PRESTIGE EVENTS MAGAZINE WINTER 2018 / SPRING 2019 EDITION

WINTER 2018/2019 EDITION Est 2003

SHAA WASMUND MBE KANYA KING MBE HOW TO USE YOUR IPHONE FOR EVENTS COOL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD DINING SPOTS WE LOVE HOSPITALITY EVENTS YOU MUST ATTEND THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER EDGY VENUES DRINK SUPPLIERS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT WWW.PRESTIGEEVENTSMAGAZINE.COM

PRESTIGE EVENTS & THE COOL VENUE AWARDS

PRESENT THE 2020 CLUB 2

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#20/20 CLUB www.2020club.co.uk prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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CONTENTS 9. 11 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CONFEX FUTURE FOCUS 10. READERS LETTERS 13. GIFTS FOR YOUR CLIENT 15. THEATRE HOSPITALITY 19. DRINK ROUND-UP 20. LONDON DINING SPOTS WE LOVE 22. 3 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER 24. 6 HOSPITALITY EVENTS TO ATTEND THIS SUMMER 27. CONFEX PREVIEW 30. THE 6 COMMON EVENT SPONSORSHIP MISTAKES 32. COOL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD 36. CREATIVE SERVICES COMPANIES TO BLOW YOUR MIND 38. EDGY VENUES 40.VENUES IN THE NORTH 42.COOL VENUE AWARDS 2018 46. EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 47.LONDON BAR AND CLUB AWARDS 48. PHOTO TIPS: 10 KILLER TIPS 50. 20 QUESTIONS WITH ANDREA & DENNIS 52. MY EVENTS WORLD: SHAA WASMUND MBE 54. MY EVENTS WORLD: KANYA KING MBE 56. MY EVENTS WORLD: STUART GROVES 58. MY EVENTS WORLD: LIAM NORVAL 60. MY EVENTS WORLD: LIZZY EATON 62.MY EVENTS WORLD: FERRON GRAY 64.VENUE FOCUS: THE ROYAL LANCASTER 65. VENUE FOCUS: ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE 66. VENUE FOCUS: MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD 68. BOUNCE PING PONG 70. REIGN

PRESTIGE EVENTS TEAM: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Director: Dan Bearpark Registrations Manager: Joshua Ali Online editor and Event Manager : Alex Cameron Editorial Contributors: Jason Scott Senior Designer: Errol Anthony Griffiths Financial Controller: Christine Canty Prestige Events magazine (est.2003) is an MX4 Ltd publication.

Prestige Events, Queens House, 9-17 Eastern Road, Romford, Essex RM13NG Tel: 01708 737393 wes@prestigeeventsguide.com

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PUBLISHERS STATEMENT As we celebrate our 15th anniversary as a magazine this summer, the time to reflect should be taken. The world back in 2003 was mightily different. This was a world pre-Facebook, pre-Youtube, pre-Instagram, even preMyspace! Broadband wasn’t commonplace. Many things have changed, but some things remain the same and some have evolved in the world of events. Event buyers need information on the most aspirational venues and killer event services companies… and they want to know how to establish the most senior contact within those suppliers.

In moving with the times, we had to adapt, evolving Prestige Events magazine into a series of live events called 20/20 Speed Networking.

The series quickly established itself as the leading source for like-minded buyers and suppliers getting together.

More sophisticated and structured than traditional soft networking, it has created unrivalled ground and is the bridge between those who source suppliers at exhibitions and those who use online directories. 20/20 Speed Networking has hosted a record-breaking 105 sold-out events. What does this point prove? It proves that many things change, but people still need to go mano o mano with other people. Just look at Trump and Rocket-man.

There’s the simple answer.

Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis, but still nothing beats the handshake

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11 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW

THINGS YOU DIDN 'T KNOW ABOUT CONFEX FUTURE FOCUS

PUZZLE You were the missing piece… each visitor played a crucial part in completing the giant 1500 piece puzzle PROJECTION MAPPING Ever wanted to see a giant clock in the sky? How about a bird bursting into lames? Polestar Productions showcased their epic projections which make just about anything possible ICE CURLING Caused friction on Leisure skate’s interactive curling rink PLAYROOM As the creative hub of the show, the playroom allowed delegates to see, feel & touch the latest innovations & show stopping inventions.

Within the playroom is an immersive escape zone. Guineapig Global created a refreshing self-pouring ice water lounge!

KEYNOTE THEATRE – SPONSORED BY ODEON With an impressive line-up of speakers, the Keynote Theatre tackled key industry topics from safety & security to wellness at work. Some of the session highlights included a live case study of Swinton’s 60th anniversary celebrations, a panel of corporates discussing what brands really want, and a session on the value of live experience.

THE THEATRE OF THE FUTURE Focusing heavily on Event Tech, The Theatre of the Future uncovered the top tech trends and explored which tech is really essential for event planners. Also explored topics such as the future of food and the agency model of tomorrow.

BREAKOUT AREA – SPONSORED lice The breakout area allowed visitors to have more in depth conversations with speakers after their sessions. Here we continued the discussions tackled on stage in a more intimate environment EYECANDY HOLOGRAMS Nothing says ‘Future’ like holograms and Musion Events are experts in the field! International Confex saw a number of holographic sessions take place on the Keynote stage, but in case you couldn’t make it to the show, Musion also showcased their holographic EyeCandy device at Confex Future Focus WRG: WALK THE CREVICE With the addition of other senses, delegates were able to immerse themselves in new age VR, which ads another layer to the virtual reality experience.

FERO STUDIOS Documented the day by creating a giant brainstorm wall, visitors ideas were brought to life!

DRAWING BOOTH Offered free digital portrait sketches you can use as your new social media headshot.

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If you’re just tuning in…welcome!

You’re amidst the journey of a lifetime as I let you in on my travel experience and knowledge.

To follow my journeys, follow me on Instagram : Jason Allan Scott Now buckle up, put your tray tables away and prepare for take off: Q/ First class travel..is it what it’s made out to be?

Admit it: Flying first class can make the hassles of air travel so much better.

I’ve been bumped up to first class thrice: once while traveling solo on a business trip to Abu Dhabi and twice due to being a kind person who followed the below rules. Let’s just say I liked it very much.

Who wouldn’t appreciate a glass of cabernet while waiting for everyone else to board?

While I love flying first class, I don’t exactly want to pay for it. First-class tickets can easily cost four times the coach fare, and it doesn’t seem worth it for a short flight.

So how do you increase your odds of getting moved up?

Here are 007 things you can do to increase your odds of flying first class for free: 1. Dress the part. Pack your yoga pants, torn jeans, and flip-flops, and wear something that belongs in first class. You don’t have to wear a suit (although it wouldn’t hurt). Just wear something professional, and shows that you belong and care.

2. When in doubt,” ask about!”. Sometimes if you want something, all you have to do is ask.

When you check in, say to the agent: “If you are upgrading passengers on this flight, I would like to be considered.” Be sure to smile. Many of the people gate agents deal with are complaining; you’ll stand out if you’re friendly and polite.

3. Be early. The early bird gets the whatever the hustler has left behind! Instead of trying to get the attention of the agent while he or she is busy with other passengers, show up early and

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be the first one to ask. Your flight may have only one or two upgrades available.

4. Travel solo. There is a greater chance that just one or two seats will be available in first class.

If you frequently travel with co-workers, your odds of getting singled out are slim. Instead, fly by yourself to improve your chances.

5. Sit next to the baby or take the middle seat. If a flight attendant is moving passengers, he or she may look to make the trip more comfortable for someone by moving them from a less desirable seat.

6. Join the airline’s loyalty club. Even if you don’t travel often, it doesn’t hurt to become a member of an airline frequent-flyer club.

You’ll often receive upgrade opportunities, and if agents are looking to move someone, they could look to their list of members first.

7. Let flight attendants know if it’s a special occasion. If it’s your birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon, let the flight attendants know.

And if you don’t get an upgrade, you just might get a free drink!

Q/ Best Airport Business Lounge?

I have seen many a lounge due to my work travels but without a doubt, the best has to be Etihad Business Class Lounge!

I’d visited the Etihad Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi 5 years before flying from London to organize an event. The biggest difference since then is that they’ve built the First Class lounge and those passengers have the option to visit it instead. Other than that…everything pretty much is the same.

The Deets: • When: November 2017 • Where: Abu Dhabi AUH • Access: Etihad Business Studio + First Apartment • Lounge features: • Spa • Shave Experience • Buffet Dining • Coffee Bar Seating: You won’t have trouble, even during heavy periods, finding a place to sit. The lounge is enormous with various options. From dining tables to couches. If you need a workstation. They have you covered Food: I didn’t sit down and eat much this time around. A few bites of fruit while I awaited my turn for a shave.

Last time I was here I ordered off the menu and it was very good.

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Spa and Shave Located in the back right of the lounge there is a Shave Experience as well as the Six Sense Spa. Last time I was here I had a massage and thoroughly enjoyed it. This time around I skipped it in favour of seeing the Residence, a must see.

