Venue Reading showcase visit
2nd June 2023
REDA in partnership with Meet Beyond London and PA Life hosted a familiarisation trip to Reading in May, inviting 10 Senior Executive Assistants and PAs from major London-based businesses and organisations, including Persia International Bank, NHS, Expedia Group, Associated British Foods, Aegis London, Meta and CA CIB to come and try out Reading's meetings offer.
The trip showcased some of the many venues that are just a short walk from Reading Station which links Reading to London in 22 minutes on the mainline and an hour via the new Elizabeth Line which has through trains direct to the City and Docklands.
With an overnight stay at the Penta Hotel which boasts a wide range of meeting spaces, a cool bar and games package for delegates, the showcase also included:-
Drinks and a show round at Thames Lido, the Mediterranean restaurant and spa set around the conserved Edwardian Lido , which also has a dedicated meeting space.
Dinner and show round at Roseate Hotel Reading with a range of smart small meeting spaces and an in-house cinema, as well as a fantastic restaurant.
The historic Reading Town Hall, Reading’s largest conference venue. The Concert Hall combined with the Victoria Hall and Waterhouse Room can host major conferences.
Lunch and show round at Crowne Plaza Reading on the banks of the Thames. The hotel has a mix of smaller meeting spaces as well as a large flexible event space overlooking the river.
A cruise up the Thames on Thames River Cruise which specialise in corporate and event cruises. The delegates were joined on the cruise by representatives of other Reading venues - Wokefield Park, Reading Football Club Conference Centre, The Pavilion conference centre and meeting rooms, the Hilton Reading and Voco Reading.
The trip received great feedback from the delegates. “Thank you both so much for organising such a useful and well organised showcase. This was a great way to experience hotels and venues in Reading in a time efficient, fun and relaxed way. All hosts were very welcoming and knowledgeable and treated the group with great generosity. I look forward to sharing the details across the businesses and hopefully we can bring some new bookings to Reading in the coming years.” Hannah Houston-Banks, Executive Assistant to Group Chief Executive Officer, Associated British Foods
