Conference and Events World class event spaces in the heart of City Centre Introduction first direct arena located in the vibrant city centre of Leeds, a world-class venue with a choice of luxury function rooms and versatile spaces, boasting a breath- taking and unique design. Hosting live music, comedy, entertainment shows, conventions, exhibitions, conferences and sporting events, and was voted Best New Venue in the World at the stadium business awards.

The Arena’s unique “super theatre” style configuration is designed to enhance the visitor experience, with all seats facing the stage and high quality acoustics providing the best experience in the UK.

Visitors, guests, delegates and presenters alike, will enjoy a more intimate The main auditorium: atmosphere with reduced banquet for up to viewing distances inside the venue which can accommodate up to 12,000 1,100 or 2,200 square metres of conference or a special exhibition space. event for up to

12,000 first direct arena is operated by SMG Europe, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development.

The Main Auditorium A truly flexible space! The ideal venue to stage your Product Launch, Exhibition, Dinner, Convention, Awards, AGM, Conference, Celebration, Fundraiser, Meeting, Roadshow, Car Launch, Fashion Show, Reception.

Event organisers will be truly excited by our • Enclosed service yard for production tailored approach of ensuring that loading in/out direct onto the arena floor expectations are exceeded with every ‘touch • Production vehicle parking point’ – be prepared to ‘wow’ your guests with an unforgettable event experience. • Fantastic ceiling height for branding and hanging opportunities The main auditorium has the capacity to transform into a diverse banquet, conference or • Organiser office accommodation with special event space for up to 12,000 people. internet connectivity • Demountable staging units If your event deserves first class facilities with a difference it belongs at first direct arena. • Ample mains power supplies

The auditorium is truly a flexible space!

The Arena offers you: • Dedicated and experienced venue Event Manager and Regional marketing assistance for your event, utilising the resources of a Main exhibition floor professional and experienced team • Excellent technical support 2,200 sqm • A state of the art fully accessible facility or Theatre format up to • In house professional catering team who can service all your catering needs 12,000 • Wifi 10 - 160 people • Venue ticketing services The team at the arena were fantastic. Everything we asked for in advance and at short notice was accommodated with zero fuss, and the great range of facilities meant that we had options to choose from, allowing us to comfortably host some small interactive sessions alongside a larger more formal presentation.

The flexibility and professional nature of the team provided a level of comfort that everything would run smoothly on the day, which it did, and we wouldn’t hesitate in returning for future events. c

Greg Sykes - Lloyds Bank Facts & Figures The first direct arena offers world class event facilities:

• Main exhibition floor of 2,200 sqm • 24hr security services • Ancillary exhibition floor of 400 sqm • Professional event safety and security services • Banqueting for up to 1,100 guests • Local service supplier rates • 18m of rigging/roof height with a hanging • Excellent city transport links, hotels and parking capacity of 60 tonne • Visual and audio event relay to organisers • Breakout rooms for 10 – 160 people offices and visual for guests front of house • Auditorium wifi services

Room Formats & Capacities Ceiling Exhibition Floor Natural Theatre Classroom U Shape Boardroom Reception Banqueting Cabaret Height space m2 Level Light

Auditorium 12,000 450 - - 3,800 1,100 600 18m + 2,200 0-4 û

fd Bar 160 40 50 50 200 150 100 2.5m 275 1 ü In house professional Black & White Lounge 120 30 40 40 300 100 65 2.5m 400 1 ü catering Boardroom 20 20 15 20 30 20 - 2.5m - 1 ü Production Office 30 30 20 30 - - - 2.5m - 0 ü

wifi Promoter Office 30 30 20 30 - - - 2.5m - 0 û KPMG’s Leeds office Christmas party at the fd arena was a fantastic evening for 450 staff. A great time was had in a superb venue with professional staff.

KPMG

Entrance Level Space

To event floor To event floor

790SQM Inner Concourse

390SQM 450SQM FD Bar Premier Lounge 470SQM Welcome Area Front Entry Doors

A flexible space linking various usable areas.

Auditorium Room Plans - From small to fully seated options available

Stage Stage Stage Stage Floor

Theatre Style Theatre Style Theatre Style Theatre Style Exhibition Space Capacity: up to 2,000 Capacity: up to 4,500 Capacity: up to 7,500 Capacity: up to 12,000 2,250 sqm

Space used The fd Bar Dynamically designed with a unique twist. This space is ideal for informal meetings, product launches, private parties, receptions and networking events.

