Prestige events magazine WINTER/SPRING 2017

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EVENTS WINTER 2016/17 EDITION Est 2003

HOT 50 AWARDS REVIEWED WANT TO EMULATE STAR WARS AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS COOL VENUE AWARDS REVIEWED ON TOUR: CANADA REVIEWED PLACES TO EAT ON SOUTHBANK AND CANARY WHARF 5 ROOFTOP BARS 24 HOURS IN WINDSOR NOSTALGIA IS THE NEW COOL THE CONFEX 2017 PREVIEW

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17 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

11 READERS LETTERS 13 5 PLACES TO EAT IN…CANARY WHARF 14 IN THE TRADE: WESLEY MENDY AND THE COOL VENUE AWARDS 17 EXCUSE ME SIR 21 THINGS TO DO 22 NOSTALGIA IS THE NEW COOL

CONTENTS

24 MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS 34 5 ROOFTOP BARS 36 REGION FOCUS: CANADA 42 5 AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL 54 24 HOURS IN…WINDSOR 55 5 THINGS TO IN….EAST LONDON 57 3 PLACES TO EAT IN…THE SOUTHBANK 59 THE HOT 50 AWARDS 68-91 REWIND: 20/20 SPEED NETWORKING 92

CONFEX

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5 EXCITING HOTELS

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VENUE FOCUS: M BY MONTCALM

100 VENUE FOCUS: HILTON 104 VENUE FOCUS: SKY GARDEN 106 VENUE FOCUS: SOPWELL HOUSE 110 ROYAL PHILARMONIC

PUBLISHERS NOTES When I look back on 2016, more than ever I’ve come to question what it’s all about.

And I have realised that this world is a beast which needs taming. More than ever, event organisers are under pressure. Fears about Brexit loom. The global recession in 2008 saw a cull and the first to go were event organisers (or at least it seemed). More than ever the focus on producing great events is apparent. No longer can you afford to deliver a good event. Each event must be a 10/10. It must carry the aspects of cool, charisma, originality, aspiration, innovation, style. No excuses. The need to have an even more extensive book of suppliers is greater than it’s ever been. With that in mind, the list of nominees for this year’s 10th annual COOL Venue Awards has more emphasis than it ever had in it’s previous nine years. The biggest awards night in the industry also has to deliver as it has done each year in giving you the suppliers that tick all the boxes.

Happy reading.

Wes

PRESTIGE EVENTS TEAM: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Head of Client Relations: Dan Bearpark Head of Marketing and Database Admin: Joy Mendy Marketing and Online Content: Matt Wilson Head of Social Media: Jack Wilson, Asif Mirza Editor (print and online): Hope Mendy Editorial Contributors: Jason Scott Design Director: Errol Anthony Griffiths Financial Controller: Christine Canty Prestige Events magazine (est.2003) is an MX4 Ltd publication.

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

In this edition, amongst other articles, we also reflect on the launch of our HOT 50 Awards which spotlight 50 event industry peers. We chose to focus on those that play of the front-foot, not by the size of their budget. After all, life is about pioneers and explorers.

Executive producer of:

Offical events photography partner

Offical events backdrops partner

Offical events video production partner

Offical partner

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17 THINGS

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THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT….

30% New Exhibitors for 2017 The Confex Showfloor, always a hive of activity, colour and buzz, welcomes a host of new exhibitors bringing even more pizzazz with new and unusual venues and destinations from all over the globe.

La Cala Resort, Meet in Reykavik, Belfast Waterfront & Ulster Hall are just some of the more further flung with Daytona Motorsport, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, The Box, Visit Brighton, Weetwood Hall, Sandy Park and the Grand Harbour Hotel among the more local exhibitors offering great meeting and event facilities.

The New Talent Theatre This new one day programme follows the journey for event organisers from entry level to the B & C Suites with insightful and informative tips to progress your career every step of the way. Find out about the new apprenticeship scheme for Event Assistants and how that can benefit your business.

ExM Live Forum Co-located with Confex, the ExM Live Forum offers a dedicated programme half day programme specifically for brand experience marketeers working across digital, retail, out of home and events.

Confex Broadcasting Centre Providing live TV coverage, PR support, social media and podcast services, the Confex Broadcasting Centre, a feature in its own right, will promote news, interviews and thought leadership with key exhibitors, speakers, visitors and VIPs. Catch up on all the live action both during and after the show.

2017 Provision Golf Challenge sponsored by La Cala Resort Test your skills at the 20m long putt Provision Gold Challenge with some fabulous prizes on offer.

Located on the Gallery Level there will also be a 9 hole mini golf course for you to take part in.

Tech Playroom Cool tech toys designed to enchant, excite and immerse the senses through inventions and installations will be on display in the Tech Playroom on the Gallery Level. Featuring AR & VR, holograms, robots, visualisation, 3D printing and more you can see, touch and try the innovative technologies and create social, vivid & memorable experiences. #KartingwithConfex By registering & attending Confex 2017 you will be automatically placed in a draw to win a Daytona Motor Sport Corporate valued at over £4,000. Take a selfie at the Daytona Motor Sports Stand (E1C) on the day you attend and share on twitter with the hashtag #KartingwithConfex to be in with a chance to win.

Southport Return to Confex Ahead of The 146th Open Southport Conferences will be celebrating the return of The Open to Royal Birkdale and the ‘golf coast’ this summer. The destination returns to Confex, this time with a new brand and anticipating the arrival of yet another hallmark event to the region.

The destination will also be unveiling its new brand - ‘Different Everytime’, introduced to underline the many different experiences that can take place at Southport.

Lick Me I’m Delicious to Unveil a New Taste at Confex The experience food brand, known for bringing food to life at major conferences and events, will be launching a new food concept to visitors at Confex looking for something out of the ordinary in event catering. Never dull, always exciting, look out for them for new contraptions, gadgets and grub. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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The Very Best of Poland’s Meetings and Events The ICE Krakow Congress Centre debuts at International Confex for the first time, underlining both the growth and reach of the centre since its launch in 2014. Krakow continues to be an emerging destination that is appealing to a growing number of UK and international event professionals and brings a taste of Poland to the event.

Coventry & Warwickshire Conference Coventry and Warwickshire return to the show alongside partners Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry Conferences, Culture Coventry, Manufacturing Technology Centre and Ricoh Arena. As well as attendance from Premiership Rugby stars from Wasps, the stand will also be hosting a lunch for the Ricoh Arena.

Newcastle & Gateshead Newcastle & Gateshead also return to International Confex, and are set to dominate the show with another visually impressive stand. The destination continues to …

Hotels of Every Kind

Titan the Robot Keeping visitors on the move will be the imposing figure of Titan the Robot, who will be prowling the isles, attacking and eating visitors at will. When not at Confex, Titan is a perfect addition to an event or experience looking to make an impact and add a layer of personality to proceedings. He can be trained to meet as well as eat guests.

Robotic receptionists rolling around speaking, launching at the show …

A band of robotic receptionists will also be keeping an eye on proceedings and providing a warm welcome and information service for visitors. The team come courtesy of Evotion, who are launching the new staffing option for meetings and events at International Confex.

Cruising to Confex The growing impact on the cruise line industry on meetings and events will also be underlined through Norwegian Cruise Liners attendance at the show. Cruise liners are fast becoming outstanding options for incentive programmes, residential conference and major experiential events and we look forward to welcoming one of the best around to the show.

People Make Glasgow The SECC and GCMB will once again be partnering as they set up base at Confex to meet, greet and network with their many UK and London based customers. The SECC and GCMB have long supported Confex and once again bring the very best of Scotland’s meetings and events product to the show.

Everything is covered For those looking for a range of hotels, from luxury to budget, from the south of England to the north of Scotland, East and West, Confex offers options aplenty. Stellar meetings and events brands include Jury’s Inn, Melia International and Macdonald Hotel & Resorts.

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LORD KNOWS!

READERS LETTERS

Q/ Working in a club venue for events: how do I get chewing gum off of my jeans ?

Answer: Put them in a plastic bag and then into the freezer. Once the gum has frozen, use a spoon or blunt knife to scrape it off.

Q/ Does your style have to shift when you become a father? It really depends on the man. I don’t have kids so what do I know but all my friends do and they are the most stylish men ever, and there trend in dress has grown a little more quiet through the years. Some guys grow bolder in their attire as they get older, and some guys grow more conservative. And what rings true for them might not be the same for the next guy.

So long story short: Your style shouldn’t have to shift. Guys should trust their instincts. And when the time is right to be bold—go for it. You want to feel good, not just look good.

These Dads just want clothes that make them feel comfortable in their own skin and clothes that are practical for what they are doing. That doesn’t mean sweatpants and hoodys (unless of course, you’re working out). You can rake leaves in a pair of 501s, you know? I mean comfortable more in the sense that the clothes give you confidence.

Because you should be confident as a dad. Your child is looking to you for confidence. For a dock in a storm. And hey, if you have to deal with spitup on your suit or on your shirt, it’s not a big deal. It shouldn’t be a big deal. Just act fast—with some water and a little rub—and you can get it out.

Q/ How to Dress for THE COOL VENUE AWARDS: The Cool Venue Awards can be all over the map when it comes to dress code. Especially when anything in the ballpark of “eventprofs” are involved. Whether you are with an agency, venue manager, caterer or creative here are nine style tips to get you through this years festivities.

A sharply cut (read: non-work) suit minus the tie is an always-reliable style choice.

Another option is to mix high and low, like dark jeans with a smoking jacket. This way you’ll land right in that sweet spot where you don’t feel too dressed up or too casual.

Blue satin-trimmed velvet tuxedo jacket ; double ring small collared printed shirt and some dark denim jeans with a good pair of Chelsea boots.

Did I say jeans? Jeans at parties Scotty?

Why the hell not? Lighter jeans are always more casual looking than darker ones, so if you do go light (or even distressed) with your denim, balance it out with a dark blazer and a (tucked-in) collared shirt.

But I wanna be suited like you LJS? If you really want to wear a suit and tie, but don’t want to blend into the crowd, ditch your traditional navy suit and try a bolder shade of blue. It’ll grab just the right amount of attention, but without making you look like a cartoon.

Seen Archer? The turtleneck is the best not-toodressy, not-too-casual alternative to a collared shirt at your disposal. If—big if—you do it right. Go dark (black works, though darker blues and reds are less severe), and layer a blazer over it. And never tuck it in.

Wanna be cool like Wesley? Ain’t no shame in keeping things simple, but for a bolder look, try layering on the patterns and textures. The key to success is contrast: This pairing of wool, cotton, and silk works because none of the textures are too similar; the pileup of patterns looks good because of the varying scale of each.

BUT PLEASE Give your work suits a break and look for a suit that’s cut a little closer, a little shorter, and a whole lot sharper. Some folks might call it a cocktail suit. We prefer to think of it as a suit you wear because you want to, not because you have to.

Hope this helps and I look forward to hosting you and all your friends this year at The Cool Venue Awards 2017!! prestigeeventsmagazine.com 11

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4 PLACES TO EAT IN CANARY WHARF

4 Places to eat in Canary Wharf

As much as Shoreditch has been on the rise and there are plenty of places west that mean business, the heart of the capital when it comes to work is undoubtedly Canary Wharf. But it’s just as vibrant and qualified at play as well as work. Here are a few places we’ve loved, for lighter lunches as well as those more special occasions when you deserve a bit of fuss.

Iberica – ibericalondon.co.uk Choosing from an express lunch, tapas or larger options, makes it easy to tailor your meal to your appetite requirements. Tasty options include paella, fried chorizo lollipops and even a whole roast pig to share.

Gaucho – gauchorestaurants.co.uk This classic riverside restaurant is hardly anything new.

Perfect for a leisurely lunch, we adored the juicy rib eye steaks and churrasco of chicken on the menu. And if the occasion calls the cocktails are worth a punt (or three).

Boisdale- boisdale.co.uk Scottish steaks, whisky, live jazz and a cigar room to retire to. What else could you want after a long day at work?

Particular culinary highlights include the 10oz New York strip and the rib-steak burger with truffle mayonnaise.

Roka – rokarestaurant.com Healthy but very yummy Japanese delights are aplenty at this restaurant right in the heart of Canary Wharf with a menu designed around Japanese robatayaki (charcoal grill) Special Mention- If you really can’t get away from the desk then we can’t recommend Dhaba Lane enough.

Amazing curries and Indian-style sandwiches and salads are available to order online from this unusually delightful mixture of typical lunch fare and healthy Indian specialities. dhabalane.com

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WESLEY MENDY – A DAY IN THE LIFE

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WESLEY MENDY – A DAY IN THE LIFE

A DAY I N THE LIFE

WESLEY MENDY

The CEO, the big man, the boss and the first on the dance floor at any party we throw, Wesley Mendy is a bit of an enigma to many that meet him. Owner of four successful businesses, he’s spent two decades in the industry and shows no sign of stopping. So what does one of his busiest days of the year, the inaugural ceremony, look like? As a part of a new, regular feature we’ll be looking at how the ones we admire get out of bed in the morning, and what makes their days work for them.

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WESLEY MENDY – A DAY IN THE LIFE 7.00am – Wake up, eat some porridge, shower and check my phone always for the first of 232 times during that day. Check the bank balance (for the first of 6 times a day) so I’m ready to fight the powers that be! *Editors note: At this point Wesley proceeded to rap a lot of Public Enemy* 8.00am- Get into the office and run through the event sheet. Cross referencing any emails, and contact suppliers. This will often take around an hour. There’s always changes with performers wanting to have a different running-order or a stage demand. Rather than have a stage manager I controlled all aspects of this event. It was our first Hot 50 Awards and I was pretty obsessive about it to the border of being Trump-thetic. I knew how it wanted to be and had to have complete control as it was a completely different format. Next year this won’t be the case!

9.00am- Everyone else comes into the office, finalising of any new logos, sponsors and backdrops.

11.00am- We spend this time returning phone calls from people asking all the basic admin and ticketing questions. “Can I have a VIP ticket please” is a common one…and the true answer is always a regrettable ‘Sorry, we sold-out all tickets’.

11.30am – Run through of the screens and presentations so I’m not stood there onstage catching flies.

