Conference & Event Venue Essex
Planning a successful conference, exhibition or event takes more than finding the right room. At Event Essex, our experienced team works with you from the first conversation through to delivery, bringing together the people, spaces and services you need to make your event a success.
Based at the University of Essex in Colchester, we offer more than 120 flexible event spaces, on-site accommodation for up to 1,000 guests, bespoke catering and in-house technical support. Whether you’re planning a business meeting, academic conference, exhibition, sporting event or large-scale celebration, we can help bring every element together.
More Than a Venue
Our venues are part of a complete event service. From delegate registration and room set-up to catering, accommodation, and on-site coordination, our team can help manage the detail and keep your event running smoothly.
We have experience delivering events of every scale, from business meetings and academic conferences to major university-wide programmes. During Graduation Week, for example, our team transformed the sports arena to welcome 13,000 graduates in a single week.
Event Management from Start to Finish
You’ll have a dedicated point of contact throughout the planning process, with support available across event delivery, venue management, delegate management, and other practical requirements.
For academic conferences, this can include registration and communications, accommodation, speaker management, abstract submissions, event marketing, budgeting and audio-visual support.
Built for Large-Scale Events
Our experience goes beyond individual venues. We understand how to coordinate complex events across a large campus, bringing together different spaces, services and teams to create one seamless experience.
Whether you’re using multiple lecture theatres and breakout rooms, accommodating delegates on campus, or managing catering and technical requirements across a large event, our team can coordinate the details for you.
A Sustainable Event Setting
Sustainability is an important part of the way we operate. Event Essex is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2035, while our campus offers a range of features that can support more sustainable events.
These include 100% certified carbon-neutral electricity, solar generation, sustainable catering practices, recycling facilities and the UK’s first zero-carbon business school building.
Why Event Essex?
One experienced team
From your first enquiry to the day itself, we’ll help coordinate the details that make your event work.
One campus, many possibilities
With more than 120 spaces, accommodation, catering and technical support available on site, we can build the right combination around your event.
Proven at scale
From business meetings and academic conferences to events welcoming thousands of guests, our team has the experience to deliver complex events with confidence.
A distinctive setting
Our Colchester Campus combines modern event facilities with extensive parkland and a unique university environment that is always safe, secure and welcoming.
A more sustainable choice
Our sustainability commitments and campus initiatives can help you make more responsible choices when planning your event.
Start Planning Your Event
Whatever you’re planning, Event Essex can bring the venue, expertise and services together to make your event run smoothly.
Tell us what you’re looking to achieve, and our experienced team can help you find the right event solution.
A dedicated point of contact throughout planning, plus support with event delivery, venue management, delegate management, technical production and other practical requirements.
Yes, our academic conference support can extend from early planning through to delivery, including registration and communications, accommodation, speaker management, abstract submissions, event marketing, budgeting and audio-visual support.
Yes, delegate registration and communications are part of our academic conference support.
Yes, speaker management and abstract submissions are part of our academic conference support.
Everything from business meetings to major university-wide events. Our team recently transformed the sports arena for Graduation Week, welcoming 13,000 graduates in a single week.
Yes, we coordinate complex events across multiple lecture theatres and breakout rooms, bringing together catering, accommodation and technical requirements into one seamless experience.
Yes, on-site accommodation is available for up to 1,000 guests.
Yes, alongside conferences we support business meetings, exhibitions, sporting events and large-scale celebrations.
We’re working towards net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Our campus features 100% certified carbon-neutral electricity, solar generation, sustainable catering practices, recycling facilities and the UK’s first zero-carbon business school building.
Yes, for academic conferences this can include event marketing and budgeting support alongside planning and delivery.
Get in touch and tell us what you’re looking to achieve. Our experienced team can help shape the right event solution from the first idea through to delivery.
We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
AV and technical support is included free of charge Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside these hours, an additional cost will apply.
Yes, bespoke catering is part of our event service and can be coordinated alongside venue hire, accommodation and technical support.
Yes, our team has experience transforming the sports arena for major events, including Graduation Week, which welcomes 13,000 guests in a single week.
Explore our full range of more than 120 spaces on the Venues page, from lecture theatres and business school facilities to the sports arena, and we’ll help you choose the right fit.
Yes, your dedicated Event Essex contact coordinates accommodation, catering, venue hire and technical support together, so you don’t need to manage each element separately.
