As part of Meet in Nottingham’s ongoing ‘Hear from the expert’ blog series, the team spoke to Lauren Williams, Hospitality and Events Conference Manager at The National Justice Museum, about their events and conferencing offer at this multi award winning venue.
How long have you been in the role and what does your typical day look like?
‘I have been the Hospitality and Events Sales Manager at the museum for nearly 7 years and every day is very different. I look after many different types of events, from the classic meetings, conferences and drinks receptions to zombie infections interactive game events, candle lit classical music concerts and large scale filming. It brings me great joy working with a variety of different clients and creating truly unique events for their guests’.
What’s the maximum capacity for an event or conference at The National Justice Museum?
‘We have a several unique spaces available to hire at The National Justice Museum; including our stunning Victorian Courtroom which can accommodate a maximum of 150 delegates over two floors and our elegant Grand Jury Room which can accommodate 80’.
What are the sustainability and environmental benefits of holding a conference or event at The National Justice Museum?
‘Our green initiatives are at the core of all our work here at The National Justice Museum. We are pleased to hold the award of a Silver Badge from Greenage for our sustainable events space, which is a huge achievement for a Grade Two listed building that is a historic county gaol and courtrooms.
Several members of our management team have also undertaken carbon literacy training, and we have a dedicated Green Team that meet regularly to look at the ways we can reduce our environmental impact further’.
What does the rest of 2024 look like for The National Justice Museum, and do you have any event predictions?
‘We have a busy year ahead with meetings and venues bookings throughout the year. The biggest trend I have noticed is companies wanting to add “extra value” to their events.
Whether that’s incorporating guided tours of The National Justice Museum or City of Caves to adding Mock Courtroom trials and Murder Mysteries to their events. We love to create a memorable experience for all our guests, bringing history to life’.
Has The National Justice Museum won any awards or accreditations in previous years?
‘The National Justice Museum is a not-for-profit and we have been lucky to receive funding from the Arts Council by gaining National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). Most recently funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has allowed us to develop our resilience in several areas of the business, including the launch of our own multiple – choice Escape Room.
Our visitor attractions are also rated 1st and 2nd on Trip Advisor for days out in Nottingham which we have now achieved two years in a row. We are very proud of the work our whole organisation is creating’.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about the venue or the team who work there?
‘Our building is steeped in nearly 650 years of history, allowing the historic setting to inspire guests and create memorable events.
We also have a wide range of skills and creativity within the museum, from the costume team to the learning department, creative workshops to exciting exhibitions, our vast collections, and welcoming visitor services team. We will all be working together to help make an event that will go down in history’. If you would like to stand out from the crowd with your next corporate booking or discover a new experience at your next away day, then get in touch with our specialist team here at Meet in Nottingham to book or visit The National Justice Museum. Contact us by calling 0115 962 8320 or email us at conferences@visit-nottingham.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Posted on 28 May 2024
