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?