PRESTIGE EVENTS MAGAZINE WINTER 2017-18 EDITION

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EVENTS WINTER 2017/2018 EDITION Est 2003

SPECIAL REPORT – THE WHITE PAPER: WOMEN IN EVENTS ONES TO WATCH COOL HOTELS FOR YOUR BUCKETLIST 5 THINGS TO AVOID HOW TO DEAL WITH GATECRASHERS EDGY VENUES WHY WE LOVE HOXTON WHY HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE COOLER THAN NEW BUILDS DIY EVENT PLANNING CONFEX PREVIEW 20 QUESTIONS WWW.PRESTIGEEVENTSMAGAZINE.COM

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“Thanks guys! This means a lot!”

Gordon Ramsay 11th Annual COOL Venue Awards 28th March 2018, 100 Wardour St www.coolvenueawards.com

MAIN SPONSORS:

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CONTENTS

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13 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CONFEX READERS LETTERS GIFTS FOR YOUR CLIENT THEATRE HOSPITALITY DRINK ROUND-UP FIVE THINGS TO AVOID AT YOUR NEXT EVENT ONES TO WATCH BANKSIDE CONFEX PREVIEW SUPPLIER FOCUS: YAHIRE EDGY VENUES COOL HOTELS FOR YOUR BUCKETLIST HOW TO DEAL WITH GATECRASHERS WHY WE LOVE HOXTON WHY HISTORIC BUILDS ARE COLLER THAN NEW BUILDS VENUE FOCUS: IET SAVOY PLACE REWIND: 2017 COOL VENUE AWARDS REWIND: 2017 HOT 50 AWARDS MY EVENTS WORLD: ROGER PAYNE REVIEWED: THE SPIRIT SHOW VENUE FOCUS: EVENTIM APOLLO, WEMBLEY STADIUM, DINERAMA, SHAKA ZULU, SILVERSTONE SPECIAL REPORT: THE WHITE PAPER WOMEN IN EVENTS: LORRAINE ROSSINDALE, ALISON AYRIS, SELINA DONALD, SABINE KERN, ROXY ERIKSON DIY EVENT PLANNING WITH BEYOND EVENTS 20 QUESTIONS…WITH LORD JASON SCOTT

PUBLISHERS STATEMENT As we approach our 15th anniversary as a magazine this summer, it’s hard to recognise the industry back then and the industry which we have now. The investment in venue design has been on an incredible scale, and technologically the advances have been huge. In the age of social media it could be argued they have to. But have we made the advances in terms of gender, race, and job satisfaction? In this edition, we publish The White Paper. Powerful reading.

We have a good gauge on attitudes and it was a pleasure to publish this report. After all, buildings can be beautiful, but they need souls to adorn them…happy souls preferably.

Lastly, as we go to print, we glow with huge pride as we host our magazine’s 100th 20/20 Speed Networking event in just six years. If you haven’t attended visit www.2020speednetworking.com to see how it’s changed thousands of event organisers lives by introducing them to the coolest suppliers and forming relationships that take them to event utopia.

After all, don’t we all deserve that?

PRESTIGE EVENTS TEAM: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Head of Client Relations: Dan Bearpark Head of Marketing and Database Admin: Joy Mendy Registrations Manager: Joshua Ali Editor (print and online): Hope Mendy Editorial Contributors: Jason Scott Design Director: Errol Anthony Griffiths Financial Controller: Christine Canty Prestige Events magazine (est.2003) is an MX4 Ltd publication.

Prestige Events, 108 Clydesdale Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 1AJ, Tel: 01708 737393 wes@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW…ABOUT In addition to the mind-blowing Musion holographic content in the keynote theatre, make sure you catch the following:

EN & Partners Pavilion

For the first year, we are excited to be extending all our magazine pavilions to incorporate presence from some key industry partners. In our mini EN theatre we’ll be chewing over some of the key topics of the moment – security, GDPR, venue as destination amongst others to create some great copy for the next issue and on a lighter note, we’ll be hosting the up and comers of the 2017 EN 30/30 for a drink or several.

Conference News & Partners Pavilion

As above, Conference News is delighted to be co-hosting a pavilion with key association partners and suppliers and look forward to welcoming visitors to our CN theatre for pithy debate on event apprenticeships, wellness and the latest on the incentives landscape with SITE GB’s new whitepaper. Our very first Conference News 30/30 2017 will also be joining us for a glass of something refreshing at the end of day one.

Association Events Forum

Opening Confex on 28th Feb, a day of compelling content specifically designed for Association Event Professionals – Event Planners, Managers, Executives and PCOs offering unrivalled peer to peer networking and first class education. Delivered to you in partnership with ABPCO and the Association of Association Executives.

Event Trees

Event Trees have created some amazing spaces at Confex over the years. Their upside down world on the main bar and their irresistible to enter Hobbit Hole in 2017 continued to secure them business from some seriously global brands and they have crazy top secret plans in store for the 2018 show. You won’t be able to miss their stand – F18C, make sure you go and have some fun with them!

GES

We’re delighted to welcome GES as the sponsors of our main bar this year and they’ll be bringing you the GES concept in 4D together with their component parts of Visit, Blitz and Poken. Event organisers across the scale are invited to join them to discuss their plans and visions (and there may be a signature cocktail or two on offer!)

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ABPCO Roundtables

ABPCO will be hosting a series of roundtables on day 2 in the associations theatre to address some key issues with PCOs and in-house association event planners. Topics are: ‘Establishing Purpose and Values’, ‘Building exhibitions – striking the balance between commercialism and member interest’ and ‘GDPR, are you ready?’ Spaces are limited so make sure you book your seat early!

ILEA Tours

There’s so much content to navigate at Confex, why not join one of our ILEA tour guides for a whistlestop tour of a selection of our Event Tech, UK or international destination exhibitors to give you a real flavour of some highlights? Find our tour guides and timings on the ILEA pod on the Conference News pavilion.

SITE GB Incentive Tours

SITE GB will also be donning the tour guide mantle to show visitors around a selection of our premium hotels, incentive and team building suppliers. A cornucopia of new ideas and inspiration for agencies and corporates alike.

Sales Conference

In partnership with the AEO, the hugely popular sales conference returns with a plethora of takeaways to improve your sales performance. Whatever your level and experience, there are useful snippets to be gleaned on effective social selling, using neuroscience to drive sales success and a bold session entitled ‘How to persuade anyone to do anything!’

Surely you can’t miss that one?

Academic Venue Pavilion

Hot on the heels of our inaugural Academic Venue Awards in 2017, we will be showcasing a selection of the UK’s finest Academic Venues on the dedicated pavilion. Great, unique, non-traditional event spaces with highly talented teams waiting to surpass your spec.

Event Tech 18 Theatre sponsored by eTouches

The most popular content stream in 2017, the Event Tech theatre returns in 2018 with 2 full days of the latest trends, emerging technologies and, most importantly, the best way to deploy them. VR, AR, wearables, biometrics, gamification, AI, facial recognition, what does it all mean for your events?

VIP Lounge hosted by Freeman

In addition to fast-track entry and free cloakroom, our VIPs are warmly invited to take some well-earned time out with a break in our VIP lounge. Relax with a coffee, catch up with industry friends or get on top of your emails. Your chill out opportunity is kindly sponsored by Freeman.

Chill and Charge Zone sponsored by Eventsair

Open to all, when both you and your phone need to recharge your batteries, take a quiet moment in the Chill and Charge zone, located right by the Event Tech Theatre and brought to you by Eventsair by Centium Software

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& Q/ Dear Jason, I’m told you are the man to advise on how to get upgraded on my future flights. It seems no matter how much I spend from the pages of GQ, nothing works. - James, London

1 Choose your route carefully Most upgrades will be offered for “operational reasons”, such as when the economy class cabin is full or oversold, but the premium cabins are not. Therefore travelling on a busy route, where this is more likely to occur, will help. Flights to beach resorts during the school holidays, when the majority of fellow passengers will be families, are a good bet. Monday morning flights to Frankfurt – not so much.

2 Be loyal, and pay more for your ticket. ...

Regular customers will normally be given priority when an upgrade is available.“It is sometimes necessary to upgrade customers,” said a BA spokesman. “This is rare and will normally apply to frequent flyers who are members of our loyalty programme first.”

3 Travel alone. ... trust me / I spoke

at 12 evens globally and opened 10 business locations around the world and

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went alone and this meant I was often upgraded.

4 Just ask. ... Four per cent of those

questioned in a MoneySavingExpert. com poll said they had received a free upgrade by simply asking for one at the check-in desk.

5 Have a good reason. ... If you’ve got

a more genuine reason than those listed above, such as being exceptionally tall, pregnant, or even celebrating a honeymoon, birthday, or anniversary, it will go in your favour. A Lufthansa spokesman said “it never hurts to ask”, and offering a reason such as these “would certainly improve your chances”.

6 Be nice. ... It goes without saying that

the lucky few who have received an upgrade after requesting one were polite, and probably smartly dressed. They didn’t demand one.

7 Be a VIP or know someone at the airline.

The Virgin spokesman added that: “There is an upgrade list at check in (this could be journalists, travel industry VIPs, etc) and all these upgrades are agreed in advance and signed off at head office.” So if you have a good friend who works for an airline, it can’t hurt to ask, but get in touch as soon as you know the details of your flight.

And if you see a man at the airport with a hat and no socks, do come over and say hey Q/ Jason, I’m told I’m too radically dressed in the workplace. I’ve just come into my first events position straight from university.

What are your general rules?

- Matt, Essex DRESS. FOR. YOUR. WORKPLACE. At some workplaces, it’s totally OK to rock boots and a t-shirt, but in others you’re going to be turning heads if your tie is too bright or wear a hat and no socks. Look around and be aware of what others are wearing. Be careful, though, not to fixate on the one guy in operations with the funky jeans and decide if it’s OK for him, it’s OK for you. Make sure you’re looking at the people whom you admire and aspire to be. They are the models you want to emulate.

CHECK YOUR GROOMING If only we could get dressed and be done.

But, no, there are so many other layers to our appearance: • Are you wearing too much makeup?

• Do guys at your workplace embrace the 5 o’clock shadow?

• Do you have a visible tattoo?

