Derby firm launches venue-finding service

Derby-based Oberoi Business Hub has launched a UK-wide venue-finding service for companies seeking to host meetings, events, conferences and overnight stays.

Founder Kavita Oberoi said finding a suitable location can be time-consuming for businesses and that her team were poised to help, having registered with the Travel Industry Designator Service.

Oberoi, who founded Oberoi Consulting in 2001 and launched the Oberoi Business Hub in 2012, said the service is free of charge.

She said: “At the hub, we have a range of meeting facilities where we are able to host conferences, to suit the needs of clients.

“Sometimes our clients need a room with us in Derby, however there are occasions where our clients may need a larger room than we are able to provide onsite, or it maybe they are looking for a room in another location in the UK, such as London.

“Whether it be a venue to host an event or overnight accommodation, we can help.

“Our clients are mainly business-to-business (B2B) but we can source rooms for any interested party.

“On the consulting side of our business our pharmaceutical clients are always needing rooms for meetings and conferences.”

The service was set up by Carole Kenyon who sourced venues in her previous job, prior to joining Oberoi Consulting.

Kavita, who was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to entrepreneurship and start-up businesses, has also hired experienced conferencing and events executive of 10 years, Jazz Sidhu.

Sidhu will lead the new service along with a team of knowledgeable venue finders who are able to source venues throughout the UK.

“Jazz is coming on board to liaise with clients to understand their needs as well as working with venues to find the best possible solutions for our clients,” said Oberoi. “Jazz is also going to facilitate the running of our own venue, as the demand for our meeting facilities has really escalated over the last year.”

First users of the new service include The Frank Partnership. The property investment franchise, led by Frank Flegg, needed a venue to host its three-day annual retreat in later in November this year.

With the help of Oberoi Business Hub, the franchise has now secured a booking at The Sketchley Grange Hotel and Spa in Hinckley.

Oberoi said: “I spoke to Frank about our new service and he said ‘this is perfect for me – go and find what I’m looking for’.

“He gave us a brief. He said it needed to be in the Derbyshire, Nottingham, Leicestershire area and that it would be good if it had sporting facilities, an all-inclusive 24 hour rate and unlimited access to their meeting rooms.

“We put forward four proposals and then arranged a site visit for him to see the one he liked the most, and he’s gone ahead with it.

“The key is getting the brief 100% right. Nobody wants 10-12 options, our job is to ensure we know exactly what the clients wants and provide a shortlist.”