1. Back

Key Meetings & Events Venue Selection Criteria

07/05/2019

6 key things event planners want from a meetings and events venue

Eventprofs are pretty clear on what they want from venues these days with flexibility probably the over-riding attribute when it comes to selection criteria. At Croke Park Meetings & Events, the Hogan Suite is our flagship venue and its popularity derives primarily from its flexibility as a meetings and events space. Here are the 6 hot considerations for #eventsprofs when it comes to venue selection.
 

1. Flexibility

Users of the Hogan Suite constantly highlight flexibility when asked about its advantages. It’s a massive box suite with no central pillars and 5.4m floor to ceiling clearance. Glazed along one entire side, you can have full daylight or total black out as required. Staging can be erected on the long or the short walls, maximising potential configurations.

The American Chamber of Commerce recently staged their inaugural Transatlantic Conference in the Hogan Suite recently accommodating their 500 delegates and Ciara from the chamber said that “the Hogan Suite with its stunning stadium and city backdrop was the perfect venue for the event”.
 

2. Blank Canvas

Rich patterned carpets and opulent crystal chandeliers may ooze refinement and luxury, but they limit customisation and the bespoke “blank canvas” approach is what planners really want these days.  The American Chamber of Commerce said they loved the blank canvas approach which allowed them to stamp their own mark on the space.
 
A recent EStars featuring Fortnite event attracted up to 2,000 gamers and featured 250 computer stations set up with an inflatable bus chill out zone in keeping with the Fortnite battle bus theme. The suites blank canvas was ideal for this highly bespoke set up.

3. Potential for Branding

Event planners want a venue with abundant branding opportunities and the Hogan Suite and wider Stadium campus gives them just that. 
 
Branding or sponsor messages can be seamlessly displayed via dedicated analogue panels in the main arrival elevators leading to meetings and event spaces and from there, extensive integrated LED screens though out the stadium are the perfect platform for brand visibility.
 
The Chartered Accountants Ireland recently hosted a spectacular Annual Dinner for 550 in the Hogan Suite and used the suite entrance video wall for branding and table plan display.
 
The Stadium bowl big screen is a branding opportunity that is only available to those booking the Hogan Suite and it provides the ultimate branding and photo backdrop opportunity!

4. Flexible Audio-Visual Installation

The Chartered Accountants Ireland made use of all the AV tech features of the Hogan Suite - 2 Panasonic 16,000 lumen HD projectors for branding and video, LED strips and downlighters for ambient lighting and the ceiling trusses for gobos projection onto the blinds. Our in-house AVCOM team designed a highly unusual v-shaped stage that gave all delegates the equivalent of front row seats for an amazing entertainment programme.

5. Flow

There’s a momentum and dynamic to how events run these days. In the past you rented a room and everything happened in that room. These days you rent out spaces and create an event journey that allows delegates flow through the spaces.  This is even more important when your event is a typical association conference that combines education, networking and exhibition. There needs to be an intuitive flow between plenary / educational sessions, food and networking functions and, of course, exhibition stands.
 
For the American Chamber of Commerce we integrated catering into the exhibition space on the Hogan Foyer meaning there was a seamless choreographed flow between education (suite) and commerce (foyer).
 

6. Wow

#Eventprofs are under immense pressure to ensure every event includes a full measure of secret sauce aka the “Wow Factor”.  Event attendees and delegates now demand it. The relentless pursuit of the elusive Wow Factor is a seminal reason for the mass migration out of hotels into unconventional spaces. 

At Croke Park Meetings & Events we specialise in Wow – it’s part of our DNA as a stadium that’s hosted gladiatorial hurling and footballer contests and unforgettable gigs the likes of U2, the Rolling Stones and Coldplay. And when you stage your event in the Hogan Suite, your brand is centre stage and your delegates won't forget it in a hurry!  
 
I wanted to drop you and your Croke Park colleagues a note to thank you in relation to the organisation and co-ordination of the Chartered Accountants Ireland Annual Dinner at Croke Park.  Your guidance, co-operation and service was par excellence and greatly appreciated. Feargal McCormack, Chartered Accountants Ireland
 
View Hogan Suite Set Up Photo Gallery

More about the Hogan Suite
Located on Level 5 of the Hogan Stand on the Jones’s Road side of the Stadium, the Hogan Suite comprises 900 sqm of flexible space. Pivoting around the Hogan Suite with city skyline views, the space extends into the Hogan Foyer which provides unparalleled pitch views. Capacities vary from 330 for a classroom configuration to 2000 for a blow-out Christmas party using pod tables.

Contact Us to discuss how we can make our flagship suite work for you!

 
Keep in touch  Enquire online

 

1. Back