PRESTIGE EVENTS MAGAZINE 17TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

POSH COCKNEY – CHANGING MINDS IN 2020 COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE WITH TV’S LAURA JANE CLARK DIVERSITY IN EVENTS AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT BEST SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS COOL VENUES AWARDS REVIEWED WWW.PRESTIGEEVENTSMAGAZINE.COM

PRESTIGE EVENTS & THE COOL VENUE AWARDS

PRESENT THE 2020 CLUB

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

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 3

4 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 5

CONTENTS PAGE 9 PUBLISHERS NOTES 11 THEATRE 17 WHAT WE DRANK WITH THE EXOTIC BOOZE CLUB 18 DINING SPOTS WE LOVE 20 MYSTERIOUS VENUES IN LONDON 25 CONFEX PREVIEW 30 COOL VENUE AWARDS REVIEW 38 COVER FEATURE - COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE AROUND THE UK AND REST OF THE WORLD WITH TV PRESENTER, LAURA JANE CLARK 48 COOL VENUES FOR CHRISTMAS AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS 52 COOL VENUES FOR CORPORATE FUN AND SUMMER PARTIES 56 COOL VENUES FOR LARGE EVENTS 60 COOL VENUES FOR CONFERENCES 62 BEHIND THE ROPES WITH ADAM QUIGLEY AND SABINE KERN 71 SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS 74 AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT 76 ANNUAL 2020 CLUB GOLF DAY 78 2020 CALENDAR 80 COVER FEATURE – AGENCY FOCUS; POSH COCKNEY 86 FIRST STEPS: DIVERSITY IN EVENTS 94 AGENCY PROFILES: E2E, BLUEHAT, NICE EVENTS, NTH DEGREE 106 MY EVENTS WORLD: JO FERREDAY CHINEY FOONG 112 VENUE FOCUS: CURZON CINEMAS 116 REGION FOCUS: MONACO PRESTIGE EVENTS TEAM:

Official Print Partner

Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Director: Dan Bearpark Online editor and Event Manager : Alex Cameron

Official Photographer

Editorial Contributors: Jason Scott Senior Designer: 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 6 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 7

PUBLISHERS NOTES PUBLISHERS COMMENT From our privileged position, we have witnessed many trends over the past 16 years. The most recent and visible trend has been the proliferation in new start-up agencies. Armed with the academic degrees, the essential experience and know-how, more are forging their own path offering bespoke services that bigger models can’t move quick enough or aren’t flexible enough in their set-up. Even more alarming is the naivety of suppliers assuming they know all the corporate buyers and agencies out there in the population. To use an analogy, a man could be married to his wife, but everyday something new occurs, sometimes he doesn’t keep up with a new-look she has adopted, or know of new friends she has made, sometimes they’ve got into an argument and don’t speak for days. It works the same with suppliers and agents. Never more has staying on top personal relationships with direct face to face contact been important to generate and sustain great success. My greatest achievement in my career with Prestige Events has been to introduce the pioneering 20/20 Club series of speed networking events. To date, we have hosted over 130 sold-out ‘themed’ 20/20 events since 2011 introducing (and sometimes re-introducing) thousands of event buyer corporates and agencies to suppliers. If you’ve never been or considered 20/20 and believe relationships and building trust are the key to great success, get along. www.2020club.co.uk

8 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 9

THEATRE HOSPITALITY… WHAT’S ON The boss needs to take care of his wife. The team need an incentive. Your best client needs some royal treatment. Not much beats an evening at the theatre. Here’s our round-up of the shows that you’ll love…….

10 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 11

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES – THE MUSICAL (THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET) Mais ouis, mais ouis, the world may have changed a lot since we first bid a jovial ‘au revoir’ to the Trotters of Peckham, but good ‘ol Del Boy, Rodney and the rest of the gang haven’t changed a bit... well, apart from the odd spontaneous bursting into song here, and the occasional dancing across the market, there.

BACK TO THE FUTURE (CURRENTLY AT OPERA HOUSE MANCHESTER / TRANSFERRING TO WEST END MAY 2020) Get ready for 1.21 gigawatts of excitement!

Back to the Future The Musical is gonna change musical history. Set your destination to february 2020 at the manchester opera house. Time is limited – 12 weeks only – before flying to London’s West End. The 1985 movie and pop culture phenomenon that’s now more loved than ever is transported to the stage by the film’s original creative team of Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.

12 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

THRILLER LIVE (LYRIC THEATRE) Seen by over five million people in over 30 countries, THRILLER LIVE continues to moonwalk around the world, taking you on an electrifying audiovisual journey through an unparalleled catalogue of hits. You will experience over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco as the cast pay homage to a musical legacy and iconic choreography executed with flair, precision and passion, this is a show that you will never forget.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (DOMINION THEATRE) The Prince of Egypt is one of the greatest stories ever told. A mother’s love leads one woman to send her child into the unknown, and another woman to hide the truth about where he came from. The saga of Moses and his brother Rames who would become Pharaoh. The tale of a brother exiled, finally returning to his home and fighting to free his people from the bonds of slavery and lead them to the Promised Land. This is a story that will change everything, forever.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 13

14 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 15

WHAT WE DRANK Our regular round-up of the drinks that make an event hit all the notes.

Our James at the Exotic Booze Club (www.exocticboozeclub.com) recommends……

Island Colada: Kona Brewing Co from Hawaii have been inspired by the Pina Colada to create a cream ale using fresh Coconut and Pineapple in the brewing process along with Sabro hops - there’s only a few cases in the country - so you’ll have to hunt this limited release down! www.konabrewingco.com

Cansecco: Fancy a Prosecco but don’t want a whole bottle: welcome the “Cansecco” the ingenius perfect serve of a glass and a half of bubbles!

It’s sold in Bianco Rose - “Italian Class withoout the glass!” www.cansecco. com

Salford Rum: Many rums arrived into Salford docks in it’s heydey and this new dark spiced rum is a blend of 3 Carribbean rums which are both pot and column distilled.

Blended to give notes of vanilla, coconut, burnt caramel and clove it’s perfect served with ginger beer. www. salfordrum.com

Ocean Drive Pokemon Sodas: While these may seem like they’re designed for kids, these delicious soda from Taiwan are surprisingly delicious. My favourite is the pear flavour (Squirtle) and other characters include Charmander (Orange), Bulbasaur, (Apple) and of course Pikachu (Cider). www. yhbocean.com/ products

Photography Credit Jamie Stephenson Photography

16 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 17

WHERE WE ATE WONDERING WHERE TO NEXT TAKE A CLIENT OR STAFF TO DINE? FROM THE SOPHSITICATED TO THE DARN RIGHT ECELETIC, HERE ARE OUR OUR CHOICES….

18 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

CEREAL KILLER The UK’s first speciality cereal café, owned by identical twins Alan and Gary Keery opened in Brick Lane recently and sent everyone into a nostalgia frenzy (the queues are still insane on weekends). The café offers over 120 different cereals from around the world along with 30 different varieties of milk, all against a backdrop of 80s and 90s memorabilia. Definitely a must for those wanting to relive their childhood morning sugar rush – only here, you can pop in for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

HIXTER BANKSIDE The former metal box factory in Guildford Street now plays home to Hixter Bankside which follows the success of Hixter City which opened its doors in November 2013. Neons and artwork by artists Tracey Emin, Tim Noble and more adorn the walls and the area is divided into different rooms including The Parlour and the award-winning Mark’s bar as well as space for a private party for up to 70 guests. The food features more British seasonal starters and ‘large hunks of meat’ designed for sharing. Don’t leave until you’ve tried a seasonal cocktail in the basement.

YAUATCHA Such acutely stylish venues rarely last, but after a decade Yauatcha can add longevity to its enviable list of attributes. So why do people still glide down the stairs of this self-styled Taipai tea house into its sensual basement? The design helps: the long bar, spot-lit black tables and illuminated fish tank still have allure, and the nightclub vibe is boosted by beautiful staff and bass-heavy beats. Even being shunted away to seats behind the staircase has benefits (privacy).

And there’s substance behind the style. Day-and-night dim sum was a Yauatcha innovation, and a special of scallop and edamame crystal dumplings produced three delicate, pendulous sacs filled with a textural mix of resilient beans, crunchy carrot morsels, flavourful fragments of scallop and juicy sweetcorn. A definite must.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 19

The 12 Most Mysterious Venues in London

By Will Broome of Londonlaunch Everyone wants to be different but not many people dare to be different. It’s very important to stand out and stake your claim to possibly the only thing that’s rightfully and unequivocally yours – your unique character.

“Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no-one alive who is ‘you-er’ than you” said the most philosophical man ever (and my anapaestic tetrameter spouting hero, Dr.Seuss). We all have one but sometimes we choose to suppress it, which is a great shame because in many ways it’s our most powerful asset. I actually quite like hanging out with myself because I’ll always find something to be excited and enthusiastic about. What’s more, childhood daydreams have become day to day reality because, as long as it doesn’t harm anybody, I’ll do what I want to do without any fear of the consequences. I Live by the sword, Die by the sword because I regret not doing things instead of regretting doing things. Try it, it’s refreshing, liberating and sometimes a little bit scary all at the same time!

Events offer the perfect solution to this dilemma though because they represent an opportunity to do something different in a safe, controlled, professional and sometimes magical environment. In my opinion, even content-heavy conferences

20 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

should be fun (check out the video of the Crowdfinders London conference we were involved in from earlier this year if you don’t believe me!) let alone product launches, corporate away-days and Christmas Parties (the rubber-chicken dinner had its day long ago, in case you missed it?!)

It’s a double edged sword though because now that events are officially back on the agenda and have been proven to be the best way to promote a brand or product in the digital age, it also means there’s a lot more competition out there.

On any given night, Monday to Thursday, there are at least three different events that the Londonlaunch team are expected to be at. That’s fine but the interesting dynamic is the behind the scenes squabble that goes on in our office daily, to determine who gets to go to what. This is a great barometer as to what’s cool and what’s decidedly run of the mill…

So, if you’re staging events (which you absolutely should be) then for God’s sake make sure you do something that stands out, even if it seems like a massive risk at first. Remember what I said about regretting not doing something as opposed to regretting doing something? Well, your event needs character and the more bold, ambitious and unique it is, the more memorable, tweetable, commendable and attendable it will be. I promise.

Now that you’re primed to do something different, I’m going to strike whilst the iron’s hot. Here are our twelve weirdest London venues which are a great way to start (and

4. Wellcome Collection The essential destination for ‘the incurably curious’, this fabulously inspiring venue celebrates and explores the connection

maybe work back from to a point where you’re comfortable) when planning your next, memorable, event…

1. Escape Hunt Experience If you’re looking for something completely different to engage your audience with, then why not lock your guests in a secret room with no obvious way out and let them try to solve a Victorian style murder mystery in order to escape?! It’s the ultimate ‘gameification’ and it’s an intensely fun-filled unique 90 minute experience that no-one will ever forget….

2. The Old Operating theatre This has to be London’s creepiest events venue, bar none. Accessed by a small and rickety spiral staircase in a tower opposite St.Thomas’s Hospital (at least that’s how I remember it), the Old Operating theatre is as authentic as it gets. At the centre of the old medical centre’s theatre is the original operating table (or slab) complete with saw marks from the days when amputations were a little more B&Q than NHS…A fascinating, intriguing and historic event space with all sorts of gruesome medical artefacts to chill the spine. Amazing for Halloween (or pharmaceutically inspired events!)

