HEN March 2023

Eat Green

Mersey Side

Competition

On the Rise

A Warm Welcome MARCH 2023

As planners look closely at the bottom line, we look at whether changing suppliers is the answer: will the quality and reliability you know and trust be compromised if you switch up your supply chain?

We work with some of the industry’s leading associations offering members the training and knowledge to create solutions of the highest standard, and your suppliers should be taking advantage. We’ve got some time saving tech, check out the upcoming industry shows and take a look at how the government are planning to help those eligible with energy costs.

Our location focus is in the North West, specifically Manchester and Liverpool, including some great suppliers, venues, and a competition to stay at one luxury hotel on the North West coastline. One of those venues lands our front cover, the historic and iconic Manchester Cathedral.

Plus find out about reducing your catering carbon footprint, all the latest venues and refurbs, industry news, and interviews. Follow us on socials for daily updates and subscribe to our newsletter at Hospitalityandeventsnorth.com

We are always right behind you.

Here at Wyboston Lakes Resort building relationships is what we are all about, and our venue team realises that your success is theirs too.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we have been lucky enough to build some fantastic relationships and host some awesome events!

We’ve got some great success stories from a range of events, scan the QR code and take a look for yourself...

Let’s talk, and plan your next conference or event with us.

North in Brief

Events Venue reports three-fold rise in events

Leicester-based heritage venue, Athena, has seen a three-fold increase in the number of events for Q4 2022 compared to the same period pre-Covid.

Located in Leicester’s cultural quarter, the Art Deco Grade II-listed venue welcomed a 200% increase in events during October 2022 and another 112% rise in November 2022 compared to 2019.

Athena also hosted a two-day lunch and dinner event for over 3,000 delegates during its December 2022 run, with the venue seeing more companies combining their traditional annual award ceremony with Christmas celebrations over the festive period.

Venue directors believe the new trend will continue to immerge across 2023 to improve cost efficiencies while boosting attendance and ROI.

“2023 is looking very positive so far, with 33 confirmed events in the first quarter and 14 in February alone,” said Head of Events, Hira Ram. “We will also be welcoming repeat clients alongside new ones, which is fantastic.”

Agiito Welcomes EventWell Hubs

Derby-based business travel company, Agiito, has become the first agency to bring EventWell’s wellbeing hubs to their events as a solution for customers looking to be more inclusive and accessible.

Launching in 2021, EventWell’s wellbeing hubs are designed to provide a delegate escape from an overwhelming conference or event environment.

Featuring tools to combat sensory overload, the quiet room and sensory spaces can also use TV screens to stream conferences so delegates can remain connected to an event.

Agiito holds a long-established partnership with EventWell to take a proactive approach to managing mental health and support delegate needs.

Venue Find and Events Director and EventWell Trustee, Caroline Medcalf, commented: “Mental health and inclusion doesn’t need to stop at the door, and we recognise our customers want to look after their people by creating a selfcare culture at their events.

“This partnership means we can expand our offering with wellbeing and accessibility in mind.”

Leeds Launches Cultural Event

Leeds has announced the start of LEEDS 2023 which aims to showcase the city’s culture and history.

The planned programme will deliver creative experiences for delegates to immerse themselves in local life across the city and help build a lasting legacy of economic and social impact.

The city’s convention bureau, Conference Leeds, believes the delegate experience offering in Leeds will see a huge boost during the year-long event, which will be held across the city’s varied venues.

Head of Conference Leeds, Claire Heap, said: “The cultural experiences that are on offer in Leeds already attract a huge number of conference and business events, but the line-up announced for LEEDS 2023 is a fantastic display of what this year-long celebration of culture will bring.

“The timetable of events will give delegates even more of an opportunity to apply their learnings and expand their thinking through creative and thoughtprovoking events and activities.

“We encourage conference organisers to contact the Conference Leeds team to align their conferences to ensure their delegates experience exceptional.”

Halo Solutions Launches Software

Nottinghamshire event tech developer, Halo Solutions, has introduced new software to help venues ensure the safety of their visitors.

Previously securing a £750,000 investment in 2022 to support its growth plans, Halo works to combine technology and police experience to streamline event safety.

The new Halo v.5 software includes a crowd management module for clients to monitor high numbers of delegates from CCTV feeds and AI to ascertain crowd density and flow.

A sustainability module also monitors the impact of venues using monthly metaanalysis on key metrics including waste, water, electricity, and gas usage.

Clients can also use the software to boost event delegate accreditation by creating digital access passes which can link to UK Government databases and prove identities.

“Halo version five is the culmination of five years of feedback and ideal features that our clients have wanted,” explained Halo Solutions CEO, Lloyd Major. “The

software is ‘designed by you and built by us,’ and lays the foundations for a lot more powerful features to come throughout 2023.”

Eventurous Obtains ECOsmart Award

An event agency team with over 30 years’ experience is boosting their already distinctive eco plans even further by partnering with sustainability specialists Greengage and obtaining ECOsmart status.

Corporate event specialists Eventurous say there have been some big changes in the industry over the years, and being eco-conscious is now more important than ever.

From beekeeping on-site to generating almost all of their own electricity through solar panels, and planting over 11,000 trees and a wildflower meadow, the team at Eventurous have executed some remarkable sustainability initiatives at their Leicestershire premises.

Andrew Perolls, CEO at Greengage says: “The team at Eventurous already have some great initiatives in place, which demonstrate that sustainability is a priority in their business. Their location and the work they are doing gives them a real advantage in the market from an event agency perspective. We are excited to support them further with there plans.”

Big Brands Behind SMEs to Return to In-Person Events

Drawing on her personal experience as National Sales Manager at Center Parcs Conferences & Events, Cat Bird shares her thoughts on businesses returning to preCOVID levels of in-person operations.

She said: “Most noticeable, is the difference in pace of returning to inperson events between smaller businesses of 40 employees and national businesses of 400+ employees.

“Post-pandemic, smaller businesses have found it easier to get employees together – fewer diaries to align, perhaps more willingness to get back together after remote working; they’ve been more nimble.

“However, after a period of relaxed and immersive team building days, these businesses are now moving onto organising bigger conferences and events with an emphasis on brand strategy and training.

“Meanwhile, larger businesses, for which the logistics of a company-wide event are more complex, have taken longer to return to in-person events. This is often because it can take six to nine months to plan. In 2023 their focus is on bringing teams together for the first time, with the confidence to arrange bigger events of 450+.

“By the end of the year, we anticipate larger businesses matching smaller businesses in their regularity of events, having rewarded staff with a gratuity getaway, and getting ‘back to business’.”

Chesterfield | Casa Hotel

Just six miles from J29 of the M1, the convenient transport links at Chesterfield’s Casa offers an easy alternative meeting solution south of Sheffield. A renovation of all the hotel’s meeting rooms has incorporated new tech into the spaces, including LCD screens, changeable colour lighting, and new BOSE sound system to enhance presentations. Hosting up to 280 delegates in a theatre style set up, the Barcelona Suite also features a three-tier terrace ideal for pre and postevent drinks or networking. The ground floor Valencia Suite is ready for more

intimate events for up to 50 delegates with complimentary staging, lecterns, and microphones available for awards dinners or conferences.

Casahotels.co.uk

Coventry | St Mary’s Guildhall

Since its 2022 summer revamp, St Mary’s Guildhall has launched new conference packages for planners to take advantage of the new venue’s historic setting with modern meeting capabilities. Packages for groups of 10 to 150 delegates are available across the Guildhall’s variety of rooms, which can also be viewed as part of a guided tour before the event launch. The fully equipped Great Hall is the venue’s spotlight event space and capable of hosting 150 delegates for sit down functions in the evenings, while on-site catering includes new brunch and lunch options at Tales of Tea located in the Undercroft beneath the space, featuring the famous Coventry Tapestry.

Stmarysguildhall.co.uk

Northumberland | Matfen Hall

Newcastle’s sophisticated Matfen Hall is ready to elevate luxury events just in time for spring after an extensive period of renovation. Set in over 300 acres of parkland, the hotel’s 27-hole championship golf course provides a range of bespoke packages and an exclusive clubhouse to entertain clients with. Overlooking views of the golf course, the outdoor Le Jardin Hollandaise offers a secluded space to host predinner drinks or al fresco dining for up to 60 delegates, while the inside Morning Room can host larger dinners of up to 100 delegates with original oak panelling and large windows

offering plenty of natural light and an intimate atmosphere.

Matfenhall.com

Scotland | SCHLOSS Roxburghe

Hyatt Hotels has fully transformed the countryside SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel into a luxury retreat in the Scottish Borders and already utilising its ample interior spaces to display vehicles during launch and media events. For up to 100 delegates, the flexible and fully equipped Teviot Suite can be partitioned for multiple meetings and breakout session with a private terrace overlooking the hotel’s championship golf course. Further team building opportunities can also be found in the neighbouring country sports centre, offering group sessions in clay pigeon shooting, archery, and salmon fishing on the River Teviot.

Hyatt.com

Manchester | Treehouse Hotel

Manchester’s riverside Treehouse hotel is ready to launch this spring with aims to enhance business meetings with thoughtful programming. Quirky interior

ST MARY’S GUILDHALL

CASA HOTEL

TREEHOUSE HOTEL

designs featuring playful prints and vibrant colours line the hotel’s nine meeting spaces to help spark group creativity and can easily be portioned to fit flexible numbers of up to 400 delegates. Surrounded with the same optimistic décor, the hotel rooms also include workspaces, blackout shades, and digital newspapers to help maintain client wellbeing and productivity, while culinary options are also supplied by celebrated local chefs in two restaurants and a panoramic rooftop bar.

Treehousehotels.com/Manchester

Derbyshire | Makeney Hall

New ownership at the Derwent Valley Mills-based Victorian manor house has revitalised the venue’s corporate spaces and a selection of its 46 rooms. Featuring a grand cast iron and wooden fireplace with oak panelling, the Lavinia Suite is designed to add some rustic warmth during intimate meetings for up to 30 delegates. Directly connecting with the Lavinia, the Conservatory provides a picturesque backdrop to traditional boardroom meetings for

up to 36 delegates, with views of the carefully landscaped hotel gardens and surrounding countryside.

Makeney.co.uk

Durham | Park Head Hotel

Nestled in the historic market town of Bishop Auckland, the 18th century Park Head Hotel aims to draw further meetings between business in Yorkshire and Northumberland with an extensive refurbishment of its restaurant and 38 rooms. With fresh local produce

sourced from the Walled Garden of nearby Auckland Castle, the Oak Room Restaurant seats up to 80 delegates with breakfast, light lunch, and evening dinner options available to fit around meetings. Clients are also within close access to the area’s heritage attractions, including two art galleries and the Weardale Railway. Parkheadhotel.co.uk

Scotland | Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House

Made up of two residential properties from the 19th and 20th century, the characterful Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House has undergone a full refurbishment enhancing the hotel’s sophisticated heritage setting. 62 comfortable guest rooms provide a quiet base to explore Dumfries or the scenic golf courses of Scotland’s Southwest coast just a short drive away, while up to 80 delegates can use the hotel’s single multipurpose meeting space featuring a bold period-era interior design and all equipment provided for planners. Mercuredumfries.co.uk

Latest Places

PARK HEAD HOTEL

MAKENEY HALL

MATFEN HALL

SCHLOSS ROXBURGHE

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Looking Ahead

Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive of the Meetings Industry Association, reveals how the findings from its latest insights survey is informing its focus for 2023.

Our regular sector surveillance provides a valuable snapshot – highlighting the challenges faced by those working in business events and enabling us to escalate pressing priorities.

While revealing optimism for the year ahead, the findings from our January 2023 insights survey show the extent to which the sector has been impacted by industrial strikes, rising costs, and more. Surveying over 125 event venues and suppliers, two-thirds revealed that their forecasted revenue for 2023 is more than that forecasted for 2022, and 27% have more confirmed business than they did at the same time in 2019.

Despite these positive projections, we remain acutely aware of the impact of rising energy costs and how this may impact forecasts. The sector has averaged a 13% increase in energy costs in the last

A few months ago, beam marked its 25th year – a major milestone in another tough year for the business events, accommodation, and meetings sector. As 2023 gets underway, we look ahead with positivity and, as an association, we have big plans and a busy calendar to fulfil. Collaboration and support will remain intrinsic to beam. We will continue to work with other industry bodies to achieve shared goals and provide top-level support for members.

As one of the industry’s leading associations, we will maintain a strong focus on thought leadership that positively impacts our industry, our venue and supplier members and for event profs.

six months, with more than three-quarters increasing their prices to mitigate this.

At the same time, the knock-on effect of recent industrial action is impacting both accessibility and consumer confidence, with the value of cancelled business due to rail strikes estimated to be £4,529,810, which can be scaled up to represent £337,326,277 across the entire sector.

These insights are imperative in supporting our understanding of the sector’s priorities and lobbying for necessary government intervention. We have established regular diarised meetings with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to actively inform them of the state of the sector and support required.

Research is also invaluable steering the

development of member resources – the survey revealed a third of organisations do not have a dedicated wellbeing and mental health strategy, so we have partnered with Stress Matters to provide education and resources for members.

We will continue to conduct regular sector surveillance to reinforce our ongoing discussions with government and direct future support, and any feedback that can be provided is hugely valuable.

To keep up-to-date on any developments, guidance and advice, follow the Meetings Industry Associations on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Mia-uk.org

A Collaborative Culture

Sian Sayward, Chair and Governance Director of beam, shares the association’s plans to encourage a more collaborative industry.

