Published by Neil Thompson, 2nd July 2025
Venues of Excellence (VOE), the UK’s leading consortium for independent conference and event venues, is entering an exciting new chapter. Over the past 12 months, the organisation has experienced exceptional growth, welcoming high-calibre new members, expanding its services, and reinforcing its position as the voice of quality and innovation in the UK MICE sector.
Under the dynamic leadership of CEO Mandy Jennings, who acquired the company four years ago, Venues of Excellence has gone from strength to strength. Her strategic vision has transformed VOE into a trusted, high-performing community where excellence, quality, and customer service drive real business results for members.
“This past year has been truly transformational. We’ve demonstrated that with the right strategy, passion, and people, independent venues can shine brightly and compete at the highest levels. VOE is more than a membership—it's a trusted community. Venues of Excellence never stands still which is vital as the events landscape continues to evolve, we are constantly adapting, innovating, and raising the bar for what excellence looks like in the independent venue sector. Through regular member feedback, industry insights, and a deep understanding of client expectations, we remain agile and forward-thinking. Its commitment to continuous improvement ensures that member venues are not only meeting today’s standards but are also prepared to lead the way in shaping the future of the MICE industry.”
Mandy Jennings, CEO, VOE
In just the last three months, five impressive venues have joined the consortium: Drayton Manor Resort (Tamworth), Uttoxeter Racecourse, Doncaster Racecourse, The Royal Armouries (Leeds), and most recently Wotton House (Dorking). Each brings a unique offering to the VOE family while sharing a common commitment to operational excellence.
All venues undergo VOE’s rigorous Quality Audit and benefit from ongoing assessments that ensure the consortium’s high standards are consistently met—and exceeded. Unlike other organisations, VOE puts its members at the heart of everything, offering regular networking, robust peer-to-peer support, and a laser focus on continuous professional development which was highlighted in January when they took customer service ambassadors from all their venues for two days to Center Parcs to refocus on the importance of customer excellence with a programme delivered by industry experts, In2Action.
VOE kicked off 2025 with its energising Annual Conference, themed Positive Evolution, which empowered members through thought leadership, powerful breakout sessions, and enabled them to take back some ‘golden nuggets’ to share with their colleagues.
April 2025 marked the triumphant return of the 23rd Annual Cook & Serve Challenge, spotlighting the exceptional culinary and hospitality talents within the VOE venues. Teams competed to create and serve a fine-dining experience complete with wine pairings, culminating in a vibrant awards dinner celebrating skill, passion, and creativity.
Meanwhile, the Learning and Development Academy, delivered in partnership with Paje Consultancy, continues to break records for participation. With an expanded programme of face-to-face and online training, the Academy is nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders.
VOE’s Business Development and Venue Find teams have grown significantly, with expert professionals ensuring every client journey—from enquiry to event execution—is seamless and successful. Looking ahead, Venues of Excellence is excited to be launching something brand new. This summer at The Meetings Show 2025, the team will unveil ”VX Find” — our outstanding venue finding service designed to make sourcing the perfect space easier, faster, and more tailored than ever. It’s the first in a new suite of VX services created to guarantee "event excellence without the effort". Need a venue? VX Find. Need event management? VX Deliver. Need more? Keep posted for more announcements.
Stewart Elsmore, Chair of the VOE Advisory Group and Director of Campus Services at Cranfield University commented: “Venues of Excellence continues to listen intently to the needs of our clients and customers providing high quality, ethically supported, products and services, to meet their exacting requirements in a fast paced world. We are constantly evolving, elevating, and innovating in order to stay ahead by exceeding our customer expectations.”
VOE will be exhibiting at The Meetings Show (Stand E51), joined by 18 member venues. MICE buyers are invited to discover the powerful benefits of working with independent venues committed to excellence in delivery, flexibility, and customer care and find out more about VX Find.
From strategy and training to marketing and member support, Venues of Excellence is not only evolving—it’s leading the way!