Overall: This is a very nice business class lounge. Having the Six Senses spa, shave, and style experiences in the back of the lounge give it a good extra umph! The coolest part was that the staff treat you as if you are royalty, and although I may hold a title this is a truly rare experience.

Experience it for yourself, and message me to let me know your thoughts.

Q/ First class on trains - what’s the point?

None of us small business owners and eventrepreneurs are allowed to claim first class rail journeys on expenses - to the disgust of many. But are those in standard class really any different from travelers who have paid a premium, as one suggests?

It’s the comfort of extra legroom for me, the guarantee of a power socket for laptops and traveling in first class can sometimes make you feel safer at night.

My research shows the social group most likely to travel by train for work or pleasure - excluding commuter-length journeys are professionals. Which means the person next to you on the train is likely to be a professional, no matter which carriage you choose.

Another argument used by those who favor first-class travel on company or taxpayer expenses is that it offers a more productive working environment. With plenty of elbow room, ample workspace, power sockets and a more businessfocused clientele, there is some truth in this. “You’re surrounded by people who are quiet and less likely to intrude on what you’re doing, versus pot luck between an empty carriage and standing with your head in the luggage rack in standard class,”

spent on a ticket is made up by the fact that those hours on the train are spent working productively.

As well as having the space to feel like a mobile office, first class is about making those passengers who have paid more feel that extra bit special.

Virgin Trains is among the companies who like to offer customers the choice of paying a premium for extra legroom, free wi-fi, and complimentary food and drink. Spokesman Ken Gibbs says no one type of person uses first class. During the week it tends to be business travelers; at weekends, cheaper deals have led to a surge in leisure travelers.

For those who do opt for a first class ticket, it is all about receiving a certain level of service, there are people at your beck and call, you can sit at the seat and expect a service delivered... your trivial needs will be met, like an extra glass of orange juice. However for some, being in first class offers the feeling of being in a position of social dominance.

The extras - and the smiles that come with this level of service - help reinforce this sense of importance. For those used to having things done for them, “there are always people at hand if there’s a problem if there’s an uncertainty.”

Whatever the reason, for some having a first class ticket is a price worth paying. Is it for you? Tweet me and let me know @ Penthouselord And I am sure will see you soon at an airport or travel stop some day soon, in a fedora a three-piece suit and no socks. :-)

But lets be honest If you could have standard class and be guaranteed a table - that would almost do me.

But then you’d want to be sure you’d want to get confidentiality.” Jason Allan Scott I argue that it is more cost effective to travel first class, because the extra money

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11 THINGSGIFTS FOR YOUR CLIENT

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

Gifts for your favourite clients Jealous Sweets

Samsonite

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

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

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

Regardless of your age or style, Samsonite has something to offer everyone…

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

www.samsonite.co.uk

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

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

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

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Theatre: Musicals – what’s on

WHAT’S ON AT THE MUSICALS Everybody loves a sing-song so goes the old cliché. In fact, we are living in the greatest modern-era for our appreciation of song. From X-Factor to The Book of Mormon, it’s never been more high profile. Here’s a few of our favourites currently on show in London’s West End…..

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical 42nd Street

Location: Theatre Royal Drury Lane The musical story centres on the character of Peggy Sawyer who is about to be granted the opportunity of a lifetime. She is in New York City having put her small town life behind her and has landed a job in the chorus line of a major Broadway show.

Location: Dominion Theatre The show’s story takes us to a post-apocalyptic wasteland where we meet the characters of Strat and Falco. Along the way we experience numerous renditions of Meat Loaf/ Steinman songs that will make the West End the best place to be for rock ‘n’ roll fans

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Location: Aldwych Theatre, London Penned by Katori Hall (alongside Kees Prins and Frank Ketelaar), the show will explore her early years, progressing through to the start of her career and eventually moving on to decades at the top of her game, when she released classic record after classic record.

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WHAT TO DRINK - SUMMER 2019 Struggling on what to serve up at your next event?

Don’t want to look like the party pooper? Here are a few choices to totally avoid that scenario.

By Kate O’Neil of Liquor to Lips - kate@liquortolips.com

This “London Spiced Liqueur” was developed because gin, is such a versatile mixer - being made so by the amalgamating botancial coriander. This realisation lead to the creation of a completely new type of spirit - designed for mixing and perfect for summery cocktails. I like mine with ginger beer!

https://www.haycocks.london ________________________________________

Peatreekers Named after the illicit whisky smugglers from times gone by, this whisky is a blended Islay malt. Super smokey on the nose, but surprisingly sweet on the palate - this is a great introduction to peaty whisky. A simple “Smokey Cokey” with cola is a delight! Plus you’d be donating to The One Foundation with every dram - helping fund clean water projects.

https://peatreekers.com/ ________________________________________

Fentimans Mandarin and Seville Orange Jigger A jigger - is an old English term for a good measure - which is what you get when you combine the juice of 8 Manarins and the zest of one Seville orange in every bottle. Totally refreshing, on it’s on - or mixed with a slug of any white spirit.

http://www.fentimans.com ________________________________________

East London Liquor Co's Wheat Vodka Distilled from 100% British Wheat in their state of the art copper still - giving a creamy mouthfeel and slight anise after-taste and even better you can drink it in their distillery bar in the old glue factory in Bow Wharf - I can recommend the martinis!

http://eastlondonliquorcompany.com

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WHAT TO DRINK SUMMER

Haycock's No.9

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LONDON DINING SPOTS WE LOVE…

LONDON

DINING SPOTS WE LOVE… Gordon Ramsay Group The Gordon Ramsay Group comprises of the restaurant business of acclaimed chef, restaurateur, TV personality and author Gordon Ramsay. It employs more than 700 people in London where it has a collection of 14 restaurants. The Group has a total of 33 restaurants globally and 7 Michelin stars, with international restaurants spanning the globe in Europe, The Middle East, Asia and the United States.

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Bars specialise in unique experiences that take you on a journey of culinary discovery. From chef and cocktail master classes to afternoon tea, unique tasting menus and private dining escapades, their restaurants and bars offer a range of bookable experiences and gift vouchers.

Streetfeast Since launching in 2012, Street Feast has transformed derelict and disused spaces into unique eating and drinking environments, all bringing great street food, brilliant booze and vibes to people around London.

From car parks to old markets and rooftops to office blocks, Street Feast has taken over locations across the capital including Canada Water, Dalston, Lewisham, Woolwich and Canary Wharf with loads more exciting plans for 2018.

Camden Dining Group Camden Dining aims to be the UK’s leading hospitality provider. Their ethos is to create the meet, drink, dine and dance flexibility that consumers seek today, all with a highly personalised touch. They currently own 10 venues and are currently looking to add more to their amazing portfolio!

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LONDON DINING SPOTS WE LOVE…

Shaka Zulu Shaka Zulu, London’s largest South African restaurant, opened its doors in August 2010 with a special royal blessing from the Zulu King, HRH Goodwill Zwelithini. Set over a ground-breaking 27,000 sq ft in The Stables Market, this spectacular two floor restaurant, bar and club offers amazing food, drinks, live music, and dancing. Shaka Zulu’s menu offers authentic South African cuisine such as Kudu, Ostrich and Zebra, as well as a selection of fish and vegetarian dishes to suit all diners.

Gabeto Want to escape for a while? Step in from the hustle and bustle of Camden, into Gabeto – a Spanish word for ‘home’. Just like home, you can play host to guests and clients.

Their decor and drinks menu impresses from first sight. Relax with a gourmet restaurant lunch before taking to the Terrace for classy cocktails until the stars take centre stage and the curtain comes down for the night. Toast to the future in a historic location; they built Gabeto within a Victorian stable block. This means you can work, rest, dine, drink and play in a place which really knows how to make time fly. Their Gabeto is your Gabeto.

Chicago Rib Shack In the early 80s Bob Payton arrived in London from Chicago in search of great Ribs. This resulted in his launch of the Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge serving the best BBQ & Ribs this side of the Atlantic. This still continues to today taking the original recipes as seriously as we did on day one. All of their recipes are the genuine, authentic article.

Made by us. Enjoyed by you. Thirty years on…

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3 THINGS YOU MUST DO THIS SUMMER…

Things You Must Do This Summer

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Summer is finally here, and whilst you may be stuck in the office until 5pm, we have listed below 3 things you MUST do this season… prestigeeventsmagazine.com

3 THINGS YOU MUST DO THIS SUMMER‌

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Bounce Ping-Pong Everyone who lives in England knows that it rains for over 100 days of the year, which is why BOUNCE (The Home of Ping-Pong) is the perfect venue for you to visit for post work cocktails. You can even play on their new and amazing WONDERBALL tables.

Mercedes-Benz World On those English summer days when the sun actually decides to shine, we recommend you visit the amazing Mercedes-Benz World! With Formula One racing simulators and the chance to experience the phenomenal horse power of their AMG super cars as a passenger or a driver, its sure to be a white knuckle ride that you won’t forget.

Topgolf Whether you are Rory Mcllroy or Happy Gilmore, Topgolf is for everyone. Topgolf is the premier entertainment and event venue with fun-point scoring golf games for all skill levels, upscale bar food and drinks, great music and more!

