Your Guide to Hiring Small Conference Venues in Sydney
Choosing the right small conference venue in Sydney can be a bit challenging, but we're happy to share our event planning experience with you. Here's what you should consider:
- Conference facilities. Will you need a projector? Access to a computer? A microphone? It’s a good idea to figure out exactly what facilities you’ll need. This way, you can make sure that you pick a small conference space that is well-equipped to make your event run smoothly.
- Seating arrangements. There might not be as much room to play around with the seating arrangements as there would be in larger conference spaces. If you want to use a specific seating arrangement, such as a horseshoe formation (also known as a U-shape), it’s worth making sure there’s enough space to do so whilst still fitting in all your guests.
- Food and drinks. If your conference is due to last more than a few hours, it’s likely that your guests will be expecting more than just a glass of water. Keep this in mind and look for venues that offer catering packages to keep everyone going!
- Accessibility. One of the best ways to ensure a good turnout for your conference is to make sure it’s somewhere easily accessible for the majority of guests. If a lot of your invitees are from areas near Sydney, consider where in the city would be easiest for them to get to. If they’ll be flying into the city, why not have a look at small conference venues near the airport?
Time for the big question: how much does it cost? Here's our guide to conference venue prices in Sydney:
- The majority of small conference venues in Sydney are priced with a hire fee, with most asking for a fee of around $600. There’s room for a variety of budgets, however, with the hire fees ranging from $300 to $2,000 and above.
- Another option is to go for a per-person price, which usually includes a certain amount of food and drink for each guest — this is ideal if you don’t want the trouble of organising catering yourself! Most per-person prices for smaller conference venues in Sydney are around $60-$90+.
- Other venues are priced with a minimum spend rate, meaning you won’t need to pay a hire fee but you or your guests will need to spend a certain amount on food and drink whilst you’re there. For small conference venues, you can expect to pay around $1,400+ on a minimum spend rate. (All data from Tagvenue.)
FAQs about Small Conference Venues in Sydney
Which areas of Sydney are best for hiring a small conference venue?
There are many areas with great small conference venues in Sydney, including the CBD, North Sydney and Parramatta. The CBD is the best place for hiring conference venues if you’re looking for a central location and easy access to public transport. North Sydney is also a great option, and you will find many small conference venues near the North Sydney Station. Parramatta is another popular choice, as it’s close to the CBD, and offers great transport links. The Parramatta River is also a beautiful place for hiring venues for outdoor conferences with great views of the city.
How many people can comfortably fit into small conference venues in Sydney?
It's a common misconception that small conference venues can't accommodate large groups. In fact, some small conference venues in Sydney can easily fit up to 100 people. This is because the size of a room is determined by how many square meters it has, not the capacity (how many people it can fit). So if you're planning an event and want to find out how many square feet you need, make sure that each person has about 2 square meters or more, depending on the activities during the event and how much space each attendee needs to feel comfortable. Now that you understand the actual size of the venue and not just the capacity, you may start the search for the perfect small conference venue in Sydney.
What are some of the best small conference venues in Sydney?
- Standard Room at Karstens Sydney. Located right in the heart of Sydney's CBD, the venue is perfectly situated for both corporate and social events. The room can accommodate up to 30 people and offers all of the equipment you need to host your event: an LCD screen or projector, ceiling-mounted data projector, sound systems—even office essentials like a presenter's box! Plus, the hire includes tea and Nespresso coffee throughout the day.
- Busby Room at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park. If you're looking for a venue that's both intimate and professional, look no further. The Busby Room is the perfect place to hold your next conference. It can accommodate up to 10 guests and is conveniently located right across the street from Hyde Park.
- The Lachlan Room at Sir Stamford at Circular Quay. Situated near Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House in a 5-star hotel, this private room with a capacity of up to 35 seats and necessary amenities features an abundance of natural light, classic furnishings, a chandelier and a fireplace. With its elegant style and beautiful décor, this venue is the perfect space to host your next private function.