Planning an Academic Conference in Exeter
Planning an Academic Conference in Exeter: What You Need to Know
Whether you're a university department looking to showcase cutting-edge research or a society hosting a specialist symposium, Exeter offers everything you need to deliver a seamless and successful academic conference.
From award-winning facilities to expert support, here's what you should consider when planning your next academic meeting in the South West.
Why Choose Exeter?
Set in the heart of Devon, Exeter combines the prestige of a Russell Group university with the charm of a historic city. With excellent transport links, a range of accommodation options, and a reputation for academic excellence, it's a natural home for scholarly conferences of all sizes.
Exeter is more than just a destination. Discover why Exeter is a fantastic place to host your next event. .
Choosing the Right Academic Conference Venue
Your choice of academic conference venue can shape the entire experience for organisers, speakers, and delegates alike. At Event Exeter, we offer a wide range of flexible venues, from lecture theatres to exhibition halls and breakout spaces, all located on the University of Exeter’s beautiful Streatham Campus.
Explore our venues:
- Reed Hall – a beautiful Italianate mansion perfect for smaller academic meetings
- The Great Hall – For larger-scale academic conferences or keynote presentations, The Great Hall offers a prestigious setting with tiered seating, professional AV facilities, and a capacity of up to 1,400 guests.
- The Forum – a striking glass-fronted building at the heart of campus, perfect for networking spaces, registration zones and informal breakouts
Learn more about our venues.
On-the-Ground Support and Event Services
Delivering a successful academic conference involves more than just securing a venue. At Event Exeter, our experienced events team can support you with AV setup, catering options, delegate management, and more — so you can focus on the content, not the logistics.
Get insights into how to run a smooth event in our blog on planning an academic conference for success.
Accommodation for Delegates and Speakers
From en-suite campus rooms to boutique city hotels, Exeter offers a variety of accommodation options within walking distance of our venues. Many event organisers choose to book conference venue space alongside our B&B offering, making the experience smooth and convenient for everyone involved. Learn more about booking a stay with Event Exeter.
If your delegates are staying longer, you could even plan an itinerary that includes some dining on Exeter quay or a walk along the River Exe.
Making the Most of Exeter
When the conference ends for the day, Exeter keeps giving. Delegates can explore the city’s Roman heritage, independent restaurants, and scenic riverside walks. For longer scholarly conferences, it’s the perfect location to build in social activities or networking evenings.
And if they want to explore the area, our blog on 7 interesting places to visit near Exeter is a great place to start.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you're ready to book conference venue space or just want to talk through options, get in touch with our team. We’ll help you bring your next academic conference to life, right here in Exeter.