Prestige Events magazine winter 2012/13

Winter 2012 ‘9th Anniversary’ edition

The Party And Events Scene In Europe London Hotels Out & About COOL Individualism Twitter And Who To Follow

COOL VENUE AWARDS PROMO

“THE ONE AWARD THAT CELEBRATES THE COOLEST VENUES…” “THE EVENT INDUSTRY’S HOTTEST CURRENCY…” “THE MOST GLAMOUROUS, SLICKEST, AND INCLUSIVE NIGHT IN HOSPITALITY” “LAST YEARS EVENT PRODUCED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CORPORATE EVENTS VIDEO IN YOUTUBE HISTORY” …BACK FOR IT’S 6TH YEAR IT’S THAT TIME ONCE AGAIN!!

THE 6TH ANNUAL COOL VENUE AWARDS THURSDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2013, MINISTRY OF SOUND, LONDON SE1 (6PM – 1.30AM) #BOOKOFFTHEDAYAFTER

wesleymendy

prestige events magazine COOL Venue Awards FOR YOUR FREE TICKETS, APPLY TO enquiries@prestigeeventsguide.com (marked ‘COOL Venue Awards tickets) (NOTE: ALL FOOD AND DRINK COURTESY OF OUR CATERING SPONSORS IS FREE)

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COOL VENUE AWARDS PROMO

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CONTENTS AND PUBLISHERS NOTES

CONTENTS WOW! It’s been just over 9 years since we launched our very first edition of Prestige Events magazine. The edict was to portray event charisma, display in a manner that was all-things-visual the COOLest venues, and the HOTtest agencies.

I’d like to think that 9 years has made a little bit of a dent and impression in the market. 9 years is a long time from the life of anyone. I say this in reflection of the losses of personal friends who gave this industry so much. In that light, I implore you readers to not settle for anything below original. Don’t waste these moments in life that are great markers in each of their own small ways. Trust me, they feed the soul when you need them most.

I hope you enjoy the edition!

Wes xx

Prestige Events team: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy Head of Client Relations: Dan Bearpark Head of Marketing: Joanna Kafouris Art Director: Lewis Flanders Contributing editors: Kristiana Kruysmulder, Nancy Krysiak, Hope Mendy Head of Production: Errol Griffiths Administration: Allanah Brownsdon-Dolan Financial controllers: Chris Mendy, Siobhan O’Dwyer Editorial contributors: Simon T Bailey, William R Valentine, Will Broome, Nick Mead, Cecilia Lavin, Kelly Bayliffe Prestige Events Magazine, 108 Clydesdale Road, Hornchurch Essex RM11 1AJ t:01708 737393 enquiries@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsguide.com sponsored by

Official events video production partner:

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17 Things you didn’t know Readers Letters Nancy – Event Angel COOL Individualism What we’re now eating: looking back on 9 years What we’re drinking COOL Hospitality Ideas In The Trade Corporate Social Responsibilty New York Twitter: Who to Follow Online Marketing Tips Sound of the Underground Venues We Love 9 London Hotels 9 Favourite, Unusual or New Venues 9 Top Global Events Since We Launched Prestige Events Iceland 20/20 Non-London Venues Speed Networking 20/20 Central London Venues Speed Networking 20/20 Unique Venues Speed Networking Wine Tasting Supplier Focus: Purple Grape Supplier Focus: Corporate-Events Supplier Focus: DRP Group Supplier Focus: Concerto Group Supplier Focus: Diamond City Events Venue Focus: Ministry of Sound Venue Focus: London Film Museum Venue Focus: Radisson Heathrow ISES Christmas Party Useful Websites

Official 20/20 events registration partner:

Official events photography partner:

Official event backdrops partner:

Official partner of :

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

All content in this edition remains the intellectual property of MX4 Ltd and MX4 Ltd holds copyright and cannot be reproduced, replicated, lent, or publicly displayed without prior permission from MX4 Ltd. MX4 Ltd 2012

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COOL VENUES AWARDS

17 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

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Your wedding reception in Shoreditch

- Hold your special day at Studio Spaces Shoreditch who offer extremely competitive hire fees for such a unique space in the heart of London.

Studio packages -Have you ever dreamed about working in the same studio as artists such as Mariah Carey and Radiohead? Would you like to become a TV star where T4 and Strictly Come Dancing were filmed? Are you looking for an experience you’ll never forget? We’ve got all of these dreams on offer at The Hospital Club, where you can build your own unique, bespoke event in our TV and Recording Studio, which is The Hospital Club’s best kept secret.

Luxury, Luxury, LUXURY!

The Haciendas Club stands for luxury hospitality, premium estate wines, limited production cheeses, the best Iberian meats and high quality extra virgin olive oil. In our London home we welcome you to experience the best foods Spain has to offer whilst making sure your individual requirements are met with perfection.

its never too early for bubbles at The Folly -“ why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? doesn’t everyone?” Noel Coward. It’s never too early for bubbles. Start your day in style w/ Egg Royale served w/ the finest Scottish smoked salmon or classic Egg Floretine w/ a glass of fizz

25% saving on our Drinks Packages

- Whilst we are not encouraging people to drink too much we know often that when you are organising a staff or office event your employees often cringe at the price they will have to spend behind the bar of a hotel. Thames Executive Charters has the solution.

Let’s AV it!

- Brendan McCormick Events AV Ltd work closely with you to provide bespoke tailored solutions for all your event requirements giving you the tools necessary to have the best event possible. We work with you every step of the way to ensure your event looks and sounds exactly the way you expect it to, and often even better!

Your wedding reception in Wapping

- Hold your special day at Studio Spaces Wapping. We offer extremely competitive hire fees for such a unique space in the heart of London.

BNP Paribas Tennis classic - Escape the crowds this summer with IMG in one of the most exclusive and prestigious members clubs in the country, the Hurlingham Club. Set in 42 acres of luxurious grounds, this is the perfect setting for summer entertaining in the heart of central London.

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17 THINGS

Ice Tank

- A hidden gem in the heart of Covent Garden, situated on a quiet street off Shaftesbury Avenue. With fantastic transport links and a unique aesthetic it is the ideal choice for prestigious press events or exclusive parties.

25% discount!

- Everyone understands that Christmas is a very expensive time of year, so Cable would like to offer a 25% discount off venue hire for all events booked and held with them in January and February 2013!

Lord’s of the Weddings

- Lord’s is one of the most breathtaking and unusual wedding venues in London. There are a number of beautiful and highly individual spaces for a ceremony, wedding breakfast, reception or party, all redolent with the glamour of the Home of Cricket.

