Since September, 52 corporate events and 130 site visits have taken place in the Great Outdoors, where Center Parcsโ dedicated conference space launched following a ยฃ2.5m refurbishment.
After opening its doors to The Venue at Woburn Forest on 13 September 2022, Center Parcsโ newly refurbished conferences and events facility has welcomed 52 events and over 2,500 delegates. Figures match that of the same period in 2019 (2,550) โ a sure sign that despite a phased relaunch, demand for events at Center Parcs is stronger than ever.
The much-anticipated relaunch saw 12 clients (23% of bookings) return to the forest, and 40 new client bookings in the first two months, all of which were seeking a destination that could offer a unique balance of business and nature. 75% of bookings have made use of the onsite leisure facilities, and more than two thirds (67%) have stayed overnight.
Cat Bird, National Sales Manager at Center Parcs, said: โSince we announced the Center Parcs relaunch of The Venue weโve hosted 130 individual site visits, as agents and businesses have been eager to see the newly refurbished space. The feedback weโve been getting is hugely encouraging. The biggest draw to Woburn Forest is that itโs all under one roof – the team building facilities, F&B, accommodation and event spaces are all arranged by us โ a single provider, taking away the stress and logistical planning that organisers would otherwise have to deal with.โ
The Center Parcs relaunch was celebrated in November
To celebrate the launch, Woburn Forest hosted over 50 clients and agency partners on 10 November for a full day of activities and tours, followed by a drinks reception and three-course gala dinner in the new space.
Commenting on The Venue during the event, Carla Garman, Director at Abstract Events and Board Director at BEAM, said: โIt feels so much bigger than it did before so it was quite a surprise to find out that it hasnโt actually increased in size, itโs just a much more agile space. The outside area and terrace is also a great addition โ a brilliant extension to the conference space. I had also forgotten just how accessible it was, itโs so close to the M1, my journey was extremely easy.โ
With bookings through until winter 2023, the coming months are set to be busy for the events team. Industries confirmed for upcoming conferences and events, which also combine team building activities and residential stays, include Banking & Finance, Health Care Services, Retail and Media.
Julia Green, Sales & Commercial Manager at Center Parcs, said: โThe team has worked extremely hard since spring, in preparation for the reawakening of Center Parcsโ conferences and events facilities. I am so proud of whatโs been accomplished, and it all paid off when we opened the doors in September and welcomed our first client into the forest.
โNow open, and enquiries quickly coming in, my mission is to focus on our sustainable accreditations which is paramount, and we look forward to sharing news with our clients and agents in the coming months.โ
Need to know about Center Parch relaunch:
Woburn Forest is well connected to central London and the southeast of England; with direct trains running from London St Pancras (International) to Flitwick train station, just three miles away; delegates can be in the heart of the forest within an hour.
The Venue at Woburn Forest, at 811 sq m, sits within 365 acres of woodland and can accommodate up to 600 delegates. With floor to ceiling glass windows and doors along the full length of the conference space and access out onto the woodland terrace, The Venue is flooded with natural daylight, perfectly transitioning between the indoors and the forest beyond.
Benefitting from sliding walls, The Venue can be a spacious pillar-free room for large events or divided into eight individual rooms, and two additional spaces, accommodating between 18 to 100 delegates, or a combination of larger conference spaces with break out rooms for refreshment breaks and lunch.
About Center Parcsโ conference and events offering:
Center Parcs Conference and Events offers a unique, nature-rich escape to suit the needs of all types of corporate events, including conferences, team building and away days, product launches and galas.
Its two high-quality dedicated conference centres are located at two of its sought-after short break destinations in the UK: Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire and Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
Each set within hundreds of acres of woodland, Center Parcs is the ideal place for colleagues to reconnect and recharge.
For more information visit: https://events.centerparcs.co.uk/
