Download - Diane Stallabrass
Diane Stallabrass
Conference & Hospitality Sales
Royal Agricultural College
Introduction
What you should expect to know at the end of the presentation
• How we plan to overcome these
• Size doesn’t matter
• Marketing the Venue
• Business Split
• Internal v External
• Challenges we face
“Small is beautiful!”
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
From Sunrise to Sunset
Welcome to the Royal Agricultural College
• Situated in 25 acres of parkland
• Established in 1845
• A seat of learning but also a Conference & Hospitality Centre
So what do we offer?• A range of 30+ meeting
rooms
• A dedicated business suite
• A new build programme
• Porters and Technical Support
• Flexible Space
• Modern Audio Visual Technology
• Function Rooms
• Full Professional Catering
• Free on Site Parking
Residential Accommodation
Types of Rooms
Grounds & Gardens
• Dedicated Sales Team
• Focus on Flexibility and Personal Service
“Thank you so much for your help with organising the Exeter Clergy Conference. Feedback about the venue has been overwhelmingly positive and so many have commented on how friendly and helpful the staff were”. The Revd Canon Andrew Godsall, Diocese of Exeter Conference – September 2012
• A Defined Sales and Marketing Strategy
How do we do it?
• Clear and Measurable Targets
• Sustained Advertising and Promotional Campaigns
• On Line Presence Through the Web
• Use of Social Media (Twitter / Linked-in)
• Referrals
• Upselling
Where do our clients come from?• Venuemasters
• Website – our own and membership of others
• Response to Mailshots
• Networking Events & Local Business Exhibitions
• Profile Raising
• Referrals
Awardswww.excellence.co.uk
www.investorsinpeople.co.uk
www.customerfirst.org
www.thecotswoldchef.com
Business Split
Internal v External
55% Internal20% Repeat15% New Direct Business5% Referrals5% Web
Current Challenges
• Global economic downturn and cut backs in public services spend
• Cut price rates from hotels
• New and alternative venues springing up
• On-going conflict between academic and external interests
• New building works as part of refurbishment programme which can cause disruption on site
• Maintaining our profile
How to Overcome them?
• Maintain service levels
• On-going training and achieving National Awards status
• Educate academics
• Sell our skills through shared services
• Good news stories
Any Questions?