Member Article

ConferenceLeeds survey reveals delegates' top priorites

Study finds 58% of conference delegates rate free time as making their experience more enjoyable

Time at leisure to undertake educational activities has been highlighted as key to enhancing delegate experiences and engagement with conference programmes, according to a new nationwide survey by ConferenceLeeds.

The survey, which asked 500 regular conference delegates about their experiences, discovered that 58% of delegates feel they would benefit from a schedule that incorporates time to explore their destination when they’re attending a conference. Educational activities, including cultural and sightseeing experiences, came top of the agenda for delegates to experience maximum engagement with their conference programme. For business leaders and event organisers, it’s essential that delegates are getting the most out of a conference so that they leave feeling inspired.

This research demonstrates how the extra touches provided by conference organisers can have a major impact on a delegate’s overall conference experience. Also, social activities, such as going for food and drinks, or personal time including shopping and relaxing, were ranked as important to maximising a conference experience to 21% of respondents.

Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, commented: “It’s great to know that the delegates that are attending conferences across the UK are keen to explore what their host city has to offer outside the conference programme and that this improves their perception of the conference overall.

“At ConferenceLeeds we collaborate with some of Leeds’ best venues to offer delegates coming to Leeds an authentic experience across a number of venues, so they really get a feel for our city. Whether it’s attending a lecture held in the Royal Armouries – the sister museum to the Tower of London - by day, to watching a performance by the Northern Ballet in the evening, we guarantee an experience like no other.”

ConferenceLeeds offers a city-wide conferencing city proposition that maximises Leeds’ meetings, incentives, conference and events assets as well as providing access to world-class speakers. Offering conference organisers a bespoke, tailored service and a multi-venue approach with unique locations, such as the Northern Ballet, The Queens Hotel, the Royal Armouries, as well as three leading university campuses working collaboratively, ConferenceLeeds works to ensure delegates receive a distinct and engaging conferencing experience when visiting the city.

Leeds is an exciting city with tremendous growing power and ConferenceLeeds proudly offers over 250 conference venues for hire in the West Yorkshire. What’s more, Leeds is the only city outside of London to have four Gold AIM accredited venues and has 19 AIM accredited venues in total.

For more information, visit www.conference-leeds.com, follow Conference Leeds on Twitter @conferenceleeds or call the team to discuss your conference requirements on 0113 378 1183.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .