Business and Conferencing in Reading

Planning a business conference requires the right location, facilities, and support to ensure your event succeeds.

This Celador Apartments guide explores why Reading is a top destination for savvy organisers who choose the town for corporate meetings and conferences of all sizes.

Reading's Strategic Location is a Business Advantage

Reading's position in the Thames Valley corridor makes it an ideal choice for business meetings and conferences. Just 25 minutes from London Paddington and with excellent motorway links via the M4, the town offers fantastic accessibility for delegates travelling from across the UK and internationally.

The station has direct services to Birmingham, Bristol, and Southampton, whilst Heathrow Airport sits only 40 minutes away by road. This connectivity means less time spent travelling and more time devoted to productive business discussions.

Modern Facilities for Every Occasion

From intimate boardroom meetings to large-scale conferences, Reading boasts an impressive range of venues equipped with cutting-edge technology and professional support services. Many facilities offer comprehensive packages including catering, technical support, and event management, ensuring your conference runs seamlessly from start to finish. 

High-speed wifi, video conferencing capabilities, and flexible room configurations have become standard across Reading's venue portfolio, with dedicated events teams on hand to customise spaces according to your specific requirements.

The Best Conference Venues in Reading

Reading has a whole host of meeting spaces to meet the needs of business events. The best of these include:

• voco Reading - Situated on Caversham Bridge, this contemporary hotel offers 13 versatile meeting rooms accommodating up to 350 delegates. The venue combines modern audiovisual technology with riverside views. Find out more about meeting rooms at voco Reading.

• Green Park Conference Centre - Located at 300 Longshot Lane, Green Park, this purpose-built facility can host up to 250 delegates across multiple spaces. The centre specialises in corporate events with dedicated breakout areas and comprehensive technical support. Visit Green Park Conference Centre.

• Madejski Stadium - Reading Football Club's venue at Junction 11, M4, offers unique conference spaces for 10 to 1,000 attendees. The setting provides a distinctive atmosphere for product launches and large corporate gatherings. Explore Madejski Stadium conference events.

• Hilton Reading - Based at Drake Way, this hotel features 10 flexible meeting rooms. On-site accommodation makes it convenient for multi-day events for up to 500 people. Learn more about conferences at Hilton Reading.

• Reading Town Hall - At Blagrave Street, this Grade II listed Victorian building combines architectural grandeur with modern facilities. The Concert Hall seats 750 for presentations, whilst smaller rooms suit workshops and seminars. Discover Reading Town Hall conference spaces.

If you’re looking for a less corporate space, Reading's historic venues have bags of character alongside modern technology. The Garden Hall at Watlington House has an elegant setting with contemporary AV equipment.

Alternatively, the Quaker Meeting House on Church Street, a Grade II listed building, has an intimate atmosphere for smaller gatherings, complete with the WiFi and projection systems today's businesses require.

Making the most of conferences in Reading

A little planning and forethought can help ensure you get the best long-term benefits from a business conference. Here are some simple tips:

Before the conference: clarify your objectives and share a detailed agenda with attendees well in advance. Research speakers and panel members, prepare questions, and identify which sessions align with your professional goals. Download any relevant apps or materials, and schedule meetings with contacts you hope to connect with during breaks.

If you're presenting: arrive early to test equipment and familiarise yourself with the room layout. Bring backup copies of presentations on multiple devices. Keep slides concise and practise timing to respect allocated slots. Prepare for questions by anticipating common queries about your topic.

During the conference: take notes by hand to improve retention. Introduce yourself to fellow delegates during breaks; these conversations are often as valuable as formal sessions. Collect business cards and make brief notes about each new contact to aid future follow-up.

After the event: within 48 hours, reach out to new connections whilst the meeting remains fresh in their minds. Review your notes and identify actionable insights to implement. Share key learnings with colleagues who didn't attend. Consider writing a brief summary for your team or LinkedIn network to reinforce what you've absorbed.

More than Business – Hospitality and Accommodation

Reading's hospitality sector easily meets all the needs of the modern business traveller, with accommodation options ranging from international hotel chains to serviced apartments. Celador Apartments are within walking distance of conference facilities and enable client entertainment and networking dinners.

These self-contained spaces offer the privacy and comfort that traditional hotel rooms just cannot match, with full kitchens allowing you to host informal business discussions over breakfast or evening drinks in a relaxed setting.

Making the Most of Your Visit

Smart conference organisers know that successful events balance productive sessions with opportunities for relaxation and team building. Reading's cultural attractions, riverside walks, and proximity to the Berkshire countryside provide ideal options for post-conference activities or team-building exercises. The Oracle shopping centre, the Museum of Reading, and the Abbey Ruins offer cultural diversions, whilst the Thames Path offers peaceful scenery just minutes from the town centre.

The town's excellent transport links also mean delegates can easily extend their stay to explore nearby attractions, including Windsor Castle, Henley-on-Thames, or even central London, adding value to their business trip and creating memorable experiences beyond the conference room. This flexibility transforms a standard corporate event into a more enriching experience that attendees will remember long after the final session concludes.

Plan Your Reading Conference Today

Whether you're organising an intimate board meeting or a major industry conference, Reading delivers the facilities, location, and support services to make your event successful. Celador Apartments offer the perfect base for delegates seeking comfortable, well-connected accommodation with the flexibility to work and entertain in private surroundings. Contact us today.