H&EN June-July 2023

Business Travel in Style

History Made

Purpose Built

On Location: Scotland

Outside the Box + Liverpool’s Eurovision Success + Christmas Plans

CHS Recap

H&E North Cover Feature

Come Fly with Me

Congrats to...

Competition

Happy to Chat

Dress for Success

A Warm Welcome

The latest mia Insight reports renewed confidence in sector performance expectations and with most organisations seeing improvements in supply chains, there’s some well needed feel-good in the industry. Summer is here, and with it some exciting outdoor events, and what better way to get there than on a private jet? It’s more affordable than you may think to impress your clients with stylish travel solutions.

We look forward to The Meetings

Show, discuss recruitment and

retention and sustainability issues with a look at electric vans and plastic bans. Event tech checks out the chatbots, and we jet up to Scotland for some bonnie venues and suppliers. Historic venues and dedicated conference centres offer very different settings, one such historic venue is Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa where you can win a stay over to sample some northwest hospitality.

We meet some key people with tales to tell, and Yule be starting that Christmas party planning, right? Keep ahead on our socials and online for daily updates..

Tileyard North | Wakefield

Tileyard North is home to a series of multi-functional event spaces suited for a range of corporate opportunities. At this industrial chic venue, you can book an office or a whole floor or use its event spaces The carding Shed, The Mill, and The Courtyard for an open-air event. The Carding Shed can hold a capacity of 900 and The Mill, can hold 130.

Tileyardnorth.co.uk

Forty-Seven | Manchester

This stylishly modern decorated hotel

recently opened this year, can hold an intimate 18 delegates in its conference suite or Canapé Receptions for 100 guests in The Peterman Bar. Situated on FortySeven Peter Street, where the hotel gets its name, its Manchester Central setting is perfect for proximity to Manchester’s greatest bars, restaurants, and activities.

Fortysevenmanchester.co.uk

Courtyard By Marriott | Rotherham

Set to open during summer 2023 on the outskirts of Sheffield, Courtyard by Marriott is Marriott’s mid-priced hotel for business travellers. The 150-bed hotel with fitness centre and bistro will also include meeting facilities. The hotels intimate event room is 24 sq. metres and holds a capacity of 10 delegates, the room includes AV technology such as teleconferencing and an LCD projector and equipment such as name cards, direction signs, and

a flip chart and markers can be specially requested for your event. Perfect for an on the go meeting, Courtyard by Marriott has stylishly meets your conferencing needs.

Courtyard.marriott.com

Mollie’s | Manchester

Occupying Manchester’s old Granada Studios – famous city landmark renowned for both The Beatles and Sex Pistols first TV appearances – Mollie’s is a modern motel/diner styled hotel chain. The new Manchester venue will offer corporate spaces for meetings and hot desking in its Soho House decorated interior with additional ability to hire the diner, which has a usual capacity of 140-170 guests (from its Oxfordshire and Bristol locations). Mollies.com

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Birmingham

Though Hilton Birmingham

Metropole is already a beloved staple to the Hilton chain in Birmingham, its new Brightsmithon-the-Water event space is an excellent addition to the hotel. The all-new event space opened late last year, boasting glamorous 180 guest cocktail receptions and private dining options for up to 90 people.

Brightsmithonthewater.co.uk

Center Parcs | Nottinghamshire

Currently closed for refurbishment, The Venue at Center Parcs is set to reopen in Winter 2023/24 following a multi-million-pound transformation. Nestled in 400 acres of forest, The Venue is a versatile

TILEYARD NORTH

H&E North takes a look at some of the newest venues to impress your delegates.

MOLLIE’S

space surrounded by leafy walkways, offering great views overlooking the forest and lake and accommodates events for up to 550 delegates. Once reopened, the conference and events venue will be equipped with additional break out rooms, a larger outdoor space, and a welcome area.

Centerparcs.co.uk

Factory International | Manchester

Exciting new arts and culture venue

Factory International, offers three event spaces The Hall, The Warehouse, and outdoor event space, The Public Realm. All spaces can be hired separately or combined for large-scale events. The Hall is a tiered seating concert and theatre space which can accommodate up to 1,800 people. The stage connects The Hall to The Warehouse which can hold up to 5,000 people – great for large conferences and acoustic separation.

Factoryinternational.org

Radisson Blu Sheffield | Sheffield

Expected to open in late 2023, Radisson Hotels is expanding its chain to encompass Sheffield. The hotel will be housed among the stunning Victorian architecture of Pinstone Street and offering multi-functional and flexible meeting and events spaces.

Radissonhotels.com

Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa Durham

The recent success of County Durham hotel’s unique treehouses led to the hotel creating two new properties. Construction is currently underway of the Swan and Kingfisher glass fronted A frame houses at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa on the outskirts of Durham. The two extra treehouses – which will be finished in July have a lounge, kitchenette and an upper level with a 7ft bed, along with a sauna and hot tub.

Ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

New Turf

CENTER PARCS

RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL, GOLF AND SPA

FORTY-SEVEN

Up to Speed

Back at the Royal Armouries for the 12th edition, CHS Leeds 2023 brought an impressive number of event professionals, exhibitors, and speakers to the North this year. The show inspected our working habits with the theme: Worklife, questioning personal and professional growth and visions for the future of what worklife means to us all.

Emma Cartmell, Founder and CEO of CHS Events commented: “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. In and among 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.”

The show was divided into an exhibition room and a reception/ staging area which was beautifully decorated in a Japanese Garden theme. This year the show was all in one area which really helped the atmosphere, organisers were able to maximise its space through using Silent Noize headsets so audience members and speakers could communicate on a private platform.

Using this tech, CHS 2023 hosted a packed schedule of talks in its Education Agenda which ran continuously for delegates to dip in and out of. The highlights of these talks were, How I’m Still Learning how to Balance Work and Life, by Amy Cowan, who perfectly addressed the conference’s theme in an advisory analysis of nine to five working versus going freelance (more on page 53); Robert Kenward who tacked the recruitment crisis in an audience interactive talk titled The People First Business Recruitment Strategy (more on page XX); and Breaking Down Stigmas: Women in the Workplace by Nyomi Rose and íse Murphy-Morris who conversed about the on-going challenges women face in the event industry.

The exhibitor floor was thriving this year with venues, event tech, and experiences with many goodie bags and competitions throughout. Chester Zoo was launching its new space, The Square, just weeks before the show – and were seen handing out lion and tiger stuffed toys to celebrate the tiger cubs recently born at the zoo. Vue and Everyman cinemas added some wow factor promoting corporate events and parties, and holiday sites, Butlins and Alton Towers showed event profs how corporate events can deliver entertainment value.

CHS Leeds 2024 is set to return on 23rd April next year.

H&E North visited CHS Leeds 2023 for a great day of networking and education.

North in Brief

Hotel Partners with Homelessness Charity

Independently owned Buckinghamshire country hotel, Horwood House, has teamed up with national homelessness charity Crisis, and upcycling company Recoup, to transform a break-out space into a creatively crafted coffee lounge for conference delegates.

The 120 sq. metre Crisis Coffee Lounge was brought to life by a team of Crisis volunteers and members, led by Recoup founders, Tom Marsh, and Ben Lunt. It has been transformed to reflect the horticultural surroundings and history of the hotel, with reclaimed furniture repurposed or restored to create unique pieces such as wall panels made from antique French headboards, cast-iron garden gates and dried flowers pressed into picture frames.

The revived space is located beneath the hotel’s Cook Suite, and between six syndicate meeting rooms, with its own private entrance. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and admire your surroundings during a break. The hotel purchases coffee beans from Crisis’ partner Volcano Coffee Works, with 15% of purchases going straight to Crisis. Delegates are also encouraged to support the cause by scanning QR donation codes in the lounge. The venue further supports Crisis by donating 5% of revenue from contracted conference and corporate event bookings.

Wyboston Lakes Resort Partners with event:decision

Wyboston Lakes Resort is partnering with event:decision to heighten sustainable processes, metrics, and best practices at live and hybrid events held at the resort.

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort says: “This collaboration underlines our determination to provide event organisers with formalised processes to plan, deliver, and track the impact of events and to

make more sustainable decisions. Wideranging, detailed, trustworthy data is essential in making informed judgements and event: decision is highly experienced and well-resourced to supply our customers with what they need.”

Matt Grey, Director, event:decision, adds: “We’ve genuinely seen Wyboston Lakes Resort as one of the leading sustainable venues in the UK for many years. To be able to support Wyboston with sustainability data regarding meetings and events shows how far the industry is moving to deliver more sustainable events for our customers. Wyboston is recognised as being one of the most forward-thinking and progressive destinations and it is a great testimonial for us to have become the preferred data insight specialist for live and hybrid events hosted at the resort.”

Athena Event Venue Nominated

Athena, the Art Deco Grade II-listed events venue located in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, has been recognised as one of the best event venues in the country and shortlisted in the category for Best Event Venue in this year’s micebook Awards.

Hira Ram, Head of Events at Athena, said: “This nomination highlights not only the excellence of our venue in terms of stand-out capabilities, but also that such a unique space can be customised to suit any type of event.”

Scottish Event Campus to Host INTERPOL

The UK will host the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly (GA) from 4th to 7th November 2024 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow, previously used as the location for COP26.

The SEC announcement took place during IMEX, Frankfurt and underlines yet another positive story for Glasgow, Scotland, and the UK. The event will bring together over 1,000 senior delegates, including heads of police, ministers, senior government officials and INTERPOL senior leadership, from across 195 member countries.

Already a global leader in security and policing, hosting the event will give the UK a central role in one of the most important policing and public safety events in

the world, bringing together INTERPOL’s 195 members in one common goal – to prevent global illicit activity, and to tackle criminal threats and risk worldwide.

The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s highest governing body and the largest global gathering of senior law enforcement officials and heads of ministries. The event represents a key opportunity to drive innovation and leadership in international police cooperation, to tackle major crime trends and security threats facing the world, including organised crime, counterterrorism, and fraud.

Industry leaders to #makeadifference at Event

With exhibitors from across the industry already confirmed, Event Sustainability Live (ESL), which will co-locate with Event Tech Live at Excel, has announced three more big name sponsors; GL events, ESSA, DPRG and Vision 2025.

GL events, the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), DPRG and Vision:2025 have joined headline sponsor Evolution Dome in supporting the first edition of ESL, which, with its ‘Engage, Educate, Make a Difference’ mantra, promises to galvanise event industry response to the climate crisis.

Long committed to providing an “inspirational approach” to event sustainability, Rachel Baker, director of Marketing and CSR at GL Events, promises the company will be a powerful partner for the show.

“As a supplier to the events industry, supporting our clients in meeting their sustainability goals – and adding value for them and their events – are key objectives at GL, so we are delighted to be supporting Event Sustainability Live and we look forward to serving up content which brings the whole supply chain to the table,” Baker said.

“Our members are incredibly keen to embed all aspects of sustainability into the way they do business which has become a minefield when it really doesn’t need to be,” ESSA Director Andrew Harrison said. “Through our partnership with Event Sustainability Live, we’re keen to help dispel the myths and mitigate the growing misinformation to help everyone understand that it’s a journey that needs realistic, achievable, measurable goals.”

Industry 4.0 – Collaborations, Connections & Community, is the title of beam’s upcoming annual forum, which has been created by the beam events Action Group. The gathering, with headline sponsors Open Audience and Song Division, will bring members of the event industry together from across the UK at the Hilton Bournemouth on 6th and 7th July.

“This year the Forum will be more of a hands-on business event, featuring engaging and inspiring speakers and generating tangible takeaways,” says Beckie Towle, Events Director of beam.

“Industry 4.0 – Collaborations, Connections & Community is about

Coming Together

preparing and supporting our members with what is coming next. The format will be a mix of plenary and educational breakout sessions.

“The content will cover a broad range of significant industry subject areas, including AI and ChatGPT, data, ESG, and leadership skills.

“There will also be follow-up sessions on recent beam events such as the Sustainability Forum, Finance Forum, and the Instant Book Summit. We’ll be joined by guest speakers from across the industry as well as experts covering the themes. There will be a lot of engaging content that is valuable to everyone.”

The Forum is also well known as one of the industry’s best social events of the

Halfway There

With the summer season of events well underway, for many in the sector brighter days have arrived in more ways than one. Having issued our latest instalment of industry insights to government in June, there is a clear feel-good factor among event professionals and their confidence for the year ahead. In fact, seven in 10 venues and suppliers are confident about how the sector will perform over the next 12 months – the remaining three in 10 venues and suppliers hold a neutral viewpoint.

With two-thirds of organisations no longer experiencing supply chain issues, the tide is slowly beginning to turn, and the sector is starting to regain control over how it can

operate. At the same time, over threequarters have expressed a higher if not the same conversion rate on event enquiries compared to 12 months ago, supporting optimistic forecasts on future business.

While much-welcome news, we must continue to proceed with a level of caution, recognising well-documented challenges that remain and we as a sector must still overcome.

Staffing challenges for instance remains high on the agenda, as 51% of organisations highlight current staff shortages. Concerningly, a similar proportion (47%) of organisations have flagged distinct skills shortages.

year. Throughout the two days, there will be plenty of opportunities to catch up with colleagues and get to know new contacts. The event will also be supporting and raising money for Meeting Needs through a variety of activities.

Sian Sayward, Chair of beam, says: “We have been working hard on creating an event that offers real benefits for everyone. The programme is designed with audience involvement as a priority, as well as delivering fresh, relevant and thought-provoking content. It will be a Forum that’s not to be missed.”

Please contact membership@beam-org. uk for information or visit Cognitoforms. com/Beam9/Beams2023AnnualForum2 to register.

Our role to communicate these challenges through the likes of our regular mia Insight reports therefore remains crucial, as we continue to highlight the sector’s position and lobby for sector-specific support. With 90% of event professionals feeling that government isn’t doing enough to support the sector, we are working closely with its departments and key representatives to drive recognition of the sector and secure subsequent support.

To view the latest mia Insight report, visit Mia-uk.org. You can also keep up to date on any developments, guidance, and advice by following the Meetings Industry Association on LinkedIn and Twitter.

As we pass the halfway point for the year, Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive of the Meetings Industry Association (mia), reflects on the association’s latest industry findings and welcomes a confident outlook for the next 12 months.

beam’s new style annual forum will prepare the sector for current and future challenges.

Staffing Status

Navigating the industry recruitment crisis, H&E North speaks to some industry voices to find out the latest advice to build your resources.

