Case Study: Making a Memorable Day Even More Memorable

Increasingly, many educational establishments have needed to look beyond their own campuses to enable not just the students but the families, friends and extended families, all of whom come along and watch. More and more are therefore looking to outside venues, and with it the chance to add grandeur to an already special occasion.

Twickenham Stadium has seen a steady rise in graduation ceremonies and supported many in their ambitions to create genuine and lasting impact on their guests, from high quality food and drink and ease of access and parking for friends and families, to the grand setting of the home of England Rugby. Equally, creative event organisers are looking to use the stadium's assets to create the perfect event. One such organisers was the University of West London.

The University was able to make the most of the stadium, arriving within months of the launch of its new East Stand, five floors of magnificent, high premium event and hospitality space, ideal for a graduation ceremony. Because the space is big, but also offers numerous rooms, the organisers were able to create a real flow for the event.

First of all, graduates had their gown fitting in the Union Ale House, the stadium's brand-new pub, a perfect start to the day! The students were then able to enter the ceremony through the Live Room and Rose Suite, two of the stadium's most iconic spaces and the perfect back drop for each to pick up their scroll, pose for a photograph, and then join their families.

After the ceremony guests were invited to enjoy pitch side at Twickenham Stadium. Surrounded by 82,000 seats, and the light and atmosphere of one of the world's most famous sports stadia; a fitting end to years of hard work for the graduates and a perfect place for a family photo or two.

Finally, the guests were able to enjoy food and drink back in the East Stand within the elegant surroundings of The Lock, where staff served up the best of British food and a glass of champagne or two. The ceremonies themselves were numerous, with so many graduates and the need of the organiser to give each a special experience and due recognition of their achievements. The event took place over two days and saw over 7,200 guests enjoy a day to remember.

"We are delighted to have hosted our first graduation ceremony at Twickenham with the University of West London," comments Louise Dormer, Business Development Manager, Twickenham Stadium. "The event had many complexities in terms of logistics, which we overcame by utilising multiple stands and spaces within the stadium to create a really nice flow and offer a seamless day for guests."