THE 2017 AEV CONFERENCE AT THE VOX
AEV (Association of Event Venues) is a trade body representing venues of all size and type across the UK and internationally. They are the only organisation providing a unified voice for all types of venues and a platform for people working in venues to meet, learn and share best practice.
OBJECTIVE
To play host to the AEV’s annual conference and provide a high-quality venue for this compelling and engaging event that brings together members from around the world. The event should be a forum for discussion and the chance to access excellent content and opportunities to meet with peers. The conference is open to all including AEO and ESSA members.
CLIENT NEEDS
After a successful launch event in the capital, feedback suggested that delegates would like to see the event outside of London, and from that, the AEV Board began the search for suitable and also attractive locations that could support bringing delegates together.
Kathryn James, MD for NEC Group Conventions & Exhibitions, who also is Treasurer of the AEV Board, took the opportunity to offer the Vox Conference Centre as host venue. It was the facilities of the venue but also the unrivalled connectivity that made the offer too hard to refuse, as Rachel Parker, AEV Director explains, “in terms of us meeting our members’ requests we were moving the event up North to a first-class facility with excellent transport links and good choice of accommodation”.
THE SERVICE
“The team at The Vox are a joy to work with . Nothing was too much trouble for them. From the first time we had contact to post show has been an incredible experience. The team are knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic. Above all they are clearly enjoying their jobs which reflects in how they interact with each other and work as a team.
Parker explained how “Their experience and advice was invaluable to our small team and their suggestions of how we should do things with regards to layout and tech options was invaluable. The team at The Vox have a can do attitude and always with a smile – with this approach they can certainly helped us to deliver a first class conference”.
THE SUCCESS
Central to the Vox being able to deliver events in the way that it does, is the offer that comes as standard, with great venue aesthetics and remarkable in-house technical capabilities that mean you can simply walk in and begin your event without needing huge amounts of set up if you don’t require it. Parker stated, “The venue is so impressive and so easy to use as it is literally plug and play all the way. We had very little ‘dressing’ to make the event look good due to the venue aesthetics and simple use of lighting being very effective. The new media wall in the lobby is very impressive and James was able to advise on how we should make the best use of it.”
The venue provides the best of service in all aspects, not less when it comes to the food, which Parker proclaims as “beautifully displayed, absolutely delicious and catered for everyone’s tastes”.
“We would definitely use The Vox again – it is a five-star facility and the team that are running it are first class. We would also recommend the venue to other organisers, it is premium and exclusive and has so much to offer in terms of entertainment as well as good transport, accommodation and first class service”.