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Tuesday 11 April 2023

There has been a great deal of recent debate about the value of ChatGPT to the events industry. Here at Venue Search London we have been reviewing the platform as a way of creating blog copy and web content...

Rather than just publishing AI copy, we thought it might be interesting to see how ChatGPT compared to our experiences and advice. So, we asked ChatGPT to give us their five top tips for choosing the best conference venues in London.  We publish the AI responses below, with a few thoughts of our own below each point...

1) Location, location, location

CHATGPT WROTE: The location of your conference venue is crucial to its success. You want to choose a venue that is easily accessible for all your attendees, whether they are arriving from other parts of the UK or from overseas. In London, it's important to consider the proximity to public transport links and airports, as well as the convenience of local amenities such as restaurants, cafes and hotels. When searching for a venue, consider its location carefully and think about how easy it will be for your attendees to get there.

VSL COMMENTS:  A pretty good summary above and location is, of course, of principal importance. We don’t think the location of local amenities is really of any relevance and we would add that a ”crowd-pulling” landmark, or new and exciting, venue that is slightly less accessible should trump a venue that happens to be right next to a station!

2) Capacity and Facilities

CHATGPT WROTE: Another key factor to consider when booking a conference venue in London is its capacity and facilities. You'll want to choose a venue that can accommodate your attendees comfortably and provide all the necessary facilities, such as audio-visual equipment, internet access, and catering options. When you're reviewing venues, make sure to ask about their capacity and the range of facilities they offer to ensure they can meet your specific requirements.

VSL COMMENTS:  Again, not much wrong with the broad advice above, but the real considerations are much more complex here. Ensuring that the venue will work for your minimum and maximum possible conference delegates, it’s also really important to understand all aspects and restrictions on your production requirements and supplier options, including ease of access, build and break times and the postponement and cancellation policies in case you need to move or cancel the event.

3) Quality and Reputation

CHATGPT WROTE: The quality and reputation of a conference venue can make a big difference to the success of your event. You want to choose a venue that has a reputation for providing excellent service and has a track record of hosting successful events. When researching venues, check out reviews and testimonials from previous clients and ask for references to help you make an informed decision.

VSL COMMENTS: We would not put this on the list as stated above and venue reviews and testimonials will be hard to come by (and references can be selective! ). This is where an experience venue finder who books events regularly into conference venues in London, will know the spaces with the best recent track record from personal knowledge and recent client feedback. 

4) Budget

CHATGPT WROTE: Of course, cost is always a factor when choosing a conference venue in London. You'll need to work out a budget and look for venues that can offer you value for money. When considering costs, don't forget to factor in any additional services or facilities that you may need, such as catering, audio-visual equipment or transportation.

VSL COMMENTS:  Indeed, correct but a simplification of the budgeting process when comparing options.  All venues quote differently, with some excluding fixed service charges and others including free extras etc.  We analyse all quotes gathered for our clients and will compare them for inclusions/exclusions and potential “hidden extras”, in addition to negotiating great deals for our clients using our buying power and experience.

5) Flexibility

CHATGPT WROTE: Finally, when selecting a conference venue, you should consider its flexibility. It's important to choose a venue that can adapt to your specific requirements and offer you the flexibility to make changes as necessary. Whether it's adjusting the layout of the space, adding or removing facilities, or accommodating special requests, a flexible venue can help you to create the perfect event.

VSL COMMENTS:  This is a bit woolly and largely covered in their Point 2 above. But, having said that ensuring that the venue can be flexible around catering choice, event timings, date changes and bedroom selection for residential events are all points that are important to clarify before booking. In addition, having a clear understanding of any approved supplier lists or supplier restrictions may well impact on your budget and flexibility.

In conclusion, ChatGPT did an OK job in identifying the key considerations when researching London venues for conferences and meetings, but it is no replacement for experience and you also need to bear in mind that their copy is derived from online information that is over three years old, so it will not present the latest venue openings, nor recent trends in sustainability and post-Covid considerations.

We placed over 150 conferences into London venues during 2022 and our team of real human and free venue finders have the knowledge and experience that will beat any online search or AI platform in creating the best shortlist for your next conference, seasonal party or other London corporate event.

So please give us a call on 0207 870 9305 or drop us an email to experience the talents of human and personal venue finding!