Conference & Banqueting Management Report: UK Industry Analysis, HND

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the conference and banqueting (C&B) industry, focusing on the UK market. It begins with an introduction to the C&B sector, highlighting its importance in the hospitality industry and its role in hosting various events. The report then explores the size and scope of the UK C&B industry, including the types of events, venues, and its contribution to the economy. It identifies factors impacting the growth of the C&B industry, such as social-cultural considerations, environmental concerns, political stability, technological advancements, and legal requirements. The report delves into important strategic and operational issues like pricing, packaging, religious and cultural guidelines, licensing laws, health and safety regulations, and discounting initiatives. It also examines methods used for quality and performance review, including food and drink reviews, budget reviews, transport reviews, dress code reviews, contingency plan reviews, entertainment reviews, and table plan reviews. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of effective management in the C&B sector. The report is based on the assignment brief for the HND in Hospitality Management.

CONFERENCE & BANQUETING
MANAGEMENT

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................1
TASK – 1 (Report)................................................................................................................................1
LO – 1...................................................................................................................................................1
Size & scope of C&B industry of UK................................................................................................1
Factors impacting the growth of C&B industry.................................................................................2
LO – 2...................................................................................................................................................3
Important strategic as well as operational issues................................................................................3
Methods used by C&B industry for quality & performance review...................................................4
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Focusing in relation with the conference and banqueting industry, it is referred as a
crucial element of the hospitality sector which involves different kind of events such as
wedding, conferences, parties, events etc. talking about the current scenario in UK, it is being
preferred as the central hub for numerous types of business corporations and thus, offering
diverse opportunities to business man as well (Beech and Kasper, 2014). This thriving
demand has significantly enhanced the hospitality services and C&B is getting more
attention. In the current research report, as an event organiser of the firm “Service on A
Plate”, planning of a hospitality event in UK for the customer will be done. Factors that will
influence the development of this sector, related strategic and operational issues and quality
review techniques will be discussed effectively in the current study.
TASK – 1 (Report)
LO – 1
Size & scope of C&B industry of UK
There are two most vital things in the hospitality industry i.e. conferences as well as
banquets. Both of these supports in generating more amount of revenue in United Kingdom.
Conferences encompasses many things such as programs, professional events and activities
which are being planned for the business organizations. On the other hand, banquets are
being utilized by the families, for personal use and for particular purpose in the companies
(Swan and Combs, 2016). Furthermore, they are used for marriages, birthday parties,
celebration, family get together and many more. In UK, this sector is gaining continuous hike
and is been evolving from the last few years. Near about £20 billion is contributed to the
economy of United Kingdom by this sector. According to Bowdin, there are various types of
events which may be demanded by the customers in the C&B sector frequently such as
entertainment, marriages, fundraising programs, business meetings, travel and torus, sports
events, music concert, board meetings, product launches etc. there are various venue which
can be used for such events like The Gibson Hall, Cavendish conference centre and BMA
House & conference (UK Hospitality, 2018).
Underpinning the discussion further, the size of the industry can be measured in many
forms like small, middle and large depending on the days these events take place and the
number of people participated for the particular event. Further, in UK there are around 6800
conferences and banquets venues and are generally hosted by famous hotel brands like
Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Hilton. Additionally, different meetings rooms are present offered
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by small hospitality companies. This industry has achieved a growth of around 8.3% these
years, which is far more than this sector has gained in previous years (Bladen and Kennell,
2012).
Factors impacting the growth of C&B industry
The development of C&B management is being influenced by variety of factors. All
these factors significantly helps in decreasing the risk of this industry and thereby supports in
increasing the effectiveness of the conferences and events. At the time conversation, it is vital
to make use of effective communication so that miscommunication cannot takes place. The
development of this sector will contribute towards the economy of UK by offering better
opportunities to people (Bowdin and McDonnell, 2012). Proper management of C&B is
performed because of the various factors such as service facility, competition, entertainment
and many more. However, all these factors are internal. There are some external factors as
well that might have influence the development of this sector and these are being defined
underneath:
 Social-cultural considerations – Talking about this factor, the behaviour of the
consumer affects the C&B industry a lot. With the changing time, the behaviour of the
customer also changes that might have adverse effect on this sector. Thus, for the
firms to success and develop must cater with the altering demands of the customers
and must fulfil them to achieve a competitive edge in the market.