Midday- Have my second shower of the day to make sure I’m powder fresh (Teeth too). I prep my outfit for the awards. I usually bring two, one for stage (a suit) and one for dancing, usually a few All Saint’s pieces. There’s nothing worse than a host being drenched in sweat so having two outfits’ helps (though I don’t recommend standing outside the exit door half-naked to escape the venue’s stubborn room temperature and cool-off between outfit changes…locked out in alleyways is not HOT or COOL!) 1.00pm – Load up the trophies ready to go to the venue and make a move to the venue. We have to have all the event sheets for the operation staff.

2.00pm- Arrive at the venue, the Ministry of Sound in this case, and check in all our gear making note of the locations. Then we formally introduce our team to all of their operational staff, everyone is sent off on their assignments which vary from sorting out the sponsors wall to furnishing the green room areas etc.

3.00pm – First sound checks of the day. This isn’t done in any particular order due to the inevitable phone calls earlier. These will run until half hour before the doors open 6.00pm- All staff summoned for a briefing with security. ALL staff. This is vital and strict guidelines and understanding means ultimately people will know what they can, can’t and should do.

6.30pm – Doors open whilst everyone is being greeted I’ll be backstage doing a last final check with the floor manager, in this case Sonia Sansom, ensuring that the acts are coming in on time. I always say a big thank you and like to show my appreciation so when they go out there they know this isn’t just another job. I don’t want to be a business owner who has no contact with their suppliers or acts; I think it’s really important. If the person whose name is on the bottom line isn’t personally saying thank you, you lose a performance standard. After this I’ll work the sponsors area, Al Pacino style!

6.45pm- Lesson number 998: Never assume VIP’s don’t drink excessively. I had to send a staff member off to replace the tables with more Champagne as people in our events industry drink like elephants at a waterhole and the 7 cocktails per head, courtesy of our drink sponsors, would expire in two hours!

Extra’s bought, crisis averted.

7.44pm – Speak to Social Media Manager to check he’s on the ball and we are live. Vital. Told we’re gonna trend again! Yes! 7.45pm – Awards start. Jamie Paskin and I presented this year. What was great about this awards was the format we used (graduation meets catwalk with club bangers from Royal Blood and The Weeknd to set the tone). What made it exciting and different was our huge engagement of the followers and attendees who have gotten used to the unique format’s we use. Their reaction before and after was brilliant to say the least.

8.15pm- Ministry of Sound’s world famous dj’s got to work. Drink sponsors Zing Vodka and 808 Whisky provided the drinks and I hit the floor. We had fire eaters, contortionists, a whole bunch of performers, and a killer photobooth set inside the back of a mini-disco in a Breaking Bad style van.

11.30pm – The night ends and I check in with Social media to see where we’re at. 2.8 million Exposures left me feeling very happy indeed. It’s now the second biggest awards in the country right behind the COOL Venue Awards. I think a lie in is deserved.

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EXCUSE ME, SIR

Bulldog London Dry Gin Bulldog London Dry Gin in not your grandfather’s gin. Thanks to the guys at Bulldog, the days of “mother’s ruin” are well and truly behind us and boasting a smooth base with a zesty aftertaste, this gin can add a touch of class to any event. www.bulldoggin. com

Zing Vodka You will never have a vodka like Zing Vodka. With its glowing, red bottle and unique flavours, you can guarantee that it will always stand out. Whether it’s the sweet Red Velvet flavour or the spicy Chilli, it’ll be the talking point at every party. www. thisiszingvodka. com

808 Whisky When you imagine drinking whisky at a party, you’d be forgiven for picturing a scene from Mad Men but in the hands of world renowned DJ, TommyD, you can imagine a party to rival any night in Ibiza.

It’s smooth, it’s strong and, most importantly, it tastes good. www.808drinks. com

Cloven Hoof Rum Sometimes, playing it safe just won’t cut it if you want to make an impression and nothing makes an impression better than Cloven Hoof Rum. Featuring a devilish design and a unique blend of spices, this rum celebrates stepping outside of your comfort zone. www. clovenhoofrum. com

Sprizzato Distilled using a closely guarded, family secret, Spirizzato is the perfect Aperitivo Italiano to whisk you away to warm day next to the Mediterranean.

It’s sharp and sweet mix is fantastically well suited with food, but also makes a damn fine cocktail. www.sprizzato. co.uk

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THINGS TO DO THIS SPRING

Things to do this

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Street Feast returns to Dalston Yard for a summer-long stretch of night markets for those who like to be seen eating. New for 2016 are some modern classics of the food stall scene; Hawaiian-inspired sushi bowls from Poke, fiery chicken from White Men Can’t Jerk and juicy hunks of beef from Stakehaus.

All-time favourites making a return appearance include Kimchinary, Bleecker St and Smokestak.

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Rejoice, for London Wine Week is back with seven days of decanting vintages, decoding the wine list, and spitting left, right and centre. The £10 wristband gets you discounts and deals across more than 100 venues in London; it also means you’re entitled to £5 wine taster tours at partnering bars. Check the London Wine Week website for participating venues and to get the lowdown on talks and tastings.

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After the huge success of last year’s Photo London, the photography-dedicated fair returns to Somerset House for a second installment that promises to be bigger and better than the first. With expanded exhibition spaces and an ambitious public programme you’ll be able to experience a plethora of photographic practices, magnificent to even the untrained eye.

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Oh it’s a classic and it wouldn’t be Spring without it; The Chelsea Flower Show. Over 500 exhibitors will already be making plans and tending to their most prized plants in preparation for the event, which has taken place annually (apart from a few gaps during the two world wars) for over 100 years now.

Tickets are already available to buy via the RHS website.

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“Just spent a night sleeping next to a lion #RiseAndGrowl” Could very well be your next twitter update if you head to London Zoo’s new Land of the Lions development. Book into the Gir Lion Lodge for the night and you and your chosen companion will bed in just next door to the resident big cats. As well as your stay in the private cabin the experience includes a two-course dinner, an exclusive evening tour of the zoo, breakfast and a morning tour. prestigeeventsmagazine.com 21

WHY NOSTALGIA IS THE NEW COOL

WHY NOSTALGIA IS THE NEW

COOL I

t all began with Instagram. Sharing photos became not about the picture quality of your digital camera (who even owns one of those nowadays?) but about cropping your photo, making it blurrier with filters with fun names like Valencia and Mayfair until it looked vaguely like a polaroid your Dad would’ve taken in the 70’s. Fuji went one step further releasing the Instax which made polaroid pictures smaller, more photogenic and on the shelfie of every blogger from here to across the atlantic.

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WHY NOSTALGIA IS THE NEW COOL

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ashion, the regurgitating merry-go-round we all love to hate then saw Kylie, Kendall, Kim, Kourtney and… who else… Koko? (Maybe there’s a Koko? I’m sure there’s a Koko) rocking crop tops and velvet chokers like they were about to go and slay some vampires in 90210. Suddenly anyone over 30 feels like they should have listened when their Mum’s told them to hold on to bootcut jeans and blazers because I promise you reader – they’re coming back next. We all know it and whilst we’re struggling to get that perfect brown lipstick the undisputed queen of the 80’s, 90’s and, well our lives, Winona Ryder is back with the fan-bloody-tastic Stranger Things on Netflix. A Spielberg style horror set in the 80’s it establishes a new era of homage on TV. A visual love letter founded on the respect of an era where kids rode bikes, spoke on walkie talkies and the boys used hairspray as much as the girls. Stranger Things crashed on the scene gathering adoration from older and younger viewers alike, cementing that Nostalgia chic isn’t just here, it’s everywhere. And people love it.

The events scene has seen little change in the past couple of decades in terms of style. Hotels have gotten more of boudoir style, if they’re not scandi influenced. Sushi came and stayed to everyone’s surprise, and purple lights and monochromatic themes became a fallback for every event organiser for it’s chic, simplistic quality.

But what happens when the latest trend isn’t what you would call trendy?

How do you recognise those themes and stay in the loop when you’ve seen that trend before, bought the t-shirt and happily sent it to Oxfam?

Here are a few our tips, tricks and hints on how to root your customers and attendees in the comfort of the old, whilst pushing the industry forward into the modern world.

Print out Photobooths/Cameras Whilst we’d always recommend photographers if you can use a photobooth or even go one step further and source some Polaroids or Instaxs you’ll have guests going crazy documenting your event. People like stuff they can take home with them. How awesome would it be if you let them take your event home with them?

Project an old film Projecting an old classic without sans has been done time and time again and never does it fail to impress. Muting the sound forces conversation but should it wane it provides a conversation topic and distraction point.

Further it stamps your theme as prominently as possible over the event so choose wisely. Montages encouraged.

Book your acts accordingly For our COOL Venue Awards this year we kept our roster classic but you can be sure there was a twist in the way the acts presented themselves.

The young and always cool Groove Street played funk pop classics all night - their singer Bronte looking like a cross between Mia Wallace and Clara Bow- demonstrating that whilst they were anything but modern, we were witnessing class in all its definition. Don’t be afraid of using classics, just keep it interesting. prestigeeventsmagazine.com 23

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MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

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MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

have worked in the events industry for over 12 years for some of the top venues in London. I recently moved from The Bloomsbury Ballroom to Ministry of Sound to Head up the events department there. Ministry is known Worldwide for club nights, music and artist promotion and more recently has become known for Corporate Events. The venue is second to none for sound, lighting and offers a modern events space and can cater for all the client’s needs.

Adam Quigley Ministry of Sound

Q/WHY THE DECISION TO RE-VAMP? The industry has developed over the past few years and we are now seeing more unconventional spaces marketing themselves for events. I heard through the great vine that Isla MeKenzie the current Head of private Hire was moving on to new ventures I jumped at the chance for a new challenge. Isla has done a sterling job at the reigns of Ministry and I feel honoured to be able to develop on the work that she has been doing over the past few years.

Q/ WHAT SEPERATES YOU FROM YOUR RIVALS? A difficult question! I think a lot of my success within venues has been my attention to details, passion and a genuine desire to deliver above and beyond the clients requirements for their event. I like to meet and sit with clients and really get a better understanding of their events and also what makes them tick.

This way I am able to understand better their requirements and deliver the perfect event for them.

Q/ CARE TO MENTION ANY CLIENTS SIT IN YOUR PORTFOLIO As we never promote our clients’ events and we respect the confidentiality of our clients we are not able to give any names of clients that we work with. We do however also work with some of the top event agencies from Pure Consulting, Venue Search London and Hire Space.

Q/ WHAT THREE GOLDEN GUIDELINES WOULD YOU USE FOR CLEVER CREATIVITY AND GENRATING IDEAS? 1. Think outside the box By this I mean look at the positives and negatives of your venue and then think of ways to overcome these. It may not be the simplest solution that works so you really need to be a little quirky here.

2. Quiet Space

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MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS Sometimes the best ideas come to me when I just go and sit on my own in the venue. A chance to reflect and become re-acquainted with the space will often get my creativity flowing.

3. Events Every event has its own quirks and it may be the smallest thing within an event that catches your eye and then develops into a creative idea. Sit back sometimes and watch.

Q/ AND FINALLY, WHAT NUGGET OF WISDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS? Understand your client and don’t treat them the same as another. We are all individual and every event is unique, listen and understand their needs and work with them to achieve their event desires and you will have a client for life!

WEBSITE ADDRESS: wwwprivatehire.ministryofsound.com

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Daniel Maher

’m the Events Director at Boulevard Events. I took over the family catering company in 2011 along with my brother Mark, sister Keran and executive chef Adam.

We’re a London-based event caterer and after 25 years we are still very much family-owned and run with the same core values: Fabulous, locally-sourced ingredients, treated with the care and respect they deserve. It’s a formula that has seen us pick up the coveted Square Meal Venue and Events Canapé Cup for the last two years and we have absolutely no intention of stopping there…

Boulevard Events

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/ WHY THE DECISION TO RUN YOUR OWN ORGANISATION? After our parents retired in 2011 the company was very much at a crossroads. For 20 years it had operated successfully as both restaurant and then delivery catering service but the thing we all really loved doing and where we saw our biggest strengths was in event catering. We’d grown up living above our parent’s restaurant so hospitality was second nature to us and in Adam we truly believed (and still do!) that we had one of the capitals most talented chefs. We knew we had a great product and the perfect platform thanks to mum and dad’s years of hard work – we just had to go out and prove it to the events industry!

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/ WHAT SEPERATES YOU FROM YOUR RIVALS? We have one word we refuse to use with our clients and that is “no”. We are a relatively small company when compared to a lot of the catering world’s big fish which means that we are able to offer fantastic quality food and service at a lower price point but if there is one thing that always sets us apart its our willingness and ability to go the extra mile for our clients and their guests. If that means acting as Master 26 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS of Ceremonies for their wedding or designing 25 days worth of menus around each competing nation at the European Hockey Championships across 9 levels of hospitality then we will do it.

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/ CARE TO MENTION ANY CLIENTS SIT IN YOUR PORTFOLIO The best part is the range of clients we now have from global brands like BMW, Swarovski, Google, Samsung and Expedia to some of London’s top venues like Troxy, the Bloomsbury Ballroom and Egg LDN as well as sporting icons like London’s Olympic Velodrome where we were thrilled to be chosen as hospitality provider to the Bradley Wiggins Hour Record – and of course all of our wonderful private clients as well!

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/ WHAT THREE GOLDEN GUIDELINES WOULD YOU USE FOR CLEVER CREATIVITY AND GENRATING IDEAS? Don’t think “how”, think “what”! Don’t talk yourself out of a great idea because you can’t instantly work out how to pull it off, that can come later.

Listen! Listen to your clients, listen to your team, listen to your suppliers - listen to anybody with a voice.

A great idea can come from anywhere and nowhere so don’t shut yourself off to what’s around you.

Look everywhere – not just in your own industry. For us, creative ideas about catering don’t need to be born from other creative ideas about catering. Our first ever interactive food station, Little Italy, where chefs roll out pasta to over 25ft, then shape and cook fresh tortellini live in front of guests, was about making food entertaining so what was the point in just looking at street food? We looked at street entertainment as well and took inspiration from the best around: Covent Gardens street performers!