3. Horniman Museum In a way, their world class Natural History Gallery is similar to the aforementioned Old Operating Theatre’s bell jar adorned ante-room but there’s just so much more to this wonderfully eclectic and fascinatingly diverse museum. From their aquarium to their music gallery and even their sixteen acre gardens, the Horniman is a versatile (and gloriously weird) events location.

between medicine, life and art with some suitably weird stuff to get stuck into. Sort of similar to the more ‘themed’ Ripley’s Believe it or Not in Piccadilly Circus. The real deal for all things surreal…

5. Mail Rail and the Abandoned Tube Stations I’ve written about one of the 46 abandoned tube stations in the past because it was proposed that the long disused Brompton Road station was to be developed as a restaurant, bar and event space. Funnily enough, I bumped into the developer in Pret the other day and he informed me he’s back on the case with another ghost station, so watch this space.

You may, however, have heard of ‘mail rail’ – the secret underground mini-tunnel network under London which was originally designed to shuttle mail around the capital (it’s redundant now because the Post Offices they were delivering to above ground have all but gone!) Well, word has it that a major events company may just be about to offer this long forgotten network to corporate explorers…

6. 221b Baker St The most famous address in detective folklore is actually a few doors down the street but, after a long legal dispute with a bank, they’ve managed to commandeer a second 221b, making Baker Street the only street in the world with two identical door numbers. A nightmare for the postman but essential to Sherlock Holmes fans! This museum dedicated to all things Sherlock is so well put together that you really do get the feeling you’re in the home of Holmes in the late Eighteen hundreds. A great location for events with an eccentric British twist… prestigeeventsmagazine.com 21

7. The Magic Circle Headquarters The last time I visited this quirky little Euston theatre, I ended up on stage with the ‘Man of Steal’ (aka James Freedman) and was literally robbed of my pen, my wallet, my watch, my belt and even my tie – without me even realising! The venue itself is perfect for any presentation based events for up to 160 guests and there are a number of fascinating alternative event spaces including the Devant Room and the Museum of Magic filled with amazing magical artefacts – such as the bullet that killed a famous Chinese magician during a trick who, it turns out, wasn’t even Chinese at all…hmmm….

8. Circus Space I remember visiting this place back in the very early days of Londonlaunch and it captured my imagination for the two same reasons that it still does today. Firstly, it was one of London’s cool original event-ready urban spaces and secondly it’s an actual school for people who dream of running away with the circus. There’s something instantly inspiringly controversial about somewhere that encourages every parents’ worst nightmare (you can even get a BA(hons) in it, innit)! What’s more, the integral apparatus and equipment means that this unique London venue is perfect for team building and corporate away-days with an acrobatic twist (pun intended)…

You can even learn Trapeze and tightrope walking. Looking for an awesome events venue? Ta-dah!

9. Clapham North Air-raid Shelter There were ten massive dedicated air raid shelters built during the Second World War and eight of them are now underground data centres. The shelter at Clapham North is an eerie reminder of the dangerous days of the early 1940’s (until Alan Turing saved the world by cracking the 22 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Enigma Code) and remains exactly as it was back then – even the air raid warden sign remains in situ deep under the streets of South West London. Perfect for unusual events and zombie apocalypse warfare themed Halloween parties etc 10. Cirque Le Soir For a crazy, immersive experience in a controlled environment, Cirque Le Soir will enable you to push boundaries in a way that you perhaps wouldn’t have dared to push a few years ago. As ‘crazy’ becomes increasingly mainstream due to a pandemic de-sensitisation to general corporate sensitivity, this place offers an environment I can only describe as ‘magical-macabre’ with their quirky floor-shows, their interactive funfair and a hoard of weird and wonderful performers – dwarves, magicians and even dwarves who are magicians…

Welcome to the jungle!

11. The Box The craziest place in Soho without a doubt.

The American owner once told me he wanted the crowd to be so outrageous that the police would storm in and not know where to start looking! In reality, it’s a beautiful Victorian theatre, suspended above a decadently seedy little Soho side-street. Once on the other side of the massive and seductively secretive wooden doors you’re immediately faced with a Gatling gun type of thing which actually somehow resembles a giant mechanical fallus (I guess that’s the point) and you know you’re in for a unique night. The acts get increasingly crazy as the night rolls on but, despite who you’re with, it somehow works. If you’re with a particularly straightlaced corporate client, you might want to call it a night before their midnight shock act but if you’ve gone that far you might as well go all the way, right? That’s my philosophy anyway…

12. Village Underground You will know this place even if you don’t, because of the four old Jubilee line tube train carriages on the roof of this Great Eastern Street icon. Although part of the same innovative project, the tube trains aren’t actually anything to do with the event space below but they are probably the coolest ‘hot desks’ in London, used by artists, designers, film-makers, DJs and musicians as quirky (and mildly impractical, if you’re not a Hobbit) temporary office space. The main warehouse space below is an awesome urban hub of cultural and now, creative corporate event activity.

Three more weird things to look out for the next time you’re walking round town: Nelson’s ‘spare nose’ If you walk through the right hand arch of Admiralty Arch looking towards Buckingham Palace, high up on the left hand wall you’ll see a protruding piece of stone which was put there when it was originally built. It’s a spare nose for Nelson on top of his column incase it’s ever knocked off…

13. The ‘old’ Old Compton St If you walk to the large traffic island in the middle of Charing Cross Road at Cambridge Circus and look down through the sewer grill, you’ll see the original Old Compton Street with its original road sign several feet below from the days when this famous street was on an entirely different level…! It’s a genuine lost street of London and harks back to the pre-Charing Cross Road era of Crown Street, which no longer exists…

14. British Museum Tube Station If you cup your hands over your eyes and peer out into the blackness between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn, you’ll just be able to make out the lost British Museum Station in a surprisingly well preserved state.

Rumour has it that there are still original 1930’s posters on the Art Deco ceramic tiled tunnel walls….

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 23

IS THIS THE FUTURE OF CORPORATE EVENTS? In the spirit of this year’s Confex theme of immersive events, we are inviting attendees for the next edition not just to ‘visit’ but to get stuck in and really take part in International Confex 2020 on 25th & 26th February at ExCeL London.

With the topics of Speak, Meet, Debate, Network, Enjoy and Learn there are opportunities for every #eventprof to immerse themselves in the myriad of activities on the showfloor, in the theatres and on the social hubs.

Confex is so much more than buyers meeting sellers. Throughout the years of our tenure of the show it has moved on from the purely transactional and developed into a uniquely innovative, social and creative event, reflecting the very characteristics that define our industry.

Speak & Debate – There are a whole host of panel discussions going on in every corner of the show tackling subjects such as personalisation, CSR, sustainability and wellness to name but a few. Join the debate and if you have an opinion you’d like to share – jump on board the panel!

Meet – A whole host of inspirational new suppliers, venues and destinations right across the showfloor. If you’re in a hurry and want to fill up your little black ideas book quickly, join up for one of the speed networking sessions. As a thank you for

24 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

taking part, you’ll receive a beautiful Khyva gift box filled with luxury goodies.

Network – International Confex has always been known as the hub where the events industry in its glorious entirety gathers. Catch up with old friends and forge relationships with new ones in the main bar, delivered in partnership with GES, on the Association Village Green in partnership with ABPCO and the AAE or on the Mash Media central hub where there will be a plethora of events taking place including the CN 30/30 meet up, the Confex Alumni gathering and the EN/CN Awards finalists drinks parties.

Enjoy - The huge range of exhibitors and speakers have so many experiences for you to enjoy. Have a play in Leisure King’s Mobile Escape Room, marvel at Luster’s event mosaic technology, join JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for a taste of Mexico and a reinvigorating drop of tequila, find your ‘happy place’ with a spot of meditation and yoga in the Association Events Forum or enjoy watching the hopefuls pitching in the EventTech Dragons Den. And, after all that, when you need a break, chill out and recharge in the VIP lounge delivered in partnership with Freeman.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 25

Learn – With over 60 sessions taking place over 2 days, whether it’s ideas for sustainability, CSR or WOW Factor, you’re guaranteed to leave International Confex with a load of inspiration for better events.

To register and start planning your experience visit www.international-confex.com.

If you’d like any more information please contact lagostini@mashmedia.net

Features VISIT CONFEX PASSPORT The Visit Confex Passport is an fun and exciting way to add a little gamification to your Confex experience, simply pick up your Confex passport on entry to the show and follow the map to meet stand partners offering amazing prize draws. Using Rabbit technology you simply need to Scan your passport on stand to be entered. For every passport that scans at all of the prize giving stands Confex will donate charitable impacts via B1G1 charity giving.

BlueHat Team building this opportunity promises to be a fun, engaging and rewarding event designed to thicken up your little black book of event contacts.

All event planners participating will not only make new contacts but also generate charitable impacts across the globe and receive a £100 corporate gift hamper (provided by Khyva Hampers).

Sessions take place at 10.30am and 3pm on each day.

To participate please contact dcusterson@mashmedia.net as spaces are limited.

BONGO’S BINGO New exhibitor for 2020 will be popping up to do some fun, immersive, engaging sessions for visitors to get a taste of this global bingo phenomenon currently taking 35 countries by storm. Taking place at 2pm each day on the speed networking pavilion.

DELEGATE WRANGLERS PAVILION

EventTech Theatre

As event planners become more and more adaptable and multitasking The Delegate Wranglers has become such an integral part of the event planner’s day to day swiss army knife. The Delegate Wranglers will be hosting a pavilion with some of their supplier and venue partners, giving visitors the opportunity to discover how DW can make their life as an event professional easier, while becoming part of a fantastic networking community.

A showcase of the latest technology to service the events industry, discover technology providers ranging from AR & VR, event management software, registration providers, apps, audience engagement and holograms.

SPEED NETWORKING We’re fully aware of how busy but time poor the modern senior event planner can be… our speed networking sessions are an opportunity to meet a wide range of venues in just one hour. In partnership with

26 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Beyond London Pavilion

Exhibition Zone

For those looking for diverse venues within an hour of London these stand partners are a range of exciting, classic and grand venues with teambuilding, conference and accommodation facilities.

The exhibition zone features suppliers and venues specifically for exhibition organisers, from stand builders, to tech and temporary structures.

Northern Venue Pavilion Looking to meet venues of the North without the travel? This is an opportunity to meet some of the North of England’s most diverse and interesting venues for your next event.

Hotel Pavilion Independent and boutique hotels groups are showcasing on this dedicated pavilion.

Exclusively London Pavilion If you book events in London and want to extend your connections, You can’t miss the Exclusively London right by the VIP entrance where you can meet an exciting and diverse range of venues and event spaces that London has to offer.

Taking place each day at 11.30am and 4pm we will be hosting Q&A’s hosted by Edward Poland of HireSpace, inviting our venues and corporate event planners to participate in topics such as •

Academic Venue Pavilion Academic venues have continually evolved to offer the quintessential environment for learning, networking and knowledge transfer. These three components are what place these institutions amongst the most desired spaces for hosting events, discover why an academic venue could be the perfect solution for your event.

•

•

•

Theatres Keynote Theatre The main stage at Confex will play host to a series of live debates, educating and inspiring visitors on what the future of the events industry holds and how to successfully tackle key challenges such as sustainability, crisis management and CSR. The 2020 Keynote programme will also be looking at creating experiences that immerse your attendees.

EventTech Theatre The hugely popular technology stream offers two full days discussing latest trends, emerging technologies as well as the practical application of technologies for events of all types. Augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, facial recognition, AI and

Workplace Culture, How to build a successful business in the events industry How to truly involve your event community. Audience engagement tactics for 2020 Time is of the essence - How forward-thinking corporate event planners are benefiting from the rise of live availability in meetings and events A changing landscape: The rise of communities and information sharing

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 27

EventTech Theatre

Sales Academy

The hugely popular technology stream offers two full days discussing latest trends, emerging technologies as well as the practical application of technologies for events of all types.

Augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, facial recognition, AI and IoT are just some of the topics that will be explored in the eventTech theatre.

In association with the AEO, the sales academy returns with a plethora of takeaways to improve your sales performance, whatever your level and experience, with new and innovative tools to build powerful networks and generate sales leads.

