a phenomenal time. Now, picture two scenarios: In one, you're like Mike, navigating a maze of online deals (learning and comparing for months trying to figure out the best one), to only get more frustrated as the date approaches, just getting to the point of picking something to get it over with and hoping for the best. Instead of an exciting journey, you're met with discomfort, frustration, lost luggage, having to buy clothes you won't wear again and ending up in a garden view room — horrible way to get to your destination. In the other, you're like Liz, who opts for expert guidance and support. With a personalized approach and understanding of your needs, your concierge handles everything, including itinerary and seamless arrangements, every moment becomes a joy, leaving you to wonder why you ever settled for less. Now, consider your approach to event planning. Are you enduring the challenges of Mike's journey—dealing with subpar software and support that no longer fits your needs, feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Or are you ready to embrace the power of Liz's experience—seamless, stress-free, and tailored to your current events program needs? DM me if you'd like to learn more and see if your team can experience registrations like Liz.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Director of Business Development Round Room at The Mansion House | FIRE Steakhouse | SOLE Seafood & Grill
A few musings on the importance of events in society today.. event /ɪˈvɛnt/ Noun - a thing that happens or takes place, especially one of importance. If you stop to reflect on the events industry over the past 5 years, it’s quite the roller-coaster! Thinking back to 2019, business as normal and in-person meetings were the only normal. The dreaded “C19” which landed on our shores shortly after turned everything on its head. Lockdown and restrictions aside, it made you wonder would it change the way people would approach events long term? Certainly, smaller meetings via video calls have become a lot more acceptable as a way of meeting clients in a no-brainer, time saving kind of way - but hybrid events haven’t taken over in a big way post Covid in the way some expected it to. If I’m honest, as someone who has lived and breathed events for many years, this does make me breathe a sigh of relief. Thankfully events are back and getting more inventive than ever! Human nature has prevailed, people want to, and will gather and it's good for the soul! Experiences over material items are always the most memorable; and smart companies continue to recognise that teambuilding and relationship building with both staff and clients is of the utmost importance for successful business. In a world where perhaps one of the most notable changes has been the increase in remote working, in-person events are more important than ever for bringing people together. Events go the extra mile in bringing people together outside of a stuffy boardroom or busy office environment and the memories and experiences banked at these events might even be the glue that keeps that skilled workforce in your company long after the novelty of the company water bottle and backpack has worn off. An event, a thing that happens or takes place and especially important in today's society! #roundroomdublin The Round Room Dublin Convention Bureau Meet in Ireland #eventprofs #dublinevents #makeitdublin
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Choosing a suitable venue is crucial for the success of large corporate events for several reasons: CAPACITY AND COMFORT: A suitable venue ensures that there is enough space to comfortably accommodate all attendees. Overcrowded venues can lead to discomfort and a negative experience, while a well-sized venue enhances attendee satisfaction and engagement. ACCESSIBILITY: The venue's location should be easily accessible for all attendees, including those with disabilities. Proximity to transportation hubs, as well as ample parking, can significantly impact attendance and overall convenience. LOCATION: To attract a global audience, select a location with tourism appeal. Attendees appreciate the opportunity to combine conferences with sightseeing. For events with tighter budgets, consider venues in smaller towns and cities that can be more cost-effective and provide charming, unique experiences. AMBIANCE AND ATMOSPHERE: The venue's ambiance sets the tone for the event. A well-chosen venue that aligns with the event's theme and objectives can create a positive and memorable atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience for attendees. FLEXIBILITY OF SPACE: Large corporate events often require multiple spaces for different activities, such as keynote speeches, breakout sessions and networking areas. COST EFFICIENCY: Choosing the right venue can also be cost-effective. A venue that offers comprehensive packages, including high quality catering, technical support, and other services, can help manage the budget more efficiently. #grouptravel #corporateevents #hotelbooking #onlinebooking #eventprofs #businesstravel #eventplanners
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Continuing on from last week's theme of international conferences and events, our exploration takes us into the heart of the short-term rental industry's global gatherings. Australia, Canada and now back to the USA! This week, we're venturing into the vibrant sphere of the Northwest Vacation Rental Professionals (NWVRP) conference in Boise, Idaho, a prime example of the significant impact these events can have on our businesses, offering fantastic opportunities for learning, networking, and growth. Our journey progresses from the engaging Canstays conference in Canada straight to the dynamic NWVRP conference in Boise, Idaho. I thought it worthwhile, for you all to meet and get to know Brian Olson, the head of NWVRP and a pioneer in the vacation rental sector. Our conversation on this weeks episode offers an insider's perspective on the evolution and successes of Beachcomber Vacation Homes, Brians primary business, showcasing what's achievable with passion, perseverance, and the right connections. We also discuss Brian's significant role in propelling NWVRP to a leading position within the industry underscores the conference's dedication to uplifting STR professionals through education, advocacy, and the establishment of standards. What you will learn from this episode: The founding and evolution of Beachcomber Vacation Homes 🏡 The pivotal role of NWVRP in championing STR professionals and setting industry standards 🏅 The importance of networking and building a supportive community within the STR landscape 🌐 Navigating STR regulations and leveraging community advocacy for business growth 📚 The significance of personal growth and learning in achieving STR success 🚀 Brian journey is one that speaks volumes about commitment, innovation, and the power of community. Starting Beachcomber Vacation Homes with a blend of personal passion and industry insight, Brian, alongside his wife and business partner, Sally, has not only built a successful company but has also actively contributed to shaping the STR industry through his leadership in NWVRP. His story offers us lessons in resilience, innovation, and the importance of staying connected with our industry's pulse. This episode is part of my own journey through the dynamic world of hospitality, from attending Canstays to engaging with leaders like Brian at NWVRP. It's an exploration that reaffirms the importance of staying informed, connected, and inspired—no matter where you are in your accommodation business journey. Brian's insights and experiences shed light on the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that define our industry, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their business. https://lnkd.in/gcSptp_7
