Personal approach is the best way to check a venue

Personal approach is the best way to check a venue - our Corporate Sales Manager Rachael Buttery explains why...

Re: The story 'Venue brands no longer trustworthy' citing Jacqui Kavanagh of Trinity Conferences;
Being part of a membership organisation can be reassuring for potential customers, but just glancing at a conference venue’s website and the industry bodies they are affiliated to is not enough.

The most important check any potential customer should run is to speak to the venue. Don’t be afraid to ask searching questions – these answers will reveal more than anything else.

One simple question is: ‘what is your repeat business figure?’ This will tell you a great deal about whether customers enjoy their conference experiences enough to return.

Another that Cotswold Conference Centre is often asked is ‘what is your staff turnover rate?’ A low figure will tend to mean you receive a consistent level of service and, in turn, will reassure clients who want to build a long-term relationship with a venue and its events team.

You can also ask about industry awards too, but perhaps focus more on awards won repeatedly over a number of years – which shows an ongoing commitment to excellent standards – rather than one-off successes.

As a final point, independent or family-owned venues will often provide a high level of personal service and will be used to these sorts of questions. Venues that can’t find this information or are reluctant to share it might be best to avoid.

Meetings, Conferences and Group Bookings

If you are looking for a meeting venue for a small conference or group event, Farncombe offers superb room facilities and the highest standard of equipment and support services. With ensuite bedrooms we can also offer weekend and off-peak dates at very special rates. For more details about the conference, meeting facilties please click here.

Farncombe Estate is situated in an excellent location in the Midlands, and is a venue dedicated to meeting, learning and training. You will find everything you need on site, together with ample free car parking and stunning views.

24 Hour Delegate Rate

Includes - 3 course dinner with coffee, overnight accommodation, full English breakfast, working buffet or 3 course lunch in the dining room, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Main meeting room hire with AV equipment in that room, FREE syndicate room.

Day Delegate Rate

Includes - 3 course lunch in the dining room, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Main meeting room hire with AV equipment in that room, FREE syndicate room.

To make a group enquiry please contact Elizabeth Owen on 01386 854215

To enquire about conference and meetings please contact Rachael Buttery on 0845 230 8580.

The pertect Venue for Training and Personal Development

At Cotswold Conference Centre we have been organising training events for over 10 years. Set in the midlands, half-way between Stratford Upon Avon and Cheltenham, Cotswold Conference Centre offers comapnies a unique training facility.

Organistations such as IMI and G4S has used Cotswold Conference Centre for their training events and have told us that the environment suits their business and event objectives.

We also offer on-site teambuilding activties as well as unique packages which can add an extra element to your event.

To find out how we can help organise your training or teambuilding event please call us on 0845 230 8580 or send us an enquiry via our website.

An Award Winning Training Facility based in the Midlands, UK

The experienced team at Cotswold Conference Centre has been in business since 2001.  Customers run 1,000 corporate events a year in our flexible training and meeting spaces. We have 89 ensuite bedrooms and meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 120.

Here’s what one conference organiser has to say:
“The flexibility of the venue is a unique selling point.   As for the staff – What can one say!!  personable, helpful, good fun, knowledgeable, and obviously work as team. At the end of the day, I felt that my three essential words were present – that is COMMITMENT : COMMUNICATION : CO-OPERATION  =  TEAM.”

And, in the words of a trainer who regularly returns to us with a wide range of clients:
“This is an inspirational training environment.  You’re not smothered by a nine-to-five culture.  There are no sterile training rooms like in a hotel.  The landscape is a big part of what we do and there are no restrictions on the way you work.”

We understand that finding the right training venue that fits the requirements of your programme isn’t something that can be done via an enquiry form….so please do give us a call on 0845 230 8580 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements in detail.

A Sparkling Meeting & Training Special Offer

Book a November 2012 event at Cotswold Conference Centre by the end of August, and we’ll throw in the bangers! Our Bonfire Buffet will really light up your November conference, teambuilding or training event. To qualify for your free spread* – with sparklers for every member of your team – all you have to do is arrange and confirm your booking by the end of August.

To talk to our sales team and get a personalised quote within two hours, please call 0845 230 8580.

*Opt for either a Chilli Dinner, or Bonfire Buffet with sausages, baked potatoes and toffee apples. Full menu to be confirmed.