HEN Aug 2021

Leeds: the epicentre of the modern North.

There’s a venue for every conference in Leeds and something for every delegate creating a totally unique, and utterly memorable experience.

To connect with our city is to experience the exceptional.

The Conference Leeds team is here for you every step of the way. Whether you’ve got concrete plans that need finessing or the spark of an idea, it’s never too late to start the conversation.

From existing clients to brand new enquiries, conference organisers and delegates are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome from Leeds’ venues and their teams. Conference Leeds offers a free and impartial service and is here to support organisers from the bidding stage through to post event evaluation.

To explore your options ahead of your next conference, contact us on

H&E North front cover feature: More Than Just a Venue Breakout Sunderland venue Beacon of Light shows off its event capabilities. Page 17. 17

A Greener Future

We hear from a selection of events professionals on the future of sustainable events. Page 5. 05

New Venues

The most exciting events venues that have recently opened their doors. Page 10.

A Helping Hand

We celebrate the events venues that were repurposed to help out during the pandemic. Page 12.

Competition

H&E North Meets

The founder of platform developer ViiEvents makes the case for how the virtual revolution has only just begun. Page 42. 42

Keeping Data In Check

Discover the latest industry initiative to help event professionals unlock the treasure trove of virtual data. Page 28.

A Warm Welcome

AUG / SEPT 2021

Event spaces have worked incredibly hard to be safe and ready, and those following protocol are now seeing the benefit, but a long period of rebuild and many challenges lie ahead. We talk to some key venues that became COVID heroes during the height of the pandemic and take a look at what’s new and improved.

One such venue on our cover, the stunning Beacon of Light in Sunderland is a wow venue with community as its heartbeat.

The supply chain has been massively hit, but the creativity and resilience of these companies to adapt and commitment to sustainability gives the industry great flexibility going forward, with amazing

strides in virtual platforms and AV tech that will enhance live events.

Keeping team morale has not been easy, we look at some ideas for your client and staff events and get some great workplace wellbeing tips. Plus we take a look at the glut of industry events coming up. We look forward to the return of Confex, The Meetings Show and CHS Birmingham this autumn.

Please do get involved, follow us and send in your guest blogs to our site where you can win a stay over at the lovely Cottons Hotel & Spa in Cheshire!

Elliot Landy.

Win an overnight stay with breakfast and dinner for two at Cottons Hotel & Spa. Page 15. 15 /HospitalityNrth /hospitality-and-events-north-magazine

Going Coastal

We explore the top conference venues in the coastal regions of Croatia. Page 50.

Take a peek inside the major upcoming industry expos. Page 54.

Publisher Elliot Landy

Features Editor James Wilson

Senior

Colour Ltd

Contributors

Copyright JLife Ltd. All contents are copyright, all rights are reserved. No part of the contents can be reproduced without permission from the publisher. No responsibility can be accepted for inaccurate information supplied, & content supplied does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. Editorial policies & magazine layouts are purely at the publisher’s discretion & no debate will be entered in to.

Published by: JLife Ltd. Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. T: 0845 052 2911 F: 0113 262 5202 E: info@nutsforprint.co.uk W: hospitalityandeventsnorth.com

North in Brief

New Government Guidance for Events in England Published

The government has published new guidance advising event organisers how to hold an event safely now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. The new advice suggests that many of the safety precautions which were used throughout the pandemic are continued.

In the guide, planners are advised to continue to display an NHS QR code for customers wishing to check in using the app, to help reduce the spread of the virus. The document also suggests that customers are advised to wear face coverings, though this is no longer mandatory. Other advice includes putting a communications plan in place to ensure relevant information on COVID-19 measures is communicated to attendees before and during the event and issuing a code of conduct.

The guidance also explains the legal powers that local authorities have to prohibit or restrict an event. Local authorities can stop or restrict events using the Health Protection Regulations 2020, provided that the authority is responding to a serious and imminent threat to public health and the cancellation or restriction of the event is necessary in order to prevent an outbreak of the virus. In addition, the actions taken by the local authority must be proportionate to the risk the event proposes.

The advice also indicated that local authorities should not issue blanket bans on events, and that if there are concerns about an event’s safety, they should contact event organisers as a first response.

New Event Support Body Launched

A virtual meeting held in May saw the launch of the Meetings and Event Support Association (MESA). MESA founders say that its aim is to support innovation in the events industry and to create a community of companies to work together and bring new ideas to fruition.

MESA’s Steering Committee is comprised of five patron members: Danny Stevens, CEO and Founder of fielddrive; Felix StroudAllen, CEO and Founder of CrowdComms; Jelmer Van Ast, CEO and Founder of Conference Compass; John Martinez, CEO and Founder of Shocklogic; and Sébastien Braun, CEO and Founder of idloom.

MESA intends to fill the gap left behind by the Meeting Design Institute (MDI), which stopped its membership aspect earlier this year. The association has already held membership talks with former members for MDI and received a positive response.

HBAA Calls for Event Planners to be Flexible In Facing Staff Shortages

to hold one in Q3, while 33% are holding one in Q4.

The research shows the value that the events industry places on in-person meetings, with 83% of events professionals saying they value them more now than they did before the pandemic. However, 68% of respondents still think hybrid events will be more common now than they were before the pandemic. This number is down from 73% of respondents in December and closer to 67% when surveyed last year.

The Hotel Bookings Association Agency (HBAA) has called for event planners to exercise flexibility when it comes to service level agreements (SLA): “Many venues and businesses in our sector are opening and ready for business. However, the length of lockdowns, furlough hangover, redundancies, Brexit-related workforce departures and visa issues plus the lack of contracted bookings has led to significant numbers of people leaving key positions, resulting in a severe shortage of staff across the sector,” HBAA Consultant Executive Director, Juliet Price said. With staffing an issue across the industry, the HBAA is advising event planners to be flexible about the service they expect from businesses and venues.

“The staff shortage adds pressure all round and has an impact on SLAs. It is vital that planners are open to temporarily adjusting SLAs during this challenging time and important for event organisers to understand that communication channels and response times may vary.”

Survey Provides Insight into Event Industry Thinking

The third edition of etc.venues biannual survey has shown that 72% of events organisers are planning to hold in-person events this year, and that 39% are planning

Adam Simpson, Director of Marketing at etc.venues, said: “The innate belief in live events among event planners is rising to the surface and the necessity of virtual events is beginning to fade now that restrictions are being lifted. After benefiting from virtual and hybrid events out of necessity during lockdown, there is a clear recognition that whilst virtual was good, it is not nearly good enough and many planners are keen to return to live events very soon."

Calls for Event Sector to Take Earlier Action on Climate Change

A special event ahead of COP26 involving representatives from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UK government and SME Climate Hub, saw calls for the UK events sector to be proactive in working against climate change.

The meeting discussed the importance of the sector showing evidence of action ahead of the global conference on climate change, and presenting a proactive industry taking on its responsibilities.

Speakers at the event included Sir David King, former UK Government permanent special representative for climate change; Miguel Naranjo, Programme Officer at UNFCCC; and Andrew Griffith, the UK’s netzero business champion for COP26.

Andrew Griffith commented: “This is a really brilliant opportunity to show the world that we are the solution, not the problem, and that we can build a real crescendo of momentum to give all of our leaders around the world the imperative to act. One of my big asks is for every business to set themselves a target, make a pledge, take some action, and the best way is to use the Race to Zero. If we do it now, it will amplify and resonate greatly.”

JULIET PRICE

A Greener Future

With COP26 coming to Glasgow later this year, we chatted to event profs from all sides of the industry to discuss the future of green events and how they keep events sustainable.

THE MARKETING AGENCY

Mariana Honorato, Marketing and Communications Manager at event marketing agency Goho

More than an experience, an event must tell a story and its concept must be in line with the organiser's principles. Therefore, leaving aside themes such as sustainability and public health can generate negative repercussions for everyone involved. However, it is possible to put different goals together as a single concept. Although health and hygiene measures require disposable materials, the organiser can adhere to recyclable products without the use of plastic, choose to use suppliers on a circular economy, or use the event as a way to support a social cause. It’s very important to remember that sustainability is not all about ecology. Encouraging the use of durable products for personal use and reinforcing hygiene processes with ecologically sustainable products are also ways to strengthen the message.

THE VENUE

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort

'More sustainable, no apology' sums up our total commitment to sustainability, and even during the last 18 months we have introduced new initiatives to make our venues and the events we host more sustainable. A further measure of that is that we recently achieved Platinum standard in Greengage’s Eco-Smart scheme, a step up from Gold which we were awarded a year ago. We’ve also reached Gold standard in the Green Tourism Awards and the International Association of Conference Centres’ scheme.

Among our initiatives making events more sustainable, we cut our use of single-use plastics by 42% by the end of last year. The resort was 'zero to landfill' for the sixth consecutive year and is now using 100% renewable energy, which has helped to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 60%. Projects are also underway to remove all fossil fuels from the site. There is now a total of 26 electric car charger points on the site.

Self-check-in kiosks have reduced check-in paperwork by 21,000 pieces of A4 paper annually and apps for ordering food and drink will save 130,000 pieces of paper a year too. Putting in-room information online instead of in folders has further increased these savings.

THE VENUE FINDER

Chloe Hutchinson, Director and Founder of Kontact Events

Since the pandemic, sustainability has come into sharp focus within the industry. Virtual events became a ‘normalised’ part of the mix and they’re arguably here to stay. As we begin to cautiously emerge from lockdown restrictions, clients are really questioning what will remain on the agenda post-pandemic and what will continue to show up online in their schedule. Inevitably this will have a great impact on sustainability and event carbon footprints as a whole.

THE EVENTS AGENCY

Sofia Asknert, Project Manager Logistics at WRG events agency

While sustainability has definitely taken a plunge in the priority list during the ongoing pandemic and its inherent need for PPE and single-use items, I strongly believe it will bounce back and soon be back at the top of every event planner's must-do list.

We can’t deny the environmental impact of meetings and events and regardless of whether our clients are asking for it, we as planners/ consulting agencies must take responsibility and should be leading the way.

At WRG, we’re proud to have sustainability working groups actively reviewing everything from wellbeing and diversity, equality, and inclusion, to environmental sustainability, both within our organisation and in our client offering.

As a founding member of isla – the non-profit organisation for a sustainable future for events – WRG’s focus when it comes to event sustainability is in line with theirs: zero waste, renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. When sourcing venues and suppliers we’re looking for partners who have equally ambitious sustainability goals and can offer smart solutions for making our events more sustainable without reducing the safety, service or delegate experience.

Hi Craig! Tell us how it all started!

The UK's Most Trusted Leisure and Travel Sector Recruitment Company

H&E North chats to Craig Barclay, Owner of Box Leisure Recruitment, on how he founded the UK's most trusted holiday resort hotel and travel recruiter.

leisure. We all understand the industry right from the ground up and have that first-hand experience of what we’re recruiting for. Also, between myself and our key account manager we have over 50 years’ experience in recruitment at all levels, matching carefully both skills culture and needs of our clients. To combine our recruitment experience with our leisure expertise this gives us a combined experience of 107 years in the industries we cover. We now pride ourselves on a bespoke leisure recruitment service.

I started my career when I was 17, working for a well-known holiday group within the UK. I worked in leisure and hospitality on holiday parks and hotels for seven years. I worked my way up from being a red coat-type entertainer to being a manager of departments on the parks. During this time, I gained such a valuable insight into the leisuire industry business – a valuable experience that will stay with me forever. After that I moved to Manchester and worked for major recruitment companies for around 14 years. Starting as a consultant in generalist recruitment then working my way up to regional management. Again, a very valuable experience that has set me on the path I am on today with Box Leisure. I partnered with investors to start with and put both of my careers together and started Box Leisure Recruitment, a recruitment agency specifically for leisure resorts.

And how have you expanded since?

How are you coping with the current recruitment crisis in the industry right now?

relationships that we’ve build have brought us both repeat and new business. That’s probably the reason why we've enjoyed successful business relationships with 87% of the UK holiday leisure industry and we are also enjoying successful relationships with many well-known groups within the hotel market.

Recruitment?

What’s coming up for Box Leisure

We have had ups and downs over the pandemic and of course it has been a difficult time for us as a business. However, we kept the lines of communication wide open and offered advice and support to our clients and candidates. It has been a hard time for the industry but like the rest of the leisure sector we are back to business. If anything recent events have made us realise we could make this business excel. We now have a team of nine people, and we’re still looking to expand the team immediately due to levels of business now and expected business going forwards.

We’ve been fortunate because we’ve had some very good longstanding relationships with candidates over the last four years. We’re honest and transparent, people don’t just come to us for a job, they come to us to manage their careers. Because of our experience, we speak the same language as them. We’ll be honest with our clients as well, we can’t fill every job and we will tell them that, but we will always try to find the right person to fit the vacancy. The relationships we’ve built and the way we’ve worked with people has really worked in our favour when it comes to continuing business.

We’re excited to be working with some of the quality names in leisure. We have two new key contracts that are going to start in 2022, which are going to be very significant undertakings for us. We’ll need an extra five members of staff to support us with that. As for everything else, all I can say is: watch this space.

What is it that really sets Box Leisure Recruitment apart from other agencies?

What is it that makes your clients keep using your service?

To find out more about Box Leisure Recruitment’s services, visit Boxleisurerecruitment.co.uk

All of the people on my team have worked on the front line of the leisure industry, either on holiday resorts or in the hotels that we work with. One of the team has been a chef, one of the guys has been a general manager and people manager in leisure. We have talented operations managers that have worked for leading cruise ship and hotel groups, and of course, I worked in

In a nutshell we do what we say we do –give a quality recruitment service the UK leisure industry. We pride ourselves in not only finding a candidate for a job but also offering a bespoke service to our clients and candidates. Also, many of the people we’ve placed in management positions have come to us with new roles they need filling because we've done such a good job with them in the past. For example, if we’ve placed a general manager, they might be looking for a food and beverage manager, or a grounds maintenance person. It’s also because we’ve kept in contact with people. We don’t just place a candidate and then leave them; we keep in contact with them. Sometimes, we go and see them, and travel from one end of the country to the other if we have to. The quality, long-term

Ready, Set…

As

venues have begun reopening their doors, Alden Arnold, Project Manager at the Association of Event Venues, outlines what the future holds.

The pandemic has been devastating for the events industry, the effects of which will be with us for some time. As soon as the pandemic hit and UK governments applied their restrictions, venues closed and staff were furloughed, with some facing redundancy. One key challenge the industry faced was the complete lack of any reliable forecast as to when events may resume.

Some venues became Nightingale hospitals and vaccination centres during the crisis while still trying to remain ready for events to return. The Nightingale hospitals have been withdrawn and we are now open, however, this is not as simple as turning on a tap. A number of events have taken place with large numbers of compliant attendees but there is a process that precedes the opening of an event that can range from weeks to months, even years for large and complex events.

So, even with the arrival of 'freedom day' there will be a difficult few months as venues, organisers and suppliers across the UK work to reopen events while retaining the confidence of those attending as visitors, exhibitors and participants.

