What makes a conference venue “unique”?
Unique meeting venues are not traditional meeting spaces, they stand out. While some venues are indeed unique and different from others, others have one or two unique features that set them apart, such as:
Some The world’s finest event venues They don’t look like traditional convention centers from the outside, but even though they look and operate like independent businesses, many breweries, art galleries, museums, malls, and restaurants host high-quality corporate events.
Venues that look unique are easy to pick out from the crowd. They attract attention and capture the interest of your audience. Does your venue have impressive architecture, intricate interior design or creative landscaping?
Whether offering exceptional onsite catering, high-tech meeting rooms or event staffing, Unique Conference Centers offers services that go beyond the competition. Hybrid Event Technologythe most memorable venues offer distinctive products and services.
Hosting event after event in a traditional convention center can get a little boring. For busy planners or those who host repeat events, booking an extraordinary venue is a great way to mix things up and prevent your events from getting boring.
What makes a unique conference venue so appealing?
Event organizers seek out non-traditional venues for a variety of reasons. They may have a tight budget, an unusual personal style, or simply want to do something different. Unique meeting venues attract the attention of planners who want to stand out from the crowd.
- Create a sensational effect of the event. Booking a unique or unexpected venue is a great way to generate excitement for your event. Planners can promote the venue’s one-of-a-kind design, exceptional services, and other amenities to attract online engagement, which can increase event registrations and attendance.
- Create more memorable marketing. Promote your unique venue and create memorable event marketing. Creating an event image This sets your conference apart from competing events and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.
- Improve attendee experience. Just as they stand out from traditional meeting venues in style and service, unique meeting venues create memorable attendee experiences that cannot be replicated by competing venues. They help planners add color or ease into many meetings. Type of company event.
What are the challenges of unique meeting venues?
If your venue is used primarily as a non-conference business (i.e., a restaurant or museum), planners and potential clients may not be aware of it or that it offers event services. Additionally, unique meeting venues can present challenges because:
- Lack of visibility
Smaller, independent and unique venues tend to invest less in marketing than their big-name corporate competitors. As a result, they may struggle to keep their names in the minds of consumers, especially in a crowded market.
Depending on the type of venue you operate, consumers may already have preconceived notions about your business. For example, if you run a bar known for live music or rowdy events, planners may not associate it with business luncheons or corporate meetings. They may be hesitant to book large, professional, or high-end events.
How to make your event venue more unique
Identify remaining funds in the venue’s budget. Use these funds to highlight the unique features of your venue and improve the conference center. Consider renovating interior spaces, upgrading exterior spaces, changing marketing strategies, and creating an exceptional guest experience.
- Highlight what makes your venue special
Decide on the type of image you want to project – your brand image. Think about how it differs from nearby venues.
- What professional on-site services does your venue provide?
- What will Your target audience What do you think is the most attractive thing about it?
- Do you offer live or hybrid event packages?
- How do you use remote conferencing tools?
- Do you offer coffee, snacks or full meals?
- Do you offer full meals or snacks and packed lunches?
Develop unique selling points to stand out. Display them in venue marketing materials and promotions to help promote your business.
- Partner with local suppliers
Build a network of reliable, reputable local partners to combine specialty services and event services. By partnering, destinations can offer more attractive and inclusive booking packages. For example, create overnight event packages with local accommodation partners or create engaging conference experiences with high-quality local cuisine. Hotel Industry Association Attract big businesses to visit your store.
- Choose a Memorable Theme
If you’re looking for a way to overhaul and breathe fresh life into your convention center, consider redecorating your space with a memorable theme. Do you want to attract art-centric events? If so, create a trendy gastropub atmosphere for relaxed meetings. If business travel is a big moneymaker in your market, consider becoming the most connected, tech-friendly venue in your town. Speakeasy-themed event room Or a luxurious red carpet style entrance hall.
- Incorporating interactive elements
Video walls, real-time voting, touch screen menus, virtual reality, and more Interactive activity tools Help on-site organizers better connect with online audiences and expand the reach of hybrid events. In addition to enhancing the experience of event attendees, installing interactive meeting elements can also help your hotel staff handle time-consuming data entry processes and provide additional assistance to visitors.
