PRESTIGE EVENTS SPRING 2014 EDITION

SPRING 2014 EDITION

COOL VENUE AWARDS FINAL RESULTS LONDON VENUE ROUND-UP: FROM ROOFTOPS TO CINEMAS EVENT FASHION IN THE TRADE BEAR GRYLLS ‘www.prestigeeventsguide.com /www.coolvenueawards.com /www.2020speednetworking.com

CONTENTS AND PUBLISHERS NOTES

CONTENTS 7 MILLION AND COUNTING… That’s the audience figure from Twitter for the #COOLVENUEAWARDS that we awoke to two days after the 7th annual COOL Venue Awards. WE TRENDED GLOBALLY!!

For those lucky 900 souls that made the event the COOLest (and greatest) night in the events industry calendar, THANK YOU. To all the sponsors, a HUGE thank you, particularly Isla Mckenzie at Ministry of Sound and the drinks sponsors who provided a range of free complimentary drinks on each hour.

It’s important to not forget in the midst of the party-haze that WE DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE OTHERS AND AREN’T AFRAID TO BE RADICAL in our products which are designed to give likeminded buyers and suppliers seeking event charisma the information that is not loaded with bias. And to deliver programs and information that are the real deal for those with little time on their hands. So, if you are a buyer or supplier and you haven’t been to a 20/20 Speed networking event, it’s time to get educated at www.2020speednetworking event.com. After all, 34 events in 26 months and the endorsement of over 500 buyers during that time can’t be wrong. THE CHOICES ARE YOURS. OR YOU COULD GO ELSEWHERE AND GET AN INFERIOR PRODUCT FOR 5x THE PRICE. IN FACT, OUR MOTTO SHOULD BE “WE ROLL BACK PRICES TO A TIME WHEN I HAD HAIR!”

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Enjoy the edition.

Wes xx

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Prestige Events team: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Head of Client Relations: Dan Bearpark Head of Social Media: Asif Mirza Art Director: Lewis Flanders Contributing editors: Kristiana Kruysmulder, Hope Mendy Head of Production: Errol Griffiths Administration: Allanah Brownsdon-Dolan Financial controllers: Siobhan O’Dwyer Editorial contributors: Simon Maier, Asif Mirza, Sally Webb, Mike Kershaw, PJ Stevens

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17 Things you didn’t know Readers Letters Event fashion Exclusive: Out and About with Megabooth Five Hotels you must stay in Social Media Where to grab a bite after the event Mike Kershaw: What I’ve learned in 30 years at the top Summer concerts In the trade 10 venues to Shout About! Clubs, cinema screens, rooftops, etc Venue focus: Dutch Hall Simon Maier: event planning essays from bestselling In Any Event 20/20 ‘Non-London Venues’ Speed Networking at OXO 2 20/20 ‘Event Services’ Speed Networking at Café de Paris 20/20 ‘Central London Venues Speed Networking at RIBA 20/20 ‘Unique Venues’ Speed Networking at Mercedes Benz World 7th annual COOL Venue Awards: The results Useful Websites

sponsored by Official events photography partner:

Prestige Events Magazine, 108 Clydesdale Road, Hornchurch Essex RM11 1AJ t:01708 737393 enquiries@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsguide.com

Official partner of :

All views and opinions and content expressed remain that of the individual contributor and neither MX4 Ltd or Prestige Events magazine accept responsibility for any liability.

All content in this edition remains the intellectual property of MX4 Ltd and MX4 Ltd holds copyright and cannot be reproduced, replicated, lent, or publicly displayed without prior permission from MX4 Ltd. MX4 Ltd 2014

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17 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CONFEX

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This year involves some of the most exciting keynote Speakers Confex has ever seen, with Karen Brady and Kanya King speaking on the Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Karen Brady is obviously a well renowned business woman who’s work needs no more introduction, but did you know that Kanya King founded the MOBO’s and has been working with the government recently?

2014 also marks a change in location. Having previously been held at London Excel almost exclusively, Confex has made a change and is now being held at the London Olympia.

Its event hashtag is #LoveConfex suggesting a more personal approach to the Exhibition than the #InternationalConfex label the previous years at Excel have suggested. Stay Tuned

This year is host to four main areas; UK Venues and Destinations, International venues and destinations, Something special and Logistics

The mysterious ‘something special’ area involves talking to leading marketing suppliers who can seriously help your brand get to the next level in the corporate game

If you visit you’ll be one of a whopping 7,000 visitors to Confex from leading agencies, associations and corporate organisations. Essentially there’s a lot of networking to be had!

And with over 900 exhibitors, ladies you might want to wear flats, men you want to prepare to carry bags. And cancel that gym appointment

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This year’s official conference partners include Access All Areas, CMW, AEO, Performing Artistes, and our fine selves. So excuse us if we’re slightly biased about this wonderful Exhibition

Confex has majorly embraced the social networking side of its marketing and it’s twitter and LinkedIn are the perfect ways to communicate should anything happen

Oh and the YouTube and Pinterest pages are a nice touch too and definitely worth a gander, especially for a look at Confex TV

The educational programme is a major highlight of the event and has managed to lure in highly esteemed lecturers from all walks of the corporate game, guaranteeing something for everyone.

The Jackie Mulligan programme and The Empowerment programme are guaranteed highlights, and if you’re looking to add a bit of fun into your day the annual University Conference Challenge is always a laugh

There are always brilliant competitions to enter and this years Handpicked Hotels is the hot favourite with a prize of a night at a Handpicked Hotel with a 3 course luxury dinner.

Keep an ear out for the amazing after party that happens every year. It usually begins on the last day once that one stand decides to crack open a bottle and a domino effect inevitably starts so you might want to anticipate a late return home

If this all seems it’s too good to be true – it gets even better; it’s free. Yes all you need to do is show your boss its worth your business’ buck and you’re good to go.

It’s been running for over 20 years. If you don’t think it’s worth your time, well frankly you need to look at how you spend yours.

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READERS LETTERS

Lord Knows!

Lord Jason Scott is possibly the most connected man in the UK event industry. Also the most dapper man in the industry, who else could we appoint to answer your ‘event-fashion/grooming/style’ questions!

WINNING LETTER I have the Blue Blues Q:I have navy blue chinos and a navy blue blazer that are not part of the same suit—not even the same fabric— but they’re both very fitted. I’d like to wear them together, with a shirt and tie. Is this just going to look odd? Do people ever pull that off?

If the blues are in the same tonal range, forget it. You need contrast. Light blue pants, navy jacket, or the reverse. Otherwise it looks like you’re color-blind, or a nerd trying to cobble together a suit. Jeans are immune—jeans with a navy blazer, even in a similar tone, vibe differently enough. Although personally, I say a jean jacket with matching-tone jeans looks, as Brüno says, “too matchymatchy.”

My Fiancé’ is the boss of me, but not my wardrobe Q:I am planning my wedding with my fiancée, and she insists that we have it in the early to mid-afternoon. I know that traditionally I’m supposed to wear a morning suit, but then, to stay in tradition, I’d have to switch to a dinner jacket for the reception. Making the groomsmen rent two tuxedos seems silly. Is it fair to buck tradition?

I’m assuming the bride wants to look like the wedding cake, because otherwise you could always make it informal and everyone could wear dark suits, as if it were an old-fashioned second wedding. If it’s early or midafternoon and the reception follows, a morning suit is fine. If it’s late afternoon, you can cheat a bit on the tuxedo.

Mazel tov!

Event-spiration, help me choose what to wear?

Q:Is it appropriate to wear a dress shirt other than white to a formal black-tie event? Are checked shirts ever appropriate, for instance?

dare to conform! If every man wears exactly the same thing, guess who will stand out: Individuals. That’s why we have faces. My grandfather once said,” If you dont rebel in your teens you have no heart and if you don’t conform in your twenties...you have no brains!”

Nip and untucked.

Q: I’m a pretty built guy, which means that when I wear fitted tees you can see my nipples. I find undershirts uncomfortable plus I am not an american tourist, but I don’t know how else to hide them.

If you embarrass easily, maybe you shouldn’t wear fitted tees. We all have nipples, and although I’d rather not see yours on the street, I doubt if they would shock me however. But I must say that when it comes to built guys, I find a physique more admirable when it sort of suggests itself under their clothes rather than flaunting itself at the world. If you wear thongs, bikinis, sleeveless shirts, or very tight T-shirts, you have journeyed beyond the zone of embarrassment and into the arena of spectacle. THIS IS NOT SPARTACUS!! “ see more of Lord Jason Scott’s Style here - http://pinterest.com/lordscott/this-is-my-style-lord-it/ Ask Lord a question and win a fantastic Montblanc Pen . Thank you to Montblanc Corporate Gifts for the fantastic prize of a timeless Meisterstuck Platinum Ballpoint Pen (www.montblanccorporategift.co.uk). Email your questions to us at enquiries@prestigeeventsguide.com for a chance to win next time and to receive another piece of writing culture from Montblanc Corporate Gifts. A time honored tradition.

Designating an event “black tie” means that men are expected to attend in dinner clothes, but as we live in an age that is basically all casual all the time, the meaning of dinner clothes has devolved from tuxedo to “no shirt, no shoes, no service.” That’s all the more reason for the enlightened crowd to savor traditional standards of attire. “Creative black tie” is anything but. It’s so people with nothing to say have something to talk about. I say

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In a world where women in particular are defined by their softness, it is perhaps more refreshing when trends come

EVENT FASHION

COOL INDIVIDUALISM In a world where women in particular are defined by their softness, it is perhaps more refreshing when trends come along that buck the trend. From our leather jackets to our studded shoes, fashion has made a point of acting as a defence to the world in the past few years; a suit of armour rather than the clothes we’d necessarily wear to spend any kind of downtime in.

With this need for clothes to make us feel brave in mind, for clothes to look sharp and well-designed, yet still maintain that element of cool we’re all looking for everywhere designers in recent seasons have begun to accent their pieces with sharper, angled accents and monochrome colour schemes that scream “I am woman hear me roar”… Only with less Sex and the City bad memories associated.

Zara was one of the first high street stores to monopolize on this trend bringing out their skort (skirt/short for those not

in the know) with sharp angled envelope folds forming a skirt illusion at the front and cheeky short shorts revealed behind. Available in a variety of colours they sold out in their hundreds becoming the must have item during the transitional season of autumn of last year.

Now I’m not recommending you don a pair of these on a trip to the boardroom, or even your next conference away from the office – save them for the weekends and the dance floors- but incorporating a look that plays with angles and accents so much it looks like a 10 year old has gotten creative with a compass isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes this sounds absurd, but fashion often is, and it’s often when we have the most fun. Feeling flush? Head to Karen Millen or Reiss where their folded pencil skirts with monochrome accents are to die for, Zara and surprisingly Gap are fab if you’re budget is more Primark than Prada.

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH MEGABOOTH

OUT AND ABOUT..

WITH MEGABOOTH

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH MEGABOOTH

PRESTIGE Sponsored by COOL Venue Awards #coolvenueawards

EVENTS

COOL Venue Awards

Hoxton Hotel On top of all the latest styles guarantees this venue no expiry date. With 208 cleverly designed bedrooms, The Hoxton Grill restaurant HOTELS with TO run in partnership the Soho House group, a destination bar and The Apartment, plus a

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5 HOTELS TO STAY IN

Paul kitching

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Hoxton hotel

STAY IN

THE SAVOY

5 HOTELS TO STAY IN Hoxton Hotel On top of all the latest styles guarantees this venue no expiry date. With 208 cleverly designed bedrooms, The Hoxton Grill restaurant run in partnership with the Soho House group, a destination bar and The Apartment, plus a meetings and events space Hoxton Hotel has everything you could possibly need all under one roof!

Then there’s the monthly eclectic program of events, The Hox gallery with work from local artists all conveniently located in the heart of East London Bulgari London Located in Knightsbridge on the edge of Hyde Park, London’s Bulgari Hotel is both a haven of calm in the centre of the city and yet under a minute’s walk from Harrods.

Opening in 2012 the hoatel boasts a full gymnasium and physical training centre with on-site personal training team, Bodyism; 11 single spa treatment rooms and 1 private spa suite; 25 metre, three-lane swimming pool; 47 seat cinema; unique Cigar Shop and sampling lounge, a stunning Ballroom; to deliver a city hotel experience that is unique in the world. You probably won’t need to leave to be honest.

45 Park Lane A member of the Dorchester family of hotels 45 Park Lane looks like Gatsby decided to up sticks and relocate to West London. With contemporary interiors designed by New York-based designer Thierry Despont, each of the

spacious guest rooms and suites enjoys captivating views of leafy Hyde Park and dine at internationally-acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck’s first restaurant in Europe, a modern American steak restaurant. Delectable dishes range from prime Wagyu beef to succulent lobster and creative salads The Savoy So notorious the name does a far better job at conjuring an image than we could ever do The Savoy is a hotel that is the epitome of class. Host of Award ceremonies, Weddings, Business Lunches and the best concierge service we’ve found the architecture is part Art Deco (facing the Strand) whilst maintaining a classic Edwardian front (facing the strand) it’s classic, timeless and represents the best of London.

