Break from the Norm: Unconventional Event Spaces

Last week we talked about when it is time to revisit the format of an annual event. If that post got you thinking, we're going to challenge you a bit to really make a dramatic change to your event by thinking of unconventional venues.

Earlier this year, we provided some ideas to get your events out of the ballroom. Then we read this article on the Event Manager blog and it got us thinking even more out of the box. While some of their suggestions may not be the best fit for the government-centric/professional development events (Food trucks in an urban parking lot, for example), it does provide some food for thought.

There is a certain well-known rotation of venues that the government community is used to. When your attendees know all of the secret parking areas, make a beeline for the beef wellington, and know the exact location of outlets for recharging phones and laptops you may be at a place that is overdone. If you're looking to make a change, simply thinking outside the box when it comes to a venue may provide the breath of fresh air your event needs to grow its attendee base.

First, consider, what is the purpose of your event? Is it professional development/education? Technology Demos? Networking? Each of these lends itself to a different type of venue.

• Movie Theaters - Set up nicely for AV requirements, many theaters will rent out space during the day. In fact, we have a couple movie theater events on our site now. One event is a short technology briefing followed by a private movie screening.

• Private Homes - Many historic homes and estates rent out spaces within the property to defray upkeep costs. Such options may frequently be listed as wedding venues and could be a great option for more intimate events or luncheons.

• Museums and Galleries - Art galleries in cities across the country routinely rent out their event spaces (we've listed a number of them in our Beyond the Beltway series). Galleries tend to have open spaces that lend themselves to networking events, tech demos, or a single speaker/panel. If the location has rotating exhibits, find out what will be on display during your event to ensure the art is appropriate for your audience and topic.

• Nightclubs - During the day, these spaces sit empty. They are wired for AV and many have kitchens for catering. As long as the theme of the club is not offensive to your audience, these venues provide a break from the ordinary and are usually located in neighborhoods with a lot of other options for post event get togethers. Multiple rooms/spaces give the opportunity for break out sessions.

• Horse farms or Ranches - Many larger ranches have meeting facilities built on their property. After the event, getting in touch with nature and visiting with the animals provides a nice change of pace for most attendees. It could also be a very on theme location for meetings with individuals in the Departments of Agriculture or Interior.

• Gardens - Botanical or indoor gardens make a fun escape (without having to fly to a tropical locale) in the winter and blend nicely into outdoor events in warmer months.

We'd love to hear from you. Where is the most creative place you have held/attended a professional event?

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