The answer to what’s going to work for you boils down to being cognizant of your environment. I have a friend who yearned to be an artist and yet he took a job in corporate events despite serious reservations. He ended up quitting and got a tattoo that covered his neck and arm and now works as a freelancer on Fiverr.

It was a bold move designed to ensure he would never be tempted to take a job in an industry where he couldn’t be himself.

He knew his ink wouldn’t fly in certain

environments — and he didn’t want to be in those places either.

Q/ Hey Jason, our team travel globally to see many clients which places tremendous pressure on our wardrobe choices as a group and as individuals. Help!

- Sally, Balham CONSIDER CREATING A UNIFORM The uniform look is my favorite strategy.

What I mean by uniform is finding a professional look that will be your go-to.

For example, a rotation of shift dresses, blazers and statement necklaces or if you have seen me you will see a blue 3-piece suit, brown shoes and white shirts with no socks and a brim. (Seriously, I wear nothing else on stage.)

When you limit yourself to a few simple combinations, dressing professionally is a lot easier. And it can even be a hidden productivity boost. You know who has admitted to wearing a “uniform?”: President Obama. He has said that he goes with a grey or blue suit because it pares down the unimportant decisions he has to make, leaving his mind free for the important ones.

The bottom line is that the old adage rings true: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. When you spend time consider what your superiors are wearing and commit to “leveling up” in your dress, you can’t go wrong.

I want to hear about egregious wardrobe errors you’ve seen — or accidentally committed yourself. Fess up and tweet me on @Penthouselord .

Jason Allan Scott is a best-selling author and internationally recognized entrepreneur and events expert who helps people now run business that don’t require them to be boss’s or have boss’s and love Free through his books, events, seminars and workshops.

The winning letter from this issue will receive a wonderful Cosmolite suitcase from our sponsors Samsnite. For more infomation on Samsnite products visit www.samsonite.com

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There is nothing that makes a client feel more valued than a little something to say “Thank you”. Below we have listed 5 things to purchase for your very best clients…

gifts for your favourite clients Jealous Sweets

Jealous Sweets is a proud British company founded by friends Taz Basunia and Imran Merza who decided to leave their finance careers and enter the world of confectionary. They introduced to the market a range of vegetarian sweets such as Gummy Bears and Sour Beans that are not only gluten free, but have no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. The result is a delicious collection of sophisticated (guilt free) sweets!

Samsonite

Samsonite is the worldwide leader in superior travel bags, luggage, and accessories combining notable style with the latest design technology and the utmost attention to quality and durability.

For more than 100 years, Samsonite has leveraged its rich design heritage to create unparalleled products that fulfill the on-the-go lifestyle needs of the business professional.

Regardless of your age or style, Samsonite has something to offer everyone… www.samsonite.co.uk

Fortnum & Mason – Hampers A Fortnum & Mason hamper is the gift that never disappoints. Every one of their hampers, gift boxes and baskets is a treasure chest of delicious and delightful things, filled with specially chosen luxuries for every occasion. Simply lift the lid for the excitement to begin. www.fortnumandmason. com/t/categories/hampers

For those in need of some TLC… M by Montcalm – The Beauty and Melody Spa

If you know anyone wrapped up in the stresses of life as an #eventprof, this is the perfect gift!

The Beauty and Melody Spa at M by Montcalm in Shoreditch, an oasis of calm and relaxation in the heart of London. Their expert team of spa therapists offer the finest quality Thalgo body and facial rituals, massage, waxing, laser and body sculpting treatments and nail treatments in a beautiful, Ocean themed spa environment. Take some time out from your busy schedule and relax in their sauna, swimming pool, steam room and Jacuzzi. www.mbymontcalm.co.uk/spa

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SPONSORED BY:

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TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE, THAT IS THE QUESTION Here at Prestige Events we love a Musical or two and we thought that we would share a couple of our favourite musicals and plays that have been newly or rereleased. So get booking as these are ones not too miss!

Long Day’s Journey into Night Wyndhams Theatre, London

Long Day’s Journey Into Night features a family of four: haunted by the past but unable to face the truth of the present. Caught in a cycle of love and resentment, the Tyrones and their two sons test the strength of family bonds as they indulge in their vices, unravelling the truth as day turns to night and the family’s lives fall to ruin.

The King and I The London Palladium, London The King and I tells the story of a British teacher, Ana, who is hired by the King of Siam as he tries to modernise his country, but the pair’s relationship is marred by conflict throughout the musical.

Avenue Q Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.

Cirque Berserk The Peacock Theatre, London Now in its fifth thrilling year, Cirque Berserk! returns to The Peacock to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the invention of circus, with a jaw-dropping spectacular that combines contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action.

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DRINKS BRANDS YOU NEED AT YOUR NEXT EVENT ONE GIN Guilt-free drinking! Every bottle of One Gin funds life-changing water projects in the world’s poorest communities. It’s unique recipe, handcrafted in one of the oldest distilleries in England using a 100% British wheat base, marries nine core botanicals from around the world and one signature botanical - fresh English sage. Sponsor of the COOL Venue Awards 2018 www.thespiritofone.com ELCEES A Taste of the Exotic is on offer with every sip of Elcee’s. If orange is the new black, red is the new chic! Elcee’s is a British premium cocktail brand with both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The original alcoholic recipe was created by the founder Larry Coker in 2002.

Sponsor of the COOL Venue Awards 2018 www.elceesdrinks.com

SOBOLINAYA Unashamedly luxurious superior organic vodka, which combines the wild untamed and natural beauty_of siberia with the glamour and passion of paris. The water used for sobolinaya is drawn from a remarkable portlandian aquifer and it’s natural lake more than 160 metres underground.

It passes through minerals and rock, _built up millions of years ago, and is purified in the process. The lake is protected by _100 metres of impenetrable clay, ensuring that no surface water taints the pure lake water. It is totally pure. www.sobolinaya.com AU VODKA Inspired by gold, Au Vodka incorporates the periodic table where gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79.

They combine it’s British heritage and luxury ingredients together to create truly exceptional ultra-premium vodka. Recognized instantly by it’s signature gold bottle, Au Vodka is for those who choose individuality over common following.

Au’s signature smooth taste and distinct flavoring is perfect on the rocks or in a martini, breathing character to any cocktail. www.auvodka.co.uk

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1. Terrible entertainment (or no entertainment at all) Keep it classy. Avoid X-Factor rejects and hire professional, talented artists and performers for your next event. I highly recommend the fantastic Just Talent For more info visit: www.just-talent. co.uk

2. Bad food (or worse, no food at all) Make sure your caterers are on point. Fed guests are usually happy ones (alcohol helps too, so why not offer your guests a complimentary welcome drink?) We recommend the amazing Richmond Caterers.

For more info visit: www. richmondcreativeevents.com

3. Life Speeches There is nothing worse at an event than a life speech. Try to keep things short and sweet to avoid your guests from falling asleep.

To really keep the crowd alive we highly recommend Unconventional Speakers.

For more info visit: www. unconventionalspeakers.co.uk

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4. Gatecrashers There is truly nothing worse than unintentionally inviting the wrong crowd to your next exclusive event.

Keep up to date with The Steeple Times! They even have a list of suspected gate crashers. Stay in the know.

For more stories and updates visit: www.thesteepletimes.com (please note: The opinions and content posted on The Steeple Times is not affiliated with Prestige Events Magazine)

5. The wrong venue Choosing the wrong venue for an event can be catastrophic. All event organisers know that a venue is the foundation of a successful event. Choose wisely.

Stuck for venues? We recommend 20/20 Speed Networking ! Complete 4 weeks work in just half a day, and meet senior venue managers from the most amazing venues out there!

For more info visit: www.2020speednetworking.com

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THINGS TO AVOID AT YOUR NEXT EVENT...

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ONES TO WA Amir Hussein

Simon Dodson

Founder & Master of Occasions at InAnyEvent London InAnyEvent London is a London-based private and corporate event planning agency like no other. It is also an influential lifestyle and events guide on a mission to make the everyday ordinary extraordinary.

No matter the occasion or type of event, InAnyEvent London approach it meticulously, with passion, creativity and enthusiasm to craft impossibly perfect occasions!

Website: www.inanyevent.london

CEO & Founder of w-a-e, Co-Founder of Tom & Simon’s Kitchen.

Simon founded w-a-e in 2015, it enables people to learn from experts, network with entrepreneurs, unlock their inner potential, build residual income, develop new skills and reach new heights. Simon believes in turning dreams into reality.

Website: www.w-a-e.com

Leon Skinner

Courtney Jalland

Director / Co-Founder of The Hangout and Rendezvous Established in August 2014, TheHangout has rapidly expanded into one of the most sought after social events in London to date. In little under 2 years, they have outgrown numerous exclusive venues around the capital. As demand grew, inevitably so did TheHangout. Leon has also recently launched Rendezvous at The Tale Bar, an exclusive members only late night lounge event.

Website: www.thehangoutuk.com

Director at Dream Revenue and G.O.A.T Events Launched in 2017 G.O.A.T Events run exclusive social events (primarily in the East Anglia Region). Over the last year G.O.A.T Events has continued to grow, along with Dream Revenue, who create the best social-first strategies that are bought to market by innovative and creative content design, video production, and effective distribution. Recent clients include the likes of MTV, Timberland, and Louis Vuitton.

Website: www.dreamrevenue.co.uk

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ATCH IN 2018 Laura-Beth Spouse Director Of Business Development at Focusing Events In 2017 Laura decided to move on from her Account Coordinator role at Banks Sadler, where she organised a variety of corporate events across the globe. In late 2017 Focusing Events was launched, Laura’s main focus is new business and working closely with non-contract clients. She has worked on many large scale enquiries for a variety of major UK and international clients.

Website: www.focusingevents.com

Jack Parsons Chief Executive Officer: Big Youth Group Digital Advisor: The Princes Trust and Fair Train Jacks mission is to change the world for young people starting by creating 2 million career opportunities in the United Kingdom before tackling this mission globally. Jack chairs conferences, facilitate company events, host awards ceremonies and gives thought-provoking (and amusing) speeches. He also won 3 awards last year, Young Digital Leader Of The Year, The 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy and Most Connected Young Entrepreneur.