21212 Opened in May 2009, 21212 revitalised Edinburgh’s restaurant scene and, by default, hotel game. Michelin-starred Paul Kitching and his partner Katie O’Brien enlisted Glasgow-based Burns Design to convert the listed four-storey Georgian townhouse into a restaurant with four luxurious rooms – plus private dining spaces. The restaurant is the main attraction – the five-course menu (£67) a pure theatrical gourmet extravaganza. But the fact that you can simply stumble up the sweeping staircase – carpeted with a striking black and white Timorous Beasties giant moth design – to bed is an added attraction.

Bulgari Hotel

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Ever met some at a party who KEEPING THE about “SOCIAL” IN themse PLAY all night long?

That.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Ever met someone at a party who talks about themselves all night long? Yup. That.

The savvy Events people know that in order to gain traction on social channels, you got to treat social media like real life. Be engaging, tell stories, be funny, be complimentary and bring your own booze!

Campaigns for events or business have to offer content, put out advice, tips, shares and talk about the wider subject of what they are offering. Just looking at the Facebook Page of Innocent Smoothies as a brilliant example of how to do it right. Of course they offer smoothies, but 8090% of their posts are extremely shareable funny pictures to do with fruit! Have a look, trust me, you’ll get it.

To win the game of engagement, you need a plan. Set out all your marketing messages that you want to put out, also schedule related content, get articles from partners and engage with others in real time. It is simple in concept, however...

Also understand which social networks your target market lives on, your corporate customers won’t be on Facebook all the time, but Twitter and LinkedIn may well be where you focus your attention on. Also not all of your content goes on all of your social media profiles, so the plan you set out earlier is now growing in importance. Structure the content for the right audience and at the right time. There are certain times where you audience is fully accessible and other when they are not. Posting after midnight is a no no.

And as always after an event, structure further content to wrap up the feeling, share the pictures, the official video, and any follow up news.

Put simply, social media for events always needs a strategy, otherwise you’ll be turning up to a party dishevelled.

Get smart, get groomed and own it.

Article by Asif Mirza, Managing Director of Smiley Social Media . BY ASIF MIRZA...

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A R TALIAWhen ou need your WHERE TO EAT runk carbs nd AFTER Subwa-DARK and Fried

WHERE TO EAT AFTER THE EVENT

BAR ITALIA When you need your drunk carbs and Subway and Fried Chicken just seems too final a way to end the night Bar Italia is the perfect place to wind down but not exactly commit your night to an end straight away. With Dishes under a tenner but drinks quite steep they definitely know their customers but with a Margarita pizza this god you’ll be glad you decided to end your night with a sit down meal.

POLO BAR For the traditional British end to your night we wholly recommend Polo Bar’s full English. Open 24 hours and even offering take away if your sofa seems more appealing it couldn’t offer more as a Café if it tried.

176 Bishopsgate, The City, London, EC2M 4NQ

22 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4RP

BRICK LANE BEIGEL SHOP If you don’t know about this place by now then we’ll assume you’ve been living under a rock. Not changed since it was first opened it’s THE place to pop to en route home from a night out, even if its for your lunch tomorrow- you won’t regret it. Try the Salt Beef or forever feel guilty you didn’t.

TINSELTOWN So popular it’s open until 4am Tinseltown markets itself as a Diner and is based right in the middle of London. On the menu you will find a wide range of meals all cooked using fresh halal produce and we highly recommend you sample one of their 60 different famous milkshakes.

159 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London, E1 6SB

44-46 St John Street, London, EC1M 4DF

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WHAT I’VE LEARNED IN 30 YEARS AT THE TOP

WHAT I’VE LEARNED IN 30 YEARS AT THE TOP

Make as many friends as you can. You can never have too many friends in business, especially when you’re working in the notoriously unpredictable events industry. You never know what’s around the corner, and when you might need a little help from your friends!

Be honest with yourself. We’ve all faced a problem and immediately put our heads in the sand, particularly in this industry.

Working in events means dealing with the unpredictable and sometimes you can think everything is OK when you know deep down it isn’t. The way our industry works, with advance payments, can sometimes distort the true picture, so take a step back and face the reality. It’s important to recognise a problem as it presents itself, rather than later on.

Be conservative, it’s better than optimism. Whilst optimism is always a good quality to have, the ability to evaluate risks in a conservative way will stand you in better stead. Under promise and over deliver – not a bad rule.

Hire great people. This one goes without saying. In a business that revolves around people it’s imperative that your team is the best of the bunch. Hand pick them, train them, enable them to progress in their careers and look after them!

Learn from the mistakes you make. It’s easier said than done, but you can’t underestimate the power of mistakes you’ve made, and how you use them to your advantage in the future Be ambitious. I don’t think there are enough really ambitious people in the events industry, and this needs to change.

Those just starting out in the industry will have at least 30 years to grow and change, but only the truly ambitious ones with well thought-out, long term plans will reach the top!

Laugh lots. It’s easy to get carried away in business and leave your sense of humour at home, but working in events means that you cannot take life too seriously. I always say that today’s nightmare is tomorrow’s funny story - chin up!

Strive for excellence. Ensure that every event you put on is that little bit better than the last, and don’t accept anything less than excellent from your suppliers. Working in event management means you have the right to be demanding of suppliers on behalf of your client. They’ll thank you for it, and ultimately your event will impress.

Don’t undervalue what you do. Within the industry there’s a problem of people doing things too cheaply, creating low cost packages which don’t deliver. This is troublesome for everyone concerned. Events companies face cost-cutting competition and suppliers suffer as a result. Deliver high quality events tailored to your client’s brief, and charge properly for them.

Make it easy to buy. Booking an event can often prove incredibly difficult, with venues offering so many different options and rates for venue hire, catering, power, H&S, insurance and much more. Keep it simple and your clients will find your events easier to buy. Concerto creates client friendly packages which include venue hire, entertainment, food, drinks, AV and furniture, so all our guests need to do is concentrate on having fun! Of course this becomes more complicated when it comes to bespoke events, but having a multitude of different divisions providing services for all aspects of events at Concerto enables us to produce events in accordance with the most complicated of briefs, always easy to buy.

Recognise Fate. The events industry is wholly unpredictable, so don’t be blind to random opportunities if they present themselves when you’re not expecting them - there’s always a place for luck in business. You don’t have to stick to a plan religiously if circumstances begin to change, you will need to adapt and change accordingly.

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Make as many friends as you can. You can never have too many friends in business, especially when you’re working in the notoriously unpredictable events industry.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED IN 30 YEARS AT THE TOP

Move quickly. If circumstances do change you’ll need to be prepared. Some economic developments require urgent action, as we saw in 2009/10. As a result of the economic downturn Concerto’s annual turnover suffered a loss of one third. We needed to take action quickly to preserve the business and set it back on the path of growth, and if I was in that situation again I’d act even faster.

Cash is king. Although we all want to impress clients with incredible events, we must remember the bottom line - cash is king. Turnover just makes you feel better, it’s profit that counts and this must remain the focus no matter how creative or innovative the event in question is.

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SUMMER HOSPITALITY

BRING OUT THE WELLIES

AND PRAWN

SANDWICHES There is nothing that us Brits love more than a summer concert. So, with the summer concert season upon us, it calls upon our editorial team to reflect on the greatest concerts of the modern era, memeorable for all the right and often some wrong reasons.

The Beatles, Shea Stadium, 1965 The concert itself was a milestone in popular musical history as the first major stadium concert. The documentary was a highlight of the 1995 Beatles Anthology series, which featured extensive clips from the film. Ringo Starr described the concert in The Beatles Anthology: “What I remember most about the concert was that we were so far away from the audience. ... And screaming had become the thing to do. ... Everybody screamed. If you look at the footage, you can see how we reacted to the place. It was very big and very strange.” John Lennon recalled the show in 1970 as a career highlight: “At Shea Stadium, I saw the top of the mountain.”

Jimi Hendrix, Isle of Wight Festival, 1970 Widely acknowledged as the largest musical event of its time, greater than the attendance of Woodstock. Although estimates vary, the Guinness Book of Records estimated 600,000, possibly 700,000 people attended. Others on the bill included Chicago, The Doors, Lighthouse, The Who, Miles Davis, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Jethro Tull, Sly & the Family Stone, Ten Years After, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Free, but it was Jimi Hendrix who delivered a set that those witnessing it realized would go down in eternal history.

Live Aid, Wembley Stadium 1985 Organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine, the “global jukebox” event was held simultaneously at , Wembley Stadium, in the USA, Australia, Germany, and various other countries. It was one of the largest-scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion, across 150 nations, watched the live broadcast. Stand-out performances from Freddie Mercury/Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, and Paul McCartney, U2, and Status Quo. Michael Jackson, Wembley Stadium 1988 The greatest stage performer at the height of his ability. The most successful of the two-year Bad world tour dates were those in London at Wembley Stadium. Ticket demand for the five July dates exceeded 1.5 million, enough to fill the 72,000 capacity venue 20 times. Jackson performed seven sold-out shows, beating the previous record held by Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and Genesis.

More shows could have been added, but the venue had reached its quota for live performances. The third concert on July 16 was attended by Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles

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SUMMER HOSPITALITY

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SUMMER HOSPITALITY

On September 8, Jackson was entered into the Guinness World Records, the first of three times from the tour alone.

The Wembley shows were attended by a record 504,000 people.

Madonna, Blonde Ambition Tour, Wembley Stadium 1990 Possibly the most controversial tour performance of all-time (and iconic stage outfits by Gaultier). The tour was met with strong reaction from religious groups for her performance of “Like a Virgin”, during which two male dancers caressed her body before she simulated masturbation.The Church of England and the Catholic Church criticised her performance and the Pope asked the general public and the Christian community not to attend the concert. So, everybody went.

Fatboy Slim, Brighton Beach, 2002 On 13 July 2002, Fatboy Slim performed the second of his free, open air concerts on Brighton Beach, Brighton (U.K.) named The Big Beach Boutique II, Although organisers expected a crowd of around 60,000 people, the event

instead attracted an estimated 250,000 who crammed the promenade and beach between Brighton’s piers.

Local police forced the event to end early amid safety concerns, overcrowding, and one death. After the music had finished and the crowd began to dissipate, traffic ensued throughout the Brighton area with many caught in traffic jams until the morning.

Jay-Z, Glastonbury, 2008 In 2008, Jay Z became the first major hip-hop artist to headline the British festival. His selection was blamed by some for relatively slow ticket sales for the festival, although a more likely cause is the preceding run of terrible weather and flooding that in 2007 made life at the festival very difficult. An outspoken critic of his selection was Noel Gallagher of Oasis. In response to Gallagher’s criticism, Jay-Z opened his Glastonbury set with a tonguein-cheek cover of Oasis’s iconic song “Wonderwall”. and later included the lines That bloke from Oasis said I couldn’t play guitar/Somebody should have told him I’m a fuckin’ rock star in his song “Jockin’ Jay-Z”

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IN THE TRADE

In the trade with…..

David Willmin, Business Development Manager, Ashridge House, Hertfordshire

With over twelve years’ experience in the industry, I started working at Ashridge House in 2001. Ashridge House has a magical and colorful past that dates back over 700 years.

Once home to Henry VIII and Princess Elizabeth, Ashridge House is now home to the world-renowned Ashridge Business School. Whether it’s talking to clients about the vast history, or discussing research or learning methods delivered by the Business School, Ashridge House is an enchanting place!

Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

I started at Ashridge House as the Deputy Bar Manager.

Very different to what I do now! However, having an understanding of how all the business units and service areas operate across the venue have been incredibly important to help understand what makes a client’s event run so successfully. I wanted to be able to use what I had learnt and assist clients from the conception of an event through to delivery, ensuring that the client’s desired outcome was achieved.

Q/ How do you prepare for a big event day?

Here at Ashridge House we use an Account Management approach. Our clients have just one of point of contact.

It allows us to build close relationships with our clients and gain a real insight into their organisations and their particular requirements. Key to a successful event is having as much of an understanding of our clients as possible – What does the organisation do? What is the client trying

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to achieve from the event? What’s important to make the event a success? We have 17 meeting rooms, from historical rooms with the WOW factor to more contemporary rooms with the latest technology. Ensuring that the meeting room compliments the content of a client’s event is key.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

From the initial conversation with a client we want to understand what it is the client is trying to achieve. What is the desired outcome? What’s important to them? It may be that we can add value to a client’s meeting. Whether it be Experiential Learning for those that want teambuilding or provision of some of the world’s best facilitators/keynote speakers from Ashridge Business School.

