Athena, the Art Deco Grade II-listed events venue located in Leicester’s cultural quarter, has reported record post-Covid results for event bookings in 2022.
Bookings for events at the six-month point are up by 22%, well ahead of pre-Covid levels for the same period in 2019. A solid base is already in place for the rest of 2022 and early 2023.
Interestingly, 92% of these bookings are from repeat clients and events. Attendance levels for many corporate events, including awards, conferences, and exhibitions, have been higher than pre-Covid levels. This demonstrates growth in demand for the social, face-to-face aspect of live events.
Bookings for hybrid events have also continued to grow in 2022, reflecting the demand for more inclusive events.
There is also a clear trend for short lead times and having a single point of contact for events, with a strong preference for catering and technical support to be in-house.
Hira Ram, Events Manager of Athena Events Venue, said: “The growth in event bookings this year is very welcome news after a challenging two years for the events industry. September and October are looking to be busy months for us, too, and we’re delighted that overall business is almost back to normal.
“The pandemic showed the power of events and highlighted the importance of face-to-face contact and shared experiences for staff productivity, motivation, and mental health. We have a solid base of upcoming events for 2022 and some bookings in 2023.”
