Your guide to choosing the perfect Nottingham exhibition venue

Whether you’re planning a trade show, product launch, recruitment fair, industry exhibition or networking event, choosing an exhibition venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. From launching new products to delivering employee conferences, your event deserves to shine in an exhibition venue that caters to all of its needs.

Our guide will walk you through how to choose a Nottingham exhibition venue that aligns with your objectives and meets audience expectations without breaking the bank, streamlining the planning process and making sure your event is a hit.

1. Clarify your event goals and venue requirements
2. Choose the right Nottingham exhibition venue
3. Choose a venue which accounts for space, layout, and flow
4. Check the technological amenities of your venue
5. Choose a venue that suits your business and its unique messaging
6. Assess the cost and budget
7. Secure your desired dates by booking early
8. Visit the venue in person
9. Read reviews to make an informed decision
10. Frequently asked questions

1. Clarify your event goals and venue requirements

Before comparing Nottingham exhibition venues, start by identifying exactly what you want your event to achieve. Are you:

• Showcasing a new line of products?
• Hosting a trade exhibition?
• Organising a recruitment or careers fair?
• Creating networking opportunities?
• Showcasing suppliers or services?
• Raising brand awareness?

Your objectives will influence every other decision, including venue size, layout, technology requirements and catering. If you’re looking to launch a new product, for example, a high-visibility venue with stage capacity will work best, whereas networking events may require more informal, open layouts to facilitate conversation and connection.

2. Choose the right Nottingham exhibition venue location

The demographics and preferences of your target audience should be at the forefront of your mind when searching for an exhibition venue. Location is one of the biggest factors affecting attendance, so when evaluating Nottingham exhibition venues, consider how easy the venue is to reach for both exhibitors and visitors. Look for venues that offer:

• Excellent motorway access
• Convenient public transport connections
• Nearby railway stations
• Plenty of on-site parking
• Hotels within walking distance or on-site accommodation

Nottingham’s central location makes it easily accessible from across the UK, making it an excellent destination for regional and national exhibitions. Prioritising the convenience of your target audience will contribute towards its success, demonstrating to attendees that you are a business with people at the heart of its operations.

3. Choose a venue which accounts for space, layout, and flow

When choosing an exhibition venue, make sure to evaluate the space needed for your exhibition booths, displays, seating areas, and any other amenities you require. Consider:

• Maximum delegate capacity
• Flexible floor plans
• Wide aisles for comfortable visitor flow
• Breakout spaces
• Refreshment areas
• Easy loading and unloading access

At Nottingham Venues, we have multiple exhibition venues that provide a wide variety of potential layout options and cater to the individual needs of your event according to size, set-up, and any other logistical considerations you require. 

You can hire the entire property for exclusive use, or reserve just one side of the Jubilee Hotel & Conferences, depending entirely on the demands of your event and its target audience – great for impromptu breakout sessions.

4. Check the technological amenities of your venue

Our modern world is underpinned by seamless technology, and exhibition events are no exception. Whether you’re demonstrating products, streaming presentations or collecting digital leads, reliable infrastructure is essential. Check that your chosen exhibition venue offers:

• Fast, free Wi-Fi
• Modern AV equipment
• Large presentation screens
• Hybrid event capabilities
• A skilled in-house AV team 
• Ample plug points and charging facilities

Planning to have speakers join remotely, or guests attend via Zoom call? Ensure that invites are planned and your exhibition venue has suitable projection boards or alternative facilities to ensure a smooth, seamless delivery.

5. Choose a venue that suits your business and its unique messaging

The ambience and atmosphere of an exhibition venue should reflect your brand and its values, not the other way around. Whether you’re looking to communicate polished and professional, vibrantly creative, or sociable and relaxed, focus on choosing an exhibition venue that lets your unique business shine, and attendees will feel welcome.

The perfect exhibition space will enhance the theme of your event, working alongside organisers and exhibitors to deliver your goals and leave a lasting impression on your guests. We’ll make you feel at home at Nottingham Venues, with spaces that cater to a wide variety of events – from casual co-working to annual meetings with the C-suite, our state-of-the-art exhibition venues will ensure your brand message is the star.