Our membership and partnership strategies will support association growth while prioritising member retention. We will elevate our identity, voice, and perceived value, drive professionalism and best practice, and aim to be seen as an authority for opinion and support. Becoming net zero by 2030 is a key goal, too, as it is for much of the industry. How will we do this? beam’s board and our action groups have been working hard to fully realise our vision and will continue to do so. Our four association pillars – Resilience, Ethics, Innovation, and Quality – are as significant as ever and by realising these we will be committed to supporting, guiding, and championing best practices across the industry.

An upcoming event that is not to be missed is our activity at International Confex, which takes place at ExCeL London on 1 to 2 March. We will be encouraging newcomers to the industry, something vital in these difficult times for recruitment – hosting the beam Buddy Station where industry newbies will be paired with someone willing to help event profs maximize their time on-site. beam is delighted that some of our own board and action group members will be taking part and helping those entering – or returning – to the events sphere.

For more information on this and our other activities for 2023, visit Beam-org.uk or email membership@beam-org.uk.

Team Up

On the back of COVID-19 the job market has been buoyant with moves and opportunities. Costing millions in staff training and recruitment, coupled with reduced profitability from a drop in collaboration through remote working, the bottom line has been severely impacted.

The pandemic saw the team building events industry expand quickly, first online, and more recently back to live, with new quirky and unusual events coming to the fore as employers find ways to mitigate the negative sides of remote work, a major challenge within remote and hybrid operations.

Good agencies got armed with great ideas and case studies to present to clients, but also needed tech knowledge too.

“Requests for business strategy events have turned into requests for fun and excitement, and giving staff a break.”

With team collaboration and communication compromised, many companies look for ways of building teamwork but also ensuring they have secure solutions that are flexible, scalable, easy to use, and accessible to every employee no matter where they are located and their nature of work. And, more than ever there is a focus

on employee engagement, employee morale and retention. Many employees look for companies with a sense of community, celebrating successes and working with great co-workers to keep them happy.

Mental health issues are on everyone’s lips. Social isolation made the last two years the worst time in many people’s careers. People felt stressed, scared, and lonely. In the same way teamwork can increase productivity and profitability, isolation and the sense of loneliness can reduce it. The purpose of team building is to foster a sense of belongingness and employee connectedness. So, if employees can’t meet in person it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t find ways to connect. Remote staff can still interact with each other and feel less alone through virtual team-building activities, which will help boost employee wellbeing, and in turn productivity.

Kate Hutchinson, Managing Director of The Secret Event Service commented: “Team building events are more important than ever in a post-COVID world. Hybrid working is the new normal which is great –but there are some downsides. Teams are missing those watercooler moments, the learning through osmosis, the bonding that naturally happens when you’re in an office for five days a week.

“So we’re seeing a real uptick in team building events that are focused heavily

Since COVID-19, improving teamwork in the workplace has become one of the main priorities for employers. H&E North hears from industry voices and reports on how event profs can capitalise.

on building connection which is crucial to great work. We’re seeing an increase in powerful firewalking events, team countryside retreats and team wellness days”

Nathan Angus, Managing Director of Wildfire Agency thinks staff retention is vital right now. “People are missing the human interaction and community aspect of company life since remote working took hold. Those coffee break chats have gone. As we enter recession and staff shortages, retention is so important and keeping people happy in the workplace is part of that.

“Requests for business strategy events have turned into requests for fun and excitement, and giving staff a break. We are booking events with icebreakers that get everyone laughing, formats around TV shows like The Cube or Celebrity are working really well.”

Getting the team together for an away day or online event cannot be underestimated. Make sure you are ready and armed.

See Events organises creative, bespoke event solutions. We o er seamless, stress free event management of team building events, group incentives, conference energisers, evening entertainment, wellbeing workshops and wellbeing days. Whether it’s to develop relationships, improve performance, establish key messages, or to provide a rewarding experience, See Events can assist to create the perfect event for you! Corporate Events • Team Building • Wellbeing Workshops

Family Fun Days

Meetings

Festivals

Team Building

CENTRE STAGE

International Confex is returning to ExCel in London from 1st to 2nd March this year. This year’s edition will be focusing on the future of the industry, with three main keynote speakers to look out for.

Tracy Ryan, Head of EMEA Marketing, will be delving into the current state of the industry and what opportunities lie ahead in a post-COVID world. The session will focus on how the events landscape changing and what those changes mean for the industry. Tracy will also look ahead to what trends we expect to sustain and what's coming down the line for the industry.

The show will also take a look at some of the latest developments making big waves in the sector. Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales at Scottish Event Campus, will delve into carbon labelling on menus, which has seen trials in venues across the UK begin in 2022. Kathleen will explore what carbon labelling is, why is it so revolutionary, and how event professionals can make the most of it to create greener events. While Matt Coyne, Chief Content Guy at Waves Connects, will be on hand to give insight into how to produce more content with less effort,

We get a sneak peek at the content lined up for two of the UK event industry’s biggest upcoming shows.

focusing on different tools, techniques, experiences, and ideas that you can use to make your content creation process more efficient and less time-consuming.

Of course, International Confex will have a top list of exhibitors from around the world and close to home, with venues, suppliers and the latest tech plus seminars to whet the appetites of event planners. But it isn’t the only show on the roster for this year, with CHS Leeds returning to the Royal Armouries Leeds on 25th April 2023.

The theme of the northern show will be “worklife”, covering more than just work life balance, but also how employee’s working life is evolving, how this affects happiness and progression, and eventually dictates the kind of events being created for brands and businesses.

As ever, the theming will be integrated into the show’s educational programme and will also include conversations with both delegates and exhibitors on how the

future of the office, of work, and of events can all be linked together.

These conversations will also be captured through a podcast series which is being produced live on-site at the exhibition. The content will knit together wider business and societal themes such as The Great Fragmentation, The Great Resignation, and the Silver Tsunami, to seek to understand how events can be used to support a more fragmented work force.

“One of the trends we’re really excited by is the move from events as a place to escape the workplace, to a place to recreate it,” commented Emma Cartmell, Founder & CEO “In and amongst that though, we’re really zooming in on supporting individual event professionals to find their feet, progress their careers, and balance their worklife in an increasingly changing environment for events.”

international-confex.com chsleeds.com

Time Savers

Stay ahead of shorter lead times with the latest technology trends.

Short lead times for event planners are here to stay, and the latest event tech emerging to manage every aspect of an event has helped ease off the pressure for planners. We look at some of the latest technology trends currently expanding the event planning template.

Venue Sourcing Tools

Shorter lead times are ramping up pressure for planners to cast the net wider when sourcing the perfect venue at the right price. Simplifying the process with smarter filters and reports, venue sourcing platforms are continually evolving to help planners secure an event space early with extra breathing room to move ahead in the planning. Venue sourcing tools are now making RFP processes particularly easier to work with by automatically drawing side-by-side comparisons for all bids while calculating costs and savings for users to make the best decision. Notes and reviews on each venue submitted by other planners can also be viewed, providing first-hand information otherwise undisclosed by the venue holder.

Event Diagramming Programs

With the right venue booked in, mapping out the entire event with diagramming software will keep up the pace of planning while helping to maximise bookings and improve coordination between all event managing teams. With easy options ranging from drag and drop diagramming and seating software to 3D walkthroughs, diagramming tools can draw up accurate floor plans quickly while using VR to visualise even the smaller details such as where microphones, speakers, and signage will be placed in the chosen event space. Now available as a cloudbased tool supporting multiple language, this tech also draws advantages for international teams or travelling colleagues who can access the diagrams on the move.

Speaker Management Systems

An integral part of modern marketing automation software programmes, digital speak management tools are also streamlining the time-consuming process of coordinating and managing speaker sessions. Compatible for keynote speakers to upload their own bio, images, and speech content, the software eliminates any incorrect details or last-minute confusions while allowing planners to supply all necessary information about the event to help the guest prepare. Speaker’s website pages can also now be uploaded to the event website and mobile optimised for a better user experience for prospective delegates browsing on smart phones.

Data Visualisation Reports

Reconciling data from multiple sources, the latest data visualisation tools can now automatically crunch event metrics and generate their own compact and easy to understand reports on event progress and performance, beating the usual time consuming and error prone process of submitting reports manually via a standard spreadsheet. By capturing data on all areas of the planning process, including registration figures, marketing emails, and audience surveys, visualising the information clearly also guarantees planners more visibility and control over their meetings and event ROI in real time. Consistent data reports can now also be seamlessly fed back to colleagues during larger projects where multiple teams need to stay in the loop during the event planning process.

HOSPITALITY RECRUITMENT

At CM Event Recruitment we staff occasions from small private events to large corporate ceremonies.

We meet and interview everyone face-to-face and conduct a skills test, ensuring they have the skills required for the job.

Matching experience to event, we supply bar staff, waiting-on staff, kitchen porters and cleaners/clearers.

WORK WITH Caterers • Golf clubs Event planners • Music events • Sports venues Festivals •Hotels and many more...

Eat Green

A vital aspect of any event, the food that you serve has the potential to be one of the most impactful lasting impressions that your delegates take away. And with sustainability so prominent in the public consciousness, reducing the amount of carbon can easily be applied to catering. H&E North investigates.

Keep it local

Transport has the largest reliance on fossil fuels of any sector and in 2020 domestic transport was responsible for emitting 99 MtCO2e (million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) in the UK according to a Department of Transport study. It’s unsurprising then, that reducing how far your ingredients have to travel can reduce your event’s carbon footprint. Buying local produce not only reduces carbon emissions, but also means you’re using the freshest ingredients available, and allows you to support local businesses all in one.

To everything there is a season

Serving food made from ingredients which are currently in season reduces greenhouse gas emissions without the need for carbon heavy artificial heating or lighting needed to produce crops out of season. In fact, the total emissions of crops produced out of season in the UK is higher than the same product grown naturally in season abroad and transported to the UK.

Plant-based is best

According to data resource Our World in Data, a global average of 110lb (50kg) of greenhouse gases are released per 3.5oz of protein. Not only that, but farming emissions also include

methane, which is up to 34 times more damaging to the environment over 100 years than CO2, according to the UN. Beef has the highest carbon footprint at an average of 49.89 kg per 100g of protein. The second highest, lamb, is roughly half that amount. The highest impact crop, grains, produce just 2.7 kg of emissions per 100g, so reducing the amount of meat in your menu can make a vast difference.

Waste not, want not

Over four tonnes of food end up as landfill each year, equivalent to £2,000 worth of food deliveries per household each year. FORO, or the fear of running out, is a huge concern for most event organisers, and regularly causes overordering on food so that every item can be available to every delegate. In reality, most delegates would be happy to accept a reduced selection of options in the name of helping out the planet. Informing delegates about this possibility from the get-go reduces frustration and most are likely to understand and even praise the drive toward sustainability.

Corporate

Bespoke

In Private

Feasted Founder, Cris Cohen, gives the lowdown on the inaugural event at the business’ new event space.

Back in November 2022, The Blue Room, a space designed by professional chef and Founder of Feasted Cris Cohen, held its first event. Adjoining the Spode Museum at Stoke-On-Trent, the space is named for the distinctive blue patterns this historic form of pottery features.

The event was a private dining party for window repair business Autoglass, featuring 14 delegates, as Cris explained: “The Blue Room is a boardroom-style dining space/ meeting space. We are able to provide a special menu for delegates to suit their event. This particular event had hospitality offers all day, including breakfast and lunch and needed our full alcohol license to serve beer and wine to the delegates in the evening. It was a full 360° service.”

The idea for the new event space came from Cris’ own personal experience: “Personally speaking, as a businessman, when I go to networking meetings I get really frustrated with the terrible coffee and lack of attention to detail. So my aspiration for the Blue Room is to make it an incredible experience for all businesses. It is our hope that those who experience our hospitality value this truly unique experience.”

One of the most important aspects of organising an event is getting a brief from the client and working to provide what they’ve asked for: “My contact at Autoglass told us exactly what they wanted. They needed a private space, and we are almost secret. The space is on a world heritage site: one of the oldest still operating ceramics sites in the world. It meant a lot to the event organiser to have somewhere that had some significance.”

CLIENT AUTOGLASS

VENUE THE BLUE ROOM

MENU

Breakfast

Marinated fruits, homemade yogurt, cinnamon buns, and coffee buns.

Lunch

Tureens, pastries with seasonal fillings, open sandwiches with homemade bread, and chocolate pots.

Often delegates can have special requests for their events, so it’s best to keep up a good network of contacts who are able to help you meet any out of the ordinary asks: “They asked us to sort out entertainment, we already knew of this great magician who could fill this specification through our network. So, we contacted them and they came down to perform.”

Naturally, as Cris is a professional chef, the food was the highlight of the event: “One thing that we can do is that if people want to capture something about their business in the event we can incorporate that into the food. We tell stories with food. The client wanted a natural menu that was also delicious and not too heavy.”

Décor also plays a key part of any good event and allowed Cris to provide an extra special experience for the delegates: “As

the event took place in late November, we were able to put the Christmas decorations up. It was just before you’d probably go for Christmas settings, but the delegates really loved it. It was good timing for the occasion and gave it a seasonal feel.”

Corporate social responsibility is now something that a third of UK businesses incorporate into their business practices: “We are a big believer in people, and we train a lot of young people into hospitality and help them develop. We’ve just completed a funded programme of training unemployed into hospitality working with around 60 people overall, several working on the launch event, prepping and presenting food.”

Feasted.co.uk

STORY TELLING WITH FOOD

Situated in the heart of the UK in Stoke on Trent in the unique setting of local heritage site Spode Works (one of the founding homes of the pottery industry).