Whilst continually speaking with the client, behind the scenes we are having meetings with our service departments to discuss the delivery. From a client point of view, the whole process is seamless and award winning!

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. Care to name a few?

And what do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

Located within 5000 acres of beautiful National Trust gardens, with 17 meeting rooms from historical to contemporary in style, Ashridge House has plenty of versatile space for all types of events. We work with clients that use us 2 or 3 times a week through to clients that have used us

With over twelve years’ experience in the industry, I started working at Ashridge House in 2001.

Ashridge House has a magical and colorful past that dates back over 700 years. Once IN THE TRADE

for annual meetings for 30+ years! From household names like easyJet, Whitbread and Premier League to National charities and associations, it’s a privilege to be associated with such clients.

Q/ What’s it like working with such big-name clients?

Welcoming clients to Ashridge House for the very first time is such a joy. Seeing client’s reaction as they walk into the magnificent main hall for the first time is a constant reminder as to how beautiful Ashridge House is.

Ashridge House has hosted a variety of high profile meetings over the years. There’s always a huge sense of satisfaction when clients make big decisions during meetings which make the national news! As a venue, it’s a privilege knowing that we have facilitated clients in making those decisions.

Whilst working with big-name clients, Ashridge House is also a Charitable Trust. We have a duty to maintain the house for the good of the nation and future generation.

Alongside our stunning location and award winning service, clients come back to us again and again as they like the fact that by them using Ashridge House they are contributing to the maintenance of such an important part of our history.

Ashridge House was founded in 1283 as a monastery, before becoming a royal residence. In more recent years, Ashridge became a training centre for the Conservative Party to commemorate Andrew Bonar Law, the Prime Minister from 1921 to 1922. During World War II Ashridge became an emergency wing for the Charing Cross Hospital where 2700 babies were born!

Ashridge House is a national treasure, making it in my opinion, ‘COOL’!

Q/ What would you like to see happen in the corporate events industry in the next 12 months?

The next 12 months are looking like they will be very healthy for the industry, although unpredictable! With the recent news in the press about GDP bouncing back and employment falling, there does seem to be more confidence in the market and therefore more opportunities – 2014 should be a good year!

Q/ How important a role does ‘COOL’ play in events?

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LONDONS COOLEST

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOF TOPS The gang from Shout About London round-up London’s COOLest rooftops, screens, clubs, hospitality venues, and modern contemporary….the venue’s that make you look like you know what you’re doing! events that resonate...

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Vista at the Trafalgar Hotel

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The Deck at the National Theatre The Deck is an achingly cool venue atop the National Theatre on the South Bank where ultra-modern function space brings the outside in, with awe-inspiring views of the London skyline.

Why shout about the Deck?

Even the Queen’s Corgis and their entourage have experienced the true magic of The Deck - so what are you waiting for? – Laura and Fleur at The deck

Why shout about the Vista?

Meet Eye to Eye with Lord Nelson – Kara at the Hilton

Paramount at Centre Point This restaurant/bar is one of the chicest destinations in the capital. With 360-degree views of London, there’s nowhere quite like it for sky-high cocktails, dining in the restaurant, or indeed an event with an edge its designated spaces.

Radio bar at the Me Hotel Covent Garden Located on the tenth floor of the Hotel Radio Bar is accessible via an exclusive express lift. The only rooftop bar, lounge and terrace in The Strand and Aldwych area which is open every day until the wee hours.

Why shout about the Paramount?

From its location at Centre Point’s summit, Paramount offers the highest afternoon tea in London, taking High Tea to a whole new level - Paramount

Why shout about Radio bar?

With views that touch the clouds, the rooftop bar at the ME London rises to a new level of social enjoyment – Andreas at Radio bar

Kensington Roof Gardens One of London’s most spectacular and extraordinary landmarks, this year marks the Garden’s 75th anniversary.

With 1.5 acres of garden and an award-wining restaurant – Babylon - the Roof Gardens offer’s elegance and prestige not to mention a beautiful exterior.

Blue Fin Venue Offering sleek, modern event spaces Blue Fin Venue is a breath of fresh air in corporate entertaining. An assortment of meeting rooms overlook the London skyline, and large landscaped balconies offer unique breakout areas or a diverse space for larger events.

Why shout about the Roof Gardens?

No! It’s not the Tequila – they are REAL Flamingos in the garden! – Shout About London

Why shout about Blue Fin? The IPC Media building oozes cool with its (blue) finger firmly on the pulse – Shout About London

Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens A magnificent award-winning venue in Central London, the Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens provides stunning views of the River Thames, The Shard, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral with its elegant, glass-fronted marquee set within beautifully maintained gardens.

Icon Balcony Bar With private facilities and a beautifully lit balcony overlooking the hubbub of Leicester Square, Icon Bar and Terrace is a truly special place to stage any private function in London.

Why shout about the Cannon Bridge?

A Breath of Fresh Air in The Heart of The City – Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens

Why shout about Icon Balcony Bar Viewing Theatre Land from this unique perspective, this is the best way to feel top of the West End – Shout About London

The Deck at the National Theatre

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Vista at the Trafalgar Hotel Nestled on the South West corner of Trafalgar Square in the heart of central London, Vista at The Trafalgar is a stunning open air rooftop bar with spectacular London views.

The bar boasts an inspired menu of wickedly tempting cocktails and alfresco dining.

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Blue Fin Venue

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HMS President HMS President Boat parties can land or launch at the only jetty on this stretch of the Thames and the brilliantly appointed Navy interior makes a fabulous function space.

Why shout about HMS President?

Steeped in history, stunning views and people still think it’s a boat! – Shout About London

A shout out to the future Sky Garden The top of London’s latest landmark building (the Walkie Talkie), will boast uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Capital. Over three floors and surrounded by landscaped gardens, the new venue will offer a choice of experiential dining experiences.

Why shout about Sky Garden?

One Walkie Talkie is all you need – Shout About London

Shout it on Screen The Science Museum A diverse collection of spaces for daytime and evening events. Choose from the numerous interactive galleries accommodating 10 – 2000 guests, conference suites, 414-seat IMAX cinema and vast blank-canvas. Innovative branding and in-house entertainment options heighten the ‘wow factor’.

Why shout about the Science Museum?

Providing a fascinating insight into the worlds of science, technology and industry. It’s all the proof you need that ‘science is sexy’ - Alicia the Science Museum Bafta (195 Piccadilly) Situated in the heart of London, event spaces include: a 3D cinema with 227 seats, the stunning David Lean Room

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and the option of a totally blank canvass, overlooking a beautiful outdoor area.

Why shout about Bafta?

These guys don’t just get the awards, they give the awards – Shout About London BFI Imax The huge screen and 500-capacity luxury auditorium is perfect for major film premieres, product launches and awards ceremonies – for special guests who can’t be there, you can stream in seamlessly via satellite to your audience here and around the world Why shout about BFI Imax?

Britain’s biggest Cinema screen even makes Tom Cruise look massive! – Shout About London Hospital Club A creative hub in the heart of London offering the creative community the environment and facilities they need to create, connect and collaborate. They are a venue for some of London’s most chic and exclusive events with phenomenal facilities.

Why shout about Hospital Club?

Rihanna was here… Beyoncé was here… Bono was here…

Why aren’t you? – Michael at the Hospital Club One Moorgate Place The Great Hall provides spacious air-conditioned accommodation for receptions, exhibitions, dinners and presentations. It provides a technologically advanced split screen system and new stage set, which is the only one of its kind in London.

Why shout about One Moorgate Place In the Historic Chartered Accountants building, but not all accountants are boring….. – Lowell One Moorgate Place

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BFI Imax

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Coq D'Argent

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LONDONS COOLEST Royal Opera House With a theatre on this site since 1732, the Royal Opera House is steeped in centuries of history. The current theatre was opened in 1858 and many of the rooms still boast the original architectural features from this time.

They can cope with the most rigorous of technical demands, from audio reinforcement to web streaming, with state of the art equipment and an onsite team to help you make the most of your event.

Why shout about the Royal Opera House Shout, sing and dance about it, that’s what they do – Shout About London

Why shout about One Wimpole Street Home to the Royal Society of Medicine combining an elegant setting with a powerful injection of technical capabilities – shout About London

The May Fair Hotel There are 5 star luxury hotels, and then there is The May Fair: an icon of expressive contemporary design, bringing together boutique attention to detail with grand hotel service. A legendary luxury hotel with a glamorous past, Why shout about the May Fair No need to shout, the name says it all – Shout About London RIBA The design of Riba means they are a popular film and photoshoot location. The grand entrance lobby, stunning staircases, stylish library, court room and three outdoor terraces with stunning views across London, all provide great backdrops.

Why shout about RIBA A versatile venue building plans for the future – Shout About London One Wimpole Street This venue offers you and your delegates the perfect location at one of the capital’s best connected addresses.

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Museum of London Telling the incredible story of the world’s greatest city and its people. Through its immersive galleries, visitors are taken on a journey exploring London’s history from prehistoric times to the present day.

Why shout about Museum of London If you want an historic an event in the world’s greatest city, where else but the Museum of London – Shout About London

A shout out to the future Rooftop Film Club Over 100 sold-out screenings already this summer, London’s favourite outdoor cinema, Rooftop Film Club, announces its eagerly anticipated August programme of cult, classic and new releases PLUS a brand new venue in Ealing, the home of the famous film studios.

Why shout about Roof Top Film Club They say ‘Go West, life is peaceful there’ but from now it’s ‘Go West, the Rooftop Film Club is there’ – Gerry at Rooftop Film Club

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Rooftop Film Club

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Shout about Hospitality The Waldorf Hilton Located in the heart of Theatre land the iconic Waldorf Hilton is home to the Palm Court. Steeped in history and elegance it features an historic, impeccably styled interior, with fabulously restored balustrades lending an air of chic decadence and sophistication.

Why shout about the Waldorf Palm Court will leave you breathless…. With just enough left to shout about it – Shout About London The Marylebone Hotel A haven of understated and contemporary luxury that turns even the briefest of stays into a genuine pleasure.

This renowned London city hotel retains a charming, village feel that you’ll find nowhere else in this great city.

Why shout about the Marylebone Experience where you can savor the soul of a village in the heart of the city – Natasha from The Marylebone STK @ ME Hotel Set in the ME Hotel on The Strand, the London branch of New York beefy chain, STK follows the glossy style of its Manhattan Meatpacking original – with slinky black booths, theatrical lighting and a banging soundtrack to get things going.

Why shout about ME One impression, one moment, one sensation at a time.

Provocative. Engaging. ME draws out the best in you – Annabel at STK The Rembrandt The Rembrandt is a spectacular Edwardian building with timeless ornate architecture. Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge it has a great location for both leisure and business travelers. Perfectly positioned to explore the local area.

Why shout about Millennium With stunning spaces and great food - whilst overlooking Grosvenor square, this is a real ambassador for the hospitality industry.

Vinopolis With over 8 distinct yet equally stunning event spaces, Vinopolis merges Victorian splendor with 21st century facilities, offering state-of-the-art lighting and AV helping make them one of London’s top event venues.

Why shout about Vinopolis It’s one of our favourite spaces in London, plus they have wine… a LOT of wine! – Shout About London Westminster Park Plaza The versatility of the venue has huge international appeal.

With up to 1400 theatre style and numerous breakouts, it’s no surprise that this well-oiled venue machine is the South Banks epicentre for large events.

Why shout about Park Plaza A globally recognised hotel with London running through its veins – we love it! – Shout About London Wyndham Grand Set in exclusive Chelsea Harbour, Wyndham Grand boasts five-star style and sophistication along with being the only premier all-suite hotel in London, offering impeccable services and amenities. Experience the best London has to offer and return to upscale comfort, while enjoying stunning views of the River Thames.

Why shout about Wyndham Grand You can’t help but harbour a grudge at all the people washing the decks of their boats in the summer – Shout About London

Why shout about the Rembrandt Remember the Rembrandt, loose yourself in London’s best postcode – Shout About London

A shout out to the future

Apex Hotel Fleet Street Apex Hotel sits on the doorstep of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, providing a scenic location for your event. Our 3 different events rooms can be tailored easily to suit your events and special occasions

Edition Ian Schrager returns to London after 15 years since introducing Sanderson and St. Martins Lane. EDITION Hotels combines the personal, intimate, individualised and unique hotel experience that Schrager is known for, with the global reach and operational expertise.

Why shout about Apex Complimentary Wi-Fi, scenic fleet street location, luxurious setting and first class facilities, this hotel is the apex of refinement – Shout About London

Why shout about the Edition If the Hotel is anything as cool as the event team running it, it will be THE place to be in London for a long time – Shout About London

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Millennium Mayfair An impressive 18th century London mansion, originally built as a stately townhouse. Overlooking Grosvenor Square Gardens and situated in the heart of fashionable Mayfair, this hotel combines traditional charm and luxury with an outstanding location.

