How to broker a better network at events - Exclusive Collection

How to broker a better network at events

Broker better relationships

With agile working and hybrid weeks now defacto at many companies; events must have a draw. After all, if you gave delegates the equivalent value in a cheque not to attend in person, they may well take the money option and dial in from home!

Attendees will invest their time in experiences, in learning and development and in building their personal brand equity. We work better with the people we know and trust and with whom we have a pattern of interaction.

Therefore, events must provide touchpoints to interact and network and deliver guests valuable opportunities:

to foster relationships

promote professional growth

exchange knowledge

prospect business opportunities

Off-sites for the insurance sector need to remove attendees from their regular workplace state of mind. Whether its customers, salesforce or enablers, events must help:

make connections to do business together

let individuals feel heard, cared for and valued

Brokering a better network is key for delegates and for the organisers it helps ensure a return on event investment.

Bringing people together is our thing, and we’ve a loyal client base who host their meetings and events with us year on year. We’ve won some of the big awards for meeting and events venues in the UK and best of all we are proud to be a B Corp; the UK’s first hotel group to become B Corp accredited.

Situated in some of England’s most picturesque market towns, our properties are steeped in history, and we celebrate the fact that not one of our hotels is the same.

Histories cannot be replicated and traditions evolve with the times

PENNYHILL PARK

Where you can indulge in the best, be at your best, release your potential

SOUTH LODGE

Switch off from the everyday and switch on your senses

THE MANOR HOUSE

Let us sweep you off your feet in our idyllic countryside retreat like no other

ROYAL BERKSHIRE

A home from home to make your own

LAINSTON HOUSE

for the explorers, the food lovers and the do differently-ers

FANHAMS HALL

A moment to remember, an estate you will never forget

Get your network fired up with a BBQ masterclass at Lainston House, treat your big hitters to a round of golf on our championship course at the Manor House or get physical at South Lodge with its award-winning spa and leisure facilities.

Whether it’s a VIP experience, a discreet board level retreat or a big bash to reward an entire organisation we’ve plenty of room for business and acres of space to get the conversations flowing.

Exclusive Collection is a breath of fresh air, where you can throw open your mind and body to the possibilities of your own perfect contentment.

We ESG

Organisations want to work with likeminded brands who share their values and outlooks on the environment and society. The growing requirement to highlight environmental social and governance means many planners are seeking reassurance that their partners have a demonstrable purpose.

We strive to reduce, reuse and recycle and actively pursue supply partnerships who think like we do as we journey towards a carbon zero business.

As a certified B Corp we constantly strive to improve and innovate when it comes to our impact on the planet, our communities, and people.

“Exquisite Michelin-starred dining and an impressive spa with eight pools and a Roman-style suite of heat rooms are the centrepiece of this country house hotel which exudes a buzzy relaxed vibe.”

The Telegraph

Indulge in the best, be at your best, release your potential

Construction for the country house commenced in 1849 with additions made in 1880, 1935 and in recent years too, in order to assert the hotel and spa as one of the best destinations for elite performers in both sport and business.

Set within 120 acres of Surrey parkland, the hotel also has stunning terraced formal gardens that are inspired by Chateau de Villandry in Tours.

Pennyhill Park is a highlight for food lovers with award-winning Michelin starred dining in Latymer, glorious afternoon teas and hyper-local casual dining in Hillfield restaurant & bar where you can enjoy ‘farm-to-fork’ dining from Surrey’s growers, producers, and artisan makers.

Indulging in life with your favourite people. Releasing your potential both in and out of the workplace. Zoning in. Zenning out. Whatever brings you and your guests to Pennyhill Park, the team will make sure your stay hits all the right buttons.

Fast facts

Train

London Waterloo 45 minutes

Driving Central London 60 minutes

Heathrow Airport 25 minutes

Gatwick Airport 45 minutes

Bedrooms

124 Event spaces

20

Max capacity 240 on rounds

200 theatre style

Amenities

Michelin starred restaurant

Award-winning spa

Extensive team and individual sport facilities

What’s local?

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are neighbours and Hampton Court Palace, a former royal residence and palace, is well versed in creating amazing incentive experiences.

Switch off from the everyday and switch on your senses

Venue of the Year C&IT Awards 2022

With spectacular views of West Sussex’s South Downs, South Lodge brings the great traditions of a country house stay up to date with today’s pacey, digital world.

South Lodge started out as a modest dwelling with Jacobean-style developments made in 1883. In 2018, a world class spa was added to create an immersive destination for guests to experience a full digital detox.

We have three restaurants – each one unique in style yet unified in their appreciation for provenance. Our chefs use home-grown ingredients from our walled garden, and when they can’t, they source the best of British produce from local Sussex suppliers.

