Find Event spaces for rent near me

About Events

Hosting events can give you a glimpse into an individual's or organization's heart and soul. It’s a planned social gathering organized to achieve a purpose, whether to celebrate, commemorate, or cherish a special moment with others.

Anybody who has ever hosted a seated dinner or event space will admit it isn’t easy. It takes a lot of effort, research, planning, time, and money. But in the end, it's all worth the time and resources because an event is always an excellent opportunity to create community, establish deeper relationships, and meet with like-minded people. It also allows businesses to increase brand awareness, build social presence, and enhance their credibility.

Whether you're organizing a fundraising, a workshop, a conference, a wedding, or a birthday party, the venue can make or break your event. You’ll need meeting venues accessible for everyone and an event space where all attendees can fit comfortably. It should also match the purpose and objective of the occasion.

The Best Event Venues

The sky's the limit when choosing event spaces and meeting venues. Perhaps, you already have a few sites in mind and want to add more to your database. Let’s explore some remarkable venues that make an ideal setting for your big day.

• Hotels
  Hotels are an obvious option, but what can we say? They have unique event spaces for everything you need to host a party or organize a corporate function. Having rooms for guests to rest after private events is also an added perk. However, you’ll have to deal with the lack of uniqueness, as most hotels are more suited to provide standard packages. They may not be flexible enough to allow you to decorate as much as you want.
  
  
• Restaurants
  Besides making great food, restaurants provide exceptional services and a convenient setting for any seated dinner. You can book a private dining room for business meetings and dinner parties or rent the entire place for a wedding reception. Before booking the perfect space, remember to check the menu and taste the food.
  
  
• Stately Homes and Historic Buildings
  The ornate details, rich history, unique architecture, and grandeur of stately homes and historic buildings are enough to allure event organizers and guests. They often have attractive outdoor features and gardens to dance and hold a reception. However, one downside is that older properties with event spaces weren’t always built to accommodate those with poor mobility. Keep this in mind as you search. A suburban home with wood decor and all on one level may suit your group better.
  
  
• Stadiums
  If you want to discover an extraordinary venue, consider a stadium. Stadiums and sports facilities are incredible locations for a unique social and corporate experience. You can contact the management directly without requiring outside intervention through an event company. They’re perfect for hosting a large party or a big production. They also tend to have AV equipment, catering, and a substantial parking space. Stadiums also have plenty of space for adequate seating for your guests. Sports fan or not, your group will be excited to go to a stadium or sports arena. Just make sure the layout is ideal for your event or meeting.

What to Look for in Event Spaces

Finding the right event venue is difficult despite the number of options available. You should visit a few places before making a final decision. Even if you’ve been hosting several events, knowing what factors to consider when searching for a site for meetings, receptions, or your special day pays more.

• Accessibility
  What are the transportation options and traffic conditions of the area? How far is it from the airport or hotels? Check the location to observe and gauge the situation. This way, you can gain insight on how to avoid the common pitfalls of selecting a venue for private events that’s hard to get to and inaccessible.
  
  
• Capacity
  You should know the number of guests attending your event because it will determine the venue size you should book. An event hall may claim to hold at least 200 people, but how tight will the seating be? Pick a space where your group can move freely without uncomfortable hindrances. Capacity and calculation are especially important for meetings. You should also consider any fees or payments that need to be made for the booking. Remember, different cities can have varied deposit requirements. For example, a city like San Diego in California might charge extra for a solarium space with seating for 50 people, compared to a banquet in New York for 80 people.
  
  
• Layout
  The layout should depend on the type of event you’re hosting and the interactions you want the attendees to have. You may choose a lecture space, dining layout, conference, or banquet. Ensure the place has room for every aspect of your event, like a dressing room, stage, ceremony, or reception area. Planning the layout is imperative if you have guests from all over the world.
  
  
• Amenities and Services
  Besides the hall or room, it’s a huge plus if the rental venue can offer other amenities and services. These include access to Wi-Fi, AV systems, furniture, and a cleaning/setup crew for a meeting. Some may even have kitchen facilities or allow you to search for and bring in food vendors and a caterer.
  
  
• Ambiance
  It’s wise to pick an event location with an ambiance and mood that match the theme and tone of your meeting. Otherwise, you’ll spend much of your time, energy, and resources decorating it and creating the perfect setting that appeals to your audience. Ambiance matters exceedingly for weddings and unique functions.

Event Inspiration

A memorable event starts with the venue. Sometimes, you don’t have to go too far to host an event that people will talk about for years.

• Corporate Events at Local Museums
  Museums are informative and classy. Their style and magnificence create a unique atmosphere and vibe for your corporate meeting or seminar. Museums offer guests various seating options with doors that provide access to unique artifacts and history. Gatherings held at such event spaces are guaranteed to be historic and extraordinary.
  
  
• Celebrations at Banquet Halls
  Enjoy an intimate festivity or a large-scale celebration at a banquet hall. Such an event space often has fully-equipped kitchens and elegant interiors for your convenience. Some banquet halls can also provide buffet tables, furniture, and décor so you can focus on event planning.
  
  
• Rustic Parties at Farmhouses
  A farmhouse provides numerous indoor and outdoor spaces for your group. It’s bright and open, and creates a carefree environment where everyone can chill and have fun with friends and family. Farmhouses can also accommodate large or small parties, depending on your needs. It offers a rustic feel with a scenic beauty ideal for any celebration.
  
  
• Receptions at Botanical Gardens
  Nature’s scenic beauty requires little to no improvement. So having a reception at a local botanical garden means having a picturesque backdrop with less effort. Plus, it always provides incredible photo opportunities of the perfect space to show off on social media.
  
  
• Beach or Waterfront Events
  You can’t deny the romantic and peaceful feeling of having a party venue near the ocean or close to a body of water for weddings or receptions. Just set up a large tent, an arch, or an outdoor platform for your group, and it will look like a special party area with sweeping views of the stunning water.

Everything you need to know about throwing a company event

After COVID-19 caused drastic changes in business operations worldwide, face-to-face corporate events rebounded in 2022. All American Speakers Bureau, an industry leader in booking event talent, saw an increase in in-person requests from 46% of all bookings in January 2022 to 73% by March 2022. While corporate events can vary greatly in size, scope, and audience, they all require planning and budgeting to be successful.

Some corporate events target customers and stakeholders to announce operational changes or new initiatives. Others focus on employees to provide training, team-building, or reward staff for their hard work. Events can also include a combination of the two, bringing clients and staff together to celebrate special occasions.

Pulling company events off without a hitch is no easy feat, especially in the business world where there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of attendees the company wishes to forge new relationships with or strengthen existing bonds. Between finding the perfect venue and booking the best food and drink vendors and entertainment, there are many considerations to make for company events and parties.

Giggster compiled a list of corporate event-planning tips using information from industry experts and news. Read on to learn about five essential considerations for planning successful company events, both small and large.

Planning, goal-setting, and budgeting

The first step in planning a successful corporate event is to clearly define the basic parameters: What are the overarching objectives of the event? When and where, generally speaking, does it need to be held—or is there flexibility on the timing? How many, and what type of, attendees are expected?

With the basics outlined and the stage set for planning, staying organized can help the months of planning transform into a well-executed event. To keep organized, be sure to generate a list of everything that needs to be done for the event using spreadsheets or other tools like event management apps and software programs. This will help delegate responsibilities and track planning progress. In addition to basic tasks like securing a venue, finding a caterer, and booking entertainment, larger events must consider things like marketing, hiring event staff, arranging hotels and transportation, and coordinating pre- and post-event activities for attendees.

Establish an overall event budget up front to break down costs across these planning areas. To set a budget, it is helpful to list all event components in order of priority, then research past event costs and gather quotes from local vendors. If the event will generate revenue or include sponsorship opportunities, this income should also be factored into the overall budget.

Venues

Although it may be tempting to quickly book that popular new venue everyone has been raving about, it is important to ensure the location is a good fit for the specific event. Before selecting a venue, clarify the overarching vision or objectives for the event and establish a budget. These factors will guide the selection of the most appropriate venue.

Event venues book quickly and far in advance, so this is one of the first items that should be checked off an event planner's to-do list. In addition to the venue's aesthetics, it is important to consider factors like location, accessibility, capacity, and safety.

The venue is the most expensive corporate event cost on average. If cost is a concern, look for venues with availability outside peak days and times, as the rental fee is likely lower. Also, many venues have nonrefundable deposits, so booking is a financial commitment, and canceling could be costly.

Vendors, transport, and accommodation

There are many factors to consider when looking for vendors to cater a corporate event. Some venues may require in-house food and beverage services, which should be considered when booking the venue. Event planners must decide whether meals will be served seated or buffet-style, if alcohol will be served, and if snacks will be provided throughout the day. Identifying any attendee dietary restrictions or food allergies is also important so alternate menus can be offered.

Planners must also arrange overnight accommodations and transportation for larger events where attendees travel in from other locations or staff are taken away on a retreat. In fact, nearly one-fifth of gross hotel bookings in 2019 were from meetings and conferences, according to a 2020 report conducted by Deloitte Insights.

Hotels may offer corporate room blocks or buyouts as they do for weddings, so this is a good option for cost savings. Transportation considerations may range from charter buses or shuttles to ferry attendees to and from the event, all the way up to airfare to bring distant travelers into town.

Entertainment and decor

To set the right mood and tone for a corporate event, the entertainment and decor should align with the event's objectives. Planning an event with unique, interactive experiences is also more likely to keep attendees engaged and leave a positive lasting impression.

Entertainment options depend on the type of corporate event. Still, they can range from guest speakers who are topical experts to live bands or comedians that will break up more monotonous parts of the agenda. Hiring a DJ is another less expensive option than live music but still provides an energetic atmosphere.

Decor can liven up an event while also visually reinforcing a cohesive theme. Options include hiring printers to design banners and signage or florists to create fresh table arrangements. Along with decorating the venue, hosting giveaways throughout the event or offering swag at the end can be a thoughtful touch. When selecting swag, consider environmentally friendly options that are ethically sourced and high-quality; this way, attendees are more likely to keep and use the items rather than throw them away after the event.

Challenges to anticipate

Planning a corporate event is a complex job, and challenges are unavoidable. Perhaps the biggest thing to keep in mind is not going over budget. Rather than spending every penny of your allotted amount, leave wiggle room in case last-minute expenses arise or vendor costs increase from the original quote.

Instead of worrying about whether your company's event will have a successful turnout, remember to spend adequate time and resources promoting the event. Smaller events may only require personalized invitations, but for larger events, it is important to spread the word. Use social media or a more formal marketing plan to generate interest.

Though you can't totally predict bad weather, late vendors, or other mishaps, you can certainly be ready when they happen by ensuring your event is well-staffed to step in. Event staffing requires proactive planning. Also, an understaffed event can create frustration and low satisfaction among attendees. Be sure to err on the side of caution when hiring—it is better to end up with too many staff working an event than too few.

It is also important that staff working the event clearly understand their job responsibilities and expectations so attendees have the best customer service experience possible. Any parts of the event that can be practiced, scripted, and run through beforehand should be to ensure things go smoothly.