Going Underground

- Underground Gallery provides a contemporary gallery space in a cultural hotspot of London. Located in a quirky subterranean arcade, our friendly and experienced staff will ensure you gain maximum benefit when organising your show or event.

Thames travel to Detroit Pistons vs NY Nicks at O2 arena”

- Experience the thrill of arriving at the O2 in style & comfort for long awaited return of the NBA in London on Thursday 17th January. Up to 8 people can arrive by river to the O2 with chilled champagne in hand ready for an unforgettable night.

MWB business exchange PLC

- When you need a room for business meetings or training, there is always a professional location to choose from with MWB, We have over 40 venues in London all within walking distance to major transport links meaning you and your delegates can find us quickly and easily.

Capture the Season

- Specialising in interiors, food & events photography, I have been commissioned to work for some top restaurants, bars and hotels in the UK and South Africa. With a love for creativity, design and the photographic medium, I aim to combine my passions to create striking, sublime and glorious images.

Special Rate Offer

- London Film Museum is situated among central London’s most iconic landmarks. Their beautiful river view rooms, the Grand auditorium and our magnificent museum gallery creates truly unique, memorable and exciting event experiences. And there is a 25% discount on offer, so get in there quick.

Amazing wedding offer at Eltham Palace and Gardens

– Cooks & Partners Ltd bring glamour to your wedding day at Eltham Palace & Gardens with Cooks & Partners event catering and save over £1500 on venue hire in January & February 2013.

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READERS LETTERS

ASK PAUL

Our sartorial expert, leading Saville Row tailor Paul Wilkinson answers your questions to assist you in ensuring your presence commands the room in this era when you can’t afford to risk looking second-best.

Paul has 10 years of bespoke tailoring experience. Raised in strong Scottish stock, Paul is renowned for his warm, lively, and charismatic personality, astute eye for detail, and colourful opinions on formal dress.

Paul’s client portfolio is not restricted to bankers! His client portfolio is very eclectic: from club owners to party planners and premiership footballers to pop stars.

WINNING LETTER Dear Paul As a ‘the higher the better’ girl kitten heels were something I’d never considered, but I’ve noticed they’re growing increasingly popular? How can I embrace this trend without my legs looking for lack of a better word, stumpy?

Angela, Liverpool Dear Angela To ease yourself into one of the more tricky trends of recent years I would suggest a pair of suede Ankle boots, think Miranda Kerr and Millie Mackintosh, with jeans until you’re used to the lack of height they offer. Personally I love a maxi/midi skirt with a lower heel – very twenties.

Look to Kurt Geiger for a fresher take on the trend or , as per, Jones for something more classic.

Dear Paul Can I use a knitted tie as a cool alternative to a scarf?

Tim, London Dear Tim No. A tie is never an alternative to a scarf no matter the fabric used. Yes knitted ties are lovely and at the moment whilst not in the mainstream a great alternative way to update a look, but head down to Selfridges pronto and buy a scarf- or a snood if the mood takes you. Winter is coming.

Dear Paul I need a new coat and was looking for a tailored boxy one I can wear for smart occasions but also for general weekend wear. Can you point me in the right direction? I don’t have a huge budget so something more neutral in tone would be appreciated Hannah, Cardiff

Dear Paul Is a Christmas jumper ever appropriate work attire?

Mark, London Dear Mark If the print is small, not too referential to the season (a reindeer is okay, a Santa Claus is not) and in a muted colour like bottle green, navy, or maroon then you should be fine. Of course if you work in the kind of office where the dafter the better is encouraged then by all means, head to Primark and have a ball, the rest of us will be heading to Asos and hoping our orders arrive before the 24th.

Dear Paul Some colleagues and I are thinking about chipping in and buying my boss a nice shirt at the end of the year (hopefully we’ll get some bonuses to make up for the effort!) As he’s slightly larger is there anywhere in particular we should head?

Gemma, Birmingham Dear Gemma The general rule of thumb with gifts is avoid clothes like the plague and go for accessories instead. Sizing is always awkward and unless you’re certain of their taste it’s always tricky. Can I suggest a good bag instead? Maybe a strong leather satchel or pair of driving gloves? The latter is especially fun as with gifts you’re meant to give what you want, not what you need. Be frivolous and fun and I’m sure you will get the bonus you’re hoping for.

Ask Paul a question and win a fantastic Montblanc Pen . Thank you to Montblanc Corporate Gifts for the fantastic prize of a timeless Meisterstuck Platinum Ballpoint Pen (www.montblanccorporategift.co.uk). Email your questions to us at enquiries@prestigeeventsguide.com for a chance to win next time and to receive another piece of writing culture from Montblanc Corporate Gifts. A time honored tradition.

Dear Hannah Mango has a great selection of ‘Boyfriend’ fit coats, as does River Island. You should aim for three buttons max, positioned below a collar around the midriff to create the right shape. These coats are great for layering and guarantee warmth and a stylish look in one hit.

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OUT AND ABOUT

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OUT AND ABOUT

OUT& A B O U T

November seems to always be the busiest month of the year for The Events Angel.

Not only is it her birthday, which means a week of celebrations but its also the months of winter balls, end of year review, summits and conferences and to top it all off, Christmas parties start trickling in. It’s the month I rarely get a break but boy to I have to say that November 2012 has been busier then ever with Obamas being re-election and the Chinese government changing power the world just went a little nuts in 2012.

Londoners know that when winter arrives so does the most anticipated event of the international social calendar: The sixth annual GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF). Some of the most renowned characters from the worlds of sport, film, fashion, food, art and music attended the Grey Goose Winter Ball knowing they’d be WOWED from start to finish, and boy were they WOWED. Over 600 guests filled The Battersea Power Station which was turned into a scene from 1950’s Côte d’Azur summer, which is a favourite amongst the style leaders of London. The dreamy elegance of the South of France was beautiful brought to life through pastel coloured palettes, palm trees, poolside sophistication and a collection of unique GREY GOOSE cocktails.

Two Michelin-starred chef, Hélène Darroze prepared an exquisite three-course dinner that was served by some of the finest models in town, Kevin Spacey bemused guests when he attempted to impersonate his friend Bill Clinton, whom he described as Barack Obama’s ‘explainer-in-chief’ and the auction lots by Ellen Von Unwerth, Gareth Pugh and Karim Rashid plus others raised over $1 million for EJAF. Elizabeth

Hurley, David Hasselhoff, fashion designer Giles Deacon, Jamiroqaui and many more hit the dance floor when award winning singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé performed with producer and musician Labrinth offering the guests an unforgettable show.

