Pinpoint Vol 4

Venue Spotlight By Conference Care

APRIL

VOL.4

CONTENTS

What's the (Pin)point?

3

This Month's Feature

4

Venue For Good

8

Hottest Venue

11

Social Space

14

The Roundup

17

Incentive

21

Put a Pin In It...

24

WHAT'S THE (PIN)POINT? WHAT'S THE (PIN)POINT? In this issue, we’ve gone wild! From big cat sanctuaries and foraged countryside cuisine to city apartments and worldwide industry shows, there is something here for everyone. And if there isn’t - let us know and we’ll find exactly what you’re looking for!

We’re very excited too as this is our first edition of Pinpoint as a B Corp organisation, read the full announcement here, thanks and happy venue searching!

Team Featured in this Edition Pauline Beattie Pauline is our superstar sales director. She has a wealth of knowledge from her years of experience in the events industry - what Pauline doesn’t know is not worth knowing!

Judith Dix

Judith Dix is our Sustainability Specialist and delivers our Carbon Consultancy service. Along with a decade of experience working in sustainability, she is also an IEMA Practitioner and has a Master's degree in Environmental Consultancy.

Becki Hollis Becki has an encyclopaedic knowledge of venues and suppliers. She's always ready with a recommendation for a hotel, restaurant, bar, or anything really - just ask!

Anywhere that serves cheese or sourdough is a winner for Becki.

Joanne Coe Jo Coe is our Scottish venue whiz - her knowledge is second to none! Jo loves watching and attending all sorts of events, from concerts to football, cricket, and horse racing. Her favourite type of venue is one that brings an event to life.

Sophie Boreham Sophie is one of our Event Management experts, running many client events from virtual webinars to large-scale conferences. Sophie loves to streamline a process and deliver an effective and energised event no matter where it is hosted.

CONFERENCE CARE SO MUCH MORE THAN A VENUE FINDING AGENCY...

FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A B CORP

THIS MONTH'S FEATURE

If you’re not already familiar with aparthotels, then we can think of no better introduction than the brand-new aparthotel Birmingham.

VENUE TYPE: Aparthotel LOCATION: St. Chads Queensway Birmingham, B4 6HY EVENT CAPACITY Up to 12 delegates

In recent years, these types of spaces have been growing in popularity. For many, a home-away-fromhome is preferable to a hotel room - however luxurious it might be. It’s also a great solution for a long stay or relocation, offering a place to stay for weeks or months at a time. As a result, more and more have been popping up in major cities across the UK. aparthotel Birmingham is the latest of its kind in the city and has plenty to offer. Keep reading to find out what sets this venue apart...

PAULINE BEATTIE, SALES DIRECTOR “The team at aparthotel Birmingham were brilliant, and although I only stayed the one night, I could easily have stayed many, many more. The apartments really feel like a home away from home, with a beautiful kitchen area and a fridge big enough to stock a week’s worth of groceries. With a Pret a Manger and Nisa on-site, you could quite easily spend all your time at the aparthotel, from work to leisure time.”

Want more recommendations from me?

Contact me on paulineb@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720

LONG STAYS Let’s start with the facts. aparthotel Birmingham has 161 apartments, 10 different types of rooms, and a 24-hour concierge service.

You’ll have access to an on-site shop and takeaway for easy selfcatering. However, if you want to experience what the city has to offer, you’re only a 10-minute walk away from the city centre and a 15-minute walk away from the jewellery quarter.

The venue even has event space.

Their 12-seat boardroom is perfect for team meetings and small gatherings. There is also a beautiful open space in the lobby that would serve as a wonderful backdrop for informal meetings.

Terrace Rooms are pet-friendly, so you never need to worry about leaving the dog at home again!

So, why an aparthotel and not a regular hotel? We’d recommend aparthotel Birmingham for Long Stays, (any stay that lasts longer than a couple of weeks). If an employee is relocating, an aparthotel serves as a home base and is a lot more inviting than a hotel room. Similarly, if you’re working on a project away from home, it can be massively beneficial to your mental wellbeing to have a place to call your own.

aparthotel Birmingham is unexpected in many ways.