Our Blue Room allows for private event space for corporate / board room meetings /small events.

Bespoke catering for breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments.

Digital display screen and Wi-Fi, and entertainment arranged.

Enquires to hello@feasted.co.uk |

See more on our socials at Feasteduk on

Working with the Best

Susan Tanner, CEO of outdoor events association NOEA, discusses the membership advantages for suppliers that are benefitting event organisers.

Events are an ecosystem, a living breathing environment that has a life and a personality of its own.

At once a community, small town or village, business district, and collaborative, dispersed work force. It’s this unique make up that makes us all want to be a part of organising events.

Having been an event organiser myself, but now as CEO of one of the industry’s foremost associations, I’m constantly reminded that the key to success is to surround yourself with good people. Easy to say, not so easy to do. The best people aren’t just great at that they do, they sync into a similar way of working around this eco-system. They meet your values and complement your talents and personalities.

At NOEA we work with really good people. Over the years we’ve worked hard to put ourselves in the position where we are of mutual value to the brand and businesses that support

us, by bringing in expertise around our own boardroom table. We’ve been strict with the way we do business; open, honest, transparent, and committed, and build a leadership team that embodies these values.

It’s left us in an enviable position where we are surrounded by great brands with incredible people. Cube International, See Tickets, Formula E, ADIPS, People’s Postcode Lottery, Laceys Solicitors, and Festivall Services are all part of the NOEA family. In this issue, which looks at Event Catering, we’re delighted to say our partnership with NCASS has never been more productive.

These partnerships help us shape our strategy, our messaging and the work we do with business, government and our members. It’s amazing how, like many other businesses, our own organisation’s success is built on an approach that is reflective of how the very best events run.

Noea.org.uk

SWITCH IT UP

While many event organisers go to the same suppliers for ease and familiarity, switching up your supply chain options can have it’s advantages, to help reduce costs, discover new products, and even lower your business’ carbon footprint.

It’s natural to want to stick with what you know: “Making improvements to supplier relationships is something that is becoming more crucial for businesses,” says Ollie Brand, CEO at Zupa, a hospitality technology firm. “Historically, if you were looking for a product or service you would consider a range of supplier options. You would then likely choose the offering that delivers the best quality and most competitive prices, at that point in time, or you may base your selection on suppliers that are local to you. Whatever the deciding factor, once those suppliers are on board it is very easy to become complacent and to operate solely within those comfortable circles. Later down the line however, you may discover the agreement you have now, isn’t quite what it was when you first signed up and suddenly, you’re regularly overspending and losing control of your costs.”

The current financial environment means that businesses are looking to cut costs, however, the price is only one of many factors to consider: “Food inflation continues to be an issue, and this is only set to worsen, so this brings with it a number of challenges. Will the quality you receive be the same if you choose a less expensive supplier? What about food shortages, delivery times, and supplier reliability? Should you consider more national suppliers that are more cost effective or operate a larger network of delivery drivers? These are all questions businesses are wrestling with right now. The reality is, businesses do need to widen their supplier networks, both to expand their range of purchasing options, and to boost their powers of negotiation.”

Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa has recently switched up its supply chain to focus on local suppliers, as Commercial Director Amanda Brady explains: “Our North West location on the Formby coast is a key part of our resort DNA, and a significant selling point for leisure and corporate guests. With that in mind, curating a supply chain with a local ‘red' thread, particularly in food and beverage, has numerous benefits.

"Local suppliers, particularly in food and beverage, enable us to tell an authentic story and create greater meaning and purpose behind our events, all while adding significant value for guests and delegates through the quality it offers.”

If you are looking at a new supplier, always ensure that you’ve done your research before you head into discussions, it could also help with existing relationships: “Knowledge, and in this case data, is always power,” Ollie explains. “If you want to discuss price rises and discounts, you need access to intelligent, accurate data which can be accessed via the right procurement technology. For example, having access to supplier data nationally and being able to highlight the costs you would be paying (in real time) were you to move, might have a more tangible effect. Maintaining robust supplier relationships is vital and by presenting solid information there will be a much greater opportunity to negotiate, and you will have set a benchmark for communication and mutual cooperation in the future too.”

Better by Design

Advances in projection mapping technology are allowing The Projection Studio to produce incredible experiences for delegates.

Recent advances in entertainment technology have created a new markets for public entertainment. One of the most striking of these opportunities is projection mapping and its application to immersive experiences. Projection mapping involves projecting an image onto the already existing environment to create an entirely new visual experience combining both physical and virtual aspects.

Brighter, smaller projectors and more powerful media servers mean that these experiences are now able to be held in places which would

have been unthinkable a few years ago. It also means that projection mapping spectacular events has become more affordable.

As well as the technical aspect of installation, the creative process of designing the video and audio content is equally important. The Projection Studio is one of the few companies able provide to both aspects of the projection mapping process. Recently, the team worked with Castle Howard and York Minster to create stunning audio-visual experiences for visitors.

Theprojectionstudio.com

York Minster

York Minster made use of the organisation’s immersive projection capabilities during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The piece was named Platinum & Light and was projected onto the ceiling of the nave and onto the structure’s renowned Great West Window. The projection helped to raise millions of pounds to help repair the minster’s stained glass windows. The piece lasted 15 minutes and was mapped to fit the architecture so that it seemed the building itself had come to life.

Castle Howard

The team created a projection to display on the interior of the Long Hall at Castle Howard, projecting an incredible festive display on to the ceiling. The display was part of the castle’s attractions for two months and impressed over 65,000 people. This site presented a unique challenge as the castle is a heritage site, meaning that nothing could be attached to the walls. The team found a clever work around by placing projectors on existing furniture, thus protecting the building and making the projection more immersive.

North in Brief

ESSA Appoints New Chair and Vice Chair

Marija Erzen has been elected as Chair and Rob Brackstone as Vice Chair of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) – the trade body representing the best contractors and suppliers to the UK events industry.

Talking about her vision for ESSA, Marija said: “We have seen the launch of numerous fantastic initiatives and have made significant headway regarding our representation within government, I am committed to keeping this momentum going.

“Membership growth is high on my list of priorities which works in tandem with ESSA’s Refer a Member and Use an ESSA Member schemes, both of which I am a huge advocate. I look forward to working with Rob, the ESSA Board and the secretariat to cultivate our strong and united voice.”

Rob Brackstone, on his appointment said: “I’m still pinching myself that I’ve been elected as Vice Chair, but I’m confident my beliefs and values will help support Marija. I want us to shout from rooftops about our members’ success across many fields and celebrate their work, all of which is delivered to high standards on a global scale.”

Eastwood Hall and Sedgebrook Hall Refurbishments

The Venues Collection has completed extensive refurbishments of two of its conference and training venues – Eastwood Hall in Nottingham and Sedgebrook Hall in Northampton.

Both venues have benefitted from the refurbishment of all lounges, bars, and restaurants. Sedgebrook Hall’s 103 bedrooms are all now fully refurbished and its three main meeting rooms –the Oak, Cedar, and Chestnut suites – have been fully renovated and modernised.

Eastwood Hall’s 100 bedrooms are fully refurbished, and its main meeting room–the Chatterley suite– has also been renovated while the remaining event spaces have benefitted from a light refresh.

Joanne Barratt, Managing Director of The Venues Collection said: “We have invested heavily in both venues since acquiring them in 2018 to bring bedrooms and meetings spaces up to the standard expected at The Venue Collection. We are committed to the continual investment in our properties to ensure they are always modern, welcoming, and relaxing spaces for our delegates and guests.”

Double recognition for Wyboston Lakes Resort at Greengage Sustainability Awards

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort and Sustainability Director of beam has been recognised as Sustainability Industry Champion at Greengage Sustainability Awards.

Announcing the award, Andrew Perolls, Founder and CEO of Greengage, which provides independent advice on sustainability to the travel and events sector said: Louisa “tirelessly campaigns for sustainability in events and venues and is a great supporter of sustainability accreditation. She is always happy to help those who haven’t reached so far on their sustainability journey and frequently shares her experience through industry association events and panel sessions.”

Louisa Watson commented: “This was a marvellous surprise and a wonderful honour for me and Wyboston Lakes Resort. I’d like to thank Greengage for the tremendous recognition, my colleagues, and the beam action group who have supported me.”

Wyboston Lakes Resort recently announced a four year Green Energy Roadmap in its plan to become selfsufficient by producing its own green energy. It plans to use the natural resources available at the Resort, which will help to achieve its Net Zero Carbon Emissions target.

Event Technology Awards Judges Announced

Kathryn Frankson (fintech show Money 20/20), Julieanna Gray (Director of live strategy at Forbes), and Ksenija Polla (ICCA’s director for North America), will be among the judges for the Event Technology Awards (ETA) – The People and The Event Technology Awards 2023.

Alongside other Founder/Director level representatives from the likes of Chorus, Blackrock, Waves Connects, Bloomberg, Forbes and Informa, the judges will rank and order submissions for the categories submitted this year.

Adam Parry, Co-Founder of the Event Technology Awards, commented: “A whole lot of responsibility and hard work comes with the judge’s handle and, once again, we have assembled some of the best in the tech business.”

Nominations for ETA are now open. The results will be revealed The Event Technology Awards entries will open in April and winners will be announced at ExCeL London on 15th November.

Energy Sapping

As the government announces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the majority of the industry will cease to receive aid on 31st April.

Ever since the beginning of the energy crisis brought on by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, venue owners across the Midlands, North, and Scotland have been struggling to afford the massive spike in energy costs. Some stability was provided by the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) which started on 1st October 2022 and ends on 31st March 2023.

This will be replaced by the similarsounding Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) due to run for a full year from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, but the government will be cutting its overall support by twothirds which could see a big jump in prices for many venues and suppliers.

Chief Executive of the Meetings Industry Association, Kerrin MacPhie, explains the importance of the initial scheme: “The announcement that the rate of energy bill support will be reduced from 1st April 2023 provides yet another blow for the sector, which has started the year facing fresh uncertainty once more.

“For many, the support package offered by government has served as their organisation’s life support amid a series of events impacting the sector’s performance. Current energy costs are simply unsustainable, and for a sector that is already experiencing a decrease in demand, merely passing on these costs to counteract them simply isn’t achievable. This will have a devastating effect on operators, many of whose hard-earnt financial reserves have already been depleted.”

The current scheme costs the government £18 billion while the new one will only be around £5.5 billion. The current scheme

caps the price of energy, which means the maximum price businesses pay now is £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) or 21.1p per kilowatt hour (KWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh or 7.5p per KWh for gas. Without the government support they would be paying around three times more for electricity and more than double for gas.

While the new EBRS policy might seem like the government making the best of a bad situation, it’s important to note that the majority of event industry businesses and venues do not qualify for support from the scheme, as the government intends it to focus on “energy and trade intensive” businesses. This sad revelation comes as the newest in a long series of instances of the government overlooking the events industry for relief packages and minimising its importance to the UK economy.

However, there are some venues such as historical buildings and those which operate as charities may be eligible for support under the new scheme, as Kerrin states: “Under the government’s new Energy Bill Relief Scheme, a higher level of support will be provided to businesses deemed ‘energy and trade intensive’ based on the Standardised Classification Code (SIC) system. Organisations such as historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions who host business meetings and events will be eligible for the larger support package based on their SIC. This once again raises the need for organisations within the sector to classify themselves under one consistent code, whereby the sector can be recognised in its own right and not simply unconsidered from government support packages.”

OUTDOOR LED CINEMA SCREENS

• All of our stages are

running on solar batteries for up to 8 hours in all weather.

• All stages can be set up in around an hour, requiring no time-consuming build on-site and making us a great option for when time is of the essence.

• We have a well-stocked warehouse should you require backline/DJ equipment etc.

• Designed and manufactured in-house, the stages come with lighting, PA and sound system built in so you don't need to worry about the essential extras.

• Unlike other suppliers, our stages arrive in one vehicle, with one crew member. This cuts our carbon footprint even further.

Green Machine

The Stage Bus Director, Andrew Teverson, discusses sustainable engineering for the events industry.

Sustainable engineering, the process of designing or operating systems so that they use energy and resources sustainably, is on the rise throughout the world as humanity becomes increasingly aware of the effect that industry has on the planet. The Stage Bus, owned and operated by Andrew Teverson, is bringing the practice to the events industry in the form of portable, solar powered stages.

One major roadblock in the way of widespread solutions however is people’s perception of the technology, as Andrew demonstrates: “We’ve been doing solar powered stages for over 10 years now. The biggest challenge originally was that no one believed it was possible, and secondly, the technology didn’t really exist. And what did exist was incredibly expensive. Our original stage was designed around understanding energy efficiency. People are very bad at understanding how much power different things use, even people in the industry. About seven years ago we were doing an event where Peter Andre was performing. His sound guys showed up and insisted that they needed a 32 amp supply to plug in his sounds desk. In reality, there were about four or five amps of power needed.” This over-estimating of the power necessary often leads to event organisers overlooking more sustainable solutions as they incorrectly believe that such technology will not have the capacity to run their event.”

green has become fashionable. Ten years ago people might like to pretend they were green but they wouldn’t pay any more money for it but now you’re starting to get to the point where a lot of big organisations have sustainability as a consideration when they are looking to book services. Secondly, the technology is much better known nowadays. People see it around and it’s used for other things, so it’s not completely alien to event organisers. And lastly we’ve been doing this for ten years, so when you get people who go: ‘well, it won’t work’ we can show all of the events we’ve done where it has.”

