The Barbican is to be the home of The Institute of Fundraising conference for at least the next three years following its search for a new venue for the Fundraising Convention, the largest conference of its kind in the UK.
More than 3,500 delegates attended the Fundraising Convention across its three days last month in what was its first year using the Barbican. The Institute of Fundraising used the majority of the venue’s event spaces including the Barbican Hall and the Conservatory. Following the success of the convention’s first event in its new home, it looks set to remain at the Barbican for the foreseeable future.
“We needed a new home for the convention because we had outgrown our previous venue and we needed opportunities for growth – the Barbican provides that,” explained Katie Johnson, head of events at the Institute of Fundraising. “We also identified the Barbican as the perfect venue because of its not-for-profit nature, which fits well with the values of the Institute and its members. The range of spaces available to us were suitable not only for the conference but also additional activities such as film screenings and a charity theatre performance. The Barbican provided a collaborative and flexible partnership, whilst also offering us a home that gives us to chance to continue growing in the future.”
The Barbican is a not-for-profit venue with the profit made by business events reinvested back into the Centre’s arts and outreach programmes. It was this link that has enabled the venue to understand the nature of the Institute of Fundraising and its requirements for the event.
“We were of course delighted to win the business because we are always keen to work with clients who share our values,” commented Oliver Hargreaves, head of sales at the Barbican. “The content of the conference was relevant to the Barbican and a number of staff were actual delegates during the three days. We are thrilled that the Fundraising Convention was a huge success and there was a real buzz across the venue. It really is the perfect fit for the Barbican and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the Institute of Fundraising.”
The Barbican is showcasing its investment in the Frobisher rooms and Level 4 of the Centre at SquareMeal (21-22 September) and IMEX America (18-20 October) later this year.
Further information about utilizing event space at the Barbican can be acquired by contacting the Business Events Team: +44 (0)20 7382 7043 or businessevents@barbican.org.uk.