The next event that had the must attend tag on it was the Annual Square Mile Magazine Masked Ball at the prestigious One Mayfair. All the elite of London’s financial industry came together to raise money for children’s charity Rays of Sunshine. Guests including Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford, cast members from Made in Chelsea and Eastenders star Gary Lucy were treated to Laurent Perrier champagne, gourmet canapés and luxury treat filled goody bags. But nights WOW factor was the live entertainment and it being performed at One Mayfair, which is one of the most spectacular venues in London. I always have a great time when I’m at this venue and tonight was no different. Watching Melanie Masson from this year’s X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent winners Spelbound and the astonishing gymnastic display against the backdrop of a holographic light show really WOWED the socks off everyone who was there. The guests loved it and boy did they boogie the night away.

O U & ABOUT Now with the New Year around the corner I think it time to make a slight prediction for 2013. What I can gather from all the events I got to attend and from all the amazing and successful people I have had the pleasure of meeting during this crazy busy month, once again business is booming and there is a lot to look forward to in 2013.

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COOL INDIVIDUALISM

COOL

INDIVIDUALISM What does it mean to be posh? “At best eccentric, clever and charming” says Violet Henderson, social editor at British society magazine Tatler. “At worst, owning Labradors, snorting where others laugh, twin sets and pearls, and corduroy trousers- basically the antithesis of cool.”

But the notion of being posh has definitely been rebranded within the past year, and instead of sneering at its traditionalism, we’re suddenly aping its style: tweed blazers, parties at the country club, heritage watches and pens being bragged about in the office and weekend getaways to the Cotswolds are in high demand amongst all. The Hunter willies have truly made their way to the streets of London. The people we’ve chosen to aspire too are also no longer working class relatable types but the likes of Cara Delevingne, the model of the moment, Damian Lewis, Eddie Redmayne, and the cast of Made in Chelsea. Kate Moss has even been pushed aside- yes really- in public favour for a Kate who married a prince and lives in a palace. Kate Middleton is the best thing to happen to British fashion in decades and any event she appears at becomes world class, truly illustrating her power within the corporate world. By adding an element of the upper class to an event it not only adds a few extra barrels to the guest list but increases the likelihood of a civilised and well-to-do occasion.

Of course this can apply to catering as well, the days of mini fish and chips were great ones but the simple canapé has been missed and the quality greatly improved since the mid noughties salmon overload. Rather a focus on the sweet and delicate, the cupcake generation is in full swing as the corporate crowd truly are being told to “let them eat cake”. A notion that has seen droves of ‘cake pops’, specifically marketed cupcakes and delectable sorbets being served at the key events of the season.

This isn’t to say anything lower than upper class is to be sneered at, Christ no! It’s simply more about conducting yourself in a more appropriate manner when you socialise and embracing the best of British. This doesn’t mean denying roots when networking, rather embracing the finest our great country has to offer in terms of heritage estate, dignified etiquette and the finest tea the world has ever seen.

A faux Eton-style laugh will certainly not gain you social points- rather glares of discouragement and perhaps a decrease in invitations to events- rather a focus on attaining the best is the best way to get ahead within the industry. We aren’t dropping ‘aitches’ anymore but rather choosing a more elegant manner of pronunciation and conduct that Henry Higgins himself would be proud of.

What’s most intriguing is that, despite being in the middle of a recession we’re lapping up these privileged elite. “I think the royal wedding played a huge part in restoring glamour and signifigance to the royal family, who are the ultimate representative of posh” explains Henderson. “It becomes obvious how hard the royals work, and this has helped remove the association between posh and unearned privilege.” So, there it is, it’s now cool to be posh, but mark our words; it will never be okay to utter the words “totes amaze” in our office. Ever.

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LOOKING BACK: EVENT AND CATERING TRENDS

EVENTS - NINE YEARS ON

– What’s not to like?

Ever feel your world has being transformed into one lifelong event? 2012 may have been exceptional but if the marketeers have their way it will not. The last nine years have seen the industry mushroom beyond recognition into a multi faceted dynamic force providing the vehicle of choice for mass cultural entertainment, private celebration, corporate marketing and team building. The “event” has morphed to encompass a business meeting with sandwiches for three to our four week multi site international Olympic games involving all countries of the world. Before the industry had its own diplomas and degrees the muddy fields of Britain were the learning ground of the innocent, festival entrepreneurs armed with an appetite for “fun till they’re fifty” and a smart phone. Social media, an augmented reality, finger tip world, happily clashed with budget austerity and a hugely confident young to reinvent not just how friends and families but also corporations and their customers talk to each other. The talking head is dead. The let me, play, watch, taste, smell, feel, sensational experience is king.

clubs, trains all vie as venues for the stretched event dollar.

The planner’s criteria is simple: Have I been there before?

No. Does the place sound cool? Yes. Let’s go. Funky venues even have their own directory.

Austerity, sustainability and less formality have all driven food into our hands. The corporate marketing meal is now more often than not eaten with fingers, on our feet. The sit down dinner, an expensive, limited networking tool is losing out, for now, to free flowing, and let’s face it, more fun canapés, bowls and stalls. Empty shops prop up pop ups, themselves filled by twitter frenzy. Imagine, nine years back, eating Michelin starred food from stalls in a freezing former mail sorting office. Welcome to Feast 2012. The Cool Event awards 2013, hosted at The Ministry of Sound will be serving outdoor stall food by Eden followed by a club night. The event festival rolls on.

And so too, the venue must work harder to win the work.

The hotel, the first choice for decades, may now be close to last for many planners. Bridges, boats, museums, derelict industrial spaces, sports grounds, ice rooms, night

Hugh Walker Managing Director Eden Caterers Ltd

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WHAT WE’RE

WHAT WE’RE DRINKING

DRINKING...

The latest in top tipples, brilliant bars and cool cocktails that will lift your spirits, by Wesley Mendy

NEVER HAVE A HANGOVER AGAIN

NOHO “The Hangover Defense” is an all new Functional Lifestyle Beverage that helps you prevent the dreaded “Hangover” effects you feel after enjoying any alcoholic beverage. Whether you are having 1 drink or 10... we help protect your body from the adverse effects of alcohol- but, you still get to benefit and enjoy the positive effects ;). This convenient and easy-to-use 2 oz. bottle of NOHO is loaded with the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body uses to break down and process the alcohol in your system

IT’S NOT ROSEY

Kamm & Sons is not like other spirits as our publisher can testify to at our Christmas lunch. Although it is made in a similar way to gin (and also contains juniper berries), it has a total of 45 natural botanicals, the main ingredients are ginseng, fresh grapefruit peels and manuka honey. It is blended to a lighter 33% abv. (Most spirits are 40% or stronger.). Opinion: A perfect mix.

