With the success that #TeamCarden had at Square Meal Venues & Events Live this year, it got us thinking of what it takes to plan a fantastic exhibition and make that everlasting impression to persuade exhibitors to come back time and time again.
Here’s our top tips to planning that excellent exhibition.
Location
It’s very important that you pick a picturesque place to house all of the exhibitors that you’ve handpicked for your event. Choose a unique location with a great reputation that not only provides your guests with ample room space but also with thrill-seeking or relaxing activities nearby that you can enjoy pre or post event.
At Carden Park, we are proud of not just our 18 meeting rooms, but also our two championship golf courses, award winning spa facilities and onsite Events Station, all of which provide our guests with that perfect all round hotel experience.
Good Planning & Organisation
Spontaneity just won’t cut it when planing such an important event. You need strong teamwork as well as lots of preparation and careful consideration. Take your time in what you want the feel of the venue to be and what your guests are expecting from you. Remember to do your research into other similar events that have worked well in the past and build on their firm foundations.
Fancy a corporate golf day? You will be assigned a designated event coordinator who will meticulously guide you every step of the way as you enjoy your day with us in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.
Food & Drink
Refresh your guests with canapes and beverages throughout the day. It’s the kind of personal touch that they will love and it won’t need too much planning on your behalf. Make your food simple yet stylish, dainty but delicious.
Reasonable Timescales
It’s vitally important that you are realistic with your timescales when organising your exhibition. Don’t make too bold a claim if you’re not sure that you can stick to your guns. A successful exhibition needs time and careful planning, not rushed spontaneous decisions! Give your exhibitors early and repeated warnings of key dates and times and make sure your own dedicated team behind the scenes are fully prepared for any hiccups that could occur.
Spreading The Word
Social media is such an important tool in modern business and should be incorporated at every given opportunity. Use all online platforms to advertise your exhibition with brief yet catchy text and vibrant images. Remember this is all free… Print is also still a valid medium. Why not phone up or email any local newspapers and magazines to highlight your event to the area? You should also think about radio and television channels. Just make sure that you don’t spend over your allotted budget!
Health & Safety
You can never be too careful, especially with laws changing frequently. Make sure that any possible hazards like the setting up or dismantling of stands have risk free solutions and that your staff are fully equipped and trained to deal with these kind of situations if they go awry. If not, your reputation could be tarnished and your negligence could lead to further repercussions. Definitely something your business could do without!
Sticking To Your Budget
Be responsible with your outgoings. Don’t spend unwisely and too lavishly. Yes, you need to make your event look good but you can do this for a reasonable sum. Do some snooping around for local businesses who can improve your set up for the day or use family contacts. There’s lots to think about when planning a big event like this, so it’s vital that you draft up a budgeting plan and separate the different costs into their specific fields. Your venue may even have preferred suppliers who are highly experienced with the set up requirements. It may take time but it will definitely be worth it for you…and your wallet!
Transportation
Bringing stands and props to the event is no easy ride. Create ample parking space for vehicles and make sure there’s enough room in the entrance for guests to bring in and out their belongings. Putting up signs to direct people to their stands or other areas is essential and should be clear and concise. People won’t want to be waiting around confused. It’s important that you provide them with fantastic first impressions and a need to come back again to your event as soon as possible.
Introducing Special Guests
Everybody loves meeting a famous face. Somebody to draw in the crowds and provide many fantastic memories…and autographs. It might be worth trying to contact agents of local celebrities as guests will undoubtedly take pictures and may even tag your event in on their social media posts, thus spreading the word of your exhibition.
Talking of special guests, did you manage to catch our Executive Head Chef Graham Tinsley MBE at Nantwich Food Festival performing a culinary masterpiece this year? If not, you can still catch many of his creative dishes at AA Rosette awarded Redmond’s Restaurant.
Leaving Your Legacy
It’s important that your day tries to run as smoothly as can be. During the event, keep checking up on your guests and exhibitors to ensure that they are OK and how you could make the day better for them. Make sure that your last impressions are as important as your first impressions. Welcome in and thank everyone profusely for their time and remember to invite constructive feedback, so that you can strive to be bigger and better next year!