 Environment – Environmental factors also influences the growth and development of
conference and banquet sector in UK. Now, people are more concerned towards the
environment and natural resources and issues coming out from them (Lillicrap and
Cousins, 2010). It is vital for the staff members of the hotels to offer best services to
their customers which offer less harm to the environment. If they will offer such
services than it will definitely improve their position in the market.
 Political – Political factor is being regarded as one of the most crucial issue which
may takes place while carrying out business operation. If the political condition of the
nation is unstable than conference and event cannot be organised in an effective way.
In addition to this, when there change in the policies by the ministry bodies, C&B
industry is affected a lot. Thus, it can be said that if the situation of UK is stable than
based on that improvements as well as development in the C&B sector can be done
(Tum and Nortor, 2011).
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 Technological – There has been increasing use of technology in this current business
world. For attaining success and competitive market position, it is essential for the
hotels to make use of modern updated technologies. Due to the increasing change in
technologies, C&B industry is influenced a lot. They are required to offer new
facilities to the customers. Technologies can be help the staff member of the hotel to
make improvements in their operational work and will also boost quality of services.
The cost will be reduced and revenue will increase substantially. Therefore,
technology is very imperative for the development of banquet & conference industry.
 Licensing laws & legal requirements – It is essential that the workers of the business
corporations should make use of suitable policies and laws. In addition to this, they
are also responsible for delivering adequate quality of products and services to their
customers in order to accomplish their pre-determined objectives (Wagon and White,
2010). For enhancing the C&B management in UK, room layout, licensing laws,
certain protocols and legal formalities should be taken into account effectively.
LO – 2
Important strategic as well as operational issues
There are numerous strategic as well as operational issues that helps in carrying out
effective management of the hotel. If the hotels want to increase their revenue than they
should plan on improving their quality of services within a particular period of time. If they
are making use of proper and suitable strategies than this will help in optimizing their
operational standards with a view to achieve growth in the market.
 Pricing & Packaging – This is an important strategic issue that assist in effective
management of a given conference and banquet. It is essential that the hotel should
offer adequate resources and packaging so that they can carry out their programmes.
Proper data should be used by the employees so that better services can be delivered
(Arcodia and Barker, 2013). Flexibility in the packaging of banquets should be there
if the hotel desires to fulfil their targets. Products should be designed and venue must
be decorative. All this will support in improved delivering of value to the customers
 Religious and cultural guidelines – This is a vital operational issue. Staff members of
the hotels have to accept different limits. They are responsible for offering religious
inclination to the customers for promoting their events and programs. Such type if
advertisement will support in offering proper encouragement to house the different
religious as well as cultural values.
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 Licensing laws – For conducting any type of event or conferences, the hotel is
required to take prior permission through licenses by local council on the businesses
in United Kingdom. All work should be carried out legally so that the hotel cannot
come across with such type of operational issues (Arcodia and Reid, 2003).
 Health & Safety regulations – The managers of the hotels is required to undertake
correct regulations related to health and safety. Based on this, the business entity can
develop a clear path for its staff members. Standard should be maintained by the
employees while offering services to people. Further, professional training should be
provided for delivering best services. All this will improve the performance of the
hotel and will maintain the standards (Landey and Silvers, 2004).
 Discounting initiatives – This is again a strategic issue. The business entities are
required to offer discounts to their customers for attracting large amount of customers.
Additionally, discount should be placed on different kinds of events so that activities
can be performed effectively. This will create additional values to the events.
Methods used by C&B industry for quality & performance review
Different tools as well as techniques are available that can be adopted by the hotels
for measuring the quality of services effectively. Further, they also need to check and monitor
the performance of their employees in order to attain the standards. Some of the methods are
as follows:
 Food & Drink review – This is being regarded as one of the crucial segment of an
event. They must be reviewed for ensuring that the food and drink requirements of the
customers are attained successfully. Needs of the guests should be determined and
accordingly food should be offered (McDonald and McDonald, 2000).
 Budget review – It is vital that suitable budget should be prepared so that allocation is
done properly. Carrying out an event will need cash for the expenditures. Thus,
allocation of resources as per the needs will support in determining the wants and
based on that they can be accomplished.
 Transport review – People from varied parts of the world will come and join the event
and thus, the employees of the hotel need to take care about their mode of
transportation. Further plans should be made considering this in intellect.
