There are pros and cons to consider when choosing the right event space…
Every event is different, some might work well in a historic manor, others might be best in a modern gallery but there’s more to think about than just what’s on the surface.
History vs Flexibility
Some hotels and venues will have been around for hundreds of years and with that comes a level of depth and sentiment that cannot be replicated. The walls will have seen so much, from the rich and royal to history-defining artists and politicians. The feeling that comes from hosting an event in a place like this can go beyond our five senses and truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
However, with history comes preservation. And more often than not these venues will have much stricter rules and be a lot less flexible. It’s also very hard to escape the centuries-old aesthetic, so for a brand or creative that wants to leverage modernism or have a future-focused look it can sometimes be too contradictory.
With a blank canvas, it’s exactly that. Using set designs, furniture builds and even projection technology you can create whole worlds from scratch – exactly how you envision them. This obviously comes with a price tag, but the end result can transport attendees to a whole new world beyond reality – creating an entirely different type of once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Service and Suppliers
Historic venues often have age that goes beyond the bricks and mortar. They house wisdom and experience in their staff – and sometimes these roles have been handed down from generation to generation. It’s not unheard for the concierge of a five-star manor hotel to have been working there for decades, alongside their parents. With this tenure comes a level of understanding and knowledge of how things work that is unmatched.
Newer, modern spaces by definition won’t have staff that have lived and breathed the venue all their lives. However, this does create an opportunity. By bringing in your own staff, catering, AV and other suppliers you have the power to make decisions for good. The possibility to look wider and bring in more diverse individuals and teams. As an industry it is our reasonability to use our decision-making powers to break down barriers and promote diversity and inclusion.
Sustainability
It’s very hard to decide whether a historic venue or a modern venue is going to be the more sustainable option. There are a number of factors that come into consideration regardless of when or how it was built. Such as; location and ease of access, weather and the need for air conditioning or heating, catering and how local the produce is.
But it must be remembered that not all historic buildings will be using oil lamps and coal fires. Some have been modernised and kitted-out to not only meet the expectations and standards of those visiting, but also to meet sustainable quotas. What’s more, not having to transport, build and power as much as a fully-immersive blank canvas environment dramatically reduces your carbon footprint.
However, hotels or venues that have been built very recently will have had sustainable practices at the forefront of every decision. Everything including the materials, power sources, manufacturing practices and waste management will have been considered – not things castle-builders would have needed to factor centuries ago.
At the end of the day, whether it’s the venue’s aesthetic, service or sustainable practices in order to truly make the right choice, the decision needs to be tailored to the specific event. A clear understanding of the strategic goals, branding and attendee demographic will help to inform the selection of your perfect venue – with the aforementioned considerations.
