Hire a meeting room and impress your business clients

Don't be fooled into thinking you can seal every business deal in your favourite bustling cafe - the surroundings in which you conduct your meetings could make or break a deal and the decision to hire a meeting room can pay dividends.

And while a central cafe or your office boardroom might be the right location for some meetings, a high-powered get-together with people you need to impress is probably more suited to a neutral yet professional environment. Hire a meeting room for those occasions and make your meeting count.

Hire a specialty meeting room

Luckily there are a host of options if you are looking to hire a meeting room - if you know where to look. Inner-city office buildings often have a number of facilities if you wish to hire a meeting room, and are used by business people who want to meet on neutral ground.

These speciality meeting room hire facilities offer certain advantages, including the guarantee you'll get good service - expect to be greeted by name and guided to the room you've booked - and brought refreshments. 

Think outside the box when looking to hire a meeting room

It's also worth considering other types of venues, such as motels, bed-and-breakfasts or public libraries, as these places often offer options if you wish to hire a meeting room. Some upmarket restaurants will also allow you to hire a meeting room in a separate section away from the main dining area. 

Even some of the grand old public buildings - including your local council offices - may allow you to hire a meeting room, and often at a fraction of the cost. Remember, there's no harm in asking, so pick up the phone and make an enquiry.

Do your homework

There's nothing worse than turning up 10 minutes before a high-powered meeting at the chosen venue to find it's not what you expected and the bank manager is on the way! If you are not familiar with the venue, take the time to check it out before you make a booking.

Specific questions to ask when looking to hire a meeting room include: 

• How many people will the meeting room hold?
• Will refreshments such as tea and coffee be available?
• Will the coffee be made fresh, or will it have been percolating in the corner of the room for the entire afternoon?
• If I wish to hire a meeting room, can I pay for the room hire prior to your meeting, or will an account be sent out to me? It's pretty tacky to be settling the bill in front of the people you're meeting.

Benefits when you hire a meeting room

• Your business presents a professional image
• With no interference from surrounding noise or workers, you can concentrate on the business at hand
• Refreshments can be provided

Start dialling

With so many choices for meeting room hire, don't put up with trying to do business in cramped offices or over dinner at your local cafe. First impressions count, so make a good one by hiring a venue for your next meeting.