Behind the scenes, the Association of Event Venues (AEV), the Association of Event Organisers and the Event Supplier and Services Association have been hard at work. During 2020, acting through the Events Industry Alliance – they developed the All Secure Standard in a move to provide guidance that would allow events to reopen safely, followed by the first pilot event in September 2020, demonstrating how the industry could reopen safely in a real-life

setting. Unfortunately, the spread of the virus thwarted that effort despite the event being praised. The associations have adapted the standard and, at the time of writing, the All Secure Standard v2.0 that enables events to proceed under the English government's Step 4 guidance, is awaiting approval by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Throughout lockdown, the AEV has maintained its working groups, some of which are specific to venues and some are crossassociation. A running theme has been restarting the industry after the pandemic within Step 4 guidance. The AEV’s working groups have taken steps to address many of the issues venues are facing, such as aiding talent retention by welcoming guest representation from Manchester Metropolitan University and MPI Future Connects, upskilling existing industry personnel by giving technology-enabled training and skills solutions, looking into cybersecurity, and tackling sustainability.

Shortages of skilled and qualified personnel will remain a challenge and the pandemic has brought mental wellbeing sharply into focus. We continue to face challenges, the dialogue with the DCMS is ongoing, and we will continue to seek confirmation that work on an insurance scheme continues. We may be coming out of lockdown, but we are not free of its effects and its consequences. However, as a collaborative industry, we know that the safety and wellbeing of our staff, organisers, exhibitors, contractors and attendees are paramount, something that remains a constant throughout these challenging times.

Opening Up

With corporate events finally unrestricted, we take a look at a few new venues that have just opened up.

Culdees Castle Estate

Few things are more impressive than hosting an event at a castle. Culdees Castle Estate, under the new ownership of property developer and events manager Tracey Horton and her partner Rob Beaton, has been renovated after being left in disrepair for over 50 years. Nestled in the heart of the Perthshire countryside, the estate is full of history. While it was originally bought to be a family home and glamping destination, it has now started taking bookings for corporate events. The castle’s stone courtyard with a glass roof is now available to book for intimate meetings and drinks receptions, while the castle’s extensive lawns and woods provide the perfect setting for large outdoor events.

Culdeescastleestate.com

Aberdeen Science Centre

The Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) is now fully reopened after having undergone a £6 million refurbishment which has seen

corporate meeting facilities added to the centre. Based only a five-minute drive away from the city centre, ASC has three different meeting rooms to choose from, aptly named the Atom Rooms. The rooms are equipped with a range of high spec AV, and with unlimited Wi-Fi as standard. The centre also offers catering from its partner Grub Fresh Food, which can be booked in advance and prepared on the morning of your event. ASC has a capacity of up to 265 delegates, who will get free access to the exhibition floor during your event. Aberdeensciencecentre.org

The School of Artisan Food

A school might not be the first place you might think to hold a corporate event, but the School of Artisan Food has recently unveiled its new Barbara Curtis Training Centre, which is complete with new meeting rooms and a lecture theatre. Tucked in the heart of a ducal country estate that surrounds the historic Welbeck Abbey, on the edge of Sherwood Forest, the school is

based in an old fire station. The new lecture theatre features an overhead screen and large TV screen, which allows groups to share information remotely with delegates not able to attend the event in person. The theatre is able to accommodate up to 80 in-person delegates.

Schoolofartisanfood.org

The Delaval Arms

Based in Old Hartley, right on the edge of the northeast England coast, this pub is more than 200 years old, and was reportedly once owned by a man who was captured by pirates. After being closed for the first time since it was built in 1748, the Delaval Arms is back open and under new management. The pub can cater for most types of events with a number of separate spaces that can be hired individually or as one combined space. With one of the finest views in the coastal region, the upstairs private dining and bar suite can be booked for private events of up to 30 people seated or 40 standing. The suite has a private bar, superfast Wi-Fi, and a wide-screen TV. For larger events there is a barn area and outdoor space available for booking.

Delavalarms.com

The Queens Hotel

Having benefited from a £10 million refurbishment, The Queens Hotel is based in Leeds city centre and has been redesigned to embrace its art deco heritage. The hotel boasts 215 bedrooms, with an array of stylishly refurbished suites, furnished with a mini-bar, flat screen TV and complimentary Wi-Fi access for every guest throughout their stay.

The venue hosts 16 conferencing spaces, including the Executive Boardroom which seats 14 delegates, and the Queens Ballroom with a capacity of 600. Situated

THE SCHOOL OF ARTISAN FOOD

THE QUEENS HOTEL

THE DELAVAL ARMS

CREDIT: DAVE PICKERSGILL/ WELBECK ABBEY

CREDIT: MICHAEL TAYLOR

THE VAULT AT THE RUM STORY

on the eighth floor, QClub offers 18 new bedrooms and suites as well as unrivalled exclusivity. In addition, the QClub lounge serves complimentary drinks and breakfast along with a host of other first class business services and has a 15m long terrace with unrivalled views of Leeds' skyline. Thequeensleeds.co.uk

Piccolino Caffé Grande

After a 12-week renovation programme, this Manchester-based restaurant has opened its brand new meeting space. The new 135sqm event space combines a private bar and separate function area. Designed by leading restaurant designer, Bernard Carroll of Carroll Design, the stylish new private hire space blends seamlessly with the existing restaurant, with polished marble tables, soft duck-egg blue leather seating, and light-washed wood finishes.

Guests arrive into their own private bar area where a selection of premium wines, spirits and beers can be enjoyed. From here the main function room opens. The new space is equipped with a 78-inch plasma screen and private sound system and has a capacity of 22 in a boardroom setting, 40 theatre style and 80 standing. Piccolinorestaurants.com

The Vault at The Rum Story

Located in the original warehouses of the Jefferson Rum business in Whitehaven, Cumbria, The Rum Story has unveiled its revamped event space, The Vault. The Rum Story is a visitor attraction housed within the original 1785 shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family, a prominent Whitehaven family who were instrumental in bringing in exotic products such as sugar and rum to the British Isles from their transatlantic travels across to the Caribbean in the 1700s.

The event room is housed in an 18th century vault originally used to store imported Caribbean rum. The vault has been renovated into a characterful event room with the capacity to host 100 delegates. The venue also contains a conference room able to hold up to 60 delegates and can provide a select menu catered by the on-site Courtyard Café. Rumstory.co.uk

QBic

This quirky hotel chain has recently opened its newest acquisition in Manchester. The hotel is conveniently located on Deansgate in the heart of Manchester, and is easily accessible by rail or car.

QBic Manchester holds three different meeting spaces which, much like the rest of the hotel, are fun, fresh, and “anti-boring” in design. The rooms are equipped with a flatscreen TV and a projector screen to keep your presentation going smoothly. The hotel’s total capacity is 28 delegates, so this venue is ideal for more intimate events. QBic also offers on-site catering, including breakfast, lunch, mid-morning and afternoon snacks, as well as unlimited tea and coffee. The menu is designed to be healthy, locally sourced and seasonal.

Qbichotels.com

CULDEES CASTLE ESTATE

QBIC

PICCOLINO CAFFÉ GRANDE

ABERDEEN SCIENCE CENTRE

A Helping Hand

Event venues have been instrumental in helping the NHS tackle the COVID-19 crisis. We take a look at just a few that allowed their space to be repurposed to help fight the pandemic.

Harrogate Convention Centre

This convention centre usually hosts corporate delegates and organisers in its 12 events spaces, but throughout the pandemic, it was being put to very different use. In April 2020, it was announced that the centre was to host 500 NHS beds as one of seven Nightingale hospitals intended to treat COVID-19 patients after regular hospitals

The Octagon Centre

This Sheffield space opened up as a vaccination centre in June 2021 and has been delivering about 800 vaccinations per day. Hope Thackray, the first person to be vaccinated at the location, said: “I booked my appointment straight away after it was announced that people aged 25 and over could book their COVID-19 vaccination. I live close to the city centre, so it was easiest to book at the Octagon Centre as it’s only a 15-minute walk away and close to my work. The process was simple, there were lots of signposts and people around to direct me and so I’d encourage anyone close by to go there for their vaccination.”

When it’s not on COVID-19 duty the centre is a multi-purpose venue at the heart of the University of Sheffield campus. With

risked exceeding their capacity to treat them.

The centre’s Director Paula Lorimer said at the time of the expansion: “At Harrogate Convention Centre, we are proud to support the NHS and are enormously grateful to, and in awe of, our health and care professionals. They are truly heroic in responding to COVID-19. We, and no doubt the entire town, will do all we can to support

a capacity of up to 1,500 the venue has hosted conferences and exhibitions, live music gigs, sport and comedy shows.

Millennium Point

This Birmingham landmark in the heart of Eastside is also doing its part to get people vaccinated. As well as hosting 13 different event spaces Millennium Point also became a major vaccination hub in January 2021, vaccinating up to 2,500 people per day.

Representatives of Millennium Point said: “Our venue was chosen for our convenient city centre location, with excellent public transport links and on-site car parking; the size and versatility of our event spaces, including our large and well-ventilated atrium; and our rapid response to ensuring our venue is COVID secure. The NHS team

their efforts. We are working closely with our partners and colleagues at Harrogate Borough Council, and I thank them for their support and clear direction on ensuring the challenge of transforming our building is met swiftly. I would also like to thank all of the staff at the venue, who without hesitation came back to their posts to ensure the Nightingale Harrogate Hospital opened on time.”

were impressed by the professionalism and adaptability of our team, which gave them the confidence to confirm the residency.

"Our team worked diligently alongside the NHS Birmingham and Solihull to transform our spaces ensuring we created a safe and welcoming environment for the public. We implemented a thorough communications campaign across our digital channels, including new landing pages and dedicated FAQs, to support the NHS in delivering vital information to the public. Our staff are on site and online 24/7 to aid staff, volunteers and the public to give information where necessary. This was particularly vital in the first few weeks of the vaccination rollout where we were supporting those over 80 and vulnerable, many of whom had not been out of their homes since March 2020.”

CREDIT: MICHAEL TAYLOR

CREDIT: LEWIS SKINNER

The UK’s most exciting conference and away-day destination for 2021? Allow us to introduce you to the stunning new Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia, now open at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, North Wales.

• 106 bedrooms

• Flexible conference and event spaces for up to 300 delegates

• Lagoon-side dining at Zephyr’s Bar & Grill

The Hilton Garden Inn joins the world-class facilities at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, including inland surfing on a 300-metre freshwater lagoon, and award-winning indoor and outdoor adventures.

• Inland surfing for all abilities

• Zip lines and climbing walls

• All-weather ninja assault course

find

NEW FOR 2021

You’ll

us on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Surrounded by the fresh air and big landscapes of North Wales, we're just a short distance from the medieval walled town of Conwy, and Snowdonia’s prettiest mountain village, Betws y Coed.

Hinsley Hall

•

•

•

Win a Stay for Two at Cottons Hotel & Spa

With competitive delegate packages to suit your needs and budget, the four-star Cheshire hotel offers meetings and events with a difference.

The award-winning Cottons Hotel & Spa is part of The House of Daniel Thwaites family and is a notable example of the perfect business hotel but with the added bonus of a wonderfully refurbished spa and swimming pool. In a fantastic location in the Cheshire countryside, yet within easy access of road, rail and air links, it boasts excellent conference facilities, recently renovated bedrooms, fabulous dining options and super-friendly staff.

No matter what event you have in mind, from a one-to-one meeting to an annual national conference, Cottons Hotel & Spa will make it happen. From glittering award dinners to stylish private dining, it is the ideal venue for corporate hospitality, with a range of conference spaces, suites and private dining rooms available for parties up to 200.

Its 13 naturally lit meeting and conference rooms, hosting up to 220 theatre style, are spacious and flexible, and its experienced team is full of ideas to help you get the most out of your booking. Whether you’re looking for a formal setup to challenge your team to some brainstorming, or lighter moments with bean bags, giant Jenga and other games to break up the day, the hotel offers a space to suit every occasion.

The safety of guests and teams is the hotel’s number one priority, and since reopening it has secured a number of accreditations for its COVID-secure operations within its business areas, including the industry standard AIM Secure status. Boasting a range of great outdoor spaces, including a stunning al fresco terrace, the events team will help you meet up with colleagues in a safe and productive environment.

When you need a full day or want to treat the team to an overnight stay in one of 138 contemporary guest rooms, the hotel offers a range of delegate rates to suit your event’s needs and budget, with fast and easy check-in, onsite support, and a dedicated meetings co-ordinator to help with any issues. Take the hassle out of organising a meeting with an inclusive fixed price package, which includes air-conditioned meeting room hire, a two-course buffet lunch, unlimited refreshments, Superfast Wi-Fi, AV and parking. All this comes at a fixed price of just £350 per room, offering all you need for a productive meeting for up to 10 delegates – so there are no hidden extras to think about.

From the convenience and all-day flexibility of its Conference Café to the tailored dining options you can carefully choose from,

To win an overnight stay for two, including breakfast and dinner, simply answer the following question…

In which county is Cottons Hotel & Spa located?

Enter online at Hospitalityandeventsnorth.com/ competitions/or by post to JLife Ltd, Unit 7, Gemini Business Park, Sheepscar Way, Leeds, LS7 3JB. Please ensure your entry includes your name, address, daytime telephone

the catering team can work with you to plan the perfect event from start to finish. Its restaurant serves up delicious freshly prepared food and drink available to preorder. Executive Chef, Adrian Sedden and his team source locally wherever possible and will always ensure that guests have a chance to sample some of Cheshire’s finest produce on their visit.

The hotel’s on-site spa and fitness facilities are also on-hand to help reinvigorate you and your team, with plenty of measures to continue to keep you safe. Get back to fighting fitness with a fully equipped air-conditioned gym and activity studio, or simply unwind after a productive day with a 13m swimming pool, sauna, treatment rooms and outdoor hot tub. For a spot of team building, there’s a fantastic range of activities close to the hotel – why not try Go Ape at Delamere Forest or clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, archery and paintballing at Catton Hall?

Less than an hour away from both Manchester and Liverpool, Cottons Hotel & Spa offers versatile event spaces, a luxury spa, beautiful rooms and a tempting restaurant all in one convenient location.

Cottonshotel.co.uk

number and email address. The winners will be randomly selected on the closing date: 24th September 2021.

Terms and conditions apply: Prize must redeemed with six months. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in H&E North Magazine and Cottons Hotel & Spa’s databases in order to be contacted about news, promotions and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

IndustryOpinion Slow and Steady

The Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) Chief Executive Jane Longhurst urges the sector to proceed with caution and adhere to non-obligatory advice to reassure riskaverse bookers and safeguard customers and employees.

For many venues, event planners and suppliers serving our sector there was rightly a degree of jubilation on ‘freedom day’ on 19th July. However, as restrictions and regulations continue to challenge the global economy for the foreseeable, we are acutely aware of the ongoing barriers and pressures that many will continue to face –whether that’s bookings, staffing, logistics or other challenges

As a sector that prides itself on its service, we know that these organisations will be keen to lead the way in how meeting and event spaces are controlled, and risks are mitigated. While this may be the case, at the same time we must accept that without mandatory government guidance there naturally will be differences in service standards and the implementation of COVID-secure protocols across different venues and organisations.

