You can nail the agenda, the speaker, and the catering… and still frustrate your guests before they ever walk through the door.
How? Bad parking and a confusing location.
Here’s why “Where will people actually park?” is one of the most important questions you can ask when choosing a venue.
1. Parking is your first impression
For many attendees, their experience starts in the parking lot, not the lobby.
If parking is:
- Hard to find
- Expensive
- Crowded or poorly lit
…your guests arrive stressed, late, or annoyed. That mood walks into the room with them.
2. Accessibility matters
Think about all of your attendees:
- Are there accessible parking spots close to the entrance?
- Is there a clear, step-free route into the building?
- Can people with mobility challenges comfortably navigate doors, elevators, and hallways?
A good venue doesn’t just meet minimum codes; it makes all guests feel welcome.
3. Clear directions reduce no-shows
If your venue is tucked behind other buildings, has multiple entrances, or shares a campus with other businesses, confusion is easy.
Look for:
- Simple, map-friendly instructions
- Clear exterior signage visible from the road
- Obvious entrance and front desk
Include a map and parking instructions in your confirmation emails so people aren’t guessing.
4. Commute time affects attendance
Even a beautiful space can be a poor choice if it turns a 9–4 meeting into a 6–7 day because of traffic and distance.
Consider:
- Proximity to major highways or transit
- Realistic rush-hour travel time
- Whether key attendees are coming from out of town or local offices
Sometimes moving slightly closer to where most people live or work makes a huge difference in turnout and energy.
5. Don’t forget after-dark safety
For evening events or winter months when it gets dark early:
- Are parking areas well lit?
- Is it easy to see the path back to cars?
- Do you feel safe walking alone?
Your guests absolutely notice this, especially those leaving late.
Location and parking don’t show up on your agenda or in your slide deck, but they shape how people feel before the first word is spoken.
A venue with easy access, clear signage, and ample parking is doing quiet, invisible work to make your event feel smooth and professional from the very first moment.