Businesses looking for the best location to host meetings need look no further than Exeter. The city’s history, cultural heritage, and diverse economy offer an ideal backdrop for professional events of all kinds.
Whether you work remotely or in person, booking meeting rooms in Exeter can help you meet, collaborate, connect, and host a successful meeting or event.
Exeter has developed a strong reputation for doing business across multiple sectors. Even if you’re only hosting meetings here, the city’s business-oriented environment makes Exeter a compelling location.
As of 2023, Exeter boasted the second-lowest unemployment rate out of 320 European cities. According to the financial technology company Tide, Exeter is the best place to launch a business outside London.
This ranking came hot on the heels of Exeter appearing in Dojo’s 2021 list of the best UK cities for remote work. Remote businesses often rent meeting rooms for events such as training days, interviews, or client catch-ups.
When planning a larger event, the right meeting room can also serve as a spacious conference venue.
7 reasons businesses should choose a meeting room in Exeter
Exeter offers a popular Devonshire setting for inspiring meetings and events. The action-packed city is home to numerous thriving industries, including:
- Healthcare
- Professional and digital services
- Manufacturing, distribution, and logistics
- Science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM)
Many businesses in these prospering sectors follow a hybrid structure. As their teams only visit offices for meetings or collaborative work, demand for meeting rooms in Exeter is high.
Here are seven reasons to choose meeting rooms in Exeter for your events.
1. Hybrid event capabilities
Many organisations that host hybrid events run them in Exeter. With so much to see and do, in-person delegates enjoy visiting the city after attending their event.
From a business perspective, hosting a hybrid event also allows you to:
- Broaden the number of people who can attend your event
- Reduce the cost of hosting everyone in person
- Minimise travel costs for virtual delegates
When you host your event in one of our Exeter conference venues, you can livestream it around the world. This way, you can make your event accessible to people everywhere. There doesn’t need to be a limit to the clientele you can attract via your event.
2. Diverse meeting spaces
Our office centres provide a diverse range of meeting spaces and conference rooms. You can also book larger conference rooms, interview rooms, boardrooms, and training rooms in Exeter.
With all these spaces available in our four Exeter centres, there’s a meeting room for every event.
3. Accessibility
Exeter’s location in the South West positions the city within easy access to numerous UK-wide destinations. The M5 motorway connects Exeter to Bristol, the Midlands, and the M4 corridor.
Those travelling by train can reach London in just over two hours, with trains departing Exeter regularly. Daily flights also depart from Exeter Airport. These flights connect professionals to countless UK and international business destinations.
As such, hosting your meetings in Exeter gives attendees plenty of accessible transport options.
4. Distinctive business locations
Exeter’s selection of business locations caters to different organisations’ needs. Our office centres sit within easy access to these areas, making for ideal meeting room hires in Exeter:
- The city centre is a great fit for commerce businesses that want to operate at the heart of Exeter’s hustle and bustle. Hosting meetings here also allows you to welcome your colleagues/clients to Exeter’s array of city centre attractions. These span from superb restaurants and bars to the tranquil Exeter Quay.
- Sowton is renowned for its manufacturing, distribution, and logistics scene. The village’s position at the edge of the city allows for easy access to large road networks. This makes distribution across the UK easy. Hosting your meeting here will position you at the heart of this lucrative sector.
- Marsh Barton accommodates businesses in several industries, supporting them as they scale. Given the variety of organisations that work here, Marsh Barton has become a hotbed of innovation and growth.
- Having received a £1.1 million cash injection from East Devon District Council, Exeter Science Park is a STEM hub. The park has become a melting pot for innovation and science-focused businesses.
- Pynes Hill is a prominent area for finance and consulting businesses. Hosting meetings in the area immerses your business at the heart of these niches’ local activity.
5. Thriving business environment
Exeter has revamped its business infrastructure and facilities over recent years. These upgrades benefit both local businesses and organisations that book meeting rooms here. A high level of funding has supported much of this development.
Devon County Council has launched a £2 billion+ development programme with Exeter City Council and other parties. This programme will see the introduction of cutting-edge business parks, amongst other developments.
In addition, at the end of 2023, Exeter launched a blueprint, the Exeter Plan. This plan lays out a roadmap to develop the city over the next two decades. It lays out steps to develop the city’s economic growth and support local businesses.
On top of this, there are several funding opportunities for Exeter businesses to benefit from. One example is the South West Investment Fund (SWIF), which creates opportunities for new and growing businesses. In 2024, the SWIF reached its £2 million investment milestone after investing in countless local businesses.
Then there’s the government’s extensive list of business schemes for the South West. These schemes range from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative Recycled Fund to the Digital Growth Grant.
It doesn’t matter if your business isn’t local. Booking meeting venues in Exeter allows you to experience this thriving business environment too.
6. Networking in Exeter
Business finance aside, Exeter’s many networking groups open doors to collaboration. One example is Business Network Exeter, which allows members to:
- Leverage opportunities to get in front of business prospects
- Attend topical seminars and monthly events with senior decision-makers
- Share their own seminars and news articles
- Access a national database of members
- Submit offers to the network’s regional and national websites
- Share ideas and knowledge with like-minded professionals
Each development and initiative reflects Exeter’s dedication to creating conducive growth environments. Booking meeting rooms in Exeter allows you to reap the benefits of the city’s business-centric ecosystem.
7. Historical significance
Exeter’s rich heritage and history date back to Roman times. As a result, Exeter became the Gateway to the Southwest of England.