Instagram: jackparsons_ceo Website: www.bigyouthgroup.com

Joleen Teh

Ryan Sloan

Events Director at YEP Enterprise YEP (Your Event Planner) is a London-based firm who specialise in planning and styling luxury weddings and events. Working both in UK and worldwide using meticulous attention to detail and minute-by-minute coordination to bring clients’ dreams to life. Joleen offers meticulous attention to detail and minuteby-minute wedding planning and styling to bring couples’ dreams to life. The entire team at YEP enjoy learning the intricacies of every individual’s personality and can design a bespoke wedding to reflect the couple’s style.

Website: www.yepenterprise.uk

Global Business Development | Compelo Ryan has more than 14+ years of progressive experience in sales and business development, strategic corporate / commercial partnerships, and professional services. He possesses outstanding knowledge in sales processes, and hands-on experience in delivering results and building business relationships, while consistently developing sales strategies and initiatives to ensure ongoing growth.

Website: www.compelo.com

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BANKSIDE If you’re not familiar with Bankside, it’s time to get to know London’s leading cultural quarter and foodie destination. Famed for its stunning riverside with unrivalled views of St Paul’s, the area is home to Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market. Beyond its iconic visitor attractions, Bankside also has a wealth of character and history hidden within its backstreets.

The area boasts over 40 venues that belong to Venues Bankside, a vibrant collective comprised of top visitor attractions, hotels, corporate and private dining spaces. However, it isn’t variety alone that brings Bankside to the forefront of London’s events scene.

Find out below why Event Professionals are becoming so taken with this central London location…

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Culture and creativity With its medieval origins, people have come to Bankside to experience culture for over 1000 years. Shakespeare lived and worked in the area when it was most renowned for its bear pits, theatres and taverns. Today it’s a slightly different story, yet Bankside still embraces its roots as London’s home of independent entertainment.

Tate Modern remains the world’s most visited art gallery and with six theatres in the neighbourhood, Bankside is fast becoming London’s alternative theatre district. The area’s cultural profile is continuing to thrive with likes of Omeara, a live music, bar and exhibition space owned by Ben Lovett from Mumford & Sons. The Africa Centre at Old Union Yard Arches is another new blank canvas space set within two recently restored rail viaducts.

Connected Situated between South Bank and London Bridge, Bankside’s central location makes it an extremely accessible area. No matter where you are, you’re only within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations – London Bridge, Blackfriars, Southwark, Waterloo and Borough.

Bankside has its own pier which is operated by MBNA Thames Clippers. With a fleet of private charter vessels available, transporting your guests from A to B has never been so simple.

The Victorian rail viaducts that run through Bankside take an especially prominent position and form the core of the innovative Low Line project.

Similar to Manhattan’s Highline, this is an ambitious long term project to reopen a pedestrian walkway along the railway arches with interesting uses. Vast foodie hub, Flat Iron Square along with Old Union Yard Arches are the first two destinations to open along the route.

Private dining

Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and cements Bankside as a top London food destination. The last year alone has seen an influx of restaurants and private dining venues move to the area. You can find a mix of established and new names such as Caravan, Hawksmoor, Arthur Hooper’s, Bar Douro and tibits bankside.

With Hilton London Bankside, CitizenM, Mondrian London and the Accor Hotel Group all located in Bankside, it’s a perfect place to visit from near or far for your event.

Find out more about Venues Bankside at venuesbankside.com

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This year sees the collaboration with Musion, the holographic experts, to deliver the keynote content. Via their ground-breaking technology, they’ll be demonstrating how holograms can be incorporated across all events – whether for conferences, awards or just serious wow factor entertainment. Stand by to see some familiar celebrity performances as you’ve never seen them before.

PRESENTS

Industry collaboration and partnership are always core to Confex, and, for the fourth year running, day one will see the Association Events Forum in partnership with ABPCO and the Association of Association Executives as well as the Sales Conference in association with the AEO. Both represent fantastic freeto-attend learning opportunities so make sure you take full advantage and book both yourselves and your teams in.

Incentives reign strong at this year’s Confex too with some absolute gems of UK meetings venues and hotels including Thornton Manor, Oatlands Park Hotel, Burley Manor, The Lensbury and Barnett Hill Country House Hotel. Further afield you should have a look at some of the increased range of international destinations and venues with Les Rives d’Argentiere - luxury chalets in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Praia d’el Rey golf & beach resort in Portugal and, for those looking to escape the British climate, definitely worth having a chat with Visit Barbados!

Team building and employee engagement ideas are also an expanded offering with Guinness World Records leading the charge with their Engage programme.

Why not challenge them to come up with a fun and innovative record breaking concept for your company?!

International Confex has a strong reputation for the range of Event Tech that is showcased and 2018 is bigger than ever. AR, VR, AI, Facial Recognition, wherever your interest lies, you’ll find exhibitors demonstrating latest innovation and conversations in the Tech Theatre about the best tech for your events.

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Whatever your event agenda, you’ll find new ideas aplenty at International Confex 2018 both on the showfloor

TO M O R R OW S W O R L D

CONFEX 2018 28

Tomorrow’s World of events today is the bold claim for this year’s International Confex and it’s one which is certainly borne out by the ambitious content programme across all 6 theatres.

Whatever your event agenda, you’ll find new ideas aplenty at International Confex 2018 both on the showfloor and in the seminar theatres.

While you’re dashing around though, don’t forget to come and see us on the Prestige Events pavilion B46C, where, as always, there’ll be lots of buzz, fun and games. Look forward to seeing you there!

Register free of charge for International Confex 2018 at www.international-confex.com

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Inside the mind of Yahire Director,Taran O’Doherty

JA! IT’S YAHIRE (aka: Sling wearing dad and driven entrepreneur with a vision to insphire others to follow their dreams,

What first inspired you to get into events?

Having previously worked at furniture & catering equipment hire company I was not happy how the operation undervalued customers. The owners were too focused on price and not the customer experience. After a month at this company I decided to leave and start my own company which would be customer focused and exceed all expectation. I wanted to create a company that would fulfil a need for quality products along with exceptional customer service and become an event supplier that is respected and highly recommended by others, so then Yahire was born.

What was the first company you worked for?

Like most teenagers I dreamt of traveling the world and living a life of adventure, 24-hour parties and making millions by my mid 20’s. So, at 17 I joined a sales team in a small travel agency just off Oxford Street, which was, let’s say ‘a little rough round the edges’. I would travel the world and live

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out my dreams of being the next Christopher Columbus but as no surprise, this didn’t happen, and I worked there for 8 months and moved on….to work in a leisure centre somehow or other.

Who inspired you? My mum.

If unconditional love and support is not inspiring I do not know what it is.

NAME: TARAN O’DOHERTY ORGANISATION: YAHIRE Attitude – where does it originate from?

Fear, it’s a very strong emotion but if you can harness that fear and make something good of it then you’re a winner. Coming from humble beginnings I have found myself in difficult situations where the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere to be seen. Having no desire to return to the ‘dark place’ fuels my drive to achieve my life goals and make the people around me proud.

As John Calvin Coolidge once said Do you still get excited?

I sure do! Yahire celebrated its 6th birthday in 2017 and we have come a long way since we started, working 18-hour days out of our bedrooms with only 200 folding chairs to offer.

I still pinch myself as it’s still hard to believe that we now have over 4000 folding chairs, employ 70 staff, a fleet of transport vehicles and provide a range of products from conference chairs and glass poseur, to gazebos and LED bars for different events each week. Our aim is to become an authority with in the furniture hire industry in the coming years and the ‘go to’ supplier for event organisers in the UK. Highlights of your career?

There are so many memories that spring to mind when you say ‘highlights’ but one that jumps out was when we received our first order and the phone rang for the first time. With no marketing done and hardly any proactive sales activity I was thinking it was someone calling by mistake. When I established it was a genuine order the smile on my face stretched from ear-to-ear and I knew that I was on to a winner. If we fast-forward time to the present year, we are now closing deals as the official furniture supplier of SquareMeal V&E Exhibition, sponsors of the canapé cup, exclusive suppliers to Allianz park and listed as preferred suppliers to some of London’s most prestigious venues and caterers. The whole journey has been a highlight to me and looking to the future there is still more to come from Yahire.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

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COOL HOTELS FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST

THE RITZ CARLTON – ARUBA

Experience surprise and delight at every turn at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, one of the more memorable luxury beach resorts along the Caribbean island’s spectacular Palm Beach.

With its remarkable offerings of fine dining, wellness and recreation, along with its pristine beaches, gorgeous pools and beautiful landscape, guests will revel in a new standard of luxury and elegance that characterizes one of the finest Aruba five star resorts Hotel Features Expansive Club Level lounge located on the top floor A collection of five food and beverage venues, including BLT Steak Two swimming pools The island’s preeminent meeting facilities, including a 7,500 square foot ballroom 15,000 square foot luxury Spa facility with 13 treatment rooms State-of-the-art Fitness Center 15,000 square foot distinguished Aruba casino Dedicated concierge The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level redefines the luxury hotel experience, combining intimacy, comfort and exclusivity with the personalized service and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of The Ritz-Carlton. This oasis is often referred to as a hotel within a hotel, where a dedicated concierge attends to individual needs in a well-appointed, relaxed lounge environment.

With continuous culinary offerings throughout the day (breakfast, light snacks, hors d’ oeuvres, beverages and sweets) and access to a computer station – it is the ideal place to conduct business, plan a family outing or simply unwind.

For more info visit: www. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ caribbean/aruba/hoteloverview prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI

Soaring high above Downtown Dubai, the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, is home to the exclusive Armani Hotel Dubai. A global design first, the hotel has been designed and developed by Giorgio Armani, and reflects the pure elegance, simplicity and sophisticated comfort that define his signature style. Armani Hotel Dubai is the realisation of the designer’s long-held dream to bring his personal style to life in the most inclusive way, by offering his customers a unique Stay with Armani experience. Every detail in the hotel bears the Armani signature, beginning with warm Italian-style hospitality and moving through to each individual design element from the Eramosa stone floors to zebrawood panels, bespoke furnishings and personally designed hotel amenities.

Sophisticated colours, clean lines and unique textures blend together seamlessly with the tower’s stunning architecture and use of natural light to create an atmosphere of calm serenity where guests can retreat into a world of minimalist elegance. Location Nestled in the world’s tallest tower, occupying concourse level through to level 8 and levels 38 and 39, Armani Hotel Dubai offers sweeping views across the city and Arabian Gulf. With its own dedicated entrance, it is situated within walking distance of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest retail destination, set within the vibrant Downtown Dubai business and leisure district.