We whip up seasonally inspired dishes at Camellia and go all-out with intimate chef’s table experiences at The Pass. And a visit to Botanica is a must, with a seasonal plant-inspired menu, complete with herbal tinctures and tonics that not only taste out of this world but will make you feel on top of it.

With 93 acres to roam in, as well as the largest single Rhododendron in England, we’ve recently partnered with our neighbour Ridgeview Wine Estate to grow our own vineyard in the grounds. In late 2024 we will be opening an assortment of newly built waterside lodges as part of our accommodation offering at South Lodge which will boast the highest of sustainability standards.

South Lodge is where the natural world and modern expectations live in perfect harmony.

Max capacity 130 on rounds

170 theatre style

Amenities

Award-winning restaurants

44,000 sq ft spa

93 acres

What’s local?

Glyndebourne is a tradition like no other and is a short transfer from the hotel. Glyndebourne is one of the most celebrated opera houses in the world. Its flagship summer programme brings together the world’s best operatic performers, a strictly black-tie affair, guests are encouraged to picnic in the gardens before the performances commence.

Let us sweep you off your feet in our idyllic countryside retreat, like no other

The hotel is built on land that was once the site of a former Norman Castle and is nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Castle Combe.

It is a destination that never fails to delight with its honey-hued walls humming with history and wooden beams that hold the memories of centuries gone by.

The original manor has been re-modelled with a particularly large project taking place between 1826 and 1830. After World War II the hotel became established as a hotel and drew a glamorous crowd who were drawn to the quintessential style of the authentic English Manor House.

Now boasting a championship golf course, the hotel has a loyal following of country pursuit purists who are drawn to the charm of Castle Combe and the surrounding Cotswolds. It’s another of our hotels with Michelin starred dining and down the road we have our own pub too, The Castle Inn.

We’ve the main manor house or mews cottages for delegates to overnight in and all are packed with intricate craftsmanship of yesteryears’ artisans. Many of our bedrooms feature four poster beds and our signature big bathroom experiences.

The Manor House is an idyllic countryside retreat, like no other.

Fast facts

Train London Paddington 70 minutes

Driving Central London 120 minutes

Heathrow Airport 90 minutes

Gatwick Airport 120 minutes

Bedrooms 50

Event spaces

4

Max capacity 100 on rounds

100 theatre style

Amenities

Michelin starred restaurant

The Full Glass Bar with more than 180 gins

18-hole championship golf course

What’s local?

Stonehenge, a world heritage site and prehistoric monument dating back 4,000 years is close by, as well as the quirkiest event; Tetbury’s Woolsack Races. Dating back to the 17th century and covering 240 yards with a 60lb sack of wool, this event celebrates the market town’s past as a major wool producer in the 16th century.

Our Hampshire hotel sizzles with rumours and intrigue and was even reportedly the home of King Charles II and his mistress! Later in the 17th century there are yet further tales of bigamy and scandals in well-to-do society! However much has changed in acceptability over these last 300 years but many of Lainston’s original architectural features are still in existence. If walls could talk… we wouldn’t need TikTok!

We’re not here to stand still or stick to the script – there’s adventure waiting in the wings of this classic country house. Our 63-acre playground is buzzing in anticipation for the young and the used to be young. We’ve walking trails, tree-climbing, fly fishing in the Test Valley and plenty of activities that will get the team talking. We’ve even got a cookery school which is a huge draw for foodies and some of Britain’s best loved chefs and bakers. New students will be following in the footsteps of some of the country’s most talented chefs too. It is here we host Exclusive Collection’s Chefs’ Academy, where our young chefs are put through their paces to hone their skills to the highest standards. And if we are winning Michelin stars you can be assured your team are in good hands!

We’ve made the most our 4-acre walled garden by creating a large space for events and entertaining. It features a 600-year-old Holm Oak, 1,000-year-old chapel and our very own apple orchard with over 20 heritage varieties, a mile long avenue of Lime trees, planted in 1716.

We’re great for exclusive use and rest assured what goes on in the House stays in the House. With all those views and backdrops, we can’t help thinking your delegates will be sharing on their socials this very special retreat that’s miles away from the business norms.

Fast facts Train

London Waterloo 60 minutes

Driving Central London 120 minutes

Heathrow Airport 50 minutes

Gatwick Airport 80 minutes

Bedrooms 50 Event spaces

8 Max capacity 120 on rounds 140 theatre style

Amenities

Award-winning dining Season cookery school 63 acres for activities

What’s local?

