Leesburg, Virginia, July 2018 … The National Conference Center, the award-winning conference center and one of the nation’s largest training facilities on the East Coast, has released Five Key Considerations When Selecting a Learning Environment. The considerations have been presented as a white paper.
Learning and training, the most important reasons for meetings and conferences, have evolved from the traditional classroom to a wide range of room formations and teaching styles. Many venues claim to offer the perfect setting for any program, but in reality, the venue that is perfect for an executive outing may not work for an experiential learning program.
After many years of working the nation’s top learning organizations such as Verizon, BAE and IBM, the expert team at The National Conference Center has identified five key factors to consider when searching for the ideal venue for a learning program.
Five Key Factor When Selecting the Most Productive Learning Environment:
1-Prettier is Not Always Better … Hoteliers and interior designers are proud to introduce the latest colors, furniture or lighting. While these can be fun and exciting, they often don’t play a significant role in the learning program. Look instead for a facility that offers “blank space”, like a canvas that can be molded to and customized for your program —and modified at a moment’s notice to support your group’s dynamic needs.
2-Yes/No is Just a Mindset … All venues have rules, but if you hear one rule after another on a site visit, the venue may not be the right choice. Look for a venue with flexibility and a “whatever it takes” mentality. Look for the sales and planning team to ask questions that relate to the success of your program, not just what is convenient for them.
3-Experiential Learning Should be Multi-Dimensional … Experiential learning or learning by doing is the standard in learning programs today. Make sure the venue provides versatile spaces that can handle a variety of activities, from adventure teambuilding on a challenge course to hands-on activities to role-playing scenarios.
4-Themes Are Awesome, if done well … If you choose a theme for your program, you’ll want to incorporate it throughout the program. Select a venue that’s eager to build on and reinforce your theme through the entire program, from refreshment breaks to inventive receptions and innovative lighting, audio, visual, décor, and even costumes that can be integrated into the program.
5-Fine Dining is Not Just for Small Groups… It’s no secret that food matters at every event. Many small venues have 5-star restaurants while large conference centers often have a group dining food & beverage program. Look for a venue that works with local and regional purveyors and farmers to provide the best quality, freshest food available, gained from using sustainable farming methods. This together with a talented culinary team will help provide a superb dining experience for your group—even with a large-scale program.
The National Conference Center is committed to providing the best venue for any size learning and training program. With more than 250 different size and shape meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art challenge course and an eager staff that creates successful, productive meetings, The National has been referred to as the “Cathedral of Learning” by Michael F. Sunderman, Executive Director, Verizon Learning & Development.
To download the complete white paper, click here. For information on learning programs at The National Conference Center, call Sales at 703-724-5111.
