CV Issue 1 2018

CORPORATE VISION / Issue 1 2018 9 , Winners in our ‘Top 50 Awards’, Unique Venues Birmingham (UVB) is a new commercial venture between BirminghamRepertory Theatre and the Library of Birmingham, which aims to exploit the excellent conferencing and hospitality opportunities offered within the shared building on Centenary Square in the centre of the city. We spoke to Suzanna Reid Barreiro da Silva to find out more about this exciting venture. Your Antidote to the Mundane! The Library of Birmingham was voted Britain’s favourite new building and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre is one of the most creative theatres in the UK. UVB brings together everything that these two stunning buildings have to offer under one roof. The spaces are as individual as people are and their unique personalities lift events from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Regarding the library, there is the stunning Book Rotunda, the Discovery Terrace offering panoramic views over the city and the historic Shakespeare Memorial Room. From a range of state of the art function suites and meeting rooms, right up to three theatrical auditoria there is literally something to suit every occasion. As well as business events, the company also host unique wedding celebrations and parties. UVB provides bespoke packages for its customers to ensure that the team provide exactly what the customer needs, as well as stretching their imagination. Working with new clients, the team take the necessary steps in order to ensure clients receive the best possible outcome. Suzanna outlines UVB’s overall mission, describing what steps the firm takes in order to achieve its mission, as well how the company approaches a new project. “Here at UVB, we put people first, our philosophy is to take care of our employees and they will take care of our customers. Providing training, support, opportunities to grow and succeed. “Throughout the company, staff thrive on providing the best customer service, and once a customer has confirmed their event we provide a dedicated Event Manager to manage the final details and ensure the client’s event runs smoothly.” Operating in such a competitive market, Suzanna is keen to share what marks UVB out as the best possible option for clients. She talks about the adaptability of the firm, and what unique abilities the firm possesses when it comes to providing exceptional spaces for various events. “Essentially, our unique selling point is the ability to offer quirky and versatile spaces for conferences, exhibitions, client entertainment, meetings and banquets, and we have enhanced that by uniting two of the most distinctive venues at the heart of Birmingham.” Commenting on the industry currently, Suzanna is quick to praise the region of Birmingham as an ideal location for the company to do their business, particularly with the tourism industry in the city currently booming. “Birmingham was named the UK’s most popular conference and events destination outside London by the British Meetings and Events Industry Survey 2017/18. Last year, the city attracted a record 39 million visitors, a 2.5% increase on 2015’s figures, and also achieved more than one million international visits, the largest growth of any city outside London for the second consecutive year. “Currently affecting the region is the arrival of GDPR rules and regulations which we will work hard to overcome, as well as anticipating what effect Brexit will have on the industry and region. Plus, there is the additional aspect of tightened budgets which will hamper many companies and industries.” In her concluding comments, Suzanna predicts what the future holds for UVB, outlining where she sees the company going in ‑‑ the future. She also comments on what developments she foresees and how UVB will adapt around these advances, whilst being quick to praise the region of Birmingham. “Moving forward, we want to grow the brand nationally and open the door to other unique venues joining our portfolio. Birmingham has been named the country’s favourite business tourism destination outside London and major banks such as HSBC and Deutsche Bank have moved their HQs to the city, while the planned HS2 rail link to London shows that Birmingham is fast becoming a hot spot. We have some major developments that are happening in the city, and it’s just been announced that Birmingham will host the Commonwealth Games in 2022. “Lastly, Birmingham is one of the most vibrant cities in the country and a superb destination for conferences and events. There has never been a better time to unite one of the most iconic buildings and libraries in Europe with one of the most creative theatres in the UK. The REP has already delivered some truly unique and spectacular moments for clients, and I personally can’t wait to demonstrate what we’re now capable of given this exciting new potential.”