FAQ's
New to Event Buyers Live? Everything you need to know:
Event Buyers Live is a hosted buyer event that brings together event buyers with carefully selected suppliers through pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, educational content sessions, and networking. It isn’t a trade show or exhibition, every attendee has a personalised itinerary designed around their objectives.
Absolutely. Many attendees register for Event Buyers Live because they’re planning future events, benchmarking suppliers, or exploring new solutions rather than making an immediate purchase. If you’re unsure whether EBL is right for you, Register Now or contact the team for an informal chat.
EBL offers free attendance to #HostedBuyers who secure suppliers for live event sites.
Everything that is covered within the event experience:
✓ A beautiful room in the Carden Park Hotel for 2 nights
✓ Food and drink are provided, as well as snacks and refreshments throughout the day
✓ Access to the hotel gym and swimming pool
✓ Up to 12 pre-arranged meetings based on your Supplier selections
✓ Access to a range of educational content sessions
Not included:
✕ Travel to and from the hotel
- Far and Beyond
- Y Not Festival
- LS Events
- London Marathon Events
- Royal Highland Show
- WOMAD Festival
- Live Nation
- Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place
- The Ryder Cup
- GemFest
- Southampton International Boat Show
- CarFest
- The Great Run Company
- RG Live
and more…
Hosted Buyers can attend Event Buyers Live for FREE. If you need to source suppliers and would like to forge new relationships with respected industry professionals, Register Now. If you would like to attend EBL, we kindly ask that you meet a few simple criteria to ensure all event stakeholders make the most of their time and have a positive event experience.
Event structure and format
No, Event Buyers Live is not invite-only.
The event is open to all qualifying event professionals. To attend as a hosted buyer, you’ll need to meet a few key criteria:
You are responsible for event procurement and budgets
You have the authority to award supplier contracts
You are actively planning upcoming events
You meet the minimum annual event spend threshold
Please fill in the registration form and a member of the team will be in touch.
Your registration information is reviewed and a member of the team will aim to contact you within five working days to talk through your details and objectives. You can always contact any member of the team to discuss Event Buyers Live – before, during, or after your enquiry – on 01795509113. The “About” page also outlines the event’s timelines and timeframes.
These are meetings held between hosted buyers and up to two representatives from a supplier/contractor company. The meetings are held in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Supplier meeting points are laid out to allow for privacy. Each meeting lasts 30 minutes. This is followed by a 15-minute break to allow time to grab a drink, visit the restroom, or prepare for your next meeting. Background noise from meetings can get loud. As a general rule of thumb, noise levels can reach that of a busy restaurant.
On the 12th October, Our Event Platform fully opens allowing all confirmed guests to view all suppliers attending Event Buyers Live. The hosted buyers then select suppliers to request a pre-arranged meeting at the live event. A pre-arranged meeting only occurs when the organiser selects the supplier. The event organiser then creates and sets the personalised meetings based on the hosted buyers needs and priorities.
These take place in a larger room with all guests present. In general, they feature a presentation from a speaker or panel followed by questions from the audience. Presentation materials are sometimes used on a large screen. If you feel too nervous to pose a question, organiser and Ambassadors can ask questions on behalf of audience members (if requested).
These take place in a meeting room, which usually holds approx. 40-50 guests. A number of roundtable discussions take place at the same time on different tables. Each roundtable has a facilitator and up to 10 attendees. Background noise from discussions can be heard, but usually only 4-8 people should be talking at any one time.
There are a number of spaces around the hotel that can be used to network with other guests, including the EBL Hub – a centralised point where you can arrange to meet people outside of any official, itinerised meetings. Carden Park is a luxury hotel and provides a relaxed environment that is conducive to networking. Use the EBL Hub to sit during free time (if stipulated in your itinerary or requested), catch-up on work matters, meet new people, or simply have a break.
