We have put together some key benefits of working with a university for conferences and events.
1. Inspiring environment with a reputable institution
Hosting your conference or event at the University of Kent gives you a connection with a reputable institution that carries a sense of academic prestige, creating an ideal setting for knowledge-focused conferences, training sessions, and leadership events.
Our Canterbury campus is home to over 150 event spaces, ranging from lecture theatres and seminar rooms to auditoriums and breakout rooms. Kent offers diverse, adaptable indoor and outdoor spaces, featuring a wide range of venues for workshops, panel sessions, exhibitions, networking areas, and more – all located on one campus.
3. Central and scenic location
Kent is located less than one hour from London St Pancras by high-speed train and is situated in the heart of the Kentish countryside, overlooking the city of Canterbury. For delegates travelling from mainland Europe, our campus is only 30 minutes from the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service to France.
Our campus offers over 4,000 convenient and affordable rooms for overnight delegates. Both B&B and self-catered accommodation options are available to book throughout the Easter period and the summer (June to September), which is ideal for large events.
With over 30 years of experience delivering events for corporate and academic clients, our dedicated team of nine ensures a fast response to enquiries and smooth event management from planning to delivery.
6. Cost-effective pricing
Compared to commercial conference venues or hotels, we can offer competitive pricing, especially during academic breaks – without sacrificing quality.
Academic venues can also offer conference room hire VAT exempt if the event has an educational link.
7. Catering services
Kent’s in-house catering team is experienced in managing large groups and offers a wide range of options, from conference lunches to a formal banquet, with close attention to all dietary requirements.
Kent has strong environmental policies and sustainable infrastructure, aligning with the growing sustainability goals that many event planners and delegates increasingly prioritise.
Offering a great location, easily reachable by public transport, with free on-site parking available for cars and coaches, and good accessibility across the campus for attendees with mobility requirements.
10. Built-in audience potential
Depending on the type of event, access to Kent staff, students and alumni can boost attendance or facilitate guest speaker recruitment at events.
At the University of Kent, we welcome event agencies and offer commission from 10% + VAT.