Planning a conference, especially overnight ones, can be stressful and overwhelming, as they have a notorious reputation for being long and boring. Once you have determined the main details such as the budget and projected attendance, you can get down to the fun stuff.

Planning a business conference is a difficult yet rewarding endeavour, as you want the event to be an accurate reflection of your business and values. Because of this, we have created a list with tips to leave delegates talking about your event long after it’s ended. 

First off, pick a good venue! 

The venue location is crucial. There is nothing worse than selecting a venue, only to find out it's too small or large for your attendees. An empty conference room looks just as bad as one that's overly crowded. It's important to take not of suitable and easily accessible accomodations near your selected venue, as commuting to and from the meeting point every day adds extra work for your attendees. You want them to be excited to attend, not dreading their day from the start. 

The good news is that the Knightsbrook Hotel offers three separate conference facilities and accommodations able to host up to 1,000 delegates. If you or your guests are flying in, our hotel is located just 35 minutes from the Dublin airport and a shuttle service can be provided. 

After picking a venue, it follows that you should double check the venue facilities to ensure attendees will be kept busy and entertained.

Even though the primary reason for the conference is business, it doesn’t mean your guests can’t enjoy some free time and exploration in the surrounding area. We can assure you that no one will be happy stuck at a conference with nothing to do all weekend. 

The Knightsbrook Hotel has no shortage of luxury activities to partake in. Equipped with an onsite spa, 18-hole golf course, and fitness centre, guests at the Knightsbrook Hotel can enjoy both relaxing spa treatments and some friendly athletic competition. Alternatively, the surrounding Trim country has many historical sights to see, Trim Castle, passage tombs, and the Hill of Tara - to name a few. 

Ensure you have access to all the equipment you may need

It goes without saying that the success of your business conference depends largely on whether or not you’re able to convey your message in the right way. You’ll want to find a venue that offers all the necessary equipment you need to present a memorable presentation for delegates. 

The Knightsbrook hotel offers all the technology you may need. We are also pleased to announce that our main room, The Barbican Suite, with comfortable space for up to 1000 delegates, now features two built in screens and a newly installed high-spec AV equipment. All rooms also offer free wifi, along with air conditioning and staging options. Find out more about our different suites here

Although you may think you can do everything by yourself, we recommend getting an event coordinator to assist you in hosting the event. 

It’s easy to forget or overlook the small details, but they often end up being the defining factor in an event’s success. In the case that you want to plan the event independently, an extra voice or pair of eyes never hurts. 

Our detail oriented and expert team of event planners will be on hand at all times to ensure your event runs smoothly; managing everything from scheduling, staging, AV and wifi access, catering, and decorations. 

Make sure you feed your guests!

It may seem silly, but food is crucial to the success of an event. It’s not so much about feeding your guests but rather contributing to the overall experience. 

Here at the Knightsbrook Hotel, we have four onsite restaurants and lounges to choose from, and our expert team will be more than happy to help you in selecting or customising a catered menu for delegates, regardless of dietary restrictions. 

Allow for social time.

If you’re planning a weekend conference, your guests may appreciate some time to mingle and network. Make sure you book a conference venue with other facilities available, as a change of scenery is always nice. 

A networking dinner or cocktail hour can alleviate some of the stress of the weekend and give delegates the opportunity to get-to-know one another. 

Be considerate of family obligations. 

If you are hosting a conference overseas, maybe the whole family wants to tag along. If this is the case, make sure the venue accommodations are family friendly. Although this is certainly not a must, it’s an extra thoughtful gesture your guests will appreciate. 

The Knightsbrook Hotel is proud to offer childminding services, as well as family suites and packages to nearby attractions - such as the amusement park and indoor waterpark. 

The Knightsbrook Hotel welcomes you to contact us today and book your conference at one of the most prestigious venues in Ireland.