The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel team joined colleagues from across NHS Golden Jubilee on Wednesday to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the NHS.

The multi-award winning 4-Star Hotel in Clydebank is a leading conference Centre in Scotland, Aim Secure accredited and the only Scottish member of the UK’s Venues of Excellence and the International Association of Conference Centres.

The Hotel has played a vital role as part of the NHS, providing patients and their loved ones from across Scotland with accommodation when they need it most, with more than 194,000 complimentary stays since 2007.

With 15 flexible meeting spaces available, intelligent technology and dedicated events team, the Conference Hotel has become the number 1 conference venue for NHS Scotland, and as of 2007 has played host to more than 129,000 NHS delegates.

Denis Flanagan, Commercial and Logistic Director at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel said: “As an NHS Conference Hotel, we stand proud of our small but mighty contribution to the wider NHS on the occasion of the 75^th Anniversary.

“We offer support and hospitality to patients and their families’ post and pre operation, while creating a haven and comfort during anxious times.

“Out meeting spaces are designed so that our NHS colleagues have state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that knowledge converges, ideas ignite and collaboration flourishes.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff from across the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel volunteered to be redeployed to work alongside their NHS colleagues, with many choosing to work in front line roles at NHS Golden Jubilee.

Denis said: “Our staff within the Hotel truly embrace the NHS values, this was especially shown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The team provided flexibility, warmth, welcome and a can do attitude to those they supported within NHS Louise Jordan, NHS Golden Jubilee and the medical education team within Healthcare Skills and Simulation Collaborative (HSSC).

“I would like to say thank you to our remarkable team for their commitment to the NHS and all our guests, visitors and delegates.”

In recent years the Hotel has invested in their technology and facilities to offer bespoke packages and opportunities for the NHS and healthcare organisations.

This investment included the addition of audio and visual links to operating theatres and cardiac catheterisation laboratories located within the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital.

With the mix of hotel and conference venue, and with exclusive access to the NHS Golden Jubilee Research Institute and clinical skills centre, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel has become a top location for hosting residential, virtual and hybrid training to health and social care staff, as well as companies, academia and third sector organisations linked to health .

Most recently, the NHS Scotland Academy, a collaboration between NHS Education for Scotland and NHS Golden Jubilee, has been working with the Conference Hotel to deliver training to learners from across Scotland in the variety of meeting and events spaces available.

The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel continues to play a unique role as part of the NHS by providing the accommodation, facilities and resources needed to patients and colleagues across Scotland.

To book your conference or event at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, visit https://www.goldenjubileehotel.com/conferences/ or call 0141 951 6006

With the current landscape of meetings ever changing as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable that conference organisers may be feeling lost when it comes to planning their next event.

Changing restrictions across the country and uncertainty over the next few months undoubtedly make it difficult to start the planning process. Additionally, the developments that have been made with hybrid and virtual events mean that organisers are left with more choice than ever about how their conference could be held – whether this is face-to-face, virtually, or a mix of both.

We’ve highlighted 3 key benefits of each to help you decide which format could work best for you.

Face to Face Events

With many in person events being rescheduled and postponed over the past year, there is a real desire for face to face events to re-start and to allow delegates to get together in the same room.

1. Enhanced Atmosphere

There is no denying that the buzz of an in-person event certainly offers a good atmosphere for all attendees. With less distractions, delegates can focus on the meeting content and are more likely to engage in sessions through face to face interaction. There are also more opportunities for social activities such as team building exercises or conference dinners.

 2. Networking Opportunities

Although many web conference platforms have capacity for virtual networking and exhibition opportunities, it may be all too easy for delegates to avoid this in a virtual setting.

Attending meetings and conferences are a great way for like-minded people to come together, with networking often just as valuable as the meeting content itself.

 3. Creating a Memory

Face to face events have the opportunity to create a lasting impact on attendees. The rounded experience of attending a conference with memorable keynotes, engaging breakouts and interacting with peers creates a memory and is more likely to be remembered than a series of on-line sessions.

With 15 versatile meeting spaces to choose from, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel has plenty of choice for your next face to face event. Find out more about our conference facilities here.

Hybrid Events

Hybrid events allow for a mix of in-person delegates to attend, whilst also reaching a virtual audience.