6. Assess the cost and budget

Determine your budget for exhibition venue rental and associated expenses, such as catering, staffing, and promotional material, well in advance to avoid any nasty surprises on the day. Don’t be afraid to compare pricing options across different venues to find the best value for your budget, making sure your event doesn’t compromise on quality whilst delivering exceptional results.

Interested in working with us for a corporate event? Organise a site visit or arrange a call with a member of our team – we’re happy to discuss how to choose a Nottingham exhibition venue that will suit your needs whilst effectively managing costs.

7. Secure your desired dates by booking early

Start your exhibition venue search well in advance to ensure availability on your desired dates. This ensures that it’s possible to host your event at the venue of your choice within your planned timeframe. Enquire about their booking procedures, cancellation policies, and any other administrative requirements and contingencies – emergencies happen, and you should ensure your business is fully covered.

Booking your exhibition venue early will also provide you with more time to plan and promote your event, so your advertising materials can reach all corners of your industry and maximise attendance.

8. Visit the venue in person

Schedule a site visit to inspect the exhibition venue firsthand and assess its suitability for your event, allowing you a sense of how the space feels, flows, and will meet your needs on the day.  Pay attention to factors such as layout, accessibility, cleanliness, and the overall condition of the facilities; choosing an exhibition venue is a big commitment, and you should ensure it meets as many of your requirements as possible. Have a checklist on hand to keep you prepared, and take plenty of pictures and notes to share with your team and help you collectively reach a decision.

Are you in the neighbourhood and interested in taking a look at one of our stunning Nottingham exhibition venues? Get in touch to organise a site visit and start planning your next big corporate event.

9. Read reviews to make an informed decision

Research online reviews and testimonials from past clients for insights into their experiences with the exhibition venue and the types of events they have previously catered to. Consider feedback on factors such as customer service, flexibility, and overall satisfaction to inform your decision and ensure you secure the right exhibition venue for your event’s needs. We’re proud of our facilities here at Nottingham Venues, but don’t just take our word for it – hear from some of the people we’ve helped to host successful events:

“I would like to thank all of the staff at the Jubilee Conference Centre, who were all so welcoming and attentive to our event’s needs,” writes the organisational lead for a recent NPQ event we hosted.

“Megan was excellent, assisting with all of our last-minute queries and being available on hand when needed. The evening meal was excellent and well-received by all of our guests; the staff were brilliant and so friendly, everyone loved them.”

If you or your business needs a little guidance on choosing the perfect exhibition venue, get in touch to speak to a member of our team.

Conclusion

Following our step-by-step guide, you’ll soon find the ideal Nottingham exhibition venue for your event, and deliver an outstanding exhibition that impresses attendees. From excellent atmosphere to state-of-the-art facilities, the perfect exhibition venue will elevate any company showcase and set your business apart from the competition.

Take it a step further and guarantee success with Nottingham Venues – from small-scale gatherings to company-wide events requiring catering, entertainment, and accommodation, get in touch with a member of our team and let us help your business to shine.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What should I look for when choosing an exhibition venue?

A: When choosing an exhibition venue, consider its location, accessibility, capacity, layout, technology, parking and the level of support provided by the venue’s events team.

Q: Why is location important for an exhibition venue?

A: A convenient location with excellent road, rail and public transport links makes it easier for exhibitors and visitors to attend, helping boost attendance and improve the overall event experience.

Q: What facilities should Nottingham exhibition venues provide?

A: The best Nottingham exhibition venues offer flexible event spaces, reliable Wi-Fi, modern AV equipment, parking and, where possible, on-site accommodation for exhibitors and delegates.

Q: How far in advance should I book an exhibition venue?

A: For larger exhibitions, it’s advisable to book six to twelve months in advance, particularly if your event is taking place during peak conference or exhibition seasons.

Q: How much exhibition space do I need?

A: The amount of space depends on the number of exhibitors, stand sizes, expected visitor numbers and whether you’ll need seminar areas, networking spaces or catering facilities. Your venue team can help calculate the right layout.

Q: Why choose Nottingham for an exhibition?

A: Nottingham is centrally located with excellent transport links, making it easily accessible from across the UK. Combined with a thriving business community, quality accommodation and a wide choice of event spaces, it’s an ideal destination for exhibitions, trade shows and corporate events.