This county is in fact a self-governing, independent island set in the middle of the Irish Sea at the centre of the British Isles. At just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, the Isle of Man is a unique getaway destination for conferences, meetings and events. The island has a strong sense of heritage and culture blending both Norse and Celtic influences, and the capital of Douglas retains its Victorian charm whilst embracing the busy harbour and acting as the modern financial centre of the island. Conference delegates will feel at home in this professional environment whilst simultaneously appreciating the 'escape from the office’ into a spectacular natural setting.
Boasting 100 miles of coastline comprising sandy beaches, dramatic headlands and vibrant harbours alongside picturesque countryside, the island is an ideal location for outdoor teambuilding events and corporate activities on both land and water, particularly given the temperate climate and mild winters. Towns and villages offer a diverse selection of conference venues well equipped to cater for meetings, exhibitions, training seminars, corporate hospitality events and weddings.
Travel to the Isle of Man is fast and convenient making it an accessible meeting destination for all conference delegates. Regular sea crossings operate from Heysham, Liverpool, Dublin and Belfast, whilst flights operate from several regional airports including London Gatwick and London City, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol and Jersey to name a few.
Meeting planners will find everything from modern meeting rooms to majestic historic venues here. For instance, the Isle of Man Business Centre lies at the centre of the financial district and provides luxurious contemporary meeting spaces, whereas the Isle of Man International Business School is set within historic venue The Nunnery, whose grounds are perfect for teambuilding events and corporate activities, also offering training and meeting rooms alongside larger conference spaces able to accommodate 100 delegates. The Manx Museum and National Art Gallery provides a glimpse of traditional Manx culture and an unusual venue for conferences, meetings and events whilst academic venue King William’s College offers conference and banqueting suites with capacity for 250 delegates. Both a memorable and versatile venue is the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre. These striking historic buildings are well suited to exhibitions, conferences and training events having several meeting suites, some with stunning panoramic views of Douglas Bay, whilst Castle Rushen is an imposing historic venue providing an elegant setting sure to impress delegates. Several Isle of Man hotels offer excellent conference and banqueting facilities such as the Sefton Hotel and the Grand Island Hotel, both able to accommodate large delegate group corporate events with ease. The Castletown Golflinks Hotel is ideal for delegates wishing to indulge in corporate golf events whilst on a conference retreat, whilst the Palace Hotel& Casino is the island’s largest hotel, centrally located on the promenade, providing 7 flexible meeting and event rooms able to accommodate up to 300 delegates with a team experienced in hosting corporate events and weddings.
Conference organisers and delegates will be surprised by the number of attractions this tiny island has to offer, and will no doubt enjoy its diverse and contrasting nature whether visiting for secluded corporate retreats, conferences, adventurous teambuilding events or weddings.