Conference News Supplements Academic Venues Supplement | Page 7

Collaboration is Key Harriet Boatwright, sales and marketing manager at MEETinLEEDS, takes a class in venue-finding in the city inding the ideal venue for your conference or event is not an easy feat. Considering factors such as accessibility requirements, meeting catering needs and suitable transport and accommodation links are all vital to ensure a smooth-running operation. Choosing to partner with an academic venue facility such as MEETinLEEDS, the University of Leeds’ conference facilities team, means that not only are those factors taken into careful consideration, but you can benefit from a multitude of additional benefits to help make your event the best that it can be. Harriet Boatwright, sales and marketing manager at MEETinLEEDS, explains how choosing to use an academic venue team can be advantageous for your conference and event planning; from sourcing the perfect venue to collaborating with local academics. Location, location, location Choosing to partner with an academic venue facility doesn’t just give you access to one potential venue, it opens the door to a whole collection of possible venues for your conference, so that you can be rest assured that you’ll find the perfect setting tailored to your event’s needs. What’s more, opting for an academic venue means that rooms are typically equipped with all of the relevant ‘extras’ that you may need for your conference; from lecture theatres with built in lecterns, to interactive whiteboards and projector screens. Just last year, the 45th European International Business Academy (EIBA) Conference made its debut to Leeds, and with MEETinLEEDS’ help, the prestigious conference was able to take advantage of a whole host of venues within the heart of the city. MEETinLEEDS worked with the event organisers to carefully select the perfect spaces for every element of the conference, from the opening reception in the iconic Parkinson Building, to the 47 individual breakout sessions, and the closing Gala Dinner at the Royal Armouries Museum. For more information about MEETinLEEDS, visit: www.meetinleeds.co.uk www.conference-news.co.uk 7 Academic Venues Sharing is caring Academic venues present the ideal opportunity for facilitating academic debate, scientific discussion and the sharing of industry-changing research by offering a unique collaboration between delegates, University academics and industry experts. MEETinLEEDS recently welcomed the 2020 Quaternary Research Association (QRA) Annual Discussion Meeting to the city of Leeds. This year’s event saw 120 delegates congregate under one roof for a series of plenary sessions and exhibitions, all focused around why understanding the Quaternary (last 2.6m years of the Earth’s history) is critical for the Earth’s future. The conference not only allowed international delegates to visit Leeds and engage in academic discussion with like-minded individuals, but it also provided the opportunity for the 50+ members of the Leeds Quaternary to showcase their research in the city they call home. By working with a conference facilities team when opting for academic venues such as MEETinLEEDS at the University of Leeds, you can open the door to endless options, ensuring that you are able to deliver a bespoke event that not only addresses the needs of your delegates, but also creates a lasting legacy for your conference.