When it comes to planning a successful conference, the venue can be the ultimate make-or-break factor. The right venue can transform your event into an unforgettable experience to engage employees, energise teams, and create a big impact.
Victoria Warehouse has hosted countless incredible conferences for brands such as TikTok, GHD, Adidas, JD Sports and Estrella, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about how a venue can help put brands centre stage. But how can you ensure you’re choosing the best venue for your conference?
We understand it can sometimes be a tricky decision, so here are our top tips for getting it right and setting the stage for success (literally!).
Know your audience
First of all, think about your event attendees. What do they need? Convenience? Style? Or something more? Whether your audience is local to Manchester or coming from further afield, a well-located venue that takes the hassle out of travel is what you need. Victoria Warehouse is right near Manchester city centre and key transport links, leaving attendees free to focus on your event, not their satnav.
A space to be creative
Event planners are at their best when they can flex their creative muscles, turning an empty room into a memorable experience. That’s why choosing a venue that acts as a blank canvas is so important. A versatile space allows you to let your imagination run wild – whether it’s designing dramatic stage setups, creating immersive breakout zones, or incorporating unique branding and decor that perfectly aligns with your event’s theme. At Victoria Warehouse, we are what you make us. That’s why all our spaces can be themed to suit your unique concept.
Capacity and layout
Your venue must comfortably accommodate your guest list while leaving room for the freedom to network. You don’t want people elbowing each other for space, but you also don’t want your conference to feel like a ghost town. Victoria Warehouse offers adaptable spaces to suit your event needs.
Our most popular conference spaces are The Bays, with a capacity of up to 400; Archives, with a capacity of up to 350; and Cellars, with a capacity of up to 300.
Need to host larger numbers? Our most iconic venue space has hosted global brands including Heineken, Pure Gym and Facebook. With a capacity of approximately 2,500, The Cotton Sheds features a dedicated shed for keynote addresses and six more for breakouts, workshops and panel talks.
Tech support that doesn’t let you down
The right venue will have seamless Wi-Fi, reliable AV, and on-hand support to keep your conference running like clockwork. At Victoria Warehouse, we manage the finer details of lighting, sound and scheduling throughout. Working with our trusted partner suppliers, we keep conferences running like clockwork to provide peace of mind.
Setting the scene
The look of your venue contributes to the overall feel of your conference. Consider a venue that reflects your event’s theme and your company’s brand values. With its industrial-chic aesthetic and striking architecture, Victoria Warehouse offers a distinctive backdrop that can elevate your event while providing ample branding opportunities to showcase your business. Every inch of Victoria Warehouse can be transformed to embody your brand or theme.
Food & Drink
The quickest way to win people over? Great food. Choose a venue that offers catering options to suit everyone – including networking bowl food service. Our catering team at Victoria Warehouse has you covered, with menus that are as adaptable as our event spaces. With vast experience working on events at our venue, our catering team creates imaginative menus and outstanding service.
Location, location, location
You might have the world’s best agenda planned, but if your venue is in the middle of nowhere, you might struggle to get people to show up. Whether you’re choosing between London, Birmingham, Manchester, or elsewhere, make sure you choose the best city for you (we may be biased, but we think Manchester is your best bet).
Wherever you decide, make sure it’s a place with solid transport links, parking options, and nearby hotels for out-of-towners. Victoria Warehouse checks all those boxes, so your guests can get there easily, without stress.
Sustainability credentials
More and more, attendees expect events to be environmentally conscious. Choosing a venue with green credentials shows you care about the planet as much as your conference. At Victoria Warehouse, we’re proud to deliver events that are good for the planet and your reputation. Sustainability is of high importance to us, which is why we’re delighted to have been awarded the Greengage ECOsmart Hotels and Venues Accreditation.
ECOsmart is the leading accreditation system for hotels, events and meeting venues, plus event agencies and travel management companies.
Flexibility and support
No matter how meticulously you plan, unexpected challenges can happen. Choosing a venue with a supportive and experienced events team can be invaluable. At Victoria Warehouse, our events team works closely with organisers to adapt to last-minute changes and ensure your day goes off without a hitch. We don’t just provide an event space; our experienced events team is with you on every step of your journey, going above and beyond to bring your ideas to life. By making recommendations along the way, we ensure the result is something distinctive, inimitable, and completely unforgettable.
Visiting a space gives you a feel for the atmosphere and helps you visualise how your conference will come together. At Victoria Warehouse, we’re always happy to show you around and talk through how we can bring your vision to life.
Would you like to find out more? Explore our event spaces and get in touch with a member of our friendly team.