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6 HOSPITALITY EVENTS YOU MUST ATTEND

6 HOSPITALITY EVENTS YOU MUST ATTEND There are events...and there are ‘the events’. Here we list our six events that everyone must have on their list for the next year.

BRITISH GRAND PRIX, SILVERSTONE (14th July 2019): Get your flags out for Lewis.

The mix of glamour and cars eating up tarmac at 200 mph is pure awe-inspiring. So whether you decide to go for full-on hospitality or pitch up with friends and a picnic basket and bunting, it’s a top-tier experience and worth the traffic jams on the way out.

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HEIDI KLUM’S HALLOWEEN PARTY (31st October 2019): German supermodel Heidi Klum who is evidently Halloween’s biggest fan, is well known for displaying stunning costumes on the red carpet and hosting extravagant parties every year. If one celebrity does Halloween right, it’s Heidi Klum. Previously, celebrity guests included Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Scherzinger, Ashanti, Casper Smart, Emily Ratajkowski, Malin Akerman, Nina Agdal, Kelly Bensimon and Shanina Shaik. Some of her past costumes have included a skinless body, an ape, and even an older version of herself. What will she become this year?

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6 HOSPITALITY EVENTS YOU MUST ATTEND

MOBO AWARDS

THE MET GALA

(Date tbc): Get into the heart of the most exciting music scene around.

Take part in the world famous MOBO Awards and experience the awe-inspiring live show up close and personal with executive class VIP hospitality, cutting edge performances and appearances from special guest stars and celebrities. Over the past 22 years, MOBO has built a worldwide reputation for creating platforms and opportunities for both emerging and established talent. Countless artists had their first TV opportunity on a MOBO Awards show to include Craig David, Stormzy, Emeli Sandé, Rita Ora, Krept and Konan, Sam Smith and the list goes on. This year will be no different – you are to watch it first-hand.

(6th May 2019): The Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala and also known as the Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City.

Since 1995, the event has been chaired by US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who enlists public figures to serve as the event’s cochairs. Past hosts have included Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Katy Perryand Marc Jacobs.

COOL VENUE AWARDS (27th June 2019)): The event industry’s biggest night, celebrating the year’s COOLest venues in a unique setting each year and presented in a format that’s totally unique. Now in it’s 12th year, the top-trending awards are endorsed by the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Levi Roots and on and on.

ROYAL ASCOT (18th-22nd June 2019: Does this event need any explaining? I mean, really, does it?

It does? Ok. Horses. Champagne.

Sun (almost guaranteed). Tens of thousands dressed to the nines. And the Queen. There are events, and then there is Ascot.

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CONFEX PREVIEW

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF EVENTS Strap on your ruby slippers, International Confex is returning to Olympia, London on 26th – 27th February 2019 and the organisers, Mash Media, are taking you on a very special visitor journey.

As you follow the yellow brick road with your International Confex passport in hand, you’ll have the opportunity for inspiring stop offs at key destinations, inspirational venues, destinations and suppliers, where you can gather stamps to qualify for some fantastic prizes and incentives.

London event planners will be in their element on the ‘Exclusively London’ pavilion with a chance to meet a range of hand selected London venues, restaurants and hotels. Gather hints and tips and participate in Q&As with planners who host all manner of events for some major international brands. Unique Venues of London will also be hosting a pavilion with their very special partners, showcasing a collection of some of the most exciting and unusual venues and event spaces the capital has to offer.

As always, International Confex offers a wealth of free to attend seminars covering every element of producing outstanding events. On the keynote theatre, the programme will focus on the 3 pillars of sustainability which should be fundamental to every event planner’s thinking – People, Planet, Profit.

Amongst a host of corporates and agencies discussing topics such as CSR, accessibility and sustainable event catering, Darren Styles OBE, publisher and owner of Attitude Magazine, will be presenting a keynote session at International Confex on February 26th with Stephen Morton Prior of Clearwater Events (one of the UK’s few LGBTQ+ event agencies) on the topic of diversity and inclusion entitled “The sustainable moral compass”.

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CONFEX PREVIEW

Styles was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to the economy, diversity and charity and is an ambassador for Downing Street’s GREAT campaign, promoting the UK as a place to visit, invest or seek an education.

Through this, he has been responsible for developing the “Love is GREAT” strand that promotes the UK as a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, he is also currently number 64 on the FT’s OUTstanding list of top LGBT executives.

Styles together with Morton Prior will be discussing how everything from the suppliers you deploy, to the destinations you work with impact your events safety and inclusion; a must attend for event planners of all denominations to understand why consideration for LGBTQ+ delegate needs is not only a moral mandate but sound commercial strategy.

As ever, a large chunk of the floor-plan at International Confex will be dedicated to the latest in event technology. Whether you’re donning your virtual reality headset or participating in some gamification, experience and play with the latest technological innovations that can make your future events great.

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CONFEX PREVIEW

As in previous years, International Confex is co-locating with the Event Production Show and the PA Show to give you a very active day. In addition, 2019 sees the addition of a new feature area on the Olympia Grand gallery - Omyague, the luxury B2B gifting fair.

Omyague offers business executives the opportunity to purchase high-end corporate gifts for team building events, meetings, conferences, loyalty programmes and incentive programmes. Top quality brands showcase their unique corporate and bespoke gifting collections and enable visitors to find gift ideas at prices they would not be able to secure elsewhere. A sample of the brands that have exhibited at Omyague in previous years includes Kiehl’s, Longchamp, Swarovski, Villeroy & Boch to name a few.

Whatever your role in event planning, a day at International Confex 2019 is guaranteed to leave you buzzing with new ideas. To find out more or to register free of charge to attend visit www.international-confex.com

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The 6 Common Event Sponsorship Mistakes Across the board, events are tasked with making more revenue in a market that has increasingly smaller budgets and more competitors. It is a tough ask to continually increase growth year on year and one of the areas event owners turn to is sponsorship to drive that growth – not an easy task.

There are multiple factors that affect sponsorship sales, from lead times to budgets, and unfortunately still, brand decision makers’ personal preferences. These aforementioned factors are out of a sponsorship sales persons control, but one thing is for sure, there are common mistakes made by many sponsorship sales people that can be easily fixed to increase success rate. Below are 6 of the most common and some useful tips to stop yourself doing them!

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Mistake 1: Trying to fill ‘the gap’ with sponsorship

Sponsorship is not a tool to cover your event costs. Sponsorship is purchase on a cost vs value proposition, so sponsors need to understand what they’re getting for their money and the value it provides them.

How to Fix: Get your sponsorship proposition valued and create the right packages, either internally or with an agency to ensure you can prove value to a brand.

Mistake 2: Aiming for too large a sponsorship first up

Events typically focus on the headline opportunity or the larger sponsorship deals to try and get in quick revenue. If the brand has never sponsored or heard of the event, it’s unlikely they’ll dive straight in at the highest level.

How to Fix: Provide an entry level option for sponsors to allow them to dip their toe in the water, prove the value and then focus on increasing their revenue for renewals in future.

Mistake 3: Lack of true alignment with the brand

It is also apparent that many events simply write a list of large organisations who could be sponsors but don’t quite understand the actual reason they are approaching that brand.

How to Fix: 3’s the magic number. Find a brand that aligns with your event on at least 3 levels. If you can’t think of 3 solid reasons why they would commit money to your event, then don’t even bother picking up the phone. Understand what you have to offer, what their objectives are and find a mutually beneficial solution.

Mistake 4: Logos are not the answer

It isn’t 1990 anymore and with the rise of digital marketing and social media, there’s far more effective ways to drive brand awareness than a logo on a step and repeat board.

If that is the main asset you are offering, then you’re in trouble.

How to Fix: Creativity is the key here. Attendees will remember an experience, not a logo. Although branding still has its place, it’s all about how that brand is brought to life. Work alongside their marketing teams, write down objectives and have regular conversations with them to actively help them reach these.

Mistake 5: Over reliance on Cash only

Having tunnel vision when it comes to cash only sponsors can mean your event misses out on great opportunities to help save you on event costs and improve the event experience.

How to Fix: If VIK (value-in-kind) saves you money, then it’s good for you and its good sponsorship. Therefore, again it’s paramount that you understand your worth as an event so you can make informed decisions on all types of sponsorship opportunities. Many VIK deals turn into fruitful long-term relationships.

Mistake 6: The late blanket email approach

It could be the best event in the world, but if the approach isn’t correct it won’t achieve success in sponsorship. Some brands receive thousands of proposals a year, so only a tailored approach will stop proposals from going straight in the bin. If you or your sponsorship sales person is sending out blanket emails, then alarm bells should be ringing.

How to Fix: Spend time on a smaller number of perfect brands, and if it’s annual event, start your approaches for the next year even before the current event has occurred.

Also, create tailored proposals that provide solutions to the brands objectives. Quality over quantity EVERY time.

If you’d like to understand how to make your sponsorship more attractive, or you’d like help with sales reach out to Slingshot Sponsorship at info@slingshotsponsorship.com.

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COOL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD 32

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COOL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD Over the past 15 years we have witnessed the spectacular growth of the global hotel design scene. Hotels are no longer blocks poorly excused as brutalist architecture.

