Sandy Park
Sandy Park is a conference, banqueting and events venue in Exeter, UK, operated by Exeter Rugby Group Ltd, serving corporate clients, associations, and private customers across the South West with seven configurable event spaces, in-house catering, and an adjacent 250-room Marriott hotel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersExeter, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sandy Park does
Sandy Park is the South West England's leading conference, banqueting and events centre located in Exeter, Devon, and is operated by Exeter Rugby Group Ltd (the private parent entity that also owns Premiership Rugby club Exeter Chiefs). The venue serves corporate clients, trade associations, public-sector bodies, and private customers across multiple event formats — conferences, multi-day events, exhibitions, Christmas parties, weddings, gala dinners, and wakes — using a portfolio of seven configurable event suites (Exeter Suite up to 1,000 delegates, County Suite, Estuary Suite, Chiefs Suite, Baxter Suite, Seminar Suites, and Boardroom) plus corporate boxes. Revenue is generated through a mix of venue hire, in-house catering led by award-winning chef Craig Beacham, ticket sales, and multi-day corporate packages priced from £14 for individual comedy entry to £1,500 for premium gala tables.
The underlying technology stack comprises an online ticketing and booking platform (tickethub.sandypark.co.uk, powered by third-party vendor Secutix), an interactive virtual tour for remote venue assessment, and an automated ANPR parking system supporting 500+ on-site spaces. Since April 2022, the site has been connected via glazed bridge to an adjacent 250-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel, materially expanding the venue's capacity for multi-day events with on-site accommodation. The venue is also a Chartered Meetings Industry Association accredited site and holds the 2026 ECOsmart Silver sustainability certification.
Commercially, Sandy Park operates a sales-led go-to-market via a small in-house team (Sales & Event Manager Bev Gratton, Sales Executives Emily Jackson and Ben Parsons) targeting repeat corporate business from clients including the University of Exeter, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Devon & Cornwall Police, Jewson, Bradfords, Michelmores, Pennon, Vertu, and Decco. Multi-channel marketing spans a website with newsletter signup, social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), the tickethub platform, Exeter Chiefs cross-promotion, and a partnership with Chris Bentley (NOTWORKING NETWORKING) signed in May 2026 to deliver a calendar of sporting dinners and networking events. Disclosed venue income reached a record £2.5 million in FY 2023/24 (up 19% YoY from £2.0M in FY 2022/23), with the venue serving 7,563 Christmas party guests in the December 2023/January 2024 season alone.
Sandy Park firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sandy Park
- Legal name
- Exeter Rugby Group Ltd
- Website
- https://sandypark.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Sandy Park is a conference, banqueting and events venue in Exeter, UK, operated by Exeter Rugby Group Ltd, serving corporate clients, associations, and private customers across the South West with seven configurable event spaces, in-house catering, and an adjacent 250-room Marriott hotel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sandy Park industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conference & Banqueting Venue Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Integrated Convention & Expo Complex Hotels (THAGALAE), Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where Sandy Park is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Exeter
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sandy Park business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Venue Rental and Event Services: Conference and banqueting venue hire including use of multiple suites (Exeter Suite, County Suite, Estuary Suite, Chiefs Suite, Baxter Suite, Seminar Suites, Boardroom). Revenue from room rental, setup, and event management services.
- Catering and Hospitality: In-house catering services delivering bespoke menus crafted by award-winning chef Craig Beacham. Covers corporate dinners, weddings, Christmas parties, and event catering.
- Ticket Sales: Online ticket sales for hosted events including sports dinners, comedy nights, business networking events, and anniversary celebrations through tickethub platform.
- Multi-Day Event Packages: Full-service event packages combining venue hire, catering, and accommodation partnership with Courtyard by Marriott, generating revenue from entire-site or whole-floor bookings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | British Comedian of the Year - Standard Entry |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | British Comedian of the Year - With Food |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | British Comedian of the Year - Table of 10 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20th Anniversary Business Breakfast |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20th Anniversary Dinner - Silver Ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20th Anniversary Dinner - Silver Table of 10 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20th Anniversary Dinner - Gold Table of 10 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Christmas Party Packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Christmas Party with Dinner |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fixtures Breakfast - Standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fixtures Breakfast - Members |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Red Roses Match Upgrade |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Corporate Event Packages |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sandy Park product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sandy Park operates a multi-purpose conference, banqueting and events centre in Exeter, offering hire of seven configurable event suites (Exeter Suite, County Suite, Estuary Suite, Chiefs Suite, Baxter Suite, Seminar Suites, Boardroom) alongside in-house catering and on-site accommodation via the adjacent 250-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The venue hosts corporate conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, Christmas parties, weddings, multi-day events, and ticketed public events such as comedy nights and sports dinners.
