Venue Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2018...

Ellis Street Studio, South Yarra.

In a world of visual overload, advanced technology and a “been there done that” attitude, meeting and event planners are pressured to find evermore exciting, unique and memorable venues that will keep delegates enthused and motivated. While hotels and restaurants have long been the go-to for business events, this year there is going to be an increased demand for more interesting and out-of-the-box venues. Think of castles, warehouses, museums, villas and art galleries. Even the most traditional companies are looking for new and exciting experiences for their employees. ​

---

In many ways, venues provide more than just space and it is important to keep this in mind when planning your event. One of the biggest trends emerging this year are ‘experientially-led events’. This means that clients want to engage in more activities during events and they are no longer satisfied to simply remain seated and be passive conference participants. Therefore, consider venues with outdoor team building activities on site or with interesting group experiences such as outdoor dining, kitchen gardens and wildlife tours. 

One of our favourite venues this year is Robertson Lodges in New Zealand. This venue offers experiential events for corporates near the beautiful Kauri Cliffs of Auckland. In April, Robertson Lodges will host their annual sell-out Celebrate Art event. Visitors will experience an exclusive tour of the privately-owned and rarely accessible Gibbs Farm sculpture park and the opportunity to listen and learn from two renowned art scholars, Sue Gardiner and Rhana Devenport. These two artists will give their take on what’s important, what’s happening now and what you need to know in today’s fast moving art world. After the tour, your delegates will walk away with a fresh new perspective and appreciation for art and outdoor activities.

Celebrate Art Event at Alan Gibbs Sculpture Park, NZ.

Celebrate Art Event at Alan Gibbs Sculpture Park, NZ.

Another upcoming venue we’ve picked this year is The Line, located in Melbourne. The venue is an amazing open-plan warehouse tucked away in a Footscray laneway - a perfect blank canvas for a multitude of corporate functions. Boasting high ceilings, polished concrete floors and  a minimalistic industrial feel -  creating a clean space with opportunities to create a truly bespoke event. With a capacity of up to 200 people, this event space can host anything from launch parties to team building workshops.

The Line, Footscray, VIC.

Similar to The Line, Ellis Street Studio located in South Yarra is perfect venue for everything from brand activations, product launches to Christmas functions. The venue is a converted warehouse that once upon a time was a small and run-down workshop.

Ellis Street Studio, South Yarra, VIC.

In today’s meetings and events industry, there are no rules. Taking attendees to unexpected places where they might not otherwise be able to go is proving successful. Unconventional event spaces such as The Line and Ellis Street Studio are rapidly increasing in demand. Right now is the time to capitalise on this growing trend and engage your delegates with non-traditional event venues. 

For our last pick, we have chosen The Cottesole Beach Hotel in Perth. This venue incorporates outdoor living inside its meeting and function rooms to give your guests a warm welcome. Whether the occasion is celebrating a special birthday, a business conference or a corporate event for 200 guests, The Cottesloe Beach Hotel will create a memorable experience. Offering a variety of private areas suited to both formal and informal events, there is bound to be a space that would impress even the toughest of critics.

This venue is located just 10 km from the port city of Fremantle and 13 km from the Perth CBD. The hotel offers delegates a choice of thirteen hotel rooms, a few of which have their own private balconies and panoramic views of Cottesole Beach and Rottnest Island. The hotel is close to many outdoor activities including scenic walkways, a golf course, tennis courts and much more!

The Cottesole Beach Hotel, Perth, WA.

The key takeaway is to choose a unique venue that offers some sort of experiential value for your delegates. There’s no such thing as too big or too small... as long as you make it as engaging as possible!