Delaware’s Premium Beach Retreat Center is Even Better

Delaware’s Premium Beach Retreat Center is Even Better

by | Jul 2, 2018 | Beach Retreats

Delaware’s Premium Beach Retreat Center is Even Better

Situated on the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp campus in Lewes, the Virden Center is a truly unique venue and an exceptional site for retreats, weddings, reunions, and conferences. Our layout is comfortable and our capabilities are complete. The Virden Center is a welcome change of pace, made even better since the renovation of our overnight accommodations.

Are you looking for peace and quiet? We have it. Maybe you need a space to clear your mind so you can harness your creativity. Not a problem. Would your business benefit from a distraction-free brainstorming session? Perfect. Virden is just the place.

Over the years, the Virden Center has been visited by a myriad of groups and individuals, many of whom return again and again. Despite the fact that our accommodations became dated, we continued to receive rave reviews from our guests. This is a testament to our commitment to our clientele and our extreme attention to quality customer service. Our 23 guest rooms, which are capable of accommodating over 46 guests, are fresh and new. Each room features a private bath, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a microwave, a TV, full housekeeping services, and a screened in porch. Best of all, you will experience a rare serenity as you overlook the surrounding wetlands.

Come for business and experience our full-service conference center or escape to a truly peaceful place as an overnight guest.  Either way, you will be treated to a beach breeze and plenty of sunshine. Whether your intention is to gather for a creative and productive meeting or to simply get away alone or with friends and family, you will leave with a sense of accomplishment and ease.

To reserve your newly renovated room or to book our conference venue, contact us or call 302-645-4100.

Find Out More About The Virden Center

Retreats at the Beach: Come for the Business, Stay for the Beach

Retreats at the Beach: Come for the Business, Stay for the Beach

by | May 15, 2018 | Beach Retreats

Retreats at the Beach: Come for the Business, Stay for the Beach

After what always seems like an eternity, winter appears to be at an end and the spring weather looks to finally be here to stay.  With the suns and guns (biceps that is) at long last coming out for good, it is difficult for anyone in this area to not think about the Delaware beaches, in all of their splendor.  And, in case you were wondering, it just so happens that University of Delaware’s Conference Services has a wonderful venue downstate that can scratch all of your shore related itches.

Our Virden Retreat Center is located on the University of Delaware’s coastal campus in Lewes, Delaware.  This venue is fantastic for social events, retreats, weddings, and small meetings, all while offering relaxed and isolated meeting and event spaces with an open oceanside style and layout.  There, you will find six meeting rooms, a tented patio, video conferencing, full registration and planning services, and catering that just about covers any scenario.  We also offer newly renovated lodging for overnight events or for those who want to stay and enjoy the surrounding locale. And what a historic and beautiful location it is.  

Rich history

Lewes was initially founded as a whaling and trading settlement by Dutch explorers in 1631 and holds the distinction of being the first European settlement founded in Delaware, which is proudly expressed in the town’s motto, “The First Town In The First State”.  The town has gone through a lot of change since then and has gathered a rich colonial history that can still be seen today. Lewes is home to a lively community with its main streets and surrounding suburbs littered with shops, restaurants, parks and historical venues, such as the Zwaanendael Museum.  Named after the settlements original title, the museum was created to honor the 300th anniversary with exhibits showing the history of Sussex County and its people over the centuries.  

Protected lands

In addition to the rich history of Lewes, the beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park rests in the backyard of the Virden Center.  Cape Henlopen is home to some of Delaware’s best beaches, with no shortage of outdoor activities and soft sand to relax in. The park and the university campus are also connected to some of the region’s most beautiful wetlands.  The Great Marsh Preserve is an expansive and tranquil plot of protected wetlands with vibrant wildlife that can add an opportunity for amazing bird-watching, canoeing or kayaking to any trip to the area.   All and all, the Virden Retreat Center has so much to offer from an event standpoint, but when paired with the sights of the surrounding area, it becomes a must visit for anyone looking to have some fun with their next warm weather event.