Here we randomly list those that have stood out impressively for their COOL factor.

Treehotel, Harads, Sweden Located in the pine forest around Harads are seven unique ‘treerooms’ (more are planned to open in the near future). Treehouses include the glass capsule-like Cabin, the lifelike Bird’s Nest, the mind-blowing reflective Mirrorcube and the UFO (pictured), which reminds guests of the final scene in E.T. There is also a Tree Sauna.

Crane Hotel Faralda, Amsterdam, Netherlands An unashamedly bonkers hotel in up-and-coming Amsterdam Noord. This three-suite property is housed in a converted crane and boasts spectacular city views. Opulent and obscure in equal measure, it’s ideal if you’re looking for something alternative, but best avoided if you suffer from vertigo.

No Man’s Fort, Solent, Portsmouth No Man’s Fort – a Victorian-era fort which was originally built between 1867 and 1880 to protect Portsmouth from an attack from Napoleon III – has been turned into a luxury hotel, with 22 bedrooms, a lighthouse penthouse suite, nightclub, hot tub and laser quest arena.

SiloStay, Little River, New Zealand Situated in Little River, just 350 yards from the Christchurch-Little River Rail Trail, SiloStay offers innovative eco-friendly accommodation on New Zealand’s Banks Peninsula. Despite the surrounding area offering no immediate attractions, the owners of SiloStay hope that the physically round silo and peaceful surroundings will give guests the opportunity to seek personal introspection. The silos are designed across two floors and are fully-equipped with kitchen facilities, balconies and televisions. Gourmet microwave meals or takeaways can be provided on request.

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COOL HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia

The Palacio de Sal – ‘Salt Palace’ – on the salt flats of Uyuni, is completely constructed from salt, including most of the furniture. There’s an impressive lobby, bar and 16 rooms with private bathrooms, central heating and electricity. The restaurant’s speciality? Salt chicken, naturally.

The Dog Bark Park Inn, Idaho, USA

The Dog Bark Park Inn takes the term ‘dog lover’ to a whole new level. Owned by chainsaw artists, the b&b is located inside a 12-foot beagle. Guests (it sleeps four) enter the beagle’s body through the second-storey deck. It is, of course, pet-friendly.

Magic Mountain Hotel,

Huilo Huilo Reserve, Chile The Magic Mountain Hotel is in the Huilo Huilo reserve, which covers 60,000 hectares of Valdivian forest, and has natural hot springs, unexplored lakes and direct access to the Mocho Choshuenco volcano. Accommodation ranges from rooms in the main lodge, which has a waterfall cascading from the pinnacle of the roof, to secluded forest lodges.

Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Twenty years ago the world’s first Icehotel opened in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. Every November, ice from the frozen Torne

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river is fused with snow (‘snice’) to remake the hotel – new themed suites are designed every year.

The team behind the hotel has, as of 2017, opened its first permanent hotel, ICEHOTEL 365, just opposite.

V8 Hotel, Stuttgart, Germany

Car fanatics will love the V8 Hotel in Stuttgart. All rooms are themed around the automobile, with features such as vintage cars, racing paraphernalia and drive-through cinemas.

Das Park Hotel, Linz, Austria

Who would have thought concrete could be comfy?

These renovated sewage pipes are, thankfully, clean and functional and sit on the banks of the Danube, making them a perfect post-industrial bolt hole.

Hotel Marqués De Riscal, La Rioja, Spain

The Marqués de Riscal is architect Frank Gehry’s first and only hotel project, located in Elciego, in the heart of Spain’s Rioja winegrowing region. Similarly to his other projects, such as the Guggenheim in Bilbao and the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, the structure is avant-garde in its approach, using huge titanium ribbons which stand out from the surrounding vineyard. The restaurant and bar are first-class, and there’s also a separate spa wing.

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El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas, USA

El Cosmico, in Marfa Texas, describes itself as a ‘nomadic hotel’. Types of ‘shelter’ include vintage trailers, safari tents, Siouxstyle teepees, yurts and tent campsites. Though this isn’t as slapstick as it sounds: design is at the forefront of El Cosmico. Liz Lambert, the owner, also owns two boutique hotels in Austin and one in San Antonio.

Hotel Central & Café, Copenhagen, Denmark Hotel Central & Café in Copenhagen takes boutique to a whole new level. This café-hotel has just one bedroom which measures 8ft x 10ft.

Despite the lack of space there’s still a double bed, bathroom, television, an iPod docking station and a mini bar. And morning coffee is merely steps away.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, Huzhou, China

Nicknamed the ‘doughnut hotel’, the Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort is on the Taihu Lake inbetween Nanjing and Shanghai. The magnet-shaped hotel was conceived by architect Ma Tansong, who has worked with Zaha Hadid in London and is responsible for the rippling Absolute Towers in Mississauga, Canada.

The 27 floors above water, and two below (to create a complete oval) feature luxury trimmings, including a lobby paved with White

Jade from Afghanistan and Tiger’s Eye Stone from Brazil.

Quinta Real Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico Built around the restored 19th-century San Pedro bullfighting ring, the Quinta Real Zacatecas is now a luxury hotel. The last bull run was in 1975. The hotel’s restaurant now looks over the old arena, while the brick-walled bar is located where the bullpens used to be.

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland Built on a hillside on the Arctic Circle, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, a resort of cubic chalets with wide north-facing windows, is an ingenious solution to combining snug comfort with Northern Lightsviewing, as well as being a great base for other Arctic pursuits.

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica

The Caves enjoys a stunning cliffside location in Negril. Accommodation is comprised of just 12 variously configured, secluded cabins set in jungle-like gardens at the top of the cliffs. The caves themselves are used for private cande-lit dining — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Crazy Bear, Beaconsfield, UK

The Crazy Bear’s unique rooms take inspiration from

the Moulin Rouge, Las Vegas and planet Mars, and are stuffed into the oldest and most historic building in Beaconsfield.

Other bizarre features include a staircase decorated with foliage painted in 24-carat gold leaf, Persian pony skin on the walls of the bar, dripping chandeliers, a creepy mirrored chill-out room and loos that are deliberately unmarked.

Costa Verde, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

The Costa Verde team have transported and refurbished a 1965 vintage Boeing 727 airframe to create a fantastic, two-bedroom suite. The structure is set out on a concrete plinth that juts 50 feet into the jungle canopy and furnishings are hand-carved teak. The rear bedroom also has a handcrafted deck atop the wing.

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya One of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings, Giraffe Manor, harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first came here to enjoy safaris. The most fascinating thing about the elegant property is the herd of friendly resident Rothschild giraffe that live here: they often poke their long necks through windows, especially at meal times in search for a treat.

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CREATIVE SERVICES COMPANIES TO MAKE YOUR EVENT A-LIST! 36

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CREATIVE SERVICES SERVICES COMPANIES COMPANIES TO TO MAKE MAKE YOUR YOUR EVENT EVENT A-LIST! A-LIST! CREATIVE MEGABOOTH Founded in the late naughties by the dynamic duo of Lee Hoppen and Rachel Posner, Megabooth created the market for party photobooths and have since blownup into various other event services which are far too lengthy to list here, but will – I guarantee – make you conjure a phone call to see what they can do for you.

JUST TALENT OK, so you’ve got the venue sorted in the location your boss/client demanded and you’ve struggled to meet the budget (unless you’ve been to a 20/20 event and made the top-level contacts, because its all about who you know, isn’t it?)..and now you need to put some wazz into the event. So who do you call? Well, it ain’t the Ghostbusters! Here’s some options to make you not look like an amateur.

Created by the appropriately named Tori Just, Just Talent is the force behind the legendary array of talent that bestows the top-trending COOL Venue Awards.

Having a talent pool and being incredibly gorgeous is one thing. However, it’s another thing entirely to have a masters degree in common sense, humility, and a genuine passion for what you’re trying to achieve.

ZAP If he’s good enough for the late George Michael and Sir Richard Branson, then he’s good enough for….well. we’ll let you fill in the blanks. Just watch how he can turn your £5 note into a £50 note

EVENT PROP HIRE Creators of an incredible array of props.

Event design includes everything from Christmas to Wild West to English Country Garden to Superhero to Circus to Hollywood to Alice in Wonderland. Incredible array of props backed up by an array of incredible talent.

WILDFIRE Created by the Angus Nathan family in God’s favourite county, Yorkshire, Wildfire have been delivering event execution for decades for blue-chip corporations and agencies. Want paintball as a side-event.

Call Wildfire. Want mini-hovercrafts. Call Wildfire. Want rage buggies. Call Wildfire.

Basically, call Wildfire.

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10 killer tips

to confidently capture event photographs using your smartphone

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Argh, the pressure - you have been asked to take business event photos because you share photos on your Instagram/Facebook account! It’s all up to you to record the event and make it look really engaging and enticing.

Here are my top ten tips to have a plan and enjoy the experience. You’ve got this!

1.

Tap the subject and swipe to brighten and darken the image

This tells the automatic smartphone camera where you want it to focus and make balance the lighting the way you want it to look 2.