Crisis, Yes or No

The recruitment crisis is the buzzword currently overshadowing the events industry, but what we don’t often acknowledge is how it hits each business differently. Richard Morris, Owner of Hospitality Staffing, says: “Attracting candidates to jobs within the hospitality industry has never been harder. A lot of people have left the industry postpandemic to pursue careers in other industries, and more companies are putting a bigger emphasis on staff retention meaning hiring has never been so challenging.”

But conversely, Chrissie McLaren Founder of CM Event Recruitment adds: “We haven't had one. I think the reason being is because we've been on the other side of it when it comes to casual work. So, because we know what we used to be treated like and what we wanted to be treated like, we treat the staff like they’re part of a big family. We've got about 500 casual staff; we get to know them, and we don't let them wander off unnoticed.”

Thinking Strategically

Treating recruitment as a strategy is something Robert Kenward, Co-Founder of recruitment agency You Exclusive believes is often overlooked. Robert explains: “There are three main types of recruitment: contingency, exclusive, and retained. Contingency means ‘I'll give this one vacancy to three or five agencies and the first person to find the right person gets paid’. Then you have exclusive which is ‘I will give this vacancy to you for a period of X weeks, usually two to three weeks. If you can't do it, then I'll go out to other people.’ Then retained which is ‘I want to hire you to go find this person’, quite like a freelancer.”

Back to Basics

Chrissie notes: “A big issue with some recruitment agencies is that they only use apps and do online interviewing. It’s something we've been told that we're old fashioned for not doing, but we find with online interviewing there's no personal touch. For example, if an interviewee has an issue attending, they can’t contact us. We make sure that every single person is seen face-to-face to really get to know them, and we can use the interview as an induction to the training.”

Attracting the Right People

Thinking about the quality of applicants, Richard turns to thinking about his offering: “The key focus with candidate attraction should always be around highlighting the best bits about your organisation. Staff training, how you develop people, future progression, your culture, the importance of work/life balance and how you focus on staff welfare. An extensive show around your business is also a must. Make candidates feel your company is THE place to work in the industry.”

Team Player

Defining an avatar to outline the role is encouraged ahead of the process. When searching for reliable staff Robert advises: “It's about the mix of having someone who you know is going to get on with the rest of the team. But also, it's really important that you're recruiting someone who's going to bring a different approach.”

Richard agrees: “You need an outgoing and confident personality, a team player, and someone who can communicate well with others. The ability to work well under pressure and be adaptable to deal with the various challenges that the hospitality industry provides are essential requisites.”

RICHARD MORRIS, OWNER, HOSPITALITY STAFFING

ROBERT KENWARD, CO-FOUNDER, YOU EXCLUSIVE

CHRISSIE MCLAREN, FOUNDER, CM EVENT RECRUITMENT

People

POWER

CM Event Recruitment is known for its people first approach to the events industry, with its staff taking top priority. Quick on its heels is the satisfaction of its clients, who regularly let Founder, Chrissie McLaren and Operations Manager, Richie McLaren know just how attentive and detail orientated the team have been. At the heart of this recruitment agency is a love of the process of events, not just the end goal.

Chrissie explained it is the company’s people driven approach which keeps them focused, motivated, and enthusiastic about their client’s experience: “We don’t just take the booking and that’s it – they’ll hear from us constantly.” Working events is clearly exciting to Chrissie, causing her to share the joy with her clients at every given opportunity: “Two weeks before we’ll message saying: ‘Hey, not long now! Don’t worry we’ve got a great team here; I’m going to confirm the names with you a couple days before.’”

Chrissie, who founded the business over a decade ago, with husband Richie joining the company in 2019, said: “We actually had our own staff at our wedding, the reason we did that is because we knew they’d do the job, and we knew they’d been well trained.” Between the event industry power couple is a combined 40 years of industry experience, with Chrissie’s expertise laying in recruitment and consultancy, and Richie’s laying in customer service and logistics – a match made in heaven.

And just because CM Event Recruitment attracts big names like Ferrari and Vivienne Westwood doesn’t mean Chrissie and Richie let this get to their head. Instead, they use the opportunity to let their carefully selected staff shine, showing just how skilled, personable, and dependable they are:

“Just because it says Ferrari doesn’t mean you can just go in and charge three times more.” Chrissie says: “it’s all about the service, we drive all of our staff to the events and all the cars have got spare black shirts, hair bobbles, belts, deodorant,

and ties for black tie events.”

All its experience means the team have dependability down to a tee, Chrissie says: “We understand that it’s not a nine to five industry – we’ve had phone calls at 7pm asking for staff the following morning.” Over the years CM Event Recruitment has delt with its fair share emergency calls and cancellations: “Last week we had a phone call at nine o'clock at night, saying I really need 12 staff tomorrow. Within half an hour it was all sorted.”

One of the few occasion’s events are turned down is for the protection of its staff. The staff mean everything to CM Event Recruitment, demonstrated when Chrissie and Richie check up on their staff when they’re ill, sing Happy Birthday to them down the phone, and changed its

staff shift group into a mental health group during COVID: “It’s happened before where we’ve had a new client and the staff haven’t been treated well and when the client contacted us for more staff, we’ve said no.”

Cmeventrecruitment.co.uk

“We actually had our own staff at our wedding, the reason we did that is because we knew they’d do the job, and we knew they’d been well trained.”

Chrissie McLaren, Founder of CM Event Recruitment Limited is all about treating her staff and clients as people first.

Good Job

Robert Kenward, a recruitment expert specialising in senior hires within the events, MICE, and experiential sectors has over 21 years’ experience and brings a unique perspective of hiring from all angles – as a candidate, a client, and a fitabilty® recruiter. In 2022 Robert co-founded You Exclusive, a recruitment agency dedicated to the events sector and the incredible event profs in it.

Hi Robert! Event venues and suppliers talk about a staffing crisis in the industry resulting from Brexit and COVID-19. Have you found this to be the case at senior hire level?

Crisis is a strong word. I think it's not as much of a crisis as we all think. Looking at it from the point of view of these companies who are getting rid of 7,000 to 10,000 people, that's not a problem with the economy or with the industry, that's the problem with them recruiting poorly in the first place. Last year was an absolute mess in recruitment with companies just recruiting anybody and everybody with no sort of due diligence done, it was more a rush to hire rather than a rush to recruit and I think that is what's at the core of our problems now.

If you think the problem lies with recruiting, what are some common recruiting mistakes companies make?

There's a big badge of honour with people boasting ‘I recruited within one week.’ For me, I look at that and think: ‘Well, that's the problem.’ That's what's causing the issue: you're not recruiting the people who are going to grow with your business. You're recruiting people for that gap you have right now which alleviates a pain now, but if you're just kicking it into the long run, it will come back to bite you.

I think the headaches come when people have tried to take the easy option –because recruitment itself is not hard, but the work is hard. My podcast is called Side of the Desk because that's what happens with recruitment; people have to do it rather than want to do it, so it gets stuck on the side of someone's day job. The biggest mistake companies make is not treating it as a strategy.

What are your three biggest industry pet peeves?

My number one pet peeve is that people

don't recognise there's a difference between job descriptions and job posts. So, they will post a job description and say: ‘I'm recruiting, here's the job description’. So, I write bespoke job adverts with fresh copy every single time. Then afterwards when people speak to me then they get the full job description.

Number two is that they don't put salary brackets on there. Problems we have like the gender pay gap and the ethnicity pay gap are exacerbated by this and in countries such as Denmark where transparency policies have been created, they have noticed an improvement or even a closure of this gap. It should be illegal not to post a salary on a job advert.

And the third thing would be if people try to merge a job description, a job advert, and a profile together – they end up with a big mess. A job description by its very nature should be boring, a job description is not an exciting thing. A job description is a manual for a car, that's not exciting, the exciting bit is driving the car. A role profile should be priorities, challenges, relationships, the softer stuff that keeps people involved in their work.

Recruitment expert, Robert Kenward from You Exclusive, explains why some recruitment methods are not always a job well done.

Event staffing can feel like just another thing on your to do list. But for us, it’s become a vital part of the work we do to offer young people paid experience in the events industry and work towards a more diverse sector.

For several years now we have been working with Events 101 and our university partners to source staff for our events. Events 101 is an organisation who connect businesses to young, diverse talent. We also list opportunities on our jobs board. We’ve built up links to universities across

Britain’s Got Talent

Claire Fennelow, Executive Director of EVCOM, discusses how the staffing of your event can brighten the future of the industry.

the country and share opportunities to work at our events with them.

We regularly go in and speak to the students too. One of the big things they ask about is getting experience. And especially paid experience. So often young people are expected to work for free in the name of experience. Which is doable for some, but not others. As a sector we are working to be more diverse, and only giving people who have the financial backing to work for free the opportunities to gain experience is actively working against that.

There are also a lot of amazing event organisers who don’t find out about the corporate sector until it’s too late. Offering them paid work experience like this is a

Learning Lessons

Andrew Harrison, Director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), discusses why offering formal training and development could be key to retaining talent in our sector.

Our most recent Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions report has shown that we’ve bounced back to almost pre-COVID levels of business. There are also clear signs that the recruitment challenges faced in recent years are easing. People who left the industry to work in other sectors are now returning as the worry about events not offering job security dissipates. Likewise, increasing numbers of younger talent are choosing to join. So, the big question now is, how to we retain them?

The industry has always worked hard to attract talent but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. We also need look at how we train, develop, and retain our talent. It’s no longer enough to offer the obvious such as fair compensation, flexibility, and prioritise their wellbeing. Employees, particularly

younger ones, are hungry to learn so investment in training and professional development (L&D) is the next obvious step to consider and will make you the more attractive employer.

Recent research conducted in the UK revealed that Gen Z and Millennials are prioritising L&D more than any other generation. Two thirds said L&D improves their commitment to their employer –the highest of any age group – while three-quarters agree that it boosts job satisfaction.

Much of our industry is about learning on the job, so much so that it could be perceived that there is no need for additional formal training, but that is increasingly becoming a somewhat

great way to give them insight into what we do and encourage them to choose us for their career. People who have impressed us have continued to come back and work for us again and again, building their CV and their enthusiasm for the sector.

Event staffing is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to give young, diverse people experience, and insight into industry. It’s an opportunity to make paying young people the standard and to ensure people aren’t driven away from our industry because of their financial background. It’s an opportunity to discover and work with diverse talent. Let’s make the most of it.

Events 101: info@events101.co.uk

Evcom.org.uk

short-sighted viewpoint. A core part of our mission at ESSA is to address this, hence the introduction of our free Student Membership initiative and, as part of the Events Industry Alliance (ESSA, AEO, AEV), we recently launched our government manifesto with skills and training one of five key areas.

Businesses that encourage employees to learn have up to 50% higher engagement and retention rates which equates to happier employees, improved customer satisfaction and a stronger bottom line. The results speak for themselves.

Essa.uk.com

It’s Electrifying!

Van Man,

EV Café started during the first wave of the pandemic to provide a community for those wanting to transition to an electric vehicle and air any questions on the subject. Paul Kirby, Commercial Director at EV Café, otherwise known as the Electric Van Man, is widely recognised as a front runner in the electrification of the van sector. Paul also runs his own consultancy, media, and training business EV Essentials LTD and is the go-to contact for Fully Charged – Robert Llewelleyn’s global YouTube and podcasting sensation for EV’s and clean energy.

Hi Paul! Can you tell us about the current advantages and drawbacks of using electric vans in the event industry?

From a dependability point of view, electric vehicles are less likely to go wrong. So, in your average diesel vehicle there's around 2,000 moving parts. In an electric vehicle, however, there are around 20 moving parts, so what's going to go wrong first? Well, probably the one with the 2,000 parts rather than the 20 moving part vehicle!

The electric vehicle is going to be much better, and much more reliable. When they go wrong, they go wrong, just like everything else. Just like your toaster at home might go wrong, but when's the last time your fridge broke down? Very rarely. And it's always on and it's always doing a job.

Now, there's still challenges with charging infrastructure, and you don't go into that thinking, ‘Oh, it'll be fine.’ You plan and you make sure that you've done your due diligence about if chargers will be available when you get somewhere, is there somewhere on the way, and what happens if something goes wrong. It’s about having a plan A and a plan B and, and these things can be easily tackled.

How do you advise event companies to transition into using an EV?

It's a really important question to ask, because not everybody can jump to electric straight away because they are more expensive upfront. Get to the auction house or get on Autotrader, you'll find electric vans which came from companies who have tried them and have not employed the right mindset: mindset is everything.

After you’ve built a foundation of knowledge, if there is a way that the

VAN FOR THE JOB

Hospitality and Events North checked out the 2022 Ford E-Transit™, which offers great features, configurability and work-ready accessories, supported by the Ford Pro ecosystem of end-toend charging, telematics, service and financing.

We know the flexibility event organisers and suppliers need, and E-Transit is available in eight different configurations, including three roof heights and three body lengths, plus cutaway and chassis cab versions to fulfil multiple applications. E-Transit can be further customized with the addition of vocational bodies (on chassis cab and cutaway) and equipment like ladder racks and interior bulkhead and storage solutions.

EV

deliver event stock.

company can begin to take on a lease, or a short-term lease, to test and see if the vehicle works for them, that will begin the transition process. There are a number of companies around the country that are able to provide vehicles for one month or more so that people can kind of go ‘right, okay, I’ve got a few events on let's see if this can work’ and they're reasonably competitive costs too.

There is a higher cost of buying, but then there's a lower cost of fuelling those vehicles. So, what I would suggest to a smaller business with less income who are managing smaller budgets is to look at the total cost of ownership.

Will electric vans be able to carry the same amount of weight as a diesel van?

The vans themselves are exactly the same in terms of physical space. That's not going to change. If it was 17 cubic metres before it will be 17 cubic metres afterwards, that bit has been protected. The payload is the one thing that's critical. There is a mile range and payload compromise to consider. There are two battery sizes of 50 and 75. And the difference between those two vehicles is 50 miles extra range on the 75, and 200 kilos more payload on the 50. So, what do you need more range or more payload?

Electric

Paul Kirby, from the

Café tells us about the present and future possibilities of using electric vans to

Single-use plastic products have long been a staple in the hospitality and events industry due to their convenience and affordability. However, their detrimental impact on the environment cannot be ignored.

The ban, which comes into force on 1st October, will target a variety of items such as plastic straws, cutlery, plates, and food containers. Additionally, single-use plastic bottles, balloons, and packaging materials will also face restrictions.