THE LEGEND

A controversial archaeological mystery, 13 crystal heads have been found in regions around the world, from the American southwest to Tibet. They’re dated between 5,000 and 35,000 years old, and were supposedly polished into shape from solid quartz chunks over a period of several hundred years. Although according to Hewlett Packard engineers, they bear no tool marks to tell us exactly how they were made.The heads are thought to offer spiritual power and enlightenment to those who possess them, and as such stand not as symbols of death, but of life. The vodka which goes into these inspired-skulls is pretty lovely too. Take it from us. We’ve sobered up now.

POSSIBLY THE GREATEST WHISKY YOU’VE EVER HAD TO WAIT FOR

The slowest distillation process in Scotland. Six years spent preparing the perfect oak casks before they receive their first drop of spirit. Barley dried by air, never peat. Glengoyne gives you pause to reflect that it’s only by investing valuable time and infinite care that you can create something of real worth. Glengoyne - it’s worth the wait. Or you can take your team/group on a Glengoyne distillery tour – we guarantee you’ll be walking on clouds when you leave.

written by Darren Hassal of Blue Tomata

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COOL HOSPITALITY IDEAS

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COOL HOSPITALITY IDEAS

COOL

HOSPITALITY IDEAS

to inspire – Yes we all love our jobs but when you needs some help to turn the light bulb above your head on 1 Exhibits nothing beats a Gallery. To avoid wasting your time we invite you to discover the best ones around at the moment

Tate Britain’s new Pre-Raphaelites exhibition is a steam-punk triumph, a raw and rollicking resurrection of the attitudes, ideas and passions of our engineering, imperialist, industrialist, capitalist and novel-writing ancestors. But this exhibition is less an insight into modern art than an appealing celebration of the flawed, bonkers and brilliant Victorian age. A lot of critics disdain this period, and with good cause. The Pre-Raphaelites’ paintings exhibit Victorian vices as well as virtues: they can be too sleek, too complacent in their reliance on artistic formulae – as if there were a Mrs Beeton recipe for greatness. The reason their art works so well in the massive quantities on display here is partly because, frankly, I don’t think you can look at one Pre-Raphaelite painting for too long. That bold, hard brightness is captivating on first view but palls, being so sealed within its own aesthetic bubble. When we so often look to the past for inspiration why not check out the men who were doing it first?

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COOL HOSPITALITY IDEAS

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COOL HOSPITALITY IDEAS

The Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the V&A showcases the best of movie magic in one supreme location. Although 2 these days John Travolta may not do all the smooth moves from Saturday Night Fever, but that was 35 years ago and his

waistcoat was stitched to his trousers. Tony Manero’s sleazy white suit is one of 131 treats in the V&A’s big new show, Hollywood Costume. Jaw droppers includes Joan Crawford’s heavy, molten carapace of a beaded red dress in The Bride Wore Red, Edith Head’s sequined showgirl outfit for Ginger Rogers in Lady in the Dark, even sexier than the nearby feathered one for Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge; and Givenchy’s Twiglet-waisted black dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Costume exhibitions often fall foul of mannequins with advanced rigor mortis, so the V&A has made bespoke dummies for each outfit, giving a sense of a real body, movement, and period. It’s the exhibition everyone is talking about, and if a ticket has not been booked for the holiday season, it may lack in festive cheer.

Art 1960’s-1980 at the Saatchi Gallery showcases the best of development during time of oppression, a striving 3 Moscow for modernism where the past is honored, and this is what must inspire us all to deliver within our working environments;

to improve and look forward within our retrospective worlds. While Charles Saatchi’s recent forays into contemporary Russian art occupy the two lower floors of his gallery, above them is a huge show which reflects what happened before.

Often made under the radar, the experiments of Moscow-based artists between the Sixties and Eighties and then in the immediately post-Soviet era offer a fascinating complement to Saatchi’s latest acquisitions and an intriguing counterpoint to western art of the same epoch. The works are not from Saatchi’s collection but gathered from public and private collections by the Tsukanov Family Foundation. Many loosely relate to concurrent western movements and groups— abstract expressionism, pop art, conceptual art — but the repressive conditions in the Soviet Union prompted different content and methods. With around 200 works, the show feels cluttered in places but it is thoroughly engaging — a tale of radical art finding a way back from Stalinist decimation

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IN THE TRADE

In the trade with…..

Emily Aldridge at Nomad food & design I am the Events & Marketing Manager at Nomad food & design- an innovative, creative, stylish & friendly Catering and Events Company. I decided I wanted to work in events from the age of 12 when I started collecting every OK! Magazine that featured a wedding and used these to make scrap books…I have since fulfilled my dream of creating amazing weddings but after one too many bridezillas I decided organising a range of events and developing business is more my thing and I absolutely love what I do! Oh and yes I still have the scrapbooks!

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

After spending 2 years solely arranging weddings I decided corporate events was the next challenge I wanted to get stuck in to, I moved from a country wedding venue in Kent to a venue in London where although I got to do a mix of events the market was primarily corporate. I wanted to get to know every area of events and arrange as many different events as possible so absorbing myself into the corporate market was adding another string to my bow.

I get a buzz from how fast paced the corporate market is in London and the variety of events you get to organise.

It’s also great to meet such a mix of people and every day brings new and exciting challenges.

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

At nomad everything is done as a team so after confirming with the clients we sit down and run through the function sheets, we decide which role each team member is going to play within that particular event. We have our check list and make sure all suppliers and the venue are completely in the loop from the start. The actual event day is pretty hectic as we have to pack up most of our warehouse and the food then get to the client/venue 2 hours prior to the event kicking off. Preparing everything in advance that we will need to take to the event is key for a smooth operation.

Q/ What preparation goes into your service?

I am a face to face girl, I love getting out and about meeting the clients so from the initial meeting you develop a strong relationship (bringing treats to the first meeting also helps). My motto has always been to go above and beyond so I always strive to exceed client’s expectations – it results in a fantastic event and even more importantly a loyal client who will keep coming back to book events with you.

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

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

I am a big believer in having an honest, open and friendly

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approach to everyone I meet. I also make sure that once I have created a new relationship I keep in contact with that person. There is nothing worse than really impressing a client in an initial meeting then not contacting them again, by the time they have had a meeting with another company they will have completely forgotten who you are!

Some of the biggest clients we have worked with are Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan & Eurostar.