Developments have moved significantly over the years, and will likely do so in the future: “In 2006, I went to the Big Green Gathering, which had battery powered stages, and it was a bit of a joke to be honest,” Andrew confides. “They had two lorries of batteries to power a stage that could have been powered off of a diesel generator I could lift. It was a green nonsense in the grand scheme of things. I wrote this off at that point, but five years in newer technology started to make a difference. Things like LED lighting and Class B amplification made energy usage more efficient and made it possible to supply events from green energy sources.”

With such great leaps made in the viability of this technology in such a short time, it is likely that we will see further advances and widespread future usage throughout the events industry.

In spite of this misconception, the use of sustainable solutions at events has seen an increase in recent years as the industry becomes more aware of its effect of the environment: “You do still occasionally get questions like: ‘what happens if there’s no sun?’ but there are three things that have changed. One is that being

Sustainable engineering is not only good for the environment, it has other advantages for event organisers: “Without generators, you don’t have to deal with noise pollution, as solar powered technology runs much more quietly. Generators can also be dirty and smelly, which isn’t the case with sustainable technology. And they can often be unreliable, even the most expensive generators seem to go wrong constantly. I don’t know what it is about them but they’re a complete nightmare!”

On Screen

Claire Fennelow, Executive Director of EVCOM, discusses the growing demand for video content surrounding events.

At EVCOM we represent both the corporate film and the corporate events sectors and give the even split of our members the tools to provide organisers with knowledge and expertise. When two membership associations merged to form EVCOM, people were surprised by the union between film and events. But more and more we are seeing the two sectors crossover and work together.

Our members are reporting that clients aren’t just asking for individual events. They want full campaigns around an event, including video content for social media platforms and their website, plus filmed content taken from the day itself to be shared following the event. In this digital age, attendees and consumers expect

moving image, engage with moving image, respond best to it. We’ve seen that in the rise of TikTok, as well as Instagram’s move to prioritise video content in the form of reels. Video content is therefore often embedded into both the marketing campaign and the event itself, perhaps in the form of a welcome video or an educational piece.

During the pandemic we saw a huge rise in online events. At first these were often delivered blurrily via Zoom with strange camera angles and bad lighting. Now the standard has risen to TV style broadcasts for some events, a level of quality that requires filmmaking skills. And the online option remains popular, especially with companies that operate globally and

can save on the climate cost of flights by bringing people together without asking them to travel across the world.

With such a reliance on video content, your clients’ need for more holistic campaigns and the rise of virtual events makes this the perfect time for the film world and the events world to collaborate. The meeting of these two skillsets could allow both sectors to expand together, in really exciting directions.

Evcom.org.uk

High Standards

Andrew Harrison, Director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), outlines the vision for the trade body in 2023 and why members will be better placed to deliver.

The whirlwind of the past three years, which has seen the events industry swing on a pendulum, has underlined the importance of leadership and the support ESSA provides.

ESSA’s annual conference highlighted the importance of effective leadership where good leaders help create the right environment to facilitate great input, which in turn can lead to resoundingly positive output where the rewards speak for themselves. It all starts with the power of listening.

At ESSA, we have listened to our members’ pain points and have worked hard on further developing our training and education proposition, improving our representation at government level, helping tackle the talent shortage and much more for 2023. Everything we do is centred around our four key pillars simply designed to benefit members.

With the Events Industry Alliance, we continue to lead and represent business events at government to ensure better advocacy and recognition. Additionally, alongside our members, we have conducted extensive research covering all aspects that

affect our industry. The result is a report called ESSA’s Asks which will serve as our 2023 blueprint to benefit all stakeholder groups.

ESSA Accredited is still the only industry-specific health & safety and sustainability accreditation. We enable our members to stay on a path of continual improvement so they can lead the way when it comes to raising industry standards. Collectively, our community of members are responsible for driving growth and taking the supply chain to new levels. Put simply, more ESSA members equals a better sector with higher standards. We strive to offer value to our members in multiple ways, in particular with training and always seek to expand and evolve in this area, starting with certified in-person regional training on sustainability in February followed by D&I training.

With ESSA members at the helm, we have big ambitions to rebuild better and drive industry growth this year.

Essa.uk.com Essa.uk.com

All show. All the time.

Dis cover and get more done in Smar tEvent RSVP less time than ever before

Public & Pers onnel Managemen t :

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• Advanced tools et for all invitation, RSVP, and ticketing process es.

• Advanced tools et for all contractors, crew, and both on- and off-site pers onnel.

• Key Features & Benefit s:

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• Plan, organis e, manage , and automate using a real-time interface

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• Access controls, for single and multiple points, including VIP/back stage areas and parking.

• Feature rich adminis tration tools.

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• Transform mobile experiences using digital journe ys to manage , track , and trace audiences.

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• Mess age and respond to platform us ers live, or through timed or trigger mechanisms.

• Paperless, fully functional digital ticketing elimina tes print costs and ticket fraud.

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• Cashless vouchering and trans actions for all us ers, including vendors.

And Action!

Sara and David Morris, Directors of Relocatable Structures, showcase how the business goes above and beyond to meet client needs.

Sara and David Morris, Directors of Relocatable Structures have been providing marquee structures since March 1993. Having been in the industry for so many years, both directors have an incredible amount of knowledge and experience on all aspects of relocatable temporary space solutions. Being highly motivated and together with their long-term partners they continually work to develop new innovative bespoke structures for a variety of applications, while ensuring that projects are affordable, achievable, and deliverable.

Relocatable have extensively worked within the TV and film industry, hiring marquee structures for events, on location, and even film studios. In 2021, the business worked with ITV to supply and install a number of semi-permanent solutions, which included stage sets and semi-permanent workshops for props and storage.

The brief stated that the set structures should be black inside to enable the production company to control the light while filming. Due to film set dimensions, consideration had to be given with regards to the internal ridge and eave heights of the structures. The requirement was to purchase three structures of different sizes, heights, and finishes. The material that was chose to fill this brief included aluminium framed walls with thermo roofs and 40mm insulated cladding.

On-site meetings were conducted, CAD drawings were produced, specifications proposed, structural engineer drawings supplied, and planning permissions submitted. In early January 2022, the planning permission was granted, and the project build commenced the following month. The Relocatable installation crew took just six weeks to complete the build of all three structures. ITV were suitably impressed, and have since already asked the team back for more projects.

The team are currently working on their client’s event requirements for 2023. These include the hire of temporary structures for air shows, festivals, graduations, trade shows and corporate hospitality, to name just a few.

Relocatable hold a vast stock of modular, clear span, aluminium framed structures in widths ranging from 2m to 25m. Supporting ancillaries such as suspended floor systems, optional solid insulated walling, glazing, glass doors, together with luxurious contemporary interiors are also available.

0800 731 4007

sm@relocatable-structures.co.uk

Situated in a prime location in the South East of England, close to London and major transport links, Bisham Abbey is a unique setting for any meeting or conference.

Discover our state of the art hybrid office & meeting space or explore the Abbey, a Grade I listed building overlooking the River Thames.

bookings.bisham@serco.com

Built in 1831, Lilleshall House stands in Grade II listed grounds, located in Shropshire, centrally located and easily accessible with good transport links.

Our Main House offers newly refurbished elegant rooms, with a range of conference & meeting spaces to accommodate events of all sizes.

Bisham Village, Marlow Road, Bisham, Marlow, SL7 1RR Tel: 01628 476911

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

Experience the Exceptional

Conference Leeds highlights why you should be holding your next event in Leeds.

To connect with our city is to experience the exceptional. Leeds is one of the top conference destinations in the UK and it’s easy to see why. Conference organisers choose Leeds time and again not only for the wealth of exceptional conferencing venues but its vibrant and eclectic cultural offering and plenty of delegate experiences unique to Leeds.

For delegates visiting Leeds for a conference, meeting or event, there’s so much more to see, do and experience outside of the conference room. The epicentre of the modern North, Leeds is an exciting city with a unique offering that gives the opportunity to dive into local life, to get caught up in the heritage, sport, and culture that the city is built on and experience the best it has to offer.

No matter where they stay, what they see, who they meet, and where they go, they’ll find a city brimming with energy and culture. Getting here is easy; located in

the heart of the UK, at the centre of road and rail networks and only two hours from London by train. The only difficult part is deciding how many new experiences and discoveries to pack in. And this year's events line-up will ensure that delegates experience the city of Leeds like never before.

If you’re organising a conference or event in 2023 then you’ll be here when Leeds celebrates its year of culture. Delegates can immerse themselves in creative experiences to celebrate Leeds’ identity, with everything from dance to design, art to architecture, poetry to pop, sculpture to sport and grassroots community theatres to performances in the city’s varied venues.

Leeds 2023 Year of Culture has been elevated by the existing thriving cultural offering of the city. With an exciting programme of curated events designed to let culture loose, the whole city is a stage; emerging and exciting, vibrant,

and energetic with a vibe you won’t experience anywhere else. Enjoy truly unique food and drink experiences, experience a shoppers’ paradise whether you’re a designer devotee or a champion of independents, visit historic country house estates or get outside and breathe the fresh air of the Yorkshire Dales that are just on our doorstep. Boutique hotels, bustling independent restaurants, and cosy, traditional pubs.

Vibrant nightlife, breath-taking performances, and stunning architecture. Rolling countryside, and manicured parkland. It’s all right on the doorstep.

We don’t do off-the-shelf conferences, and we’re not an off-the-shelf city. Each and every visitor discovers something new and experiences something special.

Conference Leeds, the conferencing bureau for the city of Leeds, offers a free and impartial service to assist delegates in experiencing the exceptional. To explore your options ahead of your next conference, visit Conferenceleeds.co.uk/enquire

PHOTO: EMMA KAULDHAR

PHOTO: HEATHER WHISTON

PHOTO: HAREWOOD HOUSE TRUST AND LEE BEEL

We meet Phil Hackett, GM of Leicester's King Richard III Visitor Centre, to find out why the incredible venue should be considered by event planners.

Hi Phil, give us an insight into your background, and how you got here.

I have been fortunate enough to have been working in heritage and culture, managing visitor attractions for the last thirty something years, so there is a lot to tell, starting off here in Leicester decades before Richard III had been rediscovered.

I managed Leicester Museum & Art Gallery before heading off to manage Wollaton Hall and Park in Nottingham, I then took over the West Midlands region, then the Heart of England region (East & West Midlands) and finally the East Territory for English Heritage, managing all of their properties over the years. Travelling back and forth across the country managing numerous castles, abbeys, palaces, ancient monuments, and World Heritage Sites it was hard work but a fascinating time. I was then introduced to Richard III when I became the Chief Executive of Shakespeare Country the Destination Management Organisation for South

Warwickshire, and then I became CEO of Farnham Castle, the Bishop of Winchester’s Palace. I felt I had done my bit for heritage by that time and took a bit of a sabbatical and went back to University to study Fine Art for three years at the University of the Creative Arts and De Montfort University, and when the opportunity came up to manage the visitor attraction about such a significant historical moment in my home town, one that I couldn’t have dreamt would exist when I started my career, I leapt at the chance.

The King Richard lll Visitor Centre has a great story to tell, hasn’t it?

It really does, the history about the life, short reign as King of England and Lord of Ireland, and the early death of Richard III is fascinating, he was the last English King to die in battle, the first to be DNA tested and his death is considered to bring about the end of the medieval period. It was a significant period of medieval English history, bringing about the end of the Plantagenet royal line, the beginning of the end of the Wars of the Roses that had ravished the country for thirty years, and the start of the infamous Tudor period. Add to that the incredible archaeological detective story undertaken by Philippa Langley and John Ashdown-Hill, with support from the

Richard III Society and the University of Leicester Archaeology Services, known as the ‘Looking For Richard Project’. They rediscovered Richard III’s remains in 2012, 527 years to the day after he was buried and subsequently lost from the historical records, the mythology was that he had been exhumed during the dissolution of the monasteries, during Henry VIII’s reign and his remains tossed into the River Soar. The story of his rediscovery is told in our exhibition but has recently been immortalised in the film ‘The Lost King’. It would be unbelievable if it hadn’t really happened, you can also see the actual grave site of Richard III, preserved under a glass viewing floor, in an award-winning purpose-built memorial building on site.

I also read about the new digital displays that show a reconstruction of Greyfriars Precinct where King Richard’s body was found?

The King Richard III Visitor Centre is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Richard III’s rediscovery and reinterment, back then little was known about the Greyfriars Precinct, the Friary where Richard III was buried over 500 years ago. After his discovery an archaeological dig was undertaken by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services to understand the layout of the medieval friary, and the very latest research is now presented in a new digital display that travels through time to show how the grave site has changed over half a millennium. Starting back in August 1485 with a reconstruction of the Greyfriars

was some of the most cutting-edge technology and scientific research to prove with 99.999% accuracy that in 2013 the remains found were indeed those of Richard III the last Plantagenet King of England. Then in 2014 just 18 months after his remains had been discovered the King Richard III Visitor Centre opened to the public, and in 2015 the world watched on as Richard III was reinterred in Leicester Cathedral. We are marking these events and many others all the way through to March 2025.

Food & Drink Accolade from Visit England, one of only nine attractions in the country to be recognised for their food and drink offer, while our education services have been awarded both the Sandford Award Quality Assurance for Heritage Education and the Quality Badge mark from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

We have also been awarded Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Leicestershire Tourism Awards, History Museum of the Year at the Luxury Travel Guide Awards, and Visitor Centre of the Year by E2 Star Media. We have kept our prices at pre-pandemic levels, with an excellent delegate rate, and we always look after the meeting host, tour guide and/or coach operator.