Want to learn more about hosting a retreat at the beach? Check out UD’s Virden Center or contact a member of our Conference Services team.

Holding Events in Non-Traditional Venues

Holding Events in Non-Traditional Venues

by | Jan 4, 2018 | Conferencing on Campus, Meeting Trends

Holding Events in Non-Traditional Venues

For decades, the hotel ballroom and convention center have been the stalwarts of traditional event venues, but as time goes on and the professional culture continues to change, these locations are beginning to look like DVDs in a Blu-ray world.

Demand for Non-Traditional Venues Increases

Even though traditional venues are still a popular choice for events, the demand for a non-traditional, unique experience has become more attractive in the business/professional landscape.  Factors such as a shift in the traditional business paradigms, and services like Uber and Airbnb, have broadened the possibilities and the expectations for what a conference or an event can be.

 

According to a recent cvent report, when it comes to venue selection, 35% of respondents say they’re looking for a unique aesthetic and more than 50% prefer it to be non-hotel.

 

One non-traditional option is universities – their academic atmosphere adds a unique and inspiring environment that is ideal for intellectual discussions and professional events. Campuses offer endless possibilities in one location: a range of spaces, catering, accommodations, state-of-the-art tech, parking, access to campus amenities and local attractions, and more. They are often centrally located and well-connected by public transport, making them convenient for attendees.

 

Best of Both Worlds

Many universities are located in quieter suburban environments, and even on the coast, while still being within reach of the city scene. Culturally rich campus grounds add to the experience and natural settings offer moments of solitude.

Being on campus also allows for the use of unique historic academic venues for events, and conference guests often have access to exceptional university resources ranging from libraries to theaters, galleries with impressive collections, museums with rotating exhibits, outdoor recreational areas, fitness facilities, and sports complexes. 

 

It has been proven that when people are in a pleasant, non-traditional space, they are more likely to feel more upbeat about the event, which results in more vigorous networking.

 

Spread Out

With an entire campus at your fingertips, imagine the possibilities. From large gathering spaces, to auditoriums, classrooms to ballrooms—almost anything you can envision can be achieved.

Larger events and conferences can spread out and take advantage of indoor and outdoor spaces. Moving between different environments makes it easier to keep attendees engaged during a day-long event. Access to multiple types of spaces also allows planners to be more creative, like offering wellness practices at multi-day events to help attendees recharge their bodies and brains.

 

Make it Memorable

While hotels offer convenience and a certain level of luxury, university campuses present a unique blend of intellectual atmosphere, flexible spaces, advanced technology, and cost-effectiveness that can make them a superior choice for meetings and events. By choosing a university campus, you’re not just selecting a venue—you’re creating an environment that promotes learning, engagement, and community, making your event more impactful and memorable.

Want to learn more? Visit our Meetings & Events page or contact a member of our Conference Services team.

How To Effectively Integrate Social Media Into Your Events

How To Effectively Integrate Social Media Into Your Events

by | Dec 21, 2017 | Meeting Trends

How To Effectively Integrate Social Media Into Your Events

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, you know that social media is kind of a big deal these days.  This technological phenomenon has revolutionized the way people interact with each other across the globe and, if done properly, it can revolutionize interactions at one of your events as well.

When hosting or operating an event, you want your attendees to be as engaged as possible and social media can add a supplemental level of engagement.  To start, one of the main tenants of social media is to stimulate conversation in an online environment in different ways, depending on the platform you are using.  Popular examples are Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  This is done thru a number of devices such as comments, hashtags, the “at” sign, retweets, pins, etc.  There are some differences in the “languages” of the specific platforms, however, there is enough overlap that it is quite easy to transition between them.  With a basic understanding of how it all works, you’ll just need a mobile device or computer to effectively add an extra level to your event. We, at the University of Delaware, take pride in our comprehensive understanding of social media. So, we have a few easy suggestions to help get started.

