Five years ago, Spaces at The Spine opened its doors as a new conference and events venue in the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter. Since then, we’ve welcomed more than 67,000 delegates and hosted nearly 900 commercial events, including seminars, exhibitions, networking dinners and more.
But behind every occasion is a group of people who have grown, adapted and developed alongside our venue. From events and commercial operations to catering and AV, our colleagues at Spaces at The Spine have seen first-hand how the industry has evolved over the past five years.
To mark our fifth anniversary, we caught up with five members of the team: Head of Commercial Events Natacha, Business Development Manager Leah, Head of Audio Visual Resources Ben, Kitchen Assistant Paula and Events Manager Courtney, to share their experiences from the past five years.
How have client expectations and the events industry changed over the past five years?
Natacha: Clients today are far more aspirational in what they expect for their events. They want a trusted advisor, flexibility, seamless technology, and a genuine partnership with the venue. We’ve continued to invest in integrated AV and event solutions while diversifying our spaces.
Leah: People are looking for more than just a venue; they want personalised, engaging experiences with a focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusivity. Thankfully, those are all areas where Spaces at The Spine really stands out, which puts us in a great position to meet evolving client needs.
Paula: Clients are looking for healthier, higher-quality options and a seamless catering experience throughout the day. We’ve responded by developing our team from three people in the kitchen to seven, allowing us to significantly expand our offering. From healthy homemade breakfasts and mid-morning snacks through to drinks receptions and evening canapés, we now provide a complete on-site catering experience tailored to our clients’ needs.
What do you think makes an event at Spaces at The Spine memorable?
Leah: The building itself is iconic and unlike any other venue in Liverpool, with wellbeing and sustainability at its core. Combined with state-of-the-art technology and a personalised approach, we create a seamless experience for our clients. It's that combination of exceptional facilities and outstanding service that really sets us apart.
Courtney: I think our food is one of the things that makes us truly memorable. Our talented chefs create fantastic menus using local suppliers wherever possible, and they're not afraid to get creative - we once made a JCB digger out of dessert for a client!
What's one thing about working in the event industry that you think people would be surprised to learn?
Natacha: People often see the finished event but rarely appreciate the amount of planning, creativity and complexity that happens behind the scenes. No two days or events are ever the same, and having the experience to anticipate challenges before they happen and the ability to adapt and flex is a fundamental element of a successful events business. It literally takes a village.
Ben: There’s an incredible amount of planning, monitoring, testing and maintaining from the AV team that takes place every day. We take a preventative approach to all our maintenance to ensure reliability when it really matters. The team also spend a lot of time figuring out improvements, and we value innovation incredibly highly.
What has been your personal highlight or proudest moment over the past five years?
Leah: Definitely the role I've played in our year-on-year growth. Seeing Spaces at The Spine evolve from a new venue with a small team into a nationally recognised events destination has been incredibly rewarding.
Courtney: It’s got to be hosting a five-course dinner with a bespoke menu and perfectly matched wines. Seeing our front of house team come together to deliver such a fantastic guest experience made me incredibly proud.
What are you most excited about for the next five years at Spaces at The Spine?
Ben: Much of the enjoyment is found in the relationships you build with clients over the years. More and more are coming back for their 3rd or 4th event with us. We’re excited to build on these relationships to create better and more innovative events.
Courtney: I'm excited to see Spaces at The Spine stay ahead of the curve. With sustainability becoming a bigger priority for event organisers, I think our focus on healthy, plant-based catering will be a real strength in the years ahead.
Leah: We've built a fantastic reputation over the last five years, and I'm excited to grow this further, welcoming new clients and continuing to create memorable experiences at one of Liverpool's most unique venues.
Paula: I’m looking forward to seeing a new wave of food trends in 2030 and beyond. I know at Spaces at The Spine, Company of Cooks will be frontrunners in delivering this.
Natacha: Building on the strong foundations and reputation we’ve already created and continuing to raise the bar commercially, creatively, and operationally. I’m also looking forward to deepening our client partnerships and relationships, attracting new audiences and continuing to innovate across our business as well as further strengthening our contribution to the Royal College of Physicians’ wider mission.
As we look ahead to the next five years, could we be part of your next event? If you’re looking for a unique space , we’d love to help bring your plans to life. If you’re interested in hosting an event or conference, get in touch with us on 0151 318 2200, email us at spaces@rcp.ac.uk or fill in our enquiry form.