Association Events Forum Supported by ABPCO and The Association of Association Executives this one-day programme offers compelling content specifically designed for Association Event Professionals – Event Planners, Managers, Executives and PCOs.

28 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Marcomms Theatre This one-day programme will capture imaginations with the knowledge needed to maximise event awareness across all types of events. The Marcomms Theatre will cover the full spectrum of event marketing, including the future of event registration, brand experience, PPC, SEO and social media.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 29

COOL VENUE AWARDS 2019 Behind the scenes at 26 Leake Street for the industry’s most engaging evening across social media Since 2007, Prestige Events magazine has hosted the annual COOL Venue Awards as a fee-free open-entry competition.

It’s determination to find out who are the COOLest venues aren’t determined by who has the budget to afford submitting nominations. Recognised over the years by luminaries such as Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Sir Richard Branson, the modus operandi is to provide a definitive list for the benefit of organisers of ALL types of events.

Park Communications for their sustainable backdrops and step and repeat photowalls, and Megabooth for..well, their megabooths. And a thank you to Martin James for his event photography, and lastly, Absorb Films for their ability to convey the unique spirit of the occasion in a way that others struggle.

If you didn’t win, commiserations.

Remember to enter in 2020. There is always a next time.

A big thank you has to go out to sponsors, 26 Leake Street and the team at Limone events and Paolo Bastiani, Jack Blattner and the team at Visual-Audio, Melanie Osborne and the the team at EFX for the super-cool trophies, Kate O’Neil at Liquor to Lips for their expertise in providing the perfect drinks brands (Oxus gin, and Haycocks 99), and Adam Player at Pure Vodka. We can’t forget to mention the incredible entertainment provided by Blue Revolutions, and Just Talent. The super-cool furniture provided by Yahire, the amazing hair and make-up salon provided by Vanity Van (recently rebranded as The Experience Collective), the conscientious security provided by Off To Work, The additional staging supplied by VNV, and

Let’s get onto the winners……….

30 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

COOLest Unique Venue

COOLest for Teambuilding

1. MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD 2. GOODWOOD ESTATE 3. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY

1. PUTTSHACK 2. TOPGOLF 3. ALL STAR LANES

COOLest Sporting Venue

COOLest Country House

1. SILVERSTONE 2. TOTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM 3. LONDON STADIUM

1. BROCKET HALL 2. CLIVEDEN 3. LUTON HOO

COOLest for Awards Ceremonies / AGM’s

COOLest Bar / Club

1. BARBICAN 2. TROXY 3. THE BREWERY

1. THE MAYOR OF SCAREDY CAT TOWN 2. ROOFTOP ST JAMES 3. 20 STORIES

COOLest Museum / Gallery

COOLest Large venue (350+ capacity)

1. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 2. SCIENCE MUSEUM 3. SAATCHI GALLERY

1. 26 LEAKE STREET 2. PRINTWORKS 3. FEST

COOLest for Conferences

COOLest Late-night venue

1. BOUNCE PING PONG 2. FARNBOROUGH ICC 3. RIBA

1. MINISTRY OF SOUND 2. THE WELLINGTON CLUB 3. PALM BEACH CASINO MAYFAIR

COOLest for Gala’s

COOLest Sustainable Venue

1. WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR 2. THE MONASTERY, MANCHESTER 3. EAST WINTERGARDEN

1. SUNBEAM STUDIOS 2. BRITISH AIRWAYS i360, BRIGHTON 3. CHURCH HOUSE WESTMINSTER

3. NOBU SHOREDITCH

COOLest for Small Meetings

COOLest venue in London

COOLest Venue Portfolio

1. THE COLLECTIVE VENUES 2. THE BEDOUIN TENT AT 78 BISHOPSGATE 3. AVIATOR BY TAG

1. VIEW FROM THE SHARD 2. GIANT ROBOT 3. HOUSE OF LORDS

COOLest for Receptions / Product Launches

COOLest Venue in midlands

COOLest Hotel 1. LONDON EDITION 2. SHANGRI-LA LONDON

1. SOUTH BANK VENUES 2. LIME VENUE

PORTFOLIO

3. CAMM & HOOPER

COOLest Historic Venue 1. GOODWOOD ESTATE 2. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL HALLS 3. WESTMINSTER ABBEY

1. MUSEUM OF DOCKLANDS 2. SEARCYS AT THE GHERKIN

1. RED BULL RACING 2. WARWICK CASTLE 3. ST GEORGES PARK

3. THE CRYSTAL, LONDON

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 31

COOLest Venue in The North / Scotland 1. INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM 2. 20 STORIES 3. CROMLIX HOUSE

COOLest Venue in the SouthWest and Wales 1. CELTIC MANOR 2. ZIPWORLD 3. ROMAN BATHS. BATH

COOLest European Resort 1. EXCELSIOR MALTA 2. BIO-HOTEL STANGLWIRT, GOING AM WILDEN KAISER, AUSTRIA 3. RITZ CARLTON – CANNES

COOLest European Restaurant 1. GERMAN GYMNASIUM 2. SKETCH 3. GALVIN LA CHAPELLE

COOLest British Restaurant 1. HELIX AT THE GHERKIN 2. 20 STORIES, MANCHESTER 3. BERNERS TAVERN

COOLest Asian Restaurant 1. LUCKY CAT BY GORDON RAMSAY 2. SEAS SPICE, IPSWICH 3. TING AT SHANGRI-LA AT THE SHARD

COOLest Middle Eastern Restaurant 1. THE PALOMAR, SOHO 2. BERBER & Q SHAWRAMA 3. LE BAB, SOHO

COOLest Afro Caribbean Restaurant 1. USAIN BOLT’S TRACKS AND RECORDS 2. SHAKA ZULU 3. THE RUM KITCHEN, SOHO

COOLest Pan-American Restaurant 1. RED ROOSTER AT THE CURTAIN 2. CHOTO MATTE, SOHO 3. JOANNA’S RESTAURANT, CRYSTAL PALACE

32 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 33

ABSOLUTELY WANGIN'

ABSOLUTELY WANGIN'

WANGZ LTD

WANGZ LTD

ABSOLUTELY WANGIN'

ABSOLUTELY WANGIN'

WANGZ LTD

WANGZ LTD

Sponsors 34 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 35

36 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 37

COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE– UK Laura Jane Clark

Our managing editor and publisher is well known for his love of architecture.

He will argue all day for brutalist architecture. Here he lists a random choice of his favourite event buildings for their architecture. But rather than hear his opinions, he has chosen to seek the opinion of his good friend, tv personality and co-presenter of Amazing Spaces, Shed of the Year, and Ugly House, Laura Jane Clark.

1. SECC, SCOTLAND Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: One of the first Foster Partners venues in Glasgow, the SEC was bold and industrial on the banks of Glasgow’s River Clyde.

Known locally as the Armadillo, it was the catalyst for investment in the area, and still looks as striking today as it did when opened in the late 1990s.

5. OSBORNE HOUSE, ISLE OF WIGHT Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: One of the most elegant and beautiful palatial houses in this country, Osbourne House is the epitome of Georgian style and wonder. Incorporating the beach, on a sunny day you can imagine you are taking in Italian sun in Naples.

2. VIEW FROM THE SHARD Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: I love the Shard – although I am not generally a fan of monolithic skyscrapers, I think this is different. The elegance of the structure and the way this incredible building brakes to open sections touching the sky with the most breath taking viewing platforms.

3. THREE MILLS ISLAND, BOW Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: An incredible hidden part of London’s industrial history, Three Mills is a fantastic example of bringing restoration into the 21st Century. The site and its park have not only be redeveloped into tv and film studios – but also a unique events venue. Not just a stuffy renovation – but an asset to the local community and the South East.

4. HAMPTON COURT PALACE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: Steeped in history, Hampton Court Palace is one of the most evocative places I have ever visited. The approach is so well known, you feel like you have been before – yet there are so many wonderful hidden passages and areas, you can get lost so easily and feel like you are the only person there!

38 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 39

6. BA LONDON EYE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: I remember the London Eye being built, and thinking it was a little bit ridiculous looking. After my first “flight” I was hooked! Its so unique and now and indelible part of the London landscape.

7. THE LOWRY, MANCHESTER Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: A long time in the planning and building, the Lowry is a gorgeous jewel of a building in Salford that bring the redevelopment of the area together. Like a mini Guggenheim in Bilbao, its outlook over the water makes it the perfect destination.

8. V&A DUNDEE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: Kengo Kumas Dundee V&A is something else – its one of the most incredible buildings I have visited and feel very privileged to have such a building in Scotland.

Responding to the landscape and River Tay this austere yet sculptural piece of architecture is a dream of ply wood and concrete. My happy place….!

40 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

9. THE KELPIES, FALKIRK Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: These massive steel sculptures defy scale – and are an incredible backdrop to the central belt of Scotland.

10/ HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, WESTMINSTER Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: The Houses of Parliament are part of our cultural identity – for better or for worse.

In terms of architecture, the houses climb stories above the River Thames effortlessly.

You can feel the history, the corridors, the monumental decisions and the abuses of power. It is quite mesmeric!

11/ THE SAVOY, LONDON Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: What is there not to love…I think it is the most glamourous of entrances – under the canopy of lights. It’s elegance is beyond compare….and the bathrooms are something else.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 41

COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE – REST OF THE WORLD 1/ SAGRADA FAMILIA, BARCELONA Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion : Once of the most special buildings to me – I have spent many hours wandering around and feeling the unique curved organic forms. And like most things I have ever undertaken, I love it all the more as it is not finished.

2/ CHÂTEAU DE CHENONCEAU — CHENONCEAUX, FRANCE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: Almost magical in its appearance, the Chateau De Chenonceau floats on Le Cher and when the mist descends the castle appears to take on an other world look. I still can’t quite comprehend how this beautiful building is built with such an effortless look. The most elegance backdrop to any venue.

3/ THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: The Pyramids are one of the seven wonders of the world – need I say more!? The most magical incredible venue – you can get lost in the wonder of the surroundings.

There is nowhere quite like the Pyramids.

4/ ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS, GREECE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: The Acropolis was one of the first structures I studied in History of Architecture.

What I love about it is the small things you wouldn’t know from first glance. It is actually curved slightly to make the perspective look greater and therefore seem even more imposing. When it was originally built, it would have been highly decorated and brightly painted. I personally prefer it old and worn – a bit like Steve Coogan….

5/ LE MONT SAINT MICHEL, NORMANDY, FRANCE Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: I never wanted to be a princess when I was a little girl – only a witch. What I love about Le Mont Saint Michel is that it is the kind of castle that is full of wonder and majesty that reminds me of the best witches castle in the world.

42 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 43

6/ GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO, SPAIN Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: Although I am not a huge fan of late Gehry’s work, the Guggenheim is special as it was the centre of the regeneration of the port city of Bilbao. This building represents what a monumental cultural centre can do for a struggling town and its people.

7/ BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: I have never visited Dubai, and have no intention of doing! But this masterpiece of a sky scraper seems to defy gravity.

It is truly incredible.

44 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 45

8/ TWA HOTEL Why we love it…

Laura’s opinion: One of my favourite buildings as an architecture students, the renovation and reopening of the TWA terminal is a stroke of genius. Stepping through the lift is like stepping back in time – with no detail sparred even down to the original booking desk with whiskey and ice cubes. Down the red carpeted tunnel into the glamour of the 1960s. The bars, restaurants, hotel and cafe – and checking staff dressed in 1960s TWA uniforms. Interestingly – TWA were the first airline to introduce comfort and cutting edge fashion to their uniforms.

A sculptural masterpiece. The world is a little better with the TWA re-opened.

46 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 47

COOL VENUES FOR CHRISTMAS AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS With our proud and multicultural society becoming more integrated, religious celebrations have become even more prominent and significant in the events universe.