While this will undoubtedly pose challenges as the industry adapts, it can also serve as an opportunity to explore innovative and creative solutions.

Planning ahead

In terms of planning for the ban, it’s crucial to identify the items which will be affected (plastic plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery, and balloon sticks are all on the government list). This will allow businesses to create a plan for transitioning to ecofriendly alternatives.

Next, it’s important to evaluate your supply chain and engage with suppliers who prioritise sustainability, ensuring a smooth transition and reliable access to products which align with the new regulations. Finally, it’s a good idea to educate staff and clients about the ban and the reasons behind it. This awareness will help foster

The Plastic Pollution REVOLUTION

a culture of sustainability and encourage individuals to embrace the change.

Seeking alternatives

Embracing alternatives to singleuse plastics is key to adapting to the upcoming ban. Happily, there are already many eco-friendly options readily available on the market.

Reusable water bottles and coffee cups are durable and a great replacement for their disposable plastic counterparts.

Reusable straws made from stainless steel are easy to clean and offer a long-lasting solution to plastic straws.

Beeswax wraps made from cotton fabric coated with beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin are flexible, reusable and the perfect alternative to plastic cling film for food storage.

Glass jars and containers are visually appealing, easily recyclable, and suitable for storing items normally kept in plastic cannisters.

Biodegradable cutlery is compostable and an environmentally friendly swap for plastic utensils.

Paper or cardboard packaging is recyclable, renewable and can be used for various purposes, including food

packaging and shipping boxes.

Compostable food containers break down naturally, reducing landfill waste offering a great alternative to plastic food containers.

Paper balloons such as the traditional Japanese Kamifusen are easy to inflate and reusable with proper care providing a simple alternative to plastic ones.

A unique selling point

While it may take time to fully switch to eco-friendly alternatives, it’s important to remember that doing so can be a valuable selling point for your business, as an increasing number of consumers prioritise environmental consciousness and seek out businesses which align with their values.

Additionally, it’s important for the industry to foster collaboration and knowledgesharing. By joining forces and leveraging collective resources and experiences, we can identify challenges and find effective solutions together.

Before the single use plastic ban comes into effect, Julie Burniston explores what this means for the events industry, and how it can embrace alternatives.

Historic Environment

Scotland shows why a historic venue can elevate your event.

For centuries the great halls of Scotland’s mighty castles have played host to a vast array of events. From hosting fantastic feasts and regal royals and even a siege or two, their storied halls ring with the echoes of our nation’s history and are imbued with a magnetic sense of grandeur.

When you chose a historic venue for your event, you’re getting so much more than just an event space.

Instant impact

Historic venues have a status that’s undeniable. They were built to be aweinspiring and are richly decorated. With striking architecture, breath-taking grandeur, and prominent locations they dominate the skyline and are sure to impress any guest. And with the weight of centuries of history, your event is sure to absorb some of the timeless ambience that only historic venues can create.

Old with new

When people think of historic, they generally think ‘old’. And while it’s true that historic venues have certainly had a past, make no mistake, old doesn’t mean outdated. Events can combine historic

History in the Making

grandeur with the power of modern technology to create versatile event spaces, and unlike standard conference spaces, historic venues offer a wide range of versatile rooms and outdoor spaces with distinct character that can be used for multiple purposes.

Take Stirling Castle for example, whose Great Hall can play host to medievalstyle banquets and gala dinners or, for a twist on tradition, has transformed into a nightclub fit for a king! There’s also the Queen Anne Gardens, which can be transformed to suit your event. Whatever you plan, our events team can take your event from memorable to unforgettable.

Preserving the future

Historic venues have played host to feasts for centuries, and there’s no sign of that stopping any time soon! Whether it’s a

piper-accompanied four-course dinner, or a drinks reception followed by a medieval feast, by choosing a historic venue for your event, not only are you getting the grandeur, atmosphere, and experience of history, but you’re also helping to protect and preserve that space for generations to come.

Historic Environment Scotland works tirelessly to preserve our national legacy and promote heritage for all. Whether that’s protecting sites against climate change, caring for our collections, or conserving our built environment.

Choosing a historic venue for your next event might seem like a break from tradition, but when you step into history, you will be part of a legendary legacy and provide your delegates with an inimitable evening that is sure to go down in history!

Something Different...

The days of stuffy boardrooms, un-appetising lunches and embarrassing team building exercises are long gone. Instead, at Château Rhianfa in Anglesey, we invite you to look at something different to accomplish your business objectives.

01248 880090 · hello@chateaurhianfa.com www.chateaurhianfa.co.uk

T H E C U T L E R S H A L L

The Cutlers Hall is without question a magnificent venue steeped in history and grandeur. This impressive Grade II listed building in the heart of Sheffield has excellent transport links, complimentary robust Wi-Fi and the flexibility to suit all types of events.

The Main Hall is perfect for events up to 550 guests, whilst smaller rooms are able to provide the ideal backgrop of a more itimate affair. With our winning combination of a specacular environment, flexible room space and outstanding service along with exceptional food and drink, we look forward to welcoming you and your guests to The Cutlers Hall.

7-15 CHURCH STREET, SHEFFIELD, S1 1HG www.cutlershall.co.uk

WIN A LUXURY STAYOVER!

Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa is offering a chance to win an overnight stay for two including dinner, breakfast, and two spa treatments.

The Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa is set in 17 acres of glorious parkland. This four star hotel is a beautiful restored 700 year old country manor house which retains many of its original features, including turrets, porticos, and a vast staircase, all helping to make any event extra memorable.

your requirements. The menus reflect the season and offer a balance of flavours using locally sourced ingredients where possible, and incorporate traditional favourites with wholesome and healthy options, ensuring your delegates are satisfied and ready for the afternoon ahead. The venue offers a range of dining choices for evening meals, from the on-site restaurant to private dining in one of the spacious event rooms.

For multi-day events, 175 bedrooms blend age-old comfort with modern design and include one suite, three special feature rooms, and enhanced accessibility rooms – as well as the brand new Executive Wing with walk-in showers and luxury welcome pack. All bedrooms are non-smoking and provide 24-hour room service, complimentary car parking, hair dryer, ironing facilities, flatscreen TV, and tea and coffee making facilities.

COMPETITION

For your chance to win an overnight stay for two including breakfast, dinner, and two 20-minute spa treatments, please answer the following question:

How many bedrooms does the Mercure Dunkenhalgh hotel have?

The purpose-built state-of-the art conference centre hosts six airconditioned meeting rooms, and the hotel has a further eight conference and banqueting suites. Rooms have natural daylight and cater for all kinds of business events up to 400 guests. The hotel grounds are perfect for team building or other outdoor activities.

Catering is available at the hotel, an experienced and talented team is on hand to meet all your culinary needs. To keep your delegates refreshed, refuelled, and motivated, Mercure Dunkenhalgh offers a variety of high quality food and refreshments, with a flexible approach to

All.accor.com/hotel/661

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: 4th August 2023

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 Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa’s databases in order to be contacted about news, promotions, and special offers. Postal entry data will not be saved. Publisher’s decision is final.

The on-site spa completes the luxury offering at the venue, giving delegates and our competition winners a real treat!

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, large desks, free Wi-Fi and natural light. Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced amenities and extra space to unwind.

• Renovation

• New Bedrooms Available NOW

• City Centre Location

Our Hotel:

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, large desks, free Wi-Fi and natural light. Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced amenities and extra space to unwind.

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, large desks, free Wi-Fi and natural light. Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced amenities and extra space to unwind.

• Renovation in 2023

• New Bedrooms Available NOW

• City Centre Location

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, large desks, free Wi-Fi and natural light.

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George’s Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat screen TVs, large desks, free Wi Fi and natural light. Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced

• Renovation in 2023

• New Bedrooms Available NOW

• City Centre Location

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well as both Anfield Stadium, home to Liverpool Football Club. Retreat into spacious accommodation with premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, large desks, free Wi-Fi and natural light. Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced amenities and extra space to unwind.

• Renovation in 2023

• New Bedrooms Available NOW

• City Centre Location

Discover our newly renovated hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Explore attractions like St George's Hall, Albert Dock, Aintree Racecourse, Knowsley Safari Park and the shops of Liverpool One, as well screen

Upgrade to an expansive family friendly hotel room or suite for enhanced amenities and extra space to unwind.

• Renovation in 2023

• New Bedrooms Available NOW

• City Centre Location

Checking In

Stanford Gould Scoops International Award

Nottingham-based business Stanford Gould Online has won an award at the seventh Global Wedding Awards for its professional services to its clients. Stanford Gould Online, a division of Stanford Gould Group, is now into its fifth year of trading. It supports event suppliers with their legal and contractual matters and provides an affordable, ‘off the shelf’ template solution, tailored to different suppliers in the industry.

Owner Heather Stanford said: “The business pre-dates COVID, but we’re certainly one of the lucky businesses that was overwhelmed with demand for support throughout the pandemic, as the industry was turned on its head.

Many suppliers were unprepared for such unprecedented circumstances and their legal terms didn’t protect them. We helped many businesses to navigate this nightmarish period and ultimately remain operational at the end of it.

“Legal matters and terminology can be overwhelming and difficult to make sense of, for creative businesses in particular. So many of my clients feel as though I have rescued them from that stress and confusion and a potential a minefield of contractual problems.”

Stanfordgould.co.uk

Stunning Events at Knowsley Hall

Embark on a journey to the enchanting Knowsley Estate, where over 600 years of unblemished heritage bring unparalleled character and refinement to any event. Home to The Earl and Countess of Derby, Knowsley Hall is a hidden gem within 2,500 acres of privately owned parkland allowing for complete privacy and seclusion.

The luxurious stately house radiates a friendly and welcoming ambience, creating the perfect environment for corporate gatherings, charity balls, awards ceremonies, product unveilings, or team-building activities. Guests have a selection of elegant rooms to choose from depending on their needs, including luxurious overnight accommodation and expert chefs who are more than happy to create bespoke menus to fit any occasion.

The extensive grounds provide the ideal landscape for a variety of outdoor activities, from archery to clay pigeon shooting and even a wild safari! The dedicated events team will ensure an exceptional service to make your event an unforgettable experience. Conveniently located only 25-minutes away from Liverpool, Knowsley Estate provides the perfect getaway for your next event.

Knowsleyhallvenue.co.uk

1599 at The Royal College Offers Historic Event Space

From conferences and meetings to festive end-of-year parties, celebrate in style by hiring the exclusive 1599 at the Royal College for your corporate event.

You can have drinks and canapés in Lower Library or a conference in the stateof-the-art Maurice Bloch Lecture Theatre, the 400-year-old Glasgow City Centre venue offers something unique to make sure your event goes down in history.

The experienced event team at 1599 at the Royal College understands how to

protect the historic fabric of the venue, giving you the chance to tailor-make your occasion.

1599.co.uk

A1Events to host Festival Entertainment Zone

A1Events is thrilled to be going forward with an exciting new partnership with the Edinburgh Cup International Youth Football Festival. The Edinburgh Cup is the UK’s biggest football tournament, welcoming thousands of young footballers and their families across three days from 4th to 6th August.

A1Events will be hosting the Entertainment Zone 2023: including the all-new Arcade Marquee packed to the rim with Retro Arcade Games, Basketball, Air Hockey, and Chill Out Area, alongside a showstopping inflatable field with giants such as a 100 ft Assault Course, Super Slide, Last Man Standing, and more. The Entertainment Zone will cater to all ages and wristbands will allow young people access throughout the day.

Established in 2013, A1Events is well known across the North and Scotland for its expertise in event management, equipment hire and facilitated team building. Hosting the Entertainment Zone is a great opportunity to showcase a new range of retro and modern arcade games. These are being added to the hire fleet and available soon.

Tickets to the Entertainment Zone can be purchased in advance at A1eventhire. co.uk

We catch up with some top event businesses to find out all the latest.

Happy to Chat

With the advance of AI, it’s not uncommon to see chatbots popping up on websites for all kinds of businesses, and there are several ways these nifty bits of tech can be of use to help event professionals.

Chatbots can offer immediate assistance and support to event attendees, sponsors, or vendors at any time of the day, providing instant answers to frequently asked questions and can even offer guidance for some concerns expressed. This can be done much more efficiently than using your team to respond to queries, as chatbots can handle multiple conversations simultaneously.

This is particularly beneficial during busy periods such as event registration or when dealing with high numbers of delegates for large-scale events.

This service can also be used to generate profit, as chatbots can collect valuable data from delegates, including contact information, preferences, and feedback. This data can be used for lead generation, post-event marketing, and improving future event planning. It’s also possible to automate surveys and feedback collection, making it easier to gather delegate insights.

There are many services available for event profs, here are just a few:

Chatbot.com

The great thing about this chatbot service is that it’s beginner friendly and doesn’t require any coding. The interface is very intuitive; simply drag and drop the responses you’d like to popular inputs and frequently asked questions, creating a network of options. Choose from multiple bot response formats and actions to create engaging chatbot experiences. The service is available from as little as £52 per month and can be trialled for two

weeks to see if it’s a fit for your business. Chatbot.com

Intercom

This chatbot is powered by AI: GPT4 specifically. The beauty of this is that it doesn’t require you to set responses, and so is ready to jump into action immediately. Of course, as an AI, there are some queries it can’t quite help with, but it can seamlessly pass on complex questions directly to your human support team. Intercom.com

Zowie

If you’re running a business which operates in several countries, Zowie is the chatbot for you. It operates in 40 different languages and can be set up in a matter of minutes. Simply paste the address of your FAQ page, and the programme’s AI will automatically create a fully functioning customer service chatbot personalised to your business. Getzowie.com

Chatbots provide an easy, automated way for you to connect and monetise customers and delegates for a fraction of the cost of a customer services team.

EVENT SUPPLIERS July 2023

Elle Roberts-Nissen, Head of Events from Conscious Communications with some inspiration for this year’s Christmas

party.

Christmas CHEER!

It’s never too early to start planning Christmas parties, and best to start planning sooner rather than later. Although you might want to put Christmas to the back of your mind while the sun’s out, H&E North is getting you organised!

From theming to guestlists, location to catering, every element of your Christmas party needs time and consideration. Elle Roberts-Nissen looks ahead to Christmas 2023 with some handy hints.

