Last Friday afternoon we welcomed eight Eventprofslive members to The Grove Hote for one of our favourite types of events, a small, carefully curated FAM trip that brings together incredible venues and the people who genuinely book them.
A huge thank you to Stephen Fox and the fantastic team at The Grove for looking after us so brilliantly throughout the afternoon and evening. From the moment we arrived, every detail reflected exactly why this property continues to be one of the UK’s most iconic event destinations.
We began with a fantastic discussion led by Ian Callow from Polyphony Consulting, exploring so many topics including how AI is changing the way event professionals. It sparked exactly the kind of honest discussion we love to facilitate within our community.
From there we enjoyed a tour of The Grove, exploring everything from the meeting and event spaces through to the guest experience, hearing the stories behind the venue and discovering opportunities that many of us hadn’t seen before.
One of the things I love most about these smaller gatherings is that there is time to really connect. With just eight members, conversations become deeper, relationships are built more naturally and everyone has the opportunity to share ideas, challenges and experiences with peers who genuinely understand the world we work in.
As the evening arrived, we headed into The Glasshouse for a wonderful dinner before making our way to the Everyman Cinema for a private screening of Dirty Dancing. It was the perfect way to end the day. There is something quite special about finishing a busy afternoon of learning and networking by sitting back with popcorn and a classic film.
After a great night’s sleep, Saturday morning began bright and early with a 7am yoga session led by the fabulous Denise. It was the perfect way to reset before a few of us made the most of The Grove’s beautiful pool and spa facilities. It was a wonderful reminder that the best FAM trips don’t just showcase a venue, they allow you to properly experience everything it has to offer from a guest’s perspective.
At Eventprofslive, we have always believed that the best industry relationships aren’t built in conference halls with hundreds of people. They’re built around dinner tables, during venue tours, over coffee and through conversations where everyone feels comfortable enough to ask questions and share experiences.
Thank you again to Stephen Fox, Ian Callow and the entire team at The Grove for creating such a memorable experience, and of course to our wonderful members for bringing so much energy, curiosity and generosity to every conversation.
