About Cardiff

The beautiful capital of Wales, Cardiff, is the perfect city to head to for a weekend getaway. Head three and a half hours west from London by car, or take advantage of the well-connected train network.

As one of the most visited and loved places in Wales for tourists, you will see an abundance of beauty and history. No visit to Cardiff is complete without visiting one of many castles that are iconic to this region, especially Cardiff Castle.

Cardiff locals love their sport. Home to Welsh rugby fans, this is a great city to check out the sport if you have ever been curious. The Millennium Stadium (or Principality Stadium) is the place to do this. Built to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup and considered the third biggest stadium in the UK, the Millennium Stadium was established in 1997 and completed in 1999 with a total cost of £114 million.

Conference Options in Cardiff

Whether you are hosting a large-scale conference or a small team training, vendors in and around Cardiff will be able to assist you with everything you need.

• Equipment and Furniture Hire
  Equipment hire vendors around Cardiff will be able to provide everything you need for your event. Most offer delivery and set-up at your chosen venue, too. From screens to podiums as well as lighting, flooring and sound decks, you will be able to find it all. Aside from equipment, you may also want to consider the type of furniture you'll need for your conference room. Get in touch with a furniture hire company to get the set-up you need for a successful event, keeping in mind both comfort and style.

• Team-Building Activities
  Whether your conference attendees have known each other for years, or your guests are from all around the country, bring people together after a day of business with a team-building activity. Choose from a variety of fun and interesting ways to build your team spirit, with several companies around Cardiff to choose from. Is your event going to last a few days? Why not organise an offsite experience such as a survival course or pizza-making class to keep people busy in the evening? Choose a vendor that also hosts the activity so you can get in on the fun yourself.

• Printing Services
  If you need information sheets, presentation folders or disposable menus for your conference, then you will be able to get all your printing needs taken care of in Cardiff. Why not also consider printing company merchandise and business cards for larger networking conferences or providing your guests a memento to take home after the event? Printing services are available to be done well ahead of time so you can get organised early.

• Catering
  Perhaps the most important part of any conference is what you feed the attendees. And with the amount of vendors you can choose from in Cardiff, you can host a conference that is not similar to a 9-5 meeting! Think breakfast meetings or a presentation before enjoying a four-course dinner. Always consider getting dietary requirements from your attendees before the event so you can tailor menus to everyone.

Conference Companies in Cardiff

• Mad Hatters Catering
  For all your catering needs, turn to Mad Hatters Catering. Offering a variety of cuisines and styles of menus, Mad Hatters also ensures all allergies and dietary needs are looked after. The catering company also offers individual food boxes—perfect for taking your food to another location or breakout room.

• Minuteman Press
  Your printing and binding needs will be taken care of by Minuteman Press. They pride themselves on professionalism and can help you with everything from documents to thank-you cards and disposable menus. To get a free quote, simply fill up the online form and upload your design on their website!

• Cardiff Speaker Hire
  Cardiff Speaker Hire is not just for hiring speakers for your conference, but for all the equipment you could need to host an epic event. With a wide range available, turn to this vendor to transform your conference into a lively team-building party with karaoke and lighting. Cardiff Speaker Hire also offers a sound technician if your conference requires it.

Pros and Cons of Conferences in Cardiff

Advantages

• Natural beauty
  From the castles to the bay area, the city of Cardiff is surrounded by beautiful nature and stunning buildings steeped in history. Even on the gloomiest days, everything still looks beautiful. Guests to your conference will have an abundance of green spaces to relax in should they wish to linger in the city for a little longer.

• Lively evenings
  Whether you enjoy a good meal, a few after-work drinks or the nightclub life, there is always something to do in the city of Cardiff even if your conference ends at night.

• Great for history lovers
  With over 2000 years of history starting from the Roman times, lovers of history will love to explore the museums and castles and feel like they have been taken back in time. These attractions are just another on the list that Cardiff offers and that your conference guests might enjoy afterwards!

• The love of sport
  In case some of your conference guests love sports, they can maximize their time in the city by watching rugby. Even if you don’t follow the game, the locals create a great atmosphere at both the stadium and at the many sports bars around the city.

• Has everything you need
  From your favourite supermarkets to retail chain stores, everything you need for your conference can be purchased in Cardiff.

Disadvantages

• Public transport needs improvement.
  Unlike other UK cities, the public transport system in Cardiff is slow and unreliable, so it is easier to drive. You might have to warn your conference attendees beforehand so they can prepare ahead of time and avoid being late.
  
  
• Parking is expensive.
  Be prepared to pay through the nose for parking—that’s if you are lucky enough to find one!
  
  
• A night out can be expensive.
  While you are guaranteed a fun night out, food and drinks are starting to get to the price of high-end London, so it can be quite expensive if you don’t take advantage of the happy hours and sports bar specials.

Famous Locations in Cardiff

• Cardiff University
  The stunning facade and interior of Cardiff University has been featured in many TV shows and films over time. Most recently, A Discovery of Witches has filmed here as well as other locations around the city. Inside the main building, one of the hallways has also been transformed for the TV show Sherlock to become the main character's 'mind palace'.

• Norwegian Church
  Fans of the author Roald Dahl can absorb themselves in his pages when visiting Cardiff. The Norwegian Church was a huge part of Dahl's childhood and is said to be the inspiration when describing similar places in his stories. This beautiful building is now a cafe and art centre, with a gorgeous view so worth a visit.

• Cardiff Castle
  It is true that many tourists that visit Cardiff are huge Doctor Who fans, and while most will head to BBC Wales and the Doctor Who Tour, fans will notice a variety of relevant locations throughout the city. Cardiff Castle is one of those and is a must-see for all who visit Cardiff. Immerse yourself in 2000 years of history in this gorgeous castle that's located in the heart of the city.