Warwick Conferences are celebrating the first anniversary of their ground breaking new venue, The Slate. The unique and flexible flat-floor space has been operational since December 2016, hosting 118 events and welcoming 17,269 delegates through its doors. The success of The Slate’s entry to market has surpassed the University of Warwick based venue’s expectations. In just one year, the venue has achieved over £1.3 million worth of business in 2016-17 and has confirmed 123 events in 2017-18, totalling to the value of £2.8 million. Looking to the future, the conference and events venue has £6.3 million worth of both confirmed and provisional events in the pipeline.

Over the last 12 months The Slate has been significant in widening the operational capabilities of Warwick Conferences. Its 650sqm of contemporary and highly flexible event space can facilitate up to 400 delegates and is available for single-use only, offering upmost exclusivity to clients at all times. This venue’s potential has attracted influential industry sectors, in particular confirming events with significant market leaders from the manufacturing, automotive and retail market sectors.

The venue not only meets the high level of demand for a high capacity, high facility and flexible event space in Central England, but it’s been built with sustainability and versatility in mind. Its architecture is BREEAM excellent rated and optimised with high wooden-crossbeam ceiling for acoustic excellence. Its reinforced flooring is capable of supporting two 4x4 cars and boasts a full-length glass façade, with an impressive lakeside view.

The flexibility of the venue means it can host anything from car launches, residential dinners, large staff annual conferences and award ceremonies. The residential bookings secured as a result of the large-scaled events, has enhanced the occupancy of the accommodation available at Warwick Conferences’ training and conference centres, resulting in bedrooms operating at full occupancy most weeks.

Richard Harrison, Head of Conference Centres, says: “Opening a new venue is always a challenge, but the extensive market research we carried out prior to the conceptualisation of The Slate indicated to us that there was significant demand for this unique style of event space. Everything from the layout, food and branding of the venue is tailor-made to the client’s individual needs, there’s no barriers and that’s what makes it so memorable for the customer. In a crowded marketplace, clients are no longer just looking for a venue, but the delivery of an unforgettable experience is what marks a successful event. The decision to commission the building of this new venue has been fully justified by the incredibly successful first year we have just experienced.

“The venue has been used by a diverse range of organisations, all of which have used the space in a completely different way to achieve their objectives. The Slate has proved itself as a valuable addition to the venue market and Warwick Conferences’ portfolio. The new venue is the essence of our strapline ‘anything is possible’ and has been revolutionary in enabling us to stay one step ahead of the dynamic and ever-evolving industry we operate in.