Sourcing the right venue is one of the most critical – and often most challenging – aspects of planning successful meetings and events. For agencies like BCD Meetings & Events, ensuring a seamless, efficient process is key to delivering exceptional client experiences. But with tight deadlines, high expectations, and the need for competitive proposals, finding the perfect venue isn’t always straightforward.
That’s where Lime Venue Portfolio comes in.
Jon Harrison, Director, Supplier Relations at BCD Meetings & Events, shares how their partnership with Lime Venue Portfolio helps overcome key industry challenges, streamlines venue sourcing and adds value at every process stage. From responsive enquiry handling to proactive collaboration, Jon explains why this relationship is more than just a supplier agreement—it’s a true “two-way street” that benefits both parties.
Here’s how Lime Venue Portfolio is making a difference for BCD M&E—and why other agencies should take note.
What key challenges do you face as an agency? And how does your partnership with Lime Venue Portfolio help you overcome these hurdles?
We enjoy an open, supportive and proactive relationship with Lime Venue Portfolio. Some key challenges and expectations that we ultimately look for support from Lime Venue Portfolio include:
- Venues delivering to agreed response times – this is absolutely key for ourselves to present venue options and proposals to our customers promptly.
- Receiving high-quality and competitive venue proposals in answer to meeting and event briefs – we require proposals to contain the best rates and importantly value add inclusions first time, while ensuring the proposals fully address and meet our customer's requirements, in support of both quality and efficiency.
- These points are most effectively achieved when communication at the enquiry and proposal stages is open, clear and collaborative.
What other key benefits do you get from being a partner with Lime Venue Portfolio?
Further advantages include having a designated Lime Venue Portfolio Account Manager responsible for our relationship and whom we look to to quickly and effectively manage and resolve any situations that may arise. Also, holding space at a provisional stage on a first option basis, priority notification of key news and venue developments within the portfolio, as well as offering BCD M&E and our customers key education and learning opportunities on topical industry subjects.
You describe this partnership as a “two-way street”, what are the benefits for Lime Venue Portfolio?
Of paramount importance to Lime Venue Portfolio is for BCD M&E team members to be educated on their venue offerings. Working closely with the BCD M&E Supplier Relations Team, this is achieved through mutually considered, agreed and planned educational sessions, delivered by Lime Venue Portfolio to BCD M&E personnel through various delivery methods. The BCD M&E Supplier Relations Team is in place and on hand, to offer help, guidance and advice to Lime Venue Portfolio on a variety of matters as needed.
Would you recommend Lime Venue Portfolio to other agencies?
Lime Venue Portfolio is a valuable partner, delivering a supportive enquiry handling process to some iconic and diverse venues across the UK. A valuable aspect is their ‘one-stop-shop’ approach, from initial enquiry handling to delivery of proposals, supporting efficiency, quality and value add.