So for your benefit, we round up a varying selection of great choices, be your occasion BIG or small….

26 LEAKE STREET Winner of last year’s COOL Venue Award for venue’s with 350+ capacity, this behemoth of a venue set in the famous Waterloo station’s graffiti tunnels, possesses jaw dropping brutalist architectural interiors. A pure gem and a dream for anyone who likes a blank canvas.

NOBU SHOREDITCH Instinctive and informal, Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch delivers a captivating and unique escape with the perfect balance of luxury, fun, craft and theatre. Offering 148 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites and unveiling London’s newest Nobu Restaurant, the design blends the raw creative energy of East London with the understated luxury of Nobu. Positioned both physically and emotionally between the energy of East London’s cultural district and the economic centre of the City, your guests can find the balance they seek of a fresh and vibrant lifestyle. It’s ability to

48 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

draw your guests into a world of experiential luxury begins with rituals both seen and unseen. Using Asian-inspired and London-infused sights, sounds, scents and experiences to engage and delight your guests from their moment of arrival.

BROCKET HALL Housed in Brocket Hall’s former hunting lodge, Auberge du Lac enjoys a beautiful lakeside setting overlooking the stunning 543 acre country estate and the Hall itself.

Whether it is al fresco dining in summer at the water’s edge, or an intimate environment in the winter months, Auberge du Lac provides the right mood for every occasion. With a beautiful lounge, picturesque terrace and a host of tastefully decorated private dining rooms, capable of seating from 2 to 16 guests, the restaurant regularly caters for private dinners, ladies lunches, weddings, birthday parties and all other celebrations.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 49

BATEAUX LONDON Not many do Christmas like Bateaux London. As the city sparkles with festive cheer, journey along the River Thames with Bateaux London on their Christmas dinner cruise. Setting sail for either Christmas lunch or dinner, the dark winter skies will melt away with dazzling lights, Christmas dinner and entertainment in London.

With a three, four or five-course set menu, sumptuous Christmas scents will greet you as you prepare to devour a festive meal in London or Windsor. For those looking for a cultural celebration, private party or group celebration, there is no better backdrop than the glistening sights of London from the River Thames.

BOUNCE PING PONG For Christmas and cultural celebrations, their vibrant and luxurious private rooms will be transformed into a UV instagrammable wonderland; filled with delicious sharing bites, feel good party tunes and even bottomless drink packages. The ideal setting in a private space for up to 200 guests, or hire the venue exclusively for up to 550 people.

50 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Your party will have exclusive access to: • 2 bespoke Ping Pong & 1 Wonderball table • A cocktail bar with a dedicated bar tender • Festive food and drinks packages from £45pp • Plug and play iPhone docking station and DJ connection • Karaoke system (now available in both venues) • Selfie pod (Old Street only) • Ball collectors (no need to chase your balls) • Option to upgrade to a Games Guru Booking. For example, London’s best comedians appointed by Santa himself to deliver ridiculously fun Ping Pong party games.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 51

SUMMER PARTIES,

CORPORATE FUN AND HOSPITALITY OPTIONS

52 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

LUCKY CAT BY GORDON RAMSAY, LONDON Winner of the COOLest Asian Restaurant category in last year’s COOL Venue Awards. Lucky Cat, located in Mayfair, is inspired by Tokyo’s 1930s kissas and Shanghai’s drinking dens. These nocturnal music clubs became the playground of the urban youth seeking all things extravagant, new and cutting edge. Asian inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi are crafted in the open kitchen and signature raw carve bar. Each dish is designed to be shared.

THE ENGLISH RESTAURANT, LONDON Your quintessential English pub in the heart of Spitalfields with a traditional dark wood oak interiors and the most incredible dining menu that will make your palate demand you and your group return. And the drinks menu is a proper drinks menu with a range of independent craft beers and ales, and cocktails that will challenge your walking stride after a single glass.

20 STORIES, MANCHESTER Situated on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields, 20 Stories is composed of a glamorous restaurant, lively bar and expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Manchester skyline. Head Chef Brian Hughson has created a menu that showcases the best of the Northwest, with an aim to source ingredients locally. From Lunch, Brunch, A La Carte and Afternoon Tea options, there is something for everyone to enjoy high above Manchester.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 53

The bar, headed up by Bar Manager Stuart McLachlan, serves Signature Cocktails, Craft Beer and experiments with local ingredients to provide the most unique tastes in the city.

With an extensive wine list, created by Head Sommelier Lukas Nikanorovas, wine pairing has never felt so easy.

RED ROOSTER AT THE CURTAIN, LONDON Acclaimed New York chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson brings his renowned Harlem restaurant to Shoreditch. Red Rooster Shoreditch celebrates the roots of American cuisine, channelling Southern soul food alongside the diverse culinary traditions of New York and Marcus’s Northern European upbringing. Staying true to its Harlem roots, the London Red Rooster outpost features many of the same dishes as the original, along with some new ones, created especially for its new London home.

What’s more, they’re open until 2am for late night drinks Thursday to Saturday and there’s a programme of live music every single week!

BERNERS TAVERN, LONDON Listed amongst Tatler’s ’17 breakfast’s to try before you die’, Time Out’s ‘100 best restaurants’, the AA’s ‘notable wines list award’, and the Global Restaurant Awards winner for best design, there are more than enough reasons to ensure your group experience this pure delight without mentioning our editorial team bestowing this location with various COOL Venue Awards. Under the direction of celebrated Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, Berners Tavern is a gastronomic gem in a truly breathtaking setting. Located within the uber-cool London Edition, it offers a contemporary British menu using the very best seasonal produce.

NOBU PORTMAN SQUARE Where Nobu’s legendary hospitality and award-winning cuisine fuses with timeless elegance and contemporary luxury. Located in the heart of central London’s vibrant Marylebone area, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square features 249 guest rooms and suites, Nobu’s world-class restaurant, a 600+ capacity ballroom and meeting spaces – all beautifully conceptualised by Londonbased architecture and interior design firm David Collins Studio with Make Architects.

Opening June 2020.

COOL VENUES FOR LARGE EVENTS

Recent stats demonstrated that roughly only 10% of venue suppliers are capable of hosting events that require a 500+ capacity. Naturally, that leads a bottleneck created by demand.

How do you beat the waiting-list for these events? The first option is to attend a 20/20 Club event and establishing the senior-level contacts that will accelerate you to ‘first option’ status. In the meantime, we give the lowdown opinion on a few choices, including a couple of new openings that should peak your interest……..

56 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

THE LONDONER Edwardian Hotels London have spent the past few year’s entrenched in the development of a new 350 bedroom hotel and cinema complex in Leicester Square, London. Due to open its doors in 2020, The Londoner will have eight storeys above ground and six below ground, complete with bars and restaurants. There will be two Odeon cinemas, event and leisure facilities ROYAL LANCASTER Any venue that can lay claim to be featured as the setting for the boardroom scene in The Italian Job movie rightly sits in the top division of location’s for an event.

The hotel has recently seen it’s 50th anniversary and undergone a multi-million pound overhaul. Located on top of Lancaster Gate tube station and next to the northern side of Hyde Park, the venue is a recommended choice.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 57

THE ELECTRIC, BRIXTON With its phenomenal stage and unparalleled sightlines, Electric Brixton offers a truly perfect setting for large scale events, live music, television recordings, private parties & special art events. The MAIN ROOM has retained the theatrical structure, with the ground floor and stage overlooked by a mezzanine gallery, which helps lend this large space an intimate atmosphere. Original features have been retained wherever possible, and the striking shades of blue & gold add to the grandiose classical look whilst modern touches throughout (gilded banquettes, disco ball chandelier, sleek furniture & contemporary bars) bring the lavish décor up to date. The room is framed by two large bars and features a separate VIP area with occasional seating. Electric Brixton boasts a capacity of 1,500 for live shows and 1,700 for receptions or club events - and can also accommodate dinners (180 pax), presentations (250 / 300 pax) & showcases (100 - 1,000).

CENTRAL HALL WESTMINSTER This legendary venue on London’s Parliament Square really needs no introduction. It hosted the BBC1 New Years Eve party fronted by the legend Craig David. Oh, and our publisher said it’s cool because it’s creator shares the same unique name as himself.

COOL VENUES FOR CONFERENCING Boring, boring conferences. With Brexit and general election campaigns on top of an already congested conference calendar and no time to even breathe, we’ve put together a small list of venues that will make your conference seem like that moment Dorothy opened her house door and saw Oz for the first time…….

BARBICAN This venue’s event facilities are most commonly known for it’s huge theatre.

For something different, take a look at it’s Conservatory. The Conservatory was designed by the Barbican’s architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, and surrounds the Barbican Theatre’s fly tower, from which scenery for productions taking place on the stage six stories below is lowered into place. The roof is constructed of steel and glass and covers 23,000 square feet, providing cover for over 1600 cubic metres of soil, all of which was hand mixed to a specific requirement. Two of the three pools accommodate koi, ghost, and grass carp from Japan and America, as well as other cold water fish such as roach, rudd, and tench, whilst the other smaller pool (located outside the Arid House) provides a safe haven for terrapins. We could go on and on about this place. If it’s one of our favourites, maybe you should consider it too.

60 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

BOUNCE Winner of the COOLest Venue for Conferences at last year’s COOL Venue Awards, it is the outrageous fun of Ping Pong, combined with state of the art facilities and a reputation for hosting the most talked about events, that sets Bounce apart as possibly the ultimate social, award winning conference destination.

RED BULL RACING’s MK7 Versatile and dynamic, MK7 is an inspiring space that is perfect for private functions.

Unique meeting rooms and an exclusive Mezzanine overlook our racing memories making it the ideal host for presentations, launches, lunches, gala dinners and cocktail evenings.

MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD The conferencing facilities at Mercedes-Benz World offer everything you need to stage an event that's distinctly different. Whatever the scale or nature of your occasion, the conferencing services are designed to provide the perfect mix of technology and atmosphere.

With Mercedes-Benz values of quality, innovation and sophistication the conferencing facilities team with a first-class catering service will ensure your guests enjoy a truly premium experience. All venues are highly adaptable, allowing complete freedom to shape and brand your own event.

PUTTSHACK BANK We have hosted two of our 20/20 Club events at Puttshack’s Westfield and Bank sites. If your conference requires something totally off the wall and something that offers guaranteed ‘break-the-ice’ facilities, it’s super-tech mini golf offers something like you’ve experienced before. No words are needed for this venue.

You simply have to see it. It’s Bank location also has it’s own entrance in Bank tube station meaning there’s no need for your delegates to get their hair wet!

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 61

BEHIND THE ROPES

ADAM QUIGLEY WHAT DEFINES MINISTRY OF SOUND EVENTS AS ORIGINAL? Since opening our doors back in 1991 through to now we have built a wealth of global heritage. We were lucky to have this heritage behind us when developing Ministry Venues and over many years we have developed our own corporate events expertise. We have become an autonomous corporate brand - in the way that we act, through to our client portfolio. We still have our original founder James Palumbo who is the driver behind us being a very forward-thinking and cutting edge company.

Our venues incorporate every possible client need: from film screenings, a gym and recreation area, breakout areas, outside space, dog friendly rooms, acoustic sound studios, varied sized meeting rooms, conference areas, party spaces, as well as many catering and bar areas. Even the venue toilets are state of the art: fitted with styling products, curling tongs, hair straighteners and more. Each venue is kitted out in stylish, modern furniture and dĂŠcor, ensuring every event looks slick and professional.

62 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 63

HOW DOES MINISTRY VENUES DEFINE ITSELF AS AN ASPIRATIONAL SET OF VENUES; We want to deliver the best service possible, so we aspire to be the best venue for each client. If there’s a style in 79 Borough Road it is premium raw. It wasn’t something intentional from the start, but as the building developed it just happened.