A King’s Feast

Precinct where Richard III’s remains were laid to rest in a hastily cut grave with little pomp or ceremony. Through to the archaeological dig of 2013 in the now infamous car park, showing exactly where Richard III was found and how they were able to confirm the Greyfriars Precinct size and position. The display has been created using the research and expertise of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services and local digital storytellers Heritage Interactive.

Can you tell us more about the ongoing 10th anniversary celebrations?

The royal history of this country was changed forever on that day in August 2012. Unknown at the time, King Richard III’s remains were the first archaeological remains discovered in the very first trench dug, on the first day, just 6 hours into the two-week planned excavation almost exactly where Philippa Langley had a feeling he would be?! But the amazing story didn’t end there, what followed

Will the Centre be honouring the King’s coronation?

The coronation of a King (George VI being the last) has not happened in this country for 86 years and Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was almost 70 years ago, so for many this will be the first time witnessing the spectacle of what is very much a medieval ceremony practiced at Westminster Abbey since 1066 with both Harold II and William the Conqueror being coronated in that year. We are offering fantastic prices for visitors and we will be celebrating all things coronation for both KRIII and KRIII throughout the month of May.

For our event planners, tell us more about the corporate event offer and what stands you apart?

We offer an award-winning event space as well as access to the award-winning exhibition, in 2022 we were recognised as the Best Museum or Gallery at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards. Our White Boar Café was awarded the Quality

We offer day rates, half day rates, hourly rates, evening rates, room hire only rates or excellent catering, and can organise that separately if you need. All on the site where a King lay buried for over half a millennium.

Contact the dedicated bookings coordinators to talk through your bespoke event requirements.

KRlll.co.uk

Mersey Side

It’s not hard to see why Liverpool is a popular destination to hold conferences and events. Offering a rich cultural heritage, lively atmosphere and a wide range of facilities, it’s the perfect place for events of every shape and size. Reasons that no doubt contributed to the decision that Liverpool would host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine in May 2023 – one of the biggest global events the city has hosted since it was awarded Capital of Culture in 2008.

Liverpool is no stranger to welcoming a range of unique events to its Mersey shores. The city has recently offered its hosting facilities to The Turner Prize competition at Tate Liverpool and the World Gymnastics Championships 2022 at the M&S Bank Arena to great success, broadcasting the best of what the city does around the world. River Of Light, the city’s annual light festival along the Waterfront brought together the best of Liverpool’s creative minds showcasing work from around the world in iconic locations. 2022 also saw the inaugural Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux food and drink festival collaborate with Bordeaux Wines to combine beautiful wines with Liverpool’s eclectic hospitality sector across the city. A show stopping wine tasting experience in the grand Liverpool Town Hall and chef demonstrations in what the local’s call, The Bombed Out

Explore what’s drawing event organisers to Liverpool ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest later this year.

Church, offered a fine example of how spaces can be adapted across the city.

Aside from the city’s cultural events offering, incredible things happen across the region for a broad range of conferences. Liverpool has a plethora of modern conference centres, hotels, exhibitions spaces and unique venues that can accommodate events of all sizes. Looking for an event space in a Grade II listed building? No problem. A meeting space with state-of-the-art technology? Take your pick. With experts working across the sector owning years of experience and knowledge in what will work best for your event, you’re in safe hands.

Venues range from the 11,000 capacity M&S Bank Arena to its sister venues at ACC Liverpool and the Exhibition Centre, who are looking forward to hosting a range of conferences in 2023 including the European Calcified Tissues Society Annual Congress. RCP Spaces at the Spine in the Knowledge Quarter will welcome

the Association of Dental Education in Europe while Liverpool Cathedral, Anfield Stadium, National Museums Liverpool and the University of Liverpool have also hosted a diverse selection of events in 2022 with more planned for the years ahead.

Liverpool is also an ideal destination for conferences in specific fields such as sports, maritime and shipping, and life sciences. With two major football clubs and a rich history of maritime trade, the city is also home to major research institutions such as the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Ambassadors involved in the Club Liverpool programme share their expertise in these fields and use their passion to help bring more events and conferences to the city.

Getting to and navigating around the city region is also a selling point for the destination. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is conveniently located 25 minutes outside

Continued on page 42

PHOTO: ANT CLAUSEN

Exclusive Venue Hire

• Centrally located near Liverpool ONE

• Perfect for corporate away days or breakfast and lunch meetings, with the option of a creative twist!

• Seats 20 boardroom-style, 30 workshopstyle, 40 theatre-style

• Amenities include TV with HDMI connection, fast Wi-Fi, air conditioning, flipchart and disabled access

• Catering packages available from café, with special options

our

Day by Day

Ritchie Nield, Key Account Manager at production, AV and live events specialist MSP Global, lets us in on his working day.

I’m normally up early for the 30-minute journey to our head office, located a few furlongs away from the world-famous Aintree Racecourse. The morning’s radio news is dominated by Liverpool’s plans for Eurovision, which sparks tremendous excitement in me both personally and professionally. A global festival of live music and culture – where better to host it than in my hometown!

A handful of team members are already on site when I arrive, gathering equipment and reviewing job sheets, while the Good Morning Britain broadcast team have already left to support today’s show. Now is the opportunity to check in, run through any pressing updates and understand any upcoming challenges in the coming days.

With any client event, the real hard work takes place at the planning stage, working with the client to not only understand their brief, but to find ways to exceed their expectations, think of creative solutions and troubleshoot in advance. We are one-stop shop for clients, including creating video and audio content, and clients value our flexibility and attention to detail. Today a team

has just departed for the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool, where a client is hosting its annual awards for hundreds of employees from across various sites. With set-up well underway, I call into the venue for a quick catch up with the client. We know our teams will deliver, but I like to stay in touch with clients to ensure they’re feeling good about their event, check over their running order and identify any last-minute needs. We just want everything to run perfectly to plan, it’s a vast space, but I’m proud of how the team has adapted a blank canvas and creatively redesigned the stage set, screens and rigging to ensure the room still feels intimate and welcoming. It’s amazing to think the glitz and glamour of Eurovision will soon be taking over this space.

The event is looking and sounding incredible, so I take the opportunity for a quick walk along the waterfront, where the fresh air and stunning scenery fill my senses. It’s important to live in the moment whenever you can.

I then return to the office for a Zoom meeting with NEXO, with whom we’ve just invested a significant investment in their PEO M10 and P+

speaker system, a North West first. They’re based in Paris, part of the Yamaha Corporation, and have a worldwide reputation for highspecification audio equipment used at live events globally, including conferences, public spaces, and sports stadia.

The conversation turns to Eurovision and how it’s a wonderful opportunity for our city to once again be in the world’s musical spotlight, and a great privilege to stand in for Ukraine. As engineers and technicians, we’re excited for our friends at ACC Liverpool as they undertake this mammoth endeavour and we know it will be a huge success.

I emerge to find a client arriving for her latest session in our in-house studio. She’s recording a seminar on inclusion and diversity and will be speaking live to contributors in situ and via video link.

As another crew is leaving to support a live arts event nearby I drive away with Band On The Run as my chosen track, I reflect on the wonderful relationships we have built with clients and staff and what lies ahead in the coming months.

Reset & Recharge

Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is offering one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight stay for two worth over £350.

Settled among 200 acres of parkland along the North West Coast, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is a luxurious escape for business or pleasure. The decadent hotel houses 76 spacious bedrooms, from double and twin rooms to indulgent loft suites, an awardwinning spa and an 18-hole golf course.

Its four luxurious private event rooms, the Ambassador, Diplomat, Links, and Parkland suites, offer possibilities for events from intimate gatherings to large parties. They include the latest audiovisual technology and are designed for both conferences and social events. The countryside location ensures a tranquil setting for outdoor cocktail receptions, team building activities, or even a barbecue on The Patio.

With a capacity of 300 guests, the Ambassador Suite is the largest event space in the hotel. Ideal for banqueting or larger meetings, the suite has an

adjoining Private Terrace, plenty of natural light, large LCD screens for laptop presentations, and is fully air conditioned for the hot summer months. However, if you’re looking to host a small event, the Parkland suite boasts an intimate loft room setting with views across the golf course and plush sofas and armchairs.

Formby Hall offers private dining and can create a bespoke menu to fit your needs. Indulgent food and drink options include al fresco dining on the patio, afternoon tea, refreshing drinks at The Fairway Bar, and an à la carte menu at The Fairway Grill.

After a long day, unwind at Formby Hall’s award-winning spa, offering ESPA treatments such as facials and massages to reset and recharge. It’s thermal heaven spa facilities also include a Himalayan Salt Sauna, a Rasul mud steam room, and a 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool.

Formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk

For your chance to win an overnight stay for two in a Golf terrace room, including breakfast, dinner in The Fairway Grill, one 50-minute spa treatment per person, access to the Spa with robes and slippers, and ESPA goody bag, answer the following question:

How many metres is the heated swimming pool at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa?

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 number, and email address. The winners will be randomly selected on the closing date: 21st April 2023

Terms and conditions apply: Prize is nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in H&E North Magazine and terms and conditions apply: Prize is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. When entering the competition online you have the option to not be entered in H&E North Magazine and Formby Hall databases in order to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

Who would have predicted just five years ago what a torrid time the UK hospitality and events industries have faced – and for many it is not over yet. With the government coffers at rock bottom, it leaves little scope for government intervention but when he stands up to present the Spring Budget there are some actions the Chancellor could take to make life just a little easier for businesses.

Firstly, let’s have a moratorium on all but critical legislation that has cost implications for businesses such as the planned packaging taxes. Not only will they be costly for business but also for consumers.

Call for Action

Jim Winship, Secretary of The Events Industry Forum, explores how the government can still aid businesses during this difficult financial period.

My second ask would be to extend the time allowed for repayment of COVID loans. It will cost nothing but ease the cash flow of many.

Another action that would reassure as much as anything would be to empower Ofgem to investigate energy prices, particularly through the distribution network. In these times there should be no scope for excessive profiteering by suppliers or network operators.

On a more controversial note, easing of immigration controls for temporary workers and removing these from the immigration figures as they are misleading. There is a big difference between those who seek to permanently relocate to the UK and those that simply want to work here for a couple of years and who many of our businesses

desperately need.

If the UK is to rise out of its economic doldrums, we need businesses to flourish and grow. Rising costs, shortages of staff, and depressed consumer confidence (and spending) do not result in the growth our country needs. Business has been the butt of government policy for too long. Our message to government should be give us the support we need, and we will give you the growth and revenues to put the UK economy back on track.

You can support this by urging your local Member of Parliament to press the Chancellor on these issues and better support businesses.

Eventsindustryforum.co.uk

Continued from page 36

the city centre and offers many direct flights around Europe and connecting flights through Frankfurt with Lufthansa, making for a smooth journey into the city. Manchester Airport also services the city with long haul flights and is only 40 minutes from Liverpool. The walkability factor of Liverpool is a huge selling point too. Taking only 25 minutes to walk across the city; train stations, hotels, restaurants, venues, and visitor attractions are all within walking distance of each other making your time in the city accessible and efficient.

Another advantage of Liverpool as a conference destination is its relatively low cost compared to other major UK cities. The cost of accommodation, food, and transportation are generally lower in Liverpool than in other major UK cities, making it a more affordable option for conference organisers and attendees. Whether delegates are looking for luxury or budget, there is something for everyone.

It’s not just all about the hard work either. A vast collection of activities for delegates to enjoy in their downtime adds to the attractiveness of Liverpool as an event destination, with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and cultural exploration. Famous for its music, art, architecture, the Fab Four and a thriving selection of food and drink, conference organisers and delegates can enjoy downtime and explore what the city region has to offer.

When it comes to events, 2023 will not only see Liverpool host Eurovision but will also

welcome a series of world-class events and new openings to the city. The Randox Grand National takes place in April, while the 12th edition of the Liverpool Biennial launches in June and the 151st Open returns to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July. New hotels including Radisson RED and MGallery will be hot spots to check out, whilst new restaurants, Gaucho, Hawksmoor, and Albert’s Schloss make for great additions to any itinerary.

Jennifer Jensen, Head of Business Tourism for Marketing Liverpool and Liverpool Convention Bureau said: “Liverpool is ideally located to offer a seamless

experience for event organisers; easily accessible from the UK and abroad, a compact and walkable city centre and a vast array of diverse venues. However, it's Liverpool's warm and friendly welcome, its vibrant and engaging atmosphere that really makes it stand out from its competitors. The experts at Liverpool Convention Bureau can help you every step of the way with their vast knowledge and passion for delivering successful events.”

You can find out more about the services Liverpool Convention Bureau provides at Liverpoolconventionbureau.com

PHOTO: MARKETING LIVERPOOL

On the Rise

As the Bank of England announces a rise in interest rates, we hear from Lionel Benjamin, Co-Founder at AGO Hotels, about the effect on the events industry.

On 2nd February, the Bank of England announced that interest rates would rise to 4%, a further 0.5%. This announcement comes after interest rates were raised from 3% to 3.5% just two months ago.

The Bank of England said of the rise: “The Committee has voted to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 4%, at this meeting. Headline CPI inflation has begun to edge back and is likely to fall sharply over the rest of the year as a result of past movements in energy and other goods prices. However, the labour market remains tight and domestic price and wage pressures have been stronger than expected, suggesting risks of greater persistence in underlying inflation.”