Dining Armani Hotel Dubai features seven restaurants offering an exciting collection of world cuisine, from Japanese and Indian to flavours of the Mediterranean and authentic Italian.

The impressive culinary options reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the city. Armani/ Lounge is located in the heart of the hotel and overlooking the spectacular Dubai Fountain, and is the perfect spot to meet and relax for a light meal any time of day.

The perfect place to meet friends, discuss business or just watch the world go by whilst enjoying innovative interpretations of international cuisine. An extensive selection of coffees, teas and wines complement a world-class array of beverages.

Armani Events For unique events with signature style and impeccable service, Armani Hotel Dubai is a venue to complement every occasion. Set in the heart of Downtown Dubai – the city’s 34

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lifestyle and commercial hub – the combination of stunning architecture, minimalist elegance and distinctive hospitality, make it the preferred location for business and pleasure. From high profile business conferences and closed door boardroom negotiations, to unforgettable wedding celebrations with unique flair, their collection of contemporary spaces are designed to offer flexible yet sophisticated location solutions.

Their dedicated team of event professionals are committed to delivering tailor-made experiences, with underlying attention to detail ensuring that hand-selected table linens, thoughtful floral centerpieces, state-of-the-art audiovisuals, and world-class cuisine set the tone for a successful event.

For more info visit: www.armanihoteldubai.com

BLUE LAGOON ICELAND – SILICA HOTEL

Set in the heart of a stunning lava landscape, Silica Hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. The hotel offers its own private bathing lagoon which is available for hotel guests every day from 09:00 to 22:00.

The hotel has won several design awards. Built in harmony with the surrounding landscape, it offers an oasis of calm, relaxation, and healing. The hotel has 35 bright and spacious double/twin rooms. All rooms offer private facilities and a veranda, with breathtaking views of the surrounding lava fields.

Location The hotel is located just 1 kilometer from the main Blue Lagoon resort!

For more info visit: www.bluelagoon.com/blue-lagoon-spa/accommodation

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DELTA HOTELS – WHISTLER VILLAGE

Discover a brand new way to vacation at the Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites. Their resort greets you to Canada with everything you’ll require for an exceptional stay! Boasting an impeccable location at the base of Whistler Blackcomb, the resort provides unparalleled access to world-class skiing and the many iconic attractions for which Whistler Village is widely acclaimed. You’ll be thrilled with their spacious, beautifully appointed resort suites, which offer first-rate amenities like a fully stocked kitchen, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a fireplace, and much more.

Enjoy an indoor-outdoor connecting luxurious pool, several hot tubs, a fitness centre and mouthwatering time at the hotel’s signature HY’s Steakhouse. The resort can also provide a truly magnificent backdrop for a meeting or social event; take advantage of almost 30,000 square feet of sophisticated event space and experienced planning and catering teams. It’s all waiting for you at the Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites!

For more info visit: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ysewv-delta-hotels-whistler-village-suites

MGM GRAND LAS VEGAS

If you’re travelling to Sin City, there is only one place to stay…

The MGM Grand Las Vegas (formerly Marina and MGM-Marina) is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the United States with 6,852 rooms. It is also the third-largest hotel complex in the world by number of rooms and second-largest hotel resort complex in the United States behind the combined The Venetian and The Palazzo.

Owned and operated by MGM Resorts International, the 30-floor main building is 293 ft (89 m) high. The property includes five outdoor pools, rivers, and waterfalls that cover 6.6 acres, a 380,000 sq ft convention center, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and the Grand Spa. It also houses numerous shops, night clubs, restaurants and the largest casino in Clark County, which occupies 171,500 sq ft.

For more info visit: www.mgmgrand.com/en.html

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Hoxton Venues we love‌

Courthouse Hotel – Shoreditch Located in the centre of Shoreditch, famed for its buzzing nightlife and eccentric charm. The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch couples the grandeur of a Grade II listed Baroque styled building,with a laid-back personalised service forming the perfect alchemy.

The building itself was once Old Street Magistrates Court and Police Station, and held the likes of the infamous Kray Twins in its cells.

It has 128 stunning bedrooms and suites, 13 event spaces, Bowling alley, 196 seater Cinema, and 3 bars, including an amazing Sky Terrace!

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The Hoxton Pony The Hoxton Pony offers a cool blend of vintage and current, managing to fuse the two in a rather charming way. Step inside and before you know it, you’ll find yourself sipping on cocktails from tea cups and chatting away with the friendly tattooed barmen. As the night progresses, DJs take to the decks to play some of the freshest tracks to complement the quirky British feel.

Attracting a young and stylish crowd, The Hoxton Pony is a unique Shoreditch club with a drinks menu crafted by cocktail legend Gerry Calabrese. Using only organic, British produce throughout the thirty strong list, original flavours take the front seat.

The emphasis on seasonal ingredients allows Calabrese to change the cocktail menu regularly, making the most of the on-site facilities that allow the team to make all syrups, compotes and purées fresh in-house.

The Hoxton Pony hosts some of the most cutting-edge acts from across the world, whilst the DJs play freestyle mash-ups of House, Dubstep, Electro, Bass, Garage & Hip Hop through to Old Skool party classics. London pleasure seekers can also look forward to hula hoopers, photo booths and crazy performers. Head down on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and you’re in for one hell of a party.

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Trapeze Bar Set over 2 levels and bathed in faded circus glamour, they aim to excite and delight! On the ground floor, you’ll find a creative cocktail list, simple but tasty kitchen and a spectacular party while downstairs it’s the underground sound of real house and deep disco every weekend from some of London’s finest DJ’s and promoters.

L’Anima L’Anima opened in June 2008 to critical acclaim. London finally had a southern Italian restaurant with soul, treating guests to a brand new culinary experience whilst making them feel instantly at home. The richness of Italian cuisine lies in its diversity and its heritage of good honest food cooked, from the heart. Renowned for being simple, fresh and bursting with flavours, the food of the south is the soul of Italy and counts for a great part of the history of Italian cuisine; centering around the high quality ingredients that grow on its fertile hills and plains and the treasures found in the sea that surrounds it.

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Bounce Old Street The Home of Ping Pong Bounce is a groundbreaking social entertainment brand

founded by Adam Breeden, entrepreneur and co-founder of Flight Club and All Star Lanes, and also Dov Penzik, a successful entrepreneur and former competitive table tennis player. The two founders conceptualized a vision, taking inspiration from the explosion of stylish table tennis social venues stateside and the huge resurgence of interest in the game within the UK. Since its launch in 2012, the Bounce concept has been widely regarded by the industry as a game-changer in social entertainment venues, which combines three elements of hospitality: bar, restaurant and entertainment activity – all set against award-winning design and the highest standard of fit out. Bounce is the world’s leading concept to offer this immersive experience, taking the humble Ping Pong table from the back corner of a bar to become the main offering of the venue, while creating an intricately considered and currently unrivalled leisure experience.

Bounce Ping-Pong has quickly established itself as having some of London’s most iconic and most talked about venues and has hosted games for Elle Macpherson and Gwyneth Paltrow to name but a few.

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The Curtain A hotel, restaurant, live music venue and members club. The Curtain sits at the heart of Shoreditch, London’s most creative district.

Centered around 120 guest rooms, including five suites, there is a rooftop pool and lounge, 24-hour gym, treatment rooms, co-working space and 6,000 square feet of event space, with a ballroom, screening room and more. The Curtain is a new landmark in a district bursting with personality.

Christchurch Spitalfields In the heart of London’s vibrant East End, Spitalfields Venue is an inspiring destination for private, corporate and charity events.

Their unique collection of venue includes Hawkmoor’s magnificently restored Baroque masterpiece Christ Church Spitalfields, The Crypt – home to the stylish Café in the Crypt and the historic Huguenot chapel Hanbury Hall.

Within easy reach of the Square Mile and Liverpool Street Station, Spitalfields Venue is a memorable setting for wedding receptions, banquets, meetings, dinners, conferences and exhibitions, concerts, filming and other events for between 10 and 600 guests.

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“For Those Who Aspire To Create The COOLEST Events And Great Partnerships”

“20/20 Speed Networking it’s a must for every event professional.

Great place to connect with others who can only make your life easier when you organise your next event.”

- Martin Kmiecik, Gay Times

“20/20 Speed Networking is invaluable as you are able to sit down with the end client face to face and talk through their needs and sell the venue accordingly. These networking events are not to be missed and the professionalism of all the staff is excellent. There are other companies who offer similar events at 10 times the price with half the client base, I would never fail to recommend 20/20 to anyone.”

- Adam Quigley, Head of Events, Ministry of Sound

sponsored by

www.2020speednetworking.com

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WHY HISTORIC VENUES ARE COOLER THAN NEW BUILDS

By Milan Thakrar, Business Development Manager, Commercial Events at Historic Royal Palaces:

Our venues are centuries old yet they are alive with remnants of the past, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere alongside an awareness that you are playing a part in the venue’s storied history.

England’s most famous Kings and Queens have entertained guests within the walls of Hampton Court Palace and Banqueting House, while the Tower of London has seen siege, ceremony and even exotic animals. Organisers choosing historical venues have the benefit of being able to offer guests an experience and ambience that cannot be replicated anywhere else – and indeed this is something which new builds cannot deliver in the same way.

We love seeing the faces of our guests as they enter one of our stunning historic spaces and are greeted with something that is so unexpected, and often takes their breath away. At Historic Royal Palaces our motto is ‘tradition with a twist’; our six palaces have been holding events for

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hundreds of years and are fully equipped to allow for creative event concepts which push the boundaries, set against magnificent visual

backdrops. Quirky catering, projection mapping and bold entertainment are wonderfully vibrant spectacles amongst the historic setting, with our highly experienced events teams well versed in hosting awe-inspiring occasions.

Across our six sites, we are able to cater for so many different types of events from gala dinners, award ceremonies, indoor and outdoor receptions, conferences, fashion shows, product launches, and even teambuilding activities. Unlike the often limited space offered by city centre new builds, historical venues often have the luxury of beautiful outdoor space at their disposal, from royally commissioned gardens to the expansive lawns of a converted moat. You won’t find a new build that offers guests the chance to walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII!

