Back in 2013, it was revealed that the events industry in the UK was worth a staggering £58.4 billion. In addition to this, it contributed in excess of £21.1 billion in taxes and was also recognised as the UK’s 16th biggest employer.

These numbers have risen further since this time, with the result that the events industry represents huge business nationwide. Not all events are created equal, however, and this can create challenges for firms amid increasingly diverse and high demand for services.

What to keep in Mind when planning a Rural event

Let’s say that you are looking to host a corporate event in a rural location, for example, which may take the form of a military boot camp or orienteering experience. With this in mind, what practical steps can you take to create a safe and successful event? Here are some ideas: –

1. Perform a full Safety Inspection of the Land

This should always be your first port of call, as this will provide a full analysis of the land and create an actionable list of steps to make the event viable. By highlighting potential issues or infirmities, you can create a realistic and sensible budget that enables you to complete the work as effectively and as quickly as possible. To achieve this, you will need to partner with an industry expert that can inspect the land and any existing structures, while also making note of any logistical issues that may exist with accessing the location.

2. Consider Affordable Temporary Solutions

The issue with events is that they represent fleeting occasions, so it is unwise to invest in costly or permanent solutions that will offer no long-term value (either to you or the regions as a whole). You must therefore consider viable and secure temporary solutions where possible, such as the use of mobile, flat-pack structures and short-term bridge hire. The latter are available from brands such as VP Groundforce, while they can be used to make the area accessible during construction or to connect two pieces of adjoining land safely for guests and pedestrians.

3. Make Logistical Arrangements

As an events manager, you will understand the importance of handling logistic requirements for paying, corporate guests. We have already touched on this earlier, but it is crucial when you are hosting a rural event in a remote and potentially difficult to access location. You should therefore be proactive when making plans, and ensure that you calculate precise routes for attendees to follow. Not only should you test these routes, but you should also offer multiple modes of transportation so that guests can make their way to the event in a comfortable and convenient manner.

Photo credit: National Rural Knowledge Exchange / Flickr