Planning a conference in 2020? Want to make it bigger, better and more memorable than previous events? There are so many ways in which you can create a conference that not only conveys your organisation’s key messages but also that gives delegates the chance to engage and have fun with colleagues. Here Dan Wilson from Mercure Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa offers some inspiration for company’s organising a 2020 conference:
An Olympic Medal Winning Conference
2020 is the year of the Tokyo Olympics and all eyes will be on the sporting achievements over the Summer. Use the iconic sporting event as the theme of your conference, creating teams to compete against each other both during session times and in special sporting events you can arrange in the venue’s outdoor areas – think relays and even tongue in cheek events like the egg and spoon race and award medals throughout the conference culminating in a podium finish.
Drive-In Conference
If the weather is on your side why not take your conference outside? Book a venue with adequate outdoor space and set up a Drive-in movie experience where you can not only deliver key speeches from but also transform the space into a celebratory space showing movies and allowing delegates to enjoy picnics on the grass in their downtime.
Prioritise Wellbeing
Working with your chosen venue and local wellbeing practitioners, create a space at your conference where delegates can relax and tune out with treatments and relaxation or yoga sessions to refresh and rewind at the end of a busy day.
Take inspiration from your Venue
Dan says ‘Kenwood Hall is a really stunning building with a rich history – use this type of venue to inspire your theme, perhaps creating a mystery and puzzles that delegates have to solve during the conference by utilising information at the venue and in the surrounding areas. Mosborough Hall, another Vine Hotels property, is also said to be haunted and creating a spooky ghost hunt will help delegates to engage with each other as well as having fun.
Take it Outside
Who said that a conference just had to be situated in a conference room indoors? Take delegates outside on walking tours stopping at various points to take part in team building activities. Kenwood Hall is surrounded by beautiful Peak District as well as lots of local venues offering team activities such as the unique Outdoor City in Sheffield. Take small groups out throughout the conference to really make the most out of your time.’
To see what Mercure Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa can offer your conference visit: www.kenwoodhall.co.uk