Get Brainstorming

It shouldn’t just be on one person’s shoulders to come up with all the ideas! Schedule a team brainstorm and feed off each other’s ideas about themes, food, locations, and everything in between. From your brainstorm, take your ideas and create mood boards for each to bring them to life. Visuals help decision making easier and will give you a clearer vision.

Ask for Help

Event organisers in companies are often busy people. A specialist Christmas event planner can take the stress away from remembering all the details that go hand in hand, from invitation distribution to guestlist management, supplier negotiation, and management of the day-to-day responsibilities so you can focus on enjoying the party!

Think Sustainable

Year on year, companies are thinking about ways they can make their events more sustainable. Get rid of the Christmas crackers and party hats and bring on more locally sourced, seasonal produce – make sure your suppliers are green certified.

Get Immersive

Let’s move on from the standard arrival reception, three course dinner, and latenight dancing. Elevate your Christmas party and create an experience that you and your guests can truly immerse themselves in. Think never-seen-before entertainment – such as live art – or interactive food stations.

A Right Royal Time

Move over The Greatest Showman or Moulin Rogue! Make way for a truly regal Christmas party this December. Think rich and bold colour palettes – gold, deep reds, and greens – coupled with luxurious fine dining, we can see a number of royal themed Christmas parties on the horizon thanks to this year’s coronation.

Personalisation

Think about how you can incorporate your company values into Christmas party theming and planning. For example, if one of your values is “playful”, why not incorporate some fun childhood memories through carnival games or a festive sweet station.

And.. Don’t forget to thank your clients

During the festive period there are so many ways to show your staff and clients some appreciation. From festive dinners to afternoon teas, to catching up over a glass of mulled wine and cheese, why not mix, mingle, and celebrate another successful year working together. These small gestures go a long way and who doesn’t love another excuse to celebrate!

Wicked Event Water Services provides quality assured water solutions.

Satisfied long-term clients include Glastonbury festival, Victorious Festival, The BBC, ITV and Netflix. During the pandemic we were involved in two nightingale hospitals and a temporary mortuary in London.

www.wews.biz

Come Fly with Me

Experience seamless business travel with a private business jet charter from jetlogic.

At jetlogic, our priority is to minimise your travel time and maximise your time meeting clients and closing deals. A corporate jet charter allows you to attend multiple meetings in different destinations, with the added benefit of knowing you can depart minutes after your meeting is over.

Providing an efficient and reliable way to travel, flying by private jet allows you to become the master of your schedule, departure time, and chosen airports. Arrive 15 minutes before your flight’s departure time and invest the time saved in prosperous business opportunities.

At jetlogic, we understand that every charter is unique. With access to a wide range of private aircraft, we are able to offer the perfect solution to match your exact requirements. Whether it's a group of board members or executives, ensure seamless travel for your company in the total privacy of a private jet. With in-flight technology you can stay connected throughout your flight, optimising your time in the sky for confidential meetings and business discussions.

There has never been a better time to explore private jet charters for event and corporate travel. Whether you’re flying solo for a business meeting, or travelling as a group to a major event, flying by private jet is becoming increasingly popular, especially as flying commercial becomes more disruptive.

Based in Edinburgh and operating worldwide for clients across the globe, jetlogic’s knowledgeable team work around the clock to guarantee a seamless and stress-free flying experience. Our dedicated Flight Managers manage every detail of your travel, ensuring outstanding service and enhanced experiences for you, your colleagues, and your clients.

Swap endless check-in queues, crowded airports, and the threat of cancelled flights for the tranquillity of a private terminal and the peace of your own aircraft. Relax in the VIP lounge of an FBO, or make use of their private conference rooms to carry on business as usual.

Being able to fly into private airports grants you access to far more destinations than commercial flights, particularly remote and difficult to reach locations. Enjoy direct flights between cities for business meetings, or access private resorts for conferences. For larger groups, a convoy of helicopters can be arranged to travel to remote locations for events or incentive trips.

Despite their luxury positioning, a private jet flight can be cheaper than you may think. And when every minute away from your desk costs money, a private charter can pay for itself. For groups looking to book a long-distance flight, a business jet charter can cost less than you’d pay for first class scheduled services.

Our specialist team is ready to help you build bespoke itineraries and offer personalised advice to create a seamless travel experience. Visit our website Jetlogic.com or contact us to learn more about our private jet and helicopter charters on 0131 478 0802.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

These can be scanned or tapped at entry points, making the process faster and more efficient, reducing queues and the manpower necessary to check everyone in, and improving overall access control.

While check-in is the most popular use there are other ways it can enhance your delegates’ experience. Personalised experiences for event attendees can be enhanced using RFID-enabled wristbands or badges that can be linked to individual preferences. At an exhibition, for example, delegates can be directed to visit exhibitors which have relevance to the interests they’ve input.

of collecting dozens of business cards or frantically scribbling down email addresses, delegates or exhibitors can easily exchange contact details and facilitate real-time messaging between delegates.

Printable RFID badges | Identilam Price subject to quantity

The events industry is always on the look out for new technology to improve the experience of delegates at events or help with running them behind the scenes. Now wearable tech is making waves as a new way to streamline an event experience.

Defined as a wide range of devices which can be worn as accessories, embedded in clothing, implanted in the user's body, or even tattooed on the skin, wearable tech looks destined to eventually take over from smart phones.

The most widespread industry use at the moment is for checking in and out of an event. Wristbands or lanyards can act as digital tickets with RFID technology, much like inside contactless debit cards.

Delegates can engage further in your event, especially from a gamification angle. Built-in sensors can track attendees' activities and movements during the event, and in turn this information can be used to create gamified experiences, where participants earn points or rewards for completing certain activities or for checking in at different areas around the venue. You can make your audience part of the entertainment or a presentation with LED wristbands syncing up to music, or lighting up on command, and get guests to explore different aspects of your event which they might not have even realised existed.

Networking is another aspect where tech is over taking. Gone are the days

Identilam offers printable RFID badges that can be programmed to check-in delegates at your events. The badges can also be used for staff to allow access to certain areas or for your delegates to make cashless payments. The badges are customisable, and can be printed on both sides, allowing for them to contain a wealth on information such as names, job roles, or even your branding.

Identilam.co.uk

Smart polyester wristbands| PDC Price subject to quantity

Made of ultra-comfortable, polyester material that stretches and adjusts to wrist size, this wristband features custom full-colour dye-sublimation printing on inside and outside of the band, allowing branding or slogans to be printed on it. This gadget is removable, re-usable, and waterproof, making it ideal for a multi-day or high profile event.

Pdc-big.co.uk

As wearable tech continues to be integrated into everyday life, we look at how it can help streamline your events.

EVENT DESIGN MADE EASY

R&B Group is a ‘full service’ corporate event production supplier producing over 15,000 events over 30 years across the UK! Our award-winning AV teams produce conferences, awards, product launches and event broadcasts amongst others. R&B have warehouses full of AV equipment, in-house set design and build facilities, video production and creatives that can help with your content, 3D animation and graphics.

For free advice about your next event please get in touch with KEVIN FLOYD Head of Client Services

0191 2763999 M: 07805 434095

Embracing The GREAT OUTDOORS

While traditional indoor team building activities certainly have their merits, the allure of the great outdoors offers many advantages that can truly transform team dynamics. From breaking the monotony of office routines to providing a breath of fresh air for mental wellbeing, since COVID outdoor team building activities have emerged as a powerful tool for bringing teams closer together and unleashing their full potential in the open air.

As Laura Middleton, Owner of Farm Adventures, states: “Being outdoors is second to none when it comes to team building. When people arrive to take part, we see them feeling excited, apprehensive, and very chatty! Conversations spark with colleagues, whether just about the crazy journey into the countryside, or whether they paid attention and have a clue what they’re about to do! The smells, the sounds –everything is different to what they know.

“There’s no opportunity to just place themselves in a seat and sink into a very normal and familiar situation. They start to see what they’re surrounded by, asking questions, being inquisitive with their whole persona feeling so upbeat. The nervous energy hums around and it’s so important to harness this and for them to enjoy the whole process of the team building adventure which lies ahead!

Outdoor team building can be so unique – everyone is on the same footing and no-one needs to be excluded. When delegates aren’t pre-skilled or experienced, they all participate at the same level, and have an opportunity to really see their own and teammates skill sets in a new light.”

From the traditional clay pigeon shooting and archery, planners are now finding more original and immersive ideas to stimulate clients and teams, such as tractor driving, scaling a building, or even rearing pigs!

Escaping the office

One of the most compelling advantages of outdoor team building activities is the opportunity to break free from the confines of the home or office. Stepping into nature not only provides a change of scenery but also stimulates creativity and refreshes the mind. The structured environment of an office can sometimes stifle a team’s creativity, and by immersing them in a natural environment, it’s possible to open their minds to new ideas and fresh perspectives.

Exploring new terrains, facing physical challenges, and pushing boundaries contribute to personal growth and self-discovery, providing an avenue for individuals to tap into their hidden strengths and develop new skills, boosting their confidence and motivation.

Enhancing mental health and well-being

Studies have shown that exposure to nature reduces stress levels, improves the mood, and increases overall wellbeing.

The serenity of outdoor environments also has a calming effect, reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity. The absence of workplace stress allows team members to relax, unwind, and recharge, ultimately leading to increased productivity and improved focus upon their return.

A break from computers and mobile phones enables teams to cultivate a sense of mindfulness, integrate with colleagues and develop greater awareness of their surroundings, leading to a more harmonious work-life balance.

Building stronger team dynamics

Unfamiliar environments and outdoor challenges bring team members closer together in ways that traditional indoor activities often can’t. Outdoor team building activities require collaboration, communication, and trust-building, as individuals rely on each other to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

In outdoor settings, team members can witness each other's strengths and capabilities first-hand. Leaving aside the traditional office hierarchies, they can observe different leadership styles, recognise the unique skills and talents of their colleagues, strengthening the bond between team members.

Fresh air, fresh perspectives

The effects of fresh air and natural surroundings go beyond physical health. Outdoor team building activities inspire individuals to think differently and embrace fresh perspectives. The change in environment stimulates creativity and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. The absence of the usual office distractions allows individuals to focus their attention on the task at hand and generate creative solutions.

Outdoor team building activities offer a multitude of advantages over traditional indoor activities, transcending the boundaries of the workplace and revitalising team dynamics.

I do feel we are in real danger of walking blindly into a corner with more and more rules and regulations at risk of strangling the life out of creativity and enterprise.

In the event industry, the Manchester Arena Inquiry and, more recently the O2 tragedy in Brixton, have both highlighted weaknesses in our approach to events. As a result of Manchester, we are now facing more stringent regulations under Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty) while the O2 has highlighted the lack of guidance for older fixed venues.

Rightly we must learn from these and take measures to ensure that they never happen again, but does it need to be done through rigid and all-embracing regulations? Indeed, by accepting

Red Tape

Jim Winship, Secretary of the Events Industry Forum, discusses the downfalls of relying on legislation to ensure public safety at events.

such restrictions are we not allowing the terrorists to win by curtailing our freedoms?

Legislation is never an ideal tool – indeed, as has been stated previously, it is very much a blunt instrument. While rules may work in specific terms – such as speeding – when they are applied across a broad spectrum of events/activities they become increasingly grey and open to argument.

Would it not be better if the guidelines were tightened up and organisers/venues/ suppliers required to specifically build counter terrorism measures into the risk assessments they are already expected to do?

In this way, the onus is on the event organiser to show that they have taken

Industry Linchpins

Susan Tanner, CEO of the National Outdoor Events Association, calls for event organisers to be given the appreciation they deserve.

At NOEA we think a lot about event organisers.

Everyone involved in events is technically an event organiser, they all form the magical eco system that makes events the ultimate human experience that they are. However, for the purpose of this column, let’s zone into the producer, the operational director, the front line, coalface, hi-vis-clad technicians whom all events revolve around.

This is a crucial time of the year for them. Millions of delegates, and hundreds of suppliers and support services will rely on their organisational abilities, and creatives will be let loose based on the firm foundations they have built.

So, it’s only right to use this platform to give them the credit they deserve; they really are linchpins.

The NOEA Convention & Awards this year will go one step further, we’re dedicating the whole day (and evening) to them. Taking place 22nd November in the conference’s home city of Bath, we’ll be celebrating event organisers, taking on the issues they face, listening to them, and creating ideas and thought leadership that will make them more productive and effective.

As ever with NOEA, it’s a day of education, insight, innovation, and networking and, while event organisers will be put front and central, we’ll continue to make sure that all the people and businesses around them are a part of it.

Last year the conference was a sell out and we were truly humbled by the positive feedback we received. The Awards were our largest in our history and, as will be the case this year, will celebrate the very best

appropriate measures to protect their audiences. This provides a more flexible, and often more appropriate, approach than trying to force each event to comply with the rigidity of legislation that may not entirely fit the occasion.

Realistically, legislation can never completely eliminate all the risks. While it may give enforcement agencies more powers, we are fooling ourselves if we think legislation is the solution.

I believe legislation should be a last resort after all else fails and we absolutely should not allow terrorists, or our law makers, to curtail the freedoms we enjoy as a nation.

Eventsindustryforum.co.uk

of the outdoor events industry – including, but not limited to, event organisers! So once again we ask you to make space in your diary for the NOEA Convention & Awards 23. To allow yourself the gift of a day learning and enjoying time with your peers, and an evening of networking and celebrating. Bring colleagues, bring contacts, bring clients and customers, as ever, everyone will receive a warm NOEA welcome.

And, like all events, there will be a team of event organisers behind it. Unsung heroes here at NOEA who make our own events happen. Unlike many events however, our guests know the work that goes on behind the scenes and are always incredibly gracious. We hope that this summer, and for the rest of the year, event organisers across the UK receive the same level of reward and respect.

Noea.org.uk

Into the Woods

The 616 offers a unique and enjoyable venue for a multi-day event or team retreats in the heart of Sherwood Forest.

“This meant that, unlike a normal build, it didn’t necessarily go up in the order it should do. But we were pleased that we were able to work through COVID and, despite the very strange and unusual obstacles the pandemic brought, we managed to create something that we are very proud of.”

Built and designed specifically with exclusive use and meetings/events in mind, this excellent location lies down a long farm track which helps enhance the feeling of total privacy. Surrounded by fields, woodland, and livestock the complex is secluded, but is ideally placed with strong road, rail, and flight links.

All the bedrooms are en-suite with large, walk-in showers, the double rooms have king size beds, while five are furnished with twin beds. Each has its own private entrance.

