Downing's Conference Open Day
Following the grand opening of the Howard Theatre, the Downing College Conference Services Team decided to run an open day event, the purpose of which was to showcase the College's conference and function facilities to potential clients interested in using this unique venue.
Guests, who were mainly event organisers from businesses in and around Cambridge, were invited to attend either a morning or afternoon session on Friday 26th March.
After arrival, and the chance to sample Downing's renowned catering, attendees were welcomed to the event in the luxurious new Howard Theatre by Jacqui Cressey, Conference Services Manager. Guests were then treated to a demonstration of the state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities fitted into the Theatre by Matt Foster of Absolute AV Solutions, and Downing Conference Support Technicians Martin and Michal.
Following the chance to have a look around the theatre, guests were led on a guided tour around other College conference facilities by members of the Conference Team. The tour included the Howard Building, the Hall, the Fellows' Garden and the College's hotel-standard ensuite bedrooms. The spring weather allowed the grounds of the College to be showed to their full advantage.
A delicious buffet lunch was served in the West Lodge, overlooking the tranquil sunken garden of Howard Court. For morning guests, lunch completed their visit, but for afternoon guests it started theirs. On departure, attendees were presented with a Conference gift bag, which included a Conference brochure, a Howard Conference Centre slate coaster and some Easter eggs!
The day was a great success, and was enjoyed by all.
The Conference Services Team hopes to run another open day event during the summer months of 2010. If you would be interested in attending, please contact us on conference@dow.cam.ac.uk or 01223 334860.