For over three decades, Ashridge House has been the trusted setting for Galbraith’s Shipping Course, a global program bringing industry leaders together. This year continued that legacy, hosting delegates from 15 countries for a week of learning, collaboration, and celebration in an inspiring venue.
Case study
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Tell us a little about your event. How many people attended, where did they come from, how many days was it, and what type of event did you host?
For our most recent event in July 2025, we hosted 29 delegates from 15 nationalities, working across 15 countries. We offered 29 theoretical lectures on the shipping industry and 11 workshops, all given by 27 lecturers. Together with the Ashridge House events team, we hosted two BBQ's and one themed night event, in addition to our final night and 'graduation' ceremony, which the delegates felt was very special.
What are the main goals of your annual event, and how does Ashridge House help you achieve them?
For us, the main goal is that the delegates are coming away after the event, having found value in our lectures, workshops, teambuilding and networking events and that they remember their time with IG at Ashridge House fondly and recommend us to their colleagues next year. The delegates also always remember the impressive venue and the positive developments at Ashridge House over the many years helping to make the course stay relevant and memorable.
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You’ve been coming to Ashridge House for over 35 years, what keeps you coming back?
The course running at Ashridge House for over 35 years is in itself a testimonial. The staff are always lovely and very supportive and any concerns are addressed and sorted immediately. Ashridge House is the perfect location for our Shipping Course, just a short train ride from central London and easily reachable with a taxi from all major London airports. We have delegates arriving from all over the world, so the easy access is a must for us. Having the course taking place outside of busy London means to us that the delegates bond and form friendships for life. We are already looking forward to our next event taking place there.
How has your event evolved over the years at Ashridge House?
Feedback from delegates is taken very seriously and over the year we have added more practical workshops. The facilities of the Brindley Lecture Room coupled with the proximity of the syndicate rooms, private garden area and coffee lounge have helped to support these developments, as we had plenty of space for group work.
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Which rooms, outdoor areas, or breakout spaces do you typically use, and why do they work well for your group?
We like to make use of all the rooms and spaces available and host different events in different spaces. We usually use Brindley as the lecture room and recent improvements to the space and coffee area have been very beneficial to us. We have previously also been using the Angus building for our lectures, which is also a great space with syndicate rooms near by that allows the delegates to work in their groups where required.
We also usually host a BBQ in the Old Library, another in the Fernery and graduation in the Chapel. This gives the delegates a fantastic experience of the variety of spaces on offer at Ashridge House. We also offer a Friday Night Pub Quiz, often held in the bar or the Vault Bar, to kick off the weekend for the delegates. We organise a picnic in the gardens, sporting events such as a tennis tournament or often delegates find themselves teaming up to go to the gym in the mornings together or make use of the beautiful surroundings and go running. The teambuilding exercises take the delegates to different parts of the gardens and lecture room.
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Did your attendees stay in our on-site accommodation?
The delegates always stay on-site to build bonds and business relationships.Over the years we have stayed in different accommodation blocks at Ashridge House and the delegates have found the accommodations and their modern design and amenities very comfortable.
What amenities or features of Ashridge House do you and your team enjoy the most?
At Ashridge House, every room and part of the garden is absolutely beautiful. One of the highlights for the delegates is the 'graduation ceremony', which takes place in the Chapel. Being able to celebrate the delegates' achievements there with summer sunshine beaming through the stained glass windows is very special.
Is there a standout moment or memory from your time at Ashridge House that you’d like to share?
It is always a highlight of ours to welcome each set of new delegates to Ashridge House, and to see delegates from all around the globe experience the phenomenal setting of Ashridge House and its grounds for the first time.
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