Turn on the grid lines

The two vertical and horizontal lines help you capture a straight image and place the main subject off-centre to also capture the context of the scene 3.

Stabilise the phone

Hold the phone in two hands, elbows tucked in and ideally resting against something solid. This helps to prevent those blurry images that are often problematic in low-light venues 4.

Capture logos in the posed photos

Event organisers and sponsors can be a little precious about getting exposure for all the time and money invested!

5.

Look for a large naturally lit window

If you are taking posed photos/video; such as testimonials – face the posed group toward the large naturally lit window. It is much more flattering than overhead lighting – we have all seen those bathroom selfies!

6.

Wide-angle and zoom lens attachment

A quality wide-angle lens attachment like the Struman Optics cinematic lens captures everyone in the group photo and the portrait lens lets you get closer candid shops without being annoying!

7.

Add energy to the photos

If there isn’t any energy at the event (we have all been to those) add some to your photos by intentionally tilting your phone to capture and angled photo 8.

Capture photos where people are mingling

Avoid the photos of one or two people standing on their own. Whenever you capture a group – take at least three photos to avoid someone having their eyes closed!

9.

Create a shot list

Consider your audience and/or branding and take a variety of photos of the presenters, attendees, candid personal exchanges, even closes up of catering and any promotional material 10. Photo editing apps We live in an exciting time where we are absolutely spoilt for photo editing app options.

Snapseed photo editing app by Google (iOS and Android) is my go-to app for quick easy edits to more advanced editing. Touch Retouch, After Focus and Picsart are also saved on my home screen for quick photo edits.

We live in a mobile world, where everyone wants to see the photos within a 24 hour period.

Any longer and the photos quickly become less relevant. Capturing the photo on the phone, allows you to edit and share directly to social media and email – without having to connect to a computer.

Author: Mike James is a sought after smartphone photography training specialist combining over 20 years of experience in photography and mentoring to deliver online content and in-person workshops to industry groups. https://SmartphonePhotographyTraining.com

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The biggest and most anticipated night in the events industry, proudly supported by the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Sir Richard Branson, Bear Grylls, Jamie Oliver and Levi Roots.

Tickets sold out in just 2 hours this year alone!

On March 28th the entire events industry gathered together to celebrate our 11th annual COOL Venue Awards.

The COOL Venue Awards‌ 40

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COOLest Bar / Club: Fabric

COOLest Venue Portfolio: SBE Group

COOLest for Receptions: The Hurlingham Club

COOLest Historic Venue: Tobacco Dock

COOLest Venue Launch: Sea Containers Events

COOLest Unique Venue: Swingers LDN

COOLest Large Venue: Dinerama

COOLest On-Water Venue: HMS Belfast

COOLest London Venue: The Curtain

COOLest Sporting Venue: Silverstone

COOLest Non-London Venue: Hotel Gotham

COOLest Museum / Gallery: Saatchi Gallery

RESTAURANT CATEGORIES COOLest European Restaurant: Berners Tavern

COOLest Conference Centre: Sunbeam Studios

COOLest Middle-Eastern Restaurant: Honey and Smoke

COOLest Spa: The Ned COOLest for Awards Ceremonies: Tate Modern

COOLest French Restaurant: Sketch

COOLest for Gala’s: Westminster Abbey

COOLest British Restaurant: Millies Lounge at The Ned

COOLest for Small Meetings: Mercedes-Benz World

COOLest Afro-Caribbean Restaurant: Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse

COOLest for AGM’s: Barbican

COOLest Asian Restaurant: Roka

COOLest Temporary Structure: Backyard Cinema at Winterville

COOLest Italian Restaurant: L’Anima

COOLest for Product Launches: London Edition

COOLest Meditterranean Restaurant: Sarastro

COOLest for Outdoor Events: Borough Market

COOLest North-American Restaurant: Red Rooster Shoreditch

COOLest for Teambuilding: Bounce Ping Pong

COOLest Latin American Restaurant: Ceviche

COOLest Members Club For Events: Blacks COOLest Country House: Stanmer House

COOLest Restaurant Group: D&D London

THE WINNERS WERE:

COOLest Hotel: The Courthouse Hotel

COOL Venue Awards – ASPIRE AWARD: GORDON RAMSAY

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Here are just some of the highlights from the unforgettable evening‌

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SPONSORS

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VENUES

EDGY

3 EDGY VENUES

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CIRQUE LE SOIR

3 clubbing EDGY brands VENUES One of the most exhilarating in the world. Suppliers of VIP hospitality to outrageous entertainment. If you didn’t attend one of Cirque’s most recent showcases, you’ll possibly not realise the flexibility and adaptability of a killer venue that is often boxed as being just an outrageous nightclub. It’s more than that.

Remember, ignorance can be a deadly sin.

ST BARTHOLOMEW THE GREAT

One of our editor’s great secrets, and the location of more films than you can possibly imagine, from Four Weddings and a Funeral to Harry Potter.

Tucked behind Barts Hospital in central London, the Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great is London’s oldest Parish Church, founded 1123 as an Augustinian Priory.

The Hospital Church of St Bartholomew the Less, also founded in 1123, moved to its present site inside the hospital gates in 1184. Amongst it’s many artworks, is the donation by Damien Hirst, one of the most outstanding artists of our time, his statue of St Bartholomew.

ALTON TOWERS

We’re sure you’ve all heard that groan from the client or boss about your next event, “….we need something different.

Something with that real dark or colourful or can’t put your finger on it sort of edge.”

And there the struggle begins to meet the challenge with something that isn’t automatically thought of. And oh, we love a challenge. So, here are our choices…

The subject of huge recent incidents cannot be ignored, and safety issues have been addressed.

But we’re not talking here about the theme park element. Within the grounds sits the site of the original Alton Towers mansion. And boy, is it haunted! Deemed to be one of the most haunted sites in the UK, if you want something to get people on edge.

26 LEAKE STREET

Located under the arches of Waterloo station on London’s southbank is possibly London’s most exciting venue. Those are the only 17 words you need to convince you to visit this incredibly cool venue.

ZIP WORLD

You’ve possibly seen this featured on those social media viral clips, but it’s just like that song which can’t remember the name of. Well, that’s our job.

Located in North Wales is an event venue like no other. From it’s zip-wire rides which make you emulate Superman flying above the treetops and across valleys, to their trampolining inside giant caves! Yes, suddenly distance and meetings never seem the same.

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So, that’s our choices if you need edge and are

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VENUES IN THE NORTH

THE NORTHERN REALMS

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VENUES IN THE NORTH HOTEL GOTHAM

Recently chosen by the COOL Venue Awards panel as the COOLest NonLondon hotel, the Gotham deserves all of it’s plaudits. Simply put, there are trendsetters and then there are followers.

Gotham is not either. It’s more than that.

It’s a leader in what hotel’s should be.

LANCASHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

Otherwise known to the events community as Emirates Old Trafford, it’s unfair to look down upon such a great venue because it’s sit’s 300 metres from Manchester United.

Lancashire County Cricket Club and it’s on-site 4-star deluxe Hilton offers the best hotel within the radius of a mile and outside of the city centre.

VICTORIA WAREHOUSE

Previous COOL Venue Awards winner.

Set in an iconic converted warehouse dating from 1932, this industrial-chic hotel is a 5-minute walk from Exchange Quay tram stop, and a 10-minute walk from Manchester United’s Old Trafford football stadium.

Amenities include a hip bistro, plus a bar and lounge featuring exposed brick walls and steel girders. There’s also a retro-chic cinema, a spa and a yoga centre

LIVERPOOL FC

Built a new stand that brought it’s event facilities into the 21st century and amongst the finest in UK sporting events venues. They also have one of the world’s most exciting football teams.

Liverpool left The Boys From The Blackstuff a long wayyyy back a longgggg time ag

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OUT AND ABOUT: EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY 48

OUT AND ABOUT: EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS The winners of the Event Photography Awards 2018 (EPAs) were unveiled on Thursday 3rd May at a highly impressive awards evening at The British Museum.

The 5th anniversary of the EPAs saw over 1,000 photographs entered by some 100 professional event photographers, as well as many industry amateurs. The competition feature two new categories Food & Drink (Catering) and Venues, which was also won by Andrew Whitton.

A highlight of the ceremony was the Music Events award, which in the absence of winner, Danny North, who is on tour with U2, was very amusingly presented on video by guitarist The Edge (please see following link): https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SeiVGlmEV3Q&feature=youtu.be The overall winning photo came from the Cultural Events category: Rituals of the Water at the Lost Village by Andrew Whitton.

About the Awards: The Event Photography Awards were founded by Philip Atkins, Managing Director of event staffing agency Off to Work, to celebrate the (often unsung) photographers who contribute so much to the validity, sustenance and marketability of the events industry.

The awards celebrated their 5th anniversary this year, and proudly supported two charities: Meeting Needs and PhotoVoice.

The awards are open to event photographers of all levels.