1. Best of Both Worlds

Hybrid meetings offer the best of both worlds, giving delegates the choice to participate in a way that works best for them. Organisers can still offer a face to face option for those who would like to attend in person, but aren’t excluding anyone who is unable to travel or would prefer to join remotely.

 2. Reduced Resources

Reducing the number of in-person delegates will naturally reduce the amount of resources that a conference needs. With part of the audience joining online, hybrid events may not need the same size or number of meeting rooms as a face-to-face conference. Additionally, with less delegates attending at the venue, organisers will save on the costs of catering and producing conference consumables, such as delegate badges and pens etc.

3. Half way point in return to normality

In a time of uncertainty, hybrid events may be seen as the half way point in returning to normal life. Meeting room capacities may be reduced to allow for social distancing and localised travel restrictions may mean that delegates are unable, or perhaps unwilling to attend in person. A hybrid event will allow for a meeting to take place in some form and may be a good way for organisers to test the water before planning a fully face-to-face event.

To find out more about how we can help with your next hybrid event, view our Hybrid Meetings and Online Events brochure

Virtual Events

With no in-person attendees, an online meeting is streamed to all participants wherever they may be.

1. Wider Reach

Organisers have the opportunity to reach a wider audience with a fully virtual event. Delegates may be more likely to attend online rather than travel a long distance. A virtual programme also offers the opportunity for participants to dip in and out of sessions, rather than committing to attending a full conference over one or two days.

2. On Demand Sessions

We consume most of our media on demand nowadays and conference and meeting content is no different. Virtual events can be recorded and watched back at leisure, meaning that attendees are no longer excluded if they are unable to attend on the day.

At the Golden Jubilee, speakers also have the opportunity to pre-record sessions in our studio space beforehand, ensuring a polished and professional presentation.

 3. More sustainable

With less delegates travelling to attend in person, virtual events allow organisers to cut down on their carbon footprint. Less food provided will reduce food waste, and there is no need for single use items such as delegate badges and conference programmes – all working towards creating a greener, more sustainable planet.

At the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, we have the facilities to help with your next event, whatever format you choose. Get in touch with our Sales Team for more information on 0141 951 6003 or at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk

Event organisers have been turning to virtual meetings throughout the Coronavirus pandemic to stay connected with their delegates. With many people working from home and restrictions still in place for large conferences and events, we are adapting to new routines and ways of working. This should be considered when planning for a virtual event to ensure that delegates have the best possible experience when joining remotely.

 

Here are a few things to bear in mind when planning the content for a virtual meeting:

1. Shorter sessions

With face to face meetings, delegates are able to immerse themselves in the event. They have taken the time to travel to a venue, are surrounded by like-minded people and can take part with no distractions. Attention span is less with a virtual session – there are more distractions when joining from home or the office. Delegates are less likely to remain engaged with a programme of long keynote presentations in the same way. Keep sessions short – 30-45 minutes – to hold attention. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to look at the overall length of the event. Splitting the programme up to include 3-4 hours of content per day over a few days may prove to be more effective than one full day of sessions. Regular breaks are important too and will allow delegates to grab a coffee or check their email, helping them to be more focussed during sessions themselves.

 

2. Vary the content

Plan a range of different formats across sessions to help keep delegates interested. ‘Death by PowerPoint’ never goes down well during in person events and virtual meetings are no different. Organisers have the added bonus of being able to include pre-recorded material within a virtual event. Think about TV style content such as interview or talking head footage. Using breaks between sessions as advert breaks is also a good way to promote future events, share news or as a platform for sponsors to get involved. Don’t be afraid to get creative, think about how messages can be conveyed in a way delegates will remember.

 

3. Delegate engagement

It is important that delegates are still able to engage with a conference when joining in virtually. Make sure that each session has an opportunity for delegates to get involved. This can be done through polls or Q&As within plenary sessions, holding smaller discussion based workshops or simply using message boards to allow delegates to chat and engage with each other. Think about the various different ways delegates would participate in a face to face event and try to include as much of this as possible in a virtual programme. Whether these are ways that they can engage with the subject matter of the event or fun activities for energising or teambuilding such as an ice breaker activity to start the day or post-lunch yoga session. Attendees will benefit more from the event if they are able to feel part of it.

