Forever Keele eZine Winter 2019-20 | Page 8

When did you last visit Keele? If your role involves event organisation, or your company regularly hosts events in the Midlands, then our venues could be the perfect backdrop to your next event. W hen was the last time you visited Keele University… and did you know that our exceptional teaching facilities are utilised by our Events and Conferencing team to host over 1500 events per year? Keele University Events and Conferencing is Staffordshire’s leading event space, right in the heart of the University’s 600 acres of beautiful grounds. The recently completed, comprehensive refurbishment of the University’s conferencing facilities positions the University as a premier venue within the academic sector and has created a collection of outstanding, versatile spaces for all types of events. Event organisers have the University’s full range of services and facilities at their disposal alongside a dedicated events team who specialise in creating truly bespoke events. The newly refurbished Chancellor’s Complex sits at the centre of the campus and has five large lecture theatres, including the 400-seat Westminster Theatre, making it well suited to seminars, forums and lectures. In addition, there are 24 syndicate rooms which allow for breakout space and smaller events such as team meetings, presentations and team building. Next to the Chancellor’s Complex is Dorothy Hodgkin, which has five large lecture theatres accommodating up to 230 delegates. This venue can also be used as an over-flow facility for events taking place at Chancellor’s Complex. With two large, self-contained spaces right next door to each other, there’s a lot of scope for hosting large scale events in the heart of the University campus. The newly opened Denise Coates Foundation Building is home to Keele Business School and the Smart Innovation Hub. This multi- million-pound state of the art facility provides support for the creation and growth of innovation-led businesses and aims to foster business links across Staffordshire. In addition to the new teaching spaces, there are several event spaces perfect for SME networking events, product launches and training. For a more traditional venue, look to Keele Hall, in the centre of the campus, the University’s most striking venue. If you're looking for a venue to add elegance and gravitas to a special event, Keele Hall is ideal. The historic mansion, one of Staffordshire’s finest stately homes, stands in immaculate gardens and offers beautiful surroundings for a memorable event. The ballroom is the largest conference and banqueting space in Staffordshire, providing 500 m² of flexible space and can host up to 400 dinner guests making it suitable for any large event such as exhibitions, gala dinners and awards evenings. 8