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
International Retreat Facilitator | Personal Leadership | Professional Speaker | Parallaxx Perspectives Podcast Host
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 #𝟏 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭? A couple of weeks ago, I was asked this exact question while facilitating a Retreat Academy in Switzerland with Nomad Retreats by Federico Violante It’s a great question—one that got me thinking 🤔 After launching 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 #1 𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯, I knew I had to dive deeper into this topic in a dedicated session. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝: 🍒 1. 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 Most events focus on logistics—venue, food, activities, etc. But what people really remember isn’t the venue; 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭. If you want to leave a lasting impact, 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. Identify what transformation your audience craves, and if something doesn’t enhance that, drop it or reposition it 👌 🍒 2. 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙄𝙩 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 Seems simple, right? Yet, it’s where many fall short. Often, events are framed around why they matter to the host. But no one cares about you. They're there for them! 🥲 Ask yourself, “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦?” When you shift focus, you create a deeper connection. 3. 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 With standards set so low these days, 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵. If you really want to stand out, look at every interaction and ask, “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?” 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 10% 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 5% 🥇 --------------------------------------- If you’re curious to see how these ideas come to life, 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙄𝙏 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙍𝙚-𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙖, 𝘽𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖 NETWORKING Premium Coworking & Event Spaces starting next week! 🚀
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Building a Digital Detox Hotel | TEDx & Keynote Speaker - Reworking Networking | Reshaping how we connect & network | Co-founder Home of Connection (prev. Head of Events Bvlgari Hotels).
I've spent over a decade planning and hosting events. Here's some tips on how to host the perfect gathering: Hint: sometimes rules are there for a reason 1. Purpose: we need to have a clear purpose for why we're gathering in the first place and how we want guests to feel, as that will inform every other decision we make when planning 2. Curated Guestlist: it's all about who we invite (and who we don't). There should be a reason for why each person is there - this is even more important for small gatherings. One person's energy can shift the whole experience 3. Consistency: having a monthly or yearly event that happens around the same time means people know when to expect it. It builds up excitement, and routine is a huge part of strengthening connection and community 4. Seating Plan: we need to be thoughtful in curating connection - for a seated dinner that means considering different personalities, points of connection and potential conversations 5. Rules for Connection: whether that means having a theme or a dress code, it's all about making the guests feel more connected to each other. The Met Gala not allowing phones encourages people to actually connect - it also keeps an element of secrecy about the event (even though we've all seen the selfies) 6. The Role of the Hosts: hosts need to take an active role in shaping the event, welcoming guests and encouraging guests to connect with each other. A successful event doesn't happen by accident It all comes back to how we make people feel And how we can curate connection more purposefully #eventhost #eventplanning #connection #networkingevents #metgala
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Meetings & Events Consultant, specialized in well-being & venue sourcing | Expo 2025 Events & Accommodation | Freelance Event Management
From time to time I really enjoy being a conference delegate myself. Last week I was in London at the lovely The Londoner Hotel and noted a few cool things at the European Regional Meeting for HelmsBriscoe: - A newcomers sessions works so well, it makes you feel so welcome and helps making new friends and expanding your professional network - A short energizer (even when everyone feels awkward dancing) gives so much laughter and energy, thank you Joris & Carole. - Food that nourishes you, helps so much keeping a good energy level - There is more and more interest in well-being at events, I was honored that I could teach some best practices on this at the marketplace and met so many likeminded like Harpa, Amanda, Jennifer, Jo, Anne-Marie, Thomas and others. - Some free time (okay, there good have been more 😉) helps to zoom out of the conference buzz and actually enjoy that lovely hotel Spa, see the picture! - Parties are the best for networking, lovely to see long-time industry friends like Georgette, and (re)connect with Coen, Stephan, Maxime and Mirjam - A quiet room, not only for those with neurodiversity but for everyone, is simply the best to recharge; It made me think of a new business concept at business events: a working pleasure zone, as you often need to finish up some office work in between sessions: ergonomic chairs, charging stations, noise-canceling headphones, aromatherapy, ambient lighting and some binaural beats to stay focused at the background. Who would like this?! #eventprofs #eventwellness #whyhb
To view or add a comment, sign in
Director at Keystone Training | UK & Global 💡 Leadership and team development
8moWhile the decision has to suit the client, participants, and budget - as you say - I'm a fan of fully off-site where possible. The greater physical distance from work/home seems to create a stronger sense of being in a different space and greater openness to learning. (Perhaps it gives some of that dissonance/shake-up of the status quo we talked about in this morning's session!) I think you're spot on about the socialising too, and it allows evening activities/discussions if it's a 2-dayer.