Step 1: Planning
If you’re planning to hold a conference, then look no further than CCT. Our team help our clients execute events large and small. Anything from a handful of people to more than 400 delegates. We can guide you from start to finish. We’ve even developed our own industry leading online Event Manager which is a web-based management system to help make your life easier when running your event. It can be used for all residential bookings taking place at one of our CCT venues.
The key to success starts with organisation and planning. Start the ball rolling as soon as you have a date in mind. Many of our customers book at least 12 months in advance to ensure they secure the dates they want. Every year our venues host a wide range of residential events – spanning from church away weekends to week-long international seminars. We have three venues for you to choose from, each with their own unique identity.
Step 2: Decide on a theme
Big or small, every conference needs a theme. Catchy and snappy themes are easy to remember yet have the ability to inspire. Simple thinking works best but remember if you plan it properly, anything is possible. Once decided, the theme can be used across some or all of the following platforms:
- Social media, make sure you have an event hashtag
- Posters
- Brochures
- Logos
Step 3: Budget
Unlike some other conference providers, who charge extra for things like flip charts and teas and coffees with us there are no hidden extras for using our facilities. We offer free audio-visual equipment which we are continually updating to ensure we provide the best facilities possible. At the start of this year we installed at our Derbyshire centre, (The Hayes) new state of the art display screens and sound equipment. We will also ensure you have flip charts, free WiFi and of course free teas and coffees. All provided as part of our all-inclusive pricing.
Will you need accommodation? At CCT all our centres feature a selection of single, double, twin and family rooms, the majority with en-suite bathrooms. We charge per person, with no supplements for single occupancy rooms.
To get things rolling we can provide you with an immediate indicative online quote by filling out our online quote request form. Or if you would prefer to speak to someone call 0300 111 4444 and one of the team will be happy to help.
We believe all Christian groups and organisations, irrespective of size or budget, should be able to make the most of the fantastic facilities on offer at CCT venues so we offer bursaries designed to provide funding to delegates who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.
We have also set up the ‘Friends in Mission’ grant scheme for groups with an annual income of less than £50,000.
The ‘Friends in Mission’ scheme has been established to help fund visits for Christian charities, communities, volunteer and church groups who, for financial reasons, would otherwise be unable to make use of our conference centres.
For more info on how we can help, click here.
Step 4: Book the venue
CCT has 3 venues to choose from in various parts of the country.
www.cct.org.uk/our-venues/explore
- The Hayes, in Swanwick, Derbyshire provides residential and day conference facilities for up to 400 delegates. Set in the stunning Derbyshire countryside with easy road, rail and air links, the centre provides the perfect peaceful retreat.
- Belsey Bridge, in Ditchingham on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, specialises in residential and day conference facilities for up to 110 delegates. Located in more than 20 acres of grounds, the venue is designed to support quiet reflection with plenty of delightful walks on offer in the surrounding countryside.
- High Leigh Conference Centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, specialises in residential and day conferences for up to 220 delegates. The 40 acres of lawns, parkland and woodland, provide the perfect tranquil surroundings to aid concentration.
Step 5: Running your event
Remember, nothing compares to that feeling of being immersed in a crowd of people who share the same passion as you. Executed correctly, the feeling of having organised or attended a successful conference is a good one. Learning with old friends and making new ones, a successful conference provides an energising boost to trigger fresh ideas and motivation.
So whatever your requirements CCT can tailor the conference experience to your specific brief. From your initial consultation with our dedicated conference team, we work closely with you to create an unforgettable event. To aid in assisting you as much as possible, our digital Event Manager is included free of charge and will allow you plan and organise your next conference or event by managing all your bookings online, helping to make your conference run smoothly and efficiently as possible.