Product overview
Sandy Park is the South West's leading conference, banqueting and events centre operated by Exeter Rugby Group. The venue offers a portfolio of seven configurable event spaces (Exeter Suite, County Suite, Estuary Suite, Chiefs Suite, Baxter Suite, Seminar Suites, and Boardroom) plus corporate boxes, accommodating events from intimate meetings to large-scale exhibitions for 1,000+ delegates. Catering is provided in-house by award-winning chef Craig Beacham. The venue is connected via glazed bridge to the 250-room Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park Hotel. Online ticketing is handled through the Ticket Hub platform powered by Secutix. A virtual tour tool enables remote venue exploration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Exeter Suite
Quantifiable outcome
- Record income of £2.5 million in 2023/24, up 19% year-over-year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sandy Park
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sandy Park technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sandy Park partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Chris Bentley (NOTWORKING NETWORKING)coreFormer Exeter Chiefs player signed as official events partner. Committed to delivering full calendar of events at Sandy Park generating six-figure annual revenue. Hosts sporting dinners featuring rugby greats, THE NOTTY business awards, and Building Brands marketing conference. Also founded NOTWORKING NETWORKING club hosting networking events at Sandy Park.
- Ludo Sports & Live LoungeminorSponsor of Exeter Chiefs End of Season Awards Dinner hosted at Sandy Park.
- Babcock International GroupminorEvent partner for Great South West Conference 2025, joining other partners Deloitte, Leonardo UK, Browne Jacobson, KPMG, Plessey Semiconductors, Supacat, and UCS College Group.
- DeloitteminorEvent partner for Great South West Conference 2025 focusing on region's role in UK Industrial Strategy.
- Leonardo UKminorEvent partner for Great South West Conference 2025 showcasing defence capabilities and innovation.
- KPMGminorEvent partner for Great South West Conference 2025 focusing on innovation and productivity.
- Institute of Physics (IOP)minorHosted four-day IOP conference on space weather and space environment celebrating 10 years of 24/7 UK space-weather operational forecasting. Co-organized with UKRI STFC RAL Space and Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre.
- Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy ParkcoreFour-star 250-room hotel adjacent to Sandy Park with glazed bridge link providing direct access to conference venue. Offers exclusive room rates and packages for event attendees. Features exercise centre and top-floor cocktail bar with panoramic views. Group bookings of 10+ rooms available at preferential rates. Supports multi-day event hosting capability.
- GallagherminorMain sponsors of Gallagher PREM (top domestic men's rugby competition in England). Co-hosted networking event 'Finding the Edge' at Sandy Park with Exeter Chiefs featuring panel discussion with club captain and head of communications.
- Exeter Chiefs FoundationcoreCharitable arm of Exeter Chiefs benefiting from Sandy Park events. Raised over £20k at Christmas charity lunch and £70k+ at Lord's Taverners event. Supports Feeding the Community at Christmas campaign providing 1,000+ festive meals. Generated £3 million in grants over five seasons to 117+ causes.
- GWR (Great Western Railway)minorRail partner offering up to 80% off standard return rail tickets for conference delegates attending events at Sandy Park.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sandy Park competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sandy Park social profiles
Digital presenceSandy Park compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sandy Park financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sandy Park leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sandy Park subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Sandy Park funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sandy Park M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sandy Park
What does Sandy Park do?
Sandy Park operates a multi-purpose conference, banqueting and events centre in Exeter, offering hire of seven configurable event suites (Exeter Suite, County Suite, Estuary Suite, Chiefs Suite, Baxter Suite, Seminar Suites, Boardroom) alongside in-house catering and on-site accommodation via the adjacent 250-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The venue hosts corporate conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, Christmas parties, weddings, multi-day events, and ticketed public events such as comedy nights and sports dinners.
Is Sandy Park a public or private company?
Sandy Park is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Sandy Park founded?
Sandy Park was founded in 2006.
Where is Sandy Park based?
Sandy Park is headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Sandy Park make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Venue Rental and Event Services are the primary driver. The others are catering and Hospitality, ticket Sales and multi-Day Event Packages.
Does Sandy Park have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sandy Park.
What industry is Sandy Park in?
Sandy Park's product category is Conference & Banqueting Venue Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAAAA, Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers), with a secondary code of THAGALAE, Integrated Convention & Expo Complex Hotels. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 7000.