The University of Leeds Conferences and Events team is thrilled to announce that it will host the prestigious UK Corporate Games 2024, the largest multi-sport festival for businesses. Scheduled for 25 – 28 July 2024, this event will draw participants and companies from across the UK and Europe to Leeds, known for its vibrant culture and sports fervour.

Rob Wadsworth , Director of Campus Innovation: Campus Services, Experience & Commercial, at the University of Leeds said:
“We’re delighted to be chosen as the hub for this fantastic city-wide festival that will bring people together from across the UK and Europe. Under the expert eye of our Conferences and Events team and supported by a range of services from across the University, I am confident we’ll help create one of the most memorable UK Corporate Games yet!”

“At the University of Leeds we have unrivalled sports facilities such as The Brownlee Centre, the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training centre and the Edge, a state-of-the-art gym. This means that we are well versed at hosting prestigious sporting events including the Rugby League World Cup and the UK Transplant Games. We look forward to working with partners across the city to add another respected event to this list with the UK Corporate Games! ”

What are the UK Corporate Games?
The UK Corporate Games promote camaraderie, fitness, and teamwork among professionals while fostering a sense of community and healthy competition in the corporate world. The Games are due to feature more than 20 sports, including karting, netball, dragon boat racing, and football. In addition to the sporting events, the Games promise a wide range of entertainment, including the Welcome Festival, Grand Parade of Athletes, and the legendary Great Games Party.

Why Leeds?
The University of Leeds continues to invest heavily in its sporting facilities, including a newly refurbished gym at the Edge, the University’s flagship indoor sports centre, the new Bodington Football Hub, and other facilities such as the Brownlee Centre and Sports Park Weetwood. These venues, along with others across the city, will host the sports over the weekend.

Leeds serves as the perfect backdrop for the UK Corporate Games 2024. As Doug White, the Games Director, aptly stated, “Leeds is a fantastic city, and we know all our Games competitors and competing organisations will share our excitement. Leeds is one of the UK’s foremost cities for growing enterprises, and we want to provide all businesses the opportunity to get involved in this memorable event.”

Want to get involved?
The Games promise an exciting chance for staff to unite, fostering team camaraderie through a day of spirited competition while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Stay tuned for more details on how your team can participate in this thrilling event!

The entry fee for the 2024 Games will remain at £89pp, however, an early entry discount is available at £80pp for any entries purchased before the end of October.

For further details about the event and its entry process, e-mail leeds@corporategamesuk.com or visit www.corporategamesuk.com.

Last week, I celebrate my one-year work anniversary at the University of Leeds and life in this vibrant city. It’s been an incredible journey since I relocated from London for the Head of Conferences and Events role. This past year has been a whirlwind of new experiences, team growth, industry events, and collaborations with valuable clients and partners. 

LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS 

Leeds has always held a special place in my heart. I studied Events Management at the UK Centre For Events Management (UKCEM) at Leeds Beckett University and spent four happy years as a student in this city. It was also part of the plan to return to Leeds one day, it just needed to be for the right opportunity.  

When I saw the Head of Conferences and Events position advertised at the University of Leeds, I knew it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I was over the moon when I was offered the role. Returning to Leeds, I knew that a warm ‘Yorkshire Welcome’ would be waiting for me, and I have not been disappointed. The University and everyone I’ve met in the region has embraced me with open arms. 

Let’s start from the beginning 

From the very beginning, I was drawn to the vast professional opportunities of my role and the prospect of life back in Leeds. I was ready for a new challenge after spending nearly 15 years working in some of London’s leading venues, including the Science Museum, HM Tower of London and the Royal College of Music. The University’s internationally renowned reputation for excellence in delivering academic and association conferences, along with its impressive quality and quantity of rooms (over 300!) on campus, was a real draw. In addition to this, the opportunity to launch Cloth Hall Court, was a once in a career opportunity that I didn’t want to miss! 

My first year 

The past year has been filled with exciting projects and accomplishments. My first priority was growing my team to support the new strategy, and I’m grateful that we’re now at full strength with a team of 18 passionate and talented individuals across sales, operations, marketing, and a dedicated team based at Cloth Hall Court. 

