Meetings at Oakfield Manor

If your staff conference could so with some animal magic or your annual general meeting could benefit from a walk on the wild side, then Chester Zoo could be the venue for you.

Set in 110 acres with 7,000 animals, the Zoo is an option for companies looking for a venue for conferences and meetings or for couples looking for an unusual venue for weddings, renewal of vows and naming ceremonies.

The zoo’s Oakfield Manor – the original home of its founder George Mottershead – can cater for anything up to 45 people for a conference. Those who need a bigger venue can use the lecture hall which seats 174 people. Conveniently, the lecture hall also has free parking for a 100 cars and those choosing to use the Oakfield Manor can also benefit from free reserved parking for up to 50 cars.

Jane Lawson, Events Manager, said: “Holding an event, such as a team-building exercise or product launch, in such unusual surroundings can prove to be a real ice breaker. It gives people something to talk about ahead of the conference and can help settle any nerves about the big day.

“The lecture hall can cater for bigger events and the acoustics are superb whereas the Oakfield Manor boardroom is an exceptional location and more intimate, seating 45-theatre style or 22 boardroom style.”

The Safari suite inside the Oakfield, complete with syndicate room, is ideal for smaller gatherings. Companies looking to make the most of the venue can also tailor their event to their requirements with private summer evening safaris, barbecues, dinners or a buffet.

The events team can guide you through the process of pulling your conference day together and catering staff can organise menus to suit most tastes. Electronic equipment needed to make the event run smoothly is also available.

“There are not many organisations that can say they have held their AGM whilst lions roar in the background or who wander to see the elephants and giraffes during their lunch break,” Jane added.

For further details on Chester Zoo as a conference and meeting venue call the events office on 01244 650 209 or email events@chesterzoo.org