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The Waldorf Hilton

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Shout it in the Club Aura The infamous London nightspot based on St James’s St. Proudly nestled in the heart of Mayfair, with the Ritz and Buckingham Palace as neighbours, Aura presents itself as a wonderful venue equipped as a gourmet restaurant, casual lounge bar, atmospheric late night nightclub as well as a flexible, highly equipped events space.

Why Shout about Aura You don’t need to shout about it, you can just sense it – Shout About London Boujis Since opening in 2002, Boujis frequent visits from international VIPs, aristocracy and other high profile figures demonstrate not only Boujis’ style, but also the natural intoxicating power it has to draw these crowds back for more.

Why Shout about Boujis London’s most exclusive members club – plenty to Shout About when we get you in – Shout About London Cirque Le Soir Roll up! Roll up! And step inside London’s most A-list club and decadent circus, Cirque Le Soir. Perfect to fit that unusual venue brief!

Why Shout about Cirque Le Soir So comb your lady’s beard, iron your coat tails, dust off the top hat and prepare for a night like no other... - Tom from Cirque Le Soir Project Designed by world renowned interior architects ‘Project’ arrives to transform the West End and offer a sophisticated night out, with care being taken to keep a unique interior design with clean lines and cultivated spaces allowing for an exceptional experience.

Why Shout about Project Projecting a backdrop worthy for the world’s biggest brands – Shout About London Café de Paris Set in the heart of Piccadilly, Cafe de Paris has been a dazzling and opulent venue since it opened its fabled doors in 1924. Now a Grade II listed building, Cafe de Paris is superb for hosting all types of events.

Why shout about Café de Paris Think of the West End you think of Café de Paris, instantly iconic and effortlessly exciting with masses of sex appeal – Shout About London Whisky Mist

DSTRKT

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Set As one of London’s most exclusive members clubs, Whisky Mist organises fabulous events. Perfectly located in Mayfair, Whisky Mist is an elegant and glamorous venue for a myriad of events from corporate to the more personal affair.

Why shout about Whisky Mist Whisky Mist has a abundance of cool… particularly cool for us because it’s around the corner from our offices – Shout About London DSTRKT Voted ‘Best New Restaurant and Club 2012’ at the Club and Bar Awards, DSTRKT is a £25 Million venue that is class and elegance personified, with the restaurant overlooking the club and DJ in the VIP toilets, there’s certainly lots to Shout About.

Why shout about DSTRKT Wow - even the toilets are rocking! – Shout About London EGG This versatile and eclectic venue boasts state of the art sound and lighting. Firmly established in the London nightlife scene, it is proving itself as a successful corporate venue, playing host to intimate product launches and full on themed events.

Why shout about EGG Ten years of cracking events – Shout About London Movida Based in the heart of the capital with elegantly designed rooms spanning three vaults of The London Palladium, Movida is the ultimate location for any special private celebration and an impressive backdrop for product launches and corporate events.

Why shout about Movida Awards a plenty a standard for London to follow - Shout About London

A shout out to the future Rose Club A glamorous speakeasy bar in a part of London previously famed as the stomping ground of L’Equipe Anglais.

The concept is based around a lifestyle of choice, much more than just a club.

Why Shout about Rose Seeing is believing, it’s doesn’t get cooler than here! Just ask Denzel Washington, Andy Murray and half of the celeb world – Shout About London

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EGG

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The Dutch Hall is a beautifully renovated church in the PASSofTHE heart theDUTCHIE City close to Liverpool S t r e e t ,

DON’T

VENUE FOCUS DUTCH HALL

The Dutch Hall is a beautifully renovated church in the heart of the City close to Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Bank Train Stations. It is the oldest Dutch-language Protestant church in the world with the original medieval building dating back to 1550. The building which stands today was designed by Arthur Bailey and is designated Grade II listed and it has recently for the first time in over 450 years been opened for commercial events. The Church manages to strike a perfect balance between stunning original character and contemporary design features. There are three versatile event spaces available to hire individually or in a combination and the venue is perfect for a wide range of events including: Cocktail receptions, Dinners, Presentations, Fashion shows, Conferences and Meetings The history of this Church goes back to 24 July 1550, when King Edward VI granted to the Dutch community in London the church which had been taken from the Augustinian Friars by his father Henry VIII. The Dutch community at that time was the largest foreign community in London. By 1570 it numbered 5,000 people, out of a total population of 100,000. There were brewers, glassblowers, potters and tile makers; master weavers who produced luxury goods such as woven silk and tapestries; craftsmen who made fine leatherwork, jewellery, stained glass, paintings and sculpture; drainage experts and instrument makers; and mapmakers, printers and engravers, who all made prominent contributions. If Shakespeare was no Fleming, it is at least a Flemish engraver, Martin Droeshout, to whom we owe his most authentic and best-known portrait.

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In October 1940 the Church was destroyed during the London Blitz. But the Dutch services continued almost without interruption in the Church of St Mary near Berkeley Square in the West End, which functioned as a focus for the Dutch refugee community throughout the war. The present Dutch Church was built between 1950 and 1954, and contains paintings, memorial plaques, stained-glass windows and tapestries symbolising the key elements of its history: the Christian religion and the Reformation, the history of the Dutch nation, and the relationship with the House of Orange.

Dutch Hall also has an artistic air due in no small part to the small but fine collection of old books which miraculously escaped destruction in October 1940 and the legendary Vincent Van Gogh visited the Church many times during his brief visit to London late 1800’s. He was so in awe of the old building that he depicted a wonderful sketch of the Church, currently kept in the Van Gogh Museum in Holland In case the remarkable history of the building and its unique spaces haven’t sold you on this extraordinary venue then maybe the service will. The team behind the Dutch Hall has been managing iconic locations such as the Natural History Museum and Battersea Power Station for years. They have a wealth of experience in organising, managing and delivering fantastic and complex events in the Capital and they approach each event with the idea of helping the client in transforming the improbable into possible.

The Dutch Hall is a beautifully renovated church in the heart of the City close to Liverpool S t r e e t ,

VENUE FOCUS DUTCH HALL

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COMMUNICATION

PLANNING YOUR EVENT: COMMUNICATION IS KEY

by Simon Maier

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COMMUNICATION Communication. It’s a terrible word really because it means everything and, because it means everything a business should do, it means nothing. It’s a word behind which client businesses hide and in front of which production companies and agencies pose, but in reality, it’s a central aspect of any business and should be treated as one.

An exchange that is properly two-way demands that we listen and speak skilfully. Similarly with events – they should ensure that after they’re done, the participants are better informed, entertained or clearer in their thinking than they were before.

Events, under the banner of corporate and marketing communication, must be part of the process by which brands are built. An agency or production company trying to win business has to understand their potential client’s culture, market positioning and its operation, its weaknesses and strengths and, most of all, its brand. But, even more than all of that, the agency needs to know how the client or potential client communicates and connects with its audiences.

Everything else is concerned with making that single message clear and remembered long after the event. Why do I beat the drum for this? Because it’s the single most important point that is often forgotten in communicating anything, and it’s frequently the most ignored aspect of an event brief.

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

PLANNING YOUR EVENT: COMMUNICATION IS KEY

THE IMPORTANCE OF MESSAGE Whatever the corporate event, you’re going to need to know and totally understand the message from a potential client (or even a current client with a new project) that will provide the mainstay and drive the content for that event.

The message will become the proposition. You, as an event deliverer, producer, manager, account director, agency boss or whatever position you hold, will benefit enormously from a clear understanding of the overall strategy in which an event sits.

ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE Events usually tend to be connected with some aspect of organisational change. That can be a good thing of course – new product launch, information about marketplace success (or failure), an update on sales performance, a celebration, an opening, a closing, an awards ceremony, a new incentive programme for senior management – and so on. It’s worth making sure that you, as a budding or experienced event specialist, understand what such change implies for your client or potential client.

An account director (at a large agency, itself part of a huge marketing conglomerate) points to a hefty document on her desk at least eight inches thick, and states, ‘There’s no one perfect way to communicate change – but that,’ she says pointing at the small forest of paper, ‘probably isn’t it. Print may not be the answer and neither might be an event. An event is but one method of communicating and, on its own, it doesn’t necessarily do the whole job.’

PROCESS IS NOT COMMUNICATION Many senior executives, including the CEO of an international bank, have said to me that organisations can’t communicate too much, but that they can communicate too much insignificant or irrelevant information. It’s perfectly true- you can’t communicate too much significant, substantial information. And that’s the big problem- people at the top don’t always decide what gets communicated or how- and they should. They’re the architects, the blueprint owners.

The biggest problem is that agencies and clients alike sometimes confuse process- vision statements, planning, endless (oh, endless) PowerPoint presentations- with communication. Communication is all about a single message and, usually, a single-minded proposition.

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THE VENUE-HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE

CHOOSING THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR EVENT

by Simon Maier

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THE VENUE-HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE TURNAROUNDS: if the same meeting area, auditorium, ballroom – wherever – is being used for your conference in the day and for your gala dinner in the evening, do leave sufficient time to turn the room around. Your venue will advise.

REHEARSALS: Set-up and get-out time is essential of course, but you also need to allow time for rehearsals. There should be rehearsals – every time – without exception, and no matter how small the event. Would you watch a play in which the actors had never rehearsed and had only looked at their lines and moves ten minutes before show-time?

ALSO CONSIDER: the layout and style of the meeting, the greeting and registration/reception areas, the eating and drinking spaces plus any syndicate or breakout rooms. Do participants need to make notes, work in small groups or just listen to a presentation? Will the technology you’re putting in front of them (say, voting system handsets) be easy to use? How much space is needed for anything and everything? Finally, does the venue offer free, unlimited Wi-Fi access?

Everyone knows that you should choose a venue to match your client’s needs but, more precisely, you should be trying to meet the needs of the brief and proposed audience. Outside the event’s actual objectives, there are other factors to consider; take the following, which would relate to a more or less standard corporate conference but can be easily applied to other events too: LOCATION: From where are the attendees coming and how are they travelling? Does the location need to be near an airport, railway station or motorway junction? Is parking important and which is better for your purposes – a city centre or a country location?

FLEXIBILITY: Is there any flexibility in the chosen dates?

Check public holidays, other holidays, other events, industry exhibitions and anything that’s going on in the city or area that might be on at the same time. Importantly, check what else is going on in the client company; many clients fix dates before taking any consultation with anyone apart from the event owner’s diary.

That’s a rough list. There are more things to go on it, but it’s a start!

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

MEASUREMENT: Consider how the success of the event is going to be measured and put the steps in place to achieve the objectives from the start. It really is extraordinary that a) some clients couldn’t give a fig about measuring anything and b) that some agencies wouldn’t know where to start. So, if measurement isn’t your company’s expertise, get some professional advice.

REGISTRATION: Think about how members of the audience are going to be invited and how will they reply. Errors at this stage are a killer because the CEO of the client company will find out very quickly. Also important – give consideration as to what needs to be told to delegates beforehand and, as appropriate, think about how to keep the impetus going after the event.

BUDGET: Is this realistic, fi xed and does it match the detailed requirements? If there is no set budget, you’ll need to create a core set of costs along with explanations and a list of options.

RISKS: What are the minimum numbers and cancellation terms? What are the other risks – such as flights, weather, inoculations, visas, other travel issues, political issues? Risk assessments are very important. Dull as cold toast, but important.

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BEFORE THE SHOW BEGINS

BEFORE THE SHOW BEGINS

by Simon Maier

relationships, first impressions do count.

MANAGING NO-SHOWS

READINESS In Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act IV, Henry tells his troops before the great battle of Agincourt that, ‘All things are ready, if our minds be so’. The event industry, outside of very big productions, hasn’t put a whole lot of stock into strategic management, but managing a project, or indeed strategy, is as important as creativity. You must be able to keep track of progress on the project on paper, but in all reality you’ll need to learn and understand how to make the most out of one of the many pieces of project management software that are available- so long as it doesn’t detract from your actual management of the project.

No-shows (people who don’t turn up with or without valid reasons) are frustrating and there isn’t a lot you can do to legislate against them – provided that you’ve managed everything else well and that you’re safe in the knowledge that the joining instructions are good and clear. There is a way to reduce no-shows before the event – yet it’s one of the least-used features in event registration. The feature is called a ‘click-to-confirm’ reminder and it allows event organisers or logistics managers to send a series of triggered email reminders leading up to an event.