Woods, woods and more woods! On our doorstep is The New Forest, one of the largest unenclosed tracks of pasture, heathland and forest in the South of England. Head out to Winchester, once capital of England –it’s cathedral granted the town official ‘City’ status - or go even bigger with a trip to the UK’s sailing capital, The Solent. The Solent is fabled for its nautical history; from the Mary Rose, a 1511 boat from King Henry VIII’s reign that has been salvaged, to INEOS Britannia’s Team headquarters and

A home from home to make your own

Sitting in a Royal Borough, the Royal Berkshire was built in 1705 and has passed through a long line of the Churchill family.

Lady Mary Churchill, one of the first residents, was daughter of the Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. It could be said that decision making runs through the lifeblood of the hotel!

The hotel has earned a reputation as a business bolthole, a retreat for senior leaders who want a hasty escape from London. Our 15-acre estate offers manicured lawns, sundrenched terraces for alfresco thinking and 11 modern meeting rooms designed with the hybrid worker in mind.

We’ve got dedicated spaces that help teams open minds and shed inhibitions. There are spacious meeting rooms where thinking outside the box becomes the norm. A comfortable kitchen breakout space, Homespace, where rustling up a snack comes with a side of creative brainwaves. Energy zones filled with nibbles and hot drinks keep brains ticking. And well-crafted bedrooms are perfect to switch off and chill out - no distractions, just comfortable beds, and a great night’s sleep.

During the height of summer, the hotel becomes a focal point for the racing fraternity who are in town for Royal Ascot as the big ideas and straight talking of the business world is swapped for big brims and laser pinstriped morning suits.

Royal Berkshire, where high standards and home comforts go hand in hand.

Fast facts

Train

London Waterloo 50 minutes

Driving Central London 80 minutes

Heathrow Airport 15 minutes

Gatwick Airport 45 minutes

Bedrooms 66

Event spaces

11

Max capacity 150 on rounds

200 theatre style

Amenities

Local flavours

Energy zone, snacks and games

15 acres of landscaped grounds

What’s local?

Windsor Castle, royal residence and the resting place of HM Queen Elizabeth II, is a few miles away. In summer Royal Ascot is an event like no other; marked in tradition and with a strict dress code to keep the standards high and hemlines low! It’s colourful, loud, and fast-paced fabulousness.

A home from home to make your own

Fanhams Hall is a Jacobean mansion, just north of London and in the Hertfordshire countryside. There is always a buzz in the air... the sound of glasses clinking, brains ticking and pens clicking, or simply the beautiful sounds of nature’s chorus.

The hotel was built as a private house in the 18th century, enlarged 100 years later and the new footprint of the building was encased in stone to make it look like a Jacobean style country house.

The interiors are ‘arts and craft’ style and its historic Long Gallery and Great Hall make for breath-taking spaces for dinners or meetings.

Under the ownership of Lady Brocket, from 1934 to 1949, the grounds were transformed with a focus on Japanese horticulture. Her ornamental lakes, choice of maples and the ‘Fuji-yama Mound’ are still present, along with a Japanese tea house. These are, without doubt, the jewel in the Exclusive Collection crown.

The Queen-Anne style architecture and beautiful grounds lends itself to filming, and with Elstree Studios and Warner Bros Studio a stone’s throw away the hotel has a growing movie clientele, as well as a long reputation for hosting business wizards too.

For company retreats that are high-octane rather than humdrum, we’ve got an energy zone, break-out rooms, characterful meeting rooms and outdoor spaces for guests to use at their leisure. Talented chefs that keep bellies full and brains happy, and comfortable bedrooms for that all-important rest. And for occasions that’ll go down in a companies’ history books? Our activity field awaits your wildest ideas. Or you can head down the road for high ropes, axe throwing or white-water rafting, returning for dinner and drinks at the bar. It’s the kind of team building everyone can get on board with.

Fast facts Train London Waterloo 45 minutes

Driving Central London 60 minutes

Heathrow Airport 30 minutes

Gatwick Airport 60 minutes

Bedrooms 77 Event spaces

12 Max capacity 120 on rounds 130 theatre style

Amenities

Event focused dining

What’s local?

Knebworth House, family home to the Lytton Cobbold family, is a Grade II listed treasure trove and a spectacular setting for a private group dinner. If Quidditch and Remembralls are your thing, then muggles and hotel guests are always welcome at Harry Potter World.

Our commitment to B Corp

it’s our graduates, the voice of the hospitality sectors’ future, who steer numerous B Corp related projects.

Reducing, reusing, recycling; designing waste out of everything we do.

Removing all direct purchase single-use plastic by the end of 2023.

Using LandApp (which plots and tracks our land) to remove carbon dioxide from our estate. LandApp’s helping to preserve our grounds whilst creating a lasting land management legacy.