Q

/ AND FINALLY, WHAT NUGGET OF WISDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS? Never stop trying to improve. Never think your product is good enough, regardless of how much positive feedback you get, you can always make it better. Always keep your focus on the product and service you’re providing, WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.boulevardevents.co.uk

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Elena Kale Inspired Marketing Media

y career in sales & marketing spans over 24 years, primarily in events and leisure, with executive team level experience. I’m currently working with a number of SME’s to develop their marketing strategy, planning, branding, PR and social media positioning to drive growth and revenue. This may also include social media training & management and events organization & delivery.

I offer businesses who may not have full time marketing or PR support expertise and guidance to suit their needs and challenges. Every brief is bespoke, based on the client and I love the variety of consulting across several industries or sectors.

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MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

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/ WHY THE DECISION TO SET-UP AND GO ALONE? It’s been an ambition of mine for some time to work for myself and to work with a variety of different businesses, industries and products. Professional circumstances earlier this year meant the opportunity arose where I could realise this ambition.

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/ WHAT SEPERATES YOU FROM YOUR RIVALS? Having worked in marketing for over 20 years I understand traditional methods as well as having an indepth knowledge of digital marketing including social media and website management/SEO. My events background, incorporating setting up an events department from scratch, that rolled out across 3 sites, means I also have sales & business development experience. I understand how sales links with marketing, as do other departments, but it’s important to integrate marketing into an overall business strategy and consistently reviewed.

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/ WHAT THREE GOLDEN GUIDELINES WOULD YOU USE FOR CLEVER CREATIVITY AND GENRATING IDEAS? Focus on who you want to attract as a customer – create their profile and then draw them to you through attraction marketing Ask yourself would you want to work with you? If there are gaps look at companies/people you admire to find ways to improve Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone to find new ideas – if you keep doing the same, you’ll get more of the same so think big and don’t be afraid to test initiatives with peers, mentors and where appropriate focus/customer groups

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/ AND FINALLY, WHAT NUGGET OF WISDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS? Create content that adds value to your customers and don’t sell on social media! Become the expert in your field, build trust and relationships and people will want to talk to you…..

WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.inspiredmarketingmedia.co.uk

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Kate Disley Tembocreates 28

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’ve been marketing exhibitions and events for 15 years, for the vast majority of that time I was with UBM working across a broad array of industries; from Call Centres to grounds keeping! International Confex, Event UK, TFM and LIW were some of the most familiar brands. I moved on to consultancy, working on the biggest trade events in the UK; Spring and Autumn Fair. Throughout my time in management the frustrations of resourcing have been a perpetual and damaging issue. I founded Tembo as a fresh approach to marketing resource for event organisers, providing experienced and trained people who can rapidly make a difference; synchronised and scalable with event cycles.

MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

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/ WHY THE DECISION TO SET-UP AND GO ALONE? The belief that I had a unique idea that addressed a genuine need - and that I was the right person to take that idea forward.

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/ WHAT SEPERATES YOU FROM YOUR RIVALS? Investment in people. Tembo is not a huge faceless machine spitting out temps that have no experience or interest in your business. We take time to screen, select, inform, train, support and mentor the team. They are remunerated fairly so they consider contract work as a career option and not a stop gap, retaining knowledge and experience in the industry.

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/ CARE TO MENTION ANY CLIENTS SIT IN YOUR PORTFOLIO UBM, Centaur Media, Clarion, Mash Media

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/ WHAT THREE GOLDEN GUIDELINES WOULD YOU USE FOR CLEVER CREATIVITY AND GENRATING IDEAS? 1. I try to give myself permission to daydream. I am constantly working on full throttle, my mind is focused on the here and now; I just need to get things done. But I have certain places and times where I give myself permission to let my mind wander and exercise my imagination. And apart from keeping my mind healthy, things, that afterwards I think should be really obvious, often become apparent 2. I borrow, if something works in another industry with a few tweaks it may work in yours.

3. Talking to people constantly. Everyone not just my peers, and I ask their opinion. Everyone has one if they are asked. In a more structured way I surround myself with people I consider to have different types of wisdom. But kids are also great for adding clarity to a situation; I’m often mentored by my 5 year old!

Q/ AND FINALLY, WHAT NUGGET OF WISDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS? I have no new nugget of wisdom, there are way too many profound sound bites on social media these days. But I’m humbled on a daily basis by how supportive people can be, emotionally and practically, when you are trying to make your dream a reality.

WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.tembocreates.com

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am an experienced events industry professional having spent the last decade working for one the largest publishers in our sector. I currently sit on the ISES UK chapters: Education Committee and was recently included in the ‘100 movers and shakers of the UK events industry’. EventHuddle is a topical discussion forum that offers itself as a free education resource for event professionals & event students.

Previous discussions have seen us cover everything from Gender Equality and Recession Proofing to The EU debate & Food Wastage.

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MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

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/ WHY THE DECISION TO SET-UP AND GO ALONE? I have always wanted to be more than just a consumer. I want to contribute something to the world, to an industry I Love and show my children that they can be wealth creators.

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/ WHAT SEPERATES YOU FROM YOUR RIVALS? EventHuddle provides free, independent education. Normally you need to be a paid association member or a buyer with a particular spend level to be invited to such an event, and then quite often, the event panel proceed to sell their wares under the guise of education. Our topics are chosen free of panel influence and our panel picked for the view of the individual rather than the company they may work for or own.

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/ WHAT THREE GOLDEN GUIDELINES WOULD YOU USE FOR CLEVER CREATIVITY AND GENRATING IDEAS? Don’t just use your eyes and ears...you have so many senses to utilise.

Network, Network, Network - crowd sourcing can be invaluable Don’t be afraid of alone time...sometimes locking yourself away from everything (inc your mobile phone) can free your mind and let your imagination loose.

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/ AND FINALLY, WHAT NUGGET OF WISDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS? Network in your industry and be yourself. So many great industry relationships and partnerships are formed from meeting someone at an event. These aren’t chance counters....meeting someone happens when you are proactive and get out there!

WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.eventhuddle.co.uk

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BOUNCE LET’S BOUNCE!

Let’s Bounce!

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LET’S BOUNCE! Bounce Ping Pong is no longer the New Kid on the block, but a respected and established part of London’s recreation scene. With a cocktail and wine list to put most to shame and those in the know hailing it as one of the best places in the city to grab a slice of Pizza, it’s clear there’s not just balls in its court.

6 of the Prestige team hit up the Old Street, Farringdon location on a Monday evening (usually the death knell for most venues) and the place was rammed with a cross section so broad a polling clerk would have a field day. From couples on their first dates, older groups reminiscing, students on a night out and our group somewhere in the middle it’s clearly a venue for everyone and anyone who wants something a bit different but oh so familiar.

The venue isn’t however just for recreation and they are a fantastic venue for corporate events. Our 2020 held at the Shoreditch Location was one of our most popular and raved about for good reason, and the relaxed environment accents business with a comfortable vibe, which allows conversations to ebb and flow more naturally than they would perhaps at a more formal location.

I spoke to the lovely Jack Turner, Bounce’s event’s manager, about the venue and got him to answer a few burning questions.

- Was Ping Pong actually created there?

Yes, our flagship venue Farringdon is verifiably located on the very same site on which the game of ‘Ping Pong’ was first created and patented in 1901 by Jaques of London.

- Are discounts available for group / corporate bookings?

In January Bounce are offering half price ping pong for those working in hospitality or waived room hire on private events for those in the hospitality industry. You might also see them in Timeout magazine - What’s the weirdest / most out of character event you’ve thrown there?

Hmmm, we recently held a food roadshow where clients brought in food stalls and served tasters for their guests whilst running a conference. This also included virtual reality simulators of behind the scenes in food factories. We’ve also been popular for exclusive hires where we have had the beer pong world championships the last two years!

- What’s been Bounce’s biggest moment?

To be featured within one of then ‘Ones to watch within Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 & but also opening our doors to our first US venue, AceBoune in Chicago, June 2016

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5 ROOFTOP BARS

5

Rooftop Bars

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5 ROOFTOP BARS

Notch is in the same spot as the hugely popular Roofnic, which opened last summer, but now it’s got a whole new look. You can soak up the views in a rooftop swing, while sipping on cocktails and Japanese food.

Plus, you get to look down on all the stressed out people on Oxford Street while you get merry on a rooftop. Lovely!

At Culpeper Roof Garden You’ll get double the gherkin at this idyllic inner-London spot, since The Culpeper’s rooftop space is used to grow vegetables for its kitchen, as well as for rooftop drinking with City views.

The cocktails from the cute greenhouse bar are of real quality and pack in loads of herbs from the neighbouring beds. Perfect for that detox you’ve sworn you’ll do but can’t quite commit to.

Aqua is less about the views and more about the booze, Aqua Spirit is home to two year-round terraces that work as slick and moody sunset spots. An established hotspot they’re usually packed with good-looking professionals who take advantage of the inside bar when it gets that bit too chilly.

Proof is both appealing in winter and summer a rarity that deserves mention on this list . In cold weather, it offers the best bits of the season, including snuggly blankets, hot toddies and log fires. When the sun shines, outdoor pursuits include flamingo croquet, open-air burgers from Le Bun and frozen mezcal cocktails. Choices, choices…but we choose both .

Radio Rooftop Bar can make or break your night if you are unfortunate enough to not get in. It is the best bar none – so it pays to book (although you’re subject to a hangover-inducing £75 per person spend most nights). The hype is real by way of swanky signature cocktails and unbeaten 360-degree views of London’s skyline.

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REGION FOCUS: CANADA

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REGION FOCUS: CANADA Axis Travel Marketing and Business Events Canada invited me on behalf of Prestige Events to go to the land we have all professed to want to live in, the good part of America and home of the most attractive Prime Minister who ever did live; Canada.

Whilst I was in Canada I would see what the city of Vancouverand its neighbour Whistler- have to offer for corporate groups, which whilst I was excited the opportunity can always bring on

slight worry and fairly average expectations. See, whilst what we do at Prestige is find the coolest parts of what can sometimes be a monotonous industry, and a lot of what we do is sifting. We bring you the crème de la crème of the events industry so you can make the best decisions for you, and five days viewing conferencing facilities and suppliers telling us sales figures sounds a bit… meh.

Which is why I was absolutely floored by everything this great, expansive and forward thinking

land had to offer. And why despite Tokyo’s Blade Runner like aesthetic, San Francisco’s tech savvy advances and the Scandi’s emotional and societal progess it is Vancouver that reigns supreme. It is Vancouver that will offer the most to your clients, your staff and yourself.

Other cities are aspiring to the future, Vancouver is already there.

Day 1 I departed from Heathrow arriving at Vancouver within 10 hours. Yep it’s a stretch of a flight however the benefits of flying back in time cannot and should not be sniffed at. We left at 10am and were in Vancouver by 11am their time. This meant we had the whole of the first day to do whatever we wanted before a short tour of our beautiful hotel, the Fairmount. Myself and the other journalists were afforded taxi vouchers which made getting around a breeze and helped us all feel comfortable and independent. Exactly how you would want your guests to feel. I knew exactly what I what I wanted to do which was shop. I know, I know, fly halfway across the world to shop but I found some great vintage stores and it gave me a great knowledge of the area I was staying in. After a mooch around the city, too much money spent for a first day, and a quick nap we arrived downstairs in the hotel for dinner with our hosts.

Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, Vancouver, unlike London, actually houses a lot of its workers with a constant stream of new skyscrapers being built. We met our hosts from Business Events Canada who would be touring us the next day and they all lived less than 20 minutes’ walk from where we were sat. On a picture perfect autumnal day like that was I almost envied their walk back home, and since I’ve been back I struggle not to think of them every time TFL announces yet another delay. After the best Fish Gumbo I’ve had I slept soundly ready to tackle the next day head on.

Day 2 And head on it was. Waking up at 3am and struggling to get back to sleep I went on a walk of the city.

Single female walking around a city late at night doesn’t exactly sound like the best idea but the streets of Vancouver really are picture perfect. Not much litter, homeless people or drunks meant the streets were peaceful and I never felt anything but safe, even when I did get a little lost. Whilst this anecdote may seem fruitless (“what does this have to do with conferencing” I hear you exclaim) in an industry that is skewered towards employing women that I felt safe there says a lot. It means returned business and comfort despite being in an unknown environment. If you want your staff to feel at ease and ready to do the best they can then you will need to make sure that their environment compliments that. Even at a ‘dodgy’ time and location, when the odds should be against it, Vancouver out performs.

At a more suitable time, when the sun had risen and the Coffee shops had opened, we all went to have breakfast on the Pacific Yacht downtown. A Coastal city – Vancouver is actually a peninsula- boats are everywhere and water sports a frequented activity by locals. Surrounded by lush green a yacht is a fantastic option for networking as not only can you constantly switch up your view of the city to stow away boredom but the four different areas of the boat allow for movement and privacy if needs be.

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REGION FOCUS: CANADA

Pacific Yacht houses its own staff and their chef is world trained, creating breakfast canapés and a three course breakfast (who knew that existed) all for our enjoyment. The stand out had to be the 63 degree eggs. Eggs cooked at 63 degrees for an hour so that they’re perfectly poached and more akin to tofu than anything you’ll know – they tasted exceptional. Yep I went on a yacht in Vancouver in the autumn and the standout was the eggs. That tells you how amazing those eggs were.

Post breakfast with a few hours to kill we had some free time and went to Granville Island; a quirky shopping island with buskers, Native American art and a food market that would have Nigella weeping. After talking to a maple syrup maker for far too long than he probably wanted (did you know you can put it on SALMON?) we left poorer but happy to take a helicopter ride. Yep a yacht and a helicopter. Conference rooms these were not.

Having never been on a helicopter before the fellow journos let me ride up front and after a quick briefing we were off touring Vancouver and mocking the traffic below us. This is definitely at the luxury end of the scale, after all most conference providers don’t want to pay for their attendees to take a helicopter away from the city they’ve paid big bucks to be in, but let me tell you, as you’re soaring across that Peninsula and looking at the city that is so progressive, so forward thinking and ahead of us here in the UK all 38

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you feel is inspiration. It makes you want to get up and do your job the best you can because this is what it’s all about.