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BACK ON TOP

VICTORIANS LEADING THE WAY

19th

century architecture meets cutting edge technology at IET London: Savoy Place following an extensive £30 million renovation in 2016. Savoy Place is now recognised as London’s premier venue for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) events.

The UK headquarters for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Savoy Place is a Global Engineering Hub with connectivity and the future at its heart. The venues tech and digital prowess is second to none; a digital fibre core infrastructure embedded throughout the building ensures future technological trends and client expectations are catered for.

With a 500MB bandwidth, Savoy Place has no problem hosting multiple devices concurrently connecting to its Wi-Fi during an event, offering up to 2GB capacity to delegates.

The high-spec spaces that encapsulate the venue includes two lecture theatres, The Kelvin and Turing, which has the flexibility and capacity to link the two auditoria to create a mega lecture theatre for up to 626 delegates. The rooms can also live stream between them so that no one misses out.

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Guests can explore Savoy Place’s engineering past, present and future which is celebrated with a series of exhibits displayed throughout the historic building. These include the ‘100 engineering ideas that changed the world’, which showcases objects, new and old, voted for by members of the IET are displayed on the wall outside the Maxwell Library. A ‘digital chandelier’ hanging in reception can be branded around each event, the interactive structure comes to life when people walk underneath and represents their field of energy. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Located on the north bank of the River Thames in Central London, Savoy Place has some of the best views across the capital from the roof terrace.

Offering a unique 180° vantage point looking out across the iconic skyline, Savoy Place’s roof terrace is a great spot for evening receptions and outdoor events.

There are dedicated floor boxes in all meeting rooms and lecture theatres for IET. tv or external AV companies to connect film cameras direct to the central Tricatser for live streaming and filming.

76 IPTV screens are placed around the building allowing the IET to stream lectures, video clips and logos to any screen in the building.

AV equipment and production lighting fitted in the Kelvin Lecture Theatre, consisting of 10 moving head lights, means the theatre can offer advanced lighting support.

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THE 10TH ANNUAL COOL VENUE AWARDS THE 10TH ANNUAL COOL VENUE AWARDS LAST MARCH 2017, THE BIGGEST AND THE COOLEST AWARDS NIGHT IN THE INDUSTRY WELCOMED 650 OF THE INDUSTRY’S CREATIVE EVENT ORGANISER’S TO THE LEGENDARY CAFE DE PARIS FOR AN EVENING OF EXTRAVAGANZA, WITH AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIED BY JUST TALENT. WHAT TRANSPIRED WILL LIVE LONG IN MEMORIES AND TRENDED ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH AN AUDIENCE OF 17.5 MILLION EXPOSURES (THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF ALL OTHER EVENT INDUSTRY AWARDS COMBINED!).

IF YOU WEREN’T THERE, YOU CAN VIEW IT HERE…. www.vimeo.com/ prestigeeventsmagazine

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SPONSORS

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HOT 50 AWARDS 2017 AT DSTRKT

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The HOT 50 2017 Winners Buyers / Corporates

Buyers / Agencies

Ryan O’Flynn of Microsoft Martin Kmiecik of Gay Times Michelle Russell of Conde Nast Alisha Denny Moore of Nokia Tracey Pitter of Amex Katie Rutherford of News UK Julia Gosling of ESI Media Michelle Zahira of PPL Alexandra Pyke of Mazars

Amir Hussein of In Any Event London Leon Skinner / James Mulley / Su Yen Foong of The Hangout Jenna O’Connor of Criticaleye Joanne Penney of JP Events Leigh Jagger of Banks Sadler Samantha Galsworthy of Shoutabout Media Graham Hill of Graham Hill Consultancy Fabian Riggal of Secret Cinema Michael Packford of Eventworld

Suppliers / Services

Suppliers / Venues

Victoria Just of Just Talent Bogdan Maran of Splento Alex Ford of Optix Alex Thraves of Absorb Films Kate Disley of Tembo Creates Nick Mead of Eden Caterers Mini Vohra of Cornucopia Events Jackson Clark of Patch Media Melanie Osborne of EFX

Abigail Solieri of Topgolf Zsofia Bethlen of Sunbeam Studios Jack Turner of Bounce Sabine Kern of London Edition Sam Riches of The Curtain Ann-Marie Hackett of Mitchell and Butlers Tony Rimbault of Gordon Ramsay Group Michael Yardy of The Electric Jules Stephenson of GSP Venues / Saatchi Gallery Sarah Handy of Hard Rock Cafe Nadia Mastroeni of Grayson Venues Carlo Zoccali of Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre Andrew Birnie of Café de Paris

Event Heroes Daisy Collingwood of Mail On Sunday Diary Jackie Boughton of Barbican Roger Payne of Camden Dining Shaa Wasmund of Smarta Jason Scott of Hollywood Inc Geraldine Reeve of The Spirit Show Laura Jane Clark of Shed Of The Year George Clarke of Shed Of The Year Elena Clowes of ILEA

SPONSORS

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ROGER PAYNE

CEO

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Q HOME IS….

London FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON? Check the previous days sales.

MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT? Lythe Hill, Hazlemere Sussex, Hotel, first wedding anniversary.

Secret location. 1984.

YOU’RE THE MAYOR…WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? I would make hospitality and service part of the national curriculum, to teach basic manners and to provide the industry with a workforce.

IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Concerto Group FAVOURITE HOTEL? The Sanderson WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE? Somewhere at sea on my boat.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? Always listen to your staff and make sure they have a voice and be confortable to give their own opinion.

FAVOURITE OR MOST CHARMING THING YOU DISCOVERED IN THE EVENT INDUSTRY? My wife, Lesley.

Roger Payne. Founder of Camden Dining, and Freeman of the City of London’ is a well-known Londonbased entrepreneur, creating Shaka Zulu, Gilgamesh, The Cuban (now Gabeto), Atrium, The Riverside Brasserie at Bray and notably Sound London the three floored super club at One Leicester Square. Added to his venue portfolio in recent months have been DSTRKT, and twenty-plus Chicago Rib Shacks. He is a hospitality expert and philanthropist with a background in licensing law, financial consultancy and high level catering.

EARLIEST EVENTS MEMORY? Taking Sound London off Robert Earl and turning it into a national success.

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING? Stamps and restaurants.

LAST THEATRE SHOW YOU SAW? Les Miserables WHO IS YOUR HERO? Gordon Ramsay. Unoriginal I know, I just love him.

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the spirit 2018 show The Spirit Show has today confirmed it will be returning to the Business

Design Centre in 2018, from 21st-23rd November.

The 2nd edition of The Spirit Show rounded off a busy year for the spirits industry. 6002 visitors across 3 sessions descended on the Business Design Centre on 1st and 2nd December and were greeted by over 150 premium spirit producers.

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The Spirit Show also featured talks and tastings from leading industry figures on the WSET Tasting Stage, including London Cocktail Club founder JJ Goodman and Hannah Lanfear of the Mixing Class, as well as a session on maximising the use of social media for small businesses from the team behind the Hot Craft Spirits competition at Clarity Comms. Visitors were also treated to cocktail demos courtesy of Imbibe Educator of the Year, Myles Cunliffe of Mixology Group on the Fentimans London Cocktail Stage.

VIP tickets to the show proved particularly popular amongst show visitors, with over 30% of purchasers choosing the option.

The VIP tickets included access to a private Speakeasy-themed lounge, private cocktail demo, complimentary snacks, a Glencairn tasting glass and goody bag. 98% of VIP visitors surveyed said they will be returning in 2018.

Following on from the success of the inaugural show in 2016, the organisers took on board feedback from exhibitors that they’d like a chance to meet more trade visitors at the show. The 2017 show saw the launch of an exclusive tradeonly session on the Friday afternoon, with 1053 professionals from the on and off-trade attending. This session gave exhibitors, many of whom are small batch-producers, the chance to speak to speak to bar managers and spirits buyers in a relaxed setting. The show welcomed bar managers from many of London’s leading hotels, restaurants and bars, including the Ivy, Hilton and Athenaeum, as well as buyers from the likes of Tesco, Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges. Over 30 members of press also attended this session.

In 2018 this is an area of the show that show organiser Geraldine Reeve intends to expand.

“We were very pleased with how the show has developed over the past year.

We’re still relatively new in the market but are making a name for ourselves within the spirits industry as a mustattend event. Visitors and exhibitors alike enjoy the show’s focus on smallbatch craft spirits, many of whom are

exclusive to the Spirit Show.

Our all-inclusive exhibiting packages take a lot of the stress out of exhibiting as exhibitors can turn up with their product and staff knowing that their stand is ready to go.

For trade-visitors, their time away from the office is precious, so they can come along to the Spirit Show for a few hours safe in the knowledge that they can meet the distillers face to face and sample products that they probably wouldn’t get a chance to elsewhere.

In 2018 we are expanding the trade element of the show, as this is what our exhibitors want. As small producers the chance for them to meet key buyers face-to-face are rare. The Spirit Show fulfils this need. We will also be expanding our programme of free trade talks, with one-on-one “speed-dating” sessions, a development which we’re particularly excited about as it isn’t currently offered in the industry. So watch this space for a bigger and better event in 2018!”

2018 Dates: Wednesday 21st November – Evening VIP Preview Thursday 22 November Friday 23 November For more information contact Geraldine Reeve, Show Director Tel: 01707 260862, geraldine@thespiritshow.co.uk Photos of the 2017 show can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/SpiritShow2017Images

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Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith is one of the UK’s largest and best preserved Art Deco theatres and is now available for private hire.

Along with the capacity to seat 720 guests for dining or 1500 for standing receptions, we are also licenced for civil ceremonies and provide a truly unique location for parties, award ceremonies, conferences, fashion shows, product launches, weddings and more.

The auditorium provides a stunning backdrop to any event and this versatile spaces seamlessly fuses high-tech sound and lighting with 1932 grandeur.

The two-level foyer is a perfect breakout space for drinks receptions or after show parties. Just like the auditorium, this versatile area has been spec’d out with ultramodern lighting and sound equipment that compliments the magnificent Art Deco features.