At Carden Park, we’ve ran many successful exhibitions in our 20 years! Why not come and join us for our Autumn Wedding Fayre this weekend and see for yourself?
Thinking of treating the family to a break away in 2024? 🤔
Until 4th December, you can use coupon code CP20 to get 20% OFF selected overnight stays - the perfect excuse to plan ahead 🙌
What to expect from your Carden Park stay:
🍃 Luxurious bedroom with breakfast in the morning
🍃 Leisure Club swimming pool
🍃 Children`s play area
🍃 Delicious dining for all ages
🍃 Onsite activities; including zip line, archery & segways
🍃 Golf games at the Driving Range powered by Toptracer
🍃 Sculpture Garden
🍃 10% discount voucher for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet (available at reception)
🍃 Plenty of family friendly local attractions; such as Chester Zoo, The Ice Cream Farm and BeWILDerwood
See link in bio
#familyholiday #luxuryhotel #travel
Embracing the final day of November with a serene winter morning at Carden Park ❄️
Crisp air, frost-kissed landscapes, and the promise of cosy festive moments ahead
📸: shamirkp
#DecemberMornings #CardenParkBeauty
Join us for a stroll down memory lane as we round up yet another month of enchantment at Carden Park. 🍃
1. A sunny crisp morning; our favourite!
2. Relaxation at its finest; It`s not just a sauna; it`s a sanctuary of tranquility.
3. Drinks around or fire pits: Evenings come alive as friends and loved ones gather around our cosy fire pits
4. Celebrations: Every day is a cause for celebration at Carden Park. Birthdays, anniversaries, and life`s milestones are marked with special moments.
5. Corporate Team Building: The corporate world found its home at Carden Park, too, with a calendar filled with dynamic events, meetings, and team-building events.
6. Twilight Spa: Finally, as twilight descended upon us, the spa offered an alluring escape with twilight dips
#CardenPark #Spa #Golf #Celebrations
We`re absolutely thrilled to have won Best Spa in the North West 2023 at the @goodspaguide awards 🏆
We feel unbelievably honoured to have been recognised as one of the best spas in the country and it wouldn`t be possible without our incredible spa team!
#cardenpark #bestspa #northwest #awards #awardwinner #awardwinning #luxuryspa #uk
Brace yourselves for a taste of pure enchantment as we proudly launch our long-awaited Festive Afternoon Tea! 🍰☕✨
It`s a symphony of seasonal flavours, the epitome of indulgence, and the perfect way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit.
🍽️ Delicious finger sandwich selection, featuring turkey & cranberry
🍰 Warmed scones with clotted cream and preserves
🎂 A mouthwatering assortment of festive favorite cakes
☕ A choice of exquisite loose-leaf tea blends
Make your reservation today and treat yourself to a taste of Christmas magic at Carden Park. 🍰🍂🍵
#FestiveAfternoonTea #TasteOfChristmas #CardenPark #Festive #Christmas2023
There`s never been a better time to book your ultimate countryside retreat 🍃
For a limited time, enjoy 20% off rates on selected packages for stays up until 30th April 2024... all you have to do is use coupon code CP20 when booking online
Hurry, this incredible offer ends 4th December 2023, visit the link in bio
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬.𝘤𝘰.𝘶𝘬
#staycation #luxuryhotel #cheshire #uktravel #cardenpark #specialoffer
Fun is in the air 🦅
As part of our limited edition seasonal offers, we`re offering an exhilarating experience on Vertigo - our high ropes course and zip line - for 2 adults and 2 children at only £100 🙌
Offer ends 4th December, link in bio
#zipline #aerialropes #highropes #adventure #travel #family
🚨 In celebration of the festive season, we’ve released a range of unique special offers across the resort available for a limited time
Seasonal special rates, available when you book directly online, are here until 4th December 2023 ONLY 🎄✨
💝 Whether you are looking for the ideal Christmas gift, a winter getaway with a special someone, a luxurious spa day, or time on the golf course. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞...
Discover the available experiences at the link in bio
#LuxuryGift #ChristmasShopping #BlackFriday #SpecialOffer
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