Article by:
Beth Sadler
On Thursday 23rd April, The Priory Rooms exhibited at the Social Enterprise West Midlands’ “Social Value in Construction Conference” at the University of Wolverhampton. With over 160 delegates attending, businesses, social enterprises and charities came together to discuss improving social value within the construction industry.
The Priory Rooms showcased how using a third sector conference venue is a great way of meeting your business’ corporate social responsibility.
The Priory Rooms have been a member of Social Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM) since 2010 as a not-for-profit meeting and conference centre. SEWM aim to raise awareness of social enterprises and influence government policy. As social enterprise champions, each year hold a large conference focusing on how a sector can incorporate social value into decisions and policies; this year it was the construction industry. Social enterprises and third sector exhibitors met with delegates from across the industry to discuss business partnerships. There were inspirational speeches by key speakers, including Hazel Blears MP co-author of the Social Value Act, detailed master classes and a Meet the Buyer exchange.
The Priory Rooms’ Business Development Manager Beth Sadler and Conference and Event co-ordinator Hannah Baynes thoroughly enjoyed a busy day on the exhibition stand meeting senior staff from Mears Group, Kier, Balfour Beatty, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB ) and Wilmott Dixon to name a few. Visitors to the stand were inspired by the option of using a third sector conference venue and impressed by The Priory Rooms Birmingham city centre location. The construction industry regularly hold training courses, regional meetings and annual conferences about social responsibility policies such as apprenticeships and environmental impact. So a third sector, community focused venue would be the perfect setting for these!
CITB for example, the industry training board and a partner in the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry in England, Scotland and Wales, regularly book with The Priory Rooms. Sean Eames, CITB representative, said: “The Priory Rooms always provide a friendly and efficient service enabling us to undertake our important work of engaging with businesses, employers and communities in the region.”
Beth and Hannah believe many of the “Social Value in Construction” delegates would definitely book third sector conference venues in the future.
Beth said “All of the delegates were fantastic people, dedicated to social responsibility and changing values within the industry. The policies and attitudes they are bringing into place now will provide a better future for the next generation; providing jobs and training, valuing the local community, supporting small business and considering the environmental impact. Supporting third sector venues is another small policy change which has a big social impact.”
If you would like more information on booking The Priory Rooms our Conference and Events co-ordinator Hannah Baynes would be delighted to help. Call 0121 236 2317 or email [email protected]
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