As we landed in the helicopters base we were privy to a tour of the event spaces. Yay a conference tour, finally… But nope. Even this was different.

A large airport hangar the light and airy space was shown to us alongside a wine tasting and canapé trial. Due to its varying climates Vancouver has been focusing a lot on its wines recently and their pride does not come unsubstantiated. Like all the meals we’d had prior everything was locally sourced.

Yep everything. When the apocalypse comes Canada will be fine, trust me. The wonderful people at Sky helicopters are used to hosting every kind of event; proposals, film sets, conferences, and as their space is so large they’re ready for anything you can throw at them.

We rounded off day two -yes this is only day two- at Miku restaurant. One of the best in the city (for the rest of the week everyone we met with got really excited whenever we mentioned we’d been) it really is beloved. Serving Japanese dishes it was here I tried the most incredible Sable Fish, a black cod variant that more closely resembled butter than anything that could have possibly come out of the sea. I have no qualms in saying that this dish was so perfect, that since I’ve returned I have searched high and low for a place that serves it and failed miserably, feeling the slightest twinge of happiness that I’ve tried something so on another level it cannot be replicated elsewhere. Much like

REGION FOCUS: CANADA Vancouver itself.

Day 3 The Thursday began with breakfast at the Vancouver Aquarium. An institution the aquarium is dedicated to housing animals until they are ready to go back into the wild, whilst housing the more permanent residents with such care and genuine love it is clear why so many of the staff are volunteers (I saw a woman smiling with genuine glee whilst cleaning the jellyfish tank, which seemed like the truest dedication to one’s field I’ve ever seen). The space regularly houses events on a grand scale and whilst conferencing is a possibility, this is definitely where you would bring your guests for a Gala or party of sorts. The space is simply too photo genic to not.

We ate Crab Benedict next to a jellyfish tank, which made me feel a little like Clare Danes in Romeo and Juliet and less like I was betraying the fish by eating their buddy. Along with the rest of the meal all our food was locally sourced and to the highest standard with the staff’s enthusiasm and honest affection for the space inspiring all of us. A space also for fun, the staff regularly come at least twice a month and the all access tour we were given would make an amazing VIP option for your guests (definitely not for larger groups but not worth leaving out!).

After saying goodbye to the otters we went to Stanley Park, the largest park in Vancouver and recently voted the best park in the world meant expectations were sky high.

Totem’s filled a lot of the space,

revelling in the history that came before modern Vancouver and the atmosphere whilst uplifting was serene and comfortable.

As Vancouver resides on the west coast Natives were subject to less extinction at the hands of the British and as such more has been done to preserve and celebrate their lives both past and present. But more on that later…

After dinner we went to Glowbal, one of, if not the best restaurant in the city and enjoyed Beef Tenderloin so perfect and free of fat that if the cow must have been putting in more hours at the gym than Rocky and a Crème Brule that made me weep with joy. The servers were the best of the best and when I admitted to suffering from jet leg I was whipped up a pick me up so full of coffee, ice cream and baileys I was ready to hit the town despite feeling like it was 5am.

A few of us hit up Gas Town, a

meatpacking district style area where the bars are classy, the roads are paved with scandi style interior design stores and the vibe is electric. It’s worth noting here that in Vancouver you must must must bring your ID with you at all times. The bars ID anyone who looks younger than 35 (yep) non-negotiable so make sure it goes everywhere with you. In Chill Winstons we drank the strongest cocktails known to man, laughed at the fact the menu carried Gluten Free Beer and listened to local acts until we were ready to retire to our second hotel of the trip, the Fairmont Waterfront.

More modern and, as its name would suggest, closer to the docks and nearer to nightlife than the main Fairmount in the city. It also lays a 2 minute walk from the Vancouver Convention Centre, 466,500sq ft sized space ready to house any sized event you can think of (you might however know them best for housing the TED Talks). Whilst at the Convention centre earlier in the day we ate a lunch prepared by renowned Chef Blair Rasmussen. Yes, it was amazing. Yes, it was all locally sourced. No this was not a bad habit to get into.

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REGION FOCUS: CANADA

Day 4 Breakfast was served at the Fairmont before we left for the Whistler mountains and what a breakfast it was. Whilst the buffet would satisfy even the most particular diner I opted for the poached eggs, a gargantuan serving on sliced potato, pork hash and a side of toast. I managed about half before admitting defeat and ordering a smoothie to feel some semblance of health.

Throughout our trip we were constantly told of the drive to Whistler.

“Make sure you stay awake!”, “Have your camera ready!”, “Try and stop off and enjoy the views”, “Fight for a window seat in the car” and we weren’t disappointed. The road is actually marked ‘Scenic Route’ and a more practical route for commuters so Vancouverites know what they’re offering is special. We stopped somewhere called Fuzzy Creek (not that Fuzzy but there was indeed a creek) and snapped a few photos, not that we were going to forget it in a hurry. Vancouver could easily be compared with Tokyo and Dubai thanks to it close proximity between the vibrant city and such grand natural splendour. At times it feels like the journey should be far longer and more tiresome than it actually is. To see such natural beauty that easily, whilst being so close to business and modern living is something people try appreciate and businesses have been quick to pick up on this, promoting weekend activities, quick active excursions and affordable day trips, all ready for visiting event organisers to take advantage of.

Checking into the Fairmount Whistler we were upgraded to the Fairmont Gold Lounge. A home away from home being a Fairmont Gold member for your stay allows access to a living room area and kitchen constantly stocked with complimentary food and drink, along with the kindest concierges one could hope to find.

The décor throughout the hotel is 5-star alpine chic so even if you’re relaxing après-ski you can be sure feel like you’re making the most of your trip there (though it really would be a shame to not embrace the outdoors). Despite the reputation of Whistler as a ski resort the mountains really come alive in summer, with weekly festivals, outdoor markets and mountain biking championships to name but a few occasions to plan a trip around. Notably cheaper for event organisers to book, summer also provides a more leisurely

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conferencing practise in a mountain hike or nature excursion than winter sports would provide – I hear it is rather difficult to network whilst skiing down a red slope! But if you’d rather host a more typical conference there are a number of great options, from the classic Whistler Convention centre to the allinclusive hotel/event space Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler.

We had dinner from the award winning restaurant and all food, wine and service were exquisite.

Another great way to really embrace Canada’s roots is to host an event at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. A museum run by the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations was a host community for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Designed in the forms of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling with fire pit), this 30,400 square foot complex is a great way to add some authenticity into your trip.

Later that afternoon we were invited to the Scandinave Spa. Less an event space and more a way to treat your guests, the Spa is set within a peaceful spruce and cedar forest and overlooking Whistler’s mountain vistas. The outdoor day spa is a Nordic-inspired oasis of calm which offers a pretty unconventional but oh so highly effective treatment; you first get very hot (steam, sauna or thermal bath), you then get very cold very quickly (plunge pool, cold pool, Nordic shower), and then relax. It was heaven.

It was hell. I have never felt so rested and I swear it sorted a whole host of problems I never knew I had.

REGION FOCUS: CANADA

Day 5 The morning was ours to do with what we liked before leaving at midday, and as it was a Sunday I checked out the local farmer’s market, picking up unique gifts for friends and family before going on a mini hike around the neighbouring lakes. I also made sure to try the Canadian Delicacy that seems right out of Newcastle, Poutine.

A mountainous combo of fries, gravy and cheese curds filled me to such a degree that I napped in the car en route to the airport (glad I caught the scenery on the way there!). The flight back was seamless, like everything else in Canada, and Vancouver airport is now my favourite thanks to its sofas, large plant-life and aquariums.

Canada is unique. It is special and it is all so worth your time, money and expense account. Sometimes the biggest risks we take are the ones that seem safest, and whilst this is indeed a bold choice, it is one that will be remembered years from now for all the right reasons.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL NAME: ROB MORGAN AGENCY NAME: BANKS SADLER

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

I like how fast paced our ever-changing industry is. It ensures I’m at the forefront of my game, challenging clients with how they work and providing bespoke solutions to reinvent their event programmes to enhance brand experiences and attendee engagement.

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. What do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

The defining factor in building these relationships is to always be personable, understand your clients brand values, and work in partnership with them to define objectives to see where you can add true value to their business.

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

Working with the big brands really opens up your imagination, as you’re able to work with bigger budgets, providing a fully creative solution and incorporate latest technology gadgets to enhance engagement. At the same time it is refreshing to work within the SME market that may have lower budgets, as it enables us to showcase to our clients that we can still make engaging events, but in a much more cost effective way.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

We are a totally open book when it comes to our budgets, providing a one stop shop of services and a flexible consultative approach to our ever changing client’s requirements. Our responsibility is to understand the identity of the event, to ensure we create & produce an engaging and memorable event that always fulfils the clients brief.

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

COOL for me is not just about the entertainment, themes and concepts, it’s about what we can do differently to make sure we captivate our clients attendees in creative content and bespoke interactive solutions, so the attendees are totally engaged with the clients top line objectives – brand experience, products and strategy.

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

Attention to detail and confidence to deliver the event project. I work with the best event team in the business – my colleagues amaze me every time as they really do go that extra mile.

Q/ What have you experienced at any event in the past 12 months that has really got you excited?

Our creative production team were one of the first people to produce an experiential training event, with an immersive learning experience incorporating virtual reality technology to provide in-depth product knowledge.

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

Utilising the latest pop ups and immersive experiences into corporate event programmes, such as the gingerline, crystal maze, the heist; as an element of team building, networking and recognitions.

Q/ What sets you aside from other event agencies out there?

Banks Sadler is all about the people – we provide our clients with access to our expertise and skillset.

With seven International offices, our global delivery opens up additional exposure to destinations & venue knowledge, providing confidence for our clients who have international event programmes. We believe that we are innovators, we challenge our clients to change the way they work; offering insight and creative ways of working to create memorable events. We also have an integrated offering, so we are able to offer our clients venue sourcing, event management, travel management, production and event technology all under one roof, creating a more seamless process for our clients.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL NAME: MATI GONO AGENCY NAME: JUST AS PLANNED ESTABLISHED: 2011 Company background: Modus operandi: We are only as good as our last wedding which always keeps on our toes.

Number of employees: 13 Key clients: Potential brides and grooms, anyone celebrating a milestone birthday or event.

Website: www.justasplanned.net Created in 2011, Just As Planned has fast become a major player within the wedding events industry, voted regional finalist for the 2015 Wedding Industry Awards, year on year the company has continued to produce more exclusive events in some of London’s most prestigious venues. The company has cemented a position as one of London’s top wedding events consultants. Known for their sense of professionalism and organisation that is the mark of a Just As Planned event.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

Beginning her career organising music events for gospel artists, our CEO Mati Gonothere was a natural transition into organising weddings and styling events. The feeling of fulfilment gained when we see a client experiencing their dream event is what motivates us to keep delivering excellent events.

Preoccupied with the creation of novel experiences which create events with an edge and flair that is completely unique to our events, Just As Planned continues to orchestrate events that surpass our client’s high expectations. The feeling of fulfilment gained when we see a client experiencing their dream event is what motivates us to keep delivering excellent events.

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. What do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

The work we continuously do at some of London’s most prestigious venues such as Grosvenor House, The Dorchester, The Park Lane Hotel and The Intercontinental draws our clients to us. Our event portfolio gets people through the door and we take it from there. As an extremely personable and friendly team, we treat each client with extreme care, paying careful attention to all their needs and requests and ensuring we meet and exceed their expectations. Doing this has helped us create and maintain long lasting client relationships which leads to client referrals.

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

Working with big name clients allows us to build on our experience and expertise and show them why we are leaders in our industry.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

Event design, Venue Sourcing, Vendor hiring and liaison, Decoration and thorough event planning and Coordination and management of all clients expectations.

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

COOL plays a very important role in our events as it assists us in finding venues and networking with other industry professionals. This gives us very useful up to date information.

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

Preparing for a big event day means thorough event planning. During the week of the event we produce event documents with detailed information about the event and the programme for the day, site visits and team meetings and conference calls.

Q/ What have you experienced at any event in the past 12 months that has really got you excited?

Our ability to manage large crowds of event attendees efficiently with our new access card system.

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

Companies being more diverse and creative with their corporate event venues.

Q/ What sets you aside from other event agencies out there?

We have a unique approach to dealing with every client individually and working very closely with them to bring their vision to life. We are passionate, productive, professional and always deliver on promise.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL NAME: SONIA SANSOM

AGENCY NAME: E2E EVENTS LTD ESTABLISHED: FEB 2013 Company background: After 15 years in the event business as an enthusiastic, creative event professional who thrives on challenges, Sonia Sansom set up E2E Events to manage event requirements from concept to completion providing ‘end to end’ project management of events and hospitality.

Modus operandi: We are a professional, friendly agency who meet with clients face to face to develop your initial event brief and provide a dedicated Project Manager to manage the event from end to end: planning, timelines, finances, bookings, etc.

Number of employees: 7 Key clients: Heathrow Airport, National Trust, Carbon Trust, Verint Systems, Somoglobal, Icopal, Mace, Babcock International Website: www.e2eevents.co.uk E2E Events offers a friendly, professional event service from the initial brief through to your event day.

We provide an all encompassing package including idea generation, planning, organisation and delivery, which ensures all guests and clients have a momentous experience. E2E Events specialises in corporate hospitality, teambuilding, fine dining, parties and conferences of up to 300 people, no event is too big or too small. We provide venue finding, event consultation, catering, entertainment, AV, photography, transportation and event decoration. Clients can choose all of our services or just some.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

I love to bring people together to have a great time and found I was good at organising and planning events. At E2E we are a united team with many years of customer service experience. We all share the same values and goal of achieving positively memorable events, end to end, where we put people at ease and ensure everyone has a good experience.

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. What do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

Getting to know people and building trust so I can save my clients time, hassle and money by organising for them events which exceed their highest expectations. All completed with passion, enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

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

Just the same as working with clients people haven’t heard of! It’s about professionalism and delivering an excellent service end to end.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

A mutually trusting relationship between a supplier like me and a client doesn’t just happen; it requires time and effort. I like to spend time with clients in their offices, living and breathing their culture and understanding their values and objectives. This leads to a smooth process from initial ideas, through planning to key milestones and the event itself. I like open and honest feedback throughout the process and it’s important to me to always provide a friendly service.