 

4. Easy navigation

Once the conference programme has been set – send this to delegates ahead of time, outlining clear learning objectives for each session. Delegates may be more likely to dip in and out of content when participating remotely, so make it easy for them to decide which sessions they want to attend. Just as signage is important within a venue, making it clear where each session is being held, navigation should be as easy as possible for virtual delegates. Include all of the relevant links and any joining passwords in advance to create a user friendly experience for remote attendees. Web links can also be included in holding slides within presentations or as ‘coming up next’ links between sessions.

 

By taking these things into consideration, delegates are more likely to stay focussed and feel involved throughout. If delegates are able to get the most that they can from attending an event remotely, then this will contribute to its overall success. For more tips on how a virtual element can be incorporated into your next event, read more of our blogs, here.

After such a long time confined to our own homes and our face to face social interaction limited to members of our own household, the postman and the supermarket cashier, we are craving social activities now more than ever.

The world of meetings and events is moving towards an increasing online presence. Whilst it is easy enough for speakers to present sessions through a virtual conference platform and even for Q&A sessions and panel discussions to be ran virtually, organisers may wonder if their event will be able to have the same social impact as a fully face to face event.

The social aspect of a conference is huge. It’s a chance for delegates to come together over a shared topic. The relationships that are built through collaboration and networking at these events are invaluable and many conference organisers incorporate a social programme complimenting the main learning.

 

Here are five things that can be done within a virtual programme to allow conference attendees to interact with one another:

1.  Hybrid meetings

A hybrid event allows for a small number to meet in person, with the remaining delegation joining remotely. This would allow for a portion of delegates to socialise face to face and could network and even dine in the same way as pre-Covid 19. Think about joining small regional events together to allow delegates to meet locally, with a video link between each event.

 

2.  Message boards

Why confine interaction to only during the conference? Creating message boards which go live a day or two before the event is a great way to get delegates talking beforehand and allows the conversation to continue throughout and even after the event. Creating a few separate boards for different topics or areas of the event may help discussions to flow. Delegates could also be encouraged to share their LinkedIn Profiles or a virtual business card to network with others.

 

3.  Chat rooms

Most venues having lounges or social areas for delegates to come together informally throughout the course of an in-person event, why not create chat lounges for virtual delegates to do the same thing? These could also include slots for speakers to appear  at specific times to answer any questions. This could be done through a video call so delegates can see and hear each other in real time, or take the form of a text chat.

 

4.  Utilise break times

Delegates will still need to eat, even during an online event and organisers can use breaks in the programme to allow for delegates to come together. Coffee Catch Ups could be spaced in between sessions and delegates encouraged to join via video chat. Delegates could also be brought together over a ‘Virtual Lunch Table’ – group delegates together as you would when organising a table plan and ask them to dial in together at a certain time. You may want to think about inviting a speaker or board member to each table, and ensure a good mix of delegates in each group.

 

5.  Keep it fun

Virtual events can still be fun! Think of the various elements that may be included in a conference dinner to help delegates to unwind and have fun together and incorporate these into an informal session at the end of the day. This could centre around a fun theme that delegates can get involved with at home.  Plan a game or activity such as a virtual quiz or treasure hunt or share some expertise through a cookery, craft or dance demo. The possibilities are endless, from virtual versions of classic board games and online escape rooms to the more creative Murder Mystery Nights or Bake Off Challenges which really gets your delegates involved.

 

With both event organisers and delegate embracing new ways of communicating, these suggestions can help to ensure your next event brings delegates together until it is safe to meet face to face again.

The team at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel are currently researching upcoming trends within the events industry and looking at how live events could run in the near future.

With long distance travel and mass gatherings likely to be off the cards for some time, there is a large question mark surrounding large scale national and international conferences at the moment. Instead of hosting one large event in a central location, industry experts have suggested that programmes of smaller regional events, held simultaneously and using a hybrid element to link up may be the solution event organisers are looking for.

The conference industry is driven by bringing people together and recent research from across the industry has shown that organisers and delegates do have a desire to continue to meet in person when it is safe to do so. The regional events model would allow small groups to get together, whilst maintaining social distancing in a safe space and have the face to face contact that we are all craving after months of lockdown.