The aesthetics came in after we worked out how our clients were going to interact with the space.

WHAT DEFINES MINISTRY VENUES AS BEING A STYLE LEADER; Across our four venues there are different and distinct styles. As well as being stylish, our spaces have a ‘rawness’, which can be transformed to suit the clients’ aspirations. Recently we transformed the venues into Gotham City, a Mayan jungle, as well as an interactive hi-tech conference of the future, to name but a few!

Ultimately the venues’ style is whatever the clients’ want their events to look like and we pride ourselves on being able to deliver their vision.

WHAT DEFINES MINISTRY VENUES IN TERMS OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS; Ministry Venues is one of the most caring companies I have worked for with great support from colleagues at busy times – both emotionally and professionally which is a mentality that applies when dealing with clients. For example when recruiting for new team members it’s about personality as well as ability, enabling us to bond and empathise with our clients.

As a team we bring a raw creativity, logistics capability, expert production know-how and the freedom that most

64 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

companies won’t give you to make events entirely bespoke. It’s very important that it’s not about us and very much about the client and what they want.

The Ministry Venues team is quick to gain the trust of clients and can be relied upon to deliver a complete package for events: from having the vision to transform one of our four venues with theming and technology through to delivering a unique vision for each client. I definitely think this is why our client retention is so high and we have managed to build such solid ongoing client relationships.

HOW DO YOU SHOW INNOVATION; As a company we are very innovative and not scared to try things. Over the past few years I’ve been happy to facilitate quite a few changes at the company. The brand has autonomy within the wider group so that there is a clear identity for Ministry Venues within the corporate event market.

But ultimately we let the venues speak for themselves without any preconceptions.

We use new technology to assist us, such as cutting edge sound and lighting to ensure we offer state of the art facilities to our clients. But we don’t rely on this – when it’s not suitable or not necessary it’s removed!

ADAM, TELL ME ALL ABOUT THE NEW MINISTRY VENUES; The Ministry Venues team has grown from two to nine members and is likely to continue to grow in 2020 as last year was our busiest year to date. A 43% growth in occupancy and revenue, with excellent client retention is a key part of this success.

Over the last three years we’ve grown from one venue to a venue portfolio of four.

-103 Gaunt Street, the original 1991 venue, which is the largest of the event spaces.

With standing capacity up to 1600 people, 300 theatre style, or 170 for dinner, it is a combination of six different spaces, which can be adapted to suit any client’s needs.

-The next venue, which opened almost three years ago, was 80 Newington Court, which is our fitness work out studio and bar. The functional gym space for up to 28 people splits into seven different workstations, with the adjoining bar hosting up to 50 people, changing rooms, outdoor space and natural daylight.

-With the sale of Ministry of Sound Recordings to Sony, we opened up our offices to external companies looking for meeting rooms within the area. The Meetings at 103 Gaunt Street have four large fully serviced meeting rooms

equipped with the latest technology, complete with a café and all with natural daylight.

The latest venue is 79 Borough Road which opened in July 2018. With the venue now fully refurbished, we have recently opened the whole of the ground floor to hire at weekends for corporate events. Within the building we can host a variety of very different events all under one roof. The 200 capacity ‘White Space’ is a blank canvas event space, with full A.V. capability to host everything from seated conferences to gallery exhibitions. The meeting room suite has five spaces of varying sizes, all with the latest technology. The Cinema has 4k projection with Dolby Atmos surround sound and a stage for presentations. And lastly within 79 Borough Road are two studios, which are mostly used for podcasts or editing.

WHY DO YOU WORK AT MINISTRY VENUES; We have the freedom that most companies won’t give you to make the clients’ events’ as bespoke as possible. There is fantastic support and camaraderie amongst colleagues as well as a fantastic team dynamic, helping us work together creatively and productively on client briefs.

Having the freedom to transform the venue to deliver the clients’ events in this way, with theming, technology, food and beverage throughout the venue is fulfilling and leads to thriving client relationships.

I enjoy being part of a team that time and again delivers a unique vision and experience for every client and I love the fact that I’ve had the chance to build such solid, strong and ongoing relationships with many clients over the years.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 65

BEHIND THE ROPES

Sabine moved to London in 2001 after she fell in love with the city as a teenager. She entered the London hospitality industry working for Marriott International, then moving to open St James Hotel & Club and then onto the iconic boutique hotel, The Hempel. In 2015, Sabine joined the five star luxury-lifestyle property, The London EDITION, as the Director of Sales & Marketing.

SABINE KERN

So, how did you get into the position you’re in today?

What attracted you to working with EDITION Hotels?

It has been a combination of hard work, passion for our industry, networking, inspirational leaders and great mentors who encouraged me to follow my dreams.

To be at the birthplace of a new brand and being part of team who is passionate about hospitality, authenticity, design, luxury, innovation and creating something that is a new, unique experience for our You’re approaching your 20th guests. It’s the closest you can get to being year in the event andabout hospitality Some are passionate events, and then there are the unique 1% at the an entrepreneur with the backing of the industry. has been a career top. We What meet London Edition’s Sabine Kern, a past HOT 50 Award winner, hotel company in the world, it’s highlight forus you far?into what it’s likelargest who gives an so insight masterminding one of London’s pretty special.

I have been fortunate to have been

COOLest hotel’s events division

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

66 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

BEHIND THE ROPES – SABINE KERN AT THE CURTAIN

client. Our teams have been hired for their great personalities, which enables them to connect with our guests on a different level and deliver a more personalised service.

I strongly believe that this is why we have such a diverse client base.

How do you maintain market competitiveness?

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

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

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

Have you got any mentors in the biz?

Or mentored anyone?

I see myself as a mentor to all my team, but we have also an official mentoring scheme within EDITION where my General Manager, Jurgen Ammerstorfer acts as my

mentor and I am working with a number of talented Heads of Departments on their personal development and/or business related projects.

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

What makes you proud to be in the events industry?

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

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

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

EDITION is not trying to be ‘one for all’.

Our spaces are unique and suit a specific client who is looking for a more relaxed environment where the experience is not formulated but very much driven by the

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 67

68 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 69

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS In the past 10 years the need to be sustainable in a potentially dying world is increasing.

More and more businesses are pushing towards recycling and sustainability to save money and go green. We caught up with a few sustainable suppliers and in no particular order we’ve published a few that we feel should not only be on your sustainable speed dial, but are the leaders in paving the way to a greener future. Ironic? Yes. But is it working? Yes.

Park Communications Sustainability Report (in their own words) “We were sustainable before it was cool.”

Park is the UK’s preeminent sustainable printer, winning ‘Environmental Printer of the Year’ four times in the last eight years, and highly commended in the other four.

We’ve achieved this by treating sustainability as a leading priority, not just a marketing buzzword, through all our 16 years of business. In short, we were sustainable before it was cool.

We often exceed legal requirements.

Instead of certifying as ‘carbon neutral’ (which simply involves buying carbon credits from abroad), we’ve slashed our own carbon footprint.

We execute services in-house which others outsource. This slashes road miles, and enables rigorous process control.

Our R&D efforts to carve out new improvements are unceasing. We scour the market for alternative materials (such as paper made from coffee cups), and partner with innovative recycling firms for troublesome materials and composites.

Display productions still produce large volumes of plastic waste, and many businesses write this off as unavoidable.

But through our wide-ranging network, we’ve uncovered a burgeoning industry in sustainable display options – not to mention for your production once derigged.

So with Park, clients can now bring large format productions, too, in-line with CSR goals.]

EFX Sustainability Report The creators of every award that means something or features in the showbiz columns, from GQ to the COOL Venue Awards, EFX have established a position for unrivalled trophy design. Most would rest on that laurel or just focus on the bottom line…profit.

But EFX are a company with a social conscience.

EFX designs and manufactures high quality trophies and awards made from recycled materials and sustainable wood.

Whilst also recognising how important it is for some organisations to reinforce their environmental and ethical credentials at high profile events such as awards ceremonies and internal recognition schemes.

EFX therefore produce recycled awards and sustainable trophies, manufactured in a variety of materials such as recycled plastic bottles and remnant metals from their own workshops. The wooden trophies are certified as made from sustainable timber, in a choice of sapele, beech, ash, iroko and oak. The wooden trophies are precision-pierced and shaped using water jet technology and awards such as the Pure Award demonstrate the appealing blend of craftsmanship and technology which typifies so many of their bespoke commissions. All recycled awards and sustainable trophies can be further customised with engraved, printed or etched decoration.

72 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Sunbeam Studios Sustainability Report (…in their own words) Since opening our doors in 2005, sustainability has been at the heart of Sunbeam’s business. We have just released our first Sustainability Report to quantify our efforts and throw down the gauntlet for competitors to challenge our claim of being the most environmentally sustainable photo, film and event space in the world.

With more transparency from venues on their green credentials, we believe this in turn will make it easier for organisers of aspirational events to find the right venue for them.

We know we are not perfect and by publishing our report, we hope our network of event organisers will also offer up improvements to how we can better our claims.

•

•

•

• • •

Some of the steps we undertake include; •

No longer offering individual water bottles. Our water cooler bottles are reused again and again.

Lowering consumption of meat, the production of which can take a toll on the environment and heighten greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018 we served 1004 Meat Free Monday meals, meaning approximately 70% of our Monday clients were content with meat free meals!

Our used cooking oil is collected and converted into renewable energy.

Not selling anything in plastic that we could get in other packaging.

In 2018 we recycled 15.6 tonnes of waste rather than sending to landfill.

We re-use our coffee grounds in the summer to add nitrogen to the soil around our plants.

We use 100% green gas for heating our building.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 73

AUDIENCES. HOW DO I CREATIVELY APPEAL AND ENGAGE WITH THEM? How to appeal and engage your audience creatively

Today’s audience’s are more sophisticated and have an expectation that an event will satisfy a multitude of senses. However, an experiential event is not created accidentally. For a truly sensorial journey you need to create a careful balance between catering to an audience while encompassing your Clients’ brand values.

This is dependent on a number of key elements and Genie Agency, the engagement marketing specialist, has created a plethora of events over the past two decades and has distilled the process using the following elements to ensure each campaign goes beyond the experience.

Understand the universe you are creating Event managers in venues know better than most that many clients demand a unique space and yet there are only a finite number of event spaces available. Therefore the first challenge is to view the space creatively. ‘Theatre’ or ‘conference’ style terms are ubiquitously used when considering space, but consider if your audience should be standing, whether they should be moving, dancing and how they should participate in the proceedings. How do you want them to interact within the space you are creating?

74 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Keep it simple!

Having a simple brand message relevant to the audience will help to make the event memorable, newsworthy and ultimately worth sharing with others.

Make the event immersive and playful The traditional approach of sitting delegates in a room and having a key speaker talking at them for the afternoon is thankfully dead. The event itself should be engaging and fun for the guests – creating surprises and the unexpected, which are slowly revealed throughout the experience. This will allow the audience to emotionally connect. Ultimately, the experience should be executed in a way that it sells itself.

Make it worth sharing The idea behind experiential marketing is to give the consumer enough content to allow them to slip into the role of a brand advocate, that is so they say, they can picture themselves as part of the brand.

So before marketing managers sink their budgets into an experiential event, they should consider the content and whether they have enough for people to share across all media platforms.

Be bold and be remembered When it comes to the event itself the most important advice for any event manager is to be bold – embrace the concept of the campaign and delight, shock and surprise your audience – take them to new heights to ensure your event is always remembered.

A big thank you to Madeleine & Sarah from Genie Agency for writing this short piece.

Check out more from Genie here: http:// www.genieagency.co.uk/

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 75

THE ANNUAL 20/20 CLUB GOLF DAY Brocket Hall plays host to elite event professionals

As per each summer, last July saw Brocket Hall’s esteemed Melbourne Club host the annual 20/20 Club golf day, in aid of our appointed charity partner, Buses4homeless.