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

There’s an element of COOL in everything we do – that’s often what gives an event the WOW factor and makes it memorable. Networking at the 20/20 is key to establishing great contacts and keeping up to speed with the best new venues.

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

Close communications with our clients and suppliers are crucial and we follow agreed timelines, working towards key milestones throughout the project process. Then there are site visits, contingency planning and health and safety, which are key in all our deliveries. We take all the hassle from our clients, saving them time and giving them confidence ahead of their event.

Q/ What have you experienced at any event in the past 12 months that has really got you excited?

I’m so enthusiastic about my work that all the events I organize get me excited! Highlights are exhibiting at Olympia Confex for the first time, hosting our own showcase at the Royal Horseguards Hotel, and organising a family party for a corpowrate client. The party had everything: a Fortnum and Mason picnic, flower arranging, cinema, kids chemistry workshop, private dining with a winner of Masterchef the Professionals, live opera singer, pianist, salsa band and dance lessons, plus Exquisite Cocktails. Don’t you wish you were there?

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

When I work with the Carbon Trust, sustainability is obviously crucial. Lots of venues do great things in this area but I’d like to see beefed up sustainability policies and services and more promotion of these.

I think the growth of technology in events will continue, with virtual reality likely to be the next big thing.

We had a virtual racing experience by Somo at our recent showcase and guests loved it.

Q/ What sets you aside from other event agencies out there?

We’re a curious combination of friendly, fun and professional, enabling us to build and maintain excellent working relationships that are built on trust. This means we have vast numbers of contacts in the business so get the best offers and can offer a one-stop shop. Clients and suppliers enjoy working with us to deliver unique experiences that add value.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL NAME: PEARL VAN ENDE AGENCY NAME: PEARL, ROCK & RAVEN ESTABLISHED: 2013 Company background: Since its launch in 2013, Pearl, Rock & Raven have produced an array of exciting events; including an exotic corporate party in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, a gala soirée for the National Ballet of Canada, large client events for AON and parties for leading brands such as JOSEPH and Prism.

Modus operandi: Delivering that personal touch in order to create truly memorable, bespoke events.

We provide a discreet service and our top priority is to make the client and their guests feel relaxed and looked after at every stage.

Number of employees: 2 Key clients: JOSEPH, AON, Mr & Mrs Smith, Deep East Music Website: www.pearlrockandraven.com Whether you are looking for an unforgettable Christmas spectacular for 1500 people or an intimate reception and dinner cooked by a top London chef in your offices, we pride ourselves on being able to deliver exactly what you want, within your budget.

With a wealth of amazing contacts to draw on, we hand pick the right team to suit you and your tastes best. In the past we have collaborated with Martin Scorsese’s set designers and Tracey Emin’s neon sign makers, so you can rest assured that we will be able to make even your most outlandish party dreams into a reality.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

We believed there was a gap in the market for an events agency who could not only execute a corporate event with such flawless logistical management, but also apply a creative vision in order to create a personal and highly innovative event which truly reflects the company’s brand identity.

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. What do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

We are aware that an event is ultimately a reflection of a company’s corporate image and we are unrivalled in our ability to create an event so aligned with a company’s objectives. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide a discreet and personal service where we listen carefully to our clients’ needs to ensure we deliver the perfect event to represent their brand.

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

Our big-name and high profile clients have specific goals for an event as ultimately it needs to reflect their brand identity. It’s wonderful for us to then add innovative suggestions and a creative vision, in order to create a truly unique and spectacular event that represents the company’s culture.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

We begin with a complimentary face to face to meeting to find out our clients’ preferences and ideas, and work closely with our client at every point up to the event to ensure we’re creating the perfect event to reflect their brand identity. We then produce a presentation, mood board and budget estimate (including special rates with suppliers) that we will then work on together in order to ensure we deliver exactly what you want and within your budget.

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

It’s incredibly important! We like to showcase the slickest, newest venues for our clients to keep them one step ahead of the game.

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

We work closely with our clients to ensure we handpick the perfect team to reflect the company’s image at the event. We will work closely with the client right from our first meeting to ensure all the logistics are effortlessly managed and that the event itself is delivered successfully and within budget, so our client doesn’t have to worry about a thing.

Q/ What have you experienced at any event in the past 12 months that has really got you excited?

I thought that the ‘living’ bars at the Anthropologie store launch were a triumph. We are looking to recreate those for a client’s wedding this summer. The smell of jasmine in the air was intoxicating.

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

We’d love to see even more creativity being reflected in corporate events, from extravagant Christmas parties and launch events, to team-building days and employee rewards. Whatever the incentive, we’d like to see all events providing something a little different for not only their clients but also their own employees, to set their company aside from the rest.

Q/ What sets you aside from other event agencies out there?

At Pearl, Rock & Raven, not only will we successfully deliver your event with seamless organisation but with our creative vision and wealth of contacts, we will be able to create a truly innovative and unique event which truly reflects your brand image.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

AGENCY NAME: CLASSICO PRODUCTIONS ( RICHARD & LOWELL) ESTABLISHED: 2005 Company Background: Established over 10 years ago, Classico Productions was the brainchild of Richard Cohen who started his events career as a humble DJ. Regularly booked for high end private parties, Richard worked the DJ circuit for many years but his foray into the music mixing world was heading more towards Magaluf than Miami. He turned his attention to hosting and co-ordinating parties himself and soon found his true calling in life. Whilst on his journey of enlightenment Richard received overwhelming feedback and in a short space of time the demand for his experience and expertise soon became more than he could handle. Without hesitation, in 2005 he created Classico Productions.

Classico Productions is an event management and creative production company which was established in 2005 and has a combined events experience of over 60 years from the senior management alone.

Catering for both the corporate and private market Classico Productions offers support, guidance and a wide spectrum of professional services to the events industry. From intimate weddings with 10 guests and extravagant birthday parties for private clients, to product launches in unusual venues and exhibitions for 15,000 attendees, Classico Productions provides the perfect event agency partner. Our mission is simple, to create and deliver a wonderful and unforgettable experience for our clients each and every time.

Q: Modus Operandi : At Classico we believe that there is no such thing as a ‘bad idea’ and we cultivate our years of experience to ensure that each client receives a service that is over and above their expectations. In order to deliver this service it is essential that we understand the culture and ethos that is embedded in each and every client. Each client we work with is different from the next so it is essential for our business that we listen, adapt and identify who, in our team, has the most appropriate skill set to execute each project to achieve the best results for our clients.

Q: Number of employees: In addition to our regular crew of AV and lighting specialists, production managers and experienced venue finders we have a total of six in the core team.

Q:Key Clients Having carved our mark in the private sector we have a diversified our portfolio over the last few years with clients from the financial sector, automobile, hospitality & tourism, media and commercial markets.

Q:Website: www.classicoproductions.com

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q: What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events?

We always wanted to create a brand that both companies and individuals are proud to be associated with and although the journey has had its ups and downs, I have never looked back. The corporate world is exciting and scary at the best of times but with perseverance, tenacity and support from friends and family it can provide an awesome sense of achievement and you really do meet some incredible and inspirational people along the way. As psychology says, always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to help you grow.

Q: You have a varied client portfolio what do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

Recently I was interviewed by world famous events guru, Lord Jason Scott for The Guestlist podcast where I highlighted the importance of being a nice person and I truly believe that nice people can go far in this competitive and cut-throat industry. You’ve heard it before, and it’s true, “people buy people”. You will be remembered for the good you do and inevitably people will talk about you, so make sure it’s for the right reasons.

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

I’ve had the privilege to work with some amazing clients over the years, with varied budgets and different degrees of pressure, but each experience has taught me something new that I can learn from.

Each client we work with is exciting no matter the name but it’s the customer’s journey that is important to me. From concept to delivery, the client must come first and a mutual trust is such an important element to ensure that we reach the best result.

Q: What preparation goes into your service?

You’ve heard it before but failing to plan, is planning to fail so open channels of communication with clients and staff is essential. Each person on the team has a part to play for the success of any event and it is important that each individual knows that they are valuable to the cause. It’s like a watch with many pieces, and these pieces need to work in total symphony to do one job, to tell the right time, every time.

Q: How important a role does ‘Cool’ play in events?

With every event there is an element of ‘Cool’ and when it’s married with ‘Smooth’ then it’s an unbeatable force. We keep on top of all the latest trends and industry developments and share best practice from our peers, injecting ‘cool’ to our events where appropriate Q: how do you and your team prepare for a big event day?

Knowledge is key and one can only act on the information that it is given, so it is vital that the finer details of any event are covered, from the brightness of each screen, to the colour of each cocktail. In order to achieve this, communication with all parties involved has to flow both ways and a simple rule to follow, which we were all taught in school is; if you don’t know then ask Q: What have you experienced in the past 12 months that really got you excited?

Just over 12 months ago Lowell Cabual joined the Classico family as Sales and Marketing Director and has brought with him a wealth of experience with a background in the corporate events sector. In addition to this, Emma Delane was appointed as Head of Social Media and in the last few months she has managed to increase our company profile within the complex world of social media. We were also proud sponsors of the 9th Cool Venue awards and shared the Prestige stand at Confex, which was an absolute honour and privilege.

Q: What would you like to see happen in the Corporate Events industry in the next 12 months?

The emergence of new technology is fast paced and has seen the corporate events industry become more tech focused over the years, but this does not necessarily mean that all corporate companies are embracing it with open arms. However, it is more important than ever to engage with the audience and technology plays an essential role in measuring client engagement. Choosing the right tech at an event is vital and as a production company we offer guidance and support to suit a diverse clientele.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL

NAME: DALE PARMENTER AGENCY NAME: DRP ESTABLISHED: 1980 Company background: Events, Exhibition, Experiential, Film and Video Modus operandi: creative communications agency Number of employees: 178 Key clients: EE, Triumph, Lloyds Bank, Thomas Cook, Jaguar Land Rover, British Army, Sainsbury’s.

Website: www.drpgroup.com drp is a well-established, and uniquely integrated, creative communications agency, known for making anything possible as we connect people, build brands and help to grow companies. drp delivers award winning live events, exhibitions, producing innovative film and videos, digital solutions, and design-led print. All of our services are owned, created and executed in-house, which means we have full involvement from initial idea to end result.

Our 4.2 acre production facilities include 8 fully equipped editing suites, 2 cutting-edge studios, digital innovation labs, a dedicated print facility, 3D projection cinema, and contemporary design suite.

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EVENT AGENCIES FOR YOUR SPEED-DIAL Q/ What was the inspiration behind you getting involved in corporate events? drp first began in 1980 as a video production company ‘DRP FILMS’, catering to weddings, before moving into corporate and commercial videos.

In 1997, drp had organically expanded into a diverse range of communications, and was not simply a video company. With events, technical, video, multimedia and print divisions the company was expanding rapidly.

I decided to take advantage of, and maximise, the corporate events sector, as the company was winning clients and gaining high exposure in this area, with the largest client at this time being Thomas Cook.

Q/ You have a varied client portfolio. What do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

At drp our major asset is our people, and they are at the forefront of everything we do, and achieve.

Without such professional, determined, and hardworking individuals on our team, we would not have been able to establish the relationships that we have with our clients.

All of the drpteam have the ‘anything’s possible’ mind-set innate in their work ethic, which we believe is the key ingredient to success. Our people are the defining factor in being able to establish, and maintain such an outstanding roster of clients.

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

We’re extremely privileged to work with highly-respected and well-known brands on a wide range of projects. Working with a selection of big-name clients enables our team to enhance their skills, as well as gain real insight and understanding into how these companies operate.

We deliver to clients in wide range of different sectors from retail, public, transport, telecoms, automotive, and financial sectors, to name a few, our team has gained extensive knowledge and experience. With every project the drpteam fully immerses themselves into the brand in order to reflect the client’s culture and objectives across the entire project.

With every new client, or development of an existing client relationship, we have an opportunity to be able to learn from them. This helps us to become more multi-faceted in our own abilities, and builds our knowledge within our clients’ sectors.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

Preparation is essential to providing our clients with the best service possible. Our main objective in the beginning is to establish a good working relationship, and form the right boundaries within this working relationship. This is crucial to ensuring good communication, deliverance, and feedback of an event.

Some clients will have dedicated account managers who will manage any project making sure we are meeting all the clients’ needs and objectives. We can also offer the option, which some clients have taken up, of an implant within their work place.

Like any event it’s all about checking and checking again, and making sure we haven’t missed anything. We take pride in attention to detail and this helps us to deliver the project successfully for our client. Our unique offering of having everything in-house allows us to be able to have more control and a more fluid flow of communication when pulling everything together.

Overall, we always keep the client in mind, and retain communication with them before, throughout, and after, to ensure that all objectives are met. In every service we reflect upon our work, whilst promoting feedback from the client.

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

It all depends on the type of event it is as to how cool it will be. It also rests on the clients’ view of ‘cool’ and what ‘cool’ means to them. This could be in relation to their sector, the client’s objectives and brand, and the audience who is being addressed at the event.

You always have to keep a cool approach when managing and juggling various aspects of a complicated event.

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24 HOURS IN WINDSOR

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HOURS IN WINDSOR

9am-Go to Freedom Coffee for a coffee to go whilst you make your way around the town and up towards the castle.

10am- Use the morning to see Windsor Castle before all the tourists get in. Centrally located you won’t be far from everything else and it really is difficult to avoid when you’re in town being, well, a castle and all.

1.30pm- Next stop in the Clarence Brassiere and tea room for a light lunch. If the weather has held up the garden is beautiful and offers a great view to people watch. Try and go healthier because the rest of the day will make up for it 2.30pm – Go to the Fudge Kitchen around the corner from the Castle. Tiny and hard to spot once you’re in you won’t leave for well over an hour. Be sure to catch one of the demonstrations on how they make their award winning fudge and grab a sample (or ten) before taking home a box, because one slice is definitely not enough.