Zero-waste direct landfill policy; a target of 95% waste to be recycled.

Maintaining the purchase of 100% renewable electricity. Reducing use of fossil fuel by favouring biomass and renewable energy.

Educating and informing our team on our commitments.

We work closely with our suppliers as well, challenging them to address change.

Our campaign - ‘It’s the little things’ - recognises that multiple small changes can make a big collective difference. Through our employee App we’ve a stream that encourages everyone to share their hacks and ideas to reduce, reuse, recycle.

Most significantly, we’ve amended our Articles of Incorporation at Companies House meaning we must show changes, gains, and plans around our business practices.

We continuously challenge, change and champion every department of the hotels by:

Rather than tablescaping our meetings with unnecessary pads and pens we’ve put them to the back of the room so that they are used on a genuine need-only basis rather than a sketchy nice to have.

Our bottled waters are better for the environment; glass has a lower impact when it comes to recycling and the South Downs are on our doorstep thereby minimising transport.

We even collect any water from the half-used bottles in the meeting rooms and bedrooms and transfer it to water butts for use around our estates.

We’re on a mission to save power across our properties with an annual reduction of 4%.

We’ve an emphasis on ensuring we purchase only renewable energy supplies and use environmentally responsible suppliers. Through event:decision we provide organisers with formalised processes to plan, deliver and track their event impact.

Our food is seasonal and British with ingredients sourced from artisans, growers, and suppliers in the local counties.

We’ve a focus on growing our own and have created kitchen gardens across our estates. These kitchen gardens have also become a focal point for learning activities and long-standing shared moments, as well as helping the environment.

We’ve implemented Klimato to calculate, report and carbon label our event menus. It also educates planners and is encouraging more plant-friendly menu choices.

Where we can, we use OLIO for any unused food that is left over from events held at our hotels. In the last 6 months, we’ve helped around 200 families with meals from food that would have been unnecessarily sent to waste.

We eat root to flower, or we compost the leftovers. Food that cannot be repurposed goes to our Rocket Composter which in turn feeds our grounds.

Our coffee supplier safeguards its growers; any grounds or packaging are repurposed and we’re burning coffee-logs on our open fires! We’ve joined Sedex which gives us access to other responsible suppliers.

We use British milled flour, British free-range eggs, and British harvested rapeseed oil. This oil is also collected and recycled.

We favour Silver Spoon sugar as it is produced from domestic sugar beet and have ditched palm oil and avoid all products that contain it.

Fish is listed on the Marine Conservation Website to ensure we support the protection of endangered species.

We’ve also just planted 19,500 vines to form a vineyard in collaboration with Ridgeview Wine Estate at South Lodge. This forms part of our wider commitment to pursuing purpose, in the form of both social and environmental goals, as well as economic growth. Ridgeview recently achieved B Corp status too.

Molton Brown, a heritage British brand, is responsible for our guest room amenities and, in our bid to reduce all single use plastic, we use large bottles that can easily be refilled.

We are using up our shower caps as the impact of fully removing and recycling them is greater than whittling them out of the business!

We’re cutting out single use sewing kits and moving to larger kits that are available upon request with our Guest Services team.

We’ve jilted the plastic milk jiggers and replaced them with small glass bottles.

The numerous bin liners we change daily in the bedrooms and bathrooms have been switched to compostable ones.

Delegate duty of care

The stakes have also been raised around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, meaning event planners must also consider and support delegate wellbeing.

We’ve looked at the circadian rhythm and cortisol highs and how they can have a distinct impact on events and maximising the delegate experience.

Each hotel has designed new practices that elevate the delegate experience through activities and formats that encourage networking and wellbeing.

For example, using our estates we launched a nature immersion experience designed to take delegates on a mindful journey to improve their health and happiness both at work and in their personal lives. We’re taking delegates out of the boredom of the boardroom into our woodlands for a nature immersion experience evolved from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku.

We’re using evidence-based therapies to add on to meetings. For example, at our Cookery School, we are helping delegates use food as a therapeutic exercise. Culinary therapy has proven benefits of developing patience, reinforcing organisational skills and boosting confidence.

Making new legacies

We love the heritage and traditions of our hotels. Even more, we love to invent and make new ones. Our hotels are living experiences and we strongly believe that no experience should ever be the same.

Our commitment to every group and guest is to create a stay or a day that is memorable and that gets everyone talking. To see if we’re a good fit for your company or group, let’s chat and with today’s brilliant technology we can show you around one of the hotels with a Zoom intro to all things Exclusive.

Drop me an email and we will find a time when we can start planning how we can make you and your events standout.

Annie Rowney Group Sales Manager

07387 411677

annie@exclusive.co.uk exclusive.co.uk