Case Study: Experiences at Confex

Doncaster Racecourse and YourVenue, a portfolio of 16 UK-wide racecourse venues part of the Arena Racing Company, have been attending and exhibiting at International Confex for many years (can we be more specific on the number of years?).

This year, YourVenue was proud to take our involvement a step further by sponsoring the Association & Corporate Theatre – where industry leaders shared insights, explored key trends, and inspired innovation. Confex provides the perfect opportunity to explore cutting-edge solutions and contribute to shaping the future of the events industry. Doncaster Racecourse, our flagship venue, also had an exhibition stand offering a fun horse racing game to engage attendees.

Tell us about your experience at International Confex – what was your highlight?

Our experience at International Confex was fantastic! As long-time attendees and exhibitors, we were thrilled to see such a vibrant gathering of industry professionals, innovative ideas, and inspiring discussions.

One of the biggest highlights for us was sponsoring the Association & Corporate Theatre, where thought leaders shared valuable insights on the future of events. It was incredible to be part of conversations that are shaping the industry and to connect with so many passionate professionals.

Beyond that, engaging with attendees at our stand, showcasing our versatile event spaces, and exploring the latest trends and solutions made this year’s Confex truly memorable.

Sponsoring the Association & Corporate Theatre stood out. “We secured over 100 appointments and received 19 qualified leads,” said national account manager Angela Colley‑Francis. “It was a brilliant chance to engage meaningfully.”

Conference & events senior marketing executive Tagho Avwunu praised the conference programme: “It had something for everyone – from strategy to marketing inspiration.”

What innovations would you like to see next year that you didn’t see this year?

International Confex is always an exciting showcase of industry trends, but there’s always room for innovation. Next year, we’d love to see even more focus on well-being and outdoor event experiences – whether that’s offering more active and wellness-driven networking opportunities, outdoor events spaces, or showcasing venues that seamlessly blend work and play. This is a major trend that we’re seeing at YourVenue – there is a growing demand for embracing the outdoors for wellbeing-conscious organisers, and ‘bleisure’, such as mixing a corporate conference with the thrill of a race day experience to leave attendees feeling inspired and energised.

How did you use the two days to elevate your venue, maximise exposure, and connect with the right people?

Over the two days, we maximised exposure by engaging with attendees at our stand and sharing insights on how our unique spaces offer the perfect blend of business and leisure for unforgettable events.

With YourVenue sponsoring the Association & Corporate Theatre, this gave us a great opportunity to align ourselves with thought leadership in the industry, reinforcing our position as a go-to venue for dynamic and experiential events.

We made the most of networking sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one meetings to build relationships with event planners, associations, and corporate clients looking for distinctive venues that combine high-energy experiences with top-tier hospitality. Confex allowed us to elevate our brand and showcase why YourVenue event spaces are the perfect setting for innovative and engaging events.

Tell us a little bit about your venue and provide any further comments from yourself/ your team.

Arena Racing Company (ARC) is the UK’s largest racecourse group, offering YourVenue – a diverse portfolio of unique venues that go beyond traditional event spaces. With 16 racecourses, alongside greyhound stadia, hotels, golf courses, and onsite entertainment, ARC offers exceptional settings for corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, and hospitality experiences. The expert teams work with closely with clients to create bespoke event packages, ensuring seamless execution. If you’re looking for versatile event spaces in prime locations across the UK offering memorable experiences, look no further than YourVenue.