Venue Finder Insights: Five Questions with Heather
At Function Fixers, every member of our team brings their own experience and perspective to venue finding. While every client brief is different, there are certain lessons that only come from working with venues day in, day out.
We asked Heather to share her thoughts on what makes a venue stand out, the mistakes event organisers should avoid and the advice she’d give to anyone planning an event.
What makes you excited about recommending a venue?
For Heather, it isn’t just about finding a beautiful venue – it’s about confidence.
“Knowing that the proposed venue will look after our clients and provide them with the best possible experience is what really excites me. A venue should feel like an extension of our own team, giving clients confidence that every detail will be handled professionally.”
A stunning venue is important, but exceptional service is what turns a good event into a great one.
What’s the biggest mistake event planners make?
One mistake Heather sees more often than people might expect is booking a keynote speaker before securing the venue.
“It’s understandable to want to confirm an important speaker, but finding the right venue should come first. Once the venue is booked, you know exactly what facilities are available, how many delegates you can accommodate and what dates are realistic.”
By securing the venue first, organisers have a much stronger foundation on which to build the rest of the event.
What’s one thing clients rarely think about?
Planning ahead.
“Many event organisers don’t realise how quickly the best venues get booked. By the time they start looking, their choice can be much more limited than they expected.”
Popular venues, particularly for conferences, Christmas parties and summer events, can be reserved many months in advance. Starting the venue search early not only provides more choice but also gives organisers greater flexibility on dates, layouts and budgets.
What’s the best venue you’ve visited recently?
One venue that has particularly impressed Heather is Down Hall Hotel & Spa.
“I recently stayed there and had the opportunity to explore the event spaces. They’re incredibly flexible, and the Kitchen Garden adds something really unique. The staff were attentive throughout my stay, while both dinner and breakfast were exceptional. In fact, my husband said it was the best hotel breakfast he’d had in a very long time!”
For Heather, it wasn’t just one feature that stood out – it was the combination of excellent hospitality, flexible event space and attention to detail that made the venue memorable.
If you could give event organisers one piece of advice before booking a venue, what would it be?
Heather’s advice is refreshingly simple.
Go and see the venue.
“Photographs and virtual tours are useful, but nothing compares to visiting a venue in person. You get a much better feel for the space, how it flows, the atmosphere and whether it will genuinely work for your event.”
A site visit often answers questions you didn’t even know to ask and can give organisers the confidence that they’ve made the right choice.
Heather’s Takeaway
The best venue isn’t always the most impressive on paper. It’s the one that combines excellent service, practical event space and a team you can trust to deliver a memorable experience.
With so many factors to consider, taking the time to visit a venue – and starting your search early – can make all the difference to the success of your event.