We have already made huge positive steps to demonstrate enhanced hygiene and infection control measures through the introduction of AIM Secure accreditation, but as the prime minister has urged, we all need to proceed with caution, and more so, consistency. We have all come so far since the beginning of the pandemic, sacrificing business and much more to adhere to safety restrictions and help prevent the spread of infection, and now we are all responsible for demonstrating the rigorous safety standards that we have been implementing throughout the last 18 months to support our relentless appeals for the sector’s reopening.

As part of our continued work championing best practice and to drive consistency across the sector, we are therefore encouraging organisations to follow the latest government guidance, particularly where greater safety measures can be implemented despite no longer being required by law – such as encouraging the use of face coverings.

The last 18 months have no doubt been highly challenging for employers, employees and industry peers, and as the sector slowly begins to find its feet during this turbulent, transitional period, we remain committed to provide as much support as possible.

From our research we understand that event budgets and delegate numbers are not expected to return to pre-COVID levels until beyond 2023, however knowing our sector’s ability to adapt, disrupt and innovate provides me with optimism that we can ignite the sector’s recovery at a faster pace than these forecasts.

In order to facilitate this, we will continue to provide any tools and resources that can benefit the sector and having developed our 2021 conference programme, I am excited to inspire the sector with strategies for stabilisation and diversification in November.

Fuelling the next chapter of business meetings and events, the Ignite conference has been carefully curated to stimulate the sectors recovery and will deliver thought-provoking topics to equip event professionals with foresight into the impending revolution of events. For industry updates and the latest insights, follow @MIAuk on Twitter

A free, bespoke venue finding service working in partnership with you to save you time and money. Providing great options for your brief and also managing your budget with our trained negotiators.

More Than Just a Venue

We uncover the event capabilities of Beacon of Light, a first-class event space in Sunderland.

A hidden gem in the northeast of England, the aptly named Beacon of Light illuminates the Sunderland skyline every night. Having only opened in 2018, it has already been recognised as a chameleon in the events world, having showcased a plethora of special events.

The Beacon’s iconic cube-shaped structure overlooks the River Wear and can be seen for miles around the city. The first of its kind in the UK, the Beacon is the region's most versatile venue, offering a world-class space for a multitude of purposes.

What makes the venue even more special is its strong focus on the local community; it is home to Sunderland AFC’s official charity, the Foundation of Light; with all proceeds from the Beacon directly supporting the work it does with families throughout the region. The cross-section of people the Foundation of Light works with is unparalleled, from 18 months to 80-plus years, with programmes impacting on health, behaviour, attitude, skills and education.

Foundation of Light was established in 2001 by former Sunderland AFC chairman Sir Bob Murray and aims to improve lives through the power of football. The charity runs many programmes to help the community, from sports coaching to online learning courses for the entire family. While being linked to Sunderland AFC, the charity is structurally and financially independent from the football club and responsible for fundraising £4 million each year to run its life-changing programmes, making the Beacon an integral part of the charity’s everyday running.

Inclusive and easily accessible, around 6,000 people a week already enjoy the flexible spaces able to accommodate up to 3,500 for special events. Across five levels the facility houses an indoor arena, football pitches, event spaces and state-of-the-art education suites, all of which can be tailored to meet your needs.

Another feather in the cap for the facility is its transport links, with metro and train stations within a short walk, there is also plentiful

free parking. Adjacent to the Beacon is a conveniently located Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, with much more accommodation within walking distance across the city.

A newcomer to the event scene, the venue has already hosted high profile events on behalf of the NHS, Nissan, Team GB and North East Chamber of Commerce. Laura Gage, Marketing Manager at North East Automotive Alliance Limited hosted its exhibition at the Beacon of Light in 2018 and has rebooked twice since: “We held our flagship expo event at the Beacon two years running. It’s a superb venue backed up by a fantastic team to support our every need and ensure the smooth running of the event,” she stated. “We highly recommend the facility, which is perfect for our needs, offering the space we required to move our event to the next level and the ability to grow year on year.”

Visit Beaconoflight.co.uk, email jemma.dowson@foundationoflight.co.uk or call 0191 563 4735

Kelly has worked in the industry for over 20 years, planning weddings and events for celebrities and royalty at world-class venues such as Claridge’s, Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental. Before starting her company, she was Group Wedding Sales Director for a portfolio of 45 hotels and increased revenue across the chain by over seven figures. Here, she offers some brilliant quick wins for venues to implement today and start seeing an increase in their revenue!

How are couples finding their perfect wedding venue?

Picture your potential couple, sitting on their sofa after work in the evening. They are multi-screening. Netflix is on and their laptop is open, and they are googling venues and suppliers. They might see you on a listing site or maybe your own site comes up. But here’s the mistake most venues make: they expect couples to make an enquiry.

Today’s couples do not want to make an enquiry – they want all the information right there to select their top three venues of choice. Did you know that 66% of couples will see three venues or less in person? And that’s a pre-COVID stat. So we know they are researching online and making decisions before even speaking to your team. So, if your website and social media aren’t right, you’ll lose the sale before you even knew they were watching you.

How important is the marketing imagery?

The right image of the venue is a critical factor to drive enquiries and attract higher spend couples. Most venue teams tell me, if they can get a couple on-site, they can convert them – which means, we need to work on attracting them in.

With almost all the clients I work with, changing their imagery is the first big step in

Up The Game

If you work at a venue, listen up, because global industry expert Kelly Mortimer is here to discuss what’s happening in the modern wedding market, and critically, how your space can generate more sales in challenging times.

the solution. It’s shocking that venues rely on real wedding photos to market their business. Imagine a world where you built a hotel and then asked guests for their holiday snaps for the hotel brochure?

There is a time and place for real-life wedding photos, but to sell your venue you need to host a marketing shoot. Set the spaces in an aspirational way, using modern chairs and flowers. This type of shoot is even more critical when a venue is corporate or lacks character. You don’t need to bring in models (which can look cheesy), you just need to show the space –what you’re actually selling. Check out the accompanying images on this feature for a flavour of what you should be aiming for.

What can venues do better to connect and convert?

We see couples ghosting a lot in the market today and it’s incredibly frustrating for our venue teams. Firstly, put as much information on the website to stop random enquiries. That includes pricing. I teach my clients a very specific pricing structure which captures all of their market. This way they have no fear

to show pricing publicly. We stop wasting time with tyre-kickers and start attracting couples who can actually afford them!

Next look at the enquiry response coming from the venue team. If it starts with: ‘congratulations on your engagement and thank you for your enquiry’, I can already tell you that venue will have a high level of ghosting. It’s bland, boring and everyone is saying it.

Instead create a response email that grabs their attention, makes them feel emotional fast and tells them clearly what they do next. And if the response email ends with ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ or ‘let me know if you’d like to book a tour’ then I guarantee that venue has a low conversion from enquiry to booking, which means they’re missing revenue. They don’t need more leads, they need better conversion.

To find out more about Kelly and how she helps venues drive more sales, follow her Instagram, @wedding_kelly or visit her website, Kellymortimer.com, where you can join her exclusive members club, The Next Level

Ready for Anything

Whether you’re hosting a meeting, training event, or conference, Wyboston Lakes Resort welcomes you back to business with exciting multimillionpound investments to ensure a safe, productive and futureproof experience for hosts and delegates alike.

Situated in 380 acres of Bedfordshire countryside, Wyboston Lakes Resort is the largest independently-owned business and leisure destination in northern Europe. It includes a four-star hotel and two purposebuilt venues for conferences and training events, as well as a spa, award-winning restaurants and 18-hole golf course, with serviced office space available on-site.

Its two specialist venues, The Woodlands Event Centre and The Willows Training Centre, offer a spectrum of options in terms of facility, space, style and budget. The centres together provide a total of 65 conference, training and syndicate rooms –the largest of which has a capacity for over 600 delegates.

Following an extensive refurbishment programme at The Willows Training Centre, the venue’s 12 meeting rooms have been upgraded, an additional meeting room has been created – including a sophisticated new boardroom for up to 24 delegates – and a creative space, Willows Parkway, has been modelled on a London tube station. The refurbishment has focused on creating light open spaces that offer extensive easy to use technology and comfort with fun social areas and productive workstations in equal measure.

The centre has been created to accommodate both residential and nonresidential meetings and training events. The result is a comfortable, flexible space, designed with the trainer and delegate in mind, offering self-service options and freedom to relax. Long established clients include the NHS, Anglian Water, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Firebrand and the Kier Group, to name but a few.

When restrictions eased in July, prominent international training company Firebrand was excited to return to its own fully branded, dedicated venue within Wyboston Lakes Resort. The company needed a permanent home because of the popularity of its training programmes, and for more than 13 years, Firebrand has been successfully delivering IT learning for 12 hours a day, seven days a week at the resort. To

make its events COVID-secure, maximum classroom sizes were reduced to allow for social distancing and, with the support of the resort’s events team, Firebrand hired additional space across the resort to meet demand.

The venue team also presented Firebrand with its tried and tested Safe Events plan, which was developed to ensure all events at the resort can operate safely, in accordance with government guidelines, for both guests and team members. The policy includes the rearrangement of layouts and reduced maximum capacities to allow for social distancing, new one-way systems, staggered breaks, as well as the introduction of thermal temperature check technology. Other measures comprise an online food ordering portal for use in the bar and bedrooms, intensified cleaning regimes, hand sanitising stations and in-room guest information portal.

This development of its training facilities follows the £3 million overhaul of the Woodlands Event Centre, which brings the resort’s total spend on capital reinvestment to over £10 million in recent years. The refurbishment has created a stylish and inspiring event centre equipped with the facilities and technology to meet the needs of the latest generation of delegates and event organisers and has the capacity and flexibility to suit every type of event and the latest trends.

Equipped with cutting-edge AV technology, the venue provides inspirational meeting areas, including a main conference room that seats 620 delegates theatre style or 380 cabaret style, with creative flair and movable walls to expand event options. An exciting range of catering options are also on offer, including the Mediterraneaninspired Olive Restaurant and the informal Cedar Bar, while the new Food Market provides a variety of international street food dishes.

Well in excess of half a million pounds has been spent to update IT and audio-visual presentation technology. The Rosewood Suite, which has increased its capacity by more than 60%, features dual projection for immersive imagery and customisable

lighting, giving event organisers the ability to quickly set and adjust levels to suit the demands of the event.

Meeting organisers are able to increase engagement, collaboration and creativity among participants by using the 86-inch LED display in the Yew Technology Theatre, complimented with Dolby Atmos sound. Built in applications are available for displaying content with easy connection to additional equipment, and 1.3Gb of free high-speed internet is offered across the site, ensuring delegates receive bandwidth with no passwords or limitations. In addition to the venue’s well-staffed team of lobby hosts, self-check-in desks for bedrooms will also be introduced, ensuring the process is both speedy and minimises COVID risk.

Wyboston Lakes Resort is recognised as a COVID-secure venue following recent accreditations from three prestigious organisations for health, hygiene and safety standards. Certifications include the AIM Secure Accreditation from the Meetings Industry Association, the Safe, Clean and Legal badge from Quality in Tourism, and the AA COVID-19 Confident scheme.

Last year its collection of awards grew with the addition of three hard-earned sustainability accolades, the resort securing gold accreditation from the Green Tourism Awards and the International Association of Conference Centres, and a recently upgraded platinum status from Greengage, proving it to be a resort with a conscience. These accolades show that the resort’s Green Team has been busy working towards ambitious sustainability goals including carbon neutrality by 2040. The resort is now using 100% renewable energy, which has helped to reduce its carbon footprint by over 60% and projects are also underway to also remove all fossil fuel from the site.

Spearheading a push for crucial investment, technological innovation and a green recovery as the events industry safely gets back to business, Wyboston Lakes Resort is ready to embrace the future, whatever it holds.

Flavour Combination

INNSIDE by Meliá is set to create a new event catering empire, launching a series of exciting new DDR and banqueting options, and corporate dining concepts in collaboration with celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo.

INNSiDE by Meliá, part of Spain’s largest hotel group Meliá Hotels International, has agreed a strategic partnership with one of the UK’s top Italian chefs Gino D’Acampo. Together they will set a new standard for accessible, modern corporate hospitality, curating a series of restaurants, bars and event catering options. New event menus will feature dishes created by Gino and his team from his award-winning books and TV shows. Harnessing his extensive knowledge of artisan Italian suppliers, he will ensure hotel guests and event delegates alike enjoy only the finest ingredients. With fresh new takes on DDR menus and banqueting, Melia is set to elevate its event catering options beyond the everyday hotel fare.

The two leading lifestyle brands revealed their first collaboration together at INNSiDE Manchester, with First Street Bar & Kitchen, an exciting all-day dining concept, featuring an outdoor terrace, bar and open plan restaurant, offering a comfortable place for event profs to eat, drink and relax.

The mood of the spacious, open plan restaurant and lounge is – as you would expect from two brands with roots in the Mediterranean – relaxed with stylish, comfortable seating for 200 guests. Taking centre-stage at the end of the restaurant is the Spritz Bar – a large, copper-effect island bar with seating for 40 people. Serving a generous number of spritzers, in addition to a range of classic and contemporary drinks, it’s the perfect space for post-event networking or catching up with the team. A second, central bar will see guests invited to enjoy a mix of cocktails and premium wines, beers and spirits. Local DJs provide the perfect background soundtrack, making it a destination in its own right for the post-event afterparty. Outside, a generous suntrap terrace provides further seating for 120, an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the thriving First Street neighbourhood, with the city’s rail links and most prestigious conference centres just a stone’s throw away.

Excitingly the second collaboration is at the brand new INNSiDE Newcastle with the restaurant and bar featuring Gino D’Acampo Quayside. As the name suggests, the restaurant sits directly overlooking the Tyne on the city’s famous Quayside. With an alfresco terrace and combined covers of over 160, the eatery offers a delightful setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner pre, post or during an event.

INNSiDE Newcastle features meeting rooms named locally after the keelmen of the River Tyne and the Hawks family who built the High Level Bridge that sits beside the hotel as well as art collaborations with local creatives Atomhawk, the North East Art Collective and Lines Behind. It is this marrying of both the local and the global that sees INNSiDE hotels offer a uniquely cultured and authentic experience to the cities they reside.

Both hotels' eclectic all-day dining menus feature an extensive range of internationally inspired dishes, carefully selected by Gino’s team of talented executive development chefs. Signature dishes range from mains of whole boneless sea bass with tikka spices, mint yoghurt and lemon, to tapas style small plates of Parma ham bruschetta with spicy nduja, honey and pistachio. Those attending the hotel for corporate functions, whether taking advantage of its hybrid event production studio or Big Ideas meeting room, will also have the opportunity to enjoy a

taste of the Italian chef’s culinary expertise with a number of new exciting banquet and delegate menus created by Gino’s team. Prices range from £30pp to £50pp for a banquet menu and from £25pp for day delegates.

