An unusual event venue

Have you thought outside the box when it comes to picking your event venue? It could make your event more memorable and encourage more visitors

With events mostly back to how they were pre-pandemic, you need to consider how to make your event stand out and attract visitors. One way to do this is to pick a unique or unusual venue.
    
Choosing  a unique venue will create lasting memories for your attendees and make them want to return next year. It will also help your event stand out from any other similar events, taking place around the same time. An unusual venue will give your attendees something to talk about, and they are more likely to share pictures on social media and tell others about it.
    
It is also likely that using a different venue will attract people to the event in the first place. People will be curious about the venue and they’ll be more likely to turn up to see what it’s all about. A conference at their team’s football stadium? Networking with the penguins at the aquarium? Expo at an art gallery?
    
First impressions are important, think about the exterior of a venue and how attendees will react when they step inside. If they are excited, they will be more likely to enjoy the event.
    
Unique venues tend to be more customisable, so there’ll be more opportunities to make them your own and incorporate your own style and branding.
    
Venues will usually have their own events team, as well as everything you need to run an event, like furniture and AV equipment. They will often have links with caterers as well, so you don’t need to worry about about any of that.
    
If an event is at an exciting venue like a farm or a football stadium, people are more likely to enjoy it and tell others about it.  Being outside and in nature tends to make people more relaxed and at ease (weather-dependent of course).

What’s available?
Art galleries and museums provide a great backdrop for photos, for marketing and to share on social media. The artwork and exhibits give attendees something to talk about bring a fun and friendly atmosphere that isn’t all about business.
    
These venues often have lots of open space, which can be used for stands or tables or for mingling. People rarely get to visit these venues after hours when there is no one else there and this could be a big pull. They also tend to be in city centres, meaning they are easily accessible for attendees, especially those attending by public transport and are great for people needing overnight accommodation.
    
Warehouses also provide a lot of open space, but in this case, they are simple and empty, meaning you can do what you like with the backdrop and decorations and really make the space your own. If cost is a factor, they are also often on the cheaper side of the options.
    
On the more out-of-town side of things, historic houses and gardens are a great choice, and many are well practised in handling events. They likely host weddings at weekends, and may be easier than other venues to book during the week. Again, they provide a beautiful background for photos and socialising and look good in pictures. They tend to have the option to host inside and outside – but make sure you always have an inside option available, because if this spring is anything to go by, rain is likely. Outdoor venues provide lots of space for large numbers of people and allow people to taper off for more private conversation if necessary.
    
Other options might include football stadiums, boats, wineries, rooftop gardens, zoos, farms, the list goes on.
    
Of course you should always make sure that your event fits your requirements with regards to size, costs, location, branding etc. It is a certainty though that the venue makes the event and a different venue can really be a talking point and attract visitors.