Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Conference Venues And Their Cost

By Michael Nielson

A formal gathering that is held for different purposes is called a conference. These can be related to studies, trade, news, or for any other purpose.

The selection of venue for a conference is an important decision. There are many issues to be kept in control. Perhaps the most important issue is the cost. Before selecting a venue, you have to be aware of your spending capacity. Then the matter of location and size comes, as the venue must be able to house the appropriate number of people. Other aspects such as food and decorations are also essential while choosing a venue.

The UK holds many conferences every day. Holding conferences and letting out venues has become a thriving business, and it is termed as conference management. You pay such people who organize your conference according to your requirements. There are many websites on the internet, which might be able to help you in this regard.

Such websites allow you to select your venue over the internet, therefore saving the hassle of going and finding appropriate places. One can easily view all the available venues in a selected city, and can inquire about their cost. Bookings can also be made via internet. This makes the whole process much easier and saves precious time.

The cost of a venue depends on several issues, the first of which is the location. Generally, conference venues in large metropolitan cities cost more. Of course, the size of a venue is also a major factor in determining its cost. If a person requires accommodation at the venue, it comes at an extra price. The food and catering services and the type of meal required are also cost determinants. Finally, the conference equipment such as multimedia or music arrangements will be included in the final cost.

The cost of conference venues is usually negotiable. Either bargaining can be done in person or if you have booked a venue online, the company usually negotiates with the venue owner in order to offer the best competitive price.

Conference planning and management has now become a thriving business in the UK. The foundation of The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers was laid in 1981. It is responsible for granting memberships to eligible conference organisers across UK, in order to facilitate its clientele. The Meetings Industry Association in the UK and Ireland is serving the same purpose. It is advisable that you should choose those venue providers who are members of the above associations.

However, selecting conference venues online can have a drawback. Since the venue is not visited or seen in person, it may be difficult to get an exact idea of how it looks like, or its size and location. It may be a good option to visit the selected venue before final booking or payment. It is also important to select the venue providers with good reputations, who seem like a reliable option. Do not try to compromise in this regard in order to cut costs.

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