Imagine a unique venue for a corporate gathering where you can meet, eat, relax, and even show off your best dance moves – all in the privacy of your own super complex. It might sound too good to be true, but there is one such destination complete with luxurious private rooms, meeting and banqueting rooms and even its very own nightclub!

Set in the heart of Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest, The 616 truly is a one-off, offering clients an opportunity to curate their own event far from the madding crowds.

Currently the site has room for 28 delegates in its luxury holiday rooms and a banqueting hall which seats 60. It also boasts two hot tubs and an 80s style games and arcade room.

If you've had enough of hotels where you and colleagues feel like just another guest or are left cold by the stuffy surroundings of a stately home then this is the place for you. This stunning complex is the creation of owners David and Gair and while the

nightclub is undeniably the star attraction, it’s far from the only incredible thing about the venue. And theirs is a great success story of a small hospitality business opening after COVID.

Looking at it today, it’s hard to believe this ultimate corporate retreat was just a sprawling farm with outbuildings and land when it was purchased 20 years ago. But with vision, a huge amount of hard work and £2 million, the couple have transformed Chapel Farm into the impressive venue it is today. Like many in the sector the couple felt the full force of the pandemic, but look around the unusual limestone gabionwalled courtyard and it’s clear those two years were put to good use: “The first foundations went in the month before COVID started, so we could have timed things better,” said David. “Yet, we soldiered on by becoming very nimble, adapting on a daily basis. The running joke throughout the build and COVID was not ‘what are we doing today?’, but ‘what materials have we got?’.

Each room features a 55” flat screen TV, if you fancy putting your feet up and having a little time away from the main event. High quality bed linen and sustainable toiletries are provided throughout for that added touch of luxury

The all-important nightclub is in the basement and is much more than just an empty room with some speakers. The area features a built-in sound system and disco lights, as well as a bar area complete with beer taps. You’ll have to bring your own kegs, but even so, it’s a spectacular setting for an evening event.

Of course, there's hot tubs. But if that’s not how you like to relax, how about some fun in the 80s style games room, featuring air hockey and retro arcade machines?

If that’s not enough, there’s more surprises on offer with a beautiful Orangery and meeting

room, which gives clients a second dining area. It can also be used as a boardroom, theatre, classroom, or even a cabaret.

In the central communal area, you can find an 88” HDMI smart TV in the central dining/living area which is perfect for holding presentations in comfort. In fact, there’s plenty of space for meetings and break out rooms complete with comfy sofas and chairs and all your needs can be catered for all, especially breakfast, dinner, and evening meals.

The venue offers options to add a private chef, an in-house barber, and spa treatments and even a live band when you feel like letting someone else entertain you. With plenty of parking for cars and coaches, there’s a full concierge service on request, but guests are welcome to

bring their own food and entertainment. There’s a simple no corkage or cakeage policy!

Gair said: “The last two years have been very successful with the destination’s popularity growing, we’re attracting guests from as far away as Australia and the USA. Most of the feedback we get is about how large the property is and ‘how It’s a lot bigger than the photos show’. Guests say there’s plenty of room for large groups to gather and party and that’s what we want them to do. We don’t want to give away too much because we think there’s plenty of surprises around the venue.”

Such is The 616’s popularity that bookings are around six months in advance and special occasions like Christmas can be taken up to a year before.

The venue has just introduced a complimentary inclusive full English breakfast on the first morning after arrival: “Nobody wants to party all night and then have to cook breakfast for 28 guests plus washing up afterwards,” said David. “It allows our guests to slowly wake up and relax in preparation for the day ahead.” But there’s a lot more to come from the couple who are currently adding a new commercial kitchen and private dining area to offer guests a full dining experience. Work has also just started building eight more en-suite bedrooms

which will soon bring the sleeping capacity up to 44 guests.

Alongside those there will be a swimming pool and a spa area boasting an Amazon jungle feel, complete with vines, canopy, and immersive sound experience. And there will be a few surprises in the new six metre aquarium which guests might not expect.

There are plans for extra attractions on the horizon, including expanding the games room with the addition of some new games, such as Time Crisis and Defender. And there are also plans for a casino in the works: “We want it to be a complete experience. The idea is that every time a guest turns a corner there’s an OMG moment,” added Gair. “It’s a simple idea, it’s your venue while you are here so you get to decide what you want and what you need.”

Forestevents.co.uk

616 the 616 Venue

Food for Thought

When planning an event for a corporate get-together, food and drink play a key part. Making sure your guests remember the catering for the right reasons can be a challenge, and we’re seeing a trend to move away from a sit down dinner and deliver something a little more relaxed and unique. At Shenderey Events, we know how to make your catering personal, thematic, and fun to give your guests an unforgettable night. Combining years of experience with knowledge of current trends, our top tips for catering will make sure your event inspires and entertains.

Let guests mingle

Sit down meals can feel very formal. Being assigned to a particular table, and a certain seat, can take some of the fun away from your event. And there’s nothing worse than being seated next to the wrong person and tied to boring conversation (or, even worse, no conversation at all).

We’re huge fans of allowing guests to choose where to sit and who to chat to. We’ve seen a real trend in clients stepping away from the traditional three-coursedinner format. A great way to do this is

with food platters, giving guests chance to choose to their own tastes. The variety will please even the fussiest of guests, and deliver a relaxed, positive atmosphere: bringing the food into your event, rather than taking guests away from the party.

Theme food platters

While platters are a great idea, you risk mismatched food that feels confused. We always encourage our clients to bring their event theme into their food with themed platters. For example, a Mediterranean style works really well, with the popularity for sharing plates in restaurants being carried through to successful events. Canapes, bite-sized portions, and mezze platters are fun and sociable, giving guests chance to grab food that tastes great and is easy to eat.

If you’re not keen on the idea of food-onthe-go, but hate a formal sit-down, there’s a great compromise. We love helping our clients develop food stations. Each one can be themed, from regional cuisine to traditional favourites, and guests can help themselves at their leisure. And, if you’re concerned about how a food station may look, don’t worry. Whether you want your catering to stand out or blend into the background, we know exactly how to style your food stations to make them the perfect centrepiece or a subtle addition.

Make it personal

Food certainly gets people talking, so you want to make it memorable. One way

to do that is personalising your catering. The biggest worries around this are often complication and cost, but we know how to personalise your food simply and on a budget. Replace bottle labels with the name of your event, switch brand logos for your own motifs, or rename drinks as something personal to your brand.

Some of our favourite event themes of late have carried through perfectly into the food and drink. A recent client loved Alice in Wonderland, so a white rabbit waiter handed each guest a mocktail on arrival labelled ‘Drink Me’. They were then ushered into a fabric tunnel hanging from the ceiling, which grew smaller and smaller as they walked through: setting the scene for the entire event by bringing the novel to life. We also organised a Willy Wonka party, with chocolate waterfalls and lollipops with sticks personalised using the eponymous character’s signature font. It’s one of our favourite examples of how a small, simple touch can have a great impact and make your guests smile.

Bringing that personal touch to your food and drink can be done with style, personality and, of course, professionalism. With an experienced event planner on your side, your catering will fit seamlessly within your theme to deliver an event to remember.

Shenderey-events.com

Event Planner, Juliet Shenderey, shares how to personalise your catering with food and drink that makes the right impression.

Breakout Space

Pullman Liverpool Hotel offers event space directly on-site with the ACC Liverpool.

Sitting right on the banks of the River Mersey, Pullman Liverpool offers a range of meeting and event spaces right next to the ACC Liverpool, which has recently been in the spotlight hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Whatever your budget, the hotel’s dedicated meetings and events experts will support you in finding the best ways to organise successful events. From workshops, training days, and team building events to larger scale multi-day conferences, there are a variety of spaces available to accommodate any event type. Delegates can choose from the King & Albert suite or this can become the Mersey suite.

If it’s a larger event you have in mind, ACC Liverpool can host conventions for up to 2,500 delegates, with a myriad of amenities on offer, including flexible workspaces, breakout rooms, plenary auditoriums, amphitheatres, and exhibition halls, as well as modern technology, a constantly updated catering offer, and a wide range of high-quality accommodation. Pullmanliverpool.co.uk

The ACC Liverpool Group has recently been in the spotlight due to its position as this year’s Eurovision Song Contest host on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine. The company had to pull together preparations quickly for the huge international event at the M&S Bank Arena, but it rose to the challenge as Chief Executive, Faye Dyer, reports: “The planning period was much shorter than for previous Eurovisions due to Liverpool only being announced as the host city in October so effective teamwork was key. The build schedule was over five weeks, in comparison to the typical one to two days. We continued to host other events across our campus alongside this which was challenging logistically, but we managed to deliver this without compromising any events.”

Despite the short timing the series of Eurovision events were all a massive success: “All teams involved did a fantastic job and we were delighted with how the whole event went – not just the grand final but all nine of the

BANK ON US

We sit down with Faye Dyer, Chief Executive, of The ACC Liverpool Group, which wowed the world as the hosts of Eurovision this year.

public shows and the vast array of events and activities across the city region that we successfully serviced through Ticket Quarter, our in-house ticketing agency. It was an incredible operational task and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from both those attending in person and those watching the three televised shows remotely speaks for itself. I couldn’t be more proud of team Liverpool.”

When asked what the highlight of the experience was for her, one stood out for Faye: “Our campus was transformed into something truly spectacular and the atmosphere inside was absolutely electric but my favourite moment was to stand at the doors of our arena at the end of each show and watch thousands of excited fans pour out. Seeing people with such joy and elation on their faces – many of them speaking to fellow fans from all corners of the globe – epitomises for me what live events are all about. They are about bringing people together with a shared experience, creating positive memories

that will stay with them forever.”

Now in the aftermath of the big day, Faye is overjoyed with how the whole thing turned out: “Elated - it was a huge team effort across our venue; the city; the BBC; the EBU and the government. The grand final was the culmination of seven months of hard work by all parties involved. We successfully showcased the Liverpool we all know and love, a city that’s welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all and rich in culture and music. We showed our extensive capabilities in hosting and amplifying the positive

impact of large-scale global events; but most importantly, we hope we did Ukraine proud.”

Hosting Eurovision will leave a lasting legacy both for the events industry in Liverpool, and the UK as a whole:

“Eurovision illustrated how important live events are, excitement for this incredible event gripped the world. One of our key aims is to maximise the positive legacy we leave on our communities, environment and the events industry. We aim to actively contribute to and encourage a repositioning of the

industry as an attractive career, to overcome recruitment challenges and skills gaps.

“Eurovision has provided an opportunity for us to contribute towards a refreshed, recognisable modern brand for Destination Liverpool. We recently launched a legacy toolkit to assist event organisers with plans on how their events can leave a legacy and will be using our learnings to continue to develop the customer journey for clients and visitors, ensuring they have the best possible experience when they attend an event.”

Now that Eurovision is a fond memory, there are still exciting things coming up for The ACC Liverpool Group this year: “We’re celebrating our fifteenth anniversary this year and Eurovision symbolised our journey so far in delivering large-scale, complex, global events - both as a venue and as a wider city – including the MTV Europe Music Awards; MOBOs; Netball World

Cup; World Gymnastics Championships; high-profile conferences including Labour Party and BBC Studios Showcase as well as international medical and academic conferences to name but a few.

“Now that we’re just about getting our breath back it’s back to the day job for our in-house team of events experts. Forthcoming highlights include Pet Shop Boys, Labour Party Conference, and UK Drum Show. We’ll continue to deliver great events with ambition, versatility, pride, and teamwork.”

Accliverpool.com

Purpose-Built

When it comes to organising a successful event, choosing the right venue plays a pivotal role, and opting for a dedicated conference venue offers numerous advantages that can elevate your event to new heights. These purpose-built spaces provide a host of amenities and facilities in one easy-to-access location, giving you less to organise when planning your event.

From corporate conferences and trade shows to seminars and workshops, these venues offer flexible spaces which can be customised to suit your event’s needs. Spaces often include state-of-the-art AV equipment, specialised staging, and specific accessibility tech such as hearing loops, which can be tricky to find outside of a conference venue.

One of the most significant advantages is the access to a team of experienced professionals who specialise in event management. These dedicated staff members possess extensive knowledge and expertise in organising events and can provide invaluable support throughout the planning and execution process, making your job easier and allowing you to focus on making sure your event achieves its objectives.

In today's fast-paced digital era, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing event experiences. You need venues that are equipped with cuttingedge technology and infrastructure to meet the demands of modern events. High-speed internet connectivity, video

conferencing capabilities, interactive displays, and top-of-the-line AV systems ensure seamless communication and engagement with your delegates.

The venue you choose for your event reflects your organisation's reputation, and it’s key to the overall impression your event gives. Elevating the perceived value of your event and enhancing your brand's image, purpose-built venues are often associated with quality, prestige, and attention to detail, which can positively influence delegates’ perceptions. Conference venues also offer more opportunities to promote your branding or message, as many offer customisable digital signage, banners, or stands, allowing you to showcase your identity and create a lasting impression.

Organising an event comes with a plethora of suppliers and services to consider outside of the venue, but with dedicated conference venues, many of these are available on-site. From event setup and teardown to catering and tech support, these venues have dedicated staff and resources to handle all the necessary arrangements. This alleviates the burden on your team and ensures that all aspects, such as room layouts, lighting, sound, and food services, are professionally managed. With these services readily available, and the many other advantages, you can focus on delivering a top notch experience for your clients and delegates.

What better place to hold your event than a venue which was built specifically with all the amenities you need in one place?

Our heart is in this.

From enquiry stage, to post-event we’re with you every step of the way. Our aim is to make your event as stress-free as possible. Our team live and breathe events, and have years of experience.

With over 40 flexible event spaces, forwardthinking tech, creative food options, tons of space both inside and outside, and sustainability at the forefront of all that we do. You’re in good hands.

Need to know more? Our team are exhibiting at The Meetings Show 2023 on stand D81 and will be excited to see you!

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WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER

www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

sales@wybostonlakes.co.uk

Get

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.

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.

in touch with our team today to host a conference with a competitive edge.

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Competitive Edge

Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall National Sports Centres offer captivating corporate venues with a sporting edge.

Discover a venue with a competitive edge

The historic and iconic Bisham Abbey and Lilleshall National Sports Centre each offer history, impressive grounds, and a sporting heritage few can match. Each venue offers a wide range of meeting and event spaces, plus on-site accommodation, making them ideal for meetings, conferences, team building, and events of any size. As two of the most prestigious sports training centres in the country they provide a completely unique experience for any corporate event.

