www.blmforum.netGROUPGROUP2017 CONFERENCE AND HOSPITALITY GUIDEwww.countyconferencing.netPublished byYORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE01_Layout 1 10/05/2017 12:34 Page 1Magna, Sheffield Road, Templeborough, Rotherham, S60 1DXTel: 01709 720002 Email: events@magnatrust.co.uk Web: www.mymagnaevent.co.ukFIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP.CONTACT US TODAY!Formerly one of the World’s largeststeelworks, elements of the originalbuilding are largely preserved.Impressive industrial pieces such ashulking hooks and cranes are still inposition around the site and can beincorporated into your event to createa distinct wow factor. lUnique industrial venuel8 flexible roomsl5 minutes from JCT 33/34 M1l500 free parking spaceslDedicated experienced Events teamlConferences for 3 to 3,000 delegateslDinners for up to 1,000 and concerts of up to 5,000 in Magna’s Big HalllFor team building with a difference with high octane activities such as bungee jumping, zip wire or Segway ONE MONUMENTAL VENUE……UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES.02_Layout 1 10/05/2017 12:35 Page 1welcomeGroup Editor:Steve Fisher • Editor:Michael Fisher • Journalist:Dominic CuthbertSales Director:Angie Cooper • Accounts & Circulation:Angela SharmanDesign & Production:Gary Jorgensen, Mark CassonAdvertising:Tel: (01472) 310302 Fax: (01472) 310312 • Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Part Of The Business Link Magazine Group:Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QEEmail: sales@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.blmforum.net ISSN No: 1366-1299© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints,colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed inthis publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher.Welcome to Yorkshire & Lincolnshire BusinessLink’s annual Conference and Hospitality Guide –everything you need to sure that your events arethe hottest tickets around.The idea a few years ago that we soon wouldn’thave to attend any conferences as we couldnetwork and swap ideas via social media. While it’s perfectlypossible to do that, the opportunity to escape from the officeremains a welcome one, and most of us still appreciate thechance to meet face to face and stumble across somethingwe’ve never considered but which could be the start of a highlyvaluable relationship.In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire we’re fortunate to be home to ahuge range of venues that will offer something to suit any event,and we showcase many of them in this guide. These days youcan be pretty sure you’re getting high quality with most venuesoffering the latest technology and a dedicated events team asstandard.This does, however, mean that you have to invest imaginationto ensure your event stands out from the crowd – but that’s whywe have numerous inspiring ideas to help you create an eventthat best represents your vision.We hope you find this guide useful – and if you’ve got afavourite venue, let us know so we can feature it next year!Good reading as always, Michael Fisher (Editor)and all the Business Link team03_Layout 1 09/05/2017 09:33 Page 1Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link@blmforumblmforum.netcontentsEvent Planning6Whether it’s a celebratory dinner, an AGM or aseminar, there are certain aspects everyoneneeds to consider when it comes to organising aneventHistorical Settings14Yorkshire and Lincolnshire both have their shareof grandiose buildings from history, and these areboth an attractive and convenient place to hold aneventBusiness Centres18Business centres excel when it comes to flexibility,offering a modular service for excellent value andconvenienceSporting Venues23Sporting venues are a top destination –regardless of your allegiance or preferenceAttractions26Business isn’t always seen as fun, but there’s noreason a conference cannot entertain – especiallyif it’s a dinner or celebrationResidential Venues30Residential venues have huge experience ofhosting events and can make it more than just ameetingThe Directory 34Find Yorkshire and Lincolnshire’s finest with ourA-Z guide of venues and specialistsShutterstock / Maxim BlinkovShutterstock / markhShutterstock / nd3000 Shutterstock / chris276604_Layout 1 09/05/2017 09:34 Page 105_Layout 1 09/05/2017 09:34 Page 16 www.countyconferencing.netEVENT PLANNINGOrganisingthe big eventWhether it’s a celebratory dinner, an AGM or a seminar, there arecertain aspects everyone needs to consider when it comes toorganising an event06-13_Layout 1 09/05/2017 11:34 Page 1www.countyconferencing.net7EVENT PLANNINGOver the course of this guide we’ve got ahost of inspirational ideas on how to makesure your conference runs smoothly – butwhether it stands out from the crowd andbrings you success in the long run isentirely down to you. The facilities in ourregion are of such high quality, and staffedby such knowledgeable people, that youcan be pretty sure your event will be well-organised and run smoothly... but thatdoesn’t mean it won’t be boring!Most people in business find themselvesbeing invited to umpteen conferences eachyear but it would be a fair bet that most ofthem fail to stick in the memory. The leastsuccessful are probably those wheredelegates have dragged themselves to thevenue from near and far, only to find theentire programme consists of peoplereading out speeches that they could haveeasily sent the guests via email, possiblyaccompanied by some unintelligiblegraphics if you’re lucky. Watch out too thatyour speaker line-up doesn’t replicate asimilar recent conference, or guests couldwell experience some unwelcome déjà vu.© Shutterstock / Matej Kastelic8 Á06-13_Layout 1 09/05/2017 11:34 Page 2but this entire guide is filled with inspirationand ideas. Remember, the goal is to holdan event that will be interesting, useful tothe audience and memorable. Test the roomThere’s nothing worse than going to anevent and realising that you’ve beenunfortunately placed and can’t actuallyhear a word of what the main speaker issaying. Most conferencing venues will havegood acoustics, but that doesn’t excusespeakers failing to project their voicesproperly. Remember that even if answeringa question from the audience, or speakingin general, it is best to project your voice8 www.countyconferencing.netEVENT PLANNINGOn the other hand, equally useless arethose which include too much content.Booking as many speakers as you canmay justify the price of the tickets, but ifthat means each one only get a fewminutes to pass on their message, whichgets lost in a barrage of facts and figures, ithardly seems worth them attending.Conferences and events are a socialoccasion as well as the chance to impartinformation, and if the programme is sopacked that there’s no time to network orsimply swap business cards with theperson sitting next to you, it’s a wastedopportunity. Leave too long a breakbetween sessions, however, and guestscould begin to drift away.Here are some aspects to keep in mind,© Shutterstock / Halfpoint10 Á06-13_Layout 1 09/05/2017 11:34 Page 3Award winning and recently accredited 4 star hotel, Grimsby’s premier hotel isnow fully refurbished. Typical architecture of the 60’s period with acontemporary high quality design throughout.• Stylish Dining • Business Events • Weddings • LeisureRELAX IN STYLE AT THE HUMBER ROYALYour home away from homeLittlecoates Road, Grimsby,North East Lincolnshire DN34 4LXTel: +44(0)1472 240024Email: reservations.grimsby@icon-hotels.co.ukwww.thehumberroyalhotel.co.ukOver 20,000m2 of Conference and Exhibition Space From 2 – 10,000 Delegates Dedicated Event Management Team Event Ticketing Solutions Excellent Transport Links Our Flexible Venues Include:Sheffield City Hall, English Institute of Sport Sheffield, iceSheffield, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Scarborough Spa and Sheffield Arena Book your next event 0333 321 1091 or eventsales@sivltd.com Space to Work and Play06-13_Layout 1 09/05/2017 11:34 Page 4Next >