The Best Conference Venues for hire

What to Look for in a Conference Venue

A conference room needs space for a crowd, so start with your delegate numbers and work backwards. If speakers will address the whole room, ask about acoustics and whether a microphone and speakers come with the hire. Breakout rooms matter if you're running smaller sessions through the day, such as workshops or training sessions and they should be soundproofed so one group doesn't distract another.

Technology is the next thing to think about. Check that the main room and any breakout spaces have projectors or screens, and that all your attendees will be able to connect to wifi. Lighting is worth asking about too, because most large venues rely on artificial light, so ask the venue early if any spaces will have natural light. Make sure there's enough comfortable seating for everyone, although that doesn't mean a thousand seats in every area.

The vibe matters as much as numbers, so think about the feel you want for your event, whether that's a traditional convention centre or something more unusual like a converted warehouse or a rooftop venue with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Who Hires a Conference Venue

Large companies often use convention centres for major conferences, with different exhibitors setting up stands alongside seminars and speakers. A start-up or small business might run a micro-conference instead, a smaller, focused event in a co-working space for the whole team and a few guests. Freelancers and entrepreneurs use conferences for networking, and some companies book a room to host an interesting panel for their clients. Educational institutions often book them for special lectures and events. No matter who is looking to hire a conference venue, the great thing about VenueScanner is that there is something for everyone when it comes to finding a space that works.

Why Hire a Conference Venue Instead of Using Your Office

Most offices don't have a room that can seat a large group, and a hired venue lets you pick a new location each time, which helps when part of the team works remotely and is travelling in for the day. You also get access to equipment that may well be better than what you have in the office, in a space designed to minimise distractions and keep people focused.

Find a Conference Venue on VenueScanner

VenueScanner is the place to search, discover and book conference venues across the UK. The spaces range from modern venues with top-of-the-line AV to historic buildings that make you feel like you've been transported back in time, so you can match the venue to the tone of your event as well as the headcount.

If you'd rather not do the searching yourself, our VenueScanner for Business team can help. Share your brief and they'll come back with hand-picked venue options within 48 hours. The service is totally free to use.

Conference Venues by City

London is a major financial and technology hub, and one of the most popular places in the UK to hold a conference.

Manchester has strong train links to northern cities like Leeds and Liverpool, which suits delegates travelling in from across the north. The Northern Quarter and Deansgate are the most popular areas.

Leeds is a major financial and digital hub in the north of England, with conference centres and hotels across the city.

Birmingham is the UK's second largest city by population, and a train from London takes around an hour and a half, which makes it an easy central choice.

Bristol is about two hours from London by train and sits between England and Wales. Clifton and Harbourside are popular areas, and the city's bars and restaurants make it easy to add a social evening.

Brighton is on the south coast, around an hour from London by train on the fastest services, so delegates can easily travel down for the day. The seafront gives a conference there a different feel to a typical city-centre venue.