BEST PROPERTIES FOR OFFSITES
Michelle Rees , co-founder , Eventsprofslive , analyses properties for corporate offsites
s corporate event professionals , our absolute favourite events to plan are retreats and offsites . These are the types of events that we feel allow you to showcase your event planning skills and show some pretty important stakeholders ( internal ) just what you are capable of .
Unlike a drinks reception or a dinner ( which we also love ) an offsite encompasses many different aspects of planning , from travel and transport to accommodation ( we love a rooming list ) to team-building activities . You work on the entire organisation of dinners , lunches , group breakfasts , all while working with AV teams to deliver critical content .
Here , in the UK , we are fortunate to have what we consider to be some of the best properties globally to support and deliver exceptional events for offsites . Here are a couple of our favourites :
Chewton Glen
There is nothing more iconic than Chewton Glen . For events , it has everything you need to deliver an exceptional offsite venue . Nestled
Chewton Glen
The Grove
PennyHill Park on the edge of the New Forest , the five-star property is a true English original . The property boasts 70 bedrooms ( including 35 suites ), an array of dedicated meeting and event spaces , and gorgeous grounds to host team-building activities . The property also has its Cooking School – The Kitchen – onsite should you wish to incorporate a team-building activity into your programme .
The Grove
You can ’ t get any more British than running your event in the former home of the Earls of Clarendon , now can you ? Situated just 18 miles from London , The Grove is a firm favourite for planners , not only for their idyllic grounds but , for us , it ’ s their meeting and event spaces that are bright ( 28 in total ) and the fact that they have 215 bedrooms , which is a great size when working with larger groups .
PennyHill Park
How can you not be a little bit in love with a property that has its very own Helipad as an event manager ? The opportunity to “ fly ” in your CEO is such a draw ! PennyHill Park is widely known for its incredible , award-winning spa , but when it comes to offsites , it is often our go-to because it has that ‘ wow ’ factor for delegates . Incorporating an element of health and wellness by utilizing some of the onsite facilities ( a great team-building activity idea here is a spa workshop ) is a massive draw for us . Another huge benefit is the property ’ s over 20 meeting and event spaces , their 124 bedrooms , each individually appointed , their onsite screening room and , not forgetting , their Michelin-starred restaurant , The Latymer .
You can read here about events we ’ ve held at these properties and others , exclusively for our Eventprofslive members . CN www . conference-news . co . uk