Today, two-thirds of the city’s Roman Wall is still visible. Exeter’s history continues to bring character and appeal to the city. This creates an attractive environment for both businesses and clientele.
8. Skilled workforce
Exeter is home to prestigious educational institutions, such as the Russell Group University of Exeter. The Times Higher Education Rankings 2023 listed Exeter University as the 18th best in the world.
Exeter University also appears in the 2023 CWTS Leiden Ranking as the:
- 6th best university in the UK
- 8th best university in Europe
- 31st best university in the world
Businesses with a presence in the city have access to this university’s wealth of talented, qualified professionals. Those who visit to host meetings can entice Exeter’s talent to their businesses at or around their events.
Meeting rooms in Exeter to suit any business
As there are so many reasons to choose Exeter for business events, many organisations are doing just that. Each has different needs, and we offer numerous fully furnished meeting spaces that allow you to work your way.
Book meeting rooms in Exeter at these four centres by the hour or by the day for as long as you need.
The Senate
The Senate offers several meeting rooms in a popular business park near Exeter’s city centre. Impress your clients and/or colleagues by hosting your meeting in this impressive glass-fronted office.
After your meeting, stroll into the city centre to explore Exeter’s Gothic cathedral and outstanding restaurants.
This office space is in Southernhay, which is home to various banks, insurance companies, and solicitors. Examples include Investec, Howden Insurance, and Stephens Scown Solicitors. As a result, companies in the financial and legal sectors may strategically position themselves here.
Many transport links make reaching this office space easy for event attendees. These links include three nearby train stations and Exeter Airport, which is within a half-hour drive.
Highlights include:
- Secure underground parking
- Bicycle storage
- Vending machines
Information about The Senate
- Location: Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1UG
- Starting costs: From £25 per hour
- Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Offices and Dedicated Desks; reception hours for other members
- Nearby transport links: Exeter Central Train Station (an 11-minute walk away), Exeter St Thomas Train Station (an 18-minute walk away), Exeter St David’s Train Station (a 22-minute walk away)
Exeter Business Park
Exeter Business Park welcomes professionals to several meeting rooms in an inviting office. These professionals enjoy lakeside views and the opportunity to spend time on over 80 acres of surrounding grounds.
This business park is home to high-profile organisations like the Met Office. Various business development and consultancy specialists also operate from this centre. As a result, business consultants and advisors may like to leverage this key space by holding their meetings here.
Travelling to the area is easy: The business park offers direct access to the M5 motorway. Exeter Airport is three miles away, and there are multiple train/bus connections.
Highlights include:
- Business lounge
- Outside seating area/terrace
- Sandwich service
Information about Exeter Business Park
- Location: 1 Emperor Way, Exeter, Devon, EX1 3QS
- Starting costs: From £25 per hour
- Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Offices and Dedicated Desks; reception hours for other members
- Nearby transport links: Ambassador Drive Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), Digby and Sowton Train Station (a 27-minute walk away), Pinhoe Public Transport Stop (a 21-minute walk away)
Matford Business Centre
Matford Business Centre provides several modern meeting rooms near Exeter’s buzzing city centre. Organisations like The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Kinder Care and Support operate at this office.
By extension, medical and care-based companies may find this an ideal location for hosting their events.
Reaching the business centre is simple: Buses stop at the doorstep, and Exeter Airport is a 13-minute drive away. The centre also offers easy access to the M5 motorway and A38 road.
Highlights include:
- Break-out areas
- Coworking spaces
- Major transport links
Information about Matford Business Centre
- Location: Matford Park Road, Exeter, EX2 8ED
- Starting costs: From £29 per hour
- Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Offices and Dedicated Desks; reception hours for other members
- Nearby transport links: Manaton Close Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Marsh Barton Public Transport Stop (a 21-minute walk away), Exeter Street Thomas Station (a 44-minute walk away)
Marsh Barton Trading Estate
Marsh Barton Trading Estate provides several meeting rooms with business-grade conference facilities in Exeter. Over 500 companies enjoy a business presence at this trading estate. These companies work in sectors including:
- Retail
- Car dealerships/rentals
- Distribution
- Industrial
- Technology
- Construction and engineering
As such, organisations in any of these niches will find a good-fit location for their meetings here.
Situated on the edge of a prominent business estate, commuting to and from the office is easy. The estate leads onto the A38 and A30 roads and M5 motorway, and there are plenty of local bus connections.
The Matford Park and Ride bus service also provides an easy link to the city centre.
Highlights include:
- Business lounge
- Disabled facilities
- Parking
Information about Marsh Barton Trading Estate
- Location: Yeoford Way, Exeter, EX2 8LB
- Starting costs: From £25 per hour
- Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Offices and Dedicated Desks; reception hours for other members
- Nearby transport links: Yeoford Way Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away), Sigford Road Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Marsh Barton Public Transport Stop (a 24-minute walk away)
Browse Regus meeting rooms in Exeter
Secure a fully equipped meeting room in Exeter with our instant online booking system. Available in various sizes, each meeting room is comfortable, professional, and ready for immediate use.
You can customise the layout and furniture in your meeting room to suit your event. For example, you might add flat-screen TVs, projectors, whiteboards, or flipcharts.
Each meeting room also comes with business-grade WiFi and technology equipment to help you run your meeting with ease. They even feature pod coffee machines for mid-meeting refreshments.
Should you need additional creative space to brainstorm, you can access our inspiring breakout areas.
Contact our teams to help you find and book meeting rooms in Exeter for your next business event.