Hosting the AUDE Conference 2025 at Cardiff University
Take a peek behind the curtain to see how byCaerdydd welcomed and serviced delegates for the AUDE Annual Conference 2025 (The Association of University Directors of Estates).
From 28th April to 1st May 2025, senior estates and facilities professionals were brought together to share best practice, explore sector-wide challenges and look ahead to the future of campus development.
For the university, it was a great opportunity to show what can be delivered when venues, hospitality and experienced event teams work together.
Spaces to suit every purpose
The conference was designed around a mix of large, high-energy spaces and smaller, more intimate rooms that supported more focused conversation. The range of versatile spaces available meant the right tone was set throughout the event, from an exciting welcome to a memorable close, whilst accommodating a full programme of sessions and activities.
The exhibition took place in the Centre of Student Life, which interconnects to the Great Hall, provided the main lecture venue is supported by multiple break-out areas and dedicated presentation rooms. As a room usually used for major concerts, this is a unique space designed for connecting. This was the largest room of the event that hosted exhibitors and catering in a central hub that made networking and navigating feel effortless.
Having a dynamic range of large and more intimate interconnected spaces was ideal for an activity-packed conference, all while providing quieter moments for delegates to recharge.
Bespoke Hospitality menus
Hospitality menus to support the AUDE conference were designed specifically to meet the event brief. Catering was served amongst the exhibitors to ensure that during breaks delegates could refuel while networking and exploring new technology.
Menus were carefully developed to showcase fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced produce, with a range of both hot and cold options available. byCaerdydd Hospitality uses reusable service ware as standard for all events. However, to support the mobility required for delegates to eat and drink while moving around the exhibition, all disposable items were selected to be sustainable and compatible with available recycling waste streams.
Central Cardiff location
One of the biggest wins of hosting the AUDE Conference 2025 at the university was the location. With key venues based around Cathays Park, delegates from across the UK were in a central spot that made travel in and out of the city easy.
A short walk into the city centre and to the railway station, delegates could get back to accommodation, explore the city and travel to and from the conference hassle-free which is ideal when attendees have to fit a lot into a few days. Not only did this support attendance being more reliable across the full schedule, it gave delegates a sense of place being in the heart of Cardiff culture.
If you’re looking for a conference venue that feels effortless for attendees and leaves a lasting impression, Cardiff University’s venues and hospitality is a reliable option. Hosting the AUDE Conference 2025 showed how the right mix of central location, flexible spaces and thoughtful hospitality can create an experience that has impact.
We’d love to help you bring your next event to life. Contact the team today to discuss your needs.