Its location is convenient and easily accessible. Some of the apartments have lovely terraces, providing fantastic views of the city.

The venue is also set up as a workspace, so if you want to work from your apartment or any of the spaces set up around the venue - you can.

The team are attentive and helpful. It’s the kind of service you’d expect from a luxury hotel. You also get a real sense of security from the space. There is a huge locker room, meaning if you’re away for the weekend, you can store your belongings on-site and pick them up when you return.

All in all, this is a venue worth seeing and experiencing. Great for a day or two, but also a perfect accommodation option for a long stay.

If you’re interested in booking a long stay with us, please email enquiries@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720.

MAKE SURE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE THIS AWARDS SEASON

Please vote for Conference Care in the category: Best Intermediary Agency (Large 41+ employees)

For full voting instructions, click here.

CARDEN PARK World-class spa. Championship Golf.

Stunning landscapes and exceptional cuisine. This sprawling country estate has so much to offer and gives so much back. This edition’s featured Venue For Good is Carden Park.

If you need a venue that takes you away from the hustle and bustle, Carden Park exists in its own, not-solittle bubble. The venue is perfect for away days, incentives, and teambuilding, with its wide array of leisure activities, but it’s also the perfect venue for a large event. The venue has a massive 400-person conference suite and 18 meeting rooms on-site.

Any event here would feel like an escape, a break from the norm, no matter how big or small.

JUDITH DIX, SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST “Carden Park has worked hard to incorporate protection of the planet and preservation of their 1000 acre estate into their day-to-day. From having all of their food waste transformed into energy and animal feed, to recycling water from their spa to water the golf course, we were really impressed with their innovative approach to conserving resources.”

Want more recommendations from me?

Contact me on judithd@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720

VENUE TYPE: Country Estate LOCATION: Nr Chester Cheshire EVENT CAPACITY 400+ delegates

AWARD-WINNING If you weren’t already sold on Carden Park, the venue won silver in the M&IT awards in 2023 for ‘Best Hotel’.

Part of the reason for the prestigious award was the extra level of care that has gone into the service and the space. Their on-site team are willing and able to work with you on specific and unique briefs. They offer bespoke and tailored solutions to make your event a reality.

VENUE FOR GOOD We recently awarded Carden Park our Venue for Good certificate.

There are many reasons for this.

Carden Park sources food from local farmers and producers, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Plus,

What stood out to us about the space was just how well it all flowed. For want of a better word, the entire building feels streamlined. If you were to host a multi-room conference, you would be able to move from one space to another without hassle or confusion.

Refreshments and snacks are always just around the corner, lining the spaces between spaces.

a large variety of animals and plant species are protected on the estate’s grounds. Over 16 years, 30,000 trees have been planted on the grounds. As you can imagine, this makes for a stunning landscape, and one well worth visiting.

Book your next event at Carden Park by speaking to one of our venue-finding experts on: 02476 369 720 or emailing: enquiries@conferencecare.com.

And of course, we have to mention the sheer number of amenities this place has. It’s a remote venue, but it has everything you need on-site from archery and aerial adventures to one of the best spas in the UK.

HOTTEST VENUE

VENUE TYPE: Bar LOCATION: London

Think you know bingo? Think again.

This thrilling venue is sure to surprise and wow your attendees. Hijingo can be hired for meetings & conferences, private events, or you can jump on an evening event where you’ll enjoy the buzzing

EVENT CAPACITY Up to 250 delegates

atmosphere and unique food and drinks menu.

So what is Hijingo?

If you walk in, you’ll be greeted by floor-to-ceiling LED lights, futuristic visuals, and enveloped in music. You’ll head to the Lucky Cat Bar where you can enjoy a drink and watch the countdown for the bingo show.

Then, the main event - bingo like you’ve never known it before. Expect live dancers, electrifying performances, and top-tier prizes.

BINGO! WHY IT’S HOT

We’ve chosen Hijingo as our hottest new venue as it offers an experience like no other. While its bingo needs to be experienced, it’s also a fantastic venue in its own right. This space can hold up to 250 attendees and you will be able to make use of its facilities to create a truly unique event.