Speaking on the new collaboration, Garry Fortune, Cluster General Manager at Meliá Hotels International, said: “While the last 15 months have had a significant impact on the hospitality industry, we’ve had the luxury of time to develop our offering and focus on exciting brand partnerships. We’re thrilled to work with Gino and his team to bring brand-new destinations to Manchester and Newcastle, not to mention the soon to open offerings at INNSiDE Liverpool, adding a new dimension to his existing portfolio of restaurants in the city.”

The Italian-British celebrity chef added: “After many years of talking to Meliá about a partnership I am super excited to be working with Garry and the team. I want these restaurants and event spaces to not only provide incredible food to hotel guests, but to be destinations for food lovers to hang out from morning until night in cool surroundings. It will have a totally different feel to that of my other restaurants, in keeping with the hotels' beautiful designs, a partnership to deliver the highest standard of food service for guests, whether they are dining in my restaurant, attending a conference or celebrating a special occasion.”

INNSiDE by Meliá has hotels in 28 locations, spread across 10 countries with 13 additional properties in the pipeline. The brand currently operates INNSiDE Manchester, with INNSiDE Newcastle having launched in May, and INNSiDE Liverpool set to open in September, in the former Liverpool ECHO building, with further UK sites planned for launch in 2022. Watch this space!

Innsidebymelia.com

Effective communication has always been critical to the success of any business, however, this has taken on greater significance during the pandemic. Take our company for example: after running a substantial portfolio of live events for more than two decades, we have been solely organising virtual events for the past 15 months, where efficient communication with our customers – whether sponsors, exhibitors or delegates – has been imperative. During this period, many of our clients have supported or attended a virtual conference for the very first time, and it has been the responsibility of our team to support them with clear and

Respect

It’s Good to Talk

As teams work remotely under more pressure than ever, James Tucker, CEO of public sector events and exhibition organiser GovNet, explores the value of communication and staff retention in your events business.

concise communications throughout the entire customer journey.

However, it is not just customers that have witnessed huge changes, employees have adapted to this evolving landscape. While teams have been working remotely, they have had to prioritise positive and proactive communication in order to support each other, share success stories, and to deliver updates on the journey ahead.

As we navigate the pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of the responsibilities we have to our employees and colleagues. It’s crucial to continue to

There is no room for egos. Respect between workmates should be a given.

Autonomy

It’s beneficial to want to establish and replicate efficient ways of doing things, but people work in different ways, and everyone needs the room to find their own path.

Relentless support

One of the things I love about our culture at GovNet is just how much I see people looking out for their colleagues, both inside and outside of work. It is such a comfort to know I’ve got good friends at work who have my back.

Cheerleaders

We each have a duty to champion each other’s successes. Praise your colleagues. Go for a spontaneous beer to celebrate – and celebrate when you succeed as a business too.

support personal development through the learning of new skills and prioritise internal progression as you grow as a business. Commit to paying competitive wages and offering a range of benefits, while also being there to support your team if they are going through a difficult time.

While you should be committed to creating a working environment where colleagues are motivated and happy, you should also take the time to communicate what they could be doing to help enhance your company culture. Here are the responsibilities we believe employers and teams should have to each another…

Listen to understand

By and large, everybody wants the same outcomes, and when we don’t work well it’s normally because people have different styles of communicating. Therefore, listening and understanding the other person’s point of view is important.

Nurture relationships

Facilitate the important social aspects and be proud of the family environment you have created.

Find balance

Finding the balance is crucial in terms of mental wellbeing. Encourage teams to use work to support their life, not the other way around.

Make your impact known

Show what an amazing job you have done supporting your communities during this difficult time. For example, our events for the healthcare and education sectors have made an enormous contribution in terms of information sharing and best practice. Your team should take great pride in this.

By embedding these principles into your workplace, you can actively shape how you want to work as your business looks to the future. You want to be an events organisation that is focused on high performance, but one that is also fun, rewarding and as inclusive as possible. Finally, you should encourage your team to be curious, brave and go about their roles without fear of failure.

Game Changer

H&E North kicks off the conversation with Jennifer Barry, Conference and Events Sales Manager at Stoke City FC, to discuss how the incredible events offering at the bet365 Stadium can help event organisers raise their game.

Hi Jennifer, tell us about life at Stoke City!

I’ve worked here for three-and-a-half years, having numerous years’ experience working in sporting venues with a focus on all things conference and events. I’m proud to work for a club at the heart of the community, delivering first-class conferences and events not just locally, but nationally too. The commercial team are a group of likeminded, dedicated individuals who are truly passionate about the club and the work they do within it.

What sets the stadium apart for event organisers?

It isn’t every day that you can host your business meeting, corporate event or dinner with the backdrop of an award-winning pitch! We are more than just a football stadium, we are a venue that provides a bespoke service and a truly memorable experience.

All of our event spaces are bright, versatile, and can be personally tailored to suit events of all shapes and sizes, whatever your requirements. We also have a dedicated events team and first-class catering – so we really do have everything covered. We even have a vast amount of outside space

for different events and have held various touring circuses, Oktoberfests, corporate team building days and car showcases. Not only that, we are fortunate to be positioned in an excellent location, minutes from the M6 with great connections to both Birmingham and Manchester by road and rail.

Give us a flavour of your hospitality packages and the range of events the stadium caters for.

We have a range of matchday hospitality options available to all for a truly memorable day. From our Sky Bar package which offers a private bar area to enjoy before and after the game with a complimentary drink on arrival, to our Chairman’s Suite package, which is a four-course fine dining experience and everything in between. So if you’re treating the team, or looking for a showstopping incentive package to impress your delegates, we offer something for everyone.

Away from matchdays, we have hosted numerous successful corporate events from Amazon recruitment days, family fun days for New Look in our outside space, to business lunches for local charity Douglas Macmillan Hospice to name a few.

FAST FACTS

‘The

How has the stadium responded to the pandemic, and how is the future shaping up?

We’ve undergone a number of changes, as has every venue, but we are incredibly lucky to have such generous spaces, so we have been in a position to host larger numbers while still catering for social distancing. The overall layout of our suites means we have been able to operate a full one-way system, along with fitting hand sanitiser stations around the building and changing our guest arrival format.

As a venue, we are so excited to welcome fans back for games. Everyone has missed the matchday buzz and the noise created by fans in the stadium. Not only that, as a conference and events team, we are delighted that we are receiving some really great enquiries for the end of this year and beyond. We cannot wait for our rooms to be full and for the team to get back to creating spectacular experiences for our many loyal clients.

To get in touch with Jennifer regarding events enquiries large or small, call 01782 592 233, email events@stokecityfc.com or visit Stokecityfc.com/conference-events

An increasing number of large-scale tradeshows are choosing to rely on EF Infection Control’s Sanitise 360 for enhanced COVID safety.

With the focus of infectious disease experts transitioning into removing aerosols from enclosed spaces to help safeguard against COVID transmission, EF Infection Control’s latest solution is gaining increasing attention. The UK-based sanitising specialist has created Sanitise 360, a system designed to deliver a safe, non-toxic atomised mist that kills 99.99% of coronavirus pathogens and bacteria, giving a result that will give peace of mind to both exhibitors and visitors.

Delivered as a dry spray, unlike fogging systems, it is safe to use around electronic equipment and has been engineered to leave no chemical residue behind in any of its applications. This makes it an ideal solution for swiftly providing overnight sanitisation for large public areas – including stands at tradeshows – as opposed to simply cleaning surfaces. With increased public

Stay in Control

and legislative nervousness surrounding the transmissibility of new variants, being able to reassure attendees that safety remains the event professional’s number one priority is vital to maintaining footfall as the industry calendar resumes.

For the KitPlus Show, which took place at MediaCityUK in Manchester in July 2021, such measures were vital: “Alongside everything you would expect at an event right now such as temperature checks, hand sanitiser stations, and so on, we decided to use the services of EF Infection Control to deploy its Sanitise 360 solution,” said KitPlus MD Simon Tillyer. “After exhibitors had set up, EF came in and sprayed every booth and venue space with the solution, which amazingly seems to land dry on anything it touches, a crucial factor for the delicate video equipment on show.

“As the first industry event to take place in the UK in 2021, the feedback was excellent with the overriding comment being that people felt safe and confident that everything had been done to provide the best possible environment. Three weeks on there have been no reported COVID

cases and we feel the added weapon of the EF Infection Control solution played an important part in this outcome.”

“Sanitise 360 is designed to tackle all three modes of COVID transmission: contact, droplet, and airborne,” comments Neil Goatcher, EF Group CEO. “We are delighted to have completed our 12th UK show and are looking forward to expansion internationally with plenty more interest from large-scale events set to take place over the autumn months amid increasing concern about continued waves of infection.”

For more information, visit Ef-infectioncontrol.co.uk

EF Infection Control is at Confex – to learn more, say hello at stand B03C!

Connectivity Problems

With workforces still between the home and the offce,Liz Sebag-Montefiore, career coach and Director of 10Eighty, explains the increasing value of team building in the workplace.

Many workplaces currently have employees split, with some working from home, and some in the office, which can leave teams feeling disconnected. “The aim of team building is to allow the team to get to know each other better in order to work more effectively together,” Liz explains. “As a starting point, it’s important to better understand where the skills and the strengths lie within the individuals in the teams.

“The purpose of any team building exercise is to build a stronger unit of employees. Team building can help employees to understand how team members like to be communicated with, how they can support each other when making decisions, how to manage conflict

between themselves and how best to share information. It’s important to generate a common understanding between team members about ways of working together and team behaviours, in order to foster a cohesive working environment. The outputs from this session can be used for holding team members accountable in how they interact with each other going forwards.”

Team building has many benefits – it improves productivity, increases employee motivation, encourages collaboration, and builds trust and respect among employees. That’s why we’ve asked career coach Liz for her top tips to get the most out of team building activities.

Liz’s Seven Top Tips for Effective Team Building

1. Start with a strengths-based self-assessment to provide individuals with a baseline to develop from and to discuss with their managers. This allows for self-reflection and gives a way to measure improvement.

2. Use team building activities as a way to analyse employees’ strengths. Research shows a 73% improvement in employee engagement when they are encouraged to play to their strengths, and a 73% improvement in overall work performance and results.

3. Whilst highlighting strengths, also look at where the team could be building capability and areas that might cause friction.

4. Take a positive approach towards discussions and actions, asking ‘what is possible?’ at every step.

5. Focus on how to aid the team members’ understanding of what success looks like and what is required of them.

6. Consider the question ‘what will happen if we do nothing?’ as a way to identify problems which need addressing within the team.

7. Create a shared action plan so employees have a clear idea of how to progress going forwards and can see what is expected of them.

H&E North finds some ideas ideal for hybrid workplaces on a budget.

Murder on the Train

Uncover clues and solve the murder of a wealthy property tycoon in this 1920s-themed team building activity. Murder mysteries are one of the most popular team building activities at the moment, and with good reason. Solving the mystery requires teams to work together, and put their ingenuity, problem-solving ability, and communication skills to the test. This activity from White Rhino allows for colleagues to take part both in person and online via augmented reality and an interactive map. White-rhino.co.uk

Great British Pub Quiz

Virtual Cocktail Making

A pub quiz is always a fun way to bond with your teammates, and with some people still hesitant to actually go out to the pub, Blue Hat has found a way to bring the experience online. The quiz will be hosted via Zoom by one of Blue Hat’s professional presenters and will require employees to break into teams, either in person or online. Online participants will move into a separate virtual breakout room with their team to discuss answers. Blue Host also sends out a box to each participant prior to the event, which includes beers, snacks, and a mystery box of items to be used during the quiz itself.

Bluehat-teambuilding.co.uk

Terrarium Workshop

Often team building activities can feel like they’re all the same kind of thing. For a more unique option, look no further than this terrarium building workshop by Rockitfish. The workshop will see all of the necessary materials delivered directly to participants whether they’re in the office or at home, and they will be given a virtual demonstration and talk about the history of terrariums and how they work. After that it’s time for them to try it themselves. Participants will be guided through every step of the process and through how to look after the terrarium afterwards and will end up with their own self-sustaining ecosystem. Rockitfish.co.uk

Learning a new skill is always useful, and what better way to bring a team together than with cocktails? In this masterclass by Eventurous, ingredients will be delivered directly to participants, making this an ideal activity to do with each other in person, or remotely, as the participants prefer. The team will be talked through the ins and outs of cocktail making while following along and will create and mix a variety of different cocktails. Even better, they get to drink them afterwards!

Eventurous.co.uk

Peak Performance

In this online activity, teams embark on a 20-day virtual expedition to venture up to the top of Mount Everest and then safely back down to basecamp. Teams must work together to make quick decisions and tackle a series of challenges to complete the virtual climb. This activity can easily be done at home or in the office, as everything needed is delivered virtually. Due to the number of variables involved in the activity, each team member must take on an individual role and effectively communicate their unique information to the group. This activity is perfect for building communication skills and bringing your team together. Teambonding.com

Keeping Data In Check

H&E North reports on the latest industry initiative to develop a universal standard to help event professionals make sense of the treasure trove of data unlocked by virtual events.

What does a good conversion rate look like for virtual events? What’s the average number of delegate meetings? What impact does engagement have on exhibitor satisfaction? These questions are currently almost impossible for most organisers to answer – especially to know how they perform against an industry benchmark. This is because data often sits in silos between registration systems, apps, virtual platforms, feedback surveys and CRM software. It was a problem with live events that has only grown as technology becomes more integral to our events.

A newly launched Virtual Standard Export Format (VSef) aims to break down these silos to create consistent data, unlocking the insights needed to create better event experiences for attendees and exhibitors. Simply put, it makes life easier for event teams to analyse data and compare results between their shows, even if they use different platforms.

“The silver-lining in the pivot to digital has been the data-rich environment we organisers now find ourselves in,” VSef Working Group Chair Baris Onay tells H&E North. “But with the average number of virtual platforms used per organiser sitting at four, we have a huge standardisation job at hand if we're to benefit from this newly found abundance of data. VSef has been designed to solve this problem; to provide an open-source standard for all platforms to adhere to. I for one am looking forward to receiving data from different platforms in one format!”

VSef is an agreed data format, designed to help event organisers move data easily between event platforms, business intelligence tools and their CRM and marketing systems. It sets out detailed standards for what should be included in a range of event engagement KPIs and how those data points should be formatted for easy transfer between systems. Ultimately, the universal data format creates a framework for understanding every step of the customer journey.

Launched by prominent industry market research provider Explori, founding members of the not-for-profit initiative include 10 global event organisers and leading event tech platform partners, who have come together to steer this shared industry-wide standard. Open to all event organisers, any platform can choose to adopt the standards which can be downloaded via its website and will guide the managers of your systems and reporting tools as to how they can expect to receive data from your virtual events platform.

VSef continues to be improved with feedback from organisers and platforms and the group’s mission is to make it a universally adopted standard across the global events industry. The more platforms adopt the standards and the more organisers set the expectation that their suppliers are compliant, the more we can break down the data silos in the industry, ultimately creating smarter insights and better events.

To download the VSef data standards and to see an up-to-date list of compliant event platforms, visit Vsef.io

A Silent Night

We sit down with Silent Seminars Director Duncan Strain to discuss how he’s working to reduce noise pollution in events.