The room features a purpose built bar area With space for up to 200 people, benefiting and has its own bathroom facilities. from natural light and a range of spacious, flexible layouts, it’s easy to create your ideal The fd bar has its own dedicated external event space. terrace that can also be utilised. The perfect space for your delegates to stretch their legs.

Ideal for informal meetings Accommodate up to 200 delegates The team at the first direct arena put together a memorable Christmas Lunch for us; the food was great and the service was excellent. Would highly recommend.

John Tordoff - JCT The Black & White Lounge The Black & White Lounge offers event organisers a luxurious flexible space in which to hold their event. With its own dedicated reception area, the ability to partition into separate zones comfortably accommodating conferences and meetings in a variety of configurations.

This space is ideal for conferences, meetings, The Black & White Lounge overlooks the networking events, breakfast events, arena plaza and with its floor to ceiling presentations, dinners and drinks receptions. windows offers great natural light.

The room features a purposed built bar area The perfect space for up to 300 delegates. and has its own bathroom facilities.

Offers a flexible space Ability to partition in to zones When planning our Game Changers conference we needed a venue that would fit with our theme, and the Arena proved to be a perfect partner.

Our 125 guests enjoyed a professional yet relaxing environment in the Black & White Lounge, and were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Arena after the event, which really added to the wow factor and ensured everyone left in a very positive frame of mind. Using the Arena as our venue definitely helped to make our event a big success. .

Julian Wells & John Macleod Joint hosts of Game Changers Catering & Hospitality Our professional, skilled in-house catering and bars team are able to cater for a variety of occasions. They can feed 13,000 concert goers or cater for smaller events and conferences.

With menus ranging from light breakfasts to seamless service to enhance the experience delicious hot and cold buffets, from stylish for your guests. canapés to impressive three course dinners. Whatever the occasion our head chef and Since opening in September 2013 we have his team can create the perfect menu to played host to BBC Sports Personality of the complement your event. Year and The Grand Depart (Tour De France Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner). Our bars and catering team led by our food and beverage director will provide a

Incredible tailored menus High quality local and seasonal Ingredients The airline launch held at first direct arena was a huge success. The venue worked with us in meeting the bespoke food and beverage menus required, and were flexible in their approach to ensuring the event ran smoothlyfrom planning to the delivery stage.

Leeds Bradford Airport Dinners Put some rock into your bread rolls! Dinners and award ceremonies are always memorable events and the first direct arena is an exceptionally unique venue delivering something different and special.

Set your event apart and wow your chef, his team and our kitchens are all We offer bespoke menus to meet your guests by dining in the same room global based at the arena itself. With food preferences whether this is dietary or a superstars have performed! Present on prepared and cooked on site using the fully themed menu. We can also make the same stage that has seen the likes of best ingredients which are sourced wine and champagne recommendations , Michael Bublé and seasonally and locally. Our in house to complement your menu choice. entertain the crowds. team of waiting staff serve you all you need with skill and sophistication. We road tested the venue hosting and The auditorium transforms into an overseeing all the corporate hospitality extraordinary banquet space, For dinners, our in house team work with catering for BBC’s 60th Sports accommodating up to 1100 guests or Leeds based CGC Event Caterers to Personality of the Year awards and as few as 300. The open plan space ensure that the expectations of every staging the Eve of Tour Gala Dinner with purpose built stage is ideal for guest are far exceeded. With decades of celebrating the Tour de France your dinner and award ceremonies. experience in the business, CGC has a Yorkshire Grand Depart, MOBO Awards passion for creativity and a flair for well and White Rose Awards We create a memorable and satisfying crafted, locally sourced dishes. catering service for your event. Our head Now it is your turn…

Banquet up to 1,100 Bespoke menus The White Rose Awards, our annual tourism awards ceremony, was the second dinner we have held at the first direct arena after the Eve of Tour dinner for Yorkshire’s Grand Depart in 2014. With over 1,000 guests in attendance, the event ran smoothly, thanks undoubtedly to the excellent support and communication we had with the events team during the months of planning and the evening itself. We received fantastic feedback, particularly in regards to the catering which our guests described as outstanding.