Networking dinners are held in a large formal space and guests (a mix of hosted buyers and suppliers) are seated across tables to encourage information sharing and relationship building. Alcohol is available at dinner and at networking events that follow. Background noise can be at its loudest. If you need a specific table, or area, or you are not comfortable in this environment, alternatives can be arranged. Please notify the organising team and add your requirements to your registration profile.
Networking takes place across the event and throughout the venue. Attendees can use any suitable free space to meet other attendees. Guests are categorised by the colour of the lanyards, including our Ambassadors and Event Team, making them easier to identify. If you need guidance and support, or help identifying another guest, please see a member of the Event Team.
Once your registration is accepted and you have logged back in to the system, the dress code is visible. We want all guests to be easily identifiable. This assists with networking. More importantly, we want you to be comfortable at all times, making the dress code casual and comfortable. During the event, we are hosting some “NetWalks” – think networking and walking. If you would like to join a NetWalk, please bring suitable footwear and clothing so that you can head outside in mid November and enjoy our good old British weather.
Event Buyers Live is a three-day event. All attendees’ itineraries are personalised to ensure your stay is productive and comfortable. We can accommodate many needs and support additional requests. Due to the limited positions available, please get in touch with a member of the Event Team if you have a specific requirement.
Accessibility and inclusion
Yes. The venue and all the areas used for Event Buyers Live are fully accessible. More information can be found here. Please notify the event organiser via registration if you have any specific needs or requirements.
Carden Park has accessible bedrooms. If you require an accessible bedroom/bathroom, please notify a member of the team.
Yes. A member of the organising team or one of our industry ambassadors would be happy to provide assistance understanding the layout of the venue. If you would like to discuss any personal assistance requirements, please get in touch and add your requirements to your Registration details.
Yes. The venue has a number of fully accessible bedrooms. Please inform the organising team and add your request to your registration details so that we can secure the best possible bedroom for you.
Yes. There is no additional charge for personal care assistants. Advance booking is required. Please get in touch with the organising team to discuss your requirements further.
Yes. Your assistance dog is welcome to stay and attend EBL.
Yes. EBL can provide you with BSL interpretation throughout the event. Please let us know as soon as possible and provide details during event registration.
Some areas of the venue are fitted with a hearing loop. EBL can source further mobile hearing loops – please add any requirements to your registration.
EBL is a welcoming event. The team listens to everyone’s personal requests and will do everything it can to make sure guests feel comfortable. The event spaces can be busy and noisy. If you would like to find a quiet space in the hotel to take some time out, simply ask a member of the Event Team for guidance.
Guests are also welcome to go back to their hotel room to recharge and reset.
Yes. We will do everything we can to make your experience comfortable and enjoyable, and we will personalise your itinerary. We also have a team of industry Ambassadors who can assist you too. Some elements of EBL do involve large groups and larger spaces. If you would like to discuss your needs in confidence, please include your requests during the registration process. Your details are private and confidential. Please also speak with a member of the organising team so that we can support and help you with any specific needs.
Yes. The organising team and our industry Ambassadors are on hand to provide support by making introductions and helping you connect with others. If a pre-event introduction to one of the team or fellow guest(s) would be useful, please contact the event organiser. We create bespoke, personalised itineraries and we can assign guests a “buddy”. The event is also designed to assist in simple networking from start to finish. We encourage pre-event networking and referring fellow #Eventprofs – “tell a friend” so you know others in attendance.
Yes. A dedicated space is provided for prayer and contemplation. This is a designated “no work” space and all forms of communication must be switched off. Guests can also utilise their own bedroom. We ask that you notify the event team of your needs so that we can build time into your itinerary and add to your event experience.
Yes. Alcohol will be served at dinner and during evening networking sessions. However, the hotel also offers a wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks choices. If you would like us to provide assistance with alcohol-free spaces or additional support from one of the organising team or ambassadors, please contact us.
Yes. Please review the basic timings sheet and agenda here. To fully understand each element and to be walked through the event experience, please contact Janine Walmsley, event manager. She can be reached on 01795509113. She will answer any concerns, fears, or worries and will organise your specific requirements and ensure your personalised itinerary is bespoke to all your needs.