Silent Noize has been providing unique audio solutions to events for over a decade now, working with brands such as BBC, Amazon and Google, and becoming one of TechRound’s top 28 UK music and audio tech companies: “My business partner and I set up Silent Noize in 2009 after he’d been

to a silent disco in India,” said Director and Owner Duncan Strain. “He said it was the best thing he’d even done, and we should try it out over here. Then we progressed into a rental business, renting out headphones and equipment for events from there. The market really grew, we had a lot of companies and private people really interested so in 2014 we moved into the conference and exhibition industry and opened up Silent Seminars, predominantly providing technical services to the industry.”

Duncan’s ingenious use of linked headphones allows event planners to provide clear audio without worrying about disturbing nearby non-attendees: “The noise control is key to what we do. We have multi-channel headsets. The one that we use has multiple channels, which allows up to 10 different theatres to operate at the same time without any noise interference. If you’ve got a big exhibition space and you have lots going on, rather than having the audio come through the PA system, which disturbs everybody else, the audience are listening through headsets, and that keeps the volume on the show floor down so they can properly engage with the content.”

Now Duncan has taken the idea a step further and developed an app to allow delegates to use their own headphones: “We developed the app because of COVID-19. We foresaw that there would be issues for a long time regarding hygiene and infection control. We knew that people

would continue to be more wary of germs and cross-contamination so we developed a platform which allows people to bring their own headsets if they choose, so if delegates feel more comfortable listening with their own headsets rather than ours, that’s something they can do. It’s a great feature to add to our portfolio. We reached out to an app developer for a bespoke build and it’s now ready to go. It’s called the Silent Seminars app, available to download for free on the Google Play store for Android phones and on the Apple store. Every client event has its own bespoke platform within the app, and it’s tailored to each event, so any branding, event information or sponsorship can all be loaded for the delegates to use. They can either use it live at an event, or tune in remotely, so there are hybrid and virtual capabilities as well.”

As well as having an extensive range of services Duncan makes it clear how important it is that they’re all top-notch: “It’s all about quality, so we only use the very best headsets both for silent discos and for conference and exhibition events. There are lot of inferior models out there, and businesses that are using the cheaper options. We’re the best in terms of quality and customer service, and in terms of who we work with. That sets us apart. There’s also the innovation side – we're constantly looking to develop our products to bring about improvements to the audio quality within the events industry. Ultimately, we hope our efforts will afford audiences more choice and a better experience, while providing organisers with high quality audio solutions."

To find out more about Silent Seminars’ services visit Silentseminars.com

An Evening Affair

With the return of gala balls, award ceremonies and black tie events, the right outfit can go a long way towards making a good first impression. Here are H&E North’s picks for evening wear to dazzle.

Cotton Geo Print Shirt | £26.99

The shirt from M&Co is made from 100% cotton and therefore can cope with the summer heat. The geometric print is eyecatching and unusual enough to leave an impression while still being formal enough for an evening look. This shirt can be paired with a blazer or worn on its own, giving you plenty of options for the style you want to go with. Mandco.com

Henderson

Heels | £62

These stylish sandals from Office offer the best of both worlds. A puttogether, refined look, combined with a sensible yet stylish heel. They are available in both black and pink so they can be matched to the rest of your outfit. The moderate heel will keep you on your feet and networking without difficulty while still looking fashion-forward and professional. Office.co.uk

Powder Blue Suit Jacket | £35

This powder blue suit jacket from Primark is exactly what you need for a formal look on a budget. Made of bold lines and a sharp cut, this jacket looks like it has pulled straight from the red carpet, but at a much more manageable price. Impress clients both current and prospective with this put-together piece. Primark.com

Beaded Floral Maxi Dress | £170

This gorgeous dress from Monsoon will bring a delicate glamour to your evening look, and the lightweight fabric is perfect for a warm summer night. The halterneck and beaded flower pattern give the dress an air of elegance, without coming off as too much. This dress will ensure you leave an impression at any event you attend. Monsoon.co.uk

Crepe Wrap Jumpsuit | £49.50 If you’re aiming for a more toned down look this jumpsuit from M&S looks collected and subtle. It has a breezy wide-leg style with short sleeves and a collared neckline which seamlessly blends into a wrap-over look. The jumpsuit is made of lightweight crepe material and is unlined so you can keep cool all evening. Marksandspencer.com

Supplying Sustainably

As H&E North looks at the industry’s supply chain, Anna Abdelnoor, Co-founder of not-for-profit event sustainability group ISLA, explores how planners and suppliers can do their bit for a sustainable future.

The narrative around a greener future is becoming increasingly noisy across the event industry. Businesses that were once paying lip service to this pre-pandemic, are now acting so they can consistently deliver against brand objectives and cater to evolving consumer desires.

Event suppliers are the backbone of the industry – without their services events simply wouldn’t exist. They play a fundamental role in driving innovation both through the physical offering and their operations. As experts in their fields there is an opportunity to flip the brief by guiding agencies and brands towards sustainable alternatives whether that’s through sourced materials, energy saving solutions, or emission reduction

planning and waste management systems. Working collaboratively with clients to adopt a better approach to sustainable event delivery will increase demand for alternative solutions to allow event suppliers to innovate and invest in new infrastructures.

With the increased pressure to measure the impact of events on the planet, suppliers that are getting ahead by implementing company-wide reduction targets and documenting these in environmental policies and event plans can share these with clients during procurement and win business.

Earlier this year ISLA launched proseed –the universal best practice framework for sustainable event delivery. Designed with

the whole supply chain in mind, it’s a free, accessible and practical resource aiming to standardise how the event industry approaches sustainability. Event suppliers can use this framework to benchmark operational practices such as energy auditing premises, assessing annual travel and transport emissions, or identifying and reporting on waste streams on-site. These actions demonstrate to clients exactly how they are practising sustainability.

Transitioning to a greener future provides opportunities for event suppliers across the entire sector to upskill, innovate and collaborate delivering even more value to clients and, importantly, to their own organisations too.

Here are three practical steps you can take as suppliers to play your part in the fight against the climate crisis…

Circular design

Look at what’s coming up in the calendar. Is there more than one event that could use the same set design or material components? Understanding how and where components can be reused means these don’t end up in landfill and save on resources, which is both an environmental and economic saving. Spend some time with your supply chain and (storage unit!) in the early design stages to ascertain what could be reused or refurbished before opting for virgin materials as first point of call.

Lighting and digital solutions

Designers, AV suppliers and set builders have an opportunity to offer creative solutions for environmental designs that use clever lighting combined with digital solutions to reduce single use graphic items. Remember to consider energy usage. This can often save money in production and also in waste charges. Plus, creative designs are a talking point for guests.

Efficient loading

Reduce the need for transport by reducing the need for space. A few tips include designing sets so they can be flat-packed, using stackable boxes for smaller items to reduce bulky or awkward loads, and using what you can from within a venue to eliminate transport.

If you’d like to learn more about how ISLA is supporting event suppliers, go to Weareisla.co.uk

North in Brief

Leading Award Ceremony

Announces Winners

Tomorrow’s Talent is an award ceremony designed to highlight the events industry’s rising stars. The awards were launched by The Meetings Show and are now in their third year. This year’s awards were eligible to any events professional aged 30 and under. All entrants were assessed for their achievements to date, ability to face challenges, drive and ambition, engagement with the wider industry and the future impact they could make.

Jack Marczewski, Event Director of The Meetings Show, said: “On behalf of The Meetings Show and the rest of the judges I would like to congratulate our 10 Tomorrow’s Talent winners. Despite the impact of the pandemic on our industry and jobs over the last 18 months, we were thrilled to not only receive a high number of entries, but also entries of such a high calibre.”

The winners included: Ben Rands of OMFIF; Charli Briggs of Eventure Experiences; Clementine Crowther of Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Eleanor Harding of Age UK; Hannah Robinson of BMA House; Kate Hutchinson of The Secret Event Service; Katie Pollitt of EM Mentoring; Lauren Moulsley of Gilead Sciences; Naomi Hollas of Event Grads and Narmeen Kamran of Desert Island Events.

Events Industry Diversity Awards Launched

The Diversity in Events Awards, organised by Diversity Ally, is designed to celebrate and showcase the organisations and leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to bringing diversity and inclusion to the events industry. The awards will take place in April 2022. Applications are open to any organisation that delivers events in any form, both in-person and virtual.

“It’s time to recognise and celebrate the organisations, businesses and internal champions who are demonstrably doing their part to create a more diverse and inclusive events industry. It’s a joy for us to see,” say Diversity Ally Co-Founders Ashanti Bentil-Dhue and Gabrielle Austen-Browne.

The first round of judges selected will be announced by the end of this year and will be selected by the organisation set up to tackle the diversity issue in the sector. The panel will comprise industry leaders with vast experience in both events

and diversity. Categories for the awards will be announced 6th September, with applications opening 4th October.

Vaccine Passports Compulsory at Large Events from September

Boris Johnson has said that from the end of September, once all adults have had the chance to receive two vaccinations, COVID vaccination certificates will be made mandatory for crowded venues and events in England.

The Prime Minister spoke from selfisolation at Chequers: “I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over-18s will have had their chance to be double-jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.”

The announcement comes as an aboutface from the government, which previously announced that: “There will be no COVID certificate required as a condition of entry to any venue or event although businesses and events can certainly make use of certification and the NHS app.”

The decision comes amid the government’s growing concerns about vaccination rates among young people, with around 35% of 18 to 30 year-olds currently unvaccinated.

Mash Media MD Pledges Donations to Improve Industry Diversity

Mash Media Managing Director Julian Agostini has pledged to support REACH, a new scholarship in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, which aims to support diversity in events. Agostini has stated that he will donate £3 to the scholarship for every attendee at International Confex this September.

Agostini stated that: “Communities accelerate in their development with better and fuller programmes of diversity. This has been demonstrated in society over the

centuries and while it’s not an instant fix, which is what everyone wants to buy, it’s not so slow as to be indiscernible to those that make the investment.

“It’s a fairly straightforward equation, in fact. A diverse community produces far more desirable outcomes such as efficiency, harmony, equality, education and therefore better lifestyles, progression in problem solving and so on. From personal experience, as someone from a family from over the water myself, and as an employer, I’ve always thought that immigrants bring a lot to any party; if they are welcomed.”

Event Restrictions Lifted in Wales

On 7th August Wales moved to Alert Level 0, meaning most of the country’s COVID-19 restrictions have ended. Capacity caps on events have been removed, although the wearing of face coverings is still mandatory in public places. Organisers and venues are encouraged to ensure event attendees also wear masks, although this is not enforced by the government.

At the announcement of restrictions lifting, First Minister Mark Drakeford commented: “This is not a free for all. There will continue to be some important protections to help keep us all safe, especially those who are clinically vulnerable and who are the most anxious about an easing of restrictions.”

Scotland’s Event Industry Advisory Group Calls for More Government Aid

Scotland’s Event Industry Advisory Group (EIAG) has asked that an extra £40 million in restart funding be made available along with other initiatives, including the continuation of the Job Retention Scheme, on a flexible basis from this September to March next year in order to help the events industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geoff Crow, leader of the EIAG sector stimulus sub-group explained: “The recent announcement by the first minister of the timeframe for movement beyond Level 0, and the associated easing of restrictions, requires a shift in the nature of support from sustaining the sector during shutdown to stimulating the sector’s restart.”

EIAG warned that failure to act could cost Scotland its status as a leading event destination and could lose the Scottish economy £6 billion.

WALES FIRST MINISTER PRESS CONFERENCE

Let There Be Light

Westminster’s prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Centre (QEII) sought to host its annual showcase event with a showstopping illumination theme. The only requirements were that the event was to be held in winter and required a complete venue transformation and styling, offering Event Trees a blank canvas to use its trademark creativity to devise a surprising raft of intriguing décor elements for delegates’ entrance, reception and main dining experiences.

With over 25 years in the business, Managing Partners Rich Moore and Sital Chandarana of the Leicestershire-based artificial tree hire specialist, have worked with a staggering list of brands from Virgin to The Savoy Hotel, to create magical large-scale indoor and outdoor environments. True to form, the event theming mastermind responded with Instagramable concepts that included a dramatic 12m-long entrance tunnel made from white birch twig fairy lights and winter-themed foliage. Giving the tunnel a gentle curve and still maintaining the everimportant fire exit width, the tunnel gave a spectacular journey into the event. With a rainbow-coloured backlit staircase leading the way to the sixth-floor Mountbatten suite, the views of the city skyline were almost as breathtaking as the room itself.

In contrast to the elegant tunnel entrance, the drinks reception was designed with abstract panels that were used to create a different space. Placed floor to ceiling and incorporating the bar, the venue was

Event theming expert Event Trees pulled out all the stops to use the idea of illumination to showcase the versatility of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre’s £12 million renovated event spaces in a dazzling showcase experience.

transformed. The panels featured translucent recessed parts that allowed them to be backlit and frontlit, giving another twist to an already interesting installation.

For the dining experience, Event Trees combined 400 Edison bulbs over eight chandeliers (an on-site electrician’s headache!) all dimmable to set the mood. Challenges faced included powering all of the lighting and installing dimmer packs in an accessible manner to give the QEII’s inhouse AV team ultimate control. Around the edge of the room, a series of bespoke white birch sprig pillars were erected with fairy lights and uplighters. Table centres were also bang on theme, with a crackle glass sphere filled with birch sprigs and fairy lights.

Bucking the trend of buying-in cheap factory-made materials, the vast majority of Event Trees’ structures are painstakingly designed and constructed in its Leicestershire workshop. Not only does this offer a unique touch, ensuring each handmade environment is unique to each event, but the quality of its 100% fire-retardant materials gives venues and planners peace of mind when it comes to the all-important safety of their events.

The rest of the event was bound together with the QEII’s in-house audio-visual and catering arms, with toe-tapping entertainment by way of Ember Trio, Europe’s most successful classical crossover string trio. Speaking at the event, QEII Chief Executive Mark Taylor commended the skills

of the venue’s trusted event production partner: “Creativity has always been part of the fabric of this great building; it’s one of those stimulating environments that fires the imagination and allows truly imaginative ideas to turn into reality. It’s not just the rooms or the stunning views that spark the imagination and make clients return time and again, it’s also our continued commitment to the latest cutting-edge event production that’s helping brands push the boundaries.”

Working closely alongside The QEII’s in-house events team, Event Trees delivered another warmly received bespoke installation that met the impeccable standards of London’s largest dedicated conference and exhibition centre.

To discover what Event Trees can do for your next event, call 07970 422 324, email rich@event-trees.com or visit event-trees.co.uk

FAST FACTS

Venue

Queen Elizabeth II Centre

Date

6th February 2018

Audience

200 event planners

Event chef

Jean Michel Viala, formerly of The Dorchester

Entertainment

Ember Trio

Surprising stat

Over 400 Edison bulbs and 400km of fairy lights were made dimmable by Event Trees technicians!

An Ethical Ethos

Chrissie McLaren, Founder of CM Event Recruitment, reveals the secret behind her Leedsbased agency's meteoric rise to one of the industry's most trusted event talent suppliers.