4pm- Windsor Great Park is the next stop because you’ll need to walk off the fudge. Or tuck in to more whilst enjoying the panoramic views.

6pm – Sebastian’s Italian is the kind of Italian you wish you could go to forever. Intimate, wonderfully filling food and and prompt service you’ll be sure to see you return to Windsor solely for it.

7pm – Theatre Royal Windsor is your last stop regardless of what’s showing. A wonderful theatre close to Sebastian’s that doesn’t charge crazy prices for good seats will end off your day nicely.

10pm – Exhausted you’ll probably crash straight into your beds in the Macdonald Windsor Hotel but if you’re not quite ready to sleep we couldn’t recommended a nightcap at the hotel restaurant more.

Like everything else in Windsor it’s romantic, intimate but luxurious in the simplest way.

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5 THINGS TO DO IN EAST LONDON

THINGS TO DO IN EAST LONDON

So your day’s cleared up and you’re in East London. You don’t fancy heading home yet because, well it’s summer and you know you can get at least one colleague to come along, so what do you do?

1

Bounce Ping Pong.

Here’s where you go to start your afternoon/evening. It’s guaranteed fun, won’t break the bank and is a good way to get to know someone who you’re perhaps not too familiar with. Also the cocktails are insane and the staff are fab.

2

The English Restaurant Here’s where you get your grub. Good, hearty, English food with enough modern panache to keep it Instagramable. Top tip from Wesley Mendy, order the Meat Pudding. You won’t regret it.

3

Old Truman Brewery A venue that has the amazing claim of being amazing no matter what is on show the Truman is ALWAYS worth a trip. By keeping standards high but taking risks with up and coming artists you’re guaranteed an anecdote or two. Plus culture always SOUNDS good even if you don’t quite understand it.

4

Barrio East There’s a reason this place is always rammed. It’s awesome, bar staff are quick and efficient and we’ve found that their group cocktails are some of the best in London. Try and book ahead for a table but if not you’ll be pretending you can salsa regardless.

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Brick Lane Bagels No night out would end correctly if it didn’t end here. Buy yourself a treat for the morning and your future self won’t regret it. Top tip : the bakery is what the heart emoji was invented for. prestigeeventsmagazine.com 55

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3 PLACES TO EAT AROUND THE SOUTHBANK

Places to eat around the Southbank So you’re South of the river and want somewhere other than Wahaca or that Spoons with the limited outdoor seating. Well we cannot recommend these places more for ambience, food and that COOL factor we like to see in each venue we report on.

Skylon Set on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall, with lofty ceilings and superb Thames views from soaring windows, Skylon is always spectacular, by day or night, and adds wow factor to any meal. The chic cocktail bar, amid sofas in the centre of the space, also offers a dose of metropolitan pzazz so even if you’re just having a few cocktails before picking up your award, you’ll still be blown away. We recommend the Norfolk mussels with linguine, peppers, lemon and garlic, but your partner might disagree!

R.S Hispaniola Permanently moored-up on the banks of the Thames, alongside Victoria Embankment and with views of the London Eye, Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament, the good ship R.S. Hispaniola is a floating spot for drinks and food. There are special events, too. The food offering ranges from seasonal a la cartes and bar menus to Sunday roasts, set menus and afternoon teas. The cocktail list includes cucumber martinis, a lavender fizz and a Tennessee Lemonade - Jack Daniels, Chambord, lemonade, lime and gomme syrup. But lets just say what we love about it most; it’s really pretty.

Gordon Ramsay- London House The atmosphere of London House in Battersea is a trip back to the ’90s (so hot right now). This is fine dining as it used to be, with the staff spiffingly well-dressed, roses on the tables, low lighting and diners dressed in their finest. Yet, apart from the alarmingly buff rum baba, the food on chef Anna HaughKelly’s menu is perfectly rendered and up-to-the-minute. The tuna loin is a favourite and try and get a seat near the wine station, well it’d be rude not to! prestigeeventsmagazine.com 57

10 YEARS OF COOL

10 Years of COOL

As we approach the tenth year of our Cool Venue Awards we’ve learnt a lot along the way. Gone are the days where we would set up late afternoon, not have anyone on the door and shock horror, not have a photo booth. It was a simpler time, when purple lights were all you needed for décor and Bush was President (what a pleasant memory that is now eh?). It was when social media was what teenagers did and a canape was more often than not a glorified Jacob’s Cream Cracker.

Nowadays we’re the biggest awards in the industry, with the likes of Gordon Ramsey rocking up with an award and the top trending hashtag in the country. We’re currently battling our way through Brexit and tech rules the events industry with VR easily accessible, and GIF booths joining photo booths as a standard. However new is not always better, and whilst the definition of what is cool is ever changing there are some trends we’ve loved embracing. Here’s our top 5, 1) Photobooths The best photo booth company around Megabooth has been with us since early on in the COOL Venue Award’s history, constantly updating and improving their booths to guarantee you the best and most exciting service around. The man at the helm, Lee, is a constant innovator, ready to embrace whatever trend comes his way in the most creative fashion possible.

2) Food as a feature We’ve loved working with different caterers throughout our history but the ones who do something a little bit different are inevitably the ones who stick around in our memories. Lick Me I’m Delicious since their 2011 inception have constantly created exciting food installations that have people eager to share what they’re eating with friends and family online; the goal for most in event planning now. This isn’t a trend that we see dying anytime soon.

3) Live acts We love a good dj; the range of music they can compile makes for a fantastic event and seeing someone custom mix for your enjoyment creates an undeniable buzz. However when running our awards nothing has quite gotten people’s respect, attention and feet moving like a live band. Put it down to live talent, put it down to paying respect to physical people instead of someone behind a deck but by adding some of our favorite live acts (Tenor’s Unlimited, Groove Street) to our roster we’ve seen social media and physical engagement soar.

4) Videography Photography will always have a place in our hearts and we will always make sure we have a fantastic photographer no matter how big or small the event. But once we started working with Alex Thraves of Absorb Films, the game entered another level. Using video for promotion isn’t new, but like those people you just vibe with, Absorb’s videos promote atmosphere and connection in a way we hadn’t seen previously. Sharp editing, an eye for detail and always cool we can’t wait to see what our next collaboration looks like (Sure bet- it’s a scorcher) 5) Social Media Engagement Embracing social media kind of crept up on us. Twitter went from being a leisure tool to a business one incredibly quickly, but with the help of Asif of Smiley Social Media we got ourselves in gear and haven’t looked back. It’s here to stay.

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5 Rooftop Bars

HOT 50 AWARDS

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HOT 50 AWARDS

Each year we celebrate what are the COOLest venues in the events world.

And each year we get people asking when we are going to serve recognition of the people that actually work in those COOL buildings!

HOT 50 AWARDS Last July, 500 of the event industry’s most charismatic individuals headed to the world’s most iconic nightclub and events venue, Ministry of Sound for the inaugural HOT 50 Awards.

The HOT 50 Awards chose to celebrate those who are front-footers and

proactive in creating new ground in the world of events and memorable occasions. Individuals who try to create new territory and templates.

We chose to ignore the size of one’s budget and focus instead on the opposite.

The quick-and-slick format of the evening followed the template of a

graduation style ceremony in an environment of decadent blazing red

created by Classico, with the categories presented by toastmaster MC, Jamie Paskin, exalting each of the 50 ‘events graduates’ profiles to the audience

whilst the recipient strutted the catwalk, trophy in hand, to the background

of an ultra-funky soundtrack. Guests drank a range of 4000 cocktails, courtesy of Zing Vodka and 808 Whisky, whilst admiring the incredible array of mindblowing talents provided by Just Talent agency.

Generating an audience of over 2 million on social media, the Hot 50 Awards has become certifiably the 2nd biggest awards night in the events industry, after the COOL Venue Awards (the other little event we also own!).

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HOT 50 AWARDS CATEGORIES: BUYERS/CORPORATE: NATASHA BANJO NEWS UK CHARLENE NYANTEKI FIA FORMULA E MARIAM AHMED SHORTLIST MEDIA VICTORIA ARCHBOLD HEARST MAGS MICHELLE RUSSELL CONDE NAST MERCEDES BENSON GOOGLE DOWAINE GRIFFITHS GRANT THORNTON BUYERS/EVENT MANAGEMENT: WALEED JAHANGIR EVENTOLOGY SELINA DONALD & RUTH WELDON THE BULB SOPHIE LUHR & LIZZIE HADRY COLLECTIVE TWO TONI GRIGGS GPJ ALAN PELLING & DAVID TORTURE GARDEN EVENTS SIMON MITCHELL KIN LONDON BANKE LAYCOCK CAXTON MANOR SONIA SANSOM E2E EVENTS LIZ TAYLOR TLC MATT CURRAN CHEW EVENTS RYAN CURTIS DRP ROB MORGAN BANKS SADLER

SUPPLIERS/EVENT SERVICES: LOWELL CABUAL CLASSICO TARAN O’DOHERTY YAHIRE LEE HOPPEN MEGABOOTH HARDEEP KATARIA KUDOS AV DAMIAN CLARKSON THE LONDON KITCHEN DANIEL MAHER BOULEVARD EVENTS NATHAN ANGUS WILDFIRE MEDIA: DAN BEARPARK 20/20 SPEED NETWORKING WILL BROOME LONDONLAUNCH SIMON WHITE SQUARE MEAL JASON SCOTT HOLLYWOOD INC. JAMES BISSETT MEDIA 10 EVENT LEGENDS: KANYA KING MOBO FAYE SHARP ZIBRANT EDDIE HEARN MATCHROOM SPORT ROGER PAYNE CAMDEN DINING GROUP TONY LINCOLN PLANET HOLLYWOOD KEVIN JACKSON THE EXPERIENCE IS THE MARKETING

SUPPLIERS/VENUES: ADAM QUIGLEY MINISTRY OF SOUND MATT MILLER HOTEL GOTHAM SABINE KERN LONDON EDITION EMMA WEEKES ne HOWE STREETFEAST ANDREW GALLOWAY WEMBLEY STADIUM JACKIE BOUGHTON BARBICAN MANNY SHORIA CAMDEN DINING GROUP RUDO WHITE SEARCYS SAMANTHA GALSWORTHY SHOUT ABOUT MEDIA STEFAN LECHNER CARLSON REZIDOR ANDREW BIRNIE CAFÉ DE PARIS PRESTIGE EVENTS MAGAZINE AND THE HOT 50 AWARDS WOULD LIKE TO THANK IT’S PARTNERS:

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20/20 EVENT CALENDAR

Date

Theme

Host Venue

19 January 2017

Conferencing

The London Stadium

2nd February 2017

Suppliers Meet Agents-only

Christchurch Spitalfields

16th March 2017

Corporate Fun and Outdoor Events

Top Golf Surrey (Cobham)

6th April 2017

Venues with 500+ Capacities

170 Queens Gate

20 April 2017

Corporate Dining & Caterers

L’Anima

11th May 2017

COOL Venues & Events (this event is priced at £1200+VAT per tablestand due to coach transfers and in-flight and ground teambuilding activities with buyers and suppliers mixed-in-together)

Gilwell Park

18th May 2017

Meetings/Conferencing Venues

Royal Overseas League

15th June 2017

Heritage & Quirky Venues

ZSL London Zoo

29 June 2017

Parties & Events at Night

Tropicana Beach Club

13th July 2017

Sporting Venues

Venue: tbc

14th September 2017

Christmas Parties

Dutch Hall

5th October 2017

Luxury Hotels

Venue: tbc

19th October 2017

Central London Venues

Venue: tbc

2nd November 2017

Unique Venues

Venue: tbc

16th November 2017

Non-London Venues

Venue: tbc

18 January 2018

Conferencing

Venue: tbc

1st February 2018

Suppliers Meet Agents-only

Venue: tbc

th

th

th

th

15th March 2018

Corporate Fun and Outdoor Events

Venue: tbc

5th April 2018

Venues with 500+ Capacities

Venue: tbc

19th April 2018

Corporate Dining & Caterers

Venue: tbc

10th May 2018

COOL Venues and Events

Venue: tbc

NOTE: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE LIMIT ON 20 SUPPLIERS TABLES PER 20/20 EVENT, EVENTS SELL OUT QUICKLY AND WE GENERALLY SELL-OUT 5 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. IF AN EVENT IS SOLD-OUT AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE prestigeeventsmagazine.com 65

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MEET THE TEAM 1. Wesley Mendy - Founder / Publisher

2. Dan Bearpack - Head of Client Relations 3. Errol Anthony Griffiths - Design Director 4. Alex Thraves - Video Production Manager 5. Joy Mendy - Head of Marketing and Databases 6. Matt Wilson - Business Development / Marketing & Online Content 7. Martin James - Photography

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20/20 East London Vs West London DATE: 4Th June 2015 HOST VENUE: Grace SYNOPSIS: 20 buyers searching for venues specifically in the east end and west end regions

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Hackney Venues, The Roof Gardens East Wintergarden, Grace Saatchi Gallery, The Crystal Cct Venues, Orbit Tower Brooklyn Bowl At The 02 Gordon Ramsay Restuarants Olympia, Demonwheelers Stonegate Pubs,C3 Imaging Bounce Ping Pong, Boulevard Yahire, Late Night London Old Billingsgate

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: NEWS UK Barclays DRP Chew Events Top Banana RSSB

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20/20 Heritage And Quirky Venues DATE: 19Th June 2015 HOST VENUE: Pall Mall SYNOPSIS: 20 buyers with a declared need for their upcoming events to be imbedded with a sense of history, culture, and originality

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Blenheim Palace, 116 Pall Mall Top Golf, Harrow School Somerset House, Bath Venues Hatfield House, Richmond Caterers Hedsor House, Imperial College One Wimpole Street, Bma House Parallel Venues, View From The Shard IET Venues, Altitude Dutch Hall, Egg Ldn

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Tfl Universal City Conferences Rssb Teenage Cancer Trust Banks Sadler Pearl Rock & Raven Moodys

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20/20 PARTIES AND EVENTS@NIGHT DATE: 2ndJuly 2015 HOST VENUE: Arcelor Mittal Orbit Tower SYNOPSIS: Buyers Searching For The Coolest Venues And Supplier Services For Their Parties And Late Night Events

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Orbit Tower, Concerto Demonwheelers, Grovesnor Casinos Ministry Of Sound, Iet Venues Superstar Dj Box, Planet Hollywood Egg Ldn One Wimpole Street / Chandos House Bespoke And Tonic,Café De Paris Boulevard Caterers,Top Golf Girlyshow, C3 Imaging Partridge Events, Hurlingham Club Rc Promotions, Led Factory

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Jam Events Omnicom Sennheiser The Guardian Jones Day Xclsuive Touch Caxton Manor News Uk

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20/20 Sporting Venues DATE: 16th July 2015 HOST VENUE: Forge SYNOPSIS: 20 event buyers specifically looking for sporting venues to add some of the legendary and unique sparkle to their upcoming events.