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

It’s always fun working with big name clients but I enjoy working with smaller, quirkier clients just as much. Every client brief we receive allows for us at nomad to get our thinking caps on and create sensational food coupled with beautiful design elements. There aren’t many jobs that allow you to explore your own creativity so I thrive in being able to do that. Every enquiry is an exciting new challenge and pushes you to think of more innovative ideas.

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

To me the epitome of cool is something that is unique, quirky and innovative so basically everything that we stand for at nomad. All of the events we organise have the ‘COOL’ element running throughout; each one is completely bespoke and unique to a particular brand or company.

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

I think people are definitely starting to take risks now when it comes to planning events and the food they choose but I would like to see it happen more. We are always trying to persuade our clients to go for ideas that are quirky and different from the norm that really create the ‘WOW’ factor. As much as I like traditional elements the events industry is so big you see a lot of themes/menus time and time again so it’s fun to try and shake this up and create fabulous new ideas.

IN THE TRADE

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CORPERATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBLITY

STEPLADDER

WORLDWIDE What better time to take stock of the UK events industry than after our biggest summer ever? The eyes of the world were on both Great Briton’s athletes and our Event Industry this year and how did we do? We excelled ourselves on the world’s stage and showed what we are made of.

What did we learn and where do we go from here? These are the questions on our lips now.

As the Founder and Director of Sevens7 & Stepladder Worldwide, I’d like to think that we, as an industry, have learnt some important lessons that will help safeguard the quality of the UK event industry; mainly the importance of training and supporting young talent coming into the industry. This is imperative to maintain the quality of our work and, with the current financial situation as it is, we all see the need to streamline our resources and work more efficiently year on year - This will only be possible by having a more formal access to the industry that encourages and nurtures the best talent.

“To find an organisation like Stepladder Worldwide in the creative industry is like gold dust! Its very exciting being surrounded with people that share your interest and are eager to help myself and others gain knowledge and experience. I worked with Stepladder to help run a fundraiser night for the charity Childs i Foundation. I learnt a lot from observing the skills needed to organise a fundraising event and enjoyed the evening thoroughly. I would like to say a big thank you to Charlotte for giving me the amazing opportunity and Emma for giving such useful advice!’ Lucy Denny, 18.

Dan Howson Stepladder Worldwide

It has always been difficult to get into the Live Events and Show Production industry; as it’s all about who you know.

The route to where I am today was a slow, haphazard and unstructured path lacking in information or support both from education and careers advisors, as well as from our industry. We at sevens7 are determined that talent should not be wasted and we are passionate about helping young people gain industry knowledge and develop their core skills. So, in 2008, we set up Stepladder Worldwide, a youth initiative designed to help ALL young people gain access to the industry. We source opportunities and provide advice and guidance to any young person under the age of 24 with a passion to get into Live Events.

Having recently been selected as a Skills Ambassador for The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills, I see a focus shifting onto our industry, which can only be a good thing. Through developing relationships with key industry players and educational providers, we are building a link between education and employment, supporting the development of young people and providing opportunities through apprenticeships & work placements for young people straight from university and college.

Stepladder is an internal programme, helping to drive passions, encourage and motivate young people looking to get a good start to their career. With previous Stepladder manager Ben Collins winning Employee of the Year at the Event Production Awards 2012, Stepladder has been proven successful and we hope our youth development programme can be adopted by organizations both in and outside of our industry in the future.

Some of the same issues I experienced still exist today and the questions remain the same; why are we not taught what to expect in the real world? Why are people unaware of the opportunities available? Why is there so little access to working professionals? Why were we not encouraged to develop our strengths? The questions go on but, hopefully, through initiatives such as Stepladder Worldwide & The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills, young people with talent and passion will have a more access to the industry and more support to go with it.

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NEW YORK

‌TAKE A BITE

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NEW YORK

New York, New York, it’s a hell of a town. With the recent Hurricane Sandy causing an almost week long blackout, the loss of communication and general awareness of what was going on in this megacity really hit home that distance DOES make the heart grow stronger. The epicentre of all that is relevant, the island of Manhattan is still the place to be, providing the best in terms of not only attractions, fashion, entertainment and fine dining, but the best kind of natural high you can get from stepping off of a plane. The city that gave the world Studio 54. So here’s what we’ll be doing the next time we’re in the city, for a flawless experience we suggest you follow suit.

DINING Del Posto Mario Batali’s Del Posto set the bar awfully high when it opened in just over five years ago, but the cavernous restaurant has become nothing less than the city’s top destination for refined, upscale Italian cuisine, a mean feat where competition is so dense within such a small island. The clubby dining room, serenaded nightly by a twinkling grand piano, feels like the lobby of a very opulent grand hotel. The kitchen, under the stewardship of longtime Batali protégé Mark Ladner, challenges its French competition in butter consumption. We adored the gorgeous mixed mushroom appetizer drowning in the stuff, and the do ethereal ricotta-filled gnudi and flaky thymeflower sprinkled turbot fillets was simply mind blowing. The most show-stopping dishes, intended for sharing, include hunks of lamb and veal and pitch-perfect risotto for two and the all-Italian wine list is suitably encyclopedic.

85 Tenth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts, Chelsea (212-4978090, www.delposto.com) DRINKING Death and Company The nattily attired bartenders are deadly serious about drinks at this Gothic saloon, a pioneer in the current mania for craft cocktails. Behind the imposing wooden door, black walls and cushy booths combine with chandeliers to set the luxuriously somber mood. The barkeeps here are consistently among the city’s best, turning out inventive and classic drinks such as the Sweet Hereafter, a Latin American martini riff made with floral pisco, St.-Germain, Dolin Blanc vermouth and Cocchi Americano. Not cheap, but totally worth it.

CLUBS Brooklyn Bowl When you hear the term dance-off, you may think of cheesy battles where people attempt the Worm. But the Soul Clap & Dance-Off shindig is a different beast, with resident DJ Jonathan Toubin, fully back on the scene after a long recuperation from a freak accident, playing his typically flawless soundtrack of rock, funk and soul classics.

The competitors were less concerned with form and more with simply letting loose, complicating the job of a judges’ panel that included Andrew W.K., Alexei Perry Cox of the Handsome Furs and Vivian Girls’ Cassie Ramone.

61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn ARTS The Museum of Modern Art After a two-year redesign by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, MoMA reopened in 2004 with almost double the space to display some of the most impressive artworks from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Outside, the Philip Johnson–designed Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, which houses works by Calder, Rodin and Moore, overlooks the Modern, a sleek high-end restaurant and bar run by superstar restaurateur Danny Meyer. The Museum of Modern Art is proving big competition for the better know Metropolitan Museum of Art in every sense.