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LEGEND

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But it’s not just football that ignites this cauldron of entertainment and events attracting over five million visitors every year. This is the venue that saw Take That perform a record breaking 8 consecutive nights of performance, the venue that NFL now call their European home, a venue that plays host to both laws of Rugby every year and who could forget the venue that played host to Britain’s record breaking boxing match in April 2017 when Antony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko under the infamous arch.

embley Stadium: home to English otball and the prestigious FA Cup. Off the pitch is very much a similar story as our 170 event spaces provide a setting and experience that have our guests leaving with inspired memories and a need to return. We provide a conference where your CEO can deliver a speech from the very same press conference room that Pep Guardiola and One Direction have addressed the world’s media. Or have your dinner guests lift the FA Cup from the Royal Box during a drinks reception overlooking the pitch. From 8 seater executive boxes perfect for project meetings and interviews, right up to

The Great Hall for grand banquets and enormous exhibitions, Wembley Stadium quite rightly sits as the greatest sports venue for events in London.

Being just 9 minutes from Marylebone, 12 minutes from Baker Street and connected by four separate lines from central London, our ability to transform an event into a truly unique and exciting experience for guests means that the days of claiming ‘Wembley isn’t central enough’ are long gone.

From Beyoncé to boardroom meetings we’re proud to use the same award winning chefs and event management team that oversee some of London’s greatest spectacles. The same Craft Guild of Chefs award winning team delivering 10,500 hospitality covers during the FA Cup Final will be there preparing your lunchtime sandwiches and soup. The same group of event managers running 4 nights of Ed Sheeran and two of Taylor Swift this summer will be there providing delegate management and arranging cloak rooms. We consider all of our events to be major, whether that’s 90,000 people in the bowl, or 9 people in a box. Isn’t it time you held YOUR show at Wembley Stadium?

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JUICY

IT WAS ALL A DREAM…NAH, IT’S NOT AT DINERAMA

Dinerama, once a former bullion truck yard, is now an all-year-round, 1,000 capacity venue in the heart of Shoreditch – a short walk from Liverpool Street, Old Street and Shoreditch High Street stations. This ultimate food and drink arena has eight brilliant bars and ten street food traders split across two levels, with multiple spaces to hire out making it the perfect venue for groups big (up to 1,000) or small (from 20).

From May to September, Dinerama is an open-air playground with summer themed bars – start at the Rum Rooftop for rum-tastic cocktails or cross the pier to The Pavilion for sunshine spritzes and catching rays. From October to April, the roof comes on and the bars undergo a winter makeover – curl up with a Hot Wine by a log-burning fire in the Alpine Lodge or sip on classic cocktails in the Zephyr Lounge. There’s also a twinkly rooftop wine garden, a Gin Kitchen, tequila slushies, icy-cold craft beers and lots more.

Downstairs, expect a line-up of London’s greatest street food traders serving dishes from all over the world. Dig into sensational grub including pillowy-soft bao buns, fiery fried chicken, juicy burgers, vegan tacos, wood-fired pizza and freshly steamed dumplings.

Street Feast’s traders can curate fantastic themed menus to suit your event, plus your guests will receive bespoke food and drink passports to explore everything on offer.

Street Feast has a dedicated events team to work with you from beginning to end, ensuring your event exceeds expectations every time. Dinerama is a flexible events space available for summer and Christmas parties, awards ceremonies, weddings, drinks receptions and more. It’s the ideal place to create a fantastic event in a completely unique setting, with the best selection of street food and booze this side of anywhere.

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SHAKA ZULU EVERY INCH COOL Shaka Zulu is London’s largest South African restaurant and the beating heart of Camden Market!

Set over a ground breaking 27,000 sq ft, this spectacular two floor restaurant, bar and club offers amazing food, drinks, live music, dancing and is one of Camden’s premier events spaces The lower floor of this stunning venue is complemented by a display of 20ft high warrior statues who stand guard over the main restaurant, the exclusive King’s Club night club and a semi-private dining room. The Mezzanine level offers a champagne bar and cocktail lounge overlooking the stunning restaurant below. Carved wooden murals cover every inch of Shaka Zulu’s walls making it a popular and alternative venue for any event.

Shaka Zulu is incredibly versatile and can play host to a number of events including Bah mitzvah’s, receptions, product launches, networking events, award ceremonies, fashion shows, wrap parties and full exclusive hire.

Our award-winning events team are on hand to help you create your event, completely bespoke. Ultimately, Shaka Zulu’s unique décor and strong personality make this perfect venue that will make any event one to remember.

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The Silverstone Wing offers the very latest in conference and event facilities. Situated in the heart of the world- famous Grand Prix Circuit at Silverstone in Northamptonshire, this £60m venue combines the glamour and heritage of the Home of British Motor Racing, with stunning design and a uniquely flexible space.

The Silverstone Wing boasts 5 large event halls each averaging around 1400m2, a state-of-the-art Auditorium, 40 pit garages offering an additional 5,768m2 of flexible space, a vast selection of break out rooms and parking on site for up to 1,000 vehicles! For something with added charm, check out the British Racing Drivers’ Club space – our favorite spot for a private dinner. Group experiences extend to tailored driving experiences, which can be scheduled around a day’s conferencing.

Silverstone is centrally located between London and Birmingham, with easy access to all major transport links, including junction 10 on the M40, and junction 15a on the M1. The closest stations are Northampton and Milton Keynes Central.

Whether it’s a small meeting for 2, a conference for 1,000 or an exhibition for 3,000, you will have your own dedicated Event Manager to support and deliver your event to the highest standard.

WHAT THEY OFFER:

• Five large exhibition halls • Balconies with stunning views of the legendary Grand Prix Circuit.

• State-of-the-art auditorium used for Formula 1® post-race interviews • 40 pit garages offering nearly 6,000m2 of flexible space • On-site parking for up to 1,000+ vehicles • Handy location between Birmingham and London, with easy access to major transport links • Huge selection of smaller, more intimate meeting and breakout rooms available • Competitive Day Delegate Rates from £45 + VAT per person • In-house Catering Team with easy access to all major transport links, including junction 10 on the M40, and junction 15a on the M1. The closest stations are Northampton and Milton Keynes Central.

Whether it’s a small meeting for 2, a conference for 1,000 or an exhibition for 3,000, you will have your own dedicated Event Manager to support and deliver your event to the highest standard.

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WOMEN IN EVENTS

NAME: LORRAINE ROSSDALE ORGANISATION: WESTMINSTER ABBEY What first inspired you to get into events?

While living in Spain I was asked to translate at post-concert parties for people such as Rod Stewart and Earth, Wind and Fire. I then moved onto organising these parties.

What was the first company you worked for?

A Spanish promoter called Pino Sagglioco.

Finding out that the one hundred people we were serving duck to were in fact vegetarians – an extremely fast and tense turn-around of vegetarian dishes had to be arranged Do you still get excited?

No two events are the same and they continue to excite me after many many years Highlights?

Organising the HRH Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday party at Kew Palace in Kew Gardens

Inspired?

I have always been inspired by the people I have worked for in each of my positions during my working life Attitude?

I think women in high positions are applauded and respected, certainly within our industry There should always be women on company boards. Boards should have an equal quota of men/women Continuing to raise the profile of Westminster Abbey as a premium space within the Events Industry. I am also looking to join company boards to share my expertise.

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N I N E M O W ENTS EV NAME: ALISON AYRIS ORGANISATION: WARWICK CASTLE I had several administration roles, including one in the Royal Air Force, and one in a blue chip company before moving to Warwickshire in 2003. Starting at Warwick Castle in the sales team as an administrator, that then became a corporate sales role where I have been working for 14 years.

SO, HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE POSITION YOU’RE IN TODAY? From my experience and length of service working in the team, opportunities arose for me to further my development establish my career at Warwick Castle in the Event Sales Team.

YOU’RE APPROACHING YOUR 14TH YEAR IN THE EVENT AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. WHAT HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU SO FAR? It is difficult to pick just one! Welcoming 3,000 hospitality guests onto site for our summer concerts in 2012, all eager to see Jessy J, was a particular highlight of mine.

Helping to organise 6,000 guests as part of a private buy out of Warwick Castle for a major engineering company in 2007 was also a stand out event for me.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WORKING WITH WARWICK CASTLE?

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I have been visiting the castle since I was a child, and upon moving to the area, I did not need to look far to discover an opportunity to work at such a unique and prestigious venue.

IN A CROWDED MARKETPLACE, WHAT IS THE ‘EVENT USP’ DRIVING WARWICK CASTLE? Warwick Castle is over 1,100 years old and is still as impressive and standing strong today. We offer a unique experience to dine inside the castle and enjoy a wealth of themed entertainment to make events unforgettable. Events can be completely bespoke, tailored to each client to achieve exactly want they want, at a competitive price.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN MARKET COMPETITIVENESS? We offer excellent value for money with inclusive packages tailored to suit each party. We recently launched a brand new website with new images and brochures which reflect our prestigious and distinguished branding.

How do you manage your agency relationships?

We host repeat business to many of our agencies on a regular basis as the clients ultimately love what we offer here. We invite our

agencies to FAM trips to keep in touch and maintain our engagement with each other.

Putting together a client event, what are the most important elements?

Whatever the client wants!

We like to think we can do most things upon request (within reason!) and the clients needs are our upmost priority.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY MENTORS IN THE BIZ? OR MENTORED ANYONE? Having worked at at Castle for 14 years, my team has evolved a huge amount over my time here. My experience has enabled me to help people understand the business and the logistics of the castle (which can be quite challenging when you first start!).

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? What I get a buzz out of is seeing people get the WOW factor when they first walk through the entrance of the castle and see the amazing view of the Towers and Ramparts on the East Front.

It makes me proud and feel privaledged to work at such a historic landmark. Good

feedback from clients is always a pleasure as well. in the event and hospitality industry. What has been a career highlight for you so far?

I have been fortunate to have been involved in a number of fantastic projects over the years. Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of them as they left me with incredible memories and experiences. In all honesty, working with EDITION has been the most incredible part of my journey so far, being part of creating a new brand is certainly my career highlight to date.

What attracted you to working with EDITION Hotels?

To be at the birthplace of a new brand and being part of team who is passionate about hospitality, authenticity, design, luxury, innovation and creating something that is a new, unique experience for our guests. It’s the closest you can get to being an entrepreneur with the backing of the largest hotel company in the world, it’s pretty special.