A conference here would have a modern, if not downright futuristic, theme. Have your speakers stand on stage and deliver engaging presentations on multiple screens, or take part in panels with a dynamic backdrop.

Anything is possible in this space!

The catering is superb, and all the staff are very attentive. It’s also in a great location with good transport links. It’s a 7-minute walk from Shoreditch High Street Station, 10 minutes from Liverpool Street Station and 12 minutes from Old Street Station.

TO BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT HERE, EMAIL ENQUIRIES@CONFERENCECARE.COM

JOANNE COE, ACCOUNT MANAGER SCOTLAND

Want more recommendations from me?

Contact me on joannec@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720

SOCIAL SPACE

The WildKitchen

Dining in the Wild When you think of a social space, you probably don’t think of a canopy in the middle of the Surrey countryside. So why have we chosen this as our social space?

Simple. A dinner here is sure to bring people together. The layout of the restaurant means everyone enjoys the warmth of the fireside equally. You’ll always be able to engage with anyone in your group too, with seating & and sharing platters adding to the social experience.

VENUE TYPE: Restaurant LOCATION: Surrey EVENT CAPACITY Up to 22 guests

This restaurant merges the wild and the whimsical, allowing you to dine surrounded by nature and enjoy a foraged feast. When it comes to food, you have two equally appetising options: A Nomadic Menu and a Japanese Menu by Wojciech Popow A Surf & Turf and Wild Winter concept menu by Adam Sharpe Expect treats such as wild, foraged shallots served in tart tartin, native Scottish lobster, and rich, gooey chocolate brownies.

SOPHIE BOREHAM, EVENT MANAGER

Want more recommendations from me?

Contact me on sophieb@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720

Wet & Windy Al Fresco dining can often be spoiled by a spot of bad weather - but not WildKitchen.

The venue is designed to withstand all weather types, including torrential downpours and harsh winds. In fact, it may even elevate the experience to hear the storm howling as you sit by a crackling fire.

The restaurant would be perfect for an incentive, a Christmas meal for a small team, or any kind of social gathering. If WildKitchen sounds like your kind of dining, book the venue today on enquiries@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720.

THE ROUNDUP

INDUSTRY SHOWS 2024

2024 Industry Shows Part of staying on top of the latest venues and trends is keeping up with shows and exhibitions in the industry. Here are some of the dates you should be putting in your calendar: CHS Leeds - 23rd April Imex - 14-16th May International Venue Roadshow Northamptonshire - 20th May Buckinghamshire - 8th July Liverpool - 16th September The Meeting Show - 19-20th June The BNC Show - 15th October CHS Birmingham - 29th October Luxury Travel Fair - 7-10th November EVENTIT Roadshow Leeds - 13th November Leicester - 14th November London - 16th November Event Tech Live London - 20-21st November IBTM - 28-30th November For more information on any of these shows, please contact your account manager.

INCENTIVE

NOT A ZOO.

VENUE TYPE: Lodge LOCATION: Kent EVENT CAPACITY Up to 120 delegates

E

G D O

L R TIGE

BECKI HOLLIS, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Want more recommendations from me?

Contact me on rebeccah@conferencecare.com or call 02476 369 720

PUT A PIN IN IT...

Which venues have got us excited?

Stay put for these exciting new openings and refurbs!

Ansty Hall, Exclusive Collection COMING SOON We recently took a hard hat tour of this brilliant venue. Since coming under Exclusive Collection’s wing, it has undergone significant refurbishments and is being brought in line with the group’s B Corp status, including updates to the on-site restaurant. We’re so excited to see the finished product later this year.

The Sage ICC OPENING 2025 This massive new space will sit along the River Tyne in Newcastle Gateshead.

Upon completion, it will offer 5,720m 2 of event space and can host as many as 1,800 guests. We’re excited about this space as it will be super sustainable, with energy fed by urban solar parks and naturally heated mine water.

Six Senses London OPENING 2025 A breath away from Hyde Park, Six Senses London will open in a restored art deco emporium. The space will have 109 guest rooms and various spaces for private events, including an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen, and a seating area in the courtyard. This is sure to be a brilliant new London venue.