It seems that innovation, client focus and added value are really starting to take hold in the UK venues marketplace.
For some time many suppliers only looked as far as the latest gadget or technology fad in their drive to create better meetings spaces. Now it seems meeting planners are finally being listened to.
Far from needing ever more complicated and expensive technology to support meetings, the best focused providers are finding that meeting planners want flexibility, creativity and stimulation from their spaces.
The International Association of Conference Centres, IACC has recently published the report, ‘Creating an Experience: Ten Inspired Ideas That Wow Meeting Attendees’ and none of the ideas are about technology.
What people want from their meeting is a memorable experience. Ideas in the report include Team Activities, Outdoor, Unusual, Surprise, Peer Driven and Knowledge Exchange. It’s well worth a read.
Don’t get me wrong about technology though. Buyers just want to take for granted free high speed connectivity and ultra-simple, intuitive top quality display equipment. Strangely, I believe that this movement to focus on personal experience is being driven by ever better technology which is now increasingly being taken for granted, its finally where it should be, supporting people to people interaction.
The opportunity to add value now rests with suppliers who put in the effort to truly work with and understand their client’s expectations of the experience.
