Keystone Conference & Event Management

Keystone Conference & Event Management We are a hard-working, friendly team with a ‘can do attitude’whatever the task!

Food and drink are often what guests remember most about an event (and event managers 😊) but they’re also one of the big...
28/08/2025

Food and drink are often what guests remember most about an event (and event managers 😊) but they’re also one of the biggest contributors to its environmental footprint.

That’s why we try to make small, practical choices with our catering partners that add up to a better experience for everyone:
• Using more locally sourced produce – fresher flavours, fewer miles
• Creating seasonal menus – lighter on the planet and more variety for delegates
• Offering more plant-based options – inclusive and tasty
• Cutting down on single-use plastics – with reusable crockery, cutlery, and water stations
• Finding smart ways to manage food waste – from careful planning to redistributing surplus

None of this means compromising on quality. In fact, it usually makes the food fresher, the menus more creative and the experience more memorable. Great for attendees and a little kinder to the planet too.

Impactful Branding and Signage: The Hidden Challenge Behind Every EventPop-up banners, step and repeats, feather flags… ...
21/08/2025

Impactful Branding and Signage: The Hidden Challenge Behind Every Event

Pop-up banners, step and repeats, feather flags… whatever the style, setting up branded elements for an event is rarely anyone’s favourite job.

From untangling poles to lining up fabric just right, and occasionally finding that crucial missing piece, it takes time, patience, and attention to detail.

At Keystone, we can handle these behind-the-scenes efforts so you don’t have to. Our team ensures every element is in place, every banner stands straight, and your brand is ready to make the right impression the moment the event doors open.

Because these small behind-the-scenes efforts make a big difference: well-set branding welcomes people in, sets the tone for conversations and reflects your organisation at its best.

Here at Keystone, we love our clients and the work we do with them, but we have to admit, receiving compliments (and usi...
14/08/2025

Here at Keystone, we love our clients and the work we do with them, but we have to admit, receiving compliments (and using them for a bit of self-promotion) doesn’t come naturally to us! That said, we’re genuinely over the moon to share this feedback from Kate at SPVS, a client we’ve been proud to work with for over 10 years:

"Keystone are, hands down, the most organised team I’ve ever met! They bring a friendly, approachable and highly professional energy to everything they do… They juggle multiple stakeholders while staying calm, creative and solutions-focused. Nothing ever seems to phase them and nothing is ever too much trouble. What really sets them apart is their creative thinking — they’re like an extension of the SPVS team and I can’t recommend them highly enough."

For SPVS, we manage all aspects of their annual conference, from venue sourcing and programme development, to speaker coordination, sponsor and exhibitor management, delegate marketing and registration, AV planning, and delivering a standout social programme.

Working with inspiring clients like SPVS is what makes our job so rewarding. Thank you for your kind words, and for letting us be part of your events!

At Keystone, we love that we get to work with a range of venues, and St John the Baptist Parish Church in Cirencester is...
07/08/2025

At Keystone, we love that we get to work with a range of venues, and St John the Baptist Parish Church in Cirencester is a wonderful example of how spaces can evolve beyond their traditional roles. Rich in history and architectural beauty, this iconic church, standing proudly in the centre of town, has been a place of worship for over 900 years. Today, it has evolved into a vibrant hub for community life, hosting events that bring people together from all walks of life.

From intimate concerts to seasonal celebrations, the church has opened its doors to a variety of experiences, enriching the cultural fabric of the town. It’s a perfect example of how historical spaces can adapt to the modern world while preserving their unique charm.

For the Cirencester Town Council Advent Concert & Light Switch-On on Saturday, 29th November, we’re thrilled to be marking our fourth year working at this special venue. We'll be providing full event and venue management, from act liaison and presenter coordination to managing the AV setup, overseeing the light switch-on ceremony, and coordinating the fireworks display. We also handle the recording of the feature act, ensuring everything runs seamlessly and creating an unforgettable experience for all involved.

We love bringing this event to life and seeing the town come together to mark the start of the Christmas season. And yes, we know it’s only August, but planning Christmas in summer is just part of the magic!

31/07/2025

It All Starts with an Idea

In 1903, the Tour de France was just an idea to sell more newspapers.

This summer, it once again captured the world’s imagination, with 3.5 billion viewers, over 10 million roadside spectators (including Keystone’s own Duschanka 😊), and generating more than £125 million in annual revenue.

From a simple idea to one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, proof that everything starts with an idea, and a decision to bring it to life.

At Keystone, we help turn those ideas into unforgettable experiences, whether it’s:
- A town wanting to create a community event and attract visitors
- An awards ceremony recognising and celebrating achievement
- A conference in need of a theme, a programme and delegates

We work with you to shape the vision, create the strategy, engage the right audiences and deliver measurable results.

If you’ve got an idea for an event, and want help making it happen, we’d love to hear from you.

How We’re Rethinking Event Giveaways to Be More Sustainable Giveaways are a staple at events, but are they adding value,...
24/07/2025

How We’re Rethinking Event Giveaways to Be More Sustainable

Giveaways are a staple at events, but are they adding value, or just adding to the landfill?

Take tote bags. They’ve become the go-to “sustainable” option. But unless they’re reused, they can have a higher environmental footprint than the single-use plastic bags they replaced.

At Keystone, we help clients rethink the why behind their giveaways, making sure every item is useful, intentional and aligned with sustainability goals.

- Choose fewer, better-quality items
- Prioritise design and usefulness over trend
- Offer opt-ins instead of handing things out automatically
- Use recycled or low-impact materials
- Consider experiences over things, like digital content or charitable donations

Because sustainability isn’t just a line in the budget, it’s a mindset and a commitment that shows up in every detail.

