2019: a year of highlights
The end of a year is always an opportunity to look back, and remember.
In 2019, there was plenty worth remembering!
Outdoor events
Guru Nanak 550th anniversary celebration
Ask any member of the Conferences & events team about 2019, and they’ll speak with genuine pride and pleasure about this event.
A genuine one-off, this spiritual and educational experience brought 15,000 visitors over 5 days.
Acknowledging 550 years since the birth of the founder of the faith, the local Sikh community brought a host of volunteers, joining forces with our team to deliver a warm, respectful welcome across the largest-yet network of marquees on campus.
“It has truly been a pleasure and a wonderful experience to have worked so closely with the University of Birmingham’s Conferences & events Team over the last few weeks… UoB staff worked side by side with Nishkam volunteers to ensure the smooth delivery and success of all aspects of the event.
“We feel deeply indebted and humbled by the care, compassion and inclusiveness afforded by everyone who worked tirelessly to meet and exceed our expectations on this auspicious occasion. With heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you all.”
Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha
Read the Guru Nanak 550th Anniversary case study
The Green Heart opening festival
The new Green Heart opens up 12 acres of green open space in the very heart of campus.
Its accessible walkways, lawns and borders provide capacity for up to 6,000 guests for outdoor events – making a combined capacity in central campus of 10,000.
Since then, the Library lawn has hosted marquees for Welcome Week and conferences. It will be ideal for convenient exhibition space when the Teaching & Learning Building opens alongside in 2020.
Find out more about the Green Heart
Ceremonies and celebrations
Pride of Birmingham Awards 2019
The Great Hall provided the backdrop for this joyful awards ceremony for the third year running.
The team rolled out the red carpet and welcome the paparazzi to snap the stars – from compere Kym Marsh to local music legend Tony Iommi and Strictly’s Ore Oduba.
See behind the scenes of the Pride of Birmingham 2019
Graduations 2019
The University’s campus spaces really come to life during Degree Congregations – aka graduation days.
With seating always at a premium for family and friends, this year’s Great Hall ceremonies were livestreamed not only to the Bramall, but also the outdoor screen in Staff House Plaza.
Watch the University’s first ever graduation ceremony in 1901.
Events like these are why two of the University’s most distinctive venues achieved a new accolade in 2019.
Both the Great Hall and the Bramall were awarded Venues of Excellence accreditation this year, acknowledging their versatility and scale.
Venues of Excellence membership is only awarded to specialist event locations, who provide excellent conferences, training and events.
“Our assessment team were amazed by the spaces at the venue. We felt it really embodied what a good academic venue should be – a perfect balance of grandeur and esteem with the same high level of technical excellence you’d expect from a purpose-built meetings and events space. We’re thrilled to welcome the venue to our portfolio and to add another prestigious academic venue to our membership group.”
Mandy Jennings, Executive Director, Venues of Excellence
Conferences 2019
The team are proud to have delivered conferences and meetings across the year, from everyday working lunches to major industry conferences for leading names.
Academic conferences naturally find an ideal home at the University.
This year has seen a number of major highlights – from Atmospheric Science to the UUK Conference. HEFi19 benefited in 2019 from a new level of in-house academic conference expertise to support its ambition to grow an international audience.
Expertise and advice
Events like these don’t just happen.
They take a team of experts, who work together with you to translate your ideas, and make the very most of the range of venues on campus.
That expert knowledge isn’t only available when you’re booking with us. When you’re passionate about delivering great events, you want to share best practice and good advice.
On the blog, you’ll find honest advice about getting the most out of every event, from the right questions to ask to the best wellbeing activities for conferences.
You’ll also find plenty of great local tips from the people who really know Birmingham.
Read the events team’s Birmingham Bucket List
See for yourself…
You’re always welcome to view the campus in person, to get a real sense of these unique venues. But if you’re not local, or you’re just starting to plan, here’s a brief taste of what’s available.
Thank you for your custom this year.
We hope to welcome you back in 2020! Until then, warm wishes from all the team for a very merry Christmas.
