I’ve been wondering about something quite simple – does the choice of venue change the way we behave at an event?

Corporate hotels are often the safe bet. They’re easy to find, the coffee is on tap, and the Wi-Fi usually works. But they can also feel like walking into “work mode”: people put on the suit of armour, do the polite networking routine and never really let much of themselves show.

By contrast, the events that seem to stick in my mind are the ones held in more surprising places. A gallery. A farm. On a train. They carry their own character, and that seems to give people permission to show more of theirs.

Two recent local gatherings made me think harder about this. Pippa Tait’s Sales Club created an atmosphere where people connected with ease, while Fran Ash’s “Bathing in Business” was every bit as refreshing as the name suggests. Both reminded me that the environment isn’t just a backdrop – it shapes the whole experience.

Of course, not everyone wants this. Some people are more comfortable in the predictable corporate setting. But I think there’s a shift happening: more of us are looking for places that feel alive, where conversations can be more open and more human.

For me, that’s what links back to the Passion to Profile approach. It isn’t about polishing a corporate mask – it’s about being clear, practical and people-driven. The venue can either reinforce the act, or help us drop it.

So next time you’re booking an event, maybe ask yourself: what kind of conversation do I want people to have? The room might just set the tone before a single word is spoken.

I’d love to know what you think. Do you prefer the predictability of the hotel function room, or the character of somewhere more unusual?