Finally, make sure you provide a quick link to a directory of event attendees both during your registration process and in your confirmation email. This technique immediately engages your attendee with your event. This is also where social media can work a treat, but if you do get involved in social networking for communication purposes, remember that like all communication tools, it needs to be treated with respect. Again, in Shakespeare’s words (Richard III) ‘An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told,’ something that is also worth bearing in mind for your client’s presentations!

ON THE GROUND I’ve always been in awe of colleagues who have the task of organising large-scale event logistics, getting people from A to B (where B is usually far, far away) and back. About thirty years ago local transport companies (coaches, buses, taxis) began working closely with event management agencies and production companies – and indeed with end clients directly. Most of these companies have evolved into DMCs. Hiring a DMC makes sense whether your event is big or small. The investment is part of delivering an overall excellent experience and that’s what you’re in business to do.

CORPORATE GIFTS- GOOD OR BAD PLAN? ‘The essential thing,’ reinforces the marketing director of a pharmaceutical company based in the UK, ‘is to consider what you’re giving a gift for. If it’s because you want the delegate to love you then it’s a waste of time. If it’s because the item has some relevance to the conference or event, then perhaps OK, but just giving things for giving’s sake is a waste of money and can actually do harm. If the gift is wrong or is seen as ‘cheap’ or pointless, then that can reflect on the event and the people holding it.’

REGISTRATION Good attendee registration practice and payment handling (if applicable) is crucial.

You can use a registration process to collect attendee data for all kinds of reasons: dietary requirements, workshop or breakout choice, event content, questionnaire information on objectives, marketing activities post-conference and so on. The registration process is an extension of the event itself and is another component that can add or subtract from the overall experience. Therefore, as with other

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Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010) .For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99). (insert cover of book ‘In Any Event’ here)

YOUR PERFECT MENUE: PLANNING YOUR FOOD

YOUR PERFECT EVENT MENU

by Simon Maier

Food (and the beverages that accompany it) can be nearly as important to an event as the purpose of the event itself.

Whether you’re working with a private caterer, the catering manager or banqueting director at the venue, it’s helpful to consider several factors before building the menu. The first thing to remember is that the menu options presented to you and your client are almost always 100 per cent flexible, at a price.

Set menus for breakfast are usually more cost-effective and easier to select, including continental options, hot buffets and breakfast stations. Lunches at events these days tend to be brief and rarely longer than an hour. This is a good thing because it means that people can get on with the business of engaging with the event. Recently there has grown a habit of delegates taking food and drink back into a breakout or plenary session. I disapprove; unless the event is deliberately casual and everyone’s eating and drinking whilst working, it’s discourteous to presenters or colleagues and enormously irritating to everyone who has to listen to the mastication and clinking of cutlery.

‘For dinners,’ says a highly experienced logistics director who works for one of the biggest communications agencies in the world, and who used to be director of events at a large group of international hotels, ‘you will always have a choice of pre-packaged buffets or plated dinners and both will offer a choice of three to five courses.

This is where you’ll find items that reflect the executive chef’s personal preferences and the choice might be confusingly wide. For a gala dinner the courses can’t be too many otherwise the content of the evening – awards, speeches, entertainment acts, dancing, more speeches, announcements – just wouldn’t fit in, although clients do try and overfill dinners with activity where many among the audience would like a chance to chat.’

days, most good venues, caterers and hotels are able to cope admirably. Plus there will always be someone who will think, ‘That veggie option looks better than the chicken I ordered. I’ll ask for that instead’ and will declare unflinchingly (with a glare that could maim) that she or he had always asked for the veggie or non-gluten option and how dare the minion- who looks exasperated and holds two plates of cooling chicken- argue differently. It is critical to incorporate and notify your catering manager about any special requests and needs that your guests may have as early as you can. Good luck with that, and may your God go with you.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

My personal view is that coffee, tea and comfort breaks are always too long, but still, a pastry or two or some interesting biscuits do always go down well during breaks.

Fruit – preferably easy to eat fruit pieces – are a good option, as are a small variety of finger buffet savouries.

Finally, people need to know if and when there is going to be dinner, otherwise they’ll fill up on bits: an obvious point, but one frequently missed in communications to delegates.

When I started out in the events industry I really can’t recall there being so many different opportunities for delegates to say ‘no’ to meals – and I’m not that old, thank you.

The choices of dinners were either regular or vegetarian and that was it. Now, trying to cater for all those folk with allergies can be illness-inducing (to you) although, these

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SPEAKER AND PRESENTATION

SPEAKER AND CONTRIBUTORS: HOW TO WORK WITH THEM

Just because someone is a senior somebody from the client side, or an author of some renown, or a famous person from the world of light entertainment or a major subject matter expert from across the Atlantic, does not by any means whatsoever prove that he or she is a great presenter. And even if they are, if the presentation has been boringly and routinely put out time after time, it’s likely that the speaker will be a bit tired and enthusiastic, and the audience unelectrified. I remember one internal senior executive who delivered an entire presentation in rhyming couplets to an open-mouthed audience. You may have little choice over who speaks, but if you have doubts it’s always best to articulate them early. Such opportunities to communicate are golden. Why waste them?

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to have an external expert who will add value to an event’s theme or who can underline an event’s proposition, or someone with whom the audience will identify and/or will respect for some aspect of relevant high achievement. But do remember that relevant content has to be the overall driver. The topic will present itself, and the speaker should follow.

Price or cost is obviously an important matter and clients (and actually producers) have sometimes a totally unrealistic idea of what guest contributors might cost.

You must research the market by gathering information on two or three shortlisted presenters. View the speaker’s work on YouTube and via other sources, and always, but always, insist on having the chance to talk directly with the speaker. If their bureau doesn’t allow it, maybe think again.

Most conference producers and project managers would agree the ideal speaker would be one who: • • • • •

• Speakers can (and will) go off-piste, so ensure that your brief is succinct and crystal clear.

• Work out beforehand how you are going to signal the time remaining to your speakers if they start running over.

• Have a plan for if things do run late; do your speakers cut short their presentations, or do you cut back on breaks? Thinking about these scenarios early goes a long way towards solving problems.

• Have a back-up plan in case any of the speakers cancel; ask one of the other guest speakers to do double-duty, get some talented audience members up for a panel discussion, or extend a lunch-break into a proper networking session. Whatever you do, present any changes to the programme with confidence and style and the audience will follow along.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

is a recognised expert with significant experience in the areas they are presenting on presents with an engaging style, utilising the appropriate mix of entertainment and content is prepared to have a Skype or phone chat with you and the client beforehand is willing to specifically tailor each presentation to the needs of the audience (and has a track record of doing just that); has the capacity to add value by perhaps running a follow-up workshop or participating in a panel session.

Moving on from the speakers for a moment, here are some useful tips for you when it comes to keeping the event on track and avoiding disaster- don’t just stand back and watch it happen: • Not only should the facilitator/MC must take their notes or script wherever they go, you should ensure that you keep a copy (safely) just in case; they tend to disappear from lecterns!

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Most types of events r to amuse, engage, m ENTERTAINMENT AT attendees a boost or of yourWHEN, ground, get so YOUR EVENT: an agency, agent or

PLANNING ENTERTAINMENT

WHY AND WHAT IT DOES By Simon Maier

Once, long ago, I was out in the Welsh mountains taking part in the company’s teamwork away day. It was billed as entertainment and I have no idea why, but I was reminded of it just now (I still limp). Great teamwork makes things happen more than anything else in organisations, but whatever is used to engage the team has to be valid, otherwise individuals won’t take it seriously. Not just that – most people at work actually don’t want to go out into the Welsh hills for some prescribed exhaustion and mud.

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ents require some form of performance e, motivate and sometimes to give the t or indeed a reward. If you’re not sure et some entertainment expertise – via t or bureau. These experts understand PLANNING ENTERTAINMENT

Most types of events require some form of performance to amuse, engage, motivate and sometimes to give the attendees a boost or indeed a reward. If you’re not sure of your ground, get some entertainment expertise – via an agency, agent or bureau. These experts understand that they can never know your client as well as you, but they will take a good brief; you just have to be a little careful that they don’t simply recommend someone they want to place rather than someone who properly fits your brief and budget.

Remember, it isn’t just the act or talent on stage or the high wire troupe that does it for audiences. There is also the atmosphere of occasion, perhaps the dressing up for a gala dinner or awards ceremony, the red carpet or the CEO talking, genuinely talking with interest, to people way down the ladder. To create this atmosphere, you will use the heady mix of table layouts, linen colours, lighting styles or effects, sound effects, props, and music (both canned and live). If you create the right ambience and atmosphere for any element of the event, no matter how small the entertainment or activity, people will feel that they are in a special place, no matter what the content. If that lookalike of David Beckham is presented in the right way, then people will want to see him almost as much as the real thing. People will yell and shout praise for the Elvis up on stage because he’s wearing exactly the right garb and sounds exactly like him, even though everyone knows that the real one is no longer singing All Shook Up.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

Even when everyone knows that the voiceover of a very famous actor, say Alan Rickman, Ian McKellen or someone from Friends or EastEnders, announces that ‘dinner is served’ is just that, a famous voiceover, people will be entranced and engaged that the famous voice is ‘there’ for them. The same goes for videos where the topflight and very famous leader of business talks straight at the camera to the audience. Get the mix right, between the serious, the tough, the heady and the fun, the enjoyment that is spectacle, the humour or the music – and the whole smorgasbord of the event, all of it, will gel. It will. Most of all, most of all, the event and its content and message will be remembered long after the last balloon has popped and the last delegate has opened their own front door again.

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EVENTS AND STORYTELLING

EVENTS AND STORYTELLING

by Simon Maier Events are all about storytelling, whether it’s the launch of a new product, an awards ceremony, or the beginning of an international sporting event.

‘Marketers,’ says a friend of mine, who’s been in the events industry for ever, ‘are increasingly challenged, by breaking through the clutter, to create brand experiences and experiential events which solicit emotional responses from audiences to accomplish marketing and strategic objectives. Tried and tested techniques for engaging audiences, including interaction and storytelling, are still relevant.’

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EVENTS AND STORYTELLING

Any story within a presentation should underscore and amplify the business message your client presenters are communicating. Material for stories is everywhere; personal stories are always intriguing and can lend authenticity to a message or a proposition in a speech.

‘The amount of detail in a story should be just enough to make it vivid, but not enough to make it rambling,’ says a director of a company that specialises in corporate storytelling. ‘Remember,’ he says, ‘this is a story within a presentation. It’s the characters – what they do and what that action means – that form the heart of any story. Give them life, give them colour, give them dialogue.’

He makes eminent sense: ‘Each story within a presentation should be only long enough to make a point. Strive for around two minutes, with an absolute maximum of three. Aim for a crisp rendition, leaving the audience so engaged that they want more. And there clever public speakers give their audiences more by coming back to their main story or a character in the story.’

I meet up with a famous American writer of business fiction. He adds, ‘Pacing and tone are the keys to grabbing and keeping an audience’s attention. So, it’s a good idea to vary sentence length to create anticipation – short, staccato sentences suggest action for instance. Speakers must learn when to pause for effect and to let the audience absorb what’s been said.’

especially with a business case, is to do it quickly and concisely. In these situations, facts and figures can be a story in themselves.

Relevance is key too. We like to hear stories about ourselves – which is why the most successful stand-up comedians are indeed successful. Through stories we share passions, sadness, hardships and joys. Stories are how we make meaning of life. Stories trigger our imagination.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

In business, leaders consider what they want others to do and why they want them to do it. If they want to persuade people to adopt, say, safety standards, then a story can be told of what happened when someone didn’t follow protocol. If they want to demonstrate the benefits of a new process, they might use a story to explain how an individual, anyone in the audience perhaps, would benefit.

Storytelling can also play a crucial part in any change process. During times of organisational change (a constant, of course) those responsible for directing such change will be better able to avoid stress in the process and make more positive interventions by explaining what has been, what is and what will be, but doing so exactly as if one was telling a story.

One speechwriter tells me, ‘People often feel trapped and helpless in change– which can be construed as obstructive. Storytelling can be used as a way for an individual to express and transform an organisational tale from negative to positive.’

As powerful as storytelling can be, it may not be appropriate for every occasion. Sometimes you need to get to the point. And the best way to relate your point of view,

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENT

by Simon Maier

Providing opportunities for attendees to connect is important, but at the heart of every conference is the exchange of information and ideas achieved through its content.

Content is at the heart of the event’s brand and its eventual reputation in the minds of attendees; it should not be a last-minute addition.

An event producer or project manager and their team must stretch widely and deeply to imagine, source, shape and then deliver relevant and timely information- and information that exceeds the expectations of the audience.

However, that’s all well and good given two important conditions: one, that the client actually wants help in content and messaging (many don’t, or assume that the event company or agency wouldn’t have a clue- and sometimes they’re right) and two, that the client listens to the agency, and then waits for the client CEO to tell everyone what he/she wants no matter what, and that’s (boringly) that.

