Conference and Events World class event spaces in the heart of Leeds 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 Bruce Springsteen, Michael Bublé and seasonally and locally. Our in house to complement your menu choice. Prince 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.