Key Suppliers & Supporters • • • • • • • •

Organisers: Off To Work Venue: The British Museum, BP Lecture Theatre and Foyers Caterer: Bubble Food Printing: Perton Signs Display: Full Circle Events Photography: Splento Drinks: Cawston Press and Jascots Awards: Aford Awards Andrew Whitton

Rituals of the Water at Lost Village

OVERALL Runner Up

Shane Wilkinson

Leap Ahead

OVERALL Highly-Commended

Panayis Chrysovergis

The Kiss

Amateur

Katie Frost

Take My Hand

Behind the Scenes

Deb Porter

Stand At Your Stations

Corporate Events

Noah Goodrich

Working in the Crowd

Cultural Events

Andrew Whitton

Rituals of the Water at Lost Village

Experiential Events

Oana Brasoveanu

The Heart

Food & Drink (Catering)

Noah Goodrich

Smokey

Music Events

Danny North

The Turbans

Private Events

Panayis Chrysovergis

The Kiss

Sporting Events

Shane Wilkinson

Leap Ahead

Trade Shows

James North

London Ski Show

Venues

Andrew Whitton

Hampton Court Palace

Weddings

Patryk Brulinski

Eagle

Peoples' Choice

Panayis Chrysovergis

The Kiss

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OUT AND ABOUT: THE LONDON BAR AND CLUB AWARDS

THE LONDON BAR AND CLUB AWARDS

Was held 4th June 2018 Location: Intercontinental on Park Lane, London

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20 QUESTIONS WITH ANDREA & DENNIS the co-founders of Rentuu.com: your trusted real-time platform for event kit hire and more.

What inspired you to start your own organisation?

Andrea: Streamline Operations.Opportunity to save money and time in this Industry.

Great feedback from our partners for our job.

Dennis: Independence and freedom to design your own path.

What are 5 things on your bucket list?

Andrea: Driving from Vancouver to Usuhaia. Produce Olive Oil. Increase my Honey production to 100 Families Dennis: Live in Asia for 6 months and publish a bestselling book.

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

Andrea: 100% yes.

Dennis: I’m game.

If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend the rest of your life?

Andrea: Studying Geopolitics and protect the inland waters.

Dennis: help create new cool products and businesses.

Who is your hero?

Andrea: Andrey Shevckenko Dennis: parents.

What social issue is important to you?

Andrea: Global Warming. Water pollution. Nutrition.

Dennis: Equality

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Trump? Brexit?

Andrea: …..

Dennis: no comment. Both are not positive.

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What cheers you up?

Andrea: A nice walk with my dog.

Dennis: a nap.

20 QUESTIONS WITHMY ANDREA DENNIS EVENTS&WORLD

What is the last item you purchased?

Andrea: Moleskine Agenda.

Dennis: Silicon face paint remover What do you want to get better at?

Andrea: Listening to people.

Dennis: Being patient .

What is your biggest fear?

Andrea: Inter Milan to win again the Champions League Dennis: losing my phone after a night out.

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

Andrea: Forrest Gump.

Dennis : Not sure.

What is your favourite song?

Andrea: Ghostbuster Theme.

Dennis : Don’t really have one.

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

Andrea: Speaking all languages in the world.

Dennis: Being able to fly.

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

Andrea: Reduce the errors in equipment hire and support the industry to source from quality partners.

Dennis: Reduce stress and pressure on event management teams when they need to source kit for hire.

Name one of your most embarrassing moments?

Andrea: There’s been a few...

Dennis: to be honest I’ve lost count and can’t remember.

What is your life motto?

Andrea: Se sta mai con man in man (Dialect Milanese) “ there is always something to do be resl” Dennis: Progress equals happiness.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Andrea: Bee keeping Dennis: moving and setting up base in new countries: 9 and counting!

Name your 3 favourite restaurants?

Andrea: Via Parma Hoxton London, La Acerba Milan Italy, El Mas, Moena Sudtirol Italy.

Dennis: Mnky House (Latin Fusion), Jin Ju (Korean), and Babaji (Turkish) Name the greatest event you have ever been to?

Andrea: Milan Design Week Dennis: Private wedding at Villa Medici Roma (the night started with complimentary cuban cigars for 300 guests) Your website: Www.rentuu.com

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Shaa Wasmund MBE

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MY EVENTS WORLD….WITH SHAA WASMUND MBE

MY EVENTS WORLD WITH SHAA WASMUND MBE Shaa Wasmund MBE is one of Britain’s most highly regarded female entrepreneurs whose first book, Stop Talking, Start Doing was the #1 Best Selling Business Book in the UK for 14 months in a row, breaking all records. In addition to running her own successful online educational businesses (shaa.com), she is also an acclaimed international speaker.

HOME IS…. London FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON? Have a coffee MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT? Sushi samba.

YOU’RE THE MAYOR…WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? Change the weather IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? O2 FAVOURITE HOTEL? The Grazing Goat WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE? A live concert WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? You’re fierce… and humble too.

FAVOURITE OR MOST CHARMING THING YOU DISCOVERED IN THE EVENT INDUSTRY? How well you’re looked after EARLIEST EVENTS MEMORY? Going to see Run DMC ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING? Shoes, Trainers and Ali LAST THEATRE SHOW YOU SAW? Lion King WHO IS YOUR HERO? My nan

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KANYA KING MBE 54

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MY EVENT WORLD WITH….

KANYA KING MBE OF THE MOBO AWARDS

MY EVENT WORLD WITH KANYA KING MBE OF THE MOBO AWARDS FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON? I grab a Costa Coffee. My favourite is a Venti Soya latte, 2 shots and extra hot.

MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT? I’d say Roast restaurant, the owner Iqbal surprised me by allowing me to host a table full of my friends for my birthday, it was great fun. I had the Vegan nut roast with pickled red cabbage and rosemary roasties, delicious!

IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’d buy a dilapidated building and do it all up for a MOBO Academy that could be used to nurture and develop the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.

FAVOURITE HOTEL? Four Seasons- there is a new one that has opened up near me and I tend to collapse on one of their cushy sofas at the end of the week.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE? All Bright or the Library members club. They are both very central, informal and you always meet interesting people. I held a dinner for my birthday at the Library club which turned into a party so whatever happens at the Library Club stays at the Library Club….

Lol. WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? Recently, I came across a lovely feature in Music Week’s rising star column where a young lady called Kelly said she’d seen me at a speaking event explaining the difficulties I’ve had to overcome in the music industry and the importance of “getting better, not bitter” she said my advice had really resonated with her, that really touched me.

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING? I confess to being a hoarder -maybe this stems from not having a lot of things growing up.

WHO IS YOUR HERO? My late mother, who eventually put self –doubt aside and started her own business at the young age of 70. She was an important prestigeeventsmagazine.com role model for me.

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MY EVENT WORLD WITH….

MY EVENTS WORLD

STUART

GROVES MY EVENTS WORLD….WITH STUART GROVES OF SHOUT ABOUT LONDON I am the co-founder of Shout About London, co-host of the Shout About London Podcast. My main goal in life is to bring people together, giving them an arena to communicate and connect. In the long-term I’d like to use any platform I build, to help progress our collective understanding of mental health, in the meantime I do what I can to improve mine and those close to me.

My passions in life include: people, live music, historical fiction, mindfulness, MMA and film.

HOME IS….

Hoxton.

FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON? I live in London. I work in London. I get a rash if I leave London.

So, there is no “first”, it’s a way of life… (cheesy as that sounds)

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MY EVENT WORLD WITH….

MY EVENTS WORLD MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT?

I’d say probably the five-course menu at Le Peep Boutique a few years ago. We took a friend and client for a lavish sushi menu. Apparently pregnant women can’t have cold fish though, who knew? Luckily the chef did a bespoke menu just for her and we managed to live it down. So, most memorable for me being a muppet.

YOU’RE THE MAYOR…WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP THE EVENTS INDUSTRY?

I don’t really get involved in politics. I have zero ambition to become the Mayor. The ‘Agent of Change’ was a big one though. This stops developers building houses next to music venues and then complaining about the noise *face palm* This is a massive step in the right direction, but it’s not enough. I’d be putting a cap on rent rises for ‘culturally influential’ spaces and incentivise landlords to contribute to the creativity of an area (not just build flats).

IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

We’ve just invested into an event venue (26 Leake Street). It gives us an opportunity to facilitate huge launches for brands, host live gigs and produce our own shows. We’re also looking at building an experiential bar chain.

So, we have our own ideas we’re following currently.

If I was to nab someone else’s though… it’d be: The 02 - just for the sheer scale of events Backyard Cinema - our close friends own this, and I LOVE everything they do Or the Roundhouse – just because, it’s the f***** Roundhouse

FAVOURITE HOTEL?

Probably the Curtain. Members club, hotel, roof terrace, bar, live event space, great location, what more do you want?

WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE?

Gigs, MMA fights, playing pool, visiting concepts/experiences, or bars.

Slim Jim’s Liquor Store - in Angel, is my favourite Bar in London, hands down. Followed by the Phoenix Artists Club, the Water Poet and Howl at the Moon.

For gigs I’d be at the Bedford in Balham, 229 or Omeara.

Concepts and experiences, I love things like: Backyard Cinema (obviously) Swingers, Draughts, Flight Club, Shuffle Club, Zap Space, Roof East, Mr Foggs and a whole bunch more (basically anyone who’s been on our Podcast)

WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? That’s great Stuart, I’ll take it.