11 W 53rd St, Midtown West, New York, 10019 COFFEE Cafe’ Grumpy Because let’s be honest, thanks to Friends, it’s a New York staple. Café Grumpy always offered the city’s widest variety of coffees by the cup. Caroline Bell, one of the owners, is still committed to bringing in selections from some of the country’s best roasters. Grumpy recently inaugurated a roaster at its Greenpoint shop. A third location, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is more coffee bar than cafe, and better suited to standing when you drink your flat white.

224 West 20th Street, Chelsea, (212) 255-5511; 383 Seventh Avenue (11th Street), Park Slope, Brooklyn, (718) 499-4404; 193 Meserole Avenue (Diamond Street), Greenpoint, Brooklyn, (718) 349-7623; cafegrumpy.com.

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13/11/2012 15:59

WHO SHOULD YOU BE FOLLOWING ON TWITTER ?

TWITTER:WHO TO FOLLOW

Everyone’s first port of call to find out what’s going on, a joke we can pass off as our own, and sometimes when we just need to pass the time. Twitter has never been bigger 1)Richard Branson @richardbranson When does this guy sleep or stop travelling? A perfect peek into his beliefs, social calendar and up and coming events. And every so often lifts the lid on Richard Branson; the human being!

2)James Rhodes @jrhodespianist The iconoclastic and hilarious concert pianist. Plus some links to great music and in general lightens up our dark winter mornings 3)Derek Blasberg @derekblasberg Any party you would want to be at anywhere in the world, he is there. We would hate him if we didn’t want to be him so much.

4)Alexander Fury @alexanderfury The editor of LOVE magazine doesn’t pull his punches. Head here for Celine Dion love, 90s Galliano adoration and, erm, trenchant show commentary.

5)Anne Fousse @theworldclass1 Ex-Conde Nast Traveller employee, map obsessive and geographer, she tweets all sorts of map links and esoterica. Her feed feeds the geek within and the event organisers who want to know ‘where is that?’ because the client may call at any time with a need for ‘something and somewhere different’.

6)Cry Parrot @cryparrot An independent music events organisation. They put on the most interesting gigs in Scotland. Find out about esoteric music through them.

7)Marina O’Loughlin @marinaoloughlin The marvelous restaurant critic for Metro. She’s endlessly bitter, cross and enthusiastic in equal measure 8)Indy Johar @indy_johar Social entrepreneur whose retweets give you a rich insight into changemakers who matter.

9)Patrick Goff @hoteldesigns Artist, designer,writer, and editor of hoteldesigns.net. If you love interiors which we know you do, you’ll like this man’s tweets.

10)Prestige Events @wesleymendy Because where would we be without a bit of self promotion? Instant updates from our Editor to keep you in the know, be it in the Event industry or what’s playing on our office Spotify.

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ONLINE MARKETING

VIRAL MARKETING TIPS With all of the changes in search engine algorithms lately, many businesses are relying on viral marketing to secure revenues in the web marketplace. How do we protect our brand in the massive web networks that provide a platform for criticism?

Let’s take Facebook for instance. If you were to have your own network of about 100 people and every person in my network has on average 100 people in their network. I have the potential to reach 10,000 or more just in my own network.

If I can reach out to those 10,000 people, I have the potential to reach 1,000,000 + people. The magnitude of networking possibilities on the web cannot be overlooked for any business. The more people you reach with something unique to offer, something that differentiates you from competitors, increases your chance of securing more business and, therefore, more revenue Unfortunately, there is no tried and true formula for creating a successful viral video. You can use the previously discussed concepts of viral marketing to give your content more social potency. It can sometimes be difficult to define the success of a viral marketing campaign, especially for small businesses. This is because many Internet-based companies operate under the Ubiquity now, Revenue Later business model. Views and hits don’t always translate directly to sales, although they do help build a business’ brand and visibility on social networks.

The positive impact viral marketing could have on your organization can be enormous. However, it can have a negative impact as well. One unsatisfied customer could spread the word very quickly. They can publish this information and, if it is true, there isn’t much you can do about it. If it’s false, then of course it’s libel. Taking one to court over the situation may cost you more than the business you lost from the negative review. However, if you allow that negative review to sit there without resolution, more and more people will see it. This is where reputation management comes into play. If you are going to explore web marketing in any form, you are leaving your organization open to criticism. It’s always important to ensure your customers are 100% satisfied with your services or products, but it’s nearly impossible to please everyone. You must have a good reputation management program in place. If someone has posted a negative comment about your product or service, it is important to respond in a positive manner. Don’t ever be defensive. Here are some key points in managing your business reputation: 1.

Search your company name on search engines monthly. See what’s being said about your company.

2.

If you negative comments, check it out and see what the problem is. Try to handle it by responding in a positive way towards criticism. This will show other viewers that your company is concerned and cares primarily about the customer.

3.

If there is an false posting about your business where you can’t respond publicly, notify the website about the posting and try to get the item flagged for removal. Illegal postings are generally against the terms of use of sites like these. The same would go for social networks like Facebook. You can report other users for libel or anything that is illegal or offensive.

The web can be a valuable platform for spreading good news about your company, but don’t go in head first without being prepared for the consequences. Managing your business’ reputation should be a part of your overall planning and strategy to build and protect your brand.

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SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND

SOUND OF THE

UNDERGROUND The rise in ghettos as hotspots for event venues has been alarming in the past ten years, the recent rise of East London an obvious example attaining a stamp of approval from the Olympic committee and a sea of the social elite moving in all within 2012. However this kind of growth within a working class area isn’t limited to just our humble capital and along with a ‘new’ district within the great LDN, Berlin and Paris both attain great areas for that extra something when it comes to hosting an event your buyers won’t forget.

Bermondsey In London you’ve got to pick a side, North or South.