CM Event Recruitment is an events recruitment agency run by Chrissie McLaren, its Founder, and Richie McLaren, its Operations Manager: “I founded CM Event Recruitment because I didn’t like how recruitment agencies treat staff,” Chrissie explained. “Listening to what casual members of staff were saying, sometimes they would arrive at an event and be told they weren’t needed anymore with no warning. There was a lot of dishonesty and ticking boxes. Both Richie and I have been registered with agencies before, so we have first-hand experience with how unfairly staff are sometimes treated, though of course, not every agency is like that. I set up CM Event Recruitment to treat both our staff and customers better than some agencies do.”

Now, 11 years on from its founding CM Event Recruitment is going strong, thanks largely to the dedication of Chrissie and Richie: “I’ve been working in recruitment for 20 years, and I’ve known Richie for 11 years. We got married a couple of years ago, and

the background. People don’t necessarily look at us as a husband and wife business because we're not. Technically it’s mine, but the fact is we run it together.”

“This isn’t just a job for us,” Chrissie said. “We get so many compliments about how much we actually care. We bought a seven seater car just so that we can take staff to events if they don’t drive. We’ve had a call at 10pm before from one of our clients who desperately needed staff because one of their managers had left suddenly due to an argument. Even though it was late we sorted that out for them because we actually care. We also skills test all of our staff before we send them out, and we match them with positions that are suitable. So if somebody has never done a big VIP wedding before, there’s no way we’d just throw them into that situation, because it’s not fair to the staff or the client.”

Contact events@cmrecruitment.agency for more information about CM Event Recruitment’s services.

Is Virtual Still a Reality?

Andrew Deakin, former HBAA Marketing Chair and Director of Conference Care asks how hybrid can work along alongside live events.

A key component of a live event, planned or otherwise, is the networking and being together with people. Spontaneous interactions and introductions can and will create lifelong connections and partnerships, making the event memorable and producing clear ROI. They can be what makes the difference in whether an event is successful or not. Saying hello just cannot be done in the same way at virtual events – the personal touch is missing, a factor that cannot be underestimated.

Also, an entertaining, thought-provoking speaker can really supercharge the atmosphere at a physical event and make attendees feel part of something special. This is difficult to achieve when everyone is watching an event from a workstation, with easy inbox distractions to contend with.

Planners are also considering hybrid because it gives them flexibility. 2020 taught us that nothing is set in stone and being able to adapt is critical. Let’s say you’re running a live or hybrid event and the physical element couldn’t take place; you will have the virtual element to fall back on – it’s your contingency!

Also, with many international travel restrictions still in place, whether for safety or environmental reasons, a hybrid event will enable planners to engage with and reach a wider audience; delegates who otherwise might be unable to attend at all.

and support a live event. But first we have to acknowledge that they cannot truly replace live events and that virtual events don’t work well when they try to simulate a physical event.

What hybrid and virtual can do is allow event planners to expand the event and reach a wider audience. When audiences in venues are restricted, this is a valuable boost to a live event, so too is the ability to attract speakers when travel time would be a deterrent.

Physical and virtual events are very different. The rise in virtual events was down to COVID-19 and not a choice that event planners or audiences have made. That said, virtual and hybrid technology has become part of an event planner’s resources and will continue to have an important role in the industry.

Hbaa.org.uk

StormBox Micro |

£52.99

There’s nothing worse than trying to show off a video of your new product or service and having to deal with tinny, disappointing audio. This speaker from Tribit will guarantee you quality audio despite its small package. It has XBass tuning DSP technology to give you clear audio and high volume, despite being only 6.4cm wide. This speaker is petite, portable, and waterproof, which makes it perfect for event professionals who are on the go. Tribit.com

4GEE Mobile Mini Wi-Fi Hotspot | Various

Having a dependable Wi-Fi connection is essential to being successful at any industry event. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a venue and finding that the Wi-Fi is less than reliable. This mobile mini hotspot from EE will save you from ever having to worry about that again. The compact size makes this device easy to travel with, and it can be purchased on a variety of data plans so you can choose the one that suits you. Ee.co.uk

Top Tech

Conferences can be difficult at the best of times, and many of us are out of practice with the mechanics of attending industry events. With September packed full of events here are H&E North’s picks for the best tech to help you keep organised.

Cardhop | £4.49 per month

All phones come with a free contacts application, so it might seem odd to pay for one, but Cardhop makes it worth it. Not only does Cardhop have a visually appealing interface, it also has a function which allows you to illustrate how your contacts are connected to each other – a feature vital for networking. Each contact gets its own unique card displaying contact information. The app comes with 14 widgets that allow you to customise your contacts and add shortcuts directly to your home screen. Cardhop also has a function which allows you give out digital business cards by scanning a QR code. Much more convenient than carrying a stack of cards with you everywhere! Flexibits.com/cardhop

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G | £1299

This newest smart phone from Samsung is bringing back the convenience of a flip phone in a much more modern way. The screen is made of flexible glass that can be folded, allowing you to store the phone with ease. When folded the phone’s dimensions cover just 87.4mm x 73.6mm with a 15.4mm depth. It can also stand on its own when partially folded, allowing for hands-free video calls. Convenient for business meetings onthe-go. You can also expect super-fast internet even when not connected to a network, as the Galaxy Z Flip is 5G ready. Samsung.com

Apple WatchOS 8 | TBC

Wearable tech is all the rage right now because of its convenience and ease of access. A smart watch allows you to keep all of the data usually stored on your phone right at your fingertips. This new offering from Apple, coming out later this year, will take things to the next level. As well as the ability to place calls and send messages (an ability which most smart watches have), the new design allows you to share photos via email and messages a feature which previous models hadn’t managed. This is great for communicating with colleagues in between a busy schedule. Apple.com/uk

The Virtual Reality

H&E North speaks to Stas Zaslavsky, CEO of Israeli platform developer Vii-Events, to discuss how virtual and live elements can co-exist in a progressive format that puts clients first.

Founded in January 2020, Vii-Events is an all-in-one virtual events solution that uses a 3D hyper-realistic graphical engine to imitate the in-person event experience. In its first year, it helped create more than 100 virtual events with over 200,000 attendees globally and has risen to become one of the world’s leading platforms. It has since secured an official business development partnership with Stuart Mitchell of Manchester-based industry connector Catch the MICE to bring its multi award-winning platform to the UK market.

Hi Stas, we have seen how virtual event technology has moved on quickly since the pandemic, how does your platform stand out?

Over the past 18 months virtual events have developed at pace. As such, we aimed to be different from other platforms, offering bespoke 3D virtual web-based venues that resembled in-person events, and yet, can be as extraordinary and as outlandish as your imagination allows. With virtual events you are not confined by a physical-world location – we have even held events on the moon! We learn from event to event, improving our platform to suit the needs of this rapidly changing industry. Although the events platform is software based, we maintain our focus that events are always about the customer experience.

The industry is looking forward to the return of live events, can virtual platforms maintain value going forward?

Pre-pandemic, good event designers created anticipation among their attendees by meticulously planning their events. Each event has a unique design and story that was created to spark the attendee’s imagination. During lockdown, thousands of events used Zoom, the storytelling aspect became lost and events quickly began to look the same, leading to widespread Zoom fatigue.

We believe that it is vitally important to create a unique story to immerse attendees in a reality they have never seen before, creating a memorable experience that connects the event and the brand story behind it. This is no easy matter for any event professional; however, we work with them providing not only a stimulating visual environment, but also additional tools to assist, such as enhanced gamification to support the event design and create a unique and engaging experience. It is worth noting that good production and great content also helps.

We accept that there is nothing that can truly replace the in-person events experience. But we strongly believe that virtual experiences allow us to stay more

connected, build lasting relationships and join more events in a cost-effective and sustainable way. With the uncertainty of virus-variants, vaccine rollouts and international travel changing on a dailybasis, virtual events if conducted well, allow everyone to stay updated and engaged with their industry.

What about lead gen how can virtual platforms compare to live?

Virtual events strongly focus on precise analytical data that allows live lead generation during the event and indeed post-event. During the event you have realtime personalised analytics on all activities within the platform, this allows a proactive event organiser to make decisions that can materially affect their objectives and equally the customer satisfaction of sponsors. You can know exactly, for example, who downloaded the PDF file with your product or which attendees were interested in a sponsor’s keynote. Strategic use of polls during an event can also support this, providing vital information for follow-up business development. This is obviously harder to gauge when it comes to in-person events.

Additionally, our networking platform allows exhibitors and sponsors to form connections with attending guests, allowing them to host on-platform video meetings and chats or schedule follow up meetings post event to follow up live leads. Our customers report an increased lead-generation rate to 200 to 250%, compared to the physical event that they had before COVID-19.

Our business model encourages clients to use the product all year long, forming a vibrant community around the event itself, thus allowing the customers to create leads continuously: 50% of the leads during the event and 50% throughout the year by conducting business meetings, webinars, product launches, and more, all on the platform.

You are working here in the UK with Stuart Mitchell of Catch the MICE – how will event organisers benefit from this strategic partnership?

When we first met Stuart earlier this year, we knew immediately that we wanted to work with him. Stuart knows the UK events market well and having represented and operated in hotels and venues for over three decades, it made absolute sense to partner with him; he has a wealth of contacts and experience that provided huge synergy to Vii-Event’s virtual event offering. Stuart not only shares our passion for service delivery, but he also shares our work ethic; he explained how he planned to partner with a small number of non-competing virtual event platforms and help assist event organisers move into the virtual events.

With Catch the MICE as our strategic partner in the UK, we plan to work together to help more event organisers understand how a virtual events offering can work alongside, and not compete with, their in-person events. From our perspective, it is vitally important to have a strong ambassador on the ground in the UK, especially someone like Stuart who understands the nuances of the market and who we trust will support those event organisers who may be new to the virtual events market.

Catch the MICE is an industry connector and plans to expand its support for event organisers, providing additional services and advice that support the delivery of virtual events. This includes connecting event planners with suppliers who offer creative as well as production services to enhance virtual and hybrid events.

Do you believe the pandemic is solely responsible for bringing virtual to the fore, or was the transition merely accelerated?

The sudden demand for virtual, along with significant resources and huge competition, encouraged the whole industry to make a huge innovative jump in a relatively short period, significantly benefitting the end customer. While the virtual industry was present pre-pandemic and expected to grow significantly, there is no doubt that without COVID-19, it would have just taken more time and resources to reach where we are now.

As we see the return to in-person events, it is going to be up to the virtual event technology companies, along with the experienced event planners, to pave the way for an even better attendee experience. It is essential that platforms provide more cost-effective solutions and added value that event organisers can capitalise on to sustain the further growth of the industry.

To learn more about Vii-Events, email stuart@catchthemice.com or call 07771 946 614

IndustryOpinion

Our industry is built around partnerships; and at the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) we often find ourselves talking about profitable, commercial, people-led partnerships. It’s one of the reasons so many people get addicted to the world of outdoor events. We meet people we like working with and together we create wonderful experiences for thousands of people. These partnerships span across technicians working backstage to create light shows and stage theatre, to creatives working with marketers. These partnerships are everywhere, and the quality of the event is interwoven with their own success.

One of the most important however, is the partnership between the event and the local authority. It’s often a very circular relationship, with many local authorities being big believers in the power of events to stimulate local economies and bring joy

It Takes Two

to local communities. Event organisers often work in and for local authorities; but often they need to work with them to ensure their own event passes the checks and balances needed to go ahead safely.

For NOEA members, the vast majority of the time, these procedures are easily negotiated and highly collaborative. They pass the tests because they are responsible businesses and share the same values as the local authority – everyone wants successful, regulated and safe events.

When COVID-19 hit however, a lot of these long-lasting structures began to erode. Local authorities, who were there to assess risk, were also being required to take the lead from national government during the crisis. This led to the general slowing down of the process and the responsibility taken away from those best placed to have it.

This was frustrating, for both the local authority and the event organiser, adding

Just when everything was looking so good for getting back to normality, new issues are now emerging that could severely hamper the industry's recovery, not least shortages of staff and particularly of haulage drivers. It seems the challenges of coronavirus and Brexit are coming together to create an even more difficult environment for business.

Part of the problem is that some 1.3 million EU workers left the UK in the year to September 2020 and have not returned, according to research by the UK’s Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence. This equates to around 4% of the total UK workforce. And, this is compounded by furloughing, the reluctance of some hauliers in the EU to come to the UK because of the new bureaucracy involved, and the fact

further risk to the event, therefore less chances of it taking place. Over the last few months, NOEA has been working hard to help local authorities get the power back into their own hands, and regulation was passed in July so that they can once again begin to make these decisions, free of influence. Equally, we continue to work with the event organising community to have conversations that again look to de-risk events.

These are scary times for government representatives. Live events present a public risk that – although yet to be proven – put them under a huge amount of pressure. However, they do understand events and are in the best position to make pragmatic decisions. This new guidance finally gives them back the freedom to make these decisions, in partnership with responsible event professionals.

Noea.org.uk

Creative Solutions

Jim Winship, Secretary of The Events Industry Forum explores the recruitment and supply challenges facing a re-emerging industry.

that many suppliers have reduced their stock reserves over the pandemic as their customers have been closed.

The consequences of this are widespread, from some restaurants having to turn customers away, from not being able to find the staff, to chefs having to adapt menus due to limited supplies, and events struggling to manage because of shortages of equipment.

Despite trade organisations warning for some time about the risk of this, our political masters seem to be in denial – which does not help matters. And, unfortunately, there is no magic wand for resolving many of these issues quickly. To come through this, events businesses will need to anticipate the challenges and plan ahead more than ever before, where necessary finding creative solutions to keep going.

As the furlough scheme winds down over the next couple of months and school leavers join the labour market over the summer, we need to attract them into our markets by offering training and career prospects that are appealing. The government’s Kick Start Scheme can be used to help fund the first six months of new 16 to 24 year-old employees and it is worth looking at apprenticeships as a way of providing recruits the experience and training to build a career in our markets.

How we all come out of this will depend as much on how we plan for the future in terms of how we operate to minimise our exposure to risk. Indeed, there has probably never been a more urgent need to look at the ways we all function, how we build loyalty in the staff we need and how we utilise automation, systems and technology to work for us.

Eventsindustryforum.co.uk

Susan Tanner, CEO of the National Outdoor Events Association discusses perhaps the most important industry partnership of all.

•

•

•

•

•

Host with the Most

H&E North catches up with leading events host, speaker and auctioneer, Alex Fleming for a quickfire Q&A on his illustrious career highlights so far and his favourite auction lots.

Getting started?

I was a livestock auctioneer for 12 years and often got asked to speak at agricultural or sport club dinners and it just snowballed from there!

Biggest break?

That’s easy, I was speaking at and auctioning at a dinner for golfer Paul Lawrie and Sir Alex Ferguson was the other speaker. At breakfast the next morning he said he would get in touch about getting me down to Manchester United as guests at Old Trafford and had me signed up for his charity events. This brought me to the attention of the club and I now speak at, and auction at their gala events.

Most exotic location?

Most of my events are in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and London but I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to auction and host in Marbella, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Most memorable occasion?