FAVOURITE OR MOST CHARMING THING YOU DISCOVERED IN THE EVENT INDUSTRY? All the crazy concept bars; the stories behind who made them and how.

People’s ambition to build their own dreams and have a blast doing it.

That’s both charming and inspirational.

EARLIEST EVENTS MEMORY?

Square Meal. It was two days before I started my first job in events. I was invited down by my new company to just be on the stand for a couple of days. Baptism of fire. I didn’t have a CLUE what I was doing… so I fitted in quite well actually. I’m joking (some people did).

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING? Yeah, hobbies, bruises, hangovers and irrelevant film quotes.

LAST THEATRE SHOW YOU SAW? Ah man, I go a lot. Think the last one was a Harold Pinter actually, Birthday Party? Not a massive Pinter fan to be honest, they can be a bit of an effort to watch. Matilda is still my favourite thing on the West End WHO IS YOUR HERO? Not sure I have a ‘hero’. People who inspire me?

David Brent, Maximus from Gladiator, Dominic Cruz, Michael Bisping, Tony Robbins and just general friends of mine you won’t have heard of (yet!)

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LIAM NORVAL

20 QUESTIONS WITH LIAM NORVAL OF POSH COCKNEY You are more famously known as the man who ran the celebrity nights at CafĂŠ de Paris and Director of Proud. What inspired you to move into your current position?

I had a mirror moment during New Years Eve, which I spent at home with my family, I knew that this year was the perfect time to start Posh Cockney I have great clients and they deserve more of my undivided attention, so I can put on incredible events for them. Going solo is nerve wracking but also very exciting. I certainly don’t see this as going out alone though, as all my clients will be with me every step of the way. I like to create a family feeling when I work with any person or company. My philosophy is, if I treat you like family, you are more likely to trust me and in turn, allow me to have the privilege of running your high-end events.

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20 QUESTIONS WITH…LIAM NORVAL OF POSH COCKNEY What are 5 things on your bucket list?

Buy a holiday home abroad somewhere hot. Open a club/restaurant of my own. Travel around the world . Start my own clothing label. Watch my daughter grown up and be happy!

“You’d do anything for love, but you wouldn’t do…?”

Lasagne… bad food poisoning episode If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend the rest of your life?

In a huge house with all my friends and family, laughing everyday!

Who is your hero?

Without a doubt my dad. He is a rockstar!

What social issue is important to you?

Saving the planet! Leaving a better tomorrow for our children, and children’s children!

Trump? Brexit?

Both very scary! Let’s see what happens! Next…

What cheers you up?

My beautiful wife Catherine and hearing my daughter laughing! ..and when Spurs win!

What is the last item you purchased?

Food containers. I’m so focused in getting in great shape this year. But you are what you eat. I know I need to prepare better, so I bought 16 containers!

What is your biggest fear?

I set such high targets for myself and demand so much.

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

Hugh Jackman- The Greatest showman If you could have one super power what would it be?

The power to see into the future! Could help me at the lottery stand!

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

I would love to see more positive vibes around the industry. People helping people!

Name one of your most embarrassing moments?

It had to be when my best friend Jack Whitehall, pranked me on Nick Grimshaw’s breakfast show during a game of call or delete!

What is your life motto?

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can see info the future, and the futures bright!

Name your 3 favourite restaurants?

Le pont de le tour ,Hakassan, Nobu Name the greatest event you have ever been to?

Has to be the Brits or Bafta awards! The after parties were even better though!

Your website: www.poshcockney.co.uk email liam.norval@poshcockney.co.uk

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LIZZY EATON

What inspired you to start your own event management agency?

I have been in the events industry for ten years and I always dreamed about being my own boss. I spent the last five years in an agency where I built a successful event management business and while I loved it and it was really rewarding, I was still really ambitious and wanted more. I got married and turned thirty this year so I guess my mindset for Oddity was ‘now or never’!

Everyone has been really supportive which has made it totally worthwhile and I am so excited. My Ethos for Oddity is that corporate events and marketing activities don’t always have to follow a traditional model to deliver results. I like to deliver something unexpected or unique for all my clients, to drive engagement with the key messages and leave lasting impressions, even if it’s something really subtle. I like to help my clients be brave and a little quirky. So far, so good!

What are 5 things on your bucket list?

1. Run the London Marathon 2. Go whale watching (and hopefully see a whale!)

3. See the Northern Lights 4. Do stand-up in a comedy club 5. Do a hot-wings challenge

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20 QUESTIONS WITH….LIZZY EATON OF ODDITY EVENTS Would you be willing to eat an entire bowl of live crickets for £40,000?

Absolutely.

If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend the rest of your life?

Travel the world OR be a dog babysitter… or both?!

Who is your hero?

David Bowie, because he broke all the boundaries and was a pioneer of British music, and rock and roll generally. What a legend.

What social issue is important to you?

Mental health awareness is so important. Especially in the events industry. It can be stressful and it’s critical for us all to have coping mechanisms and tactics to manage ourselves when the pressure is on.

Trump? Brexit?

Neither please! Let’s hug instead.

What cheers you up?

Delivering big results for a client, especially if they weren’t 100% convinced by the concept at first; finding a new song that I want to play on repeat for days; making people laugh.

What is the last item you purchased?

Some running gear – a pair of leggings and a hairband.

What do you want to get better at?

Running long distances and being more resilient / not taking it personally when I don’t win a project.

What is your biggest fear?

Being sad.

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

I would be Sarah from Labyrinth – wouldn’t it be so fun to run around looking for the Goblin King all day?

What is your favourite song?

I have so many! I am so into music of all genres. Right now ‘In This World’ by Moby is on repeat so I guess it’s that at the moment.

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

To be really fast so I can get lots of things done every day.

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

I would change the attitudes to the definition of ‘accessibility’, particularly in older venues. In my view, if a delegate that has mobility issues has to enter the event via a separate entrance (e.g. service door or lift) then that’s not accessible. We should be promoting inclusivity (everyone having the same experience from the moment they arrive, regardless of their ability) rather than ticking boxes and saying ‘that will do’. When accommodating those with disabilities becomes an afterthought, you end up alienating a whole business market. What if a disabled person you invited was hugely influential and they had a bad time accessing your event? Would they want to engage with your message / spend their money on your product or service? Probably not.

Name one of your most embarrassing moments?

I’m one of those full-on people that tells jokes or has ‘banter’ all the time… sometimes they don’t land well, which is always a bit embarrassing.

What is your life motto?

It’s not so much a motto but there’s this picture I always look at that says ‘You bring light to the world, you can’t help it’ which gives me a boost during times when I have a bit of self-doubt.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I’m a good singer after a few drinks. Or at least I think I am!

Name your 3 favourite restaurants?

Again, so many! Right now they are: • • •

Taco Queen in Peckham Luca in Farringdon The Cinnamon Club in St James’s Park

Your website: www.oddityevents.com Twitter and Instagram: @oddityem prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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FERRON GRAY My name is Ferron. I run a charity which wishes to improve Mental Health in Higher Education & the Workplace. One of our current projects is to do that by building Mental Health Standard for the Event Industry.

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO EVENTS? A family friend used to organize raves at local nightclubs and they brought me in to assist in getting the event promoted.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST COMPANY YOU WORKED FOR? MCPS/PRS; Many Moons ago!

DO YOU STILL GET EXCITED? Yes very much so.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER? Developing these Mental Health Standards which will be beneficial to so many people WHO INSPIRED YOU?

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My mom. She’s always worked hard and said to think outside the box.

VENUE FOCUS: 100 WARDOUR STREET

ICONIC

100 Wardour Street is an eclectic, relaxed, lifestyle venue with live music, all day dining and Soho private members’ club feel.

Based on the site of the iconic Marquee Club, Conran’s Mezzo and Cuban favourite Floridita, 100 Wardour Street takes its inspiration from the edgy Soho location with innovative décor and playful feel well suited to the bohemian local crowd. The original Shoreditch, Soho is the heart of London’s film, music and entertainment district and 100 Wardour Street artfully plays to the needs of its creative clientele around the clock.

The venue has 2 floors – The bar and lounge which is on the ground floor and the Restaurant & Club which is on the lower ground floor. Both Modern European restaurants with bars.

100 Wardour Street was also the host venue for Prestige Events magazine’s recent 11th annual COOL Venue Awards. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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VENUE FOCUS: ROYAL LANCASTER

THE LEGEND CONTINUES In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Royal Lancaster London relaunched in 2017 following an extensive £85m renovation, encompassing the complete refurbishment of all 411 rooms and suites, plus a brand new entrance and lobby, featuring a sweeping white Carrara marble staircase.

The new guest rooms have been impeccably designed to combine timeless style, sumptuous comfort and spectacular views across Hyde Park and the iconic London skyline. Each room offers amenities such as Handy phones, international plug sockets and USB sockets, fluffy bath robes and slippers, The White Company toiletries and under floor heating in the bathrooms.