For a long time now the south of the river has failed to compete with the bright lights of Soho, Shoreditch, and Hoxton. That’s changing though and the art crowd are migrating to Bermondsey, along with its vibey restaurants and bars along Bermondsey street there’s Shortwave art house cinema, a legendary antiques market and the charming Bermondsey Square Hotel. Unofficial King of the art world Jay Jopling has also blessed the town with his largest White Cube Gallery space which opened late last year in a converted warehouse. Our tip however is based in the iconic and atmospheric Victorian railway arches beneath London Bridge station, the famous wine-tasting destination Vinopolis. Able to accommodate as many as 1,250 guests it’s certainly an excellent event venue, serving up a choice of seven striking spaces, ranging from the imposing brick-clad surrounds of the Great Halls, to the modern white space on offer in The Gallery Belleville/Menilmontant Monica Bellucci and her beau, Vincent Cassel live in Belleville , the area east of central Paris where their neighbours include half of the Marc Jacobs’ design team and arty types who dress up for extravagant nights at

La Java or the fun rockabilly nights at La Feline. Cheap, fun, and a bit rough around the edges, Belleville as well as the edgier Menilmontant next door is the kind of neighbourhood where you stumble upon a secret African Music dive and dance away at Rosa Bonheur. During the daytime the scenic walks beside the waterfalls at Buttes Chaumont are awe inspiring and definitely offer your company something different to offer clients for potential meeting locations. Our pick; La Maroquinerie’s former life as a leather factory is little in evidence these days. It’s now a bright café and bar with a coveted downstairs concert venue that hosts the odd literary debate and a wealth of cool music acts. Its home to the Inrocks Indie Club nights, but there are still traces of its world music roots and the food is sublime. A must visit if ever in Paris and a surefire way to show off cool credentials to potential clients.

Neukolln Neukolln has been the coolest neighborhood in Berlin for a while, which by our calculations, puts it in running for the title of the most hip district in the world. With vintage boutiques as common as the British’s newsagent and cute cafe’s serving up the perfect latte along the Maybachufer Canal, killjoys fret the spread of gentrification; residents know though that the outer reaches still feel resolutely smoke stained and underground. Each week there’s a wealth of parties, gigs and exhibitions hosted by the area’s roaming art and music collectives that you won’t find unless you’re prepared to get your nails a little dirty. We recommend checking out Sauvage for something to eat however, drinks at O Tannenbaum are always a treat and if you’re feeling brave check out Raum 20 as a venue host for any potential events. The cool factor guaranteed to surpass anything you’ll see all year. Go on, we dare you...

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SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND

vinopolis Great Halls

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VENUES

The Ampersand Hotel A beautiful boutique hotel in south Kensington, utilizes the space to engage not only the leisurely world of relaxation but also the event industry and the hosting of events. The Kensington meeting rooms at The Ampersand Hotel combine a Victorian sense of occasion with a slick, contemporary understanding of your requirements, whether you are planning a corporate event in London or looking for a private London party venue. Here is where the cabinet of curiosities comes to life, both rooms being lined with books, games and items of interest, displayed in quirky Victorian style. Technical amenities, including large LCD screens and pin-sharp audio equipment are as much a part of the collections as the bespoke artwork. Both spaces are able to be interconnected and easily adapted to suit your needs, providing a stimulating setting for your event, from London team building to a private party.

Gingerline Probably the most exciting of the venues featured in that it’s not exactly a venue at all, Part hideout, part parallel reality, Gingerline HQ is a clandestine dining experience for London’s food adventurers. The menu, the concept and above all, the location, will remain top secret. All guests will be sworn to secrecy with the company mantra being: Loose lips sink ships! They’ll then inform you where you need to go 60 minutes before the evening begins and it’s always just a short walk from a station. From there you are led from the tube into the secret and specially designed arts space for an evening of feasting and folly, the four course menu is designed for food lovers galore and the entertainment world’s class. The Gingerliners are devoted to gastronomic adventures and artistic tomfoolery with one recent production was held at Prangsta Costumiers in New Cross with a menu of wild boar dumplings, venison ghoulash and toffee apple dessert. Should you wish for something even more over the top, Gingerline also arranges private parties. The future’s bright for this lot. Some would say it’s orange Cable A pioneer of London’s after hours scene, Jaded at Cable is something of an institution for London’s hardened clubbersa 1050-capacity, multi-roomed club in the arches underneath St Thomas’ Hospital, playing host to the best garage, dubstep, drum and bass and house music DJs every weekend. Grimy and underground - literally - the club is built into the stone-walled arches, although a few concessions to more sophisticated, modern decor have been made here and there. It’s been cunningly divided into three main spaces, with the main room focussed around the DJ decks, the bar space (equipped with another pair of decks) and a separate third room with comfy sofas for those in need of a brief sit down before resuming their dancing. The VIP room with room for 20-30 people overlooks the decks and the busiest part of the dancefloor. Cable (whose staff include at least one member of the team which made Fabric such a clubbing landmark) holds a lot of the current aces in the dance music pack and on Sunday mornings the club opens at 5am for house/techno fans to continue partying until lunchtime at the Jaded sessions. If the prospect of being in an enclosed space with 1,000-plus ravers doesn’t appeal, then you’re probably not the kind of hardened, dedicated clubber that Cable appeals to. But if your idea of fun is being part of an enthusiastic throng it most certainly is.

VENUES WE LOVE

Everyman Cinemas Throughout our charming venues from Hampstead and Belsize Park to The Green in Islington, Baker Street, Oxted, Reigate, Walton and Winchester, Everyman’s aim is to create a warm and friendly atmosphere, with an excellent food and drink selection and fantastic customer service a wide array of mainstream, art house and classic films, special events, launches and a diverse calendar of promotions, there is something for everyone. A world apart from the multiplex experience consumers normally associate with cinema, Everyman brings its modern, lifestyle brand to all of our sites. The venues offer a unique experience to customers, in high quality, stylish environments. From premium couches, to waiter service and to bars and stylish lounge areas, customers are able to relax with a glass of wine or a coffee in the venues it truly goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience and remains a popular choice as an event venue for corporate events.

The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead As one of London’s oldest pubs, The Spaniards has earned itself a place in the history books, quite literally. Dickens immortalised it in The Pickwick Papers, and it’s said that Keats wrote Ode to a Nightingale here over a claret or two. Indeed, the characterful 16th century inn is a romantic idyll in itself, with a few tales of its own to tell (Dick Turpin was apparently born here, need we say more?). A country pub in the city, it boasts a garden grand enough to rival the great Hampstead Heath itself, roaring fires in the winter and plenty of intriguing nooks in which to muse over the superlative drinks menu. These days, an affable crowd fills the place, even though the interiors look rather fusty & the kitchen can’t compete with the gastronomic credentials of nearby pubs. Food is staunchly British: gammon & mustard mash, salmon & trout fishcakes or full-blown Sunday roasts, but it truly is the atmosphere that draws in more than the locals on a Friday night.

Cellar Door A gaudy neon arrow points the way to this tiny basement, where cabaret, lounge singers and drag acts ensure things go with a swing. Classic cocktails are mixed with three categories of high-end brands, and priced accordingly. House cocktails include the Starbucks Must Die (Martell VS, Kahlua, own-made vanilla-infused vodka and a shot of espresso); a compact wine list caters for cocktail refuseniks, and snuff is available in assorted flavours (snorting straw provided). Open until 1am nightly with admittance free, the prime central London location means guaranteed paid entry is usually worth it. Previously the haunt of the famous Oscar Wilde it now hosts the social elite on a regular basis.

