About Meetings
Successful meetings are an integral part of doing business. Meetings help organizations of all shapes and sizes make important decisions, overcome challenges, and plan for the future. They’re also essential for building relationships and encouraging teamwork and collaboration.
But planning a successful meeting is a lot more difficult than you might think. Once you’ve put together an agenda and a list of attendees, you’ll also need to find the best meeting space near you with all the right amenities and equipment. Ensuring that the meeting runs smoothly is an essential skill too, and is just one of many factors that can determine whether or not you achieve your goals.
The good news is that there are meeting venues out there to suit any occasion. Whether you’re organizing a formal board meeting, a casual brainstorm, or anything in between, you’ll find a meeting location near you that ticks all the boxes.
The Best Meeting Venues
The best meeting space for your needs really depends on what you want to achieve. In some situations, a traditional boardroom setting works best; in others, a more modern and relaxed space, designed to encourage collaboration and creative thinking, is a better choice. It’s worth comparing a range of options to find the best meeting space to help you reach your business goals.
- Convention Centers
Convention and conference centers could be the ideal choice if you’re searching for a conventional meeting space. While these venues are commonly associated with larger functions and events, they also commonly boast meeting rooms for hire. These rooms typically offer a traditional boardroom setting and feature state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that they’re as practical as possible.
- Business Centers
If you’re looking for a little more flexibility when it comes to the layout of the room, a business center might be the answer. These multipurpose venues typically boast a variety of options to choose from, including everything from co-working spaces and small meeting rooms to spacious boardrooms. Perfect if you’re searching for a meeting venue that offers a variety of options.
- Casual Meeting Venues
Not all meetings are formal and serious affairs. Sometimes you want to create a more relaxed atmosphere to foster teamwork and collaboration, and encourage creative thinking. From cafes to bookshops, airy lofts to colorful retro lounges, the choices are practically endless. A sunny outdoor patio with good views and laid-back vibes is perfect for a casual meeting.
What to Look for in Meeting Spaces
You’re spoiled for choice when searching for the ideal meeting space, so finding the right venue can be a lot more difficult than you might expect. With this in mind, it’s important to have a clear picture of exactly what you need in a meeting room. Here are some of the key factors you’ll need to consider.
- Size and Space
The first consideration is finding a space with enough room to accommodate all meeting attendees. You want the venue to be comfortable and practical, but it’s also important to avoid anything that’s far too big for your needs.
- Layout
The best meeting space is one that has the right layout to suit your requirements straight off the bat, or that is flexible enough to be adjusted to match your needs. For example, you may want a venue with shared seating and lots of wall space to encourage productive brainstorming sessions, or perhaps a space with more of a classroom style for teaching or presentations. You may even want a venue that lets you switch up the layout mid-meeting, so shop around to see what’s out there.
- Ease of Access
Next, look for a meeting venue that’s easy for the majority of your attendees to access. Central locations are often convenient as they’re easily accessible by road and public transport, but attendees flying in from interstate might appreciate a meeting space that’s close to the airport. There are other factors to consider here too, such as whether the venue has private parking and whether it’s accessible for people with disabilities.
- Amenities and Services
Now it’s time to dig down into the nitty-gritty of what the meeting location has to offer. The best venues will offer comfortable seating, essential furniture such as a boardroom table and lectern, plus all the sound and tech equipment you need for any presentations. Clean bathrooms are a must too, while a reliable heating or cooling system will help ensure that your meeting stays on track.
- The Right Price
Budget is always a factor when you’re doing business. The right meeting venue for you is one that offers everything you need, but at a price that sits comfortably within your budget. It’s worth comparing a range of options to find the best value for money.
Meeting Inspiration
Every successful meeting starts with an excellent venue. And with such a diverse range of options to choose from, you can create an environment that’s sure to maximize productivity.
- Traditional Meeting Spaces in Business Centers
Business centers are designed from the ground up to make it easy to get to work. From the boardroom to every day meeting spaces, you’ll find a range of conventional spaces on offer. You’ll also find modern tech equipment and sound systems, ensuring a smoothly-run meeting from start to finish.
- Casual Collaborative Spaces in Cafes and Coffee Houses
Conventional meeting rooms aren’t always conducive to creative thinking. Take your team away from the everyday grind for a laid-back meeting in a cozy cafe. There aren’t many better ways to encourage collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking.
- Create Your Ideal Meeting Environment in a Blank Space
Can’t find a meeting space that’s the right fit? Why not hire out a room that gives you a blank canvas you want and then bring in the furniture and equipment you need? It may require a little more time and expense to set up, but it’ll help ensure that your get-together is as productive as possible.