Welcome to Yorkshire Exhibitions Make your exhibition rock!

Our team of professional and highly experienced exhibition and event managers can assist with every aspect of exhibition planning and management.

The first direct arena has played host to On top of the main auditorium we have Level floor access is available large trade and consumer exhibitions, 400 square meters of ancillary throughout with direct access into the together with smaller specialist shows, exhibition space as well as our outdoor arena. There are also floor ducting where we can provide help, advice and plaza which is a great spot to display services, in house catering for both support during the planning and vehicles, have a steel band or anything exhibitors and delegates and free wifi delivery of your event. else to really create an entrance to your to ensure your event runs smoothly event and that real arrival buzz! and safely. A total floor area of 2,200 square metres is available for hire. Flexibility is the key with many possibilities for various types and sizes of exhibitions.

Main exhibition floor 2,200 sqm Ancillary exhibition floor 400 sqm The fd Arena is a fantastic space to hold an exhibition. It has the largest floorspace in Leeds and the surrounding area and has easy access to the city centre and local hotels. It is a flexible space that lends itself well to various types of events. Supporting our ideas and requirements, we have found the team at the fd Arena great to work with. I would thoroughly recommend the fd Arena to anyone looking to host an exhibition/event in the city. .

Emma Cartmell, CEO, Conference and Hospitality Show Ltd 360 technical event production from Sparq

Working at first direct arena since it first opened in 2013, Sparq is the trusted in-house technical production partner, which means the team really has been there, done that when it comes to working in this first-class venue.

Whether it’s a premier awards ceremony can support with everything from set and or business briefings, our team work in stage build and lighting and sound, right collaboration with you to create stunning through to creative design and digital live events which will truly delight your technologies to ensure an amazing audience and generate lasting memories. experience, every time. Whatever the scale of your event, the team

Event support includes:

• Gala awards • AGMs • Conferences • Product launches • Exhibitions • Fashion shows • Roadshows

Technical event production partner

0113 218 3600 First class service, we would always use Sparq for our events!

Full production The plan The vision From creative concepting right through to delivery, Sparq can fully- manage the journey from start to finish. Need some inspiration? We ask the right questions to understand your brief, your brand and your business and come up with ideas that really push the boundaries.

All things technical Lighting designers, projection masters and audio aces, we’re proud to have some of the best in the business. Our exceptional mix of expertise, blended with cutting edge kit means we can bring your event message to life and keep your audience captivated and engaged. The experience The reality Creative support From the moment you press go on your event, our team of in-house creatives relish the opportunity to imagine, develop and deliver ideas that will turn your vision into a reality. Using 3D visualisation, fly-throughs and CAD, our team can build your event as it evolves, ensuring stakeholders and audiences engage at every touch point.

Set and stage Your set and stage are more than just platforms, it’s the focal point that really needs to get the audience talking. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so when it comes to your event, let our in-house set and staging team create something that is bespoke and bang on brief. Digital Looking to inspire, engage and inform a tech savvy audience? Our digital ideas are limitless and can push audience interaction to the next level.

Our digital expertise elicits endless possibilities when it comes to technology. We make it our mission to truly immerse your audience, evoke emotion and encourage reaction.

No matter the scale or size of your event, our digital team can work with you from the outset to create digital tools that will not only suit your event but also your budget too.

Our digital services include: • Webcasting & live streaming • Interactive voting systems • Emoji feedback • Digital Q&A • Bespoke app development and deployment • Video production and content creation • Social media Technical event • Website design production partner • Event management services

0113 218 3600 I was very impressed with the professionalism and standard of service delivered by Sparq. The staff were punctual, knowledgeable and found a solution for any last minute changes that arose - you need them for your next event!

Contacts

For further information on Conference and Events For further information on technical event production at the first directarena please contact: from Sparq, please contact: Lisa Turton Ann Seddon Head of Sales and Hospitality Client Director E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: 0113 386 3607 T: 0113 218 3600 first direct arena Sparq Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY Units 5 & 6, Scala Court, Leathley Road, Leeds LS10 1JD

first direct arena is operated and managed by SMG (UK) Limited. SMG (UK) Limited is a registered company in England with registration number 821116. The registered address of SMG (UK) Limited is , Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1AR. 360 technical event production from Sparq Proud to support the first direct arena