Inside Thermo Fisher’s Science Day at Lakeside Conference Centre
Today’s event organisers are looking for more than just a standard meeting room. They’re seeking venues that offer flexibility and the ability to host multiple event formats seamlessly, from exhibitions, lectures, to seminars.
That’s where the Lakeside Conference Centre (LCC) at York Biotech Campus (YBC) stands out. With a vibrant atrium perfect for exhibitions, modern breakout rooms for seminars and workshops, plus a 250-seat auditorium for speakers and lectures, LCC brings every element together under one roof.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global supplier in analytical instruments, diagnostics, and laboratory solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, recently took advantage of this versatility for its Science Exhibition Day, combining product showcases, expert-led talks and networking opportunities.
We caught up with event organiser, Rachel Pickles, to learn more.
Could you tell us a bit more about the background of the Science Exhibition Day?
“The Science Exhibition Day is part of Fisher Scientific’s long‑running Activate Science Programme, an initiative that brings together customers, potential customers, and industry partners to explore new products, technologies, and ideas.
“These events take place across Europe, but this year’s showcase at LCC was particularly special, as it was the first time we introduced seminars alongside our exhibition featuring product showcases at this location. The flexibility of LCC made it possible to host both the exhibition and seminar programme seamlessly at the same venue.”
Why did you choose LCC for your exhibition day?
“As LCC is based at YBC – home to many leading bioscience organisations – it meant a lot of our customers are actually based on campus! This was perfect, as we could host the day in the same building as where many delegates work, making it easy for them to visit the exhibition during breaks. We used the separate breakout rooms in the conference centre to host our seminars, away from the hustle and bustle of the central atrium and meant that our delegates could engage with the talks without distraction.
“We also offered a complimentary lunch for our attendees, which was conveniently provided right next to the exhibition space, in the Lakeside Restaurant. It was the ideal set up, letting delegates enjoy a relaxed, sit-down meal without the hassle of travelling to another venue or juggling paper plates.”
What can you tell us about the exhibition?
“In the atrium area of LCC, we hosted 14 stands featuring a wide range of suppliers, giving attendees a snapshot of the incredible breadth of products available through Fisher Scientific. Exhibitors included equipment suppliers and consumable manufacturers, showcasing everything from incubators, climate control cabinets, and centrifuges down to the smallest, yet most essential tool – the pipette. We highlighted our own Fisher brand range, selecting just a few items from our catalogue of over 3 million products. With so much on offer, this was only a glimpse, we only hope to build on this in the future!
“The atrium was the ideal location for our exhibition stands, sitting right at the heart of the campus and acting as the first space many visitors saw as they arrived. This prime location helped us welcome over 100 attendees from across YBC’s diverse occupiers and external organisations. Most visitors were laboratory professionals, including managers and health and safety officers, creating a fantastic opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing”.
You mentioned seminars, can you tell us more?
“The seminars were a new addition this year, it added a real depth to the event and the breakout spaces at LCC accommodated this perfectly. We hosted two talks on different topics that were repeated throughout the day. Our first was on sustainability within the laboratory, and what we’re doing at Fisher Scientific to help laboratories become more green and environmentally conscious, whilst assisting them in their net zero goals. We’ve already arranged to come back to YBC to speak to an occupier on how we can work together to reduce their carbon footprint.
“The second seminar was a shorter session focused on a specific molecular biology technique – Direct PCR. This relatively new method simplifies the PCR process, and Thermo Scientific demonstrated some of their solutions”.
Did the event team support on the day?
“We couldn’t have held the event without the support of the LCC team. They were incredibly helpful on the day itself, and their internal promotion ensured every relevant occupier knew about the event. It was a real team effort, and nothing was too big or small of an ask for the team”.
What was the response to the event like?
“Incredible! We received over 200 requests for quotes, additional information, and product samples. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the day as both enjoyable and informative, the best endorsement we could hope for.
“Our audience was wonderfully diverse: some arrived with a specific product in mind, while others discovered solutions they didn’t even know they needed. Hosting at LCC proved to be incredibly valuable, and we’re already looking forward to making 2026 even bigger and better!”
Interested in how our versatile spaces could host your event? Get in touch with our specialist events team today.