They are all memorable in their own right, but one that stands out was when Watches of Switzerland and Rolex booked me to entertain 200 guests at a dinner at the Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel. It was just one of these special nights where the audience was so engaged, making for an excellent atmosphere in a superb venue. But a sportsman’s dinner in deepest, darkest Lanarkshire with just 150 guests can be as rewarding as often it’s their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Most nerve-wracking occasion?

That must be a dinner for HRH Princess Anne in aid of the Carers Trust in Edinburgh. It was my first royal event, and it required my best ‘telephone voice’ – but it seemed to go well as I’ve been asked to host a further four since.

Biggest audience to date?

A gala dinner in Edinburgh for Barack Obama, where 1,200 guests were in

Strength in Numbers

Lou Kiwanuka, ESSA Chair and Managing Director of Eventshaper explores the value of working together to rebuild.

It's the height of understatement to say this has been a difficult year in the industry, but now that the government has rolled back most of its restrictions, our members are once again picking up tools and heading to the exhibition centres and event venues of the UK. I like to think that while it has decimated the industry, the crisis has also brought out the best in our members and our association and sharpened our view of what our members really need to succeed.

With this part of the pandemic behind us, and the reopening of events this autumn, I want to raise awareness of just how much value ESSA is providing its members and the industry at large in this transitional stage. Event industry supply chains have lost key links, and so we have created an SOS function where members running up against a lack of supplies or personnel can put a call out to other members for help and assistance.

Over the course of the pandemic our Director, Andrew Harrison, has been ceaseless in his communications with members in regular updates on government lobbying and the ramifications of changes in regulations. ESSA has been the go-to source for SME business support for its members during this period and has been tireless in exposing the postcode lottery of relief grants.

As part of the Event Industry Alliance, ESSA has lobbied MPs and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to provide sector-specific support for the industry and a host of other measures. Although the outcomes were not what we hoped for, this has led to much greater recognition within the government.

The ESSA Accredited scheme, our independently audited quality assurance framework, has expanded to include a completely new sustainability module, and in combination with our Use an ESSA Member campaign, we are striving to raise the bar

attendance. I didn’t sleep for a week with nerves, but it went well and the auction raised £500,000 from just six lots. The next year Michelle Obama came over and she was an even better speaker and the auction made just as much.

Favourite guest?

This title goes to former Manchester City and England winger Mike Summerbee. I worked with him at the annual Denis Law dinner which I host every year. His stories were hilarious and what a life he has led. He also bounced off Denis really well, and you could tell they were good friends.

Most interesting auction lot?

I get to auction many strange and wonderful lots. The dearest was a tie between a walk-on part in the film Fantastic Beasts 2 and a set tour with J K Rowling; and a day with supervet Noel Fitpatrick. Both went for £120,000, and we were able to sell them both twice, so I’m calling that £240,000!

Alexflemingspeaker.com

on the whole industry. ESSA Accredited allows our members to put clear blue water between them and their competitors, proving that they are fully compliant with several industry standards in construction and design, and the additional sustainability module provides them with a pathway modelled on ISO 20121 (sustainable events).

With the new membership structure in place, ESSA is ready to welcome smaller businesses and freelancers for the first time, and we have reshaped our strategy to bring value to every member, regardless of their size or specialism. Help us build a better event industry, not just for event contractors, but for everyone.

Essa.uk.com

Green Fingers

H&E North chews the fat with Tania Burton, Founder of luxury Cumbrian event caterer Ginger Snap, to discover her top tips for catering for corporate clients, as well as how her business adapted its offering to boost its green credentials in a post-COVID world.

From reducing food waste to using seasonal produce, luxury event caterer Ginger Snap has some brilliant ideas for looking after the bottom line and the planet at the same time. A sustainable, familyrun event catering business inspired by the spectacular Scottish landscape, Ginger Snap has been the go-to caterer for events across Scotland and the north of England for over 15 years.

Founded by Managing Director Tania Burton in 2006 when she was just 23, and co-run with her husband James Burton, a MasterChef: The Professionals finalist and Consultant Head Chef, the business has catered for corporate clients including Tommy Hilfiger, Bonham’s Auction House and the Muirfield Golf Club.

“A top tip for catering for corporate clients is to provide excellent service and exquisite food that surpasses all expectations.” says Tania. “If you plan every single event with a high level of attention to detail, regardless of whether the client is corporate or private, word of mouth and your brand reputation will attract more clients than you can manage.”

As with many companies, the pandemic led to a reduction in revenue for Ginger Snap, and in response, Tania came up with some creative ways to make the business model more profitable: “One way we did this was by moving from Edinburgh to Cumbria where my husband and I took on a farm together, with the eventual aim to grow food for our menus. Another way was by keeping food waste to an absolute minimum by dehydrating, pickling, fermenting and preserving food from a plentiful harvest.”

This, combined with Tania’s commitment to regenerative farming practices, means she can ensure the business runs smoothly while protecting the planet. Now that lockdown restrictions are being lifted, the firm has seen an increase in discerning clientele who truly care about where their food comes from: “Provenance is a key tenet of our philosophy – James and his team of chefs devise delectable menus using predominantly British ingredients, sourced as locally as possible from quality suppliers and the orchard on our farm in Cumbria.”

Seasonality is also a vital part of the Ginger Snap philosophy: “Focusing on ingredients that are in season in the UK means we have top-quality produce at our fingertips all year round, and means we can avoid the air miles associated with importing food.”

Ginger Snap’s strong commitment to sustainability looks after their bottom line and delights their clients. Taking a leaf out of Tania’s book to design nutritious, environmentally conscious event menus means we can reduce the impact of our events, demonstrate sustainability commitments to our clients and promote positive behavioural changes to pave the way for long-term industry change.

Buffets can be individually boxed upon your request

• Friendly and well established family run Yorkshire based catering company

• Corporate and private events with a range of affordable options.

• Working lunch buffets delivered daily to your workplace.

• Formal dinners and canapés, hog roasts, bbq’s, fish & chips, chocolate fountains and more.

• Bespoke catering packages, with our highly experienced team offering consultation on all aspects of your event.

Blue Pepper Catering Ltd, Unit 1 York House, 55 Easy Road, Leeds, LS9 8QS T: 01138 715 999 | bluepeppercatering.co.uk E: info@bluepeppercatering.co.uk

01978 755 433

enquires@elanmarquees.co.uk elanmarquees.co.uk

Framed marquees up to 15m span

Elan Marquees is a marquee hire company based in North Wales, servicing North Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral. We do our utmost to make your event special, erecting beautiful marquees, whether it be for a corporate, private event or garden party.

Elan Marquees are able to offer a wide verity of accessories to accompany your marquee from our vast stock, including furniture, flooring and much more.

Nationwide Availability

We are an award winning coach operator ideally located in the heart of the Midlands.

From 7 seats to 75 seats (including wheelchair accessible coaches) our large fleet can cater for every size of group and occasion.

We provide clean, safe and highquality travel solutions. Don’t just take our word for it! Take a look at our Feefo reviews rated 4.7/5 with over 5,000 reviews!

North in Brief

Pro Audio Systems Appoints New Development and Sales Roles

Bradford-based company Pro Audio Systems has recruited Peter Butler and Callum Hall to the posts of Business Development Director and Audio Sales respectively.

Peter has had a long and successful career in the audio industry and began his career in a retail position at JSG music in Bingley before joining AC Entertainment Technologies as Audio Sales Executive. Peter established the AC audio division, latterly taking up a director’s position.

Audio Sales recruit Callum Hall graduated from Birmingham City University with a BSc in Sound Engineering and Production, after which he worked as a freelance engineer on a variety of small theatre tours. Callum’s role as a first point of contact for customers will see him deal with the full remit of Pro Audio’s sales operation, from quoting to purchasing and shipping.

“We’re very pleased to have added Peter and Callum to the team,” says Managing Director Brian Lumb. “Both of them share our love of audio and dedication to the highest standards of customer service.”

CHS Group Launches Week to Celebrate Events Professionals

CHS Group in partnership with the wider West Midlands meetings and events industry is set to host the CHS Meetings & Events Industry Week on 26th October at the same time as the inaugural CHS Birmingham Show. The celebration will be made up of networking, educational and entertainment sessions across the region.

“We’ve really started to see Birmingham as the home of the UK events industry, so it’s a fitting place for its official ‘return to work’ week,” said Emma Cartmell, Founder and CEO of CHS Group. “This city not only has one of the longest histories of events activities, but it has also got a great future in front of it. The timing is ideal now for us to not only launch a new show, but also create a festival of activity for our great industry.”

“We’re so grateful to the work done by so many industry associations and bodies over the last 18 months, and we wanted to give them a platform to come together in a more positive environment,” added Cartmell.

AND

IET Venues Launches Speaker Wellness Guide

IET Venues, the parent company of Birmingham venue Austin Court, has produced a guide to help event organisers look after speaker wellness at live, virtual, and hybrid events.

“With the necessity for virtual events at a recent peak, speakers have had to adapt to giving presentations via videoconferencing software which has for many been an entirely new learning experience,” the guide explains. “Wi-Fi cutting out or the sudden distraction of an unforeseen interruption can add to the concerns of virtual speakers. On the other hand, many speakers prefer the familiarity of speaking from home, rather than having to navigate a new and unfamiliar venue on top of the already daunting prospect of speaking to a live audience. It is therefore dependent on the nature of the event – live, virtual, or hybrid – as to how we approach setting up speakers with the tools, reassurance and knowledge they need for the most comfortable and streamlined experience.”

The guide contains several methods to allow speakers to feel comfortable at events, be they live or virtual. A green room is suggested for live events, so that speakers have a place to relax and collect themselves both before and after the event, as well as speaker briefs and rehearsals to make sure the event goes smoothly. For virtual talks the guide recommends help with using the video conferencing software and sharing delegate feedback after the event.

Public Health England Unveils Mass Gathering Risk Assessment Tool

Public Health England (PHE) has issued all directors, local authorities and members of the National Outdoor Events Association with a risk assessment guidance tool aimed at helping PHE directors assess the risk of events.

The guide states: “Where the number of mass attendance events grows as the nations of the UK come out of their various lockdown arrangements, a need has been identified to assess the risk of those events

and ensure that appropriate mitigations are in place.”

The Covid-19 Mass Gathering Event Risk Assessment Tool provides a point-based system across individual aspects of an event such as capacity, event duration, travel footprint and ventilation. Users can score their event in each category and then add the total scores to provide an overall risk score for the event. An event’s overall score will either place it in the green, amber, orange, or red categories. The categories will determine the actions needed to mitigate risk. While the tool has been given out to specific bodies, it is freely available online for use by any event professionals.

Yorkshire Outsourcing Agency Division Wins Franchisee Award

Fiona Ibbetson, Owner of the Leeds, York and Harrogate arm of virtual outsourcing agency Get Ahead, has won the Great British Franchisee Award. Fiona is one of just 19 professionals to win the accolade across the nation, awarded by leading UK franchise website Whichfranchise. com for demonstrating excellence in franchising. Judges looked to recognise business performance, growth and personal development, as well as customer and employee satisfaction.

“I was thrilled when I found out I’d won the award,” said Fiona. “It was great to be recognised alongside so many great businesses. It’s just nice to get that recognition you are achieving and delivering from industry experts outside your organisation.”

Get Ahead is a virtual agency which provides a range of outsourced support to businesses: “We offer everything from PA and admin support, to PR and graphic design, to name but a few of our services. I take a strong interest in what clients are looking to achieve and invite them to quarterly reviews to make sure we’re consistently delivering on their goals. We understand businesses change over time and want to ensure we’re helping them in the most effective way we can.”

Getaheadva.com

CALLUM HALL (LEFT)

PETER BUTLER (RIGHT) APPOINTED TO NEW ROLES AT PRO AUDIO SYSTEMS

Going Coastal

With Croatia recently making its way from the amber to the green list, we see what this gorgeous country has to offer international conference attendees.

LE MERIDIEN LAV

Le

Meridien Lav

Split is Croatia’s second largest city and sits on the eastern shore of the Adriatic. Like most of Croatia’s cities, Split is a mix of modern life surrounded by the remnants of ancient history and boasts a bustling waterfront, palaces, cathedrals, and a picturesque old town.

Le Meridien Lav sits just five miles from Split city centre, on a private beach on the coast of the Adriatic. The hotel boasts 13 separate meeting rooms totalling a combined 23,624 sq ft with a capacity of 1,210 delegates. The meeting rooms come equipped with audio visual facilities and high speed Wi-Fi, and the hotel has a business centre complete with administrative services. Marriott.com/hotels/travel/spumd-le-meridienlav-split

Valamar Koralj Hotel

Nested above the white sand beach on the island of Krk, the Valamar Koralj Hotel was custom made for smaller corporate events. The conference facilities include two meeting rooms with audio visual provision, as well as a comfortable business lounge. The two rooms have a maximum capacity of 180 delegates, who can enjoy stunning views and free Wi-Fi.

Although the hotel is positioned amid the tranquil pine forests, the vibrant centre of the island’s capital is only a short scenic stroll away. The hotel also contains a wellness centre which offers plenty of opportunities for business guests to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation with massage and beauty treatments. Valamar.com/en/meetings/hotels-krk/koralj

VALAMAR KORALJ HOTEL

Amadria Park Capital Business Halls

Zagreb is Croatia’s capital city but is often overlooked in favour of other destinations in the country. The city has a long history, dating back to ancient Roman times, and is perfect for those who want to wander on foot. Gornji Grad, literally ‘upper town’ is a maze of cobblestone paths and red-tiled roofs, and is home to the Dolac Market, St Mark’s Church, and the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Being Croatia’s capital, Zagreb hosts countless business events each year and is home to many corporate venues. The Amadria Park Capital Business Halls is just five minutes’ walk away from the main square and holds three art deco style spaces. Each meeting hall is distinctive: the Capital Private Club offers drinks served from a repurposed bank vault, the Capital Meeting Room transforms from an art deco café to a conference room, and the Capital Business Saloon has a mezzanine lobby and pre-meeting coffee service area. Amadriapark.com/amadria-park-capital-business-halls

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Dubrovnik is known as the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ and for good reason. This seaside city is full of history and stunning views both. Between the distinctive old town and the encircling 16th century walls, Dubrovnik feels like a city lost in time.

With a nearby airport connecting it to a host of major cities, Dubrovnik is a characterful destination to host a conference in. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is one of the largest conference venues in the city, holding 11 meeting rooms for anywhere from 10 to 750 delegates. The venue boasts a sun terrace for outdoor events, and a lounge for informal evening events as well as various size meeting rooms. There is also a separate events entrance and registration desk for ease of arrival for delegates.

Adriaticluxuryhotels.com/meetings-events

AMADRIA PARK CAPITAL BUSINESS HALLS

HOTEL DUBROVNIK PALACE

Raise Your Game

Discover the world's only private networking club with permanent UK-wide venues for corporate professionals to work, meet and network, alongside a whole range of exclusive benefits and unrivalled sporting events.

1980S CRICKET

LEGEND LORD IAN BOTHAM WILL BE IN CONVERSATION WITH IAN STAFFORD.