By hosting a programme of regional events, delegates can take part in the full conference experience and the social aspects this involves – networking and face to face collaboration with colleagues and being able to focus on the meeting content without the distractions that come with being in the office or working from home. Organisers can also ensure that their event is held in a professional setting and can utilise the expertise of a venue’s events, AV and catering team to help to ensure that their meeting runs smoothly.

Many large associations and organisations have a regional element anyway and so can discuss any issues at a regional level, privately and as part of the main event programme. With all delegates likely to be based locally, the need for travel and additional overnight stays would also be reduced. This would help to cut down the cost of attendance and may well attract more delegates per region than one event in a single location. Speaker travel would also be reduced as they would be able to choose which location is most convenient for them to attend.

With the new shift towards hybrid meetings, each regional location would be able to link up via video conferencing or streaming platform to join together plenary sessions and keynote addresses. Whilst breakout sessions and workshops could be held as face to face sessions in each regional meeting space. This may well simplify the virtual element of the conference, with five to six video streams easier to manage than each individual delegate and speaker joining remotely from home.

In these new and uncertain times, event organisers are being challenged to think outside the box and run meetings in a different way. As a member of Venues of Excellence, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel are linked to many other fantastic venues across the UK. To discuss how the Golden Jubilee may be able to help with your next conference, get in touch with our Sales team on 0141 951 6003 or at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk

Did you know that Glasgow takes its name from the Gaelic meaning ‘Dear Green Place’? At the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, we are lucky enough to be located right on the banks of the River Clyde and are surrounded by plenty of green space. From our conference gardens which make great small meeting or breakout spaces, outdoor patio area – perfect for al fresco dining – or the various walking routes exploring the local scenery, we have lots of opportunities to include a taste of the great outdoors as part of your conference or event.

There are lots of benefits to spending time outside that can improve the productivity of a meeting and create a memorable experience for attendees. At this current time of social distancing, an outdoor element to your event will allow delegates to spread out safely and meet in a healthy environment.

By simply offering a change of scenery, delegates are likely to feel reinvigorated and more focussed. Taking in the fresh air will allow participants to clear their heads, gather their thoughts and even be more creative surrounded by nature.

The health benefits to delegates are huge. Fresh air helps our immune systems to become stronger, which is more important now than ever, and also generates feel good endorphins. Stepping outside instantly makes us feel happier and more energised. Why not build on this by including a walk and talk element to your event? This is a fantastic way to encourage discussion and networking in pairs or small groups whilst fitting in the all-important daily step count. There are several different walking routes from the hotel, including a stroll along the Clyde Canal Path.  For larger groups, team building activities can be arranged within our grounds, speak to our team for more details.

Mindfulness is a hot topic at the moment, and what better way to facilitate this than by allowing your delegates to relax and collect their thoughts close to nature? Our Centre for Health and Wellbeing Team are available to run Wellness Sessions or Yoga Classes in the tranquillity of our riverside surroundings. By being outside and taking the time to connect with their surroundings, delegates are more likely to take a fresh perspective and come up with new ideas.

Being outdoors allows us to get back to basics and leave technology inside the meeting room. Encourage delegates to leave their devices indoors and remove any distraction from mobile phones to allow them to be more engaged in an outdoors meeting. Senses are heightened outside, meaning attendees are more likely to remain focused in an outdoor space, especially if they are able to move around. This all helps to counter the afternoon slump that we have all experienced after hours of sitting inside.

While we recognise that some meetings will have a need for some sort of technology and may require use of an indoors meeting room. Delegates can still take advantage of our external space during break times. Speak to us about using our conference gardens or patio as a networking area or as a space to serve coffee or lunch. By including a short break outside and a change of scene, delegates will return to the next session refreshed and ready to go.

Whether you’re planning a day of team building activities, a walking meeting to get creative thoughts flowing or simply want to get outside and enjoy a cup of coffee in the sunshine, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel has plenty of options to breathe some fresh air into your next event. Contact us on 0141 951 6003 or at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk for more details.

In a world where staying in has quickly become the new going out, people are embracing new ways of communicating online. What does this mean for the future of meetings and events, an industry centred around bringing people together?

With social distancing likely to continue after lockdown, hybrid meetings may become an effective compromise.  Events take place with a smaller live attendance whilst other participants join online.

