The conference and events bureau for Cambridge and the region has recently passed a significant milestone – it now has 70 venues in its portfolio, providing organisers with a wider range of facilities to suit different requirements.
Meet Cambridge, which rebranded at the end of 2016 has expanded its venue portfolio beyond the city in response to client feedback and in conjunction with Visit Cambridge & Beyond, with which it has a strategic partnership.
Event organisers are now looking for a wider range of options for their meetings and conferences including out of town venues, with on-site car parking.
Cambridge, with its internationally-famous historical venues and award-winning contemporary spaces remains the leader brand and a unique place to hold events.
Judith Sloane, Deputy Manager at Meet Cambridge says: “However we need to recognise that Cambridge and the region is changing. It is growing in all directions with new developments, science and business parks. As a result of the city’s expansion, we have responded to our clients’ requests for more unique venues in the wider area, to offer greater diversity for meetings, conferences and events.
“With more than 70 venues in our portfolio, we are now able to meet the needs of global and regional businesses and organisations who are looking for exciting places to hold their events. We are delighted that these venues have chosen to join Meet Cambridge and to be part of the area’s vibrant event community.
“For some clients, the traditional academic venue will be top of the list; for others, a more contemporary space out of town with plentiful parking may be perfect. Our growing venue portfolio really does now offer something to suit every type and size of event.”
Cambridge was recently highlighted in the ‘25 Event Venues and Destinations to Watch in 2018’ by Event Manager blog. The Meet Cambridge service was highlighted for its ability to connect event planners with local expertise, offering organisers the opportunity to enhance their events by tapping into the region’s intellectual capital.
In 2017, enquiries for events received through the Meet Cambridge service generated in the region of £4.18m worth of business for its portfolio of venues.
Member venues of Meet Cambridge will shortly benefit from access to a new state-of-the-art enquiry management system as part of their membership package. The system, entitled Simpleview, will streamline the enquiry process for both venues and clients and will be introduced in May 2018.