Event Planners Can Detect a Bad Venue
Event planners can help in choosing the right venue for your event and could well prove to be the difference between it being a fantastic success or a real disaster. After all, you’ll want your event to be talked about for the right reasons, so, when choosing a venue it’s important to take time doing your homework to consider what makes a venue good or bad.As event planners Events by Knight have many years’ experience in this sector. We’ve planned corporate and personal celebratory events at all levels, and we’ve gained valuable expertise along the way. Here, we’ve put together 10 ways event planners can detect a bad venue.
1. Online Reviews
Checking online reviews should be the first thing event planners consider. You may adore the look of a venue from the outside, but if the maintenance is lacking, the food is dreadful and the rooms are dirty, then you certainly won’t want to host your event there. Ask around too. Online forums, such as Facebook groups and Twitter can be a great place to ask local people for advice or recommendations.
2. Accessibility
If you’ve now got a few venues in mind, you’ll need to think about facilities. Do you have elderly or disabled guests? It’s important that they have appropriate access. Are there wheelchair ramps or working lifts? Are the rooms a long way from the main entrance? Think of the age groups of your guests and how they may or may not be able to cope with the facilities provided.
3. Car Parking
This can be an issue for event planners since car parking spaces may be limited at some venues. You’ll need to check this against the number of guests you’ve invited and ask whether communal parking spaces can be reserved for your event.
4. Local Transport Links
Hand in hand with car parking facilities will be the proximity of your venue to local transport. If parking is limited, it may not be ideal to hire a venue in a remote location. Not only should you check local rail and bus links, but it may also be worthwhile researching local taxi firms – perhaps you could negotiate a deal for a cab company to act as chauffeurs to and from the local station.
5. Equipment and Furnishings
If needed, would your venue be able to supply audio visual equipment, cabling, lighting? Does it have sufficient seating? Are tables adequate for your requirements? Can your guest list be accommodated for easily in terms of space, rooms, etc. Does the venue have suppliers who can immediately provide extra furniture or equipment or would you need to arrange these yourself? Individual needs differ according to type of event and venues differ in terms of services provided, so it’s important to be aware of this and ensure all eventualities are catered for.
6. Cloakrooms
Good venues should have a cloakroom or facilities for guests to leave coats and personal belongings. Not having hats, scarves, extra baggage in the main event space will add an air of professionalism as well as being a security measure. If the venue doesn’t have a cloakroom, check whether there’s a dedicated space for doing this yourself with numbered tickets and a clothes rail (which you can hire).
7. Kitchens
Whether you’re hiring external caterers or providing the food yourselves, appropriate food preparation and storage is vital. Do remember to ask about use of kitchens though as it may not be supplied as standard. Some vendors do add an extra charge for this.
8. Bars and Refreshments
If your venue does have a bar you‘ll still need to check whether the cost of bar staff is included. If not, you should consider hiring professionals as this ensures professionalism and fairness in supplying / charging for drinks. Also check licencing laws as alcohol may not be served at particular times of day, and whether there are suitable refreshments for differing age groups.
9. Dance Floors
You can hire a dance floor, if needed, but your venue will still need to have sufficient space for it, so you’ll need to check whether there’s either a designated dance floor or space to provide your own. Again, you may have to consider lighting, music, external providers etc.
10. Value for Money
Last but not least, does a venue represent good value for money? At first glance, a venue can easily seem perfect, but if you’ve had to budget for extra expenditure – bar staff, toastmasters, DJs & music, furnishings, equipment, and perhaps catering too – would it still be your number one choice?As you can now see, successful event planning is a time consuming task. Everything needs to come together smoothly on the night and it’s important not to overlook any aspect.This is where Event By Knight can take away the stress involved. Our event planners can detect a bad venue and their expertise and depth of knowledge of both venues and associated services not only gives you peace of mind that everything’s taken care of, but lets you relax and enjoy your well-planned event.
Get In Touch
Need some help with your event planning? Not sure where to start? Get in touch with our dedicated team who will be able to chat things over with you.
Email: info@eventsbyknight.co.uk or call +44(0)20 130 4040
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