Lilleshall House & National Sports Centre

The site boasts the iconic National Sports Centre and historic Main House building, with contemporary, boutique style accommodation and Chapters Restaurant, all nestled amid the picturesque countryside of Shropshire.

Lilleshall boasts a captivating blend of natural beauty and modern infrastructure. The centre's exceptional meeting and conferencing facilities are designed to cater to a wide range of needs, accommodating small gatherings or large conferences with ease.

The well-equipped meeting rooms, with cutting-edge audio-visual technology and high-speed internet connectivity, enable seamless collaboration and communication. Coupled with professional event management services and dedicated support staff, Lilleshall ensures that every event is executed flawlessly. Beyond the walls of the meeting rooms, Lilleshall offers a wealth of recreational activities to enhance team bonding

and relaxation. Lilleshall's commitment to sustainability is also part of the sites vision of Maintaining a Fitter Future, implementing numerous eco-friendly initiatives to ensure the activities on site contribute to a greener future. From energy-efficient initiatives to waste management strategies, Lilleshall takes responsible steps towards preserving the environment.

What truly sets Lilleshall apart is its commitment to providing an environment conducive to creativity and productivity. The tranquil surroundings provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing participants to focus fully on their objectives.

So, whether you are organising a corporate retreat, a strategic planning session, or a team-building workshop, Lilleshall National Sports Centre stands ready to exceed your expectations.

Bisham Abbey & National Sports Centre

Tucked away in the serene beauty of Buckinghamshire, you can discover an ideal venue that combines functionality with inspiration. Bisham Abbey's location is another advantage. Situated just a short distance from London, it is easily accessible for attendees from all over the country. With ample parking facilities and within proximity to major transportation links, logistics are a breeze!

Bisham Abbey is a true gem that seamlessly blends history with modern amenities. Its historic architecture and

stunning picturesque grounds adjacent to the river Thames provide an atmosphere that sparks creativity and fosters innovative thinking. Whether it's a corporate event, training session, or team-building retreat, Bisham Abbey offers an unparalleled setting to enhance productivity and foster meaningful connections.

What sets Bisham Abbey apart is its comprehensive range of meeting and conferencing facilities. From intimate meeting rooms to the grandeur of the Great Hall, the venue caters to gatherings of all sizes. Also, on offer at Bisham Abbey is the state-of-the-art Hybrid Work Hub – a purpose-built space for hybrid working, complete with 55 hot desks, flexible meeting rooms, meeting pods, and a light and spacious kitchen area.

Moreover, Bisham Abbey offers a host of additional amenities to enhance the experience. After a productive day of meetings, delegates can unwind with a workout at the fully equipped gym or engage in some sporting team building activities.

With a unique blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty creating an environment that inspires productivity and collaboration, by choosing Bisham Abbey organisations can elevate their events and provide their participants with an unforgettable experience.

For more information, or to book an event, conference, or meeting room at Lilleshall House please call 0195 260 3003, and for Bisham Abbey please call 0162 847 6911.

BISHAM ABBEY’S MODERN OFFICE SPACES

BISHAM ABBEY

LILLESHALL HOUSE

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Access All Areas

a powered wheelchair for mobility and uses eye gaze to access communication on their communication aid. Or another member may be an individual with Down’s syndrome who uses Makaton signing and an iPad to say some messages, or perhaps someone with Parkinson’s disease, or someone who’s had a stroke, or motor neurone disease.”

was how can we make the food better for them at a conference? A lot of people with communication difficulties have difficulties controlling their lips and the muscles in their mouth, and so they need soft diets and adapted diets. It’s basically about listening to people’s requirements about food.”

Event professionals are becoming increasingly aware that without careful consideration, some potential delegates may find themselves unable to attend an event due to a lack of accessibility. Accessible accommodations at events come in a variety of forms, but one of the less considered concerns is how to make events accessible to those who aren’t able to use speech to communicate.

Helen Whittle explains how the charity advocates for this group: “We are a small UK charity that supports people who aren’t able to use speech to communicate, and use alternative methods of communication. That is often referred to as augmentative and alternative communication, which is a real mouthful, so most people shorten it to AAC. We support people who use AAC, which is a wide variety of people. They could be a young adult who uses

Due to the wide variety of people who use AAC, making an event accessible has to be extremely delegate led: “What we do when we hold our annual conference is, when delegates register, we ask them to identify themselves as someone who uses AAC and has accessibility needs, and that will take them to another form. They can then identify what they need in terms of accessible accommodations. Some hotel rooms say that they are accessible and then they might not be quite right for someone in a wheelchair. For example, we once checked out the bathroom of what was advertised as a superior accessible room, and the shower screen in that room was fixed, whereas in the standard accessible rooms the screen moved. For people in wheelchairs going into that bathroom, it was a no brainer which one would be better.”

Catering is also a key concern: “Since COVID we’ve had a focus group of AAC users who meet every eight weeks, and we ask their opinion on anything to do with the charity or to do with the conferences. One of the things that they asked of us

While the industry is making progress towards more accessible events, it isn’t all the way there yet: “I think there is further to go with making events accessible to AAC users. But I recently attended the International Congress and Convention Association conference. I was asked to go and present a paper, ‘An Accessible Conference’. I talked about communication access and what Communication Matters does. I did the presentation, and it was met so warmly by the events industry. It was fantastic.”

Communicationmatters.org.uk

Helen Whittle, Chair of Communication Matters, discusses the importance of making events accessible to those who use alternative methods of communication.

HIRE BIRMINGHAM’S BIGGEST SCREEN

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.

MILLENNIUMPOINT.ORG.UK/AUDITORIUM

VISIT US ON STAND B50 AT THE MEETINGS SHOW TO FIND OUT MORE

Largest conference centre in North Wales

354 tiered seats with clear sight lines 14m x 8m screen with up to 4K projection

Hybrid event and live streaming capabilities

City centre location

North in Brief

Meetings Show Goes Green

The Meetings Show has unveiled further commitments to minimising its environmental impact.

Working with isla as its strategic sustainability partner, The Meetings Show will forge ahead with its plans to reach net zero by 2050 and cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Using isla’s measurement platform TRACE to help measure and minimise carbon emissions, the event will collect data around the areas of travel, waste, catering, and energy from this year’s show activity.

The data will then be assessed and used to create a full Event Impact Report which will provide data insights on findings and help steer further improvements for future shows.

To allow better calculation of The Meetings Show 2023’s carbon footprint – and identify areas of improvementvisitors, suppliers and staff are being asked to supply information on their travel habits to and from the event.

Alcohol Free Event Hits Liverpool

The inaugural BE THE SPIRIT event series launched in Liverpool in May with the very best in immersive event entertainment meeting an experience with a difference and with a heart. The event, the first of its kind in the UK, took place at St George’s Hall, and was completely inclusive and alcohol free.

The evening itself showcased the very best in ‘red carpet’ entertainment, offering up a twist that sees Casino Royale meeting Gladiator. Entertainment included dancers and drummers, a celebrity compere, and a food and drink tasting experience never done on this scale before. The event wrapped with a well-known band and DJ.

Designed by event organisers with an active passion towards individual wellbeing, the event aimed to be completely inclusive. BE THE SPIRIT was also memorable, alcohol free and a safe space from those who abstain for religious, cultural, or personal reasons.

Alex Clapp, Event Director for BE THE SPIRIT, said: “Unlike other corporate events, we’re looking to introduce a new type of event to replace the traditional alcohol-fuelled corporate functions. The whole night is going to be an experience not to be missed, and forms part of wider legacy that Claritee are incredibly invested in.”

Live Group Rebrands

Global events and engagement agency

Live Group has unveiled its rebrand including a bold, modern logo and a fresh, dynamic website.

The new look reflects the agency’s evolution since its creation in 1975 and the brand’s aim to create events and engagement strategies that are tailored to an audiences’ preferences, allowing every individual to enjoy them in their own unique way.

CEO Toby Lewis explained: “For nearly 50 years, we have become respected as events and engagement pioneers, and that makes me very proud.

“Our core offering has always focused on delivering events that trigger emotion, inspire action, and influence change, and that will remain. But over the last 48 years, audiences - and clients - have changed significantly and, as an audience-first agency, we have evolved with them.

“This is why Live Group today is more than an event management company. We are a strategic events and engagement agency. We are focused on building long-term relationships with our clients – and between our clients and their audiences – across the entire communications cycle to guide them towards strategic success.”

Manchester Central Highlights Northern Sustainability

The first of Manchester Central’s Incubator events took place recently, welcoming business leaders across the North to discuss the importance of sustainability within the events industry.

The Northern Sustainability Summit, a free business conference, organised by Manchester-based business group Elevate, focused on educating business leaders on sustainability and Net Zero and supporting them through the challenges and the opportunities of the green revolution and levelling up.

The day-long conference hosted a diverse programme of keynotes, workshops, drop-in sessions and exhibitor demonstrations, as well as a number of panel events across sectors including hospitality, transport, supply chain, and tourism.

Martyn’s Law Draft Published

The industry has welcomed the publication of the long-anticipated draft

legislation for Martyn’s Law, also known as Protect Duty.

The legislation has been championed by victims’ groups following tragedies such as the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

The bill outlines the counter-terrorism activities required for events taking place at venues of various sizes. Two tiers of venues are laid out in the draft: standard and enhanced.

The standard tier comprises venues with a maximum capacity of 100 or more people, which are required to undertake “low-cost” activities such as terrorism protection training.

The enhanced tier includes venues with a maximum capacity of 800 or more people, which are required to invest more time into counter-terrorism measures, such as appointing a designated senior officer for the review of venue security.

The bill also introduces a regulator, with the power to inspect and enforce the requirements for each tier. The regulator has the power to hand out sanctions and penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to £10,000.

NOHM Partners with Stoneleigh Abbey

A growing hospitality management business in the Midlands has landed a new strategic partnership with a historic venue, which has links to royalty and literature.

Coventry-based No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM) has been selected to grow the conference and events business at Stoneleigh Abbey, the site of 12th Century Cistercian monastery, in Warwickshire.

Stoneleigh Abbey, now a stately home, proved fit for a queen in 1858 as Queen Victoria stayed for two nights while the historic building and its grounds provided inspiration for Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.

The history of the venue and its 600acre grounds – including the River Avon running through – are expected to prove a major selling point for NOHM.

NOHM, which was launched in 2021, also manages Coombe Abbey Hotel, St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry’s Cathedral Quarter, the on-site restaurant Tales of Tea, and IXL Events Centre, where the company is also a partner on the corporate business side.

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

A Historic Event

Your event will go down in history at the site of the most incredible archaeological detective story ever told.

Ten years ago, history enthusiasts everywhere were shaking their heads in disbelief as the long-lost body of one of England’s most infamous former monarchs – King Richard III – was uncovered buried underneath a car park in Leicester. The King Richard III Visitor Centre was built on that site and details the amazing journey which led to the discovery.

Wow your delegates by inviting them to visit King Richard III’s burial site preserved within a 2023 History Museum of the Year award-winning memorial building with a glass floor for viewing. They can immerse themselves in the beautiful storytelling told through cutting-edge interactives and displays detailing

research and the science behind his rediscovery. Including a completely new digital reconstruction of the monarch’s burial site and how it has changed over half a millennium.

Conference Day Delegate rates are from £30pp and Half Day Delegate rates are from £20pp. This includes free admission to the exhibition about Richard’s life, death and one of the greatest archaeological detective stories ever told.

These rates allow hire of the King’s Suite, the grand meeting space which has the capacity to hold 80 people theatre style, 56 classroom style and 32 boardroom style, with a minimum requirement of 20 delegates. The room is pre-fitted with audio-visual equipment, and packages also include conference pads and pencils, refreshments, and snacks upon arrival, with lunch or mid-afternoon break supplied by the award-winning King Richard III White

Turn back the clock and enhance the experience with a medieval banquet. Featuring potage of split pea, roast thyme chicken, and cinnamon apple crumble, your delegates will be transported to another time filled with court jesters and nobility. Even better, those willing can get involved in some medieval merrymaking of their own, with traditional singing and dancing to round

The centre’s experienced team can even arrange bespoke events specific to your requirements. In the past these have included three-course dinners in King’s Suite, waiting served canapés throughout the exhibition, film screenings, chocolate making, cocktail lessons, gin tasting, book launches, Annual General Meetings, Medieval armour dress up, historic medicine demonstrations, charity events, private parties, and tours of the exhibition. Tours are a great way to give your delegates an in-depth and fact-filled look at the site’s rich history. Whether you are looking for a deep insight into the life, death, and incredible rediscovery of King Richard III or want an exclusive experience of the of the exhibition and a word from the centre’s experts, the team can arrange times to suit your requirements and itinerary. Tours are available for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 60 guests, from £12.50 per person.

And with brand new children’s activities such as the Rex Factor: Lost In Time digital game being added soon your delegates can come back again with the family!

Kriii.com

Always a Pleasure

In 2022, The Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre opened its doors for the first time. In its first 12 months of operation, the venue welcomed 55,000 delegates and generated, alongside Winter Gardens Blackpool, an excess of £70 million in economic benefit, contributing to Blackpool’s overall visitor economy which is valued at more than £1.58 billion. In 2023, the high-tech, high-spec venue is expecting to welcome well over 63,000 delegates.

MeetBlackpool is aiming to put Blackpool on the map, adding conferencing and events to its beloved seaside-resort prominence in the North-West.

MeetBlackpool has also recently announced its new online accommodation booking platform. The new service will showcase all MeetBlackpool’s accredited accommodation partners,its facilities, and availability across event dates, with organisers able to manage all aspects of their booking online. The site also includes a group booking option for organisers looking to submit a request for block room bookings.

Industry collaboration

Top venue

Following a £30 million investment, the venue is now the largest of its kind in the North of England. With a total of 2,400 sq. metres of dedicated space, the venue can easily host large events, with the added possibility of utilising the space in conjunction with the other areas in the Winter Gardens complex, giving a total event capacity of over 7,000.

In its first year, the venue has hosted events including the Conservative Party Spring Conference, the Trade Union Conference, plus events organised by the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and the Ethically-Powered Data Event by Lancaster University, which saw a multi-sector discussion on how to drive a sustainable revolution in Blackpool.

