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