(Some of the team: Back row: Jacob, Kerry, Me, Karina, Corin. Front row: Sue, Rosie, Chelsea, Helen) 

Following a review of our assets and market trends, the next priority project was rebranding from MEETinLEEDS to University of Leeds Conferences and Events, aligning our identity more closely with the wider University. This involved developing a brand-new website to showcase our extensive portfolio. After months of hard work in collaboration with our comms team, we proudly unveiled it in April at the Cloth Hall Court launch event, attended by over 300 event professionals. We’ve been overwhelmed with the feedback on the new website and branding, both internally and from the wider industry. 

Better together 

Collaboration has been a top priority, not only representing the University but also positioning Leeds as a world-class destination for meetings and events. In March, I had the honour to partner with Charlotte Podlewska from Conference Leeds and Helen Whittle from Communication Matters to present a panel titled ‘Meet the Future of… Communication and Accessibility’ at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) UK and Ireland conference. 

I also had the privilege of being a panellist at the Meetings Industry Association (mia) Connect Day, where we discussed the crucial topic of making venues DEI-ready. It was an interactive and well-received session, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in organisations. 

Looking Back 

Looking back on my first year, there have been so many highlights, but one of two come to mind as l standout, including the successful delivery of the annual Communication Matters International AAC Conference, the UK’s leading augmentative and alternative communication conference. This gathering brought together AAC users, families, professionals, researchers, and suppliers for a diverse 3-day program. It is an inspiring event that really showcased the team’s dedication to being an inclusive venue for everyone. In April, we hosted the Digital Universities UK conference for Times Higher Education. As this event typically takes place in London or another European capital city, it was an honour to bring it to Leeds and showcase our commitment to being a Communication Accessible venue and our digital innovation in higher education. The event highlighted our new digital spaces showcasing how events and learning will look moving forward.  

In January, I was appointed as a board member for Academic Venue Solutions, where I support efforts to increase member engagement and support new venues joining the collective. Drawing from my previous experience on the Unique Venues of London board, I understand the value of such collaborations in raising the profile of consortiums and individual members. 

If I were to identify my proudest achievement, it would undoubtedly be my team and what we have accomplished together in the past year. We’ve delivered hundreds of events and achieved record financial growth, a trend that is set to continue as demand for our venues and services increases. This income is invaluable for reinvestment in the University, which stands as one of the UK’s largest higher education institutions and a member of the Russell Group. 

Looking Ahead 

Looking ahead to the coming year, our focus within the University’s Facilities Directorate will be on strategic ambitions for continual improvement in the services we provide to staff, visitors, and customers. We plan to streamline processes and policies, stay ahead of market trends with our in-house catering service, and enhance accessibility and sustainability measures. We are proud to have achieved Green Tourism Gold status for several of our venues and now aim for the new Green Meetings accreditation for our latest additions to our portfolio. 

What a year it has been! I couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring, varied and exciting first year in a new job, which in large part in thanks to the people I get to work with, customers, colleagues and my team! Now let’s see what the next year has to bring!  

If you’d like to learn more about our hosting events at the University, get in touch: 

Telephone: 0113 343 6100 

Email: conferences@leeds.ac.uk 

Event Overview:

Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), AFN Network+ connects key thinkers, leaders and stakeholders, to drive the food and farming system towards a net zero UK by 2050.

The inaugural “Big Tent Event” was a two-day conference and official launch of Network+, featuring a varied programme of plenaries, panels and workshops.

Brief and objective:

The objective was to explore the transformation of the agri-food system, whilst showcasing our work to date and inviting our Community of Practice to network and foster new collaborations.

We were looking for a modern venue in Leeds city centre, that offered a fresh and vibrant feel, in synergy with our purpose. The conference agenda included a mix of plenary and breakout sessions and to accommodate this, we were able to utilise the whole of Cloth Hall Court.

Why did you choose Cloth Hall Court?

From the photos and information we’d received, we knew that we would have exclusive use of the venue and that it could provide everything we needed. Plus, it looked like a great environment to inspire the types of discussions and topics we’d be covering.