Event management goes beyond name badges, floorplans and running orders, although at Keystone, we do appreciate the valu...
18/07/2025

Event management goes beyond name badges, floorplans and running orders, although at Keystone, we do appreciate the value of a well-structured checklist.

Delivering successful events involves a whole world of behind-the-scenes magic that most people never see.

Like:
- Handling no-shows or late arrivals
- Providing additional signage or printed materials at the last minute
- Juggling overlapping requests from stakeholders
- Managing unexpected catering issues
- Resolving schedule delays while keeping the programme seamless
- Sourcing emergency supplies
- Staying on budget despite unforeseen costs
- Transforming a conference room into a full-blown Cuba-themed carnival for 500 guests, because who doesn’t expect palm trees and mojitos after a full day of CPD?

For every event, it’s not just about the plan—it’s about how well you adapt when the plan changes.

At Keystone, we’re professional multitaskers, creative problem-solvers and experts at staying calm under pressure. If you’ve got an event coming up and need a safe and experienced pair of hands, we’d love to hear from you.

The ROI of an Event: It's More Than Just NumbersWhether it's a conference, an awards ceremony, or a community Advent con...
10/07/2025

The ROI of an Event: It's More Than Just Numbers

Whether it's a conference, an awards ceremony, or a community Advent concert, the true value of an event goes far beyond how many people walk through the door. Here’s what we look at when evaluating success:
• New professional connections
• Meaningful conversations that lead to action
• Opportunities created for collaboration
• Community engagement and goodwill
• Recognition that celebrates achievements and inspires future work
• Moments that bring people together and leave a lasting impression

Whether it’s driving change, celebrating a winner’s delight and the work of life-changing charities, or bringing a community together, impact goes far beyond headcount.

Thanks to Emily Mudie Photography, LPA Photography, Jonathan Duckworth and Natasha Hirst photography for the brilliant photos.

Events - a lot can change in 20 yearsRemember when planning an event meant paper, so much paper?! Here’s a nostalgic loo...
04/07/2025

Events - a lot can change in 20 years

Remember when planning an event meant paper, so much paper?! Here’s a nostalgic look back at what events looked like in 2005…

- Registration and invitations – the franking machine was in overdrive at event launch time. RSVPs came by mail, phone or accompanied by the screeching sound of the fax machine
- Event registration – ticking names off on printed Excel lists and pre-printed badges laid out on tables. For late arrivals? A hastily handwritten badge
- Agendas and event material – no handy apps, everything was printed (the poor trees!)
- AV & Tech - overhead projectors (remember transparencies?) and PowerPoint 2003 on a flash drive or CD-ROM. Internet was still patchy and WiFi was rare
- Onsite communication – racked up our daily step-count by 7am running round venues trying to find people. How did we live without WhatsApp?
- Audience interaction - Q&A meant passing around a mic, polling meant raising your hand. Hours was spent consolidating feedback from paper surveys
- Virtual events - basically non-existent, everything was in-person
- Marketing – adverts in printed press and clunky emails - digital wasn’t part of the strategy
- Bookcase loads of paper binders held everything from contracts to catering orders. These were our bibles!

Looking ahead 20 years, to 2045, will AI fully plan our events and VR replace physical venues? Or might we find ourselves craving unplugged, face-to-face moments more than ever?

Here at Keystone, we’ve evolved with every shift—and we’ll keep evolving with you. That’s why so many of our clients have stayed with us through the decades. It’s not just about the tech—it’s about trust, experience, and enjoying the ride together.

Charlotte visited The Oval this week for an awards ceremony site visit - a venue we've used for this event before, but l...
26/06/2025

Charlotte visited The Oval this week for an awards ceremony site visit - a venue we've used for this event before, but like any good event it continues to evolve.

That means rethinking the spaces we use, how we use them, and how we can shape them to deliver the kind of experience we want next time.

The reality? Very few venues tick every box.

As event planners, we’re always balancing what’s ideal with what’s practical, asking:
- What matters most for this event, this year?
- What’s a must-have, and what can be adapted?
- How can we use the space to best support the experience we want to create?

It’s part logistics, part creativity… and part essential prioritisation.

Sometimes, it’s less about finding the unobtainable ‘perfect’ venue - and more about unlocking the potential of the one you choose.

If you’re struggling to find the right venue for an event, we can help and we’d love to hear from you.

Behind Every Great Event is Someone Chasing Payments (Hint: It’s Us)At Keystone, we understand that planning and deliver...
19/06/2025

Behind Every Great Event is Someone Chasing Payments (Hint: It’s Us)

At Keystone, we understand that planning and delivering incredible events takes energy, creativity and real attention to detail. But what about the less exciting part — managing payments, ensuring invoices are paid on time, and chasing the ones that aren't?

That's where we step in.

Our team takes the burden off your shoulders by:
• Managing all client and supplier payments
• Ensuring timely and accurate invoicing
• Professionally chasing unpaid invoices
• Keeping your cash flow smooth and stress-free

Enabling you to focus on the magic of the event while we take care of the payments and paperwork.

Let’s talk about how Keystone can streamline your event operations and make invoice stress a thing of the past.

This week Charlotte and Duschanka went along to BVA Live and it was a reminder that as event planners, we spend so much ...
14/06/2025

This week Charlotte and Duschanka went along to BVA Live and it was a reminder that as event planners, we spend so much time creating experiences for others that we sometimes forget the value of being attendees ourselves. As well as being an opportunity to network, it's a chance to see what others are doing, pick up new ideas, and understand what works well from an attendee point of view.

Sometimes the best way to improve is to step away from the clipboard and just experience the event. Highly recommend it if you haven’t done so in a while!

Address

Stroud
GL6 9HF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441453872731

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