- Speed up online booking
this Gartner Future of Sales 2025 Report It is predicted that 80% of B2B sales interactions between buyers and suppliers will take place through digital channels. In addition, 85% of planners surveyed said Cvent’s 2023 Planner Purchasing Survey say they are more likely to choose a convention center, hotel or venue if they can complete the entire process entirely online without the assistance of a representative. Make it easier for event planners to quickly book events at venues by investing in digital channels and targeted advertising to take advantage of changing booking preferences.
- Revitalize your lighting strategy
For frequent event attendees and seasoned business travelers, conference venues can become cookie-cutter over time. Eventually, all the venues they visit look pretty much the same. However, unique lighting elements, like antique wall sconces and touchscreen control panels, can make your conference center more memorable.
Thoughtful lighting can elevate any event space and can significantly impact the mood of a venue. While investing in eye-catching features can help attract cooler, more creative meetings, installing dimmers or spotlights can increase your venue’s flexibility, allowing you to host a wider range of corporate events.
- Create custom signage
Install custom venue signage that reflects your brand image and vision. Create eye-catching designs for street signage, digital displays, and online campaigns. Directional signage will show visitors how to find your venue and direct them to key amenities once they arrive. Vibrant roadside signage will make it easier for passersby and traveling event attendees to discover your venue. Look for unique event logos Matching the venue’s unconventional style.
- Design a memorable entrance
An inviting venue entrance will help event attendees and conference participants feel at home when they arrive. Create an entrance that reflects the atmosphere of the venue and lets visitors know what to expect.
Do you want a sleek, trendy, artsy vibe? If so, consider choosing bright colors or patterned wallpaper. To lure guests into a more relaxing, wellness-focused environment, feature lush greenery, cool tones, and calming scents at the entrance.
- Change Seating Arrangement
also Traditional meeting room layoutIncluding boardrooms, U-shaped and theater-style events, consider offering more unique setup options to make your ordinary space extraordinary. Offer a picnic-style lunch setup or patio lounge space to attract open-minded event planners. The more flexible your layout options are, the more meetings your venue can accommodate.
- Embracing the art stage
Create a conference atmosphere that celebrates arts and culture. Support emerging artists by decorating the lobby with photos or paintings of famous newcomers. Consider installing a sculpture garden, booking live local bands, or selling handmade items. Renovate historic spaces and embrace modern styles, e.g. Gallery NK in Washington, DC. Originally a carriage house, this 85-person event space has been renovated to feature hardwood floors, high-end artwork and gourmet cuisine.
- Break through the limitations of thinking
Corporate meetings don’t have to take place in a stuffy conference room. Imagine hosting a brainstorming session with the brightest minds in your company while enjoying brunch next to a butterfly garden. Get creative and look for opportunities to think outside the box to deliver a personalized, memorable event experience.
How can conference venues create photo opportunities for attendees?
With hanging signs, stand-up displays, or eye-catching digital signage, venues can create an attractive photo booth to promote their venue. By incorporating their logo, name, and other brand identity elements, conference venues can create recognizable signage that doubles as a photo backdrop. Create a warm, inviting place for event attendees to take photos and encourage them to tag your venue on social media.
Find unique meeting venues near you
If you’re looking for a unique meeting venue but aren’t sure where to start, begin your search in your ideal host destination. Search for unique venues in your target destination, research convention centers that interest you, or contact a destination marketing organization to see what venues are available. Before consulting with a venue director or meeting manager, Write a list of questions Ask to make sure you don’t forget any key details you want to cover, such as:
- Venue Capacity
- Indoor Technology
- Installation/Removal Policy
- Noise restrictions
- Supplier Options
Get creative with these unique meeting venue ideas!
Now that you know why planners and attendees flock to unique event venues, you can capitalize on what makes your hotel different. If your event venue includes overnight guest rooms, consider incorporating some Creative hotel concepts that really work.