From our initial enquiry, Helen Raby in the University of Leeds Conferences and Events team was very communicative and supportive when discussing our brief and requirements.

How did you choose which spaces you wanted to use, or did you utilise the whole venue?

 We needed a main room that could accommodate 100 delegates theatre-style, three smaller breakouts, a catering area for lunch/dinner and a couple of smaller rooms for recording sessions and meetings.

Helen helped us with choosing the most suitable spaces for our needs. The main plenaries were held in The Tweed Suite, with a range of simultaneous classroom-style breakouts in the smaller rooms. We used Merchants Hall for networking refreshment and lunch breaks.

The Tweed Suite

What were your catering requirements & did Great Food at Leeds create anything bespoke for your event?

We wanted our menu to be as sustainable as possible. To help achieve this, the catering team provided sourcing information for all food items and they created a bespoke menu especially for our event. They ensured that the food was mostly vegan/plant based, with less of a focus on meat, and sourced some organic chicken for us via a local supplier.

What were your AV requirements?

These were fairly standard – mainly microphones and screens for PowerPoint presentations. Each room in the venue was well equipped, to a high standard, with everything we needed and more.

What was the guests’ feedback?

Many of our guests commented on how light, airy and clean the venue was. They were also very impressed with all of the staff at Cloth Hall Court, especially how friendly and helpful they were.

Testimonial:

This was the first event I’ve ever hosted and the staff at Cloth Hall Court were amazing – so kind and friendly, so helpful, and I feel that they made the event run so smoothly. There were no issues with timings or equipment, it felt very professional and easy! I received a lot of comments about how well the event was managed and I think this was mostly due to how organised and professional the team at Cloth Hall Court were. If we ever do an event in Leeds again, I’d definitely consider returning to Cloth Hall Court.

Jessica Nuttall – Project Coordinator, UKRI AFN Network+ | University of the West of England | Department of Applied Sciences

On Monday 24^th April, we proudly launched the latest addition to our portfolio of venues – Cloth Hall Court, located in the vibrant heart of the city, next to Leeds Railway Station. Following this hugely exciting week for University of Leeds Conferences and Events, our Cloth Hall Court Manager – Kelly Allen, shares some insights into her working life running a multi-purpose venue!

What did the launch week entail? 

With the CHS Leeds show also taking place in the same week, we were thrilled to open our doors for Cloth Hall Court’s first event, the CHS Leeds Welcome Reception. This was closely followed by the AFN Network+ Big Tent Event 2023 attended by 100 delegates.

These two very different events really showcase Cloth Hall Court’s versatility. For the Welcome Reception, over 300 event professionals were in attendance, representing the whole UK-wide industry, for an evening of networking. Guests enjoyed interactive mixology from Leeds-based Mix & Twist, canapés, bowls and grazing stations provided by our in-house caterers, an ice cream station from Leeds’ Northern Bloc and performances from Soniq Empires Partyband.

The two-day AFN Network+ conference has a variety of plenaries, panels and workshops exploring the transformation of the agri-food system for a net zero future. We utilised the whole venue holding the theatre-style main plenaries in the Tweed Suite with a range of simultaneous breakout sessions in our smaller rooms. Merchants Hall was the perfect environment for networking refreshment and lunch breaks.

What were the timelines and challenges in planning these?

The enquiries came in several months ago, but due to refurbishment, followed by use of the venue for Leeds Crown Court trials until a month ago, we had limited access for site visits and client meetings.

We were able to share photographs of the different rooms and talk through the flow of the events and set-up requirements. The venue is hugely flexible, so once I understood the main objectives for each event and the vision for the look and feel, I could propose the best options.

Our clients had faith in our reputation for delivering world-class conferences and events and the communication between us enabled fast and effective planning once we could conduct site visits.

What other types of events can Cloth Hall Court accommodate?

We are now receiving enquiries for a very diverse array of formats. Everything from intimate board meetings for government departments or corporate conferences for up to 300 delegates with interactive breakout sessions – to private parties and even a professional 24-hour Hackathon!

What has been the client and attendee feedback about the new venue?