Business in Blackpool, Always a Pleasure

Earlier this year MeetBlackpool unveiled its new logo and branding as part of its recently announced £450,000 marketing and communications campaign. The stylish new branding elevates the organisation’s ‘Business in Blackpool, always a pleasure’ strapline, drawing on typography found in Blackpool’s vintage signwriting, and the town’s heritage as Britain’s best-loved seaside resort.

Julie Vincent, Head of MeetBlackpool, said: “We’re now looking at how we can expand on that core offering to enhance the delegate experience and put Blackpool on the meeting and events map. We’re working hard to leverage Blackpool’s forward-thinking technology, infrastructure, culture, and sector specialisms, as while Blackpool for many conjures up nostalgic childhood memories, for us it also represents a vibrant and innovative hub of redevelopment and movement with a bright future ahead.”

In a move that cements the town’s dedication to the events industry, MeetBlackpool and the Winter Gardens Blackpool have recently joined the mia as part of its Venue membership and Destination’s membership, the latter has secured the mia’s highly acclaimed AIM Secure accreditation.

Looking to the future

The teams at the Blackpool Conference & Exhibition Centre and the Winter Gardens Blackpool have been working hard to build an impressive events pipeline for the remainder of 2023, seeing an increase in the value of events being booked for 2023, which are currently expected to generate almost £1.2 million in economic benefit. Looking further ahead, both venues combined have confirmed around £2.2 million of events until 2027, generating approximately £1.9 million of economic benefit.

Michael Williams, Managing Director, Winter Gardens Blackpool said: “I am incredibly proud of the entire team and the outstanding results they have achieved with both our venues. I am excited to see what the next few months can bring for Blackpool.”

For more information visit Meetblackpool. com

Strictly BLACKPOOL

COME SEE US AT THE MEETINGS SHOW STAND B54

Rediscover Blackpool, with over £500m of investment already made in the town’s infrastructure and millions more in the pipeline, Blackpool has emerged as a modern and vibrant conference destination that offers an unforgettable delegate experience.

BALANCING ACT

not going to have that same work life balance.

How did going freelance and home working change how you work?

Amy Cowan has been in the event industry for over 20 years, opening her own event business, Amy Cowan Events in February of 2020. She recently led a talk at CHS Leeds to discuss work/ life balance, speaking about how going freelance proved to be the right step for her after a nine to five became a poor fit for her career and family driven lifestyle.

Hi Amy! Social media is such a fastpaced place for people to show how their life and work is going, do you think over exposure imposes on work/life balance?

It’s got to factor in. Whenever I see a LinkedIn feed of somebody always posting career highlights and milestones, I immediately think, who’s doing their housework? I think its commonplace for us all to think work/life balance is the same for everybody, but it’s just not true. All that fixation in the media about Molly Mae saying Beyonce has the same number of hours in a day as the rest of us, doesn’t help either. Yes, there are the same number of hours, but we also haven’t got an entire team to keep our day organised. What she achieves is amazing, but we're

It felt so much better, but I also felt like I owed it more. I'd have had all the things that I wanted to do before work started, the time with my children, time doing some exercise, I've probably tidied up a little bit as well. After that there is only work because all those things have been done.

When I used to work in an office, every lunch break was spent running off on an errand. I’d be doing some online banking, getting my personal life in order, doing something crazy. It got to the stage where I never thought: ‘Oh, I'll take a break from work.’ It was just cramming everything else into that hour. It wasn’t helpful and it didn't make me feel that much more productive either.

Now I get so much more done working from home, controlling my hours, I can do those errands when I need to. I’m much more efficient freelancing and a lot of it is because I am such an honest person. All my billing is transparent because I can't bear to think that I might be putting a markup where I shouldn't and that’s a great motivator.

A tactic which really helps me is the Pomodoro technique, where you work for 25-minutes and then take a five-minute break, and then after you’ve done a few

circuits you earn a longer break. When I was first freelancing, I lived and died by my little tomato timer.

Have your working habits been noticeably different since dropping going in to the office?

I like how, if I'm on a briefing where I have to listen, but I don't have to do anything, I can do my washing up while I'm listening. And I'll do that because it makes me fully absorbed at what’s going on. It’s all about knowing yourself. I know that I concentrate better when I'm doing something else, and I can do that for myself now without judgement. It drove some people potty that I’d be doing something while they’re talking but I am paying attention, that is how I pay attention. I mean, it's literally my job to do 10 things at once and I was complimented on it in my own time, but when I used to do it in other areas like meetings, it was seen as a negative.

I think we’re also recognising that were not all 100% neurotypical and that everyone is on a spectrum. Just recognising that people’s brains work completely differently and trying to support them in that way is something I like having control over. I think that could still be done in a nine to five. I've created that environment for myself, because I couldn't find it anywhere else, but I think you can find workplaces which are accommodating and there are little hacks you could put in place for yourself too.

H&E North spoke to Amy Cowan from Amy Cowan Events to see how working flexible hours can lead to a fulfilling work and personal life.

Front Runner

Scotland is on track to become the first country in the UK to be Net Zero by 2045, five years ahead of the rest of the nations. Venues across the country have been investing significantly in their journey to change, implementing sustainable initiatives, and working hard to reduce their impact on the environment.

Scotland boasts a range of sustainable spaces making it an ideal location for collaborative meetings and impactful conferences, recognising the critical need to protect the environment and champion sustainable initiatives and procedures.

Candacraig

Surrounded by 18-acres of private woodland within the Cairngorms National Park, this 17th century mansion is one of Scotland’s finest exclusive-use venues. Candacraig is an award-winning pioneer in sustainability with numerous green initiatives including; team training in sustainable practices; a biomass boiler; LED light bulbs; Enjoy chemical free cleaning systems; a private well that

supplies the hotel with naturally filtered water; all sanitary wastewater is processed onsite via anaerobic digestion; zero food waste policy, where leftovers are composted and food is distributed to staff and local food banks; the use of a kitchen garden; a corporate partnership with Scotland The Big Picture; and ongoing investment in the local community.

The venue has a wide variety of stylish private rooms and outdoor activities from worldclass salmon or trout fishing to foraging walks and farm visits.

Winton House

Nestled in 2,400 acres of countryside, Winton House is an exclusive-use venue which has an award-winning approach to sustainability. The biomass boiler is fuelled by sustainable woodchips from the estate’s timber and provides heating and hot water for the entire estate, saving approximately 100 tonnes of carbon a year. Its 850-acres of forestry are estimated to absorb around 2,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, which equates to the

average carbon emissions produced by 250 households.

The estate boasts six flexible meeting spaces which can accommodate up to 130 delegates, with ample space for break-out sessions. It offers a range of team building activities, including clay pigeon shooting, falconry, and Winton Laser Tag.

Fairmont St Andrews

The 5-star resort earned Gold Status from Green Tourism due to its commitment to sustainability, including having zerowaste to landfill status. In 2018, Fairmont St Andrews introduced 20,000 native honeybees in its one-acre wildflower meadow and returned a large portion of the manicured lawns to native grasses. As the local bee population matured, more pollinators arrived on property, improving overall pollination and local ecological habitats.

Continued on page 57

VisitScotland tells us why Scotland should be your first choice for sustainable conference and event hosting.

Unique opportunity to combine a private museum tour in tandem with your events

Largest capacity (dinners for up to 1200) in our stunning Grand Gallery

Breath-taking views from our Rooftops venue and terrace

1599 at the Royal College, in the heart of Glasgow City Centre is home to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow which was founded in 1599, by the granting of a Royal Charger from King James VI.

The space has been home to the highest standards of care for patients over the years, but as well as delivering quality care services, the heritage building offers a collection of unique rooms and function suites that are perfect for both formal and informal events.

Private dining, conferences and meetings, and bespoke weddings, 1599 at the Royal College has the facilities to make any occasion one to remember. Our chef brigade prides itself on bespoke menus using fresh, seasonal produce from local suppliers, and the events team is dedicated to ensuring that every function is a success, going above and beyond to consistently exceed our client’s expectations.

With your vision, our ‘know how’ and breath-taking views, Pratis Barns is perfectly placed to bring your event to life.

Continued from page 54

As one of Scotland’s largest conference venues, it has experience of hosting a variety of business events including the G20 Summit.

Dundas Castle

Named as one of Britain’s top 5-star exclusive-use venues, Dundas Castle exudes historic grandeur. The castle has 325 sq. metres of solar panels to supplement its energy use, as well as a biomass boiler which is fuelled by locally sourced, recycled wood. All lights are LED and food is sourced locally and seasonally. The housekeeping equipment has been upgraded with smart technology to increase efficacy and reduce energy usage.

The Pavilion on the lawn is ideal for conferences with its floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the extensive grounds which can host teambuilding activities such as a mini highland games.

Gleneagles

This luxury 5-star hotel, spa and golfing destination offers an inspirational blend of grand meeting spaces and reputable event management. The estate can host events for up to 300 delegates and has 15

versatile meetings spaces with world-class dining options.

Gleneagles was the UK’s first hotel to resurface its driveway with recycled plastic, reusing an equivalent of 60,000 plastic bottles. The estate has also installed beehives within its 850-acres which produce sweet blossom honey that is then used by both the kitchen and spa.

Kimpton Charlotte Square by IHG and InterContinental Edinburgh The George Both of these buzzing city-centre hotels deliver social sustainability through their partnership with local charity Springboard. To date, the hotels have offered 37 placements to disadvantaged people, providing them the opportunity to carve a career in hospitality. Both hotels also use in-house water filters and reusable glassware which so far have saved the equivalent of 132,682 water bottles.

InterContinental Edinburgh The George offers a grand, sophisticated setting for large events with The King’s Hall being its piece de resistance hosting up to 300 delegates.

Kimpton Charlotte Square is a vibrant setting for meetings and its six newly renovated event spaces can host conferences for up to 350 delegates.

Fyvie Castle by Nation Trust Scotland

Fyvie Castle is a magnificent 800-yearold fortress, and one of Scotland’s finest examples of Baronial architecture. Its Walled Garden is home to the largest collection of Scottish fruits and vegetables and Garden Tasting Tours are available on booking.

Fyvie is renowned for its lavish interiors and world-famous art collection and offers a magical setting for corporate events and conferences. Theatrestyle meetings in the castle can seat up to 120 guests, while marquee events in the grounds by the picturesque loch can cater for over 1,000 delegates.

P&J Live, North Scotland’s largest event complex, has an impressive 48,000 sq. metres of multi-purpose event space including conference and exhibition halls which can host up to 5,000 delegates and a 15,000-capacity arena.

The venue has its own innovative energy centre which uses food and garden waste from around Aberdeen, which is then digested in an anaerobic plant into hydrogen gas which is used to heat, cool and power the venue and its onsite hotels. It also reuses around 98.8% of its materials on site and has achieved a BREEAM rating, one of the highest environmental standards possible.

Visitscotland.com

Are

Taking the High Road

Turnhouse, a military airfield built in 1916 during World War I, it transformed into a civilian airport – Edinburgh Airport – in 1947.

conference centre was constructed and named the Highland Hall.

Event organisers are often looking for a unique draw in their event’s venue to intrigue delegates, and historic venues have this in spades. The Royal Highland Centre (RHC) is Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor multi-purpose venue, hosting over 200 events and welcoming over one million visitors each year, using a combination of historical settings and modern facilities, which appeal to delegates of all types.

But not only that, we have a fascinating history as a venue for diverse events and exhibitions, which draws in event planners looking for a venue with a stellar track record. Initially the site served as RAF

Going back even further, nearly two hundred* years ago, the now infamous Royal Highland Show opened its gates. In 1960 the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) acquired a portion of Edinburgh Airport and established our purpose-built showgrounds.

Drawing on interesting and complex history gives any venue a unique selling point to entice potential clients, but it’s equally important to ensure that your venue is up to date in terms of technology and facilities.

The showgrounds underwent significant expansion and modernisation in 2000 and our state-of-the-art exhibition and

Always striving to move with the times and maintain our reputation as a significant landmark in Scotland’s events industry, we opened The Pavilion at Ingliston in 2021 and, this year, installed over 33 km of fibre internet wiring. Our focus is always to de-risk organiser and promoter profit and loss by providing the best greenfield experience with permanent infrastructure. We have also been a member of the Association of Event Venues since 2006, building on the legacy of our venue.

With our rich history and ability to adapt to changing demands, we continue to play a vital role in hosting a wide array of events, contributing to Scotland’s cultural and economic landscape.

[*1822]

From small meetings to conferences for up to 550 delegates, our range of dedicated and flexible meeting spaces plus spacious grounds for team building activities is the perfect location for any event. Free Car Parking and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

Mark Currie, Director of Operations, Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, shares the beauty of combining history with state-of-the-art facilities.

Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House Stratford unveil a new skyline meetings floor, just in time for visitors to The Meetings Show.

Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London Stratford hotels are two world-class properties located in the heart of East London. Surrounded by stunning parks, canal walks and first-rate sports facilities, tree-lined boulevards and art institutions and possibly the best transport links in the capital, Hyatt in Stratford is the natural choice for an inspiring London-based meeting or event, with its location minutes from ExCel.

With impeccable access to major stations, London City Airport, Canary Wharf, and the O2, it’s little wonder that these two hotels are in high demand by leisure, groups, and business travellers seeking exciting and productive stays in the capital.

A new suite of meetings spaces, including a skyline al-fresco terrace with magnificent city views, has been added to the 12th floor –making this the largest residential meetings and conference space in its locale. The addition of three Kingsland Suites, two Dalston Suites, an open-air Skyline Terrace, and two Lea Suites on the 12th Floor bring an additional 4,392 sq. feet to E20 – a vibrant East London hub for culture, business, and leisure.

Additionally, the third floor is itself a showstopper. Guests are instantly wowed by the glamorous lobby, which leads

Sky High

directly to three special areas; the Elondi Restaurant, Bar and Terrace – all beautifully furnished with a flavour of Art Deco. These and the premium Stratford, Bow, and Poplar Suites are all available for private functions. With outdoor space in central London typically both a rarity and at a premium, event planners should be checking out Elondi Terrace, a beautifully furnished, allweather, al-fresco spot, it is an idyllic outdoor oasis for many fabulous occasions.

From brainstorming boardroom sessions to a glamorous banquet, the hotel’s F&B A-team is there to exceed all expectations. Sicilian head-chef Alessandro Femino works hand-in-hand with F&B director Tommy So, whose career includes senior roles at Nobu, The RAC Club, plus five years at Claridge’s.