Would delegates prefer the freedom of remote events or would they feel short-changed with the lack of interaction with others? Here, we weigh up the benefits of both the hybrid and the face-to-face meeting.

Hybrid meetings offer a more inclusive way for delegates to take part. Delegates can choose whether to attend in person at a venue or to join remotely. If travel is a problem then delegates can join the meeting virtually, cutting out travel time and costs. This increased productivity may encourage more delegates to attend whilst also reducing our carbon footprint with less numbers travelling.

Diary clashes no longer matter. The video element is easily recorded and can be made available online after the live event. This on-demand feature allows delegates to access the meeting content at a time convenient for them and they no longer miss out if they are unable to attend the original meeting.

The ease of joining hybrid meetings can widen the number of participants involved and may also attract a new audience. Delegates could be more tempted to join online first to see what’s going on – with less commitment in a virtual setting and no fear of entering an event on your own. This might encourage them to attend in person in the future.

Even remotely, delegates can still get in involved in some of the interaction offered at a live event. Two-way video chat allows participation in Q&A sessions. Various platforms such as Zoom or Slido can encourage virtual delegates to get involved through polls and online messaging can create a dialogue for those taking part remotely.

Meeting organisers are also offered a choice on how many can take part in person and online. With delegates able to join remotely, organisers can consider hiring a smaller meeting space. Meeting consumables are also reduced, with less delegate badges, printed literature and catering needed. This will no doubt cut down costs and staffing required, perhaps making it easier and more profitable for organisations to host events more regularly.

After lockdown, delegates may welcome the chance to interact with each other again and join meetings in person. The face to face meeting brings people together – communication is easier and the social aspect of conferences is a great opportunity to build relationships.

A warmer atmosphere can be conveyed face to face – from the welcome at the registration desk to the speaker being able to read body language in the room. The traditional meeting helps two-way communication flow, meaning that messages are less likely to be lost than with an online meeting.

Delegates can also engage more freely with others and network, through group discussion offered within the meeting programme or by chatting during coffee breaks. These opportunities supplement the meeting content and often the takeaways here can be just as valuable as the sessions themselves.

There are far less distractions in a conference room. Whilst there is more flexibility when joining a virtual meeting, how likely is it that a colleague may interrupt to discuss something in the office, or incoming emails become a distraction? Not to mention the countless distractions at home. In a venue, delegates can fully focus on the meeting content, switch off their phones and are less likely to wander off to make a coffee mid-presentation.

Technical issues are reduced in a face to face setting. Delegates attending in person don’t need to think about their internet connection dropping out. The pressure is also eased for the organiser as they don’t need to worry about speakers joining virtually or problems with the video syncing up with slides. Whilst many venues can offer a technician service to help with in-house equipment, they will be unlikely to help with participants having problems remotely.

There’s still so much uncertainty on how the world will look post-Coronavirus but the Golden Jubilee Conference hotel will continue to support organisers and offer options for both the hybrid and face to face meeting. Get in touch with us to find out more at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk or on 0141 951 6003.

The Hotel’s Corporate Social Responsibility team has driven forward the venue’s ambitious green agenda

The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel has been recognised by industry consortium Venues of Excellence and Green Tourism for its work to improve environmental sustainability.

The award-winning four-star hotel has been presented with the Venues of Excellence Green Tourism Award for Sustainability, following the roll-out of the site’s ten-point sustainability plan in 2019 and a wide range of eco-friendly policies.

The plan has seen the venue carry out initiatives including removing single use plastics, reducing the amount of paper used and creating an outdoor meeting space for ‘walk and talk’ conferences.

Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel General Manager, Denis Flanagan, said:

“We’re thrilled to have won this prestigious award, presented by Venues of Excellence and Green Tourism.

Our ten-point sustainability plan was created to make real change to how we operate here at the Golden Jubilee, reducing the impact both we and our customers have on the environment.

We’ve already seen great results. Since the plan was introduced in November 2019 we’ve cut the number of single use plastic cups in use by more than 9,000 – a staggering amount – and the feedback from our guests has been fantastic.”

Mandy Jennings, executive director at Venues of Excellence, said:

“The Golden Jubilee’s work to improve sustainability is inspiring and sets the bar high for venues across the UK. Green initiatives are something that features high on the agenda for event organisers nowadays and rightly so. This award recognises the Golden Jubilee’s fantastic work in that area and we can’t wait to see how the plan continues to evolve.”