 

Make it engaging

First of all, if you want to have an engaging social media presence at an event you need to ensure that there are one or more of your people monitoring all of the platforms you are using for the duration of the event.  This ensures that any questions or concerns that may pop up on your pages can be answered or addressed quickly and effectively.

 

Something as simple as a “like” or “retweet”, or even a neutral comment on one of your pages, can go a long way in showing whoever is trying to engage with you that they are being heard.

 

Use a Hashtag

Another suggestion is to create a hashtag for your event.  A hashtag (#) is a device allowing users to apply user-generated tagging that makes it possible for others to easily find messages with a specific theme or content. Hashtags are used primarily through Twitter.  By using one for your event, you can create a conversation between people at your event and even people who are not. This can create networking opportunities or help someone gain more knowledge about the specifics of your event, or even of your organization.  Other options are video content, whether it be live streaming or not, picture content through Facebook and Instagram, or social media exclusive raffles.  There are almost endless possibilities to find new and creative things to do with it.

 

Why not try a few of our these suggestions?  The process will only get easier with time and, hopefully, we will be exchanging hashtags during your next event with us.

Planning a meeting or event? Contact a member of our Conference Services team today.

‘Tis The Season (Sort Of)

‘Tis The Season (Sort Of)

by | Oct 25, 2017 | Special Events & Celebrations

‘Tis The Season (Sort Of)

‘Tis the beginning of autumn and as we all collectively enjoy the change in weather and our pumpkin spices, it is time for the more savvy event planners out there to start thinking ahead.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and it is time to reward your employees for all of their hard work this past year by throwing a company holiday extravaganza!  Luckily, here at the University of Delaware Conference Services, we have a great selection of locations and access to a wide variety of services that can really help you put together a super office holiday party.  Now, if you are thinking it’s a little early to be planning your holiday party, just remember, Target puts out their Christmas merchandise the day after Halloween so… here are some suggestions.

 

Lewes Venue

If you are down south, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in Lewes with our Virden Retreat Center.  In this small, semi-secluded space down by the beach, we have a lovely venue that is perfect for a holiday retreat.  When at the beach, one suggestion that is always good (if not a little obvious) is a holiday luau event.  Chase away the cold and bring back the distant memories of summer by saying aloha to brightly colored shirts, straw skirts, tiki drinks, and coconut bikini tops that are worn above a shirt (because this is still a work function after all).  If it isn’t too cold, we can bring out the space heaters and you can have a winter barbeque outside.  In addition, we provide overnight accommodations onsite in case you want to have a good time and not have to worry about anyone having to travel very far.  Hopefully, if it gets a little rowdy Steve from HR won’t have too much paperwork to do when he gets back from his vacation.

 

Newark Venue

Clayton Hall in Newark, Delaware is our jack-of-all-trades location. We have so many different and versatile spaces for large or small gatherings that can be catered and decorated to your heart’s content.  You could have something as simple as an ugly sweater cocktail party or something as big as a holiday casino event.  One of our personal favorites is a party with a gift exchange.  Whether you call it white elephant, dirty Santa, Yankee swap, or whatever, this version of secret Santa never fails to entertain.  Some monster, usually Steve from HR, always brings a dud gift and it is never not funny to see the look on the face of whichever co-worker ends up taking it home with them.  Work relationships are forged, broken, and forged anew through the wackiness of this gift swap game. Add in some ugly sweaters and eggnog, and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid holiday gathering.

 

We hope you enjoy our suggestions for your corporate holiday party this year. We dare you to come up with a better one!  We provide many of the themed services and, if we do not, we know a lot of other people who do.  We love the holiday season and hope we can help make your events as wonderful and festive as possible.

Want to learn more? Check out Clayton Conference Center or contact a member of our Conference Services team.