Event content is one of those strange elements that has hordes attacking it, and rarely is it allowed to take its proper and leading place at the seat of other component parts of an event. Clients will hijack a morning or afternoon at the drop of an MD’s hat; committees will stuff in all sorts of garbage- a comedian there, a management guru there, four plenary sessions in one evening, nine breakout sessions with no true purpose, a gala dinner, some drunken awards that receive less and less applause after the thirtysecond…and so on.

An exaggeration certainly, but many an event is cobbled together as an amalgam of all things dreadful- just because someone persuaded a client later in the day that it should be like that. Actually, one of the most common reasons that content gets changed is because the client is so concerned to include the detail, data or output of another initiative that it takes over, totally subsuming the original reason for the event’s existence.

The first step in planning content is actually to take a step back. It’s important to read, synthesize and really understand all the data available from the client concerning context, objectives and history, if there is one. You may have some of this from your original brief, but it’s unlikely that you have access to drilled-down detail unless you’ve known the client for a long time and, of course, kept up to date with their business and its changes. You can develop shape with the client by what might be called a straw man- a draft you can knock down and rebuild. Invariably, clients don’t know what they don’t want until they see itor rather, until they see what they don’t want.

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Giving the voice to the audience and inviting them in advance to help shape the event establishes an early level of engagement and investment that, in my experience, is more likely to result in a content-appropriate event. Their level of buy-in increases and they’re more receptive. As you can’t address the input from every audience member, just remember that above all, you should consider the optimal mix of content to address what the audience is facing now and what it needs to be taught to navigate future conditions. Once you know that, you can shape the whole.

People are naturally curious; we all like uncovering new ideas, solving problems and pursuing thoughts. Content may prompt interest but not necessarily maintain it. Event content has to be relevant to attendees, exciting in how it’s delivered, and has to make people think long after the event is over and they’re home.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

EVENTS AND VISUAL SUPPORT

EVENTS AND VISUAL SUPPORT

by Simon Maier

PowerPoint is a software package that is meant to enhance an oral presentation and to keep the audience focused on a particular subject. It operates like an oldfashioned slide show, but uses modern technology in the form of computers and digital projection rather than a slide projector of old. But, by all that’s holy, it’s overused and abused and I loathe it.

Sometimes I feel, at an event, if all the projectors suddenly stopped working and the speakers had to carry on speaking without PowerPoint, the audience would cheer.

When it comes to your event, do please try and get your speakers to use PowerPoint either not at all, or with great caution.

This probably won’t work.

My favourite PowerPoint designer in the whole world sighs, ‘You know, as do I, that very, very few executives will follow your advice. On the whole, the execs don’t prepare well, they don’t practice at all and they regard rehearsals with disdain.’ If you can advise your speakers, then advise as follows: • Get them to choose images rather than words to reinforce what they’re saying- big, clear, relevant images or images that are mysterious, but become clear through what they say.

• Good photographs or brilliant graphics, not clip art or a surfeit of arrows.

• Do get them to use a slide with one word on it, rather than a slide filled with tiny font text or oodles of diagrams that mean nothing to anyone beyond the front row.

• Get your speakers to say ‘so what?’ to themselves as they practice each slideshould they not be able to answer it, that particular slide should be binned.

• Lots of flashing text and photos are to be avoided, as are dreadful cartoons, speech balloons, and monotonous musical files.

• NEVER allow your speakers to read each slide word for word directly from the screen!

• Make sure there aren’t too many slides- a presenter will say, ‘Oh, I can whizz through those in no time.’ He or she can’t.

Not being in charge of your own PowerPoint is all too common. If a slide or topic is missed- and it happens oftenthe speaker should not apologise and fiddle with the clicker trying to find the missing slide. At no point should it be felt that the speaker isn’t in control.

The trouble with PowerPoint is that it makes it so easy to put detailed written and numerical information on slides

that it leads presenters into the mistaken belief that all the detail will be successfully transmitted through the air into the brains of the audience. The purpose of a presentation is to inform, not to overwhelm.

Visual aids can be a great way of enhancing a presentation- when they’re used sensibly and with a clear purpose. Like PowerPoint, any visual aid is there to help your audience to better understand what a speaker is talking about- not¬ replace it. They’re also there to grab attention, to amuse and to make a proposition come alive, buy why not also think about an app, a website attachment or a variety of methodologies whereby material can be sent to smartphones or email addresses?

Finally, using a variety of media and movement can help to maintain maximum interest. Amusing quotes or funny stories can light up, inspire or touch audiences, as can stories and straw polls- getting the audiences to raise their hands or react through an electronic voting system. I once asked members in an audience to demonstrate their ringtones at the same time. I forget why, but the effect was great.

For more in-depth information, pick up a copy of In Any Event by Simon Maier, available now from Bloomsbury for £19.99 (online price £17.99).

Simon Maier is an experienced corporate and public event director and a former managing director of ICM, a Saatchi & Saatchi event management agency company, amongst other large event agencies. He has lectured throughout the world presenting on topics related to communications, presentation techniques and the ingredients of strategy development. He has written speeches for many senior internationally well-known politicians and business leaders and is the author of Speak Like a President (Bloomsbury, 2010).

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20/20 CALENDER

FUTURE 20/20 SPEED NETWORKING EVENTS: Date

Theme

Host Venue

25th March 2014

Meetings, Training and Seminar Venues

10th April 2014 24th April 2014 14th -15th May 2014

19th June 2014 3rd July 2014 16th July 2014 25th September 2014 9th October 2014 16th October 2014

Venues with 500+capacities Corporate Dining & Caterers COOL Events (rate for this unique 2-day event includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and teambuilding activities) East London vs West London Venues Luxury Hotels Around The World (rate for this event is £2000) Heritage Venues Parties & Events at Night Sporting Venues Christmas Parties Events Services Central London Venues

Central Hall Westminster Venue: tbc Venue: tbc Venue: tbc

6th November 2014 13th November 2014

Unique Venues Non-London Venues

5th June 2014 12th June 2014

East Wintergarden The Waldorf Hilton Painters Hall Egg Emirates Stadium Ministry of Sound Congress Centre London Zoo Venue: tbc Venue: tbc

“... the perfect location, with a unique style and great atmosphere, I had a number of ideas for using the space and immediately booked the host venue for an Olympic Volunteer Reunion.” Shavone Mitchell-Martin, Channel 4 “Would definitely recommend it to many people in Barclays. It’s been really useful” -Valerie Bamford, Barclays “The quality of buyer at 20/20 Speed Networking is better than at any event we’ve been to” - Mike Kershaw, MD of Concerto Group 20/20…IT’S THE REAL DEAL FOR THOSE WITH LITTLE TIME ON THEIR HANDS www.2020speednetworking.com

Produced by

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7th Annual Cool Venue Awards

P RE S T I G E

EVENTS

PRE S T I GE

COOL

COOL

Venue Awards

EVENTS Venue Awards

WELCOME TO THE 7TH ANNUAL COOL VENUE AWARDS OK, hands up for those who have heard so many times the following ? ;

“..we spent £millions on the interior upgrades and exterior restorations..” “..we’ve got this amazing new Michelin-star chef..” “..we’ve created a new logo which twins with our new brand identity..” “..our new sales manager has a penis enlargement..”

Ok, I made the last one up, but the point that all this overlooks is ‘what does it actually mean?.

Through the 12 months of hyperbole and mountains of press releases, it is amazing how many venues overlook or are frightened of stating that, yes, they are at the pinnacle of COOL. They say it silently or not at all, yet this is their USP and one which buyers cry out to be made apparent to them. Don’t get me wrong, buyers in the new-age are more savvy and aware than ever before and can’t be fooled, hence the high level of engagement that the COOL Venue Awards, Prestige Events magazine, and 20/20 Speed Networking maintain with this time-sensitive audience. BUT, in an overcrowded venue marketplace, know yourself, sell yourself, and say it loud, just like James Brown said it ‘..I’m black and I’m proud”. If you believe that is not the right analogy, I ask you to re-consider how closely linked the world’s of business, events, and entertainment are. It’s not about being radical, it’s about making clear your differentation when all around there is a fog. In fact, tonight’s Lifetime Achievement winner (whom you’ll all instantly recognize) supports my argument and reinforces the argument that selling your COOL factor and experience in this “get to the point/I don’t have the time” world that we live in is the base demoninator and ultimately the difference when it comes to choosing one venue over another.

So, what’s the criteria for the COOL Venue Awards?

COOL is sum of the parts that are charisma, originality, style, innovation and aspiration. We don’t celebrate technical standards such as new car parking facilities! COOL doesn’t have to be all glass and metal. The public’s reverence for historic and period venues is stronger than ever because of the back-stories they possess. The 12 judges are from our editorial team at Prestige Events to planners at agencies such as DRP Group, Imagination, to corporates such as Channel 4 and Pret A Manger.

Venues can’t nominate themselves or buy a table and receive a nomination. It’s purely what the judges have witnessed during the past 12 months. This creates an interesting mix. To support the argument as to the independence of the awards, we have seen a large number of venue hosts not win ANY of the two dozen categories up for grabs each year, and even seen one host venue have to witness it’s sworn rival laud it on their turf and collect the award all would have expected them to win.

Buyers always ask me for my personal favourite ‘COOL’ venues, so here goes in no particular order: Alton Towers (check out the relics too), St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, The Savoy, Dutch Hall, RSC Stratford-upon-Avon, The 02, Mint Leaf, Ministry of Sound, Emirates Stadium, Top Golf, Mercedes-Benz World, Freemasons Hall, and Smiths of Smithfield. Now see how many on that list are Top 10 nominees in each category. That demonstrates the democracy of these awards for the benefits of the buyer who needs a broad consensus of opinion.

I’d like to thank the following without whose services this amazing evening could not have been executed: Isla McKenzie and the staff at Ministry of Sound, all of our amazing sponsors (which you can see on the page facing the inside back cover), our team at Prestige Events magazine and 20/20 Speed Networking: Dan, Allanah, Errol, Asif, Jess, Hope, Joanna, Cherise, Gemma, Merlin, Bani, Adam, Matt, Joe, and Holly. and Mum. Andrew Catley and Terry Clarke, Dad, Simon Hutchings, Tom and Lenny. And last but not least, my wife, kids, and my Godson Jacob for giving me the ‘KWAN’.

Remember…‘Be COOL’.

Wesley Mendy, CEO/Founder: COOL Venue Awards, Prestige Events magazine, 20/20 Speed Networking

Nominees COOLest Hotel Chain

COOLest Venue Portfolio

COOLest Country House/ Historic Venue

WINNER - Dorchester Collection

WINNER - ITA

Blenheim Palace

Melia De Vere Venues Radisson Blu Edwardian Rocco Forte Hotels Citizen M Hotel Du Vin Marriott Starwood / W Hotels Morgans

Late Night London Drake & Morgan Concerto Searcys Soho House Lime Venues Merlin D&D London De Vere Venues Amazing Venues

Leeds Castle Cutty Sark The Monastery, Manchester Weston Park Banqueting House Coworth Park Luton Hoo Coombe Abbey Old Royal Navy College

COOLest Boutique Hotel

COOLest On-Water Venue

COOLest Sporting Venue

WINNER - The May Fair

WINNER - Spitbank Fort

WINNER - Twickenham

The Ampersand Dormy House, Cotswolds South Place, London Shoreditch House San Domenico House Hotel, Chelsea Malmaison, London Claridges Hard Days Night Hotel Maiyango

HMS Belfast Bateaux London The Edwardian ( Thames Luxury Charters) The Yacht Cutty Sark City Cruises Floating Boater Silver Sturgeon Tower Bridge

The Kia Oval Etihad Stadium The Emirates Lords Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Silverstone Wembley Stadium Ascot Sandown Park

Claridges

cannon bridge roof gardens Saatchi Gallery

Pavilion at The Tower of London

Center Parcs- Lake

Nominees COOLest Museum/ Gallery

COOLest Conference/Exhibition Centre

COOLest Bar/ Club

WINNER - Science Museum

WINNER - The O2

WINNER - Ministry of Sound

V&A Museum Tate London Museum of London Serpentine/ Sackler Gallery Titanic, Belfast Saatchi Gallery Natural History Museum London Film Museum Halcyon Gallery

America Square, Cavendish Venues Barbican Level 39 Excel Church House Old Billingsgate Troxy Royal Horticultural Halls Alexandra Palace De Vere Venues Holborn Bars

Fabric DSTRKT Mahiki Bar at Social Eating House, London Radio Rooftop Bar at ME London Babylon Funky Buddha Night Jar W Hotel, London Egg The Roof Gardens