The award, presented at the Venues of Excellence’s Annual Conference in Loughborough, was judged by the Green Tourism sustainability assessment team and sponsored by Green Tourism.

Scott Maclean, managing director of Green Tourism, said:

“Throughout 2019 we saw a rise in consumer and business awareness of sustainability and as such, we were delighted to present the first ever Venues of Excellence Sustainability Award to The Golden Jubilee, who are a leading ambassador within the sector. In particular, their ten-point sustainability plan has been a huge success and has seen real change in a short space of time. Through this, they have introduced a wide range of eco-friendly measures which have been well received by guests and which offer inspiration for other businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability and create an action plan of their own.”

Venues of Excellence awards membership to high quality conference, meetings and training venues throughout the UK.

 

For more information, visit our Sustainability page: https://www.goldenjubileehotel.com/about-us/social-responsibility/

At the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, we are proud of the relationships that we have with trade unions and work closely with the Scottish Trade Union Congress, among others, to deliver a wide range of conferences and meetings throughout the year.

We have been involved with four of STUC’s annual events this year which are each aimed at LGBT+, Youth, Disabled and Black Workers and are attended by workers from across Scotland. These conferences take place over a weekend and consist of a range of guest speakers and workshops which touch on various issues currently affecting workers as well as a gala dinner and social activities to allow delegates to come together.

Pauline Walker, Committee and Events Co-ordinator for STUC, explains what they look for in a venue and why the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel is a good fit for their Equality Conferences:

“The STUC looks for a venue which is accessible; is centrally located with good transport links and is well equipped for the Conference in terms of AV, conference and breakout rooms, good quality accommodation, including a reasonable quota of accessible rooms and a high standard of catering all offered at reasonable rates. Well trained staff are also important as well as the provision of good terms and conditions for staff and the knowledge that staff are paid the Scottish Living Wage.

The main challenges for the STUC in relation to organising events is the identification of a venue that is equipped to meet all of the various requirements and needs of our delegates and visitors and provide costs that are realistic and meet our budget.

The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel works well for the STUC due to its location with good transport links, accessibility in terms of the Conference accommodation as well as bed and breakfast accommodation, with its staff trained to a high level to meet the needs of the STUC in terms of the Conference requirements, catering, and our delegates, as well as the provision of competitive rates.”

Our Event Planner, Emma Finlayson, has worked on the Equality Conferences since 2017 and is well-versed in STUC’s requirements and how these events are run. Emma says:

“The Equality Conferences ran by STUC are a great set of events to be involved with as the varied requirements of these bookings make good use of all areas of the venue from conference space, syndicate rooms, gala dinner space and accommodation. It is also great to be able to build up a relationship with a client such as STUC and work with them year after year to deliver a successful conference programme. We always look forward to welcoming STUC back to the Golden Jubilee each year.”

Committed to providing the best possible service to all guests to the hotel, we are delighted to have received great feedback from delegates who have attended these conferences:

“Always an excellent venue.”

“I particularly commend the staff of the hotel for their politeness and helpfulness.”

“Staff at Golden Jubilee are second to none.  Food is excellent and rooms are ideal.”

“The best venue for any Conference.  The staff in the hotel are great.”

As part of the NHS, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel prides itself in being an ethical employer and also shares many of the values promoted by trade unions.

Our staff benefit from NHS pay grades which exceed Scottish living wage requirements, we also pay more for unsociable shift work at evenings or weekends and offer family friendly flexible working arrangements. We are committed to career development of our staff and offer various opportunities for training across all areas of our team. As an equal opportunities employer, we fully support equality and diversity within the workplace and hold valuing dignity and respect as one of our key values. As part of the Golden Jubilee Foundation, we are a Stonewall Top 100 employer, supporting LGBT staff and also a Disability Confident Leader.

In addition to offering good working conditions for our staff, we are also dedicated to being a sustainable and accessible venue. We hold the Gold Award for Green Tourism and were also awarded Most Accessible Venue at the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards for 2019.