Bringing the team together has never been more satisfying; there are endless, immediately accessible opportunities.

ABBA Voyage offers a live music experience like no other, while home to the 2012 London Olympics, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has some of the world’s best sporting facilities, combined with luscious green parks and tranquil waterways. The ArcelorMittal Orbit, the UK’s tallest sculpture – is home to the world’s longest tunnel slide. And not to mention Westfield Stratford City, which has a world of retail therapy and entertainment on tap.

Stay the night or stay a while; Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London are two hotels under one roof, offering a combined total of 350 rooms. Hyatt House offers apartment style living, boasting 125 apartments with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary laundry facilities and an inclusive breakfast – perfect for longer stays. Hyatt Regency has 225 luxury guestrooms with premium amenities and features.

For more information and capacity charts, log onto Hyattregencylondonstratford. com and click on events. Or email events.hrlondonstratford@hyatt.com / telephone 020 3814 1234

Feeling a little overwhelmed?

We know the feeling. That’s why we offer a place for you to tackle your challenges and dive into the world of events, meetings and incentives in just a couple of days.

Take the time to save time

Sweep your delegates away with our recommendation of some of the best Euro conference centres.

EUROPE’S

AXICA Kongress - Und Tagungzentrum | Berlin | Germany

AXICA congress centre in Berlin has three main event spaces including the Plenum, the Forum, the Sky Lobby & Lounges, and its further small spaces such as a lounge, a foyer for dining, and some smaller rooms which act as an auditorium and conference rooms. This venue has it all. The most adaptable space in the venue, the Plenum is described as a Walkable Sculpture, its sleek wooden and steel design is formed in an oval shape to maximise its 80-person seating plan in theatre, boardroom, or podium formation.

Axica.de/en

Congress Center Alfândenga Porto Porto | Portugal

Former venue of TEDx, the Congress Centre Alfândenga Porto has a mindblowing amount of space among its 16 event spaces. The centre has something for any kind of event with highlights such

AXICA KONGRESS

FINEST

as the Archive Hall, a 1,200sq. metres event space, a 200 sq. metres Auditorium, and an outdoor reception space at the Quay. Alfândenga also offers photo, video, and multimedia coverage; decoration; AV equipment and technical assistance and show production.

Ccalfandegaporto.com/en

NEWCAP Event Center | Paris | France

The NEWCAP Event Centre is has 1,200 sq. metres of fully modular space for working, listening, learning, meeting, and partying. Its capacity can handle 100 to 800 people in theatre and cocktail mode, while accommodating 40 to 100 in a U format or 70 to 120 in a cabaret style. Along with the latest AV technology including projection, sound, and fast WiFi, this stylish French venue will perfectly accommodate all types of corporate event.

Newcap-eventcenter.com/en

Ville Ponti Congress Center | Varese | Italy

Where modernity and history meet, Ville Ponti Congress Center began in the 1960s with its three historic dwellings, The Villa Andrea, Villa Napoleonica, and Le Sellerie. The three villas are from different eras and thus have a unique style and décor to one another. Perfect for those wanting a touch of the outdoors in their event, the villas are situated in a historic 56,000 sq. metre

park. Between the venues there are intimate meeting rooms with an 18-person capacity to larger spaces which hold a 400seat capacity. This gorgeous multifunctional space could be straight out of a Wes Anderson film.

Villeponti.it/en/en-home

Nova Spektrum | Lillestrom | Norway

Boasting over 100 years of experience in events and rentals of its arenas and facilities, this venue has five halls, 55 meeting rooms, 40,000 sq. metres, and a streaming studio. The Nova Spektrum is fit for any modern event with its tasteful furnishings and state of the art projector, speakers, microphones, sound, light, stage, and screen offerings. It offers large scale event spaces and private meeting rooms and its biggest space, Hall D, is 10,700 metres square!

Novaspektrum.no/en

Malmömässan | Malmo | Sweden

Malmömässan’s Conference floor can hold a capacity of 550 people while also hosting smaller scale conference rooms for 10 delegates and upwards. All conference rooms are equipped with the latest AV and data technology, which is included in your rental of the space. Its superb restaurant, Cloud, is also available for hire and seats up to 450 people.

Malmomassan.se/en

CONGRESS CENTER ALFÂNDENGA PORTO

MALMÖMÄSSAN

NOVA SPEKTRUM

North in Brief

Yarnfield Park Hosts UK Congress

The Association of Association Executives (AAE) recently partnered with Yarnfield Park, part of The Venues Collection, to host its annual Associations UK Congress. The conference is the UK’s most attended conference for association leaders attracting association executives from all around the UK.

Yarnfield Park is a purpose-built conference venue located in the heart of Staffordshire, with well-equipped facilities and versatile event spaces. Attendees enjoyed a packed schedule of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and social events. With a wide range of topics on the agenda, the conference was a valuable learning experience for association executives of all levels.

Damian Hutt, Executive Director, Association of Association Executives said: “Yarnfield Park is a fantastic ‘destination venue’ with everything on-site, enabling our delegates to fully immerse themselves in our event with no distractions and find the conference informative, engaging, and enjoyable.”

Wyboston Lakes Resort Finalist for Three Awards

Wyboston Lakes Resort has been recognised as one of the best and most sustainable conference venues in the country by the Conference & Events Awards.

It has been shortlisted as a finalist for three awards – Best Conference Venue (over 500 theatre style), Best Event Venue Customer Service (over 500 theatre style) and the Sustainability Award.

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing, said: “This is superb testimony to our first-class facilities and customer service and to the continuing commitment of our team to finding new ways to make our venues more sustainable. It’s very exciting.”

Wyboston Lakes Resort plans to become self-sufficient by producing its own green energy using the natural resources available at the Resort, which will help to achieve its Net Zero Carbon Emissions target. All electric energy on-site now comes from renewable resources, reducing the resort’s carbon footprint by 65%. Zero-to-landfill was achieved for the sixth consecutive year. It is currently eradicating fossil fuels from the site and ensuring that zero food waste goes off-site.

Take Strides in Aid of Hospitality Action

UK charity Hospitality Action invites the nation to put on their walking shoes this autumn and take part in Walk for Wellbeing, a nationwide movement to help promote health and wellbeing within the hospitality industry.

Now in its fourth year, powered by UK hospitality talent partner mum in partnership with Caterer.com and Peoplebank, the charity’s annual walk is a fun, flexible event all about coming together to take simple steps towards raising vital funds to support individuals and their families in the hospitality sector who are facing challenging times.

Five hosted 20 km walks will take place in key cities across the UK on 8th October in London, Bath/Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow. Those who can’t make that date can ‘Walk It Your Way’ at a location of their choice any time between 30th September and 15th October, encompassing World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

The Meetings Show Revamps Education Programme

The Meetings Show, has unveiled details of its revamped

education programme for this year’s show, which takes place at ExCeL London on 28th to 29th June.

The new look line up will inform, inspire, and empower visitors to think differently, connect differently, plan differently, and live differently.

Created in partnership with experienced design experts Samme Allen, CEO of conferenceemcees.com, and renowned consultant, author, and previous keynote speaker at The Meetings Show, Claus Raasted, content is split across four brand new themes: Impact, Inform, Innovate, and Inspire.

Delivered by a range of expert speakers from across the industry, presentations, workshops, and campfire sessions will explore subjects such as how event technology can supercharge engagement, unpacking the power of data, building event communities, how to make events sustainable, how charities can help you plan events with meaningful experiences, and more.

AEV Announce Date and Venue for Conference

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has today announced that its annual conference is scheduled to take place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre (QEII) 17th November in London.

AEV Director Rachel Parker, made the announcement, saying: “This will be the seventh AEV conference but the first time to be held at the QEII Centre. We choose the conference venue based on our member feedback and are excited to return to the capital this year. It feels doubly appropriate to be located in Westminster as we continue our work with the government to raise awareness of our great industry.”

The QEII Centre is the largest dedicated conference and exhibition venue in central London offering modern facilities and event space to accommodate up to 2,500 delegates all within a five-minute walk of the Thames.

Neil Chandler, Venue Operations Director, QEII Centre, added: “We are pleased to be hosting the AEV conference this year. We host over 400 national and international events a year, but we are particularly looking forward to welcoming our AEV peers.”

App Launches to Bring Graduates to the Industry

The Power of Events plans to deliver a new Industry Insight App later this year. The launch involves working with University Research Partners to create immediate Four-Nation coverage, foster relationships between regional academics and their event industry representatives, and to directly involve the next generation of graduates who will be entering the industry in the next couple of years.

For best timing with the universities and to overlap with regular induction and student welcome sessions planned at the beginning of the academic year, the app will be launched in September/October to provide the best engagement for the launch activity.

Organisations already working with The Power of Events include: Top Banana, Serious Stages, Show Control International, Deckerdence, PKL, inVOYAGE, Hilton Metropole Birmingham, The Events Club, CHS Group, Oddity Events, GL Events UK, Festivall Services, Phoenix Events (East) Ltd, NCASS The Nationwide Catering Association, Local Authorities Events Organisers Group (LAEOG), Women in Lighting, Women in Live Music and #wemakeevents.

All Souls Bolton

All Souls’ is a beautiful historic church (Grade II*) that has been converted for use as a conference, office, learning and community space. As part of this work, the original building was carefully restored.

Renovation work began in September 2013 and was completed November 2014. Why not book your meeting or event with us?

All Souls-Bolton, Astley Street, Bolton, BL1 8EY 01204 385868 | info@allsoulsbolton.org.uk

www.allsoulsbolton.org.uk

Bath & West Showground

Nestled in the heart of Somerset, the Bath & West Showground is a stunning 240-acre site which offers the perfect event location if you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary.

01749 822217 | events@bathandwest.co.uk www.bathandwest.com

Whether you need a private meeting room for eight or a large conference for 200, we can provide excellent conference facilities for your event.

Leicestershire Wedding Venues | Brooksby Hall brooksbyhall@brooksbymelton.ac.uk | 01664 855262

Century Tours

Do you want to reward employees’ successes or build stronger relationships in your workforce? Step out of the ordinary with our exceptional team events and incentives trips. Find out more:

0333 006 8800 | info@centurytours.co.uk www.centurytours.co.uk

Cleatham Hall Hotel

Cleatham Hall offers a tranquil environment for that business meeting or stay and meal, the perfect location for a select product launch. We can cater for groups from 2 to 30 on an open or private basis.

01652 649402

Cleatham, North Lincolnshire, DN21 4JS

Discovery Point

Discover your perfect conference space at Discovery Point in Dundee. Our venue offers flexible room configurations, modern technology, and stunning views of the River Tay and RRS Discovery. Book now for your next event and impress your guests. 01382 309060 | conferences@dundeeheritage.co.uk www.rrsdiscovery.co.uk

Edinburgh Boat Charters - Corporate or Private

Sailing on our luxury catamaran “Edinburgh Castle” means enjoying an experience unique to the area. Relax or take the opportunity to be part of the crew. Join us for an adventure.

0131 554 9401 sales@edinburghboatcharters.com

Exclusive Entertainments

Sound, Lighting, Staging, Stage Backdrop, Projection, Live Camera & Streaming, Starlite Dance Floors, Room Star Clothing, Room Draping, etc.

Awards Evenings, Charity Balls, Weddings & Events, Corporate Meetings, Event Power Distribution.

Equipment Hire, Sales & Installations 07710 083086

info@exclusive-entertainments.co.uk

Get Ahead Virtual Agency

Get Ahead offer admin and marketing support within the hospitality and events sector. Get in touch with us to tell us what will make your business grow and how we could help.

07496535719 | fiona@getaheadva.com

www.getaheadva.com

Hinsley Hall

Hinsley Hall is set in tranquil grounds close to central Leeds and offers is suitable for a range of events including conferences, meetings and training courses.

0113 261 8000 | generalmanager@hinsley-hall.co.uk

www.hinsley-hall.co.uk

Horwood House

Horwood House has 15 stylish VIP boardrooms, comfortable meeting spaces and large conference spaces for up to 270 delegates plus beautiful outdoor grounds for teambuilding. Whilst undergoing our £6 million renovation, we incorporated high tech AV facilities to make our place in the Buckinghamshire countryside, your ideal place to do business.

www.horwoodhouse.co.uk

01296 722100 | meetings@horwoodhouse.co.uk

Brooksby Hall – Melton Mowbray

Kinkell Byre

Kinkell Byre has been hosting a wide range of events, weddings, corporate dinners, and activity days since 2003. The multi-functional & adaptable venue can seat 450 or more with an adjoining sea-view marquee.

Our professional, experienced team are always willing to go the extra mile to create a unique Scottish experience for your guests.

07552 922291 | info@kinkell.com www.kinkellbyre.com

Sandpit Creations is a company of designers, fabricators, and makers. Our background is in immersive theatre events, live interactive gameplay, and set design and build.

info@sandpitcreations.com | 07547352391 www.sandpitcreations.com

The Racquet Club Hotel

City centre venue - 8 Bedroom hotel with 2 separate floors dedicated to hosting bespoke customised events and celebrations.

0151 236 6676 | info@racquetclub.org.uk www.racquetclubhotel.co.uk

Virginias Vintage Hire

Combining products sourced in the UK and overseas, we have created a collection of stylish furniture and décor that embraces simple, understated character and craftsmanship.

07791 075549 | nicky@virginiasvintagehire.co.uk virginiasvintagehire.co.uk

Wortley Hall

Situated within 26 acres of formal gardens and woodland with spectacular views over the Yorkshire countryside.

Excellent conference and team building facilities for up to 200 delegates.

0114 2882100 | info@wortleyhall.org.uk

www.wortleyhall.org.uk

TEAM WELLNESS SOLUTIONS

If all of your staff have a great rapport with each other and an overwhelmingly positive attitude to their job role, then they will help to raise the profile of your business, its interests, and reputation.

07552 800798 • info@teamwellnesssolutions.co.uk

www.teamwellnesssolutions.co.uk

• Events & Exhibitions

• Project Management

• Public Relations

Saward Marketing & Events combine the core skills of marketing and public relations with exhibitions, trade fairs and outside events. We aim to provide innovative solutions to facilitate the growth and development of companies, charities, and organisations across the market place.

07788 660 996 • jack@saward-me.com • saward-me.com

COMING

Event

Location: North Wales

Sandpit Creations

By increasing your employees’ engagement in the workplace and getting them to invest utterly in a positive and vibrant workplace ethos, it will combat disengagement and decrease levels of absenteeism.