Our top 5 tips on how to make your next conference a success

Here at The Derby Conference Centre we understand how much time and effort goes into planning and organising conferences. It can be extremely deflating when the delegates that attend the conference aren’t engaged or enjoying themselves. We have been part of more conferences than we can count – so below we have pulled together our top 5 tips that will help you to create the most successful conference yet!

Ease of access

Having a conference in the middle of the countryside might sound idyllic, but is it practical? When considering your venue, the first thing you should be thinking of is the transportation links. Choosing a venue that has brilliant transport links makes it easily accessible for everyone attending, especially if you have a national or even international team. If you’re on a budget, the Midlands might be the best place for you, with some of the best prices and transportation options. If people experience a difficult or stressful journey to get to your conference, it’s most likely they won’t feel engaged or motivated to take part which could have an impact on their concentration and potential learning. Remember free parking is also a bonus – delegates shouldn’t have to struggle to park and might be annoyed if they must pay.

Somewhere to stay 

Travelling can make a lot of people tired, especially if they’re coming from a long way. The tiredness might affect how much they contribute to the conference. By choosing a venue that supplies accommodation, it means your delegates won’t even have to leave the premises. Alternatively, you can make sure there is accommodation nearby that will ensure they get a good night’s rest ahead of a busy day, this way they will wake up feeling energised and ready to go!

What’s on?

When choosing a conference venue, it is also best to see what there is in the surrounding areas. To ensure that delegates enjoy their visit, consider if the place has a shopping centre, sports venues, or even a pub! If people are staying overnight, they might want to venture out of the hotel and see what there is to do instead of spending their time bored in a hotel room. If delegates have a good time in their spare time, it is more likely that they will enjoy the conference more, or have a good memory of their time there, it’s your job to make it stand out from the rest.

Experience is essential

It’s crucial that you pick a venue that has an experienced team. It’s almost inevitable that things won’t work out as planned, such as technical difficulties or a guest speaker running late but having a flexible team on hand to help manage any scenario – can make all the difference! Find a venue that can offer you flexible packages, no conference is the same so you need somewhere that can support your individual needs.

Get Feedback

Asking your delegates for feedback is essential! By creating a feedback form or online survey you can gain invaluable insight to what improvements you could make and improve the connectivity between yourself and the rest of the team. This will help when it comes to planning your next conference and will make future delegates feel more open to making suggestions.

Planning a conference? We can help…

Did you know that we have fantastic conferencing facilities available? Complete with onsite accommodationand a large free carpark with electronic charging points! We are based in the heart of the Midlands, just 14 miles away from East Midlands Airport and there is even a bus that runs straight from the airport to Derby town centre, which stops off at The Derby Conference Centre along the way! If you’re travelling by train, there is also a bus that runs from Derby Train Station to our venue. Whatever mode of transportation, you and your team will easily be able to get to us comfortably. There are also plenty of opportunities to relish in Derby’s facilities, from the Intu Shopping Centre, vibrant nightlife and Pride Park which is home to Derby County Football Club.

If you would like to find out more, you can see which conference packageswe have available here.