Five Venue Trends We’re Seeing Right Now
One of the advantages of working in venue finding is that we get to see how the market changes in real time. Every week we’re visiting venues, speaking to event teams and helping clients find spaces for conferences, meetings, product launches and corporate celebrations.
While every brief is different, there are some clear patterns emerging. Here are five venue trends we’re seeing right now.
1. Experiences Matter More Than Ever
Clients are increasingly looking for venues that offer something beyond a meeting room. They’re asking about museums, galleries, rooftop spaces, historic buildings and venues with a story to tell.
The venue itself has become part of the event experience. Delegates are more likely to remember a conference held in a unique setting than one in a standard function room, and organisers are recognising the value that memorable surroundings can bring to an event.
It’s not about choosing the most unusual venue available – it’s about finding a space that reflects the purpose of the event and leaves guests with something to talk about.
2. Flexible Spaces Are Winning
The days of using one room for an entire event are becoming less common.
Many clients now want venues that can adapt throughout the day, perhaps starting with a conference, moving into breakout sessions, followed by networking drinks or a private dinner. Venues with multiple spaces, outdoor terraces or flexible layouts are proving particularly popular because they allow an event to evolve without guests needing to relocate.
Flexibility has become just as important as capacity.
3. Sustainability Is Now Part of the Conversation
A few years ago, only a handful of clients specifically asked about sustainability. Today, it’s becoming a regular part of many briefs.
Questions about public transport links, food waste, locally sourced catering, refill stations, renewable energy and environmental certifications are increasingly common. Even organisations without formal sustainability targets often want to know what a venue is doing to reduce its environmental impact.
The good news is that many venues have made significant investments in this area, giving organisers far more choice than ever before.
4. Clients Want Simplicity
One trend that hasn’t received much attention is the desire to make event planning easier.
Clients are often juggling multiple responsibilities alongside organising an event, so they value venues that are straightforward to work with. Responsive event teams, clear pricing, flexible packages and practical facilities frequently outweigh unnecessary extras.
Similarly, we’re finding that many organisers would rather receive a carefully considered shortlist than spend hours comparing hundreds of venues online. Saving time has become almost as valuable as saving money.
5. Outdoor Space Continues to Add Value
Outdoor areas remain high on many wish lists, particularly during the spring and summer months.
Gardens, courtyards, rooftop terraces and riverside spaces provide valuable flexibility for networking, refreshment breaks and informal conversations. Even when the main event takes place indoors, having access to an outdoor area can significantly enhance the overall guest experience.
We’re also seeing more venues invest in all-weather outdoor spaces, making terraces and gardens practical for a much longer period of the year.
Looking Ahead
Trends will always evolve, but one thing hasn’t changed: every successful event starts with choosing the right venue for the audience and the objectives.
At Function Fixers, we don’t recommend venues simply because they’re fashionable. We recommend them because they’re the right fit for the brief. Sometimes that’s an iconic landmark, sometimes it’s a modern conference centre and sometimes it’s a venue you’ve never heard of before.
Keeping an eye on emerging trends helps us give clients informed advice, but the best recommendations will always come from understanding what each event is trying to achieve.
That’s something no trend is likely to change.
Carrie Larwood is Managing Director of Function Fixers and has spent more than 35 years helping organisations find venues for conferences, meetings and corporate events across the UK.