Richard Allchild, CMP, head of sales, North America for IMEX Group, says hosting an event such as MPI’s European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) can help put Brighton on the international map.
“With key buyers attending from Europe and around the world, it is the perfect chance to showcase how great Brighton is as a destination,” he says of the U.K. city by the sea, which will welcome EMEC delegates to the Hilton Brighton Metropole March 26-28.
Allchild and the IMEX Group team—MPI’s strategic partner of nearly 20 years—are quite familiar with Brighton, as the company is based there.
“This event has been three years in the making and so we can’t wait to have the MPI European community back together in Brighton,” he says. “Being on the MPI Foundation board, Rendezvous is always close to my heart, and this year on Brighton Palace Pier it is going to be a fun one!”
“The compact dimensions of Brighton make the logistics of planning an event easy and hassle-free.”
Brighton for meetings and events
Brighton offers more than 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet) of meeting space, more than 60 meeting and event venues and 10,000 guest rooms all within walking distance.
“The compact dimensions of Brighton make the logistics of planning an event easy and hassle-free,” says Darren Johnson, convention bureau manager for VisitBrighton. “Brighton boasts a truly diverse and eclectic range of conference of meeting venues, so whether a planner is looking to hold a small company retreat or large congress, the city will be able to provide some exciting options to consider.”
He says the VisitBrighton Convention Bureau predominantly works with planners from the international and domestic association sectors, as well as planners from the large corporate and governmental sectors.
“Their large, multi-day conferences are ideally suited to a number of our venues and with the wealth of bedroom accommodation we have, the city consistently proves to be a very compelling and affordable destination for planners,” Johnson says. “For smaller meetings and events, the choice of venues for planners is almost endless, from historical through to contemporary, next to the sea or in the stunning Sussex countryside. We even have a Royal Palace that can be hired for events—proof that Brighton has been at the forefront of entertainment and hospitality for over 200 years.”
Here’s a look at some of the prominent meeting venue options, according to Johnson.
Hilton Brighton Metropole. “Our largest residential venue has 340 bedrooms, over 25 separate meeting spaces and can accommodate conferences with delegate numbers up to 1,300. The hotel recently completed a refurbishment of all its bedrooms, public spaces and meeting spaces.”
The Brighton Centre. “Brighton’s purpose-built conference center can accommodate 4,500 delegates in over 15 separate meeting spaces. Brighton Centre and the Hilton are located directly on Brighton’s seafront and command amazing views across both the beach and sea.”
Brighton Dome & Corn Exchange. “The stunning Grade I-listed Brighton Dome & Corn Exchange will reopen its doors in 2023 following a multimillion-pound refurbishment project. It has five historic spaces all under one roof and is one of the most versatile and stylish venues in the country. Built in 1805, the venue is part of the Royal Pavilion Estate and has the facility to house meetings and events for groups of 10 to 1,700 delegates.”
The Royal Pavilion. “When it comes to spectacular and unique, this venue has it all. The Banqueting Room and Great Kitchen ooze splendor and extravagance with visually stunning décor and the dazzling centerpiece chandelier held in the claws of a silver dragon. This regal state room was created for one of the most flamboyant kings in British history and it is a location you can hire for drinks receptions, lavish dinners and award ceremonies.”
Learn much more about the Brighton’s popular activities and attractions.
PHOTOS: Hilton Brighton Metropole and the Royal Pavilion, courtesy VisitBrighton.