“The hike of interest rates to 4% may be a necessity to curb inflation, though the impact on the industry is not good news,” says Lionel Benjamin. After an unwelcome but necessary move for many events industry businesses, many are already struggling with the rising cost of operating:

“The sector is grappling with several challenges, specifically rising energy prices and third-party suppliers upping their prices in line with inflation. AGO Hotels have seen overall costs rise to an average of 43% from 36% over the last six months. Today’s announcement means a further tightening of the purse strings with spending needing to be managed particularly carefully, especially as these

additional costs cannot make their way to the consumer.”

The rise in interest rates will affect the industry on a massive scale – especially for those businesses just starting out – as investors become more hesitant to risk capital: “Interest rates are impacting deals in the market. There has been a slowdown in transactions as investors evaluate the impact of interest rates on the cost and

robust and weather this new challenge as it has so many others in recent years: “The sector held its own in 2022 with some record growth in rate and occupancy, this performance recovery may stall as we face uncertainty in the market and operational costs continuing to rise. However, the sector remains of significant interest to the long-term investors who understand the cyclical nature of the industry."

availability of debt. We are also seeing a debt funding gap as lenders adopt a view of declining real estate values versus prepandemic levels.”

However, despite the difficulty ahead, Lionel believes that the industry will remain

With a further rise in interest rates is on the cards later in the year, the events industry continues to face ongoing challenges since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest trial is one that the industry will weather like so many before it.

PHOTO: BANK OF ENGLAND

As the world’s first industrial city, Manchester’s identity is evolving, and it has a new story to tell. With flourishing sector strengths, refreshed priorities and a growing reputation as a top visitor destination, Greater Manchester is having a moment. It’s a city ready to bring vivacity, passion and classic Mancunian character to meetings and events of all shapes, sizes and sectors.

Recently named one of the top five meeting destinations in Europe by American Express Meetings & Events, Greater Manchester’s revolutionary past and pioneering plans to become a leader in sustainability, innovation and culture are positioning it as a game-changing city of the future. Creative thinking, ambition and radical ideas are ingrained in every inch of this city, and when combined with the hassle-free event planning support from the Manchester Convention Bureau, make it the perfect place to collaborate and exchange ideas that could change the world.

Expertise in health innovation, life sciences, digital capabilities, and advanced manufacturing form a natural part of the city’s DNA and have done for centuries. Greater Manchester split the atom, created the first electronic stored-program computer, and is the birthplace of wonder material, graphene. However, as a cityregion that doesn’t stand still, Greater Manchester is leading the transformation of these sectors to work for the next

A New Face

generation. Building a creative and digital hub and fast-forwarding advances in net-zero, green energy, revolutionary healthcare, and advanced materials means Manchester is once again at the forefront of a new industrial revolution.

The city-region is ready to solve this generation's biggest challenges. It recently made the CDP A-List and was named a Climate Action Leader. As the first city-region in the UK to set a science-

Venue Hire

Workshops for Real Change

Ashanti Bentil-Dhue, Founder & CEO of Good Soil Leaders, explores how to increase diversity within the events industry.

I became familiar with the hospitality and events industry a few years ago through my work as founder of Good Soil Leaders, an inclusion work culture and leadership development company. Part of our work is hosting events and workshops, and through my interaction with venues, organisers, and suppliers, I began to see that the event industry seemed to be wrestling with particular challenges around the lack of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI).

The willingness and desire for change were there, but the time and opportunity to come together and make a change was scarce. I began reaching out to forums and associations, and through the AEV I made contact with the Event Industry HR Working Group three years ago. Since then, we have been working together

on the specific challenges the industry is facing, with regular DEI workshops as the main focus of our activity. Workshops only work if the people in the room have the facts in front of them, so every workshop I hold starts with data. Bringing 15-20 decision-makers together in a room to make a change, means their decisions must be rooted in reality, and for the last DEI workshop, we started by looking at survey insights, to see if we could identify simple changes to make workplaces and roles more appealing.

disruption and uncertainty, there is a mass of talent and new thinking just waiting to get in.

The facts are concerning, and the risks of failing to implement effective DEI policies are substantial – not least a growing problem with recruitment. The industry must find ways to recruit a greater diversity of talent now because, while people may be leaving the industry after years of

The Bridgewater Hall MORE THAN MUSIC

There’s nothing more satisfying to me than guiding a workshop of professionals and HR practitioners from competing organisations toward solutions that will change the industry for the better. With the time and space to put their heads together and approach the challenges as a whole, great results are possible.

Aev.org.uk

Contact the Conferences & Events Team Tel: 0161 950 0000 Email: conferences@bridgewater-hall.co.uk www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

History in the Making

Manchester Cathedral is a stunning medieval venue which offers delegates an unforgettable experience.

It’s one of the oldest, most spectacular and spacious venues in the North. People who have attended events in Manchester Cathedral will never forget the experience as it is a stunning venue where medieval meets modern.

The cathedral is the oldest building in Manchester, dating back to 1421 and the reign of Henry V – almost 150 years before even Shakespeare was born – but is fully equipped for the 2020s and everyone who attends an event there waxes lyrical about it.

When this Grade I listed landmark was designed and built it was as a place of worship, but the architects unknowingly constructed a building that, 600 years later, can be split into a whole range of event spaces. And with sustainability so important, the venue is recognised as the greenest cathedral in Europe as the warmth inside is powered by a ground source heat pump.

For major events such as grand gala dinners, award ceremonies, brand launches, and fashion shows there is the awe-inspiring nave which has room for more than 1,100 people or can seat 940 for dinner. The usual number for such events is between 300 and 600 and there are downloadable seating plans on the website.

Despite its huge size, the acoustics are excellent, and the cathedral can provide audio visual experts to customise the lighting and sound for each event. It’s the widest nave in Europe, surrounded by stunning stained-glass windows and intricate, carved stonework.

There are also different places in the cathedral for smaller events, with the Regimental Chapel having room for 190 for dinner and the refectory which can take 80.

For more private events such as fine dining, the library has room for 50 while the Chapter House is small and intimate with space for 15.

Manchester Cathedral has a preferred list of suppliers to host any kind of event with corporate dining from Harvey Nichols or the Coriander Group headed by awardwinning Indian chef Lalit Sodhi. The venue also has a preferred list of mobile bars along with sound and vision experts, but it can also be hired as a blank space for you to use your own suppliers to impress your delegates.

Delegate transport isn’t an issue, as the cathedral has links to nearby hotels and can provide discounted car parking.

Having such an iconic venue in the North means businesses from the area – and even further afield in the UK – won’t have to travel that far to host an event to impress anyone who attends.

The venue is now also getting international recognition. Global insurance federation ICMIF needed to relocate its biennial conference and dinner from Tokyo at short notice due to an earthquake and chose Manchester Cathedral to host the event.

ICMIF events Vice-President, Yvonne Hautenne, said: “We found the absolutely and unexpectedly perfect venue in Manchester Cathedral. The evening was stunningly spectacular. With the backdrop of the elegantly gothic and beautifully illuminated cathedral around us, the scene was set for the most successful and enjoyable evening I’ve ever been involved with.

“All of our delegates from all over the world were amazed, awestruck and truly honoured to spend such an entertaining evening in magnificent surroundings.”

The cathedral can provide modern audio-visual equipment including a digital projector, a presentation point for laptop computers, a slide projector, screen, and an overhead projector. And with easy access for production companies, it’s a hassle free venue for the event planner.

Manchester Cathedral is one of the best examples worldwide of an age-old venue reinventing itself for the modern world in spectacular style.

Contact Anthony O'Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development on 07713 388474 or beapartofit@ manchestercathedral.org

Manchester Cathedral Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX Manchestercathedral.org/hire-thecathedral

CREATE SOMETHING UNFORGETTABLE

Opening June 2023

Host to a year-round programme of the world’s best arts, music and culture events and home of Manchester International Festival, Factory International is also available for private and corporate hire.  Offering up to 13,200m2 of flexible indoor and outdoor space and accommodating up to 5,000 people, creativity and innovation can be found in every corner of this new, landmark venue. Whether you are planning a dinner, product launch, awards ceremony or something entirely unique, Factory International is your blank canvas to create unforgettable moments.

Scan the QR code or email our events team at events@factoryinternational.org to plan your next event.

factoryinternational

@factoryintl

@factory_international

factoryinternational

factoryinternational

@factoryinternational

based target to become carbon neutral by 2038, twelve years ahead of the government target, Greater Manchester is spearheading sustainability.

2023 is also set to be an exciting year for visitor economy, with the opening of many new attractions, restaurants, hotels, and cultural spaces. With an already infamous social, cultural and sporting scene, Manchester has always been celebrated for delegate downtime, and

Convention Bureau’s Accommodation Booking Service can help you find the perfect hotel for your attendees.

These openings have placed Manchester on some of the world’s most prestigious tourism watchlists. National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller and Time Out have all recognised the city as a must-visit destination for 2023.

As well as enhancing delegate downtime, the new openings will provide unique and exciting opportunities within the meetings and events sector, with extraordinary new spaces to add some Mancunian character to your event.

the Manchester Convention Bureau can help ensure you find the perfect activities for your conference. Delegates will never tire of its vibrant food scene, iconic venues, an abundant programme of live entertainment and vast array of museums, and with exciting plans for new venues and openings in 2023, the city is about to undergo a resurgence, making it an even more exciting destination. Recently, the city opened its first public park in over 100 years at Mayfield Park, the Manchester Art Gallery opened a new fashion gallery, and plans were unveiled for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest new indoor music arena, and Factory International, a huge new cultural hub and home of the Manchester International Festival. Additionally, new, unique hotels continue to launch, and the Manchester

Castlefield Viaduct, one of the city’s newest green spaces, is a former railway bridge transformed by the National Trust into an urban sky park. With stunning city-centre views and embracing Manchester’s industrial heritage, Castlefield Viaduct creates a magical, one-of-a-kind, afterhours event space. The revamped Manchester Museum will also provide an unforgettable event, with opportunities for drinks receptions and dinners surrounded by dinosaurs and ancient artefacts. Plus, Factory International will add a major large-scale creative space to the city totalling 13,350 sq. metres. With the ability to host events from conferences and exhibitions to standing receptions, product launches and intimate parties, the spaces at

Continued from page 44

Factory International can suit any vision but each will place you at the epicentre of Manchester’s creative scene, for unforgettable moments.

The bureau’s Venue Location Service can help you find a stand-out venue for your event no matter the size, sector or purpose and is already supporting over 80 events for 2023 and beyond. These include the European Conference in Graphene and 2D Materials 2023, Annual Congress of the EAHAD 2023 (European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders), ISPA 2023 (Congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts) and HYROX World Championships 2023. When planning an event, the Manchester Convention Bureau is on hand to support at all stages.

Stephanie Newton, Head of Business Tourism at the bureau says: “The next year is an incredibly exciting time for Greater Manchester, and the city-region has a real buzz around it. Luckily, planning a conference in Manchester couldn’t be easier with our experts on hand. The team can support from conception to completion, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience."

Get in touch with the Manchester Convention Bureau. Meetinmanchester. com for further information.

Space to Grow

When Jules France launched Space Meetings and Events in January 2020, she had no idea that the industry was about to be decimated by a pandemic. Quickly pivoting to offer virtual and hybrid events, the company not only remained viable, but flourished. Julie Burniston finds out more.

With a CV bursting with hospitality experience, Jules previously worked at a luxury hotel spa resort, as a freelancer in exhibition sales for the largest MICE exhibition outside of London and as a consultant for a former royal residence and a large, privately owned estate in North Yorkshire, it seemed only logical that she would go into business herself.

“I’d built up lots of connections and had a number of corporates that I still worked with from my hotel days that I was venue finding for, so I decided to set up on my own,” she explains.

Space M&E was registered in 2019 and launched to the industry in January 2020.

“Space M & E is a booking agent and full-service event agency offering venue finding, corporate accommodation bookings and sport team travel as well as a full planning service – AV/entertainment/ catering – using only trusted suppliers.

“We are a member of the AIEA (Association of Independent Event

Agencies), TIDS (Travel Industry Designator Service) and IATA, a programme which provides travel agents and sales intermediaries with a unique numeric code that facilitates the identification of travel sellers and their bookings in reservation systems worldwide.”

The company saves clients valuable time by eliminating the frustrating task of searching for venues. They benefit from negotiated corporate rates and Jules and her team book and manage all individual and group accommodation requirements, tailoring packages to suit specific requirements. With her new venture flying, Jules was devastated when COVID struck.

“Everything I’d worked towards had to be cancelled, but I wasn’t about to give up!’ she says. “We applied for funding, created a new website and worked on some key back of house stuff.”

Reacting quickly, Space offered virtual and hybrid events and set up a retail arm of the business to offer corporate gifting and engagement boxes. They also moved

into elite sport travel, acquiring several football teams – perfect for a football mad Jules!

Turning over a very healthy profit, even mid-pandemic, the company won The Best New Hospitality Business Award at the 2021 Best New Tees Business Awards and were shortlisted for the Best New Start Up at the Conference News Agency Awardsthat’s some going!

“I think the industry is still in a recovery phase,” admits Jules “There is more integration between the live and virtual now, with a lot of smaller meetings taking place online, but it’s clear that live events and in-person meetings are most definitely back. We certainly have a more agile business model post-pandemic.”

Jules’ passion remains large scale events. “We have an extensive portfolio of distinctive venues within the UK and Europe, providing variety and the wow factor and our unique insight means we can source, negotiate, and secure a variety of meeting venues to match your brief.

“We’ve held events in stadiums, 5* hotels, country houses and castles. One of my favourites was for Ferrari in an exquisite stately home in Yorkshire. Another was a stunning celebration event in Tuscany. We tend to partner with destination management companies when planning overseas events to ensure our clients get the best possible experience.”