 Dress code review – Dress code can be fixed for organizing memorable events.
Through this uniformity can be created. Further, new and innovative things can be
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achieved if dress code that suits the culture and profile of the clients is represented at
the event.
 Contingency plan review – While carrying out the events, there are many challenges
and issues that come across in the way of staff members which delay the whole
process. Thus, it is essential to have alternative plans to ensure that there is no
postponing of the event (Silvers and et.al, 2006).
 Entertainment review – It is considered as the core part of the banquet. It is essential
that the employees of the hotel must evaluate that entertainment should be offered as
per the guests. Furthermore, it should be related with the taste, preference and
experience of the expected customers and most importantly the main purpose of the
event (Wu and Weber, 2005).
 Table plan review – This requires proper planning in relation with employers as well
as employees. It is vital that the recreational person should be present in the event.
They can be taken into account by selling of tickets. Further, there should be
allocation of table with a view to achieve the aim of the event and making it a part of
reminiscences (Gupta, McLaughlin and Gomez, 2007).
CONCLUSION
Consequently, from the above report it can be interpreted that at the time of carrying
out any conference or banquet, it is essential to monitor all the amenities that the hotel is
willing to offer to their guests. Additionally, the size and scope of that particular venue
should also be checked where the event will be organized. Further, it was explored from the
research that there are many factors that might have an adverse impact on the development of
C&B industry and thus, needs to be dealt accordingly. Finally, the employees of the hotel
should make use of appropriate rules, regulations and policies for better management of their
work.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Arcodia, C., & Reid, S. (2003). Goals and objectives of event management
associations. Journal of
Arcodia, C. and Barker, T. (2013) ‘The employability prospects of graduates in event
management: Using data from job advertisements’. CAUTHE 2003: Riding the Wave of
Tourism and Hospitality Research, p.19.
Arcodia, C. and Reid, S. (2003) ‘Goals and objectives of event management associations.
Journal of Convention and Exhibition Management, 5(1), pp.57-75.
Beech, J. And Kasper, R. (2014) ‘The Business of Events Management’. 2nd Ed. Harlow:
Pearson Education Limited.
Bladen, C. And Kennell, J. (2012) ‘Event Management and Introduction’. 2nd Ed. Oxon:
Routledge.
body of knowledge. Event Management, 9(4), 185-198
Bowdin, G. and McDonnell, I. (2012) ‘Event Management’. 3rd Ed. Oxon: Butterworth –
Heinemann.
Convention and Exhibition Management, 5(1), 57-75
curriculum design. Event Management, 6(1), 5-13.
Event Tourism, 6(3), 21-46
Gupta, S., McLaughlin, E. and Gomez, M. (2007) ‘Guest satisfaction and restaurant
performance’. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 48(3), pp.284–
298.
Landey, J. & Silvers, J.R. (2004). The miracle of training in event management. Journal of
Convention &
Landey, J. and Silvers, J.R. (2004) ‘The miracle of training in event management’. Journal of
Convention & Event Tourism, 6(3), pp.21-46.
Lillicrap, D. and Cousins, J. (2010) ‘Food and Beverage’. 8th Ed. London: Hodder
Education
McDonald, D., & McDonald, T. (2000). Festival and event management: An
experiential approach to
McDonald, D. and McDonald, T. (2000) ‘Festival and event management: An experiential
approach to curriculum design. Event Management, 6(1), pp.5-13.
Silvers, J. R., Bowdin, G., O’Toole, W., & Nelson, K. (2006). Towards an international event
management
Silvers, J.R., Bowdin, G., O’Toole, W. and Nelson, K. (2006) ‘Towards an international
event management body of knowledge’. Event Management, 9(4), pp.185-198.
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Swan, J.E. and Combs, L.J. (2016) ‘Product performance and consumer-satisfaction—a new
concept’. Journal of Marketing, 40(2), p.25.
Tum, J. and Nortor, P. (2011) ‘Management of Event Operations’. 2nd Ed. London:
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Wagon, L. V.D. and White, L. (2010) ‘Events Management’. 4th Ed. New South Wales:
Pearson.
Wu, A. and Weber, K. (2005) ‘Convention center facilities, attributes and services: The
delegates’ perspective’. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 10(4), pp.399–410.
Online references
UK Hospitality. (2018). [Online]. Available through: < https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/>.
[Accessed on 24thJune 2019].
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