Royal Lancaster London is renowned as one of Europe’s leading event venues, with a range of stylish meeting and conference rooms, excellent facilities and world class cuisine. The hotel boasts some of London’s largest spaces with two large Ballrooms; the Nine Kings and Westbourne Suites and can cater for events up to 1000 guests.

The Forest Suites are a collection of 13 contemporary and flexible meeting spaces catering for up to 200 guests. Many have stunning views over Hyde Park and all have natural or secondary daylight. For larger events, they make ideal breakout rooms.

There are two award-winning restaurants on site; Nipa Thai serving traditional and authentic cuisine and Island Grill, offering modern European dishes. The effortlessly stylish Hyde Bar is a relaxed and intimate hideaway offering coffee and light bites by day and cocktails and Champagne by night.

Centrally located next to Hyde Park, Royal Lancaster London is adjacent to Lancaster Gate Station and is just a short walk away from Paddington Station, offering easy access to Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes via the Heathrow Express.

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VENUE VENUE FOCUS: FOCUS: THE THE ROYAL ROYAL OVER-SEAS OVER-SEAS LEAGUE LEAGUE

LEADING SINCE 1910 The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a not-for-profit private members’ organisation dedicated to championing international friendship and understanding. They help artists and musicians across the Commonwealth connect, collaborate and create.

Their education work benefits communities and changes lives.

Today, they offer it’s 16,000 members and all visitors a warm welcome centred on it’s beautiful clubhouse in central London. A Grade I listed building situated in the heart of St James’s, Over-Seas House offers splendid period function rooms which are ideal for holding everything from small syndicate workshops to major conferences, corporate celebrations, private dinner parties, birthdays and weddings. The Central Lounge provides an elegant setting for contemporary art exhibition and installations.

Seven meeting and function rooms are available with the largest accommodating up to 200 guests whilst others seat between 2 and 50 people. During the summer, a semi private garden adjacent to Green Park offers a tranquil setting for drinks receptions.

Each space in this historic venue comes with fascinating history making the venue

a very unique event space! The largest event room, The Hall of India and Pakistan has original floor to ceiling silver-grey wood panelled walls presented by the Indian Government in 1937 giving this room a distinctive setting for private dinners and lunches. The stunning Rutland Room which overlooks Green Park, is elegantly decorated and features the original carved marble fireplace designed by John Rysbrack (carved in 1736). This room is ideal for both meetings and private celebrations.

Graysons Venues oversee all aspects of catering at Over-Seas House. Their friendly and passionate venue sales teams coupled with their talented chefs’ working with the freshest seasonal produce - create inspiring and delectable menus to suit all event requirements.

The team are inspired by the latest trends, tastes and local specialties to make sure you have an incredible dining experience.

Since it’s founding in 1910, the club has been open to women as of right. And our founder, Evelyn Wrench made it clear that the club aimed to give ‘nations of the Commonwealth a helping hand along the path of freedom and independence’. This rich social heritage combined with historic premises in London’s West End makes an ideal venue for social and business events – and ROSL members receive a 15% discount on bookings. Find out more about ROSL at www.rosl.org.uk/venues

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MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD (N0 headline needed)

Mercedes-Benz World is the ultimate conference and events experience located on the historic Brooklands race track. From inspirational conferencing facilities, large event spaces and thrilling Driving Experiences, to stimulating exhibitions and outstanding cuisine. Mercedes-Benz World is more than just a great venue – it’s an experience on every level!

It’s versatile interior and exterior spaces are highly flexible and can be customised to your specific requirements. From a small meeting to a largescale outdoor event, the impressive building and extensive grounds are the ideal spaces for conferences, presentations, exhibitions and a host of other events. Internal logistics are helped by 2 car lifts, each capable of lifting over 6 tonnes which will easily accommodate the safe transport of even the most awkward equipment and it’s attentive team are on hand to support you from planning right through to execution.

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VENUE FOCUS: MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD

Modern technology combined with dynamic driving on it’s Handling Circuits or 4x4 off-road course create the most unique venue, guaranteed to impress.

The Driving Experiences offer an exceptional way to reward teams, entertain clients and act as the perfect team building opportunity encouraging effective communication and collective problem solving. Team building events at Mercedes-Benz World offer unique and fun ways to improve communication and build relationships between teams during an exciting and memorable day out for everyone involved.

Their challengers included 4x4 blindfold driving, reverse slalom, beat the clock and the newly-added water on the roof experience which requires teamwork, smooth driving, precision and care to navigate through a testing course whilst trying not to spill any water!

Mercedes-Benz World is well situated within easy reach of both major London airports with excellent bus, rail and road links. And what’s more, there’s free parking, convenient loading areas and 24 hour security. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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BOUN VENUE FOCUS: BOUNCE

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF PING PONG

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If you’re looking for a venue with a little added twist, look no further than Bounce. With two venues in London, this is a ground-breaking social entertainment brand founded by Adam Breeden, entrepreneur and co-founder of Flight Club and All Star Lanes, and also Dov Penzik, a successful entrepreneur and former competitive table tennis player.

Dov and Adam took inspiration from social entertainment venues in the US and brought it back to the UK in full force.

Bounce is the first concept of its kind in the UK, and a gamechanger in social entertainment. The venues play host to three main experiences, a bar, a restaurant and ping pong all against a backdrop of

UNCE award-winning, innovative design. The experience is entertaining and most of all immerse, bringing the humble game of ping pong table right into the 21st century. The flagship venue in Farringdon opened in 2012 and has quickly established itself as one of London’s most iconic entertainment venues in the years preceding the opening. Following the success of the Farringdon venue, Bounce opened a second venue in Old Street in 2015.

With a more East London, graffiti vibe, this venue breathes cool, perhaps due to its close proximity to Shoreditch.

Bounce is more than just ping pong though. Also known for extravagantly epic parties, fantastic music and resident DJ’s, wild and wacky themed nights, and of course, great food and drink, it’s the perfect venue for winding down after a long work day, or just for blowing off some steam on a weekend.

Not forgetting the eye-catching neon lights all over the walls that light up in the evenings, the paint splattered walls, exclusive private rooms and subtle design intricacies paying homage to Ping Pong’s history. In October 2017, they even created a new version of

Ping Pong called Wonderball. A newly immerse game using projection mapping onto the table.

Bounce is a great place to go with friends, but even more fun to go with clients or colleagues, thanks, in part, to its unbeatable event packages. Ranging from private room hire to exclusive areas, conferences, meetings, team building, and private bottomless brunch. You name it, they can do it. You can even opt to add a games guru onto your booking. These comedians and ex pro’s of the game are on hand to get literally everyone involved. No sulking in the corner here. What more could you want?

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VENUE FOCUS: THE LONDON REIGN

The London Reign is a world of contrast. Let them transport you to a time of class an opulence with a sassy twist.

Located in the heart of London, The London Reign Show Club is the jewel in the Mayfair crown.

A venue like no other, they will take you on a journey of 1920’s indulgence and escapism, combining performance theatre, aerial acts, fire breathers, taking events to new heights with sophistication and classic glamour.

The London Reign know how to throw a party - this teamed with The London Mezz (Private Members Club), it can ensure the high-end experience you are looking for.

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VENUE FOCUS: THE LONDON REIGN

More about the London Mezz:

It’s beautiful private members lounge takes you away from the 1920’s and moves you straight in to 1942.

1942 wasn’t the best year for everyone. However it was the incredible year Don Julio González-Frausto Estrada, began distilling the world’s finest Tequila.

The partnership with 1942 offers member the chance to sit in the finest lounge and indulge in true Don Julio style.

To arrange a show round of this fantastic space, contact Chelsea on 07922 393832 // chelsea@thelondonreign.com

THE MOOD - THE MOMENT - THE MAGIC

Choosing the right entertainment for your event is vital - it can be the make or break of what you anticipate to be the perfect gathering.

Catering to a variety of guests can prove impossible. Not only do you want to keep everyone’s attention, but you want your guests to leave your event with an everlasting memory.

From aerial performers, to classic Vegas Show club and Burlesque, our shows are never alike. Themed shows or individual acts can also be created for product launches and Branding.

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THE FUTURE OF EVENTS SPACES

THE FUTURE OF EVENTS SPACES

By Andrew White of Triggerfish PR When The Daily Mail left Canada Water, a new destination was born from ashes.

Printworks has established itself as a new cultural music destination which fronts club nights, art shows and huge corporate powwows.

Now publishers are further diversifying their core print business by creating spaces for people to meet, eat and share interests.

Time Out Group plc & Country Living have developed concepts that bring their brands to life & attract their readerships as well as a whole new audience. Time Out Market London will gather food stalls, artisan brewers & cultural activations at the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo, while Country Living has developed 2 country escapes for luxurious overnighters.

The concept of publishers diversifying from pure print is nothing new, we’ve seen Stylist Live & Elle Weekender at the stunning Saatchi Gallery & Monocle’s standout Quality of Life Conference.

It’s the longevity, funding and financial commitment of brands such as Time Out and County Living that differs. Longterm partnerships that draw like-minded communities together to experience, share and talk. These are exciting times for the hospitality and publishing sectors as synergies are realised and brand partnerships formed to create new lifestyle destinations under a brand new roof.

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