Convert you clients with the perfect venue

Every meeting with a client is an important communication opportunity and just as most communication is non-verbal, your choice of venue will say just as much as you do. Choosing the right venue is without doubt the most important concern and can easily be the most heavily influencing factor in a clients decision to buy from you or buy more from you. The following guide should help you with this difficult decision.

When you are trying to find the perfect meeting venue, you should consider what message you are trying to convey and equally importantly who you are talking to. What are the motivations of your audience or client? If you are pitching for new business to a government client for example, their motivation is very likely to be fear of failure rather than chance of success. Your location has to say your company is careful not frivolous, takes no risks, is secure and established and will get the job done. If you are motivating your staff in hard economic times, your venue needs to put a positive image across. It should give the impression your business is in good shape but simultaneously that it is not wasting money on extravagant, expensive meeting venues! Everything about your meeting venue conveys a message. The following important points will help you to choose the best business meeting venue for you and your audience.

1) Comfort is key

We are not talking plushy leather sofas or water beds, but the size of venue versus the number of people you are hosting for. The amount of people will affect the size of venue needed and the facilities you will require. It’s important that your venue is not a squeeze for your guests. If you can’t afford a big enough location then simply invite less people. The comfort of your audience is very important to successfully communicating.

2) Watch your budget

It is important to shop around as there are loads of possibilities and offers. You need a host you can trust at a good price. De Vere is top of the list of the UK’s leading companies for training, conferences and meeting venues – so you know you will be in good hands there – but there are many other companies out there. If you can it is a good idea to visit the venue before booking so you know what you are paying for.

3) People and places

Think outside the box when choosing a venue but know your guests. Try to consider how they will react to your choice of venue and location. Unusual venues can be great but will be lost on some audiences. For example, you can hire kitted-out tree houses which are really good at inspiring staff but may be completely unsuitable for certain clients. Old fashioned business people can be unimpressed by unusual venues and other audiences may be too distracted.

4) Don’t forget facilities

A small room to go over some documents may suffice, however you could need a 1,500 capacity venue with state-of-the-art AV equipment. The last thing you want is to turn up to a venue and realising there is no internet connection or projector. This is embarrassing and reflects very badly on you. Poor planning will be noted by your clients/guests and can be the difference between winning a pitch or losing a client.

Food is an important consideration as well as equipment and location. If you need catering for the meeting, how good is the chef? Good food positively affects people’s moods and can impress potential clients. It also gives them reason to trust your judgement, so it may be a good idea to read some reviews or try it out beforehand.

5) Location, location, location

How will your guests be travelling to your venue? If your location is remote, people may arrive stressed and tired from trying to find the venue or from the lengthy journey. This is one of the most important considerations and has a huge impact on mood and concentration. If you choose a venue that is quite far for some guests to travel to (this is often unavoidable), you should ensure accommodation is available at the venue or close by. If you have guests who are flying in, a venue near to the airport would be best.

With these important considerations in mind, visit De Vere and see what their many UK locations have to offer you and your business.