On Thursday, September 13^th, Visit Bucks County (VBC) hosted their annual ‘Event Venue Show,’ an exclusive meeting planner focused event at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant inside Peddler’s Village. A total of 35 venues and facilities exhibited 44 properties, showcasing Bucks County’s inviting spaces to approximately 100 meeting planners from around the region.

Attendees enjoyed networking and learning more about Bucks County’s unique corporate and social venues while sampling delicious hors d’oeuvres from the Cock ‘n Bull, tastings from the Bucks County Wine Trail and Ale Trial and snapping pictures in the Snap Party Booths’ photo booths. While touring the Event Venue Show, attendees were encouraged to have exhibitors initial their Team Building Passports, which, upon completion worked as their raffle ticket to win a prize. This was a successful icebreaker implemented by Eventive Productions to spark conversation and enter attendees into a chance to win one of the many coveted prizes.

Exhibitors ranged from museums, rustic B&Bs, wineries and breweries all the way to full-service hotels. Some businesses in attendance were Aldie Mansion presented by Jeffrey Miller Catering, Hotel du Village, Logan Inn, Fonthill Castle, McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, Pen Ryn Estate, Sand Castle Winery, Warrington Country Club and the soon-to-launch Nostalgia 1720. The Sheraton Bucks County, Radisson Northeast, Best Western Plus Philadelphia Bensalem, and Wyndham Philadelphia-Bucks County are all full-service, which bring in larger bookings.

A brand-new element to this year’s show was the addition of a Familiarization Tour (“FAM” Tour) for 11 out-of-town event planners the following day. The planners were from New Jersey, Chester County, Montgomery County and Harrisburg, PA. Led by VBC’s Business Development and Events Manager Jenna Worrell, the small group stayed overnight at the Golden Plough Inn before exploring the James A. Michener Museum lead by Catering By Design, Mercer Museum, Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, New Hope and Triumph Brewing Co. The group was educated with facts and figures on their bus rides, and each stop held fun activities, like a tour, tasting or scavenger hunt.

"Showcasing beautiful Bucks County and creating meaningful relationships between our venues and meeting planners is what this event is all about, and we are thrilled to have kicked it up a notch by adding on the familiarization tour to make it even more personal this year," says Worrell, "We hope Bucks County leaves a memorable impression and is top of their list when searching for their clients' next venue. I am excited to see how our attendees will use Bucks County's beautiful hidden gems for their next social or corporate off-site meeting or event!"

Teeming with cultural and historical venues, including concrete castles, mansions, charming wineries, rustic inns and full-service hotels, Bucks County offers a diverse collection of local spaces for all types of meetings and events, corporate retreats, team building events and everything in between.

Download images from the event from Brooke Straiton Photography here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yinrronmc81oktl/AACDWrwLraP83YeY3fXEyaGVa?dl=0