We sat down with Sean Cummins, commercial manager at Holme Pierrepont Country Park and National Water Sports Centre, to discuss the corporate events and packages offered at the venue and how companies can make their next conference or event unique.
What’s the maximum capacity for an event or conference at Holme Pierrepont?
‘Our venue can accommodate conferences for up to 120 delegates; within our wide variety of rooms, we can cater to any style or set up depending on the client’s preference and desires. Throughout a full day, the venue has been known to accommodate up to 10,000 delegates meaning the team has to be on the ball with quick room turnovers and setting changes in between events.
As well as our conference room offerings, we are also a prime destination for away days and team building events, with a catalogue of activities available for event delegates to participate in alongside their colleagues or business contacts. From white water rafting to high ropes, we provide a unique experience catered to your business needs’.
What are the sustainability and environmental benefits of holding a conference or event at Holme Pierrepont?
‘We are working alongside our catering provider to achieve a net zero rating and are aiming to help Nottingham City Council towards their CN28 pledge. In line with all of this, our packaging is fully reusable and biodegradable, and all produce used is sourced locally including our Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire farmed foods.
Our location is key being only a short distance from the city centre and with transport links available to guests of the venue. However, once here with us there really is no need to leave the site, we provide everything from accommodation to catering allowing delegates to feel they can access everything they need all in one place’.
What does the rest of 2024 look like for Holme Pierrepont?
‘Our events calendar is growing year on year with not only sporting events, but we are also starting to see leisure events become more popular with the venue; for example, we’re set to hold this year’s Gloworm family festival this August. Our 270 acres of land is versatile and can be used for a multitude of events including away days and team building for corporate bookers’.
What awards or accreditations does Holme Pierrepont have?
‘We were named UK Active Outstanding Organisation of the Year in 2021, and more recently were given the crowning of UK Pool and Spa Operator of the Year from 2018 to 2023. We have also been lucky enough to be recognised as an Elite Training Centre for both 2023 and 2024 by We are Quest Accredited; which is a fantastic achievement to hold within the industry’.
How long have you been in your role and what does your working day look like?
‘I have been with the business for six years now, I came here with the goal of growing the holiday and leisure business here at Holme Pierrepont Country Park for both consumers and businesses alike. The aim was to build on this sector and our short stay market bringing more people not just to our site but to Nottingham as a destination and showcase the facilities we have to offer.
I now look after all of the commercial activity here on site, meaning no day is the same. One morning I could be working with our events team on a 10,000 person conference, and by the afternoon I could be looking at how we grow and market the multitude of activities we offer here at Holme Pierrepont, I really do believe that variety is the spice of life’!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about the venue or the team you work with?
‘Being fortunate enough to run three of the national sports centres, we are able to cater to the majority of events and offer fantastic team building opportunities to corporate delegates. While event bookers may want to use one of our onsite meeting rooms during the morning, they could be white water rafting by lunchtime!
As a team we pride ourselves on producing exciting opportunities to all guests and event bookers, and I am extremely proud of the exciting packages and experiences both our venue and team are able to offer’. If you would like to book Holme Pierrepont Country Park and National Water Sports Centre for your next conference or corporate away day, and would like to try the activities and experiences Sean has discussed with us above, then get in touch with our team of event experts by emailing conferences@visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk or by calling us on 0115 962 8320 to enquire or book
Posted on 01 May 2024