We raised £2.2k from the auction for a weekend with two vehicles, provided by our main sponsor, Bentley.

5-star catering was provided by Saffron Caterers at the halfway house on the course with an assortment of luxury food options and champagne.

The event featured 10 fourball teams from Nobu, Thorns, Genting Casino’s, Bounce Ping Pong, Boulevard Events, Farnborough International Conference and Exhibition Centre, Park Communications, Cool Wipes, and Brocket Hall each hosting event buyers.

76 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

THE

20

20 CLUB

20/20 CALENDAR

Established in 2011 by Prestige Events magazine, The 20/20 Club – the original, often emulated, never surpassed - is that most unique of event networking group’s, where we bring together likeminded and aspiring event buyers and suppliers.

Free membership to event buyers, our 20/20 Club event calendar gives members rarefied air of unique themed events in A-list locations, as well as complimentary access to our legendary spin-off occasions such as the top-trending COOL Venue Awards, and the new 20/20 NIGHTS after-work parties enabling you to build that network of contacts you need to succeed. www.2020club.co.uk

12th March 2020

Suppliers meet agents-only

23rd April 2020

Summer and Christmas Parties

14th May 2020

UK and European venues

28th May 2020

20/20 NIGHTS

11th June 2020

Large Venues For Events

2nd July 2020

Christmas Parties and cultural celebrations

10th September 2020

COOL Venues

24th September 2020

COOL VENUE & EVENT AWARDS

15th October 2020

London Venues

12th November 2020

Unique Venues

26th November 2020

20/20 NIGHTS

78 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 79

WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY

SOME MEN SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE AND SAY ‘WHY?' I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE AND SAY ‘WHY NOT?’ (source: T. Kennedy eulogy)

80 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 81

WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY Our publisher goes behind the scenes with the Posh Cockney CEO, Liam Norval and find out how they are getting on since their launch last March.

“When you’ve been in this event industry for almost 20 years as a publisher, for all the successful launches of agencies and venues we’ve witnessed, there are sadly at least twice as many failures. Why? It usually comes down to a lack of experience, foundation and networks.

Thus, when I was made aware that the effervescent and legendary Liam Norval was leaving the venue-side of the industry to jump onto the other side and launch his own event agency, Posh Cockney, I was never in the corner with the doubter’s.

Having seen over the past 12 months the development of his iconically titled agency, and after further analysis, I can deduce

that they are the epitome of Antidisestblishmentarianism.

The normal rigid approach shown by leading agencies is being ripped up by bespoke agencies. There is a new emerging shift in thought-pattern towards client’s needs.

This is a new decade that embodies the entire spectrum.

But to make things more plain and simple to the layman, in a crowded marketplace, I find Posh Cockney and Liam Norval to be one of the dopest, flyist, hardcore, muthaf******** bespoke agencies living today.”

Wesley Mendy, publisher of Prestige

Wesley: So Liam, how have Posh Cockney made such an impact in the opening year?

Liam: Although the company is less than a year old, Wes, the team has more than 40yrs experience in the event industry. The man behind the business is myself. It was a big step to take after over a decade of running some of London’s most popular venues, but the time was as right as it ever would to decide to take a bold step and venture out to start my own business, Posh Cockney.

We’ve already set up a plush new office in London’s young and vibrant Covent Garden and more than trebled our number of employees, which is a huge testament to our success.

Wes: How would you best describe Posh Cockney?

Liam: We are a young dynamic and

“I’ve known Liam for over a decade and his professional approach to business has always been first class.

I know Posh Cockney will be a huge success and I wish Liam and his team all the best for the future.”

Jack Whitehall - Comedian & Actor

exciting new company. The team I have assembled are experienced, passionate, loyal and innovative. We like to concentrate on current and future trends, sustainability and technology within the industry to ensure we are best placed to advise our clients. We understand that with so much competition, our customers expect more and we need to show why we are the best in class by keeping ahead of the game.

Our philosophies and brand DNA are embedded in everyone within the company to ensure consistent growth and execution. Our main prerogative is retention and building a family of clients that stick with us and love what we do so much that they become part of the Posh Cockney family. We do this by making each event more meaningful on a personal level. It’s not just about creating the perfect immersive event!

Wes: You speak so highly of your team.

What makes them so great?

Liam: Our company is small in comparison to many Wes, but not lacking in experience. We don’t restrict our team from bringing new ideas to the table and this freedom of ideas has already resulted in many successful events and satisfied clients.

The team thrive on this freedom which is a key tool for growing our business. Skills in event organising combined with enthusiasm for the client and job in hand is an incredible asset for us and we have chosen our Posh Cockney team to reflect this.

Wes: Unlike other agencies in the events world you offer other unique & important services – tell us about them.

Liam: We also offer a fantastic Venue & Brand consultancy service where we specialise in Marketing and PR management.

82 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 83

Last year we had the pleasure of working on the opening of ‘Wahlburgers’ restaurant, owned by the Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg. We are currently working on the opening of the new ‘Happy’ restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, which is the successful European chain’s first in the UK. On the brand management side, we are already successfully looking after several lifestyle brands such as ‘Pure Vodka’. We are trusted and proven in this sector and hope to have several more significant accounts signed off very soon - watch this space!

Our Luxury Concierge service is a very exciting extension to our services. We are able to offer exclusive deals, holiday packages, travel options and luxury lifestyle purchases that are completely bespoke to Posh Cockney members.

Our recruitment and headhunting service for the hospitality industry is second to none. We pride ourselves in our ability to find the right candidate for the right venue or business with our best in class service.

Our intricate operation for putting the right candidate for the right client at the right time is why we see ourselves as one of the leading recruitment companies in Hospitality in the next 5 years.’

Fast forward to 2030 and where does Liam see Posh Cockney then?

‘I see Posh Cockney as being one of the Top 10 Hospitality companies in the UK. We are strong in London and are now working more and more in other parts of the UK as well as globally with our events and concierge side of the business.

84 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Wes: Lastly, do you have anything else to add?

Liam: Yes, We have a New year offer to all event organisers : At Posh Cockney we know how fervently hard you work to put on that all important perfect event for your company. We fully understand what’s involved and how stressful it can be to find the right venue, or entertainment, or to come up with new ideas, especially if you have a very demanding boss. You need to be sharp and innovative, but with so many choices to make, it can be a daunting task to know about all the different options out there. So why not let us help save you time and immediately take care of all these challenges for you. As an added incentive, if you book your event with Posh Cockney this year, we’ll send you and a plus 1 to the luxury health spa Champneys to unwind, be pampered and relax after the event. Please quote SPABREAK2020 when booking!

T&Cs apply, and the event would need to be a minimum spend of at least 10K. Thank you for your time Liam, we wish you all the best for 2020! It sounds like it is going to be an epic year for you.

If you would like to speak to Liam or any of the Posh Cockney team about their services, you can by visiting www. poshcockney.co.uk or emailing liam. norval@poshcockney.co.uk

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 85

EVENT DIVERSITY

FIRST STEPS Recently, Event First Steps hosted a panel on inclusivity in the events industry in central London.

The panel was designed specifically to enable open and honest discussion between the panelists and the audience - as the founders of Event First Steps feel strongly that these genuine conversations about diversity are rarely had (at least publicly) in our sector.

The panelists Daven Abrahams, Account Manager at Troxy; Karina Lang, Events and Operations Manager at Rhodes House; Gabrielle Austen-Browne, Head of Events at Hix Restuarants, and Vanessa Fisher, professional actress and diversity and equality activist joined host Mark Williams, Associate Editor at C&IT. One of the founders Elena Clowes commented: ‘it is important for us to have had a range of viewpoints, backgrounds, and challenges represented on the panel to ensure that the conversation wasn’t one dimensional - which will ultimately not help us to move forwards in any way at all’.

The panel widely acknowledged that although the industry has come some way towards being more diverse and inclusive, there is still so much of a way to go - and three key areas for improvement seemed to emerge from the discussion.

86 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Visibility ‘If people don’t apply, how am I supposed to hire them?’ is something we often hear when discussions around lack of diversity take place. It feels lazy and sometimes like an excuse - though we know in some cases employers genuinely do believe that they have done enough.

We had to speak up because we knew there was no way we would reach and inspire youngsters to come and see the show from more diverse backgrounds, if we weren’t giving them a chance to picture themselves in the show… or indeed see the marketing at all.’

In the events industry we need to apply this thinking to the entry level job process itself, regarding how event jobs are advertised to the pool of applicants we currently target. If we reach out to potential employees through the standard routes we always have, we will continue to get the same wave of people and therefore the cycle will continue.

Abrahams noted that in the early stages of his career - where he worked front of house in a luxury London hotel - people of colour were often found in service roles but higher up the ladder in managerial roles it was less common. Today that is changing slightly, but unless industry newcomers see themselves represented in these higher positions he worries they may not believe the sector truly is for them and be discouraged from applying.

For some of us we might not be able to understand this barrier, because we have had the privilege not to worry about it, but Fisher broke it down with real life example: ‘I was working on Hairspray - a musical with various themes, but mostly around race and divide. We noticed a large majority of the promotional materials for the show featured ‘The Nicest Kids in Town’ (the white kids) and were only located in or around the West End.. so either people with money, or those already at another West End show would see them.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 87

Employer/current employee accountability Austen-Browne works with those who have come from difficult backgrounds and helps them to find work again.

She commented that for some employers, the risk (financially and in terms of potential impact on the rest of the workforce) seems to high for them to consider hiring this way - but that this could be counteracted with more engagement and potential partnerships with charities etc.

‘The more you and your team understand about the different reasons that people might end up in the criminal justice or the homeless systems, the less daunting it seems to include them in your team and the more open you will become. We can’t help our snap judgements, unconscious bias is part of our DNA, but we have to make steps to educate ourselves and

‘Sometimes people want to tiptoe around the topic so as not to offend, but once you open up the conversation and really understand that the person is more than what they ‘can’t do’ - they have a whole host of other skills and ideas that you have not even thought about… because you haven’t had to. They are an invaluable addition to your team’.

Unconscious bias training is something that the panel felt should be mandatory in the workplace, at least for those in hiring roles.

‘Often we see that people don’t apply for roles, or aren’t accepted, because they don’t ‘fit in’ to the current office culture.

Is it that they don’t fit in, or that we don’t understand them? And why do they need to be the same? We often judge because we can’t understand or appreciate a specific viewpoint or story, those in hiring positions should 100% be trained to move past this’ said Abrahams.

bypass this otherwise nothing will change.’

Lang added that the same could be said when it comes to disability in the events industry.

88 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 89

Tickboxes and quotas We know that if those in the highest level boardrooms are a diverse mix of people, we can be confident that we will be represented by a group that truly understand us and make decisions that are made will benefit us all. Unfortunately - as demonstrated by the infamous H&M monkey t shirt scandal - we also know that if diverse decision makers don’t exist, nonsensical, exclusive and offensive decisions could be made.

Therefore, the panel were all for minorities making the most of tickboxes and quotas to ensure they get their seat at the table.

‘There is a tickbox that, if a company opts in to, it ensures that those with a disability will be called for interview. At first I wasn’t sure that I wanted to get an interview that way..

But then I realised that I am already at a disadvantage and if it helps me to get in the room, why shouldn’t I do so?’ says Lang.

‘Quota systems were put in place because we couldn’t trust the people at the top to make inclusive decisions. Until we get to the point where we can trust them to do so - let’s exploit and use these quotas to allow ourselves, and help others, to be seen’.

90 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 91

TAKEAWAYS Event First Steps is aimed at those trying to find their place in the industry, and of course a more diverse workforce starts with finding new employees to join your team therefore a lot of the conversations did focus on improving the hiring / application process.

