Venue Search UK, one of the country’s leading venue-sourcing services, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Venue Finding Agency category of the 2013 Conference Awards. The news comes as a fitting tribute to the six-strong team as the company celebrates 25 years in the corporate hospitality business.
Venue Search UK first opened its doors in 1988, making it one of the longest-established operators in the meetings and events market. A highly regarded name in the business, the company has since helped hundreds of clients to find the perfect spaces and accommodation for corporate events, large and small, in the UK and worldwide. A free service, Venue Search UK has built its success to date on repeat business and referrals.
New online booking service
To mark its 25th birthday, Venue Search UK has given its website a fresh look and improved functionality, as well as launching a variety of fun initiatives to celebrate the company’s milestone anniversary. Crucially, visitors to the website can now book accommodation online.
And the new blog page aims to be a useful resource for visitors to the site, drawing on the company’s vast range of industry contacts to feature tips from events professionals and venues, as well as advice from the Venue Search UK team. Ideas for contributions can be sent to katherine@venuesearch.co.uk
Birthday teas put to the test
The blog will also be home to “The Jammies”, Venue Search UK’s newly launched awards for the best afternoon tea experience in the capital. Throughout its anniversary year, the company aims to host a special afternoon tea celebration in a different London venue for each of its clients. The light-hearted reviews will appear on the blog page and will assess atmosphere, service and the quality of the afternoon tea. Each will be scored with 0 to 5 scones and, once tasting is complete later in the year, the winner will receive a special Venue Search UK award.
Competition time
But afternoon teas aren’t just for the clients. Venue Search UK is inviting everyone to join the birthday fun with its Pigs Might Fly Instagram campaign and there’s a monthly prize of afternoon tea for the best picture uploaded. Georgie the Pig has long been a resident of the Venue Search UK office in Kingston upon Thames. Now he’s spreading his wings – anyone travelling around the UK or overseas can claim a free Georgie the Pig stressball figure to accompany them on their travels by emailing katherine@venuesearch.co.uk
Each month, a voucher for afternoon tea for two will be awarded to the person who takes the best picture of Georgie on the move and posts it on www.instagram.com/venuesearch, or emails it to katherine@venuesearch.co.uk to be uploaded on their behalf.
Meanwhile, the company has also launched a page at www.facebook.com/VenueSearchUK and is Tweeting from @VenueSearchUK.
Building on success
Venue Search UK prides itself on the fact that all senior staff have been with the company for at least 12 years and with strong track records in the industry before joining. However, they continually strive to improve their knowledge of the market and are committed to completing a combined minimum of 25 site inspections per month throughout 2013.
Speaking about Venue Search UK’s packed 25th anniversary year, managing director Katherine Buchan said: “We’re enjoying a busy 2013 and wish to show our appreciation to our loyal clients, who’ve contributed such a lot to our ongoing success.”
Giving back
Other plans for the 25th anniversary include participation in charity work. Katherine is currently preparing to cycle 400km around Kenya in June for Women V Cancer, one of the women-only cycle challenges in aid of three British charities: Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, and Ovarian Cancer Action. Donations are welcome at www.justgiving.com/KatherineBuchan
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