Nottingham Conferences, the University of Nottingham’s meetings, events and conference facilities operated under a managed service provided by market leader De Vere, has been shortlisted in the Best Outdoor Space category, in the first ever Academic Venue Awards 2017.

The Academic Venue Awards are designed to celebrate the ‘best of the best’ through 14 carefully selected categories, as well as to bring together representatives from the UK’s top academic venues with event buyers to network, share best practice, highlight progress and celebrate success.  The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place on Wednesday 22nd November 2017 at The Great Hall at Queen Mary University of London.

The University of Nottingham has invested over £5 million into its outdoor offering over the last few years, winning multiple awards for its landscaping and grounds, which has helped place Nottingham Conferences at the forefront of outdoor academic events spaces. Clients who have used the venue include UK Corporate Games, Europe’s largest annual multi-sports festival for businesses, which brought over 5,000 competitors to the grounds, European Sports Festival with over 3,000 competitors and the AOC Sport National Championships held for 1,700 college students.

Andrew May, General Manager of Nottingham Conferences, comments: “We are delighted to be a finalist in the Academic Venue Awards for Best Outdoor Space, which is a testament to the effort the University has put into enhancing its outdoor offering – a key benefit to our clients. This has seen not only sporting events but the British Firefighters Challenge as well as a Nottingham ‘Goose Fair’ style celebration for The University Caterers Organisation, make use of the versatile outdoor spaces over the last year.”

“The shortlisting for this award reinforces Nottingham Conferences’ position amongst the elite of academic venues. We’re looking forward to awards ceremony on the 22nd November.”

Located at the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Conferences operates across three flexible conference venues – Jubilee Campus, University Park and Sutton Bonington. Combined, they offer over 500+ meeting spaces and 4,000+ bedrooms.