Though the group noted that some tick boxes are a barrier to entry, such as one blanket box for criminal record (though this may have been for something petty), overall they encouraged employers to look into schemes which could help them reach a wider range of people.

FIRST STEPS They also called for a wider variety of ways for people to put themselves forward for jobs. In an industry so creative, why do some companies insist on having online forms that get processed by a computer looking for keywords before a human even sets eyes on the shortlist?

It was commented that for some backgrounds, the parents want the children to only focus on ‘legitimate’ careers - and so something in the creative industries may seem fleeting. If we reached out to children from a younger age to let them know about our industry, the work we do and how much value AND money we can bring in for economies - the more likely candidates will receive support from their families to apply to join us too.

Event First Steps are keen to continue this conversation on another panel, speaking to large agencies and companies who want to share their experiences and viewpoints. But in the meantime, they know that the only way to continue to make a difference is to keep talking to each other and indeed to our employers - for us as an industry to push each other to make a change.

“This article first appeared in C&IT magazine and was so good that we felt compelled to run it again”

And in the same vein, we need to empower the new wave of employees to apply to our industry and be seen as more welcoming - and indeed more serious.

92 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 93

AGENCY FOCUS: E2E Events

E2E Events offers a personable, professional event service from the initial brief through to event day. We provide an all-encompassing package, including planning, organisation and delivery, ensuring all guests and clients have a momentous experience. We specialise in corporate hospitality and team building, however provide other services including FREE venue finding, event consultation, catering and entertainment.

•

Fun – we put a smile on the faces of all who attend our events

•

Functional – we listen to your brief, give you options and manage as much of your event as you want Fundable – whether your event is budget or high-end, we secure value for money Funky – we’re creative experts who make your event memorable and exceed expectations

E2E Events was established by Sonia Sansom, who’s worked in event management for 20 years. An enthusiastic, creative event professional who thrives on challenges, she’s supported by a team of freelancers, who she calls on to meet any needs a customer has. Picking and choosing the right team for each event means customers get what they want at the best price as overheads stay low.

What social issue is important to your organisation?

Having worked with clients where environmental considerations are an essential part of their brand and remit, like the Carbon Trust and the National Trust, we are adept at placing the environmental impact of an event at the heart of planning events, considering guests’ travel, venue choice, menus (including special dietary requirements) and other aspects of what can sometimes

Your agency specialises in which type of events?

We specialise in corporate hospitality and team building, however provide other services including free venue finding, conferences, meetings and launches, event consultation, catering and entertainment.

Your agency client list includes?

Heathrow Airport, mace, Carbon Trust, Somo, Meads Construction, ARUP, National Trust, Sedex, Verint and Bupa

SONIA SANSOM Managing Director

94 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Your agency’s recent account wins?

Continue to work with our current clients on their events, conferences, teambuilding and venue fnding. Also, I’m now the preferred supplier for Inception Global for our on site event management.

Your agency’s MO and USP? We are FUN ~ FUNCTIONAL ~ FUNDABLE ~ FUNKY!

•

•

typically be a wasteful industry.

Your agency’s short-term projection / ambitions?

We’re doing more events to incentivise salespeople, including some exciting travel opportunities, and we’re also keen to organise more team building events. We have fantastic suppliers who wow guests and effectively bring teams together. Some take groups away from the office, perhaps to a countryside retreat, then challenge them to work together in a fun way, while others transform normal workplaces, using technology to encourage problem solving and lateral thinking.

YOU CAN CONTACT US BY Email: sonia@e2eevents.co.uk Your company website: http://e2eevents. co.uk/

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 95

AGENCY FOCUS: BLUE HAT TEAMBUILDING

Ben Parkinson Commercial Director and Co-Founder

The Blue Hat difference - The drive to continually push the team building boundaries When our founders, Neil and Ben, independently came across the team building industry more than 20 years ago, they both thought “the client experience could be so much better!�

Their shared passion led them to develop many team building events and business games that had never been seen before.

Which is great news for both corporate and agency customers looking for original ways to maximise engagement of their audiences around their key corporate messages.

Evidence of their success includes over 1million people in over 40 countries having experienced a Blue Hat event giving an average rating of over 97%, plus being recognised by industry award bodies over 40 times.

Your agency specialises in which type of events?

Core services include; indoor and outdoor team building events, away day activities, tablet treasure hunts, give-back events, conference energisers, evening dinner games, learning and development activities, graduate development activity modules and interactive networking games.

96 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 97

Your agency client list includes?

Blue Hat is the preferred team building partner with corporate clients across all business sectors and the preferred supplier to many leading event management companies. A few examples of corporate customers of Blue Hat include Sony, Cognizant, Transport for London, Department for International Trade, BBC, TUI, PwC, BUPA, Disney, Microsoft, GE Aviation, Apple, Comic Relief, Rothschild, ITV and Nike.

Your agency’s recent account wins?

A number of recent new account wins include a Christmas party activity for Kantar, a graduate development programme module for Deloitte, a whole company away day for FSCS, a new team launch activity for Lyle & Scott, away day activities for GE Aviation, a training and development activity for the Department of International Trade, a reward activity for Estee Lauder, fun team activities for Nike.

Your agency’s MO and USP? As industry specialists, Blue Hat continually focus on innovating in the team building industry. This includes improving on existing event concepts by introducing new ideas and new technologies and creating new and unique events around specific client requirements. Our investment in this area is unparalleled. It includes a 24/7 R&D team, an in-house design studio and workshop which allows us to professionally and artistically manufacture high quality and 100% unique team building business games.

What social issue is important to your organisation?

We believe in looking after our people and our planet and act responsibly and with integrity as an employer. We’ve also designed several ‘Give-Back’ style team building activities for our client base to experience. In the last 20 years, we’ve helped our clients raise over £1,000,000 for various charities. We also have access to a giving portal which allows us to turn any event into a give-back event. To date our clients have generated over 1.4million goodwill IMPACTS to people in need around the world.

Your agency’s short-term projection / ambitions?

As the Blue Hat brand approaches it’s 20th birthday, our ‘why’ remains the same as it was on day one – to innovate and create new and unique team building experiences and raise the standard of what’s available to corporate teams within the teambuilding industry. We aim to continue to invest in our event offering and look for opportunities to astound and amaze corporate groups around the UK and further afield.

YOU CAN CONTACT US BY Email: mark.dishington@bluehatteambuilding.co.uk Your company website: www.bluehatteambuilding.co.uk

AGENCY FOCUS: NICE EVENTS

Nicky Whatmough Director

100 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

MY EVENTS WORLD WITH...NICE Events NICE Events is an independent event agency with a great team who all use their vast knowledge and experience to provide bespoke, tailored solutions for the requirements of the corporate market, resulting in exceptional global events. The dedicated team focus on offering a personal, end to end service, always exceeding client expectations whilst providing on budget, return on investment.

Your agency specialises in which type of events?

NICE Events specialise in meetings, incentives, conferences and events for the corporate market both UK and globally. The team deliver a whole host of events from small board meetings and away days to conferences and exhibitions for thousands, in addition to product launches, awards dinners, teambuilding and unforgettable incentive programmes.

Your agency client list includes?

The team at NICE Events work with a range of clients from small and medium sized businesses up to some of the largest brands in the UK such as McDonald’s Restaurants, Avis, Danone, Orange Business Services and Superdrug to name but a few.

Your agency’s MO and USP? In 2020 NICE Events will have been delivering successful events all around the globe for 24 years which is a great testament to the strong client relationships built by the team, ensuring clients keep coming back time after time.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 101

Being a bespoke agency NICE ensure each client receives a personalised, tailored approach to their event program with the same dedicated planner working on the event brief from conception to completion.

What social issue is important to your organisation?

Corporate social responsibility is something incredibly important to the team at NICE Events and is firmly embedded in the company culture. Issues such as sustainability, waste and environmental impact are particularly prevalent in the events industry and therefore always a key focus for the company.

Each January the team nominate a dedicated charity to support, organising various fundraising activities and events throughout the year in aid of the charitable cause.

Your agency’s short-term projection / ambitions?

Over the past 23 years NICE Events have been incredibly fortunate with the clients we have been able to work with, who, to this day remain loyal customers for which we are extremely grateful. Saying that, we love meeting new people and working on new event briefs so a key short-term focus for the coming year is increasing our brand awareness with the view to taking on some new clients.

YOU CAN CONTACT US BY: Email: info@niceevents.co.uk Phone number: 01844 263 950 Your company website: www.niceevents. co.uk

NTH DEGREE CONSULTANCY Niki Shefras Founder

CREATE~CONNECT~DELIVER We love delivering seamless events and whilst we might be the “Hostess with the mostest” front of house, be assured that behind the curtain our eye for detail and love of sensory experiences makes sure that all of the wheels are in place to ensure a smooth, fun, fabulous affair.

We can broker partnerships, aligning your event with the right brand and right audience, ensuring that your business delivers in an innovative and engaging way through live events, technology and well curated content.

THE COMPANY: nth Degree Consultancy Your agency specialises in which type of events?

Private parties ~ Corporate events & hospitality ~ Wine Events ~ VIP dinners ~ Launches ~ Pre-Season Training Camps ~ UHNWI Event planning & bespoke travel planning Your agency client list includes?

• JDRF - The leading global charity to cure type 1 diabetes • FAPESP - one of the major funding agencies for scientific research in Brazil • Phoenix Global - one of the largest global value chain managers of commodities in the Agrifoods and natural resource industries in the world • Associated Rediffusion - BAFTA winning TV & radio production company

104 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Your agency’s recent account wins?

We have recently been engaged by an interesting, sustainable business set to revolutionise the plastics industry with a biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging.

We have been asked to support an innovative, sustainable eVTOL AIRCRAFT business and look forward to working with them delivering a series of thrilling events.

We are continuing our contract to deliver exquisite and elegant events with a wine marketing company.

Your agency’s MO and USP? • STRAIGHT UP – we have a foundation of transparency & integrity • PASSIONATE – relentless, committed & resourceful, we like to inspire and make people feel good • ENJOY – we love what we do & want our clients too as well • DELIVERY – personalised approach, attention to detail, seamless logistics & timely communication • ABOVE ALL… we give people what they need, get results & make good things happen What social issue is important to your organisation?

In one word - Sustainability. Loving and respecting the planet that we live on, and finding more sustainable ways to run business and events to avoid the depletion of the planet’s natural resources and help maintain, at minimum, ecological balance.

Your agency’s short-term projection / ambitions?

We are passionate about all things health and wellbeing, and our goal is to fulfil some of these passions by working with forward thinking, sustainable brands in a healthy, conscious way. We are currently seeking to get involved with more spiritual tourism and ethical projects, and raising knowledge and awareness within this sector through impactful events.

We are also creating our own proprietary offering in wine & wellbeing.

YOU CAN CONTACT US BY Email: hello@nthdegreeconsultancy.com Your company website: nthdegreeconsultancy.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 105

Jo Ferreday is Founder and MD of Sheer Edge Ltd, a Hospitality and Events company.

Making a difference by adding value and a transparent choice in all of the companies offerings is of paramount importance.

HOME IS…?

With my wonderful little family in the Welland Valley.

FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON? Grab a coffee! I am rather partial to a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.

MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT? Again, we are lucky enough to visit so many venues and restaurants in the UK. But I would have to say for experience and because its in my home town of Birmingham I would say Purnells, Brummie Tapas – just delicious, and the cocktails were fabulous too, now I’m feeling hungry!!!

MY EVENT WORLD….

WITH JO FERREDAY OF SHEER EDGE 106 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Now that is a tough one, there are sooo many venues out there. But I think I would love to take on a Chateaux, I’m totally inspired by Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree, they have totally made their Chateaux an all year round events venue!

