The Wessex Conference Centre

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Getting it Right

If being honest, every conference venue manager will attest that there are times when, even with the best event planning and most professional staff, not everything goes according to plan.

“99% of the time” states Eileen Bolton, Hospitality Manager “The Wessex Conference Centre and its staff can adapt to any changing requirements made by our guests, and, in addition, correct any oversights on our part. Myself and my staff can usually make this happen seamlessly and without any disruption to the event or its delegates.”

conservatory lounge Charla Devereux, Network Manager for ‘The Scientific and Medical Network’ agrees with Eileen Bolton. After a recent ‘Mystics and Scientists’ conference at The Wessex Conference Centre, which have been held annually since 1978, she praised Eileen for her quick responses to requests made by the guests at the conference, which was comprised solely of requested catering changes. Charla quotes “Eileen was very professional, and even my guests were surprised with how quickly and efficiently she remedied any situation and actually delivered results”.

The Network brings together respected gurus from acupuncture to astrology, consciousness to cosmology, in addition to scientists, doctors, psychologists, engineers and philosophers. Full membership of the Network is only open to University-qualified scientists, doctors and other professionals. It currently enjoys 1600 members in 61 countries – the majority in England. It is a serious forum encouraging great thought and qualified discussion. In light of this, aattendees expect a suitably relaxing and distraction-free environment in which they are able to express their thoughts and impart their wisdom.

The Wessex Conference Centre, nestled in its own 450-acre corner of Hampshire is really the perfect venue for every type of meeting, from an informal lunch, to an extravagant launch. It is the type of conference destination that really requires viewing to fully appreciate its versatility. The internal spaces inside are numerous, flexible and can accommodate from 2 – 250 guests, and outside is a team leaders paradise offering tracks and fields, a lake, copses and wooded areas. Not to mention the golf course, tennis court, squash court and gym that are on offer to all our guests.

The staff at The Wessex Conference Centre are happy to book any type of business meeting – Eileen says, “A great deal of the business here is repeat, so it is always fantastic when we have new clients booking, and new business people to impress. The Scientific and Medical Network were first timers here, and perhaps we weren’t fully geared up for their requests, however, I am confident that we made a very good first impression, and proved that while no venue is perfect, The Wessex Conference Centre strives to come as close as possible”.

For your chance to view this unique destination, or for a bespoke and free service to book your next corporate function or event, please call 01962 797259.

Countryside Day

Just in case you were not aware, The Wessex Conference Centre is fortunate enough to be situated within 450 acres of rural Hampshire countryside. This land is owned by the country’s leading college for land-based industries, Sparsholt, and its many acres have much to offer - not only to Sparsholt College’s many students, but also to The Wessex Conference Centre’s diverse clientele. The Countryside Day is one we all look forward to, and, it seems the whole of Hampshire has in their diaries. It’s a real event, and has just got better and better as the years go on.

Once a year Sparsholt College throws open its doors (and gates) and invited the public to peruse the grounds and enjoy a very good day out. This year, the weather forecast was not good and rain seemed likely, but the weather just north of Winchester managed to stay dry, thanks to a cool northerly wind, and the visitors came by the thousand. With the huge car park nearing capacity as last year, the organisers of the Sparsholt Countryside Day estimated that 12,000 people enjoyed a unique experience, with an atmosphere quite unlike other many country shows.

With partners from Hampshire County Council exhibiting Hampshire’s Heritage, and over a hundred other external exhibitors, the range of countryside activities being shown included clay shooting, woodland skills, sheep shearing, milking and pole climbing. Many visitors declared their intention of returning for next year’s event simply because they had not had time to see everything that was going on. The Environment Agency was a welcome addition to the exhibitor list this year, with a major contribution around the fishing lake, introducing young people to the practices and good management of angling.

The Wessex Conference Centre staff ensured that everyone felt welcomed by providing a host of various hot foods, a licensed bar and numerous other refreshments. This is certainly an event that will continue year on year, and will undoubtedly grow year on year also.

If you are interested in the 2006 Countryside Day, keep an eye out on www.sparsholt.ac.uk for upcoming news and events details, and also www.thewessexcentre.co.uk for full details of what we have to offer all year round.