As the events industry works to meet the needs of the future, we cast our focus back on the timeless qualities of historic venues continuing to impress planners and delegates today.
Holding an event in a historic venue is a wonderful way to wow your delegates with the location’s unique charm.
Variety and versatility
Far removed from the linear feel of spaces often found within modern conference buildings, the vast selection of long lived in halls, chambers, and corridors waiting to be rediscovered makes a historic venue ready made for multipurpose events. Utilising the same function these spaces served once upon a time will bring an authentic quality and dynamic character to the event, whether it falls on incorporating intimate private lounges for breakout discussions or cavernous banquet halls for post-conference dinners. Taking advantage of acres of grounds, lawns, and terraces at your disposal during the warmer summer months will also elevate outdoor events, allowing delegates to experience the venue from all sides.
Moments in time
From high vaulted ceilings, richly decorated interiors, and dazzling architecture, a historic venue boasts a visual impact which many modern event spaces still strive to replicate and leave a resonating impression on delegates. Opening the floor with ample opportunities for some fantastic event photography and filming, the captured moments taken from professionals and delegates alike will quickly elevate the post-event marketing and promote the event’s success to secure future projects.
Inspiring participation
The importance of delegate engagement with each other is a crucial factor in delivering an event’s success as attendee numbers for in-person events continue to blossom. Since housing a long heritage developed on the exchange of diverse ideas and group participation, historic venues retain a fresh environment to invite free flowing interaction and optimise creativity during workshops, discussions, and team building activities. Pushing delegates out of their comfort zones and the familiar routine of modern conference rooms, the unique environment will inspire fresh thinking.
Smaller spending
Stricter budgeting has become a large part of overcoming the many challenges facing the events industry over the last few years as the pressure to make events profitable is at an all-time high. Often when dressing up a modern meeting space for a themed event, those same costly strains are only tightened.
As the spectacular architecture, intricate interiors, and picturesque outdoor grounds naturally allowing historic venues to speak for themselves, minimal decoration and simple furniture are often the only finer details left to focus on to bring an event to life, saving money and easing the planning process in the long run.
Prestigious values
Expanding beyond a heritage venue’s distinctive style and personality, organising meetings across the nationally cherished iconic buildings can also help boost recognition to businesses social awareness goals as the events industry places a continued emphasis on CSR policies.
By aligning their identity with the same prestige associated with the chosen venue, planners can certify their own values to newly established and existing contacts as participating delegates help preserve the venue with reinvested profits, making historic venues well justified to host charity events and global conferences.
As Peter Thornton of Historic Scotland emphasises: “Holding events in properties such as historic castles ensures your guests can enjoy a one off unique experience in a world famous location. You can be sure to furnish your guests with stories and anecdotes they’ll never tire of repeating for years to come. A truly magical experience surrounded by history at every turn.”