In a crowded marketplace, what is the ‘event USP’ driving London Edition?

EDITION is not trying to be ‘one for all’. Our spaces are unique and suit a specific client who is looking for a more relaxed environment where the experience is not formulated but very much driven by the client. Our teams have been hired for their great personalities, which enables them to connect with our guests on a different level and deliver a more personalised service. I strongly believe that this is why we have such a diverse client base.

How do you maintain market competitiveness?

We continue to re-invent ourselves without losing our identity. As a team, we question our business on a daily basis and look for ways to create long lasting memories for our guests. While we have been fortunate to be recognised with a number of prestigious industry awards, we never rest on our laurels but continue to invest in our teams and the hotel.

How do you manage your agency relationships?

For us, it is really important that our agency partners have one point of contact. Catherine Unwin, our Head of Events is managing all the incoming enquiries with her team and will stay in regular contact with them, while Laura Pascual has just been promoted to Sales Executive to proactively manage all of our UK agency partners. Apart from office visits, bi-annual newsletters and seasonal promotions, we are hosting various client events throughout the year to say ‘thank you’ for the business and share news about the hotel. The next one is planned for July, with ‘Taste of Christmas’ showcasing our Christmas party offerings.

Putting together a client event, what are the most important elements?

Make it fun, engaging, relevant and true to the brand.

Have you got any mentors in the biz? Or mentored anyone?

I see myself as a mentor to all my team, but we have also an official mentoring scheme within EDITION where my General Manager, Jurgen Ammerstorfer acts as my mentor and I am working with a number of talented Heads of Departments on their personal development and/or business related projects.

In addition, I have extremely fortunate to have some amazing mentors in the industry including Stuart Bowery and Ciaran Fahy who have helped me to keep focused and elevate my skills. Most recently I have been appointed a mentor through the Master Innholders Scholarship and am super excited about the opportunity to working with Daniel Pedreschi on my next career move.

What makes you proud to be in the events industry?

Receiving a note from a guest to say they had the most wonderful time while with us and while they loved the design and the food, it was our team that made a real difference to their stay.

Every day, when walking through the hotel, where our guests are laughing and having a great time, I am proud to part of this incredible industry which brings people together, celebrates diversity, history & heritage and encourages everyone to discover new cultures, both within the business and as a traveller.

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WOM NAME; SELINA DONALD ORGANISATION: THE BULB WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO EVENTS? My entry into the events industry was completely by chance. I initially trained to be a solicitor – realized my mistake, i.e. I was no good at thinking before I spoke and not being in a creative environment. I went travelling and moved to London and applied for a role at Wembley Stadium on a ‘top secret project’.

The project turned out to be the England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid… and whilst the result was not what we had hoped, the experience was incredible. I was organising VIP and press events across the country and internationally and it gave me an exceptionally lucky start into the events industry. I officially got the event bug!

WHAT WAS THE FIRST COMPANY YOU WORKED FOR AND WHAT ARE THE STAND-OUT MEMORIES FROM THOSE VERY EARLY DAYS? The stand out moments from the World Cup bid were working with Prince William and David Beckham. Could anything ever top that?! I think back and remember how very naïve but energetic and excited I was and that’s all I needed. I had a huge drive to ensure that each event was perfect and I really believed in what we were doing, which helped during those long, long nights and early mornings! It definitely set me in good stead for grafting and understanding the need for attention to detail.

DO YOU STILL GET EXCITED ABOUT EVENTS AS YOU DID BACK WHEN YOU BEGAN? Absolutely. My career path has been really fortunate in that I’ve had very different projects and companies that I’ve worked for – from high profile projects like the bid, through to freelance contracts in the Middle East and in-house for ITV. All so different that each one brought it’s own excitement and motivation for leaning new ways of producing events, understanding different stakeholder requirements and ensuring that the guest experience exceeded expectations.

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DO YOU HAVE AY HIGHLIGHTS FROM OVER THE YEARS? I worked on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for London 2012 for both Olympic and Paralympic Games. My personal highlight was undoubtedly the night of the Opening Ceremony. It was two years of pre-production and hard work and then we were going live to the world and I’ve never felt adrenalin like it since. Standing at the side of the field of play as the cauldron caught flame was magical.

WAS THERE A FIGURE OR MENTOR THAT INSPIRED/GUIDED YOU? Having a mentor is incredibly important at every position that you are at. I would always advise young people coming into the industry to get a mentor and set up regular meetings for some objective advice and steering.

I was really lucky to have some strong figures to mentor me as I’ve gone through m y career. I find my mentors now even more important than ever before and look to them for advice on a range of things from financial matters through to new business development and marketing. Sometimes it’s just enough to have someone outside your business tell you that you are going in the right direction!

WHERE DO YOU THINK THE EVENT INDUSTRY’S ATTITUDE TO WOMEN IN HIGHER POSITIONS CURRENTLY SITS? I think Fay Sharpe did, and is doing, a brilliant job with Fast Forward 15. I see a lot more women in senior positions now and we actually have a lot more women coming to the The Bulb for positions then men – so this might actually be an issue soon!

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Women need to have the confidence, and the support after maternity leave, to continue to work their way to the senior positions. We’re in a climate where women have found their voice and their shouting about the issues that matter to them – sexual harassment at work, maternity rights, gender pay gap and violence against women – and unity brings confidence. I hope that by bringing these issues to national conversation, and seeing perpetrators punished, it’s giving women the confidence to grasp opportunities and move forward.

DO YOU THINK MORE ORGANISATIONS IN THE EVENTS WORLD COULD BENEFIT BY EMBRACING MULTICULTURALISM, AND IF SO, HOW? Absolutely, diversity in the events industry is still an issue on all levels. The amount of agencies that I’ve been to that are staffed by blonde, white, middle-class, Southern women is almost comical.

I had no idea my job even existed when I was at school in a working class Midlands town and I imagine that is the same for many areas across the country, who are homes to lots of different cultural communities. I think there needs to be more information on the creative industries as a career path at school – particularly with the rise of AI and robots taking over so many other career paths. The creative industry is one area where this can’t happen and so surely it makes sense to be showcasing it as an option for all people – regardless of age, income, background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, religion.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU? The future is very exciting for The Bulb. We are exploring investment which will support the business as we grow into a medium sized agency. We have worked with some fantastic brands this year including ASOS, GREAT Britain campaign, Vivienne Westwood and Lush, and have several exciting projects in the pipeline.

We are also working on a new sustainability project to ensure that we meeting our three year targets and creating an online tool to support us with measurement and reporting for our clients.

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WOM HOT 50 Award winner, Sabine Kern, gives us an insight into what it’s like masterminding one of London’s COOLest hotel’s events division Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Sabine moved to London in 2001 after she fell in love with the city as a teenager. She entered the London hospitality industry working for Marriott International, then moving to open St James Hotel & Club and then onto the iconic boutique hotel, The Hempel. In 2015, Sabine joined the five star luxurylifestyle property, The London EDITION, as the Director of Sales & Marketing.

SO, HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE POSITION YOU’RE IN TODAY? It has been a combination of hard work, passion for our industry, networking, inspirational leaders and great mentors who encouraged me to follow my dreams.

YOU’RE APPROACHING YOUR 20TH YEAR IN THE EVENT AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. WHAT HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU SO FAR? I have been fortunate to have been involved in a number of fantastic projects over the years. Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of them as they left me with incredible memories and experiences. In all honesty, working with EDITION has been the most incredible part of my journey so far, being part of creating a new brand is certainly my career highlight to date.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WORKING WITH EDITION HOTELS? To be at the birthplace of a new brand and being part of team who is passionate about hospitality, authenticity, design, luxury, innovation and creating something that is a new, unique experience for our guests. It’s the closest you can get to being an entrepreneur with the backing of the largest hotel company in the world, it’s prettyprestigeeventsmagazine.com special.

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EN IN

NAME: Sabine Kern ORGANISATION: Edition Hotels

In a crowded marketplace, what is the ‘event USP’ driving London Edition?

EDITION is not trying to be ‘one for all’. Our spaces are unique and suit a specific client who is looking for a more relaxed environment where the experience is not formulated but very much driven by the client. Our teams have been hired for their great personalities, which enables them to connect with our guests on a different level and deliver a more personalised service. I strongly believe that this is why we have such a diverse client base.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN MARKET COMPETITIVENESS? We continue to re-invent ourselves without losing our identity. As a team, we question our business on a daily basis and look for ways to create long lasting memories for our guests.

While we have been fortunate to be recognised with a number of prestigious industry awards, we never rest on our laurels but continue to invest in our teams and the hotel.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS? For us, it is really important that our agency partners have one point of contact. Catherine Unwin, our Head of Events is managing all the incoming enquiries with her team and will stay in regular contact with them, while Laura Pascual has just been promoted to Sales Executive to proactively manage all of our UK agency partners. Apart from office visits, bi-annual newsletters

E

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and seasonal promotions, we are hosting various client events throughout the year to say ‘thank you’ for the business and share news about the hotel. The next one is planned for July, with ‘Taste of Christmas’ showcasing our Christmas party offerings.

PUTTING TOGETHER A CLIENT EVENT, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS? Make it fun, engaging, relevant and true to the brand.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY MENTORS IN THE BIZ? OR MENTORED ANYONE? I see myself as a mentor to all my team, but we have also an official mentoring scheme within EDITION where my General Manager, Jurgen Ammerstorfer acts as my mentor and I am working with a number of talented Heads of Departments on their personal development and/or business related projects.

In addition, I have extremely fortunate to have some amazing mentors in the industry including Stuart Bowery and Ciaran Fahy who have helped me to keep focused and elevate my skills.

Most recently I have been appointed a mentor through the Master Innholders Scholarship and am super excited about the

opportunity to working with Daniel Pedreschi on my next career move.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? Receiving a note from a guest to say they had the most wonderful time while with us and while they loved the design and the food, it was our team that made a real difference to their stay.

Every day, when walking through the hotel, where our guests are laughing and having a great time, I am proud to part of this incredible industry which brings people together, celebrates diversity, history & heritage and encourages everyone to discover new cultures, both within the business and as a traveller.

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EN IN

NAME: Roxy Erikson ORGANISATION: Sunbeam Studio What first inspired you to get into events?