In 2017, multi-award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster, Ian Stafford, founded The Sporting Club. Following a successful international career as a writer, interviewer, host, TV and radio presenter, he became renowned for his network of leading sports figures, which led to him play football for Everton, rugby for the Springboks, and golf with Tiger Woods, not to mention racing Michael Schumacher and fighting Roy Jones Jr, to name but a few sporting adventures.

Ian's vision was to create a proactive community for business professionals, via the numerous Sporting Club venues and prestigious live events with top sports stars. With an annual membership costing only £1,000 plus VAT, boasting an ever-growing range of benefits including discounts on events, exclusive hospitality packages and special offers on leading brands, the club is proving a uniquely attractive investment.

“The past year has been an incredibly challenging time,” says Ian. “But it's given me the chance to take a step back and assess our offering as a whole. That's why in the last year, we've opened up venues in Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham, to add to our UKwide range of clubs, providing permanent spaces that members can use all year round to work, meet and network.”

These luxurious venues range from The Regency Club in Manchester’s Deansgate, to The Ambler Club in the heart of Leeds, and most recently the new 501* at Edgbaston Stadium, one of the world’s most famous cricket grounds. As a member of The Sporting Club, you’ll have access to each of these venues around the country, providing

FORMER CRUISERWEIGHT AND HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION DAVID HAYE TOURS THE UK COURTESY OF THE SPORTING CLUB.

a great way to connect not only with your clients and team members, but likeminded professionals too.

“The new normal has undoubtedly changed the way we work – and working remotely is here to stay,” maintains Ian. “But physical interaction with fellow professionals is incredibly important to building those relationships which are crucial to the success of any business. This is what The Sporting Club concept is based on.

“We have a very proactive networking mechanism, and as a result of the connections we’ve facilitated, we've had many success stories from all walks of business, whether that’s from our members’ day-to-day usage of our spaces, or socialising at our events. So why spend all that money renting an office, when you can benefit from world-class facilities as part of your membership?”

The Sporting Club also boasts its very own hospitality division designed to create highclass packages in the world of sport. No matter what or where the event, Sporting Club Hospitality can build experiences to suit the individual corporate client’s needs with an end-to-end itinerary which can include being entertained by celebrity guests to enjoying exclusive behind the scenes access.

“When you consider the past year, we'd like to think there's going to be a serious hunger to get back to live events,” says Ian. “While they make for great entertainment, there’s a lot of business that goes on at our functions. We’ve been hosting events virtually, but it's not quite the same in terms of networking

opportunities, so we’re excited about giving our members the opportunity to get back together in-person.”

If you head online to The Sporting Club website, you’ll not only discover video testimonials from some of the greatest names in sport, but the sheer calibre of events, past and present, that Ian has successfully organised for his members. Two of the club’s most prestigious upcoming events include the Botham's Ashes 40th Anniversary Dinners, taking place at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford on 19th August, and Leeds’ Headingley Stadium on 15th September.

40 years on from the greatest Ashes series of all time, Ian is proud to be staging four major dinners at four of the test grounds that played their part. All the names will be present, from Sir Geoffrey Boycott to Graham Gooch, David Gower to Mike Gatting, and not least the man himself, Lord Ian Botham. With a sumptuous three course dinner and wine, footage and numerous interviews with the stars, it promises to be a sensational series of events.

On 6th October at Doncaster Racecourse, boxing legend Frank Bruno will be in conversation about how he finally became world heavyweight champion after so many near misses, the big names he fought against, and his subsequent trials and tribulations. Enjoy photos with Frank, a threecourse dinner, memorabilia signings and a compelling Q&A with one of the Britain’s national treasures. While on 7th October at Park Inn Hotel Northampton and 8th October at Edgbaston Stadium, join former world cruiserweight and heavyweight boxing champion of the world, David Haye as he tells his story from humble beginnings to being on top of the sporting world. Enjoy a three-course dinner, the chance to purchase signed and personalised gloves and raise money for the Children's Air Ambulance. All functions are open to non-members; however members receive a generous discount on all of The Sporting Club’s regular events.

With membership to The Sporting Club, you can enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the very greatest names in the history of sport, alongside venue access, networking opportunities, exclusive blue-chip discounts and so much more – get in touch today to cement your place on the winning team.

Come Together

International Confex | ExCel London | 1st to 2nd September 2021

Back for its 38th year, International Confex is full of promise Attendees will hear from teams and individuals from some of the largest events on the planet, discussing how they have adapted their businesses to survive and even thrive in the pandemic and its aftermath. Talks will be co-moderated by Juliet Tripp, Deputy Head of Events at Chemical Watch and Board Director of the Female Hospitality Network, as well as Martin Fullard, Editorial Director of show host Mash Media.

Talks will examine key issues such as racial diversity in the events sector, as well as debating the gender pay gap, equal opportunities, mental health, sustainability, and event security. In addition to these key issues, speakers ask the questions of everyone's lips, including how an £84 billion industry can be overlooked by government, and who exactly influences the future of the industry. International-confex.com

Conference and Hospitality Show

Birmingham | The International Convention Centre | 26th October 2021

CHS Birmingham is back with a new date and a new venue. While Leeds has always been the home of CHS, due to its massive success, the group has chosen to host a second show in Birmingham this year. The exhibition will include over 200 exhibitors, including Drayton Manor Hotel and Park, Grand Hotel Birmingham, and Millennium Point. The event attracts exhibitors from across the UK, made up of venues, hotels, and suppliers of meeting products and services, and will also include educational sessions and networking events.

“CHS Group delivers buyers of high quality and in significant numbers to each of its events,” says Paul Kennedy MBE, Chair of the CHS Group Advisory Board and Director of Kennedy Solutions: “But more than that, the CHS team keeps in all-year contact with its exhibitor clients, ensuring that we understand what the exhibitors are looking for. It’s exciting that CHS has chosen Birmingham as the long-term home of its next event. Birmingham has a large buyer and large exhibitor community and is a fantastic strategic location in the UK.”

Chsbirmingham.com

Event Organisers Summit | De Vere

Cotswold Water Park | 18th to 19th

October 2021

The Event Organisers Summit will this year be a hybrid event based in De Vere Cotswold Water Park, a hotel of clean and modern design, hidden in the heart of the 152 lakes spread across the area.

The summit allows delegates to meet one-on-one with a range of events industry professionals that are relevant to their business. Meetings will be pre-arranged as part of an itinerary created based on an online pre-event selection process which delegates will undergo. During this, delegates will be able to select seminars, shortlist and prioritise suppliers they would like to meet, and arrange accessibility needs. The summit will also provide the opportunity to network with peers, attend topical seminars, and keep informed about industry knowledge and trends. There will be networking breaks throughout the day as well as a networking dinner and pre-dinner drinks. Attendance at the event is free, and includes the itinerary of meetings and seminars, overnight accommodation, and all meals and refreshments, including dinner and entertainment.

Virtual attendees will also have access to prearranged oneto-one meetings with suppliers and other delegates, as well as access to complimentary webinars hosted by prominent industry professionals, and access to all presentation materials. Eventorganiserssummit.co.uk

Leisure Food & Beverage Expo 2021 | Birmingham NEC | 10th to 11th

November 2021

Leisure F&B Expo in November looks set to provide events professionals with a wealth of opportunities to make connections and explore options in the catering side of the industry. The exhibition will include keynote speakers such as Julia Kessler of soft drinks distributer Nix and Kix Ltd, who will discuss how to sell during uncertain times. Also speaking will be Jonathan Butler of Outsourced Consultancy discussing his strategy for success within the hospitality industry which will include how to grow your business within 90 days. The exhibition will also include more than 50 seminars on subjects such as removing paper and plastic waste from your business and food diversity.

Leisure F&B Expo will also include its annual awards ceremony where delegates can discover and celebrate the latest trends and innovations hitting the industry. Awards will include Innovation Design of the Year which will celebrate the temporary accommodation structural designs which are transforming the industry following the UK staycation boom. A sustainability award will also take centre stage to celebrate those who keep the welfare of the environment at the heart of their business.

Leisurefb.co.uk

Hospitality Tech & Innovation Forum | Hilton, Canary Wharf | 27th January 2022

This forum is a little further in the future but looks to be a good starting point to explore the expansion of technology in the events industry. Much like the Event Organisers Summit, this forum is a hybrid event, which will heavily feature pre-booked meetings between suppliers and delegates, with a guarantee that the meetings will involve no hard selling from the suppliers’ end. The forum will also include a tailored programme of seminars hosted by prominent industry professionals, and complimentary refreshments throughout. Virtual delegates will have access to arranged one-to-one meetings, webinars, and all presentation materials.

Speakers will include Jane Pendlebury, Chief Executive at the Hospitality Professionals Association who will discuss the acceleration of technology adoption in the industry during the pandemic. Jane will share some stats gathered from the delegates at the organisation’s annual conference, HOSPACE 2020, on their adoption of technology during the pandemic and will cover some of the innovative ideas that saw a sudden increase in popularity due to the demands of COVID-19 restrictions.

Panos Voulgaris, Creative Director and Partner at Malvi will also speak about using virtual reality to enhance delegates’ experiences. Panos will cover what virtual reality is about and how it has transformed different industries, virtual reality used as a marketing and storytelling tool, and personalised as opposed to unified experiences.

Htiforum.co.uk

EVENTIT 2021 | Edinburgh International Conference Centre | 10th September 2021

The Scottish Events Show is back and will take place in person this September. The show offers events organisers and suppliers the perfect opportunity to meet face-to-face with each other, find out what developments have taken place during lockdown, and make plans for the future. The exhibition will feature over 400 exhibitors, including Crowne Plaza hotels, Event Industry News, LNER, and Holiday Inn. The show will be a key networking event for up-and-coming event professionals, connecting event planners and suppliers from Scotland, the UK, and beyond, and giving delegates the opportunity to renew old acquaintances, make new contacts, and create virtual and face-to-face business development opportunities.

EVENTIT 2021 will also offer over 40 learning opportunities in a combination of face-to-face, recorded, and virtual panels and masterclasses. These experiences will use the latest technology, innovative theming, and even culinary magic, to give a platform to industry experts and event leaders. Exact details on speakers are yet to be announced.

Eventit.org.uk

Time to Reconnect

The Meetings Show, the number one platform for the MICE industry, returns on 30th September and 1st October at London ExCeL and virtually.

The UK’s leading show for the meetings, events and incentives community offers visitors the chance to network and do business with hundreds of UK and international event suppliers – from destinations and destination management companies to conference centres, venues, hotels and technology suppliers.

Insightful education sessions, designed to help the event industry build itself back up following the pandemic and multiple networking opportunities – allowing event professionals to reconnect face-to-face and virtually – will also be on offer throughout the two-day event.

With ExCeL operating under the Association of Event Venue’s All Secure Standard and the show’s organisers closely following the latest industry and government guidance, visitors and exhibitors attending the show in-person can be assured their safety will be a priority while those choosing to join The Meetings Show virtually will still be guaranteed valuable opportunities to do business, learn and connect with others through an intuitive online platform.

The exhibitor list is ever-growing, but UK destinations confirmed as exhibitors so far include Belfast, Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Nottingham and Newcastle Gateshead. They will provide up-to-date information on what’s on offer in their region and present solutions for all buyers’ MICE needs.

The regional convention bureaux will be joined by national agencies VisitBritain, VisitWales and VisitScotland while a host of international destinations will also be present to discuss options for meetings, events and incentives further afield. International exhibitors signed up so far include Malta, Portugal, Korea and Japan.

Some of the UK’s most prestigious venues and hotels, such as ICC Wales, Telford International Centre, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Carden Park Hotel and Hard Rock Hotels will also be on-hand to discuss

requirements with buyers and suggest ways they can accommodate their needs, while tech providers such as Shocklogic, Slido and Cvent will talk about how their products and services can support both live and virtual events.

An inspiring education programme, thoughtfully curated by The Meetings Show’s new conference and content manager Erica Oghoghorie and delivered live and streamed, will provide support and insight to event professionals as they navigate their way ahead through the economic recovery.

Education sessions have been usefully divided into five streams – Innovation and Industry; My Career and Personal Development; Event Marketing; Event Technology and Meeting Design – to help visitors easily select the sessions relevant to them and their businesses or organisations.

Buyers wanting to learn how to adapt to change, make sustainable choices, leverage staff capabilities, build a company culture, deliver meaningful experiences on and offline, increase engagement, and drive revenues, should select sessions in the Innovation and Industry stream. Those looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their next event will want to save a space at Weaving Sustainability into the Life Cycle of your Event. The session, on 30th September, will see Matt Grey of EventDecision and Lisa Sweeting of Green Sense Events discuss how clients and planners can work collaboratively to develop a framework that includes the venue selection process, procurement, and waste reduction.

If career development is your aim, sessions in the My Career and Personal Development stream will be right for you. The last 18 months have led to many changes in jobs and career progression so the lunchtime session on 30th September, Navigating and Excelling in the Next Normal: Professional Growth You Need will help guide you through.

From learning about the best tech solutions for an event to top tips on marketing it, there

are dozens of hours of educational content that complete the line-up. Jack Marczewski, Event Director for The Meetings Show, says: “After such a turbulent 18 months, we are incredibly excited to bring The Meetings Show to ExCeL and virtually so we can reunite the industry and provide valuable opportunities to aid its recovery.

“Nothing beats the power of live events where new connections and collaborations are formed, so we’re really excited to be able to welcome and facilitate those allimportant face-to-face meetings in a secure environment featuring enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols alongside other safety measures such as social distancing.

“We have a packed education programme organised, hundreds of exhibitors signed up and ready to exhibit, networking opportunities being created and many other exciting features planned, so register now to ensure you are part of the event.”

The Meetings Show is at London ExCeL on 30th September and 1st October and Hospitality and Events North looks forward to seeing you there. Visitor registration is now open. To register visit Themeetingsshow.com/register

So join us on 30 September - 1 October and let’s reimagine the future of live, virtual and hybrid events together:

• Enjoy 1-2-1 meetings with hundreds of UK and international event suppliers

• Get inspired for your next event or meeting with our comprehensive education programme

• Reconnect with your industry friends and colleagues… AT LAST!

Secure your place today to stay up to date with all our latest news. From new exhibitors to keynote speakers and exciting networking events - you won’t miss a thing! REGISTER FOR

Alex Crow

Mindreading and Weird Stuff

One of the top UK Mindreaders, Alex Crow has developed a live and virtual show, which will intrigue and mystify the most cynical of guests.

07946 494 932 | info@alexcrowmindreader.com alexcrowmindreader.com

Calon Lân Cakes

Calon Lân Cakes freshly bake delicious, artisan Welshcakes & Bara Brith. Based in Cardiff, we supply our products to corporate, retail & private bookings all over the UK.

The Conference People

Live

WE ARE Ready TO ROAR

Meowing is over…it’s time to Roar! We are here; brave and bold and ready to start over.

We o er outstanding meeting and event facilities with two dedicated venues. With 403 bedrooms and 56 meeting rooms, the Resort o ers a huge range of spaces for showcases, product launches, events, training and Expo’s.

Proudly independent, fiercely creative and driven by a conscience.

Perfectly placed too with excellent road and rail links.