Looking for the perfect conference venue?
When it comes to hosting a successful conference, choosing the right venue is key. A good conference venue should offer a range of features and amenities that cater to the needs of your guests.
From state-of-the-art technology to comfortable accommodations, here are eight must-have features to look for when selecting a conference venue.
Eight tips to make your conference a success
1. Flexible Spaces
First things first, it’s important to consider how the space will be used and whether it can be tailored to your event. Think about how you want your conference to be structured and how you envision the space to be laid out in an ideal world. Consider if there are pillars, doors and corridors that could cause problems and assess whether the space is configurable.
At CENTREPIECE, we have a variety of spaces that can be adjusted for different uses. We’ve hosted conferences with yoga sessions, bean bag sessions and multiple breakout rooms where people can relax, unwind and network.
2. Natural Light
Sometimes when you’re inside all day you can get sleepy thanks to the lack of natural light. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a stuffy conference room with no natural light, so try to consider this when choosing an ideal conference centre. You’ll also want to think about how the venue brings the outside in or allows garden spaces where people can get fresh air and take a break from the action going on inside the venue.
“Good natural light in a venue helps to keep people feeling fresh. At CENTREPIECE, you feel like you’re outside because the natural light is so abundant even from within the building. The air conditioning also keeps things light and airy as it’s intuitive and can sense how many people are in the room, meaning you don’t get that stuffy feeling from being in air conditioning all day,” said Tania Marshall, Venue Manager at CENTREPIECE.
3. Great Menu
Another important feature of a great conference centre is on-site catering and food options. Attendees will appreciate having access to food and beverages throughout the day, especially if the conference is a full-day or multi-day event.
Look for a conference venue that offers a variety of food options, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, to accommodate all dietary needs. Additionally, having on-site catering can save time and hassle for event organisers, as they won’t have to worry about coordinating with outside vendors.
4. State-of-the-art technology and AV equipment
Having access to state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual equipment is crucial for a successful conference. Look for a conference centre that offers high-speed internet, video conferencing capabilities, and top-of-the-line audiovisual equipment.
This will ensure that your presentations run smoothly and your attendees can stay connected throughout the event. Additionally, having a dedicated IT support team on hand can help troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise.
5. Good Drinks
If you’re looking for a conference centre in Melbourne, good coffee is a must. You won’t catch Melbournians sipping on a bad cup of coffee, so ensure that you consider what kind of drinks are on offer for your guests. This could range from soft drinks, teas and coffees all the way up to bespoke cocktails and a wine list.
Post-conference networking is always elevated by a few after-work drinks. CENTREPIECE has a great local wine list and luxury cocktail options to help guests unwind after a long day of conferencing. With an outdoor terrace that overlooks lush parkland and the Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct, post-conference drinks are always exciting at CENTREPIECE.
6. Great Staff
A perk of any venue is having great staff on the ground who can guide and direct your guests. Having staff who are hospitable and act as ambassadors for the city that you’re in can make a conference extra special, so be sure to get a feel for the event day team and how they operate.
7. Accessibility & Inclusivity
Conferences need to be accessible and inclusive, with spaces for everyone. Whether that’s having sensory spaces that are less stimulating or ensuring that you have appropriate toilet facilities including changing places, it’s important to consider every need and make things as accessible as possible. You should also look at the entry points to the venue, lift and access within the venue and how the space is laid out.
8. Location
Location is vital for guests travelling to your conference and public transport links should be considered. Ideally, your venue will be close to the city it’s in so that guests can enjoy exploring when they’re not at the conference.
Consider any experiences, restaurants and iconic views that might be close by and would be of interest to your guests as well as hotels they could stay at. Some venues, like CENTREPIECE have exclusive partnerships with hotels like Pullman on the Park Melbourne.
Looking for a conference centre in Melbourne?
Located in the heart of Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct, and connected seamlessly to the CBD, CENTREPIECE is the ideal venue to host your next conference in Melbourne.
Get in touch with our team of event specialists and find out how you can make CENTREPIECE your next Masterpiece.