Events was a natural fit for our studios. It felt right to be able to share our gorgeous building with people outside of the photographic and film industries.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST COMPANY YOU WORKED FOR? I had done some freelance event production before coming on board at Sunbeam nine years ago but my background is mostly in photographic production.The concept is the same; project management, set building, large budgets and high stakes, lots of different entities and suppliers coming together to create a magical space, the materialisation of imagination usually all within a day.

DO YOU STILL GET EXCITED? Yes, a great story or idea inspire every time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER? Sunbeam is founded on strong sustainability principles yet we’re within high-waste industries. It’s important for me to know

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that I am doing my best to make ethical and environmentally-responsible decisions whenever possible. I’d struggle to work in a company that only made decisions based on the bottom line. It’s more than that for us so my highlight is the business that we’ve created.

WHO INSPIRED YOU? My young staff. We are often a staff member’s first “real” industry job, both in photo and events. I am energised by watching them become the professionals they are and seeing what they get up to next. They come in with fresh ideas and leave us with the tools to make those ideas happen.

ATTITUDE – WHERE DOES IT ORIGINATE FROM? Mine? I’m an avid non-fiction reader.

Reading about the world outlook and experiences of others is endlessly inspiring.

Books from a viewpoint that isn’t your own are a great check on your attitude and whether you’re getting it right.

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STAND-OUT EVENTS YOUR VENUE HAS HOSTED? We do glamourous weddings and luxury product launches and are spoiled in that all our events are beautiful. However I love the events that bring in amazing speakers best. I make sure to sit in on talks whenever possible. Most heartwarming this year was a press launch of the World’s religious leaders coming together for the first time in the history of mankind with a statement about love and friendship. It was the same day as the Grenfell Fire which was burning just down the road from us. It was incredibly moving to sit in on this beautiful announcement with my team during such a profoundly sad day and be small part of a movement that could have such a huge positive global impact. It will certainly be a day that will stick with me forever.

WHAT GIVES YOUR VENUE THE COOL FACTOR? Well we are a very modern business in a Grade II listed building with a private garden out back so right there you get a great clash of aesthetics. We are one of few glamorous drive-in event venues and have grand staircases and marble floors in every hall meeting a blank canvas of sweeping white infinity walls, perfect for projection. Our clients are the World’s tastemakers, the biggest names in fashion and music from across the globe and our team love to do the “something different”. we’re lucky to have clients that trust us with this. From what we’ve found we’re the most sustainable studio in the world so events that happen with us can easily create a much smaller carbon footprint than any other venue our size. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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DIY EVENT PLANNING

How to do a great job, as well as your day job

by BEYONDevents Two months in, so how is 2018 shaping up?

If only there was a simple answer. Brexit lurches from disagreement to controversy. Bank of England financial forecasts aren’t encouraging.

Fake news seems to be everywhere … or is it? The 2010 Bribery Act has changed a lot. The pound is weak.

None of that makes for buoyant event budgets. Yet you’re still being asked to pull off a showstopper.

More and more, professionals are being overlooked in favour of the in-house PA or Marketing Manager. You already have a day job, but your company wants you to plan the event in-house because events aren’t rocket science. After all, anyone can order the right amount of canapés and drinks, right?

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How do you get to the bottom of planning an event while keeping on top of your day job?

Our most recent event was a global conference in Guatemala, a challenge in itself, you might say. A hurricane hit neighbouring Nicaragua on the morning that we flew out, followed a few hours later by a volcano erupting just outside the city. Our client had also been plagued with visa issues for some months. While not part of our remit, this had significant knock-on effects on our ongoing planning.

Then, at the opening of the conference, a thunderstorm hit, so forceful that the entire city’s power went dead. And the whole al-fresco gala dinner had to be re-housed in Plan B territory. On the final day, a spontaneous traditional Mayan candle ceremony was lit.

Luckily my Usain Bolt style sprint from the 19th to the ground floor, and desperate pleading with Facilities staff, was enough to get them to turn off the emergency sprinkler system.

You see, we all love spontaneity but let’s be frank, it is an event manager’s worst nightmare.

1.Together we are stronger Events are a fundamental part of your company’s marketing mix. Events, Sales & Marketing need to work together to ensure you communicate the right message, to the right audience and achieve a positive ROI. Too often, the brief is “passed down” to Events & that’s where the relationship ends.

2. Work backwards How will you know if you’ve pulled off a corker? How is your boss going to measure success? What effect on your client relationships do you want from the event?

How does your task fit in to your annual event programme?

Be clear about the destination before you plan the route map.

3. The event itself is just the beginning Inviting prospects? Your event could be the start of a beautiful relationship. But always follow it up with a sales & marketing pincer movement. The event itself

should never be just a ‘oneoff’.

4. If it can go wrong… it will go wrong We hate to be negative, but make sure you work to the above premise. Always!

On my very first event after three weeks in the industry, my boss uttered the words “Don’t worry, it’ll run itself”.

Naturally, it was the kiss of death. Now, even after 20 years in the industry we still hit the odd unexpected challenge at every event we organise.

5.Be risqué Your brand has something to say, so say it through your event. This is even better than Twitter or Instagram, it’s a real live audience! Some will love it, some won’t. But don’t tone it down to be PC or to make one size fit all; that dilutes your brand.

People choose to work with people who are like-minded so let your brand speak out.

6. But stay safe We all love to hate it, but it pays to become an expert on health & safety,

insurance, legal restrictions and risk assessments. Get advice, and do some research. Then do some more.

7. Think small think BIG It’s usually the tiniest mistake which results in the largest repercussions. Did you remember to double, double check that the printer got the message about the revised start time on the invitation….?

8. Lose the pounds Anyone pitching for corporate business has to face Procurement. But equally, every penny you are about to spend has room for manoeuvre. The trick is to know when and how to negotiate hard enough to get a good deal, but not so hard that service or the end product are compromised.

Your boss is right of course; you do know how to order the right amount of canapés and drinks.

It’s just the hundred other things that you have to grapple with to ensure a

great event that you need to worry about!

For more help like this, contact www.beyondevents.co.uk prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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QUESTIONS WITH….

LORD JASON SCOTT “20 Questions with…” is a new editorial segment that aims to help us learn even more about some of the most influential and interesting people out there!

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Prestige Events Magazine had the pleasure of getting to know the one and only, Lord Jason Scott. Founder and CEO of Lokkima- Fat Loss Technology and Franchises, Speaker, 2 X Best Selling Author, event industry legend, and member of LevelUponSlack.

1. You are a legend in the world of events! What inspired you to create Lokkima, The Eventrepreneur, and The Guestlist Podcast?

Thank you, I was doing very well in events, loved every moment of it but members of my family were not getting the same opportunity to do something they loved, so I looked at what my family focused on. This research lead to me understanding that looking and feeling good was the one thing that everyone of us had in common and so Lokkima ( a new wave) was born. An aesthetic cosmetic technology business that could help my dad and so many others live a life of passion, purpose, and profit. You can see more of my story here and see the treatment in detail in his interview on the Espresso morning show in South Africa.

Eventrepreneur Ltd was started, with one aim in mind, to help as many people as possible level up in their business. It is now growing to be the fastest-growing business group for founders in the world, connecting entrepreneurs throughout the world over Slack. Our community of members represents 6, 7, 8, even 9-digit founders. LevelUp OnSlack ‘Your Network is your Net-Worth’ is a group dedicated to working together, assisting each other and mentoring each other to achieve growth like never before. A community moderated and mentored by founders and business owners who have excelled way past 6 figures and some way over 7 and 8 figures.

As for The Guestlist Podcast? As podcasting continues to go mainstream, more listeners overall means more possibilities for your organization to reach new clients and customers. So it only makes sense that I launched a podcast. That said, I had no idea that it would do as well as it has, but I believe this is more due to my guests than my hosting skills. The secondary reason for me having a podcast, and this could be one for you too is to enable me to build a stronger relationship with you, my followers, fans, friends, and audience – much stronger than I could ever do with just my tweets, and blogs alone, I believe. I also teach others to podcast now and have a consulting service to take people from podcast zero to listeners hero.

2. What are 5 things on your bucket list?

1. MBE for the work I am doing with the Podcast and LevelUPonSlack.

2. Visit every country in the world.

3. Speak at TEDx 4. have £41 Million in my bank 5. Give away £41 Million to help as many people as possible

3. Would you be willing to eat an entire bowl of (live) crickets for £40,000?

In a heartbeat

4. If you were invisible for a day what would you do?

I would hang at the Prestige Events Magazine HQ and see how you guys interact.

5. Who is your hero?

Thomas Bilyeu, an American entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Quest Nutrition, the second fastest growing private company in North America.

6. What social issues are important to you?

Single Parents, Mobility, Curing MS, Mental Health.

7. Trump? Brexit?

Never discuss Religion or Politics. I focus instead on my micro-cosm and what can I do within it to make the people and planet a better place to inhabit.

8. What cheers you up?

Friends and loved ones, I make it a priority to speak to one of each every single day.

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9. What is the last item your purchased?

A pair of Gucci Sneakers for The Hot 50 Awards in London 10. What do you want to get better at?

Priority management, focus and money management.

11. Could you go for an entire week without using social media?

Without a shadow of a doubt but why would I? I would miss so many friends and moments.

12. If you could be any character from a film, who would you be?

Archer from the cartoon show, Archer.

13. What is your favourite song?

YelaWolf Get “Till It’s Gone” on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/TillItsgone

14. If you could have one super power what would it be?

To have the ability to make any wish come true.

15. Name something you would like to change about the events industry?

More data, more transparency, more opportunities for women for advancement and training.

16. Name one of your most embarrassing moments?

I have too many to list, one I even wrote about in Prestige Events Magazine, find the issue and watch me squirm.

17. What is your life motto?

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

18. Do you have any hidden talents?

I can juggle, I do magic, I can remember meaningless quotes and have a phonographic memory.

19. Name your 3 favourite venues?

The Bloomsbury Ballroom No.10 The NED.

20. Name the greatest event you have ever been to?

The Brits, at the O2 was one of the greatest events that I have been to, after my marriage to my best friend, Samantha White.

Lord Jason Scott

www.jasonallanscott.com www.lokkima.com

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