Planning a large event takes hours of coordination, phone calls, emails, and physical labor. But as many event planners will tell you, one of the most difficult parts of planning a large event is finding the right venue for the occasion. If you're in charge of planning the next big business conference and you need to find a venue, roll up your sleeves and get ready for a little research.
First, make a list of the amenities you need your venue to have. One of the most important aspects you need to consider is venue capacity. How many attendees are you expecting at your business conference? You need a place that can accommodate everyone without trouble. If you don't know the numbers, you'll need to find out before you can book your venue. Second, what kind of seating will be best for your conference? Do you need auditorium style seats to best accommodate presenters, or would conference rooms with movable seats and tables be a better fit for what you have in mind?
Another thing to consider is the media capabilities of your venue. If your presenters will be using projected presentations, you'll need to find a venue that has projectors, screens, sound systems, and the capability to integrate laptops and media devices. Another important thing to consider is food. If you're serving food, check to make sure your venue will allow it or if they have catering available. Now, once you've called around and found venues that fit your criteria, the hardest part is often finding one that's available for the dates you need. Make sure to search several months in advance.