Jules’ tip would always be to use an independent agent as they do all the hard work, save you time and money and provide both standardised terms and value-added benefits that you’d struggle to attain on your own.

For more information email jules@ spacemeetingsandevents.co.uk

On the Ball

The Teesside Charity Ball is the jewel in the region’s annual event crown. Julie Burniston reports.

With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the people of Teesside were desperate to party – so much so that tickets for the annual Teesside Charity Ball sold out in just 24 hours! Money raised from the event is used to support those most in need in the region, providing grants to other charities, community groups and organisations, and adding to the coffers of the Charity’s Hardship Fund.

The 2021 event may have been a hard act to follow, yet the interest in the 2022 Ball surpassed even the giddy heights of its decennial! The event’s growth has left Charity Manager and Organiser Diane Williamson, and her team of three - Mandy Shields, Jenny Williams and Sheila Nealwith a problem.

“We’d prefer to hold the event on Teesside, but there’s nowhere big enough for almost a thousand guests, so for the last few years we’ve chosen Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield,” she explains.

Hardwick’s Grand Marquee holds 1,200, has plenty of parking, good taxi access and on-site accommodation. The venue also has a great track record for large gatherings, having held successful events for over 30 years including the renowned Oyster and Lobster Festivals and the

Hardwick Festival - the biggest music festival in the Northeast.

The latest edition of the event was held on 22nd October. Planning had started immediately after the doors closed on 2021’s event, with Diane booking the venue and sending save the date emails to past participants and current supporters. By April, headline and other sponsors were secured, entertainment, AV and room décor booked, and invites had been sent – no mean feat considering the other work the team do.

Diane relies on Hardwick to cater the event. “The food is always fab. The stress we have is waiting for guests to provide dietary requirements or telling us on the day that they have vegetarians, or guests with allergies! Luckily Hardwick are brilliant and have never let us down.”

Other suppliers are chosen from a list of reliable local companies: “Isla Blooms from Middlesbrough arranged our room décor and balloon arches this year, using the colours from our logo (blue and orange), while the AV, entertainment and flash mob was left in the capable hands of Storm.”

Storm AV have years of experience in large scale events, providing sound, lighting equipment and visual effects for fundraisers, campaigns, and live music events across the region. They also provide

The Storm Band – made up of some of the North’s finest musicians. Chris Walton, Storm MD, steps up as MC.

As the event is all about fundraising, Diane and the team add to add to the profit made from ticket sales and sponsorship with a raffle, a live and silent auction and have an envelope draw on the night. They have also secured Barclays matched funding.

Of course, finding items for the auction and raffle takes months of prep: “It’s hard work!” admits Diane. “Our patrons and supporters generally provide prizes, while we get donations of framed artwork, sporting memorabilia and tickets to football matches for the silent auction. For the live auction we aim to for six items that money can’t buy, creating bespoke experiences using money or items given by various companies.

On the day of the event the team spends the day at the venue alongside volunteers (usually hubbies!), setting set up the tables and auction lots, and running through the script with Compere Chris.

Suffice to say, it’s a long and arduous day, but well worth the effort. The 2022 Ball raised an astonishing £63,500 for the charity – and as well as being thrilled with the thought of using the money to help so many good causes, there was an extra little moment to make this an event to remember for its organiser when she was proposed to at the height of the proceedings!

Not that Diane has much time to plan her wedding – it’s already on with the plans for the next ball this coming October!

To book tickets email diane.w@teessidecharity.org.uk Teesidecharity.org.uk

Checking In

Nicholas Hunter Rebrands

Hunter Operations is the refreshed face of the specialist eco-friendly name badge, lanyard and wristband supplier formerly known as Nicholas Hunter. Former chief Nicholas has now retired and is enjoying a well-earned break. After the rebrand, they continue to be the same family run business with Nicholas’ sons Roland and Hugo having taken the reins.

With a reputation for high quality badge, lanyard and wristband products and extensive print and production services, Hunter Operations has built a loyal customer base over many years supplying event organisers, marketing agencies, universities, charities and many more sectors. Their customers trust the safe hands of Hunter Operations to always deliver to their tight deadlines and unique event requirements.

Going forwards they are more dedicated than ever to developing their eco-friendly ranges of products and helping customers run more sustainable events. Keep an eye out in 2023 for their new products, which they deliver with the same high quality and dedication to excellent customer service as ever.

Performing Artistes Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Leading speaker bureau, Performing Artistes, celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a star studied dinner at the London Marriott, Grosvenor Square in January. Over 230 event professionals gathered to mark the milestone and were treated to a comedy showcase hosted by Tom Allen, with sets from Mat Ricardo, Olga Koch, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Andrew Maxwell. There was also a tribute to Mock the Week featuring Zoe Lyons, Hal Cruttenden, and Rory Bremner all taking part in a special round of “unlikely things to hear at a corporate event.”

The evening was attended by senior event people from organisations as diverse as BT, American Express, DRPG and Cheeerful Twentyfirst. Many of the keynote speakers Performing Artistes work with were also in attendance, including Oz Clarke, Feargal Sharkey, Natalie Gumede and Nicholas Owen. The event was produced by Vive Event Productions.

We share some of the latest news updates from the events industry across the North.

Commenting on the night, Managing Director JJ Jackson commented: “30 years seems like quite an achievement, so we were keen to push the boat out. It was brilliant to see so many leading lights of the industry sharing in our celebrations, and it was humbling to be joined by so many speakers and well-known faces we have worked with over the years. As I said on the night, we are a family led company, and we l see our clients as part of our extended family. I think it’s safe to say we’ve set the bar high for our next celebration!”

The National Football Museum Offers Organisers a Unique Space

Based in one of Manchester unique venues, the National Football Museum is a fantastic backdrop for a range of different events. Located in the city centre, right next to Victoria Station, we offer the perfect space to hire. Housed in the Urbis building, designed by Ian Simpson Architects, our six-storey museum has a variety of areas to choose from.

As a registered charity (No 1050792), all proceeds from our venue hire go directly to the charitable activities that we undertake. Our Football Creates programme works with schools and communities to enrich the lives of others with the game of our lives.

From dinners, awards ceremonies, parties, and brand activation events, the museum has spaces unlike anything else. Our events team will work with you to ensure that you and your guests have a truly memorable and distinctive event. Alongside this we can offer one-of-akind experiences such as tours, handling sessions and curator talks tailored to your audience.

Kings House Offers Exceptional Events

King’s House Conference Centre is one of Manchester’s premier medium-sized versatile conference venues. Situated in the southern side of the city centre, we are served by excellent public transport links and ample local parking.

Our fully equipped, air-conditioned Auditorium is perfect for conferences up to 400 delegates. It is also ideally suited for exhibitions, product launches, exams, and much more. We have a large stage, stage lighting, professional PA system and a tenmetre-wide projection wall backdrop, for projecting a large centre image from our laser projector, along with two smaller side images. We have TV repeater screens and full hybrid event capabilities.

There are seven other conference and meeting rooms of varying sizes, ideal for catering, exhibitions and breakout space from larger events, or as stand-alone rooms for smaller events.

We would be delighted to work with you in making your event a great success.

Sold Out Screens for King Charles’ Coronation

EllieVision, a family-run AV technology business specialising in outdoor cinema screens, sold out of flat screen TVs in anticipation of King Charles III’s coronation. It received three bookings within a day of the November announcement of the royal coronation which is due to take place 6th May.

The screens, ranging from four to seven metres in width, are hired for the day so local councils can guarantee a full day of family entertainment while coming together for the historic event. Heather Irving, Sales and Marketing Manager says royal events have bolstered the industry: “It’s really nice of the councils to give back to the local communities, it’s a fun day out for free. The council might schedule two or three hours of Charles III’s coronation followed by The Greatest Showman, followed by Encanto in the evening. As an industry we need those one or two really good events per year where things actually come together to keep afloat. Last summer was phenomenal for us with the scope of the Platinum Jubilee, all the AV in the country seemed to be outside Buckingham Palace. Industries which were written off a couple years ago really bounced back.”

One example of how we’ve been using University Square, our purpose-built outdoor events venue at the University of Central Lancashire, is to host the Mobile Event Tent (MET). This unique temporary structure is a multi-use space, constructed from stretch tent fabric and four customised 20 ft shipping containers. The fully equipped creative venue can either be an auditorium seating 100 or an open space measuring 12 sq. meters.

“It’s a fantastically well-resourced venue in terms of the lighting, seating, the different theatrical uses or workshop space, there’s a screen so you can show films. It’s a very flexible venue,” said Esther Ferry-Kennington, Executive Producer at Lancashire Encounter.

In 2022, the MET travelled between Preston City Centre and University Square: the tent’s mobility means it can visit places across the city to broaden participation in cultural activities.

Events Go Mobile

Discover how the University of Central Lancashire is using the Mobile Event Tent to host innovative events.

“This has brought an excellent boost for Preston. It is a valuable asset in attracting people to our city, helping enhance our economy and bring vibrant events to our outdoor spaces,” said Tim Joel, Head of Culture at Preston City Council.

The MET has been designed by architect Charlie MacKeith, of Research Design, working with Professor Charles Quick from the University of Central Lancashire’s In Certain Places. Artist Jenny Steele worked with cultural groups to create a magical interior that reflects Preston’s diverse heritage. The MET project was developed

In Certain Places is an internationally recognised partnership that explores the meanings and production of place via art-led research. Recent projects in Preston have included the Harris Fights, The People’s Canopy, and the Beautiful and Brutal, 50 years in the life of Preston Bus Station.

The MET is just one example of how we’re using University Square to deliver an innovative range of events. Located in the heart of Preston and with a capacity of up to 4,000 people, we are ideally situated to host live music, sport, and corporate events.

in partnership with Preston City Council, the Preston Partnership, supported by the Preston Town Fund Board.

North in Brief

Lime Venue Portfolio Joins ABPCO

Lime Venue Portfolio (LVP) has joined ABPCO this year to grow its partnerships within the association meetings community.

LVP aims to use the new partnership to encourage the sector in considering more unusual venues not traditionally associated with the sector, such as stadia venues.

It also aims to engage in the association’s learning and networking to provide expert counsel and advice to the growing number of organisers coming to the portfolio’s venues.

“We’re seeing more and more associations come for advice on venue selection, so we’re keen to join ABPCO and expand our own knowledge and relationships,” commented LVP Sales Director, Jo Austin.

“We absolutely want to be a support brand within ABPCO, already knowing that some of the main talking points we’re bringing to the table, such as sustainability, food waste, and carbon labelled menus, are important to this market.

“We look forward to finding out and sharing more.”

Warwick Conferences Prepares Recipe Database

Warwick Conferences has announced a new online recipe database to help protect delegates from allergens.

The database will provide information about the allergens contained in every meal prepared on-site by the Warwick Conferences restaurant team. Organisers will be also able to work closely with chefs to adapt meals tailored to individual dietary requirements if needed.

Restaurants will also provide tablets for delegates to quickly preview their meals before ordering, with regular updates on new menu additions and changes of suppliers and ingredients.

“This new database will give delegates and organisers even more clarity over the ingredients used in each meal crafted by our chefs,” explained Head of Conferences and Event Catering, Clive Singleton. “Delegates and organisers should have everything that they need to make planning an event as streamlined as possible.

Having all the data on our wide selection of meals is vital for delegates to safely eat and focus their energy on their event.”

ACC Liverpool Group Supports Net Zero

The ACC Liverpool Group has partnered with heating and air conditioning installation specialist, Kimpton Energy Solutions, to help reduce the site’s carbon impact.

Committed to working with local suppliers to support the Liverpool economy, the organisation operates large venues including M&S Bank Arena, ACC Liverpool, and Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

The new partnership with Kimpton will work to maintain the event campus’ facilities management programme and support the government’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Potential sustainability plans include installing a transpired solar collector (TSC) at M&S Bank Arena to pre-heat the air for the building’s heating system and minimising the energy required to heat the venue.

“Social value is at the heart of everything we do,” explained ACC Liverpool Group Assistant Director, Eddie dos Santos. “Kimpton is a Liverpool company with values and passion for the city that match our own.

“We aim to support, influence, and manage our local supply chain to deliver against our commitments and work with service partners to support the delivery of this plan.

“We have no doubt that Kimpton’s alignment with our own objectives will allow us to take steps to achieve this.”

Stress Matters Joins mia

Stress Matters has joined forces with The Meetings Industry Association (mia) to provide support and help members make wellbeing a strategic priority.

Launched during Blue Monday in January, the new collaboration will offer mental health first aid training and wellness manager programmes alongside webinars and discounted courses help members reduce the stress of their teams.

Recent surveys conducted by the mia revealed that while sustainability is a key part of the business strategy for 90% of organisations working in the sector, a third admit that they still operate without a mental health strategy.

“Organisations want to look after the wellbeing of their staff, but often lack the expertise and resource to do this effectively,” explained Stress Matters Founder, Laura Capell-Abra. “We have proof that positive wellbeing increases the productivity of teams and ultimately profitability.

“It’s crucial that wellbeing is given its rightful prominence within any sustainability strategy, promoting work life balance while supporting and acknowledging the diverse needs of individuals and groups in the organisation.”

Businesses Urged to Drive Recruitment

Coventry and Warwickshire hospitality business leaders have urged the need to adopt an inclusive approach towards recruitment to fill vacancies.

A panel of event profs were brought to a Recruitment and Skills Summit panel to discuss challenges around staffing organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Destination Coventry, and Coventry City Council.