We can ensure a mix of well-rounded facilities for conferences aiming to offer both a professional setting for work and study and also a relaxing setting for delegates to unwind and socialise. Our range of conference spaces are fully equipped with AV and offer free Wi-Fi throughout, whilst our comfortable bedrooms provide a good nights’ rest. Delegates also have access to our BBar and Lounge, Centre for Health & Wellbeing with use of gym, swimming pool and spa and also conference gardens overlooking the River Clyde.

 

To learn more about how you can host your next trade union event at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, contact our Sales Team on 0141 951 6003 or at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk

As conference delivery specialists we are in an experienced position to assess the impact of different meeting ‘set-ups’ on the overall conference.  In recent years there has been a move away from more traditional theatre style auditorium events towards cabaret style meetings.  Uniquely, we can provide both layouts at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel but we have found that a tiered auditorium has a number of advantages over the more popular round-table format and can often result in a more powerful forum, with increased delegate engagement.

 

• 1. Your presenters, speakers or keynotes will be in the spotlight at all times.  Centre stage!  Ideal to influence, inspire and inform.
  2. Your audience will be totally captivated.  In a purpose build auditorium, the speaker has the opportunity to engage easily with each and every delegate. And your delegates will be focused on the stage and the key messages that the speaker is conveying with arguably greater attention and retention. Smaller auditoria have that cosy feel that everyone feels very much together and totally engaged.
  3. The ancient Greeks knew what they were doing when they created the oyster shell theatre.  Everybody could hear the presentations hence the name auditorium.  And in the 21st century, auditoria like ours at the Golden Jubilee, will be equipped with an integral PA system, a variety of microphones and an induction hearing loop.
  4. Comfort.  Most auditoria will have really comfy fixed tiered cinema style seating.  Designed for an 8-hour meeting.  You can also avoid the risk of your delegates sitting on banqueting chairs which are not designed for all day use. Minimising wriggling and keeping the delegates focussed on the presentations.
  5. No pillars and therefore clear sight lines.  Due to the classic design of auditoria, those irritating pillars often found in large flat floor area will be absent.  All delegates will have a great view of what is happening centre stage.  Not dissimilar to the Roman Amphitheatre, everyone can see the spectacle.  Thankfully, the gladiator combats and games have given way to more innovative and knowledge sharing events and meetings!
  6. Creates a sense of occasion.  Hard to beat the auditorium meeting for creating impact and punch. Designed to host a variety of important events such as staff briefings, religious meetings and medical symposiums or a dynamic setting to inspire your audience, the auditorium wins hands down over a seated ballroom.
  7. Ideal for ‘roving mike’ question time sessions and debating.  Robust discussion guaranteed.  Trade unions, political parties and associations will all find this format works best for debate and discussion.  Plus it is easier for the organiser to ‘work the room’, getting those microphones to the right place quickly and keeping the pace fast and seamless.
  8. The auditorium with its purpose built stage and aisle works really well when you have a number of contributors presenting papers.  You want to ensure a quick changeover from speaker to speaker, particularly if you have a tight agenda with multiple participants.  The auditorium works really well to keep the flow of change agile.  Perfect for scientific or clinical meetings.
  9. Networking!  Most auditoria will usually have a spacious meeting foyer.  Ideal for your delegates to mingle and network over coffee or lunch before or during the meeting. This is when you want your delegates to interact rather than lose focus during the presentations.  This is also where you may want to have your sponsor displays or an adjoining exhibition. The Golden Jubilee has a purpose built registration desk for the conference organiser or PCO to display name badges, goodie bags, etc.
  10. Price.  Leaving the biggest advantage to last.  Most auditoria will be priced cheaper than cabaret style meetings.  This is because the ‘set up’ charges are much less.  The tiered seats are already in-situ with an integral table arm which makes for a lot less work than assembling tables and chairs.  At the Golden Jubilee we pass that saving on to our clients, making better use of your budgets.

 

 

Often a conference will use a combination of an auditorium for shorter plenary sessions, to set the scene or to review feedback from breakout sessions.  You may, therefore, want a venue that has the optimum combination of an auditorium and breakout rooms or spaces.

We would be delighted to explore your conference objectives at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel and to help you plan your event using the best format to achieve your event or meeting outcomes.  To find out more, arrange a show round of our facilities, or enquire about a specific event, contact our friendly Sales Team on 0141 951 6003 or email conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk