Venues of Excellence (VOE) brought
together more than 130 industry leaders, professionals, and suppliers at the
recently renovated Imago Venues, Burleigh Court, for its Annual Conference 2025.
Attendees from across the UK gathered to exchange ideas,
discuss future trends, and connect with like-minded individuals at the event,
based around the overarching theme of positive evolution.
Mandy Jennings, CEO of Venues of Excellence, said: “I am
truly inspired by the positive feedback we’ve received from delegates,
speakers, and exhibitors alike. It’s clear that the conference provided a
platform for valuable discussions, fresh perspectives, and meaningful
connections. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, and it’s heartening to
see that the positive evolution theme really resonated across all aspects of
the event.”
Jennings welcomed the delegates to conference and shared the
consortium’s story of the year. Key successes include member quality
assessments being finalised at all member venues, the customer excellence
programmes at two Center Parcs resorts introduced in January 2025, plus welcoming
Drayton Manor Resort into the VOE family.
Advisory group chair Stewart Elsmore outlined how the
economy has placed some pressure on businesses and emphasised the resilience of
the hospitality industry. Motivational speaker Alison Edgar MBE shared her insightful
career journey through hospitality, before delegates chose one of three
breakout sessions; Selling 7 Days a Week, HR Legal Updates and a Plant Forward
workshop highlighting food sustainability.
Between sessions, delegates had the opportunity to network
with 22 exhibitors across a range of products and services that support the
hospitality sector.
To finish, delegates enjoyed a
dinner creatively set to the backdrop of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons,
reflecting the seasons through imaginative dishes. Afterwards, VOE presented two awards from sponsors Oyster
Recruitment and Venue Directory; the Referral Team of the Year was awarded to
Wyboston Lakes Resort and the Venues of Excellence Sales and Marketing
Ambassador Award was presented to Vikki Webb from Millennium Point.
During the evening, guests were encouraged to support Imago
Venues and this year's nominated conference charity, Rainbows Hospice, with
£1,594 being raised and presented to Gary Farnfield, community fundraising manager
who attended the event.
Mark Field, general manager at Victory Services Club said: “The
VOE team outdid themselves this year. The conference empowered delegates to
take a positive approach to change managing their venues, identifying what
works best and capitalising on it to ensure the best customer experience
possible.”