COOLest Restaurant

COOLest for Film Premiere after parties

COOLest Spa

WINNER - Meat Liquor

WINNER - The Roof Gardens

WINNER - Renaissance St Pancras

Skylon at Southbank Centre Zuma Sketch Sushisamba Duck & Waffle Shaka Zulu Texture, Portman Place Union Street Café Mint Leaf

BAFTA 195 Piccadilly W Hotel, London The Serpentine/ Sackler Gallery London Film Museum Planet Hollywood 34/ The Emin Room Hippodrome Casino & Bars The Playboy Club DSTRKT

Luton Hoo The Grove Sanctuary Spa, Covent Garden Chuan Spa at The Langham, London ESPA Life at Corinthia Hotel, London The Spa at Pennyhill Park Rockliffe Hall, County Durham Mandarin Oriental Away Spa The Spa at The Dorchester

COOLest for Corporate Fun

COOLest for Award Ceremonies

COOLest for Gala’s

WINNER - Mercedes Benz World

WINNER - Café De Paris

WINNER - Vinopolis

Top Golf Go Ape Hint Hunt Namco Up at the O2 Gleneagles Urban Golf, London Warner Bros Studios London Zoo L’Atelier Des Chef

The Dorchester The Savoy The Tate, London Royal Albert Hall Royal Opera House The Monastery, Manchester British Film Institute HAC One Mayfair One Marylebone

Stationers Hall Ministry of Sound Tobacco Dock Royal Opera House 8 Northumberland Battersea Evolution Senate House The Dorchester, Ballroom Disappearing Dining Club Mercedes Benz World

Cafe De Paris

Nominees COOLest for Small Meetings

COOLest for AGM’S

COOLest for Product Launches

WINNER - De Vere Venues Holborn Bars

WINNER - Freemasons Hall

WINNER - Saatchi Gallery

W Hotel CCT Canary Wharf Ettington Park 30 Euston Square Edition Hotel, London Ace Hotel De Vere Venues Canary Wharf ETC Venues Victoria, One Drummond Gate OXO 2

Emirates Stadium Indigo 2 Somerset House The Savoy One Wimpole Street HAC Artillery Guards The Dorchester The Corinthia Church House RSC Stratford Upon Avon Magna Science Centre

Tobacco Dock Café De Paris The Deck Serpentine/ Sackler Gallery London Film Museum Village Underground The Orangery, Kensington Palace Royal Courts of Justice

COOLest Members Club Now Open for Events

COOLest for Receptions

COOLest for Outdoor Events

WINNER - The Orangery/ Kensington Palace

WINNER - Top Golf

WINNER - The Playboy Club

Warwick Castle Kensington Roof Gardens Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London Zoo HAC The Crystal Down Hall The Deck at the National Theatre Mercedes Benz World Center Parcs

Shoreditch House Searcys /The Gherkin Purple Door Apartment 58, London St James Hotel & Club The Club at The Ivy Scotts Private Room The Box, Soho Soho House

The Brewery RIBA W London Aqua/Shard London Altitude 360 Arcelor Mittal Orbit / Olympic Park Sushisamba British Museum Shard/ The Oblix

COOLest Venue Launch in 2014

COOLest Temporary Structure

COOLest Overseas Venue

WINNER - The Shard

WINNER - Pavillion at Tower of London

WINNER - Grand Excelsior, Malta

Balthazar Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Edition Hotel, London Serpentine/ Sackler Gallery Café Royal House of Ho ME Capital Rooftop Bar Happenstance Union Café

Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens Sandals La Source, Grenada Bloomsbury Big Top Soho Beach, Miami Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground at Disneyland Paris 45 Millbank, London High Line, New York The View, Battersea Power Station Hard Rock Café, New York Serpentine Pavilion W Hotel, Barcelona HAC Artillery Gallery Conventian Centre, Dublin Ranelagh Gardens, Royal Hospital Chelsea Hotel Prince De Galles Disappearing Dining Club Amsterdam RAI Conference Centre Battersea Evolution

St Pancras Renaissance

Nominees COOLest Venue Architecture

WINNER - V&A Museum St Pancras Renaissance The Shard East Wintergarden Royal Albert Hall RIBA The Monastery, Manchester 2 Temple Place Somerset House IWM North

Somerset Award for exampling event Charisma WINNER Sir Richard Branson for The Roof Gardens

Spitbank Fort

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: Andy Johnston Company: Blitz 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organisation?

An opportunity to network , meet people from the industry and recognise the best venues in the UK. 2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Cool , well I am 40 so longer cool just elegant !

Wesley is cool !

The Venues are cool !

The awards are event cooler 3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in I once organised a sleep out in the African bush for corporate clients, real lions patrolling around the camp , it was cool although the clients felt a little hot under collar.

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

The last Cool venue awards , last year it was the center of cool in London , the crowd the venue the production was a breath of fresh air for our industry.

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

Events are what we do and we organise over 2,000 a year , I would be hard pressed to choose on, they are all cool.

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

Cost effective, sustainable, interactive & innovative 7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Still at the forefront of industry, always pushing the boundaries of technical production investing in people who are our most important asset.

8/ And lastly, what one word sums up your company?

Cool

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: Melanie Osborne Company: EFX Awards & Trophies 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

A time to celebrate the best of the best.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Something that is truly aspirational, unique and cutting edge in its time.

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in Probably Haymarket’s RSVP awards several years ago, which at the time was quite unique and exciting with four stages dedicated to live performances from magicians, sand artists and stomp bands.

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

Last year we went to Festival Estival near Burgos, Norther Spain, which was a three-day magical combination of live, classical music performed in Romanesque venues, set against the back-drop of a stunning landscape.

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

The International Wine Challenge is a worldwide phenomenon – EFX has made the awards for many years and was honoured to create a special 30th anniversary gold design in 2013.

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

We specialize in unique, one-off award and trophy designs, which we design and manufacture here in the UK. Innovation, outstanding quality and personal service are our core principles.

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

I’d like to think we will be up for the Queen’s Award for Export – commissions from overseas are an exciting area of growth for us.

8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

Outstandingly-original

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name:Elliott Gold Company: Megabooth 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

It is a fantastic event for networking and meeting people in the same industry as well as outsiders.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Being in touch with current trends and being able to adjust to your audience.

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in Red Bull Xmas Party 2013 4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

Gordon Ramsey’s House for Birthday 5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

Installing a Photobooth into a Ski Lift for Red Bull Xmas Party 2013 6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

Being on trend with our audience, up to date entertainment and software, great staff and high quality service 7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Taking Over the Event Entertainment Industry 8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

COOL!!!!!!!

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: Dean Ford Company: Optix Structures 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

It is an ideal opportunity to showcase the work that we do within some of the COOLest venues in London and to show our support to those that we work with; past and future clients and to be a part of something COOL… 2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? A lifestyle enhancement that stems from innovation and quality of execution and dares to break the mold whilst keeping integrity. Something that shouts “I’ve spent a long time making it simple!!”

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in Miss World UK finals where we built the stage set at Earl’s Court 2 in 2011 where we had 5 artic lorries full just for the set and a team of 10 taking just 2 days to complete.

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

The 10 year anniversary of ManuMission in Ibiza back in August 2004. It was ‘electric’ as Electric 6 played the main stage amongst other cool acts like LCD Soundsystem.

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

A private jet company’s annual drinks reception where we were actually approached by them to become their in-house event company which still remains a strong relationship to this day.

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

Applying engineering knowledge, architectural sophistication and mesmerizing design to the world of event production, pushing the boundaries of opportunity delivered with compassionate service and superior quality finishes; we innovate events!

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Heading the niche side of the events industry where prestigious and creatively fuelled clients come to us to solve their quandaries of how to revolutionise their events.

8/ And lastly, what one word sums up your company?

Innovative

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: Daniel Atkins Company: Vaultlondon.com 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

It’s a fantastic night that highlights the best venues up and down the country. As a new and unique venue The Vault is excited to be one of the COOLest for Outdoor Events award for the evening.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? A unique experience that STANDS OUT from the crowd… Taking something mundane and putting a high energy COOL spin on it.

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in?

We’ve launched a series of Posh Bar Crawls for London’s COOLest people. 3 great bars, 300+ people and a great night for all!

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

Backstage VIP for Wireless last year, then watching Jay Z and Justin Timberlake headline from the top of the Lighting Tower…magic!

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

- There are too many to choose between. What gives us the warm fuzzies is the reaction from our clients when they come on board for the first time. We LOVE it!

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

A unique and exciting experience for your VIPs and clients getting from A to B. Great solution to your logistical headaches -

A Luxurious Mobile Venue delivered to your door

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Global Leader in Mobile & Pop Up Venues as well as delivering unique event concepts for all types of industries around the world.

8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

FUNKY-SEXY-COOL!

In the trade with Melanie Osborne of Special EFX awards and trophies

Special EFX is the acclaimed UK designer and manufacturer of prestigious awards, customised trophies, medallions and plaques. It is a family run business, which has grown into a major player renowned for its innovation and outstanding quality. With its studio and manufacturing works based in leafy Warwickshire, the company has pioneered new techniques and invested in cutting-edge technology and its skilled workforce. It now produces for companies and organisations around the world, working in a wide choice of materials, from pierced aluminium to digitally printed acrylics, crystal to silver ingots, sustainable wood to pewter.

The company’s origins were in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter of the 1970’s, when personalised, engraved gifts made in precious metals were all the rage.

Today, whilst the company does still make corporate gifts, its main focus is contemporary, bespoke trophies and awards. Melanie Osborne, Sales Director explains: “Each year we make tens of thousands of awards for a myriad of special occasions, including Autosport, UK Cruise and the British Comedy Awards. For us, whether you are a global company or a small local charity, we provide the same dedicated level of service.” Melanie admits it is fun to spot their awards on TV and in the newspapers, held aloft by smiling celebrities and stars.

However, the same amount of nitty-gritty work goes into all their awards, star or no star.

Typically, an award or trophy goes through ten different hands at the factory, starting with the designer and ending in the polishing and packing department.

Every single award leaves the factory gleaming and spotless and each order is supplied with cotton gloves to avoid pre-event fingerprints spoiling the effect at a prestigious presentation.

And, don’t forget your toothbrush when you visit the plating department, as each grain of black polishing compound has to be removed before an award is electro plated. The whole process is involved and highly skilled, with typical lead times being between two and four weeks.

The company is going from strength to strength, thanks to its continued investment in cutting-edge manufacturing technology and a passion for quality and dedication to service. EFX continues to lead the way in its sector, pioneering innovative designs in new materials and has recently invested in the latest digital printing and laser engraving technology for added capacity and

amazing decorative detail.

So where will the company be in ten year’s time?

“I’d like to think we will be up for the Queen’s Award for Export by then – commissions from overseas are an exciting area of growth for us,” says Melanie.

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: Stuart Groves Company: ShoutAbout London 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

We represent the best of London, the things to shout about.

Cool venues are the core of our business.

We’re young, fresh and cool and that’s why we’re here.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Wesley in his white Back Street Boys suit from last year 3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in The shooting of Danny Boyles ‘Trance’ 4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

The Banksy Slave Labour Auction 5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

BskyB’s Christmas party. 800 people, sexy Santa’s and great entertainment.

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

We only put forward venues we’ve been to.

We’ve run top end venues and know how they operate.

We always think of the clients brand first.

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Shout About Rome – Shout About Paris – Shout About Mars #TheSkyIsNotTheLimit.

8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

London

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: : Rob Morgan Company: Banks Sadler 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

It’s an opportunity for Banks Sadler to discover new venues to communicate to our clients and an opportunity to showcase our expertise in the venue finding business.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Something new, something unusual.

Something that will make your clients go “Wow”.

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in A gala dinner within a secret walled garden at a prestigious venue with a Roman theme. Guests entered via a sweeping production-lit drive and instead of entering a building were taken into a magical walled garden. At different stages, guests were surprised with unusual entertainment and music creating an unforgettable experience.

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

A desert, awesome music, and a magical world of inflatable dolphins and gigantic steel horses. 20 years ago, a group of friends wheeled a sound system into Spain’s Monegros Desert and threw a little family BBQ. That party has now turned into a 40,000 –people festival which I attended last year. A unique, atmospheric life experience I will never forget.

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

Following a private viewing in the gallery at the Louvre, 750 guests sat down for an extravagant dinner under the pyramid. A once-in-a-lifetime experience at this world famous iconic venue, which is notoriously difficult to secure for corporate clients, was a truly memorable event.

6/ What are the USP’s of your company?

Knowledge leaders in event management business.

Strong partnerships with clients and suppliers, proven track record, user friendly, creative, global experience with local delivery.

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Meeting our customers’ needs in a fast and efficient manner, driving forward with our Asian and Americas presence, working globally with local knowledge, continuing to push the envelope where IT/ online solutions are concerned, & continuing to develop content that goes beyond our clients’ expectations.

