Looking for the right conference venue in Dublin?
Whether you’re planning a small corporate meeting or a big conference with hundreds of attendees, you probably know that the venue you’ll choose can make or break your event. The number of attendees, the location’s accessibility, and whether or not the venue has all the necessary equipment and manpower are all key factors to consider.
If you’re currently planning to host a corporate event in Dublin, you’ve landed on the right article. Here, we’ll list down 7 essential factors to consider when picking the right event venue for you.
1. Venue size and capacity
How many people (attendees, speakers, technical crew, and other staff) are you expecting? Is the size of the room enough for the furniture, decorations, and equipment you plan to use? Of course, you don’t want your attendees to feel too cramped in such a small space but you don’t want to hold your event in a conference hall that’s too wide either.
Capacity is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing the best Dublin conference venue. If you’re planning a smaller event, you may consider a conference room or a smaller conference hall, which costs significantly less. For larger events, you may tap into Dublin’s convention centres and expo venues, which can accommodate thousands of attendees.
2. Location and accessibility
Do you want to hold your conference in the heart of Dublin city? Or do you prefer a slightly less central location? If you prefer the former, your delegates can take advantage of Dublin’s top attractions and you can even plan a more casual evening activity. But as you may expect, conference venues in the city centre can cost more.
Holding your conference in a location a little outside of the bustling centre is often the right choice. Not only they’re cheaper but they’re quieter too, allowing your delegates to direct their full attention to the conference. The good news is most of the best conference venues in Dublin are away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin city centre yet close enough for easy access and possible activities.
To maximise attendance, ask about public transport links, airport access, nearby hotels (if they offer accommodation), and parking spaces. Check the restaurants and cafes in the area and other nearby attractions too.
3. Room types and styles
Do you prefer a more intimate discussion in a boardroom? Or is classroom-style seating more suitable for the nature of your event? How about classic theatre-style seating in an auditorium? Whatever suits best for your event, it’s worth considering a conference venue in Dublin that offers a wide range of room styles.
This unique conference venue in Dublin, for instance, offers flexible meeting spaces in multiple locations. They have multiple room styles including classroom, theatre-style, chapel, tiered room, boardroom, workshop, and auditorium, which can accommodate anything from 5 to 1200 attendees. Each style has its own set of advantages, but the most appropriate venue will largely depend on your needs.
4. Services and amenities included in the rate
Will the conference venue offer catering? How about an airport shuttle bus for your VIPs? Do they need accommodation? Before looking for third-party suppliers, check if your conference venue has an all-inclusive package. If you’ll need the aforementioned services, choosing a hotel for your conference is often your best bet.
5. Hands-on team, from managers to tech crew
With an exhausting list of aspects to consider, we can all agree that planning a successful event isn’t a piece of cake. The good thing is you don’t have to work alone — you can find conference venues in Dublin with a hands-on team who’ll assist you before, during, and after your event.
Consider finding a conference venue with a designated event manager who’ll oversee the entire event and assist you throughout your conference journey. Check if they also have an in-house technical crew,
6. Technical considerations
Conferences involve a lot of technical considerations, so make sure your venue won’t fall short on technical equipment, facilities, and crew. Ask about the equipment and amenities needed for your event including audiovisual equipment, microphones, break-out rooms, and exhibition spaces.
7. Wow factor and atmosphere
Hotels and traditional meeting spaces are perfect if you want to keep things professional. But if your goal is to delight your attendees with something outside the box, consider picking an unconventional and unique conference venue that’s aligned with your theme.
Dublin has a wealth of unconventional meeting spaces to check out. You can hold your conference in a castle hotel, chapel or cathedral, museum or gallery, traditional Irish pubs, and historic houses with stunning parklands.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a passionate writer for Meet in DCU, a unique conference venue in Dublin that is perfect for corporate meetings, conferences, seminars, and events. Writing articles about business and events is one thing she finds enjoyable, next to playing the piano.