Conference venue in Reading area?

[RichB]

Chaps, here's one. We recently moved our office to Green Park in Reading and are looking for a venue for our annual user conference. We are 90% decided on The Madejski Millennium, it's a decent place and above all it will cement our relocation to Reading in the minds of our customers. It's an EMEA event so we have people flying in from various locations and usually get around 75-100 people. Anyone got any other ideas for a decent venue in the area. Something slightly special or unusual maybe?

[Stig]

RichB said:

Chaps, here's one. We recently moved our office to Green Park in Reading and are looking for a venue for our annual user conference. We are 90% decided on The Madejski Millennium, it's a decent place and above all it will cement our relocation to Reading in the minds of our customers. It's an EMEA event so we have people flying in from various locations and usually get around 75-100 people. Anyone got any other ideas for a decent venue in the area. Something slightly special or unusual maybe?

Not alot to beat Madejski really, but it depends what sort of facilities you need?

Alternatives are mainly fairly average hotels (Penta, Holiday inn etc.), but more suited to weddings and not as easy to get to especially if you've got EMEA guests coming (from Heathrow in the main I expect).

For something a bit more unusual, there's Easthampstead Park in Wokingham or slightly further afield and upmarket Danesfield House.

Again, depends on the style and facilities you're after really.

Need anyone to organise/support it?

Edited by Stig on Thursday 22 July 15:19

[RichB]

Stig said:

...Need anyone to organise/support it?

Thanks for the suggestions, hadn't thought of Wokingham but I know the place you mean... And sorry we've got a dedicated person organising it she'd be miffed if I handed it out

[Puggit]

I'd back the Mad Stad too - I've attended events there and also my wife's cousin used to be the sales manager for the conference centre.

The upper area in the atrium bar is an excellent after-conference venue.

Reading is short on locations for this sort of thing!

[RichB]

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

[Blues]

RichB said:

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

Wokefield Park is pretty good, but miles from anywhere. Transport links may prove troublesome for your overseas visitors.

[bmw2002]

Blues said:

RichB said:

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

Wokefield Park is pretty good, but miles from anywhere. Transport links may prove troublesome for your overseas visitors.

Transport links to WP are very good actually

[Puggit]

RichB said:

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

When are you scheduling your conference for? The FA cup doesn't start for Reading until January!

[Cas_P]

Easthampstead park Beautiful place, had Jakob's naming ceremony and first birthday there. It's so nice.

[RichB]

Puggit said:

RichB said:

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

When are you scheduling your conference for? The FA cup doesn't start for Reading until January!

Early March next year.

[The jiffle king]

Wokefield Park has always been good for me... Madejski is ok, but you could go to Newbury or Ascot racecourses which also have good facilities

T-J-K

[Blues]

bmw2002 said:

Blues said:

RichB said:

What's concerning us about the Madejski is that we understand that if a football match (e.g. FA Cup reply tie or something) is rearranged for the date of our conference it will be cancelled. I know this is a remote chance but can we risk it? What about Wokefield Park?

Wokefield Park is pretty good, but miles from anywhere. Transport links may prove troublesome for your overseas visitors.

Transport links to WP are very good actually

Ah, sorry chap. How silly of me to forget

[anonymous-user]

The Williams factory in Grove have a number of conference areas - little bit interesting and not a million miles away.

[john_r]

Been to several events (3 x business and 1 x wedding) at Wokefield Park and they were all excellent - fantastic location and very well organised.