Venue site inspection tips part 2 | The Planner

Food and Drink

Often one of the main areas of complaints at an event is the food, so this is a critically important area to get right for your meeting or group. Do consider the different menu options carefully and any special requirements for your attendees.

Where will refreshments, lunch and dinners be served? For larger events, venues will arrange a tasting menu for you to decide on the catering you want to provide.

First impressions count

Take time to observe the general and public areas, as these are often as important to delegates and guests as are the actual meeting rooms and bedrooms.

If you are looking to create the wow factor for your event then first impressions can contribute significantly to the overall success. Take a note of any carpet stains, scuffs and strange odours and ask if there are any refurbishment work planned at the time of your event.

What to take with

  • A notebook and pen to make notes and make sketches.
  • A camera โ€“ it can be hard to write notes on everything so take a shot of any particular feature you want as a memory jog. N.B always ask your venue representativeโ€™s permission to take photos and avoid other guests.
  • A site inspection checklist
  • Your venue booking agent representative and or other 3rd party suppliers such as AV companies, decor suppliers etc
  • Your event schedule (even if it is ย a rough draft).
  • Quotes โ€“ often a site inspection with a sales manager can turn out to beย the ideal opportunity for price negotiation.