Cloth Hall Court delivers on multiple objectives for planners. Its prime location reduces travel once delegates arrive in the city, which is a huge plus for sustainability. Also, many responsible businesses now look for their venue hire spend to fulfil an ethical benefit. Our revenue is directly re-invested in the University of Leeds as one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions, so it definitely ticks that box.

It’s also been great to see the reaction to the venue’s theming. The Grade II listed building has an important history for Leeds – it was formerly used for the trade of ‘Yorkshire Broadcloths’. This laid foundations for the city to gain its status as a global centre for textiles commerce.

We really wanted to preserve this rich history, while offering planners all the technical facilities you’d expect to find in a modern, multi-purpose events venue. The room names are all textiles related and the décor also nods to this, so it’s a fascinating talking point when delegates discover more about the venue’s origins.

What does your day-to-day role involve?

It’s a really varied role as I look after the entire operation of the building. This includes line management of the team, health and safety, estates and maintenance, on-site client logistics meetings, supplier liaison and the running of events.

My role requires meticulous organisation, in-depth planning, a practical approach with the ability to think on your feet, and confidence in communicating effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

What’s your top tip for planners to maximise the potential of Cloth Hall Court for their events?

I would say being open to a creative response to their brief. We often find that organisers come with a very a specific concept in mind, which they don’t like to deviate from. I always explore exactly what it is that they’re aiming to achieve with their event – in terms of budget parameters, format, any specific requirements, and the overall delegate experience.

Our knowledge of the intricacies of the venue makes us best placed to suggest the most suitable solution – even if it’s not what they originally had in mind! Ultimately, we are always striving to surpass their expectations and we love exploring new ways of using our versatile venue. We can then pass on this invaluable tried and tested expertise, for the benefit of our clients.

To find out more, arrange a site visit or discuss your specific requirements, contact Kelly and her expert team:

Telephone: 0113 343 6100

Email: conferences@leeds.ac.uk

On Monday, University of Leeds Conferences and Events (formerly MEETinLEEDS) officially launched its new city centre venue – Cloth Hall Court. Located on Quebec Street, opposite Leeds Railway Station, the Grade II listed building is a multi-purpose corporate and private events venue for up to 300 delegates.

The launch and re-brand coincide with the University exhibiting at CHS Leeds this week, where a brand-new website has been unveiled to event professionals attending the show. To mark the importance of this event for business tourism in the region, the first event held in the recently refurbished Cloth Hall Court was the CHS Leeds Welcome Reception.

Take a look at some highlights from the Conference Hospitality Show Leeds Welcome Reception

Julie Philips – Chief Operating Officer at CHS Events, says: “We are delighted to be holding this year’s CHS Leeds Welcome Reception at Cloth Hall Court. It is important that our show represents the city and really showcases what Leeds has to offer our visitors who are joining from across the events industry. Cloth Hall Court is an exceptional new venue having received huge investment from the University of Leeds and we can’t think of a better way to showcase it than at our Welcome Reception.”

Cloth Hall Court offers nine versatile event spaces of varying size, situated over four floors. Its rich historical significance for the city’s textiles trade has been preserved and fused with state-of-the-art technical facilities, to accommodate a broad range of in-person and hybrid event formats.

Sam Glenister-Batey – Head of Conferences and Events at the University of Leeds says: “We’re thrilled to launch another exciting addition to our extensive venue portfolio. Increasingly, planners are looking to source venues that deliver on sustainability and ethical responsibility. Cloth Hall Court – with its prime location, and venue hire revenue directly supporting one of the UK’s leading institutions for higher education, delivers on these objectives. We’re proud to be further contributing to Leeds’ world-class offering for conferences and events.”

Claire Heap – Visitor Economy Manager at Conference Leeds adds: “It’s hugely exciting to see the return of Cloth Hall Court to the city’s conference venue portfolio, especially at a time when the city’s meeting and events sector is enjoying significant success.  Located in the heart of the city centre, Cloth Hall’s dedicated multi-purpose event spaces will offer event organisers many options for their conferences and events, whilst at the same time offering delegates a chance to enjoy the vibrancy of the city.”