FAVOURITE HOTEL? Again a real tricky one for me, as we know of so many wonderful venues around the UK but for something unusual and because it is part of the Aspinal Foundation it would have to be Port Lympne Hotel and reserve, who wouldn’t want to stay at a venue that has animals roaming, there are some amazing accommodation options actually next to some of the enclosures.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE? As a mother of a 4 year old, this doesn’t happen often. My time away tends to be a spa retreat somewhere.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? I think one of the best people in the industry who really has given me guidance and support has been David Tremill of In Loco Events. He has been a breath of fresh air, honest, supportive and has the BEST sense of humour. He has just always been available for me to ‘pick his brains’ offer sound and valued advice. He’s definitely one the industries gems!

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING? I love books and also have a lovely little box of all the things my son has made me since he was born.

LAST THEATRE SHOW YOU SAW? Now theatre was Lion King at The Hippodrome a while back. But the last live event was Hugh Jackman Tour at Resorts World Arena and as he was singing a lot of musical tracks i’m guessing I could be cheeky and say that?! He was AMAZING! WHO IS YOUR HERO? My late mother, she had a difficult life, not many ups. But she was such a strong woman, always a smile on her face. She motivates me every day, to lead the life she couldn’t, to have a strong family unit.

To make my life something great and to make her proud.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 107

MY EVENTS WORLD… WITH CHINEY FOONG OF THE HANGOUT We caught up with Chiney Foong from The Hangout. A much needed catch up and we definitely learned a few things.. (don’t let Chiney hang out around red/green buttons)!

What inspired you to move into your current position?

I have a corporate background of 20 years in events and 22 years background in entertainment events. My current position came about from an opportunity of timing.

I was working with one event agency and then a great opportunity came along with another company that meant I had better opportunities overall and could really allow my events background to run away with ideas. I set about creating something for a niche market that London or the UK didn’t have.

108 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Best client you have ever worked with?

The best client I have worked with was probably a USA magazine who really pulled out all the stops for me to ensure that I could get them the reporting that they needed.

What about the biggest client?

The biggest client I’ve ever worked with had me on an NDA, but let’s put it this way I learned and saw a lot! It let me see that particular industry from a very different perspective and taught me a lot. They flew me out from the UK, no expense spared, and gave me ‘access all areas’ to report back for them.

What are 5 things on your bucket list?

1) To climb Mount Everest 2) Learn how to play the Piano 3) Sky dive (I’m petrified of heights) 4) Run the London Marathon 5) Take a sabbatical and travel the world volunteering at various animal sanctuaries and rescue centres “You’d do anything for love, but you wouldn’t do…?”

Ride an elephant or partake in any act where animals have been stolen from

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

I would have an animal sanctuary somewhere rescuing broken, abused and unwanted animals. Also actively teaching people about wild animals and their sad journey on how they became a tourist attraction.

Who is your hero?

My grandfather is my hero, god bless his soul. He has such an amazing story of his life.

How he fought in the war, fled the war and how if he didn’t choose some of the things he chose to do I wouldn’t be here. He even named me.

What social issue is important to you?

Homelessness and knife crime are two huge social issues that are really important to me and with my own charity ‘Givebackldn’ we are continuously trying to raise the issues around this.

What cheers you up?

Seeing my family and close friends happy and succeeding in life. Spending time with my godchildren and seeing them grow up. Seeing the world start to change and peoples’ way of thinking. Especially around topics like plastics and Veganism.

the wild for human entertainment.

(As a side note from the Editor- Find out if the elephant sanctuary you’re visiting is legitimate via a quick google search.

For Thailand, you can visit the link here: http://www.responsiblethailand.co.uk/ green-tourism/ethical-elephant-experiences-thailand/ ) (The Guardian also released a great article in 2018 on how to spot an ethical sanctuary vs. one that is used more for tourism. You can see it here: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/aug/11/how-ethical-is-the-elephant-sanctuary-youre-visiting ) prestigeeventsmagazine.com 109

What is the last item you purchased?

The last item I purchased was…some books!

What is your biggest fear?

I’m petrified of heights, I get dizzy at the top of the escalators of Angel Tube station!

Sky diving is on my bucket list but I think I would need to be thrown out of the plane to conquer it!

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

I would love to be Mowgli from The Jungle Book, living the simple life with all the animals of the jungle!

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

If I could have one super power it would be to be able to put a shield over the rain-forests and jungles that needed protecting.

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

I think the industry itself has changed over time. It used to be all about bar charts and excel spreadsheets. Now events companies and their clients are becoming much more creative with the help of mood boards etc, I feel peoples visions have become more creative- whilst also more demanding because of the need to be more creative. Clients can really dig deep into creating their perfect vision of their event. Even the classic exhibition stand is becoming a thing of the past, it’s a little bit stagnant and more and more clients are wanting interactive exhibition stands that naturally draw guests and delegates to them.

110 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Name one of your most embarrassing moments?

Accidentally pushing the red button (in my defence, the security had gone to the restroom and had asked me to let people in when the doorbell rang) in 11 Downing Street instead of the green one and deploying the Special Forces because I had just informed them that Downing Street was under attack… Gordon Brown and his family were in number 10 at the time… It was not my finest moment!

What is your life motto?

My life motto is “Organisation is the key to success! If you fail to plan, you already plan to fail.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can swirl my tongue into three parts… oops I think that’s more of a party trick!

Name your 3 favourite restaurants?

1) Dozo Sushi – Kensington 2) The Banc in Wood Green 3) San Carlo – Piccadilly Circus Name the greatest event you have ever been to?

Ohh that is a hard one. There are so many great events I would be very hard pushed to pick just one! But if I’m allowed to be biased, I would say TheHangout events are always the greatest events I have ever been to.

Where can we find out more about yourself and/or The Hangout? www.thehangoutuk.com Where can people contact you? chiney@thehangoutuk.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 111

TAKING YOU TO BACK TO THE FUTURE

Curzon Cinemas have the technical know-how, attention to detail and experience to turn your initial brief into a successful event. With thirteen cinemas situated throughout the UK, they can accommodate parties from 28 up to 307. All it’s cinemas have a unique identity ensuring they deliver bespoke events that match your requirements. Curzon provide top quality technical facilities in comfortable screens that can cater to everything from film screenings to corporate presentations. In addition to it’s screens, they provide spacious attractive bar areas with a full food and beverage offer to complement the event; from morning coffee and pastries to full canapé receptions.

112 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Curzon can accommodate most screening formats and their friendly, knowledgeable technical staff will ensure the presentation is the best possible quality. Curzon have a dedicated events team to look after your needs who will welcome you for a site visit so you can discuss your requirements, guide you through various options for the structure of your event and ensure the smooth running of proceedings.

Each of the Curzon venues has a fully licenced bar and drinks can be taken into all screens.

Curzon also work with caterers and audio visual specialists to add to your event should you require this.

Curzon have five London sites, all available for private hire

CURZON ALDGATE

CURZON SOHO

Curzon Aldgate is a four-screen cinema, perfect for those looking for a venue close to the City. Each screening room has reclining seats with tables. Screen 1 has 63 seats and screen 2 has 76 seats and both have stages for presentations.

There is a sizable foyer area which can be used for standing receptions.

A legendary arthouse and independent cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue with three screens. Screen 1 has a stage and with 249 capacity makes it ideal for a number of presentations or Q&As. Screen 3 is more intimate and has 133 seats. The bar space can hold 250 so it is ideal for standing receptions.

CURZON VICTORIA Curzon Victoria comprises of five boutique screening rooms seating 29 to 69 people, with lush, reclining seats and tables, plus the latest cinema technology. The cinema houses a stylish open mezzanine workspace which is an ideal space for a pre or post screening reception.

CURZON BLOOMSBURY Located in The Brunswick Centre just off Russell Square, this historic arthouse cinema was refurbished to the highest technology and design specs. The largest theatre-style auditorium seats up to 150. It also has intimate screening rooms, seating up to 30. The ground floor bar with outdoor seating can be used for drinks receptions hosting up to 150 people.

CURZON MAYFAIR Step back in time to a different era in the flagship Curzon cinema, built in 1934.

This cinema is a popular venue for red carpet premieres and high pro- file events.

The Grade II listed building houses a breath-taking and unusual auditorium with a large screen (an impressive 11 metres).

Screen 1 has 307 seats and screen 2 has 65 seats.

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 113

CURZON CINEMA’S

114 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 115

MONACO PRESS TRIP NOV 2019 If you keep up to date with any of our socials, you may have seen a post in late November regarding MonacAir. We didn’t want to give too much away, but Alex had been invited to Monaco for two days via Mango Agency. A massive thank you to Emily Shand from Mango Agency for organising the trip and Julia Berg, from Monte Carlo Societe Des Bains De Mer, for her amazing hospitality and showing Alex around some gorgeous venues. Continue below to find out why Monaco should host your next event and all the interesting things Alex got up to in his time there. And it all starts with that MonacAir post…

116 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

MONACAIR Journey The official supplier of the S.A.S Prince Albert II and the Princely family, MONACAIR provides helicopter transfers up to 6 passengers between Nice Airport and Monaco that only takes 7 minutes.

A fast and easy transfer to reach the principality in all comfort while looking over the beautiful landscape of the South of France from the skies.

Hotel Hermitage Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo is a palace with exceptional heritage, proud of its history, but resolutely rooted in the 21st century. Its architecture is unique in the world, with a building listed as a Historic Monument, part of which is the sublime Eiffel cupola in the winter garden, designed by the uncontested master of metallic architecture. Since its creation, the Hotel has been renovated and modernised regularly, to harmoniously unite classicism and modernity.

Overlooking the Mediterranean, with one

of the most beautiful views of the Rock and the Port in the Principality, it enjoys a fabulous location, close to the vibrant centre of Monaco, yet remains a haven of peace for its guests.

The hotel has 14 adjustable meeting and banquet rooms from 15 to 430m2, including the Salon Eiffel, a column-free area of 310m2, accommodating up to 140 participants in school style tables, 310 in an auditorium and 240 in banquet room set up.

Smaller spaces are the ideal solution for smaller meetings, for example the Salon Gustave, which can be divided into three breakout rooms, the Trianon and Jardin d’Hiver, or the Salon Bouderie, where six people can gather in a chic and intimate setting. The famous Salle Belle Époque, which is registered as part of Monaco’s architectural heritage, creates a unique setting for events. With a roof height of seven metres, it is the stage for lavish breakfasts (180 persons) or banquets (200 people, and up to 300 when coupled with the Salon Régence).

prestigeeventsmagazine.com 117

One Monte-Carlo Conference Centre With 1,445 m² of space dedicated to • all kinds of events (meetings, cocktails, gala dinners, product launches, etc.), nine rooms from 48 to 301 m², an 80-seat auditorium and its immediate proximity to Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Hôtel • de Paris Monte-Carlo and Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, the One Monte-Carlo • conference centre is creating a new business tourism hub around Place du • Casino.

Since 4th June 2019, Monte-Carlo Société • des Bains de Mer offered an all-new conference and events centre, One • Monte-Carlo, which, combined with the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, create a new business tourism centre with multiple • possibilities: seminars, conventions, product launches, events... All within easy reach.

Covering a total area of 1,445m², the One Monte-Carlo conference and events centre will comprise:

118 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

A 301m2 plenary hall in the Art Deco style, identical to the Salle des Arts of the former Sporting d’Hiver in memory of its architecture. A unique room that can host up to 300 people for all types of events.

A 178m² multipurpose hall attached to the Salle des Arts.

A 154m² auditorium that can host 80 people.

Three 96m²-conference rooms that can be divided in half.

A large multipurpose hall of more than 500m2.

Created on the site of the former Palais des Beaux-Arts, several of the rooms will be named after artists who have left their mark on the history of Monaco.

All the necessary equipment, including a two-ton goods lift, to help with the exhibition of cars during launches and events.