Cost-conscious event planners are increasingly looking for money-saving venues that include ordinary-looking pubs, reports MICE.
Could this mean the traditional hotels and their conference centers are threatened?
Yes, says Mark Bevan, head of partner services at Expotel.
"Almost every week Expotel is now booking smart pub-type venues for meetings because they are seen as a viable ‘no-frills’ option," he said.
One reason is that pubs can offer the same services as hotels at a lower price. Often free back rooms can substitute for more expensive hotel meeting venues.
"We’ve seen a move from the top end of the four star [hotel] market. People will avoid residential meetings if they can, therefore a hotel is suddenly not the only option," said Des McLaughlin, managing director at Grassroots.
By David Wilkening
