Campus venues have come a long way!
Over 20% of professional meeting and event planners are using non-traditional venues according to Meeting Planners International.
But the real question is why? Chuck Salem, President of Unique Venues, and Norma Charette of Campus Conference Solutions offered some great advice at the most recent RCMA show.
Why are meeting planners using College and Universities for Events? The answer is in the details. Campuses provide affordable options with distinctive locations where attendees want to meet. Why meet at a fancy hotel in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, when you could meet a few blocks away at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ premier meeting space in their Student Union? It is the same ideal location to draw attendees to register but on a more affordable scale.
Campuses are distinctive because they provide a built-in theme for the ambiance of the meeting. Meeting planners get to tap into readily available technology that is present on campuses which makes things like projectors, sound equipment and Wi-Fi affordable for all groups. Colleges and universities are also ideal because they offer various price points for meeting space and accommodations, so planners truly get to design an affordable meeting.
There is a high expectation in the world to provide a meeting experience that is centralized. You can still experience the benefits of a one-stop-shop location where you can gather, break bread, pray, play, and sleep all within one campus setting. You can dine in residential dining halls, sleep in safe and comfortable rooms of all shapes and sizes, team build on state of the art ropes courses, and pray in the campus chapel.
So really the question becomes, what is the next step for planning a conference on a college campus? Chuck gave this checklist of questions to ask during his presentation:
- Booking Timelines
- Space Guarantees
- Insurance Requirements
- Payment Terms
- Parking policies
- Know all the fees
- Master billing and individual billing policies
- Security requirements
- Commissions
- Rate Negations
- Contract deposit
- Catering requirements
- Alcohol policies
- Cancellation policies
- Supplier Arrangements
Unique Venues website offers a comprehensive offering of campus venues at uniquevenues.com. Check it out today to get started on moving your next event to a college campus.
Have you hosted a meeting on a college campus? If so, comment and let us know a helpful hint for the planning process!
