Unusual Historic Venues

When researching venues to hire out for an event, event managers today tend to look more towards the unusual. Meaning “Different from other people or things in a way that is interesting, attractive, or impressive”. (Macmillan Dictionary (2012): Online)

By attempting to find a suitable venue with an unusual/unique edge will hopefully attract attention.  (Yeoman et al, 2004) explains that some venues are not equipped for events originally but have a strong appeal. This is due to their distinctive history. An example of a venue with a great historic background is the Pyramids in Egypt. The Pyramids would be a great back drop for an event such as an exhibition centered around ‘Mummies of Ancient Egypt’ . Although this venue has its down falls as it isn’t equipped with the appropriate facilities such as a catering facilities,  and doesn’t provide usable electricity.  The venue has a heap of history but it is seen as unusable, where as  The National History Museum in London brings great historic features and has a range of rooms to hire out for events . “From the informal and intimate to the spectacular and magnificent, the Natural History Museum has a wide range of truly unique spaces, whether you’re planning a private or corporate event.” (National History Museum (2012): Online)

The image above is one example of the areas you can hire out at the muesum. This is room is called the “Central Hall” which hosts a dramatic landscape of Soaring Romanesque arches, Gilt and terracotta ceiling panels and breath taking stone staircase. This venue also supplies you with a giant Diplodocus skeleton cast in the center to give your event the ‘WOW’ factor. Holding 100 to 700 guests dinner style, or 200 to 1,200 guests reception style, this unusual location comes at a cost at a whopping £19,900 for the hire charge. For this price you gain the following :

• Personal Event Manager.
• Dedicated Operations Manager.
• Network of accredited suppliers.
• Top security team.
• Staffed cloakroom.
• Toilet attendants.
• Cleaners and porters.

This price is obviously extortionate but you do get a lot for your money! Such as all staff provided, and a beautiful scenery to set your event. The slight down fall is that you will not be provided with furniture, this comes at an additional cost or you may provide this yourself. The museum has produced over 140 events on a yearly bases by hiring out their rooms, therefore this shows that the price of the venue does not impact as it is still attracting business.

This was only a quick  insight in to unusual venues as I will be producing further posts on this subject on later dates as I am fully interested in this area. I believe this as in today’s market, clients are bored of the original and normal venues such as a hotel and more looking towards the abnormal to allure customers to attend their event.