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Charlton Athletic, Forge Top Golf Emirates Old Trafford (Lancashire Ccc) Donington Park Jockey Club Racecourses Demonwheelers, Ricoh Arena Fulham Fc, Allianz Park Mercedes Benz World The Grove , Wembley Stadium Zaps Magic, Twickenham Late Night London, Royal Berkshire Cc

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Ex Events Barclays Mazars NEC WRG Live Just As Planned

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20/20 Christmas Parties DATE: 17TH SEPTEMBER 2015 HOST VENUE: EAST WINTERGARDEN SYNOPSIS: 20 buyers searching for Christmas party venues and services companies to make their most companies most memorable time of the year one to remember

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Top Golf, East Wintergarden Concerto Group, Hurlingham Club Kings Venue, Demonwheelers Crowne Plaza Docklands Ravenous / The Loft, Altitude Somerset House, Barbican 30 Euston Square, Kings Place Imperial College, Superstar Dj Box Strand Palace Hotel, Shaka Zulu The View From The Shard Village Underground, Wembley Stadium London Edition Hotel, Ministry Of Sound

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Grass Roots DRP Channel 4 Caxton Manor Medical Research Council NIG UK Nestle

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20/20 Heritage And Quirky Venues DATE: 19th June 2015 HOST VENUE: ALTITUDE SYNOPSIS: Buyers Looking For Venues That Offers A High Level Of Quirk And History

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED:

Altitude, Blenheim Palace 116 Pall Mall, Top Golf Harrow School, Somerset House Bath Venues, Hatfield House Richmond Caterers, Hedsor House Imperial College, One Wimpole Street Bma House, Parallel Venues View From The Shard, Iet Venues Egg Ldn, Dutch Hall

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Banks Sadler Crazy Cow Events Energy Uk Cambridge Associates Hearst Magazines Hillgate Solutions Mazars

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20/20 Square Mile And Central London Venues DATE: 15th October 2015 HOST VENUE: Bounce Ping Pong Old Street SYNOPSIS: 20 Buyers Looking Specifically For Venues Located Within The Central London And Square Mile Region

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Congress Centre, No.4 Hamilton Place Bounce Ping Pong, Concerto Group One Great George Street Kings Fund/ No.11 Cavendish Square Bma House, Kingsway Hall IET Venues, Altitude Hilton Tower Bridge/Hilton Docklands Egg London, Dutch Hall Inmarsat, 10-11 Carlton Terrace Bespoke And Tonic Central Hall Westminster Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Barbican

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Standard Charetered DRP NIG UK Mazars Nestle Fitch Ratings

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20/20 Unique Venues THEME: SUPPLIERS-MEET-AGENTS-ONLY DATE: 5th November 2015 HOST VENUE: Brooklyn Bowl SYNOPSIS: : A collective of 20 buyers seeking to establish contact with senior venue managers from some of the UK’s most unique venues

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Brooklyn Bowl, Hurlingham Club Harrow School, The Roof Gardens Wildfire, Saatchi Gallery 116 Pall Mall / Iod Hawthorn, Wellcome Collection Tudor Barn Eltham, One Wimpole Street Royal Horticultutral Halls Imperial College, Somerset House Barbican, The Hac Ministry Of Sound, Mercedes Benz World Wembley Stadium

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: BMW UK Eventa Endemol Beyond USA Legalease

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20/20 Non-London Venues DATE: 12th November 2015 HOST VENUE: Egg London SYNOPSIS: 20 buyers that searching for venues located outside of the London region and around the UK for their forthcoming events

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Center Parcs, Lane End Top Golf ,Egg Ldn Emirates Old Trafford Imago, Sheraton Heathrow Jp Events / Hotel Gotham Snozone, Bh Live Ellenborough Park Aston University Discover The World Jockey Club Racecourses Hic Yorkshire, Macdonald Hotels Sixways Stadium, Brighton Dome

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Duke of Edinburgh Department for International Development Channel 4 Ogilvy & Mather DRP Asian media & marketing, ETOA

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20/20 Conferencing DATE: 21st January 2016 HOST VENUE: BMA SYNOPSIS: Buyers Looking To Meet Conference Venues And Services Companies That Will Inject The Wow Factor Into Their Events.

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Imago, Chelsea Fc, Barbican Bma House, One Wimpole Street The Drum, Designer Flowers Wembley Stadium, Imperial College Saatchi Gallery, Yahire Identilam, Weareravenous 30 Euston Square, Cct Venues The Crystal, Hilton Bankside Radisson / Mayfair, Danubious Pro Systems, Somerset House Kudos Av

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Zibrant Banks Sadler Chew Events Lloyds Bank Caxton Manor

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20/20 Suppliers Meets Agents-Only DATE: 4th February 2016 HOST VENUE: Hilton Bankside SYNOPSIS: 20 agency buyers looking to meet with a range of charismatic event venues and services companies

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Wellcome Collection, Lane End One Wimpole Street The Drum, Shaka Zulu/Gilgamesh Village Underground, Imago Ministry Of Sound, Bateaux London Eventim Apollo, London Edition Hotel Discover The World, Megabooth Hilton Bankside, Somerset House Mercedes Benz World, Bma House Silverstone, Streetfeast

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: DRP Zibrant Banks Sadler Chew Events GPJ The Bulb

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20/20 Teambuilding And Outdoor Events DATE: 16th March 2016 HOST VENUE: Snozone Milton Keynes SYNOPSIS: A Mini-Version Of A Standard 20/20 Event With 10 Buyers Searching Venues And Services Companies To Inject The Sense Of Fun To Their Teambuilding Occasions And Outdoor Events

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SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Swordfighting International Designer Flowers, Snozone Off-Limits, Imperial College Hever Castle, Jockey Club Go Ape, Top Golf Mercedes Benz World, Wildfire

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Just As Planned News Uk Mazars Live Nation Duke Of Edinburgh Bluehat Group

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International Confex:

INTERNATIONAL CONFEX

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INTERNATIONAL CONFEX

The Industry’s Most Inclusive Exhibition International Confex opens on the 1st – 2nd March at Olympia London. The show will co-locate with the Event Production Show and *office to become the biggest global gathering of #eventprofs in the UK. The show will be split into multiple areas that allow visitors to negotiate every aspect of event creation.

Destinations and venues from around the world will lead to event support services; event management companies will lead into event technology. Event theming, branding and marketing will also be represented through some of the most innovative businesses in the industry.

The result will be an easily navigable experience for eventprofs to get the information and inspiration they want quickly and easily, but also in their own time. The event allows visitors to pre-schedule meetings with specific businesses ahead of the event, however they are not hosted and so have the option to visit the stands they want, when they want.

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INTERNATIONAL CONFEX The Industry’s Biggest Conference In addition, International Confex will also see the largest conference aimed at event professionals in the UK, with multiple streams curated to spread ideas and inspiration to every kind of eventprof.

The programme will span 6 theatres ranging from the Keynote Theatre which sees key industry professionals examining trends, opportunities and thought leadership; to the Sales Conference which will showcase new and innovative tools to build powerful networks, sell more through social media plus successful cold calling techniques.

The Industry’s Largest Technology Exhibition …

On top of the educational programming will be the return of one of the quickest growing features in the show; EventTech 17. The ‘exhibition within an exhibition’ will feature its own education seminar, a specially created ‘Tech Play Room’ and will be surrounded by some of the most forward thinking businesses working in global event tech at the moment.

Within the show there will be the Event Tech Lab, showcasing new businesses entering the industry with new products that will dictate the lives of event organisers and their delegates for years to come. Again, with the best brands in the business comes the best support services and EventTech 17 will include products from delegate management systems, to social media amplification, from RFID and NFC audience communication, to iBeacons.

EventTech is an area that is changing the way the industry operates and event professionals will receive advice and education, as well as inspiration within the exhibition.

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INTERNATIONAL CONFEX The Industry’s Festival of Events …

International Confex will once again co-locate with the Event Production Show bringing event professionals for both indoor business and outdoor events together again, to share learning. Owners Mash Media will also be encouraging audiences of both shows to visit *office, the PA show, which will also have its own dedicated area with relevant education and the best support services and brands for the PA, EA, Executive Secretary and office management audience.

The Industry’s Opportunity …

The events industry remains one of the most dynamic places to work in right now, last year Confex saw thousands of event professionals do business, learn, and network throughout the week, we’re looking forward to inviting them all back in 2017.

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5 MOST EXCITING HOTELS

5

EXCITING HOTELS

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5 MOST EXCITING HOTELS

COURTHOUSE HOTEL – LONDON Fancy having a kip in the cells where the Kray twins were detained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure? Once Old Street Magistrates Court and Police Station, the Courthouse Hotel is one of Shoreditch’s hottest new hotels.

Opened on 1 June and doing time here is now something to be grateful for thanks to spacious rooms and suites, a cinema, bowling alley and spa. Period features have thankfully been retained and rooms quirkily repurposed - Courtroom Number 1 hosts the main restaurant, Courtroom Number 2 is a members’ bar, while on the roof, the Shoreditch Sky Terrace bar will be the spot to have a cocktail in Summer. Lock us up.

HILTON LONDON BANKSIDE – LONDON Once synonymous with conference rooms and erm Paris Hilton, Hilton hotels have seriously upped their game in the design stakes. London Bankside has all the style and smarts you’d want in a hotel within easy walk of the Tate Modern, Shard and the Southbank, home of the Udderbelly festival (sponsored this year by the hotel brand). Inside, the design has been influenced by the creativity of the local area, with original art and sculpture and comfy, quirky bedrooms, have secret urban fox sculptures to spot.

The Distillery bar serves up its own craft beer and a gin menu to do a London proud.

THE MANDEVILLE- LONDON This is far from new but when Maison Christian Lacroix has redesigned your entire fifth floor that’s exciting in anyone’s books. Couture meets interior design at Marylebone’s Mandeville Hotel, with the recently unveiled renovation taking inspiration from the French Riviera.

Choose from bold rooms with hints of everything from the botanical gardens of Monaco, to Grace Kelly’s unforgettable To Catch a Thief. If you have to come down to earth, the hotel’s ground-floor Reform Social & Grill has leather banquette dining that includes a special Yorkshire pudding menu to root you back in the fabulous city you’re residing in.

THE HOLLIES – NORFOLK An exciting hotel in Norfolk. What a time to be alive.

The Hollies in the Georgian village of Snettisham, on the Norfolk coast, may only have five rooms, but they all pack a design punch with hand-printed wallpapers and fabrics, as well as an interesting line in modern collectibles. Created by designer Shaun Clarkson, this is one turbo-charged B&B. Each room has it’s own star turn, such as a raised bed in the Versace Room, and a private lounge in the Cabin Room. The 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and REN beauty treats come as standard.

Venture out to golden sweep of Snettisham beach and walk just a few minutes to 2015’s Pub of the Year, The Rose and Crown.

Weekend. Sorted

THE PIG HOTEL – THE COOMBE, DEVON Any Hotel than puts a large emphasis on food is a plus in our book and The Pig Hotels so just that.

The latest addition to this ‘restaurant with rooms’ boutique brand opens in July after a £9 million renovation to turn Devon’s Combe House into a Pig hotel. The estate, which includes an Elizabethan manor and thatched longhouse, will offer 27 rooms in the house’s loft and stable

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VENUE FOCUS: M BY MONTCALM

A FEAST FOR THE EYES Urban Coterie Club feels like home, only a little bit better. Whether it’s work or pleasure, connect with likeminded people in a bright space as you enjoy stunning views of London. It is a ‘working members club’, which is an oasis of calm above the hustle and bustle, where serious networking happens.

Urban Coterie Restaurant is on the cusp of newness. With sweeping views of London and floor to ceiling windows, the dining space is flooded with natural light. The experience has been thoughtfully curated to delight guests, whatever the occasion. British bistronomy with a view; all about the ‘little touches’ and delivery of memorable experiences at every service; you will want to stay here all day

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VENUE FOCUS: M BY MONTCALM

Tonic & Remedy Restaurant and Cocktail Bar are a favourite neighbourhood hangout that celebrates the heritage of Shoreditch and its tradition of apothecaries by offering the perfect balance of flavours and aromas. Either a quick lunch, cocktails after work, or a relaxed dinner, it has to be number 1 choice due to good food, vibrant and energetic atmosphere and a regular events calendar

M Events. Sleek, flexible and fully equipped events space, with reliable and personal service that delivers every time. It is the fantastic attention to detail and the cut above events menus that makes the product premium.

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VENUE FOCUS: HILTON ON PARK LANE

IMPECCABLE

London Hilton on Park Lane was the very first UK Hilton property to open in 1963 – and have been purveyors of excellence ever since. London Hilton on Park Lane is located on prestigious Park Lane in the heart of Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace and in close proximity to many of London’s top attractions including West End Theatres, historic landmarks and famous shopping districts.

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VENUE FOCUS: HILTON ON PARK LANE

ROOMS WITH IMPECCABLE VIEWS The hotel stands 101 metres tall with 28 floors and 453 spacious guest rooms, inclusive of 56 suites. The unique construction of the 28 storey building ensures that all bedrooms and suites benefit from spectacular views over London.

London Hilton on Park Lane’s spacious suites offer an unforgettable experience and unique features, such as dining areas, floor-to-ceiling walling, window seats, walk in wardrobes, whirlpool tubs, and original artwork.

