RIBA at 66 Portland Place has revealed a considerable uplift in enquiries ahead of reopening for events from June 2021, with nine confirmed bookings secured last month (March) for events taking place this year and next.
With much of business life lived through a lens for the last 12 months, getting teams back together face-to-face will be incredibly important to reboot company culture and boost morale, and there are positive signs that demand is returning. The team at 66 Portland Place have revealed enquiries tripled from January to March 2021, with February’s roadmap instilling confidence, resulting in a number of confirmed bookings.
With government restrictions on events set to end by July, 66 Portland Place is ready to host colleagues and friends as they gather together for events this summer and beyond and will reopen with a new ‘Build Your Own’ summer party package.
Prior to the pandemic, the team at 66 Portland Place noticed a reluctance to opt for fully themed event packages in favour of a more pared-back style, with a focus on getting teams together to spend some well-needed time in each other’s company. Post-pandemic, they expect something similar – with the focus on teams being able to meet face-to-face once again in a relaxed, laid back environment. As such, the premise behind the ‘Build Your Own’ summer party package – a subtle nod to RIBA’s architectural roots – is to offer multiple F&B options at different price points that can be selected as a standalone package, or in conjunction with another to suit budget and preference. By easing the burden of organising Covid-secure F&B, it gives organisers and clients more time to flex their creative muscles for theming and entertainment.
Clients can choose from three of the venue’s architecturally stunning spaces for summer parties – the Florence Hall, which includes access to the tranquil outdoor terrace, the RIBA Gallery or Aston Webb Room, or these rooms can be combined for bigger celebrations.
CJ, Head of Venues at 66 Portland Place, says: “After the difficult decision to close the venue’s doors in March 2020, we’re counting down the days until events can resume and we’re delighted with the level of enquiries and confirmed bookings we’re receiving. The roadmap out of lockdown has instilled confidence in the return of face-to-face events and this is clearly demonstrated in the enquiries and bookings we’ve taken from conferences and awards, to small meetings, drinks receptions and filming.
“We are also receiving numerous enquiries for summer parties and celebrations, with our new ‘Build Your Own’ summer party package proving popular. Summer is definitely the season for socialising, making it the perfect time for a company party or get-together, not least because it is a proven way to support workplace morale, relationship-building and retention. Summer parties are naturally more informal than a big end of year celebration, so our ‘Build your Own’ package is the ideal option. If you confirm your event booking before 31 May 2021 to take place anytime over the summer until 30 September 2021, your guests will receive a free house cocktail on arrival.”
Contact the team now by emailing venues@riba.org to book your summer reunion at 66 Portland Place or visit: https://www.architecture.com/riba-venue-hire/parties/summer-parties-london