Recent surveys have revealed the industry’s staff shortages are causing one in three hospitality businesses to close at least one day a week, with over 150,000 current vacancies in the UK.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Corin Crane, chaired the summit and urged the panel to “adopt a collaborative mindset” for businesses unable to fill vacancies: “Reach out to organisations such as your local chamber.

“That way we can signpost them in the right direction, whether that is for recruitment or funding for training that is tailored to both prospective and existing workforces.”

As the former backbone of Sheffield’s rich steel industry, Magna breathes limitless possibilities for events.

Industrial Strength

Formerly one of the world’s largest steelworks shaping Sheffield’s renowned industry, Magna has now found a new line of work as South Yorkshire’s award-winning science adventure visitor attraction and a truly unique setting for events. With 4000 sq. metres of dedicated event space to work with, Magna boasts unparalleled flexibility for planners to deliver a complete event solution under one very large roof.

Offering a blank canvas to tailor an event down to every single requirement, the Big Hall is Magna’s showpiece area, capable of hosting conferences of up to 3,500 delegates with a dedicated kitchen providing for all catering needs. Compatible to use in conjunction with the Big Hall as a welcoming area or VIP lounge, Fuel can entertain up to 150 delegates with a striking glass-fronted terrace offering breath-taking views over the Magna Science visitor attraction.

Soaked in vibrant red light adjacent to the venue’s main entrance, the Red Hall injects more than enough excitement needed to leave a lasting impression for 600 standing delegates during drinks receptions and product launches.

Located at the rear of the Red Hall, the Phoenix Rooms are equally framed by dramatic lighting and complimented with a cloakroom area and versatile partitioning for up to 150 delegates to meet up.

Winning a CHS Award for Best Unusual Event Space, the multi-storey Face of

Steel is a monumental setting for corporate events, complete with video screens, wall-to-wall speakers, and elevated walkways to deliver brand messages with maximum impact. Home to the world’s highest indoor bungee jump, The Abyss, the space also provides unique team building moments for thrill seekers, with combined music, dry ice, and effect lighting creating a dramatic adrenaline experience.

As a testament to the local steel industry, Magna’s original hulking hooks, cranes, and winding passages are also left untouched to elevate the venue’s sense of atmosphere. Guided tours of the mill recreate the story of Sheffield’s proud industry and give delegates the opportunity to discover the former mill’s history, while The Big Melt pyrotechnic show brings visitors even closer to the steel making process as Magna’s original arc furnaces are brought back to life.

Standing tall in the heart of South Yorkshire, Magna is a venue conveniently positioned in the centre of the UK, just minutes from the M1 at Meadowhall. The unrivalled

location is complemented with 400 free on-site car parking spaces, close rail connections, and a strongly established hotel network for a convenient and welcoming visit to Sheffield City region.

Also making the most of the venue’s location, Magna’s catering team utilises Yorkshire’s eclectic ingredients to create high quality menu choices in line with delegate requirements. The bespoke culinary delights alongside on-site catering facilities only adds further event inspiration for planners in the former home of steel.

For more information about Magna’s event spaces, contact the team at events@ magnatrust.co.uk or 01709 723 118

Dress to Impress!

A dress code may seem like a minor consideration when arranging an event, but in actual fact, it can contribute not only to the overall vibe, but to save face for those attending. There’s nothing more embarrassing than turning

up in a floor length gown when everyone else is in a casual dress!

Depending on where the event is held, there may be considerations such as the weather, or getting to the venue – ladies certainly wouldn’t appreciate hiking across a muddy field in stilettos (in this case the invitation should state ‘special dress’ –and the items needed). For these reasons, and to ensure that your event stays how you would like it to be, it’s always advisable for invitations to state a code.

But bear the audience in mind. Making unreasonable demands about dress codes could result in little take up of invites or embarrassing no shows. It’s all very well to expect professionals or management to have an array of outfits, but for other people, this may be financially untenable.

A change in attitudes

Post-pandemic and with the cost-ofliving crisis raging, many organisers are moving away from traditional dress codes and opting for the more attainable ‘smart/casual’ or suggesting a colour code. The onus is on the event organiser to ensure that guests know exactly what is required of them.

But while there have been changes, omissions and additions to dress codes over the years, with a ‘no dress code’ now being acceptable for events such as team building, office drinks or off site get togethers, codes still tend to fall into three categories: casual, business casual and formal – with a few modern twists thrown in!

Deciphering dress codes

White tie or gala: the most formal dress code, used only for very exclusive or ceremonial occasions. Female guests will be required to wear a long dress, while gentleman will need a dinner jacket with a white shirt and white bow

Why choosing a dress code for an event is more important than you may think, and what you should look out for if you are given one.

tie. For anyone lucky enough to get an invite to one of these events, there is an expectation that they will adhere to this strict dress code.

Black tie/tuxedo: a formal affair denoting a floor-length, mid-thigh or longer dress for ladies and a tuxedo or formal dinner jacket, trousers, shirt, and shoes for men.

Black tie optional: with this code there is the option to wear black tie, but guests can also choose a smart, dark suit or cocktail dress.

Jacket and tie: less formal than black tie, this event still requires men to wear a suit and tie and ladies to wear an elegant two-piece or sober dress.

Cocktail: a semi formal event commonly chosen for corporate affairs, which allows female guests to be a bit more experimental with their outfit. Gents are still expected to wear a dark-coloured suit and tie.

Casual or informal: pretty much wearwhat-you-like occasion, but tricky since this dress code is the most open to interpretation.

Business casual: typically office wear which can be dressed up for the evening.

Semi-formal: a little black dress for ladies and shirt and trousers with or without tie and jacket for men.

Themed dress: very popular in recent years, themed dress can be anything from fancy dress to beachwear, 80’s fashion to colour themes, which should be stated on the invite.

Special dress: when an event is being held in a unique location, guests may need rainwear, warm clothing, boots etc.

Beach formal: a decidedly American addition to the dress code, the trick is to match style with comfort. Think sundress and flat shoes or wedges for ladies and linen or cotton trousers paired with a linen or cotton collared casual shirt, sandals or casual shoes without socks for men.

TRANSFORM YOUR EVENTS FROM THE MUNDANE TO THE MAGNIFICENT

Flexible conference and events spaces at the Library of Birmingham and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

BOOK ROTUNDA & BASKERVILLE

• Iconic setting for gala dinners and drinks receptions.

• Amazing backdrop for dinners up to 500.

• Access to roof terrace that offers stunning panoramic views across the city.

STUDIO THEATRE

• The Studio offers seating for 292 delegates or reduced seating for 229.

• Versatility is key with The Studio seating retracing to provide a blank canvas for creating events.

HOUSE THEATRE

• 800 seater auditorium with a dividing gouze, creating a more intimate space for 475 delegates.

• Dine on the stage up to 240 guests.

• Host events on top of theatrical sets.

0121 245 2066 enquiries@uniquevenuesbirmingham.com uniquevenuesbirmingham.com

Canolfan Mentrau Creadigol yng Nghaernarfon sy’n cynnwys: Creative Enterprise Centre in Caernarfon including:

Theatr (hyd at 250 person) | Theatre (up to 250 delegates)

Stiwdios (hyd at 100 person) | Studios (up to 100 delegates) Ystafelloedd Cyfarfod | Meeting Rooms

Gwasanaeth technegol ac arlwyo | Catering and technical services A

•

UNIQUE VENUE & LOCATION FOR YOUR EVENT Overlooking the Menai Straits with the mountains of Eryri as a backdrop and Caernarfon Castle a stone’s throw away.

Galeri | Doc Victoria | Caernarfon | Gwynedd | LL55 1SQ 01286 685 218 | post@galericaernarfon.com galericaernarfon.com

Accommodating up to 354 delegates, our AUDITORIUM is the perfect location for conferences, lectures, product launches, AGM’s, award ceremonies and film screenings. Featuring a 30m2 stage and a giant screen, this space is perfect for making a big impression.

354 tiered seats with clear sight lines

x 8m screen with up to 4K

event and live streaming capabilities

CITY SLICKERS

Close to the vibrant Brick Lane, Spitalfields’s Market, Tower of London, and the artistic streets of Shoreditch, Hyatt Place London City East is your stylish base in the cosmopolitan heart of London, ideally located if you’re heading down for International Confex 2023 or any other capital-based events.

Wake up to the city skyline in one of the 280 spacious guest rooms which are cleverly designed to offer work and lounge space, king size beds and 55" HDTV with Chromecast for seamless streaming. Some of the rooms across the top two floors even come with their own private outdoor terraces or balconies. The hotel features a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre and one-off art pieces by local London artists throughout.

Hyatt Place London City East offers travelling delegates a luxurious base in the heart of London.

Alluring interiors, local art, and irresistible views make for the perfect backdrop for cocktails in PocketSquare Skyline Bar & Terrace located on the ninth floor. Explore the hand-crafted cocktail menu, using local and exotic ingredients, that is inspired by the eccentric characters that make this part of the city so unique. Step into a world of creativity and exclusivity, where the energy, cocktails, and food proudly – and literally – face the East.

Sicilian dining at Zoom East Kitchen & Bar, a contemporary and colourful restaurant is inspired by the food and culture of the island of Sicily. The menu brings together the fresh and vibrant tastes of Sicilian cuisine, a glorious Mediterranean homage to Arabian-Italian fusion with only one

aim: to serve the authentically Sicilian experience with honest local produce. Meetings and receptions can be held one of the two flexible meeting and events spaces including the Orangery private dining room.

Navigate around the city with ease with the major transportation links with Aldgate East Station and Whitechapel Road Station in walking distance connecting via the Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf in seven minutes, Paddington under 10 minutes and Heathrow Airport within 30 minutes.

Hyattplacelondoncityeast.com

Special offer available for CONFEX 2023 through May 2023

GET 15% OFF OUR BEST AVAILABLE RATE. T&Cs apply. Offer is valid until May 2023 for bookings taking place in 2023.

BOOK DIRECTLY +44 (0) 208 159 1234 Or contact, silvia.abreu@hyatt.com for more information.

While many conferencegoers are trying to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing travel, sometimes conferences abroad are unavoidable. We look at some worldwide sustainable venues that off-set that travel carbon.

Greener

Moscone Center | San Francisco

With the capacity to accommodate over 20,000 delegates total, San Francisco’s largest conference centre, the Moscone Center, had its work cut out for it operating sustainably. Luckily, it is more than up to the challenge.

The new Moscone Center complex received the US Green Building Council's highest level of certification, LEED Platinum, and is the first convention centre in the US to achieve this.

The centre also boasts the lowest carbon footprint per delegate of any major convention centre in North America.

Solar power is a large part of the complex’s green plan and has been since 1992. Located atop Moscone South and spanning two roofs, it consists of approximately 2,600 photovoltaic (PV) modules with a capacity of 687 kw.

Naturally, as the centre sits in California water reclamation is also an important factor, and the facility's drainage system is

designed to collect and treat over 15 million gallons of groundwater for reuse in plumbing, landscape irrigation, and street cleaning.

Moscone.com

Bella Centre | Copenhagen

With over 650,000 sq. metres of event space made up of exhibition halls, breakout spaces, and meeting rooms, the Bella Centre is one of the most popular conference destinations in Europe.

Sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and circularity were central focus point in the centre’s recent expansion, Bella Arena. This has led to Bella Arena obtaining the international gold certification within sustainability from

serve any fish or seafood that is red listed by WWF and converts all food waste into climate friendly biogas.

Finally, efficient heat pumps regulate temperatures within the venue, and the exhibition halls are easily partitioned so no areas are heated or ventilated while unused. All of the electricity used is derived from renewable sources.

Doors

DGNB. The business’ beverage supplier, Carlsberg, also provided recycled beer kegs which were used in the building process, among other recycled materials.

The centre also used energy efficiency programmes and only sources fresh, sustainable produce for its food and beverage offering.

Bellagroup.dk

Stockholmsmässan | Stockholm

Sitting only nine minutes away from the centre of Stockholm, the Stockholmsmässan offers flexible spaces for any kind of event. With 76 different meeting rooms available, and at 70,000 sq. meters, the centre can accommodate up to 30,000 participants.

The venue is also using cutting edge technology to make its operations sustainable. Looking after the ecosystem, Stockholmsmässan furthers biodiversity by maintaining its own park where the lawn is allowed to grow wildly and attract pollinating insects such as bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, all of which are vital for crop pollination.

Speaking of crops, the venue’s restaurants centre around sustainable produce, and are certified with the Swedish sustainability label KRAV. The centre also does not

Stockholmsmassan.se

Umweltforum | Berlin

Featuring a gargantuan hall with a 17-metre-high ceiling as well as 11 seminar rooms, areas for catering and exhibitions, and an outdoor terrace, Umweltforum is an extensive venue sitting in the heart of Germany’s capital city. Using mobile walls, new areas and rooms can be created for different event formats, offering flexible meeting spaces.

As the name might suggest, Umweltforum is a venue designed for its sustainability. For more than 20 years, the venue has been obtaining electricity entirely from renewable sources, and even creating its own renewable energy for consumption. The Umweltforum's solar power system is located on the green area next to the venue and on the building’s roof. It has a collector area of 120 sq. metres and

its output is 15.3 kW at peak. It supplies more than 9,000 kilowatt hours of green electricity per year.

The venue’s food and beverage offering is also delivered sustainably, with Umweltforum operating under the EU organic regulation for milk, cream, yoghurt, quark, butter, eggs, rolls, baguettes and breads as well as cane sugar. The venue sources these products exclusively from organic cultivation and other products by considering their locality and the sustainability of their production.

Besondere-orte.com

STOCKHOLMSMÄSSAN

BELLA CENTRE

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