HIC Talk

There’s no denying that conference and event budgets are being squeezed and organisers want to make their money work harder. While choosing a seating layout might not be the most exciting topic it is an important part of the planning process.

How delegates are seated will decide the value they get from the conference experience. If delegates get more out of the event it results in better value for the organisers. So seating is something that needs careful consideration.

Many conferences still use traditional theatre style seating. It can be very effective when a large number of people are attending because it allows people to see and hear everything that is being said or projected onto a screen. But is this really the most effective way of seating delegates for smaller meetings?

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Premier Decorations is the first company to use HIC’s new space.

The first exhibition to use Harrogate International Centre’s (HIC’s) new halls – the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair – has been a great success. The completion of the redevelopment project provides event organisers with a perfect link to the existing facilities and the event allowed Premier Decorations to create a winter wonderland when it took over Hall H for the duration of the show.

Premier Decorations is one of the UK’s leading importers of Christmas decorations supplying retailers across the country. It has been exhibiting at the Christmas and Gift Fair for 25 years.

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Whilst scientists expect to find habitable new worlds as part of the Kepler programme in 2012, event organisers can find the industry’s newest stars at International Confex 2012 on the Harrogate International Centre(HIC) stand. HIC’s recently completed £13 million redevelopment project created two new stars of the North, increasing HIC’s capacity and ability to host a variety of events and conferences.

The focus of its stand at Confex will be to show people how they can benefit from the improved facilities. Halls H and G have increased HIC’s space by 3,100m2 – 20% – and can be used for a wide range of experiential events, banquets, corporate productions and product launches. The new halls add more space to larger events and offers exhibition space with great flow from the 2,000 seat auditorium.

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UKSG has confirmed it will host its annual conference and exhibition at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) in 2014 and 2017 following the success of the event at the venue in 2011.  Revenues from the two shows are likely to be in excess of £130,000.

The organisation held its 34th annual conference and exhibition at HIC for the first time earlier this year and as the result of positive feedback from the 850 delegates  it has decided to come back for a further two years. UKSG spans a wide range of interests and activities across the scholarly information community of librarians, publishers, intermediaries and technology vendors. During the three day event, UKSG utilised the 2,000 seat auditorium for its plenary sessions, Hall Q for its exhibition stands and the Royal Hall for social events.

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It’s cabaret all the way at Harrogate International Centre (HIC). The largest venue in the North of England has received a record number of enquiries for cabaret style set up at events and conferences.

In the last 12 months, HIC has seen a massive 55% increase in the number of organisers enquiring about cabaret style seating over traditional theatre style arrangements. It believes this is because organisers are looking for better value for money and increased delegate interaction. One of the biggest benefits of cabaret style is it creates a relatively informal seating arrangement allowing delegates to communicate more effectively throughout the day.

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As the £13 million project to increase capacity at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) nears completion, a host of event organisers and buyers were invited to preview the new halls via an out of this world space themed experience.

The construction of Halls H and G has created two new stars at the North’s largest conference centre enhancing HIC’s reputation as a leading events destination. Capacity at the venue has been increased by 20% and features include:

•    Additional 3,100m2 exhibition space •    Banqueting capacity of 1,500 guests •    Underground car park •    Spectacular new entrance •    Excellent green credentials

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A £13 million expansion project at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) is due to be completed in December, creating two new stars at the premier conference and event venue, which is located halfway between London and Edinburgh. The project to construct Halls H and G has taken 18 months to complete and creates an additional 3,100m2 of exhibition space – a 20% increase in capacity.  The additional halls will also provide Harrogate with significant additional space for evening events, complementing the town’s friendly and intimate atmosphere.

The development, carried out by Wates Construction, included work to improve public areas and landscaping along Kings Road, the building of a new registration atrium with direct access to the Queen’s Suite, Hall D, Kings Suite and a new outdoor piazza. A street level entrance directly into Hall Q has also been created along with additional car parking facilities underneath the new halls.

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Following the success of their event at Harrogate International Centre(HIC) in September, the organisers of the Renewables Roadshow have signed up to hold the event at the venue again in 2012.

Harrogate was one of six Renewables Roadshow venues and attracted a large audience of environment industry professionals. With more exhibitors signing up and more visitors expected, organisers needed to increase the shows’ floor space for 2012. They were so impressed by the range and flexibility of the spaces HIC offers, organisers signed up for next year’s event on the spot.

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We thought it was time you got to know some more of the team at Harrogate International Centre (HIC). This month we talk to marketing assistant Lynne Hudson.

I’ve worked at HIC for 20 years and during that time the centre and my role has changed beyond recognition…  No day in the office is ever the same because you’re never working on the same thing, which is one of the reasons I enjoy my work so much – variety. I’m involved in all sorts of marketing activities including the sending e-shots, direct mail and brochures, as well as promoting forthcoming events.

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Following the success of an event held by fashion retailer Joules in December 2010; Harrogate International Centre, one of the UK’s largest venue’s, has focused on new business within the retail sector.

Head of sales and marketing for HIC, Alison Griffin, said: “Despite the on-going challenges faced by retailers, we have significantly increased our share of retail related events during the last three months.  These include new signings as well as additional business from old clients.  Harrogate is synonymous with a high quality retail experience so it is no surprise we are an ideal location for brands wishing to engage with key audiences.”

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