Kent Event Centre targets international association event business

Kent Event Centre has diversified its offering to attract more association events. The new association event programme follows the success of the recent International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) conference for equine vets which took place at the venue in April. The event attracted 90 vets from across the world who experienced practical ‘hands-on’ ultrasound sessions using a horse which was brought inside the venue and learnt more about the pioneering work being done by ISELP.

Kent Event Centre is the commercial arm of the Kent County Agricultural Society, an agricultural charity established in 1923 based at the Kent Showground near Maidstone in Kent. The Kent Event Centre was formed in 1991 as the commercial arm of the charity as a dedicated conference and events venue. Because the venue is a charity it understands the challenges charities and associations are facing today, particularly when it comes to funding and diversifying income, therefore the new offering includes dedicated, discounted rates exclusively for associations and charities. The venue benefits from 7,000sqm of indoor space along with 200 acres of outdoor space, which proved a great asset to ISELP who needed space to transform into a working veterinary surgery for the duration of the event. The venue also benefits from 1,000 bedrooms at hotels within a 5-10 mile radius. Kent Event Centre’s Event Centre Manager, Alison Wallington, says: “Our vast size and space makes us a great location for association events of all shapes and sizes. The recent ISELP conference chose the venue because we offered the space to cater for practical sessions which were a key part of the education programme, which many venues simply wouldn’t have the space for. Add to that our competitive pricing and discounts for associations and charities, we believe we have a great offering for association events and look forward to welcoming them in the future.”