THE TASTE OF EXCELLENCE Three weeks prior to the hotel opening, Trader Vic’s, a world famous Polynesian brand synonymous with Hilton, opened becoming an instant hit. Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows restaurant and bar, located on the 28th floor with breathtaking views of London, remains a popular destinations restaurant serving exquisite modern French haute cuisine. The hotel also boasts Podium restaurant and bar which was recently awarded an AA Rosette, a great achievement with only 10 percent of restaurants across the UK at a standard worthy of 1 Rosette and above. Podium restaurant and bar serves modern British Cuisine and is famous for its successful “Confessions of a Chocoholic” Chocolate Afternoon Tea. Located on the lobby level, the elegant CC Bar offers guests a wide selection of Pommery Champagne, signature Champagne cocktails and premium spirits to enjoy.

HOSTING A MEMORABLE EVENT The hotel has extensive conference and banqueting facilities, able to host up to 1,200 guests in the Grand Ballroom, as well as intimate meetings in one of the eight rooms situated in Hilton Meetings for up to 50 guests.

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VENUE FOCUS: HILTON ON PARK LANE

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VENUE FOCUS: HILTON ON PARK LANE

Jessica Tattum, Director of Conference and Events, London Hilton on Park Lane, said: “For over 50 years, London Hilton on Park Lane has established itself as a leader in the conference and meetings sector. It’s exciting to be able to offer our stunning conference rooms – the Atholl, the Nelson and the York – in a modern and convenient way to guests, travellers and Londoners.”

Located in the heart of Mayfair, London Hilton on Park Lane boasts 453 guest rooms and 56 suites, all with stunning views over Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. From West End theatres to world famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the hotel’s close proximity to Hyde Park and Green Park underground stations make it the perfect base from which to explore.

The Huddle meeting space starts from £100.00+VAT for one hour and goes up to £400.00+VAT for up to 8 hours. The Hot Desk is £199.00+VAT per day for up to ten hours.

For more information or to book, please visit hilton.com/londonparklane or call +44 020 7 208 4047. London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE. About Hilton Hotels & Resorts For nearly a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has been proudly welcoming the world’s travelers. With more than 550 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts provides the foundation for memorable travel experiences and values every guest who walks through its doors. As the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard for hospitality, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a part of the award-winning Hilton Honors program. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app. Access the latest news at news.hilton.com and begin your journey at www.hilton.com or www.hilton.com/ offers for the latest hotel specials

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VENUE FOCUS: SKY GARDEN

SKY GARDEN

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VENUE FOCUS: SKY GARDEN

TOUCH THE SKY When it comes to hosting a corporate event trends show that a view is, to put it simply, where it’s at. From the simple matter of aiding small talk to the marketable views your photographer will showcase in all their glory, a venue with a view is perfect for any occasion. And not many are doing it better than the Sky Garden.

The Sky Garden in London is located in what everyone calls ‘The Walkie Talkie” on 20 Fenchurch Street. A short walk from the Thames the views are spectacular and the space refreshingly- as the name suggestsgreen. The food is of a high quality and the space relaxed with room to seat 400 diners, although if you were looking to cater for less the multiple divisions in the space would allow this to be done without risk of the space looking empty. You can check it out for free as well as the space is open to the public (you do have to book) and we’d thoroughly recommended breakfast there.

Whilst the Shard and the London Eye are indeed spectacular 5 star venues they can just be a bit obvious. If you’re looking to plan something distinct and with an eco edge this is the venue for you.

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SOPWELL HOUSE

SOPWELL HOUSE

SOPWELL HOUSE,

even before arrival, promotes an atmosphere of Luxury. Almost intimidatingly grand, the white luxury estate located a short drive from the heart of St Albans is a refreshing change from the usual hotel we at Prestige Events review. So often in this business historic venues strip the antiquity of a space without consideration. Not here. At Sopwell House every effort has been made to promote this venue as classic, whilst never letting you consider that anything you’re using has not been used by you and you alone.

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SOPWELL HOUSE

The hotel itself is divided between the main hotel and the mews, the latter a gated community of cottage style apartments with their own private hot tub, and some with private Jacuzzis. We were fortunate enough to stay in these luxury ‘rooms’- a term whilst the correct technically feels unworthy.

These apartments include a warm living area with a not so modest kitchenette, and a bathroom many could easily class as a second bedroom (I could have comfortably dozed on the chaise lounge).

The décor is cosy but definitely not cluttered in the slightest. You’ll see no beige bedroom sets here as each piece whilst different accents the theme of the hotel. We were also privy to a view of the other rooms in the hotel and even their smallest is of a generous size and the bed inviting enough to justify you not leaving the room your entire stay.

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SOPWELL HOUSE The spa is easily accessed in the main body of the hotel and due to its popularity it’s a common place to see guests moving about in their robes. I had the EPSA Enzyme facial, a treatment that involved a deep brush cleanse, an intense enzyme peel and rose quartz all helping my skin become firmer and more plump, plus skin analysis ensuring that since Sopwell I’ve actually been able to purchase the right kind of products for me. The treatment was thorough and well considered from start to finish and I’ve since noticed a glow in my skin that hasn’t dulled since my visit. The spa contains a large pool, hot tub, Jacuzzi, a steam room, sauna and its own garden, guaranteeing that whatever you’re looking for you’ll definitely be looked after.

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SOPWELL HOUSE

We ate in the Brassiere, although the main restaurant also comes highly recommended, and I dined on the Pan fried Scottish Salmon whilst my partner enjoyed the Farfalle Provencale (both cooked to an incredible standard despite not scrimping on portions). The service was what really pushed the experience over the edge as throughout our stay we were waited on not just attentively, but enthusiastically. Staff constantly go out of their way to make sure that everything is as easy as possible for your stay and that in today’s fast paced society our down time is just as important as the time we spend in our offices.

Sopwell isn’t just built for royalty, it also guarantees that you leave feeling like one; well rested, cleaner, more radiant and very, very full. prestigeeventsmagazine.com 109

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL AND ASSOCIATED SPACES

SET THE TOMTOM FOR

LIVERPOOL

There has been a Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on the same site on Hope Street since 1849. Centrally located between Liverpool’s two cathedrals in the heart of the city’s Georgian Quarter, the original Hall opened on 27th August 1849 though was dramatically destroyed by fire in 1933.

The current Grade II*listed Hall opened on 19th June 1939, designed by architect Herbert J. Rowse, who also designed a number of other landmark buildings in Liverpool.

One of Europe’s art deco finest buildings, the Hall has always been an acclaimed and integral part of the cultural life of the city and is owned and managed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, founded in 1840 by a group of Liverpool musiclovers and today one the world’s oldest concert societies.

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The much-loved Hall is the home of the internationally acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and is recognised as one of the UK’s premier venues for its wide-ranging presentation of the best in classical, contemporary and roots music, rock, pop and folk, comedy and film.

Its art deco splendour has recently undergone a major £14.5M refurbishment. Its completion in 2015 was one of the highlights of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary year.

The refurbishment included dramatic improvements to

the front of house welcome for visitors and audiences, including lift access to all part of the Hall for the first time, backstage and production facilities for resident musicians and artists have been transformed, and a brand new performance Music Room, has been constructed .

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and associated spaces can be hired for a wide range of events, from private parties and weddings, to corporate receptions and conferences - whatever the occasion, the venue can provide a wide range of unique settings for a memorable occasion.

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL AND ASSOCIATED SPACES The beautiful main hall, with a capacity of just over 1,700, has world-class acoustics and state of the art lightin and PA system.

The beautiful auditorium with its superb acoustic, the stylish Grand Foyer and the more intimate setting of the Green Room with garden terrace, have the flexibility to accommodate any kind of event from conference, to meeting to seminar to receptions and buffets. The flexible space is hired exclusively including usage of the Entrance and Grand Foyers and 1840 Room which can be used for reception and catering areas and delegate registration.

Located at the rear of the main Hall, with its own discrete entrance, Music Room is a 160-250 variable capacity space with two large doors in the corner of the room which can be left open with views into the bar space if desired. The wrap-around windows of the bar area are reminiscent of Edward Hopper’s iconic Nighthawks painting.

A versatile, contemporary space with fantastic acoustics and an exceptionally good sound system, it is perfect for meetings, seminars, workshops, parties and wedding receptions.

Liverpool Philharmonic’s events team is on hand and dedicated to making sure that the event is a truly memorable one.

‘A touch of ocean liner glamour that kicks off the procession to the auditorium in style.’ Architects Journal, 2015 http://www.liverpoolphil.com/283/ourvenues/venue-hire.html

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: DO IT LIKE STAR WARS

SUPPLIER FOCUS: DO IT LIKE STAR WARS

ABOUT SWORD FIGHTING INTERNATIONAL: SFI provides team building events at the cutting edge with Olympic Fencing where delegates can try the sports as a 2-3 hour workshop or 15-60 minute ice breaker, or pre-dinner activity after a day of meetings. Also other Olympic Sports and Sword based displays and demonstrations can be provided.

Please call Nick on 07799 346829 email nick.payne@swordfightinginternational.com or see more at www.swordfightinginternational.com. Quote ref SFIPrestigeJan17.

ABOUT SILVER SABRES ACADEMY: LED Sabre Fencing is an exciting new combat sport, combining traditional martial arts with theatre. It is a unique experience, appealing to adults and children, boys and girls, teaching discipline and mindfulness through physical exercise, sparring, fun and games. Inspired by popular science fiction, with participants welcome to compete in full costume, our programme is popular with actors and dancers, athletes and martial artists, and most importantly, fans of films, books and comics!

Call Fas on 0207 704 2777 email Info@Silver-sabres.com. Quote ref SFIPrestigeJan17.

Every year, there’s always one film that everyone gets excited about before its release, and since Disney purchased Lucasfilm for a massive $4.05 billion and announced they’d be releasing a new star wars film every year, it’s safe to say that (until 2020 at least) the film that brings anticipation across the world will probably be set in a galaxy far, far away…

2016 was no different with the release of Rogue One and DeVere Hotels wanted to put on a show that would completely encapsulate what people associate with Star Wars. So who better to call than Sword Fighting International, who put on displays involving medieval sword fights, jousting and kendo, to create and perform a stunning Lightsabre battle?

CASE STUDY: LED SABRE DISPLAY BY SWORD FIGHTING INTERNATIONAL WITH SILVER SABRES ACADEMY FOR STAR WARS ROGUE ONE CLIENT EVENT DATE: Mon 19 Dec 2016.

BRIEF: DeVere hotels wanted a cocktail evening followed by watching the new Star Wars Rogue 1 film for around 100 corporate clients of the hotel. They wanted something extra and asked Sword Fighting International to provide an exciting LED sabre display and fight scene to get their guests in the mood to watch the film.

One of the DeVere team had seen the display at the COOL Venue Awards at Cafe de Paris and wanted to have similar high energy entertainment to finish off their pre event drinks on a high. Please email nick.payne@swordfightinginternational.com to see a video from the display.

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USEFUL WEBSITES

USEFUL WEBSITES WEBSITESFOOD AND DRINK

Rail

Caterers and Party Food

comRailwww.trainline.co.uk

www.boulevardevents.co.uk

www.orient-express.com

www.eden-caters.co.uk

www.eurostar.com

www.zafferano.co.uk

HOSPITALITY

www.officediner.co.uk

Event staffing

www.purplegrapecatering.co.uk

www.rcpromo.co.uk

www.foodshowltd.com

Team building

www.liquidchefs.co.uk

www.leapplc.com

General Food Retailers

www.bluehat-teambuilding.co.uk

www.caleyco.com

www.www.sundialteamscapes.com

www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk

www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk

www.freshfood.co.uk

www.topgolf.com

Meat and Charcuterie Specialists

www.beargryllssurvivalacademy.com

www.realmeatco.sageweb.co.uk

www.swordfightinginternational.com

www.bleikers.co.uk

www.demonwheelers.co.ukOutdoor

www.blackface.co.uk

www.owen-brown.co.uk

Fish Specialists

www.parnhamfunfairs.co.uk

www.islandseafare.co.uk

www.igloos.co.uk (luxury loos)

www.caleyco.com

www.merlin-fireworks.co.uk

Wine, Champagne & Spirits

Entertainment

www.bbr.com

www.megabooth.com

www.oddbins.com

www.just-talent.co.uk

Cheese/Dairy Specialists

www.tenorsunlimited.com

www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

www.zapmagic.com

www.colstonbassettdairy.com

www.swordfightinginternational.com

Organics/Special Diets

EVENT MANAGEMENT

www.freshfood.co.uk

Creative Event Management

www.somersetorganics.co.uk

www.leapplc.com

Beverage Specialists

www.shoutaboutlondon.com

www.fortnumandmason.com

www.optixevents.com

Hampers/Gifts

www.tastour.com

www.presentsofmind.co.uk

www.caxtonmanor.com

www.chocolatestore.com

Social Media

www.fortnumandmason.com

www.smileysocialmedia.com

www.aquascutumgifts.com

Gifts

Deliveries/Takeaways

www.montblanccorprategift.co.uk

www.deliverance.co.uk

Venue Finders

www.officediner.co.uk

www.jpeventsltd.com

Chocolate and Cake Specialists

Event Speakers

www.chocolatestore.com

www.londonspeakerbureau.com

www.theorigionalchocolatefountain.com www.speakersforbuisness.com www.jane-asher.co.uk FLOWERS www.designerflowersuk.com TRANSPORT Limousines 114

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Event Photography www.martin-james.co.uk Event Fliming www.vimeo.com/absorbfilms

Badges, Wristbands, Lanyards www.identilam.com Trophies www.awardefx.co.uk Security www.redcarpetsecurity.com Print and Design www.c3imaging.com www.gcreativity.com Published by MX4 108 Clydesdale Road Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AJ T:+44 (0)1708 737393 F:+44 (0)1708 737389 wes@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventmagazine.com Copyright of all editorial copy remains the sole propertyof Mx4 Ltd and may not be repro-duced without the prior permissionof Mx4 Ltd. All opinions expressed within this publication remainthose opinions of the feature writer, and neither Prestige Events or Mx4 Ltd hold and liability or responsibility for those opinions,views expressed or photography supplied.

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