8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

INNOVATIVE (and COOL, obviously)

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: : Jordana Johnson Company: Mash Media / Confex 1/ How important, or what do the COOL Venue Awards mean to you and your organization?

As the organisers of International Confex the UK’s leading meetings and events exhibition, attending an awards which showcases amazing venues is something that we are very excited to be a part of.

2/ What is your personal definition of COOL? Something that makes you stop and pay attention or gives the wow factor!

3/ What is the COOLest event you have personally been involved in?

I used to organise The VolksWorld Show – an aircooled Camper and Beetle event at Sandown Park.

Think lowered bugs, retro campers, customised beach buggies and 25,000 vee-dubbers enjoying live music and weekend camping!

4/ What is the COOLest personal event you have been to?

Without a doubt Glastonbury!

5/ What is the COOLest event your company has been involved in?

International Confex 2014, recently bought by Mash Media has been given a new look and new ambition. Taking place in a couple of weeks with Karren Brady and Kanya King headlining it is not to be missed.

6/ What are you’re the USP’s of your company?

A vibrant growing company, Mash Media is not afraid to make bold moves. Always looking to get the best out of their employees, grow their market share and service the meetings and events industry in the best possible way. Mash Media has built up the broadest portfolio of event industry publications in the UK. The company has award winning journalists and has been recognised for its achievements in social media as well as for its campaign to lobby for the sector’s interests before government.

7/ Where do you see your company in 5 years?

Leading the way for the meetings and events industry with dynamic publications across multi platforms and running industry leading events. Mash Media will also continue to be a thought leader within the industry, bringing together the best of the sector at forums, roundtables and conferences to drive what today is a £40bn plus industry towards the £100bn mark.

8/ and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

Action

31 And More Focused Than Ever

Confex; everyone’s favourite excuse to not go to work is back and despite reaching the landmark age of 30 it resists any signs of ageing and becoming outdated, creating even more ways to get us all back into our jobs midst the post-Christmas slump.

For those not in know or possibly too lazy to Google, Confex is a two- day Conference and Networking market.

Companies set up stands to exhibit their brand and including the wonderfully wacky to the classically conservative. There’s a place for everyone at Confex, if you can think it, it’s there (On our first visit there was a Sheep Racing supplier stood twenty feet from the Brazilian Tourist Board).

And the general camaraderie and light-hearted attitude towards networking allows for honest business relations and support to grow within a two-day timeframe.

Confex also educates and a series of live talks occur throughout the event often led by major players in the corporate world. This year includes the fantastic Karen Brady CBE who will be delivering the Keynote presentation shortly followed by the annual Confex ‘Question Time’ – always a great way to find out where you may be going wrong and receive advice from the best.

We can’t here at Prestige go without mentioning our favourite Kanya King – founder of the MOBO Awards who will also be speaking at the event. A Government consultant and organiser of one of the biggest award shows in the country, to miss her speech would be a screw up of major proportions.

So if on the 12th and 13th of March you’re not down at Olympia getting the most out of your business you can whilst receiving an education in all things corporate, then what the hell are you doing?

the ultimate b2b forum where likeminded event buyers and suppliers meet (established 2011)

sponsored by

“... the perfect host location, with a unique style and great atmosphere, I gained a large number of ideas� -Shavone Mitchell-Martin, Channel 4.

www.2020speednetworking.com

WHO’S COOL? People profiles

Name: : Bear Grylls Company: Bear Grylls Survival Acedemy - In the clinical corporate world, what can modern workers learn from returning to nature?

Most of the skills I’ve put into my business ventures have come from experiences in the wild; everything from risk management, creative teamwork and honest communication are invaluable in the corporate world.

Each course is tailor-made to meet the objectives and budgets of each organisation. Whether it’s a team building exercise, an incentive experience, or leadership development initiative the aim is to empower individuals and expose them challenging and unusual situations that will ultimately help them flourish and feel a genuine sense of achievement.

- What was your motivation for starting the academy?

So many people kept writing to us suggesting we started one! People want to learn primal life and survival skills as they know it empowers them. The TV shows I’ve worked on have really brought out a sense of adventure in people and as I love being able to share my survival techniques through the Survival Academy courses.

- What’s the corporate interest like? What target sectors (ie banking, retail, legal) do you think this will particularly appeal to?

The beauty of the course is that it’s ultimately designed for everyone - I think that’s one of the reasons the Survival Academy is seeing such rapid growth. The longing for adventure in people hasn’t changed; it is only that opportunities are harder to find.

So far, the results of the Ultimate course have been incredibly positive. Feedback from organisations is that it’s been a great way to quickly identify natural leaders and team players.

- Could the extremity of the tasks put off some companies? Is the risk worth it?

My team are highly trained survival experts, and very experienced in outdoor survival and situational awareness.

Fundamentally, we want to challenge people whilst teaching useful life and outdoor skills and what it really means to be able to look after yourself and each other when the chips are down. It’s meant to be exciting and rewarding – not risky.

- What are your future plans for the BGSA? We are expanding at a fairly rapid rate which is very exciting. We’ve just launched a new course in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and more UK wide locations are opening in the spring. The focus for 2014 will be on launching more courses internationally too – lots going on!

COOL VENUE NOMINEES AT CONFEX COOL AND @ CONFEX So, we’ve told you who the nominees that made this year’s COOL list are, and many of them can be found down at the industry’s biggest exhibition. So it’s time to get on your tracks down to Confex at Olympia on March 12th-13th 2014.

If you don’t, well don’t blame us.

It pays to know than not to know.

Here are a few of the nominees on display over the two-day show:

Venue:

Spitbank Fort Why we love it: Spitbank Fort has already been creatively restored as the world’s most unique venue and is receiving rave reviews. The Fort offers nine bedrooms, luxuriously fitted to the highest standard with features including an open-air hot-pool, wine cellar, sauna and games rooms. Available for Wednesday & Sunday Lunch, special themed events, private parties, weddings, music videos, and corporate hire, there are few venues in the world that can offer the privacy and exclusivity of our Victorian Sea Fortresses.

Venue:

Magna Science Centre Why we love it: Previous two-time winner of the COOL Venue Awards, The Magna Science Adventure Centre also won the 2001 RIBA Stirling Prize[4] for its architects Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Mott MacDonald and Buro Happold’s innovative use of space in the old steelworks. Visitors are often as impressed by the building itself as the attractions contained within it. See it, see it, see it!!!!

Venue:

The Crystal Why we love it: The building that has got everyone excited. Designed by award winning architects Wilkinson Eyre, this iconic building draws inspiration from the many sides of a crystal. The Crystal’s waterside location on the Royal Docks is a striking contrast with the surrounding skyline, the O2, Canary Wharf and Emirates Airline Cable Car that passes by. The external shape of the building creates unique internal spaces, including an exhibition hall auditorium, conference facilities, meeting rooms and office spaces.

Venue:

Coombe Abbey Why we love it: Set in 500 acres of parkland, overlooking formal gardens and a tranquil lake and originally built as a Cistercian Abbey in the 12th Century, Coombe Abbey has now been lovingly restored to its former glory by its current owners No Ordinary Hotels.

Venue:

Center Parcs Why we love it: Relax or reinvigorate and strengthen your team. At Center Parcs possess awide range of team building facilities that will bring out the best in your delegates.

If you’re looking to stimulate or energise, challenge or relax, they have something for everyone.

MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE COOL VENUE AWARDS… Wesley Mendy (Founder) The daddy of the team. Owner and founder of the COOL Venue Awards, Prestige Events magazine, and 20/20 Speed Networking. Finger on the pulse of what’s COOL. Collector of stand-out jackets/coats, and owner of every Michael Jackson track released or unreleased. Lover of his wife, kids, mum, Roy of the Rovers comics and his beloved Range Rover. Thinks he can dance with two f****-up knees.

Dan Bearpark (Head of Client Relations) Been there, seen it…and smoked most of it. The man who has seen more shores than Uncle Albert, and who has the most distinctive laugh since Eddie Murphy and Sid James. Expert on lagers, Liverpool, and Luton in no particular order. Foster-carer of homeless dogs (yes Ladies he does have a soft side).

Thinks he’s the best driver in our office. Jack Bauer lookalikey, but parties harder than Kiefer Sutherland.

Errol Griffiths (Event Co-ordinator) Self-proclaimed COOLest dressed person on our team, and the man who gets asked his age when he buys alcohol. Wearer of a compulsory uniform that consists of the tightest blazers, and lo-slung jeans, and seems to live in All Saints clothing emporium’s. Has the biggest ‘patience barometer’ being a lifelong hardcore Spurs fan. Ask him about paper-quality-types and you’ll get a free drink and an education and a re-enactment of the business card boardroom scene in American Pyscho.

Allanah Brownsdon-Dolan (Head of Admin) “Have you heard this song Allanah? It’s a classic tune” “No” “Why not? You must have, surely?”

“No, I’m 20 years old!”

(REPEAT AND APPLY THIS TO ANY CULTURAL ‘LIKES’ IN FILM AND SONG CATEGORIES) …Oh, and a great streetdancer, and Facebook-selfie nut and creator of X-factor self-audition tapes.

Asif Mirza (Head of Social Media) Gets more orgasms about social media statistics than any man ever known.

Amazing father to his son. Wearer of 70’s sunglasses which twinned with his northern brogue make him sound like something that stepped out of Life on Mars. Self-proclaimed citizen of the world. Jedi knight in the making, though his tobacco smoking habit may curtail that Obi-Wan Kenobi aspiration.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS WITHOUT WHOM WE COULD NOT HAVE PRODUCED TONIGHTS EVENT:

COOL VENUES AWARDS 2014

USEFUL WEBSITES

USEFUL WEBSITES FOOD AND DRINK Caterers and Party Food www.eden-caters.co.uk www.zafferano.co.uk www.officediner.co.uk www.purplegrapecatering.co.uk www.foodshowltd.com www.liquidchefs.co.uk www.munchlunch.com General Food Retailers www.caleyco.com www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk www.freshfood.co.uk Meat and Charcuterie Specialists www.realmeatco.sageweb.co.uk www.bleikers.co.uk www.blackface.co.uk

www.trainline.co.uk www.orient-express.com www.eurostar.com

Wine, Champagne & Spirits www.bbr.com www.oddbins.com Cheese/Dairy Specialists www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk www.colstonbassettdairy.com Organics/Special Diets www.freshfood.co.uk www.somersetorganics.co.uk Beverage Specialists www.fortnumandmason.com Hampers/Gifts www.presentsofmind.co.uk www.chocolatestore.com www.fortnumandmason.com www.aquascutumgifts.com Deliveries/Takeaways www.deliverance.co.uk www.officediner.co.uk Chocolate and Cake Specialists www.chocolatestore.com www.theorigionalchocolatefountain. com www.jane-asher.co.uk

Event staffing www.rcpromo.co.uk Team building www.leapplc.com www.bluehat-teambuilding.co.uk www.www.sundialteamscapes.com www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk www.topgolf.com www.beargryllssurvivalacademy. com www.swordfightinginternational.com www.demonwheelers.co.uk

www.owen-brown.co.uk www.parnhamfunfairs.co.uk www.igloos.co.uk (luxury loos) www.merlin-fireworks.co.uk Entertainment www.megabooth.com www.krulive.com/krutalent www.tenorsunlimited.com www.partypianos.com www.urbansoulorchestra.co.uk www.zapmagic.com www.swordfightinginternational.com EVENT MANAGEMENT Creative Event Management www.leapplc.com www.shoutaboutlondon.com www.blitzeventsolutions.com www.optixevents.com www.tastour.com www.caxtonmanor.com Social Media www.smileysocialmedia.com Incentive Gifts www.montblanccorprategift.co.uk Venue Finders www.jpeventsltd.com www.shoutaboutlondon.com

FLOWERS www.designerflowersuk.com

Event Speakers www.londonspeakerbureau.com www.speakersforbuisness.com

TRANSPORT

122

Limousines www.hcdchauffeurdrive.com

Event Photography www.mattchungphoto.com www.hollywren.com

Rail

Badges, Wristbands, Lanyards

PrestigeEventsGuide.com

Trophies www.awardefx.co.uk

HOSPITALITY

Outdoor Fish Specialists www.islandseafare.co.uk www.caleyco.com

www.identilam.com

Security www.redcarpetsecurity.com Printing www.c3imaging.com www.gprintsolutions.co.uk Published by MX4 108 Clydesdale Road Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AJ T:+44 (0)1708 737393 F:+44 (0)1708 737389 wes@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsguide.com Copyright of all editorial copy remains the sole property of Mx4 Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior permission of Mx4 Ltd. All opinions expressed within this publication remain those opinions of the feature writer, and neither Prestige Events or Mx4 Ltd hold and liability or responsibility for those opinions,views expressed or photography supplied.

COOL VENUE AWARDS RESULTS / CONFEX EDITION