Shoreditch Rooms The most recent hotel opening from Soho House members’ club (see also Dean Street Townhouse; High Road House) might even be the best, perfectly catching the local atmosphere with its unfussy, slightly retro design.

The rooms feel a bit like urban beach huts, with pastelcoloured tongue-and-groove, shutters and swing doors to the en suite showers. They’re fresh, bright and comfortable, despite minimal furnishing. Guests get access to the fine eating, drinking and fitness facilities (yes, a gym, but more importantly an excellent rooftop pool) in the members’ club next door. Everything’s put together with a light touch, from the ‘Borrow Me’ bookshelf by the lifts (jelly beans, umbrellas, boardgames and sex toys) to the room nomenclature. Proof a luxury experience can be fun.

WE LOVE

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TOP 9 LONDON HOTELS

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LONDON HOTELS

The Savoy Hotel has long been synonymous with late nights in The Savoy Grill or American Bar, with celebrities from Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe to Winston Churchill and Claude Monet leaving their indelible mark on its reputation. Relaunched on 10.10.10 as a playground of a whole new generation of the rich and famous, this is the place to be seen propping up the bar.

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TOP 9 LONDON HOTELS The opening in 2011 of the Corinthia hotel brought the excitement of a new brand to the capital, in 5 star glory. Grand and gracious, the property was originally opened in 1885 as the Metropole hotel, before being requisitioned by the government before WW1. Returning to its roots, the hotel has become a favourite of event organisers for its classy style, large private spaces and excellent level of service – and a favourite with us for the ESPA spa white marble lounge!

Quite possibly the longest-awaited launch of recent times, the Renaissance St Pancras Hotel rose, phoenix-like in all its gothic grandeur. After decades of seeing its fading facades hulking over the Kings Cross grotty skyline, it was a matter of civic pride to see it reopen in this district as the residence for well-heeled travellers that it deserves to be.

Soho House group has become something of a members-club dominatrix in the past few years, with outposts popping up in the English countryside, West Hollywood, Toronto, Berlin and Miami. Cool kids the Wold over can now mingle with the beautiful media people, but the pinnacle must be the original, Soho House London.

For quintessential English style, it must be Claridge’s. Lovingly refurbished over the years, the décor has retained all of the original art-deco charm whilst being updated with all the best modern elements of a five-star hotel (Diane von Fürstenberg suites are a highlight) Arguably the best afternoon tea spread in London, the food offering from Gordon Ramsey is still as sought-after as ever, with after-dinner drinks in The Fumoir a deeply sexy affair.

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TOP 9 LONDON HOTELS ME by Melia has finally opened at the time of writing, to excite design-followers the world over. Foster + Partners took a no-holds barred approach to the soaring triangular atrium, directional architecture and impressive lines. Situated on the Strand, we love this property, not only because it’s a modern 5-star glory, but because it has the rollicking STK restaurant and the Radio rooftop bar complete with outdoor terraces.

The Zetter Townhouse is a quirky bolthole tucked away in Clerkenwell just steps from big sister property The Zetter. We especially love the four-poster bonkers British room, perfect this year for celebrating the Jubilee weekend. Tuck into sharing plates in the bar by award-winning chef Bruno Loubet, topped off with cocktails to die for – all wrapped up in a bit of kitsch Victoriana.

The Bulgari hotel brought some long-needed fashion caché to Knightsbridge with its 85 rooms and suites being some of the largest in London. For the ultimate weekend, splash out in a 2-bedroom Bulgari suite with an open fireplace and library. This beautiful boy’s club hotel also boasts a cigar club, super spa and sleek dark slate lobby.

The Café Royal has also become a renaissance property and opened in December as a revamped classic, a world away from its somewhat racy beginnings. A bankrupt French wine merchant fled in 1865 to London to escape incarceration and decided to create a slice of belle époque Paris on Regent Street. The result was the Café Royal, to which the beautiful beau-monde flocked. It was here that boxing matches were fought in the ballroom before audiences in evening dress, Oscar Wilde hallucinated on absinthe and courted Lord Alfred Douglas, and an unfortunate night porter was shot dead.

Now all about cool, calm elegance, you’ll have to supply your own scandal for this party.

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TOP 9 UNUSUAL VENUES

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UNUSUAL VENUES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Perched on the 38th and 39th floors of the vertiginous Heron Tower, SUSHISAMBA made a splash on the London dining scene this year - bringing their world-renowned blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine served amongst a riot of colour and modernism. We love a good city panorama to drink by, and after ascending in the ear-poppingly fast glass lift, search for a perch near one of two outdoor terraces for views of London that cannot be matched. For an unusual group night out try sake, pisco, cachaรงa or wine tasting before dinner, or plan a sushi-appreciation class in the 160-seater main restaurant or use the upper floor for receptions up to 70 people.

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TOP 9 UNUSUAL VENUES Buddha Bar re-launched in the heart of Knightsbridge on Halloween after a hiatus of over 2 years in the capital. The illfated prior location on the Embankment left many punters feeling cold, but now a stellar line-up of entertainment and a sure-fire location will guarantee longevity. Pacific Rim cuisine aside, the real draw here is the natural daylight in the 240-seat main restaurant, a private room for 60 and a world-class DJ line up.

Also titillating the palates of Londoners since November, Coya is the first Peruvian restaurant with a private member’s bar.

Located at 118 Piccadilly, restaurateur Arjun Waney, has previously made a success of Zuma, La Petite Maison and The Arts Club. A signature open plan kitchen entertains diners while the Pisco bar and members lounge offers something that little bit different.

OK, so the private dining room only takes groups of up to 10 people, but Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental is still wowing diners with traditional British food with a twist in the heart of Knightsbridge. If you haven’t yet had the famed culinary icon ‘meat fruit’ – chicken liver parfait disguised as a mandarin – you’ve not lived! Adding to the stellar food, the glass box kitchen allows diners to see the buzz of activity that goes into Heston’s highbrow dishes.

Altitude 360 has long been a favourite at Prestige HQ. We love the views, we love its blank canvas capability and we love the fact that few venues can be as flexible. Last issue we brought you the news about their pop-up warehouse feel for Christmas parties, here’s hoping it becomes a seasonal event with a creative new twist every year.

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TOP 9 UNUSUAL VENUES Battersea Power Station has always been an icon of the city, a slightly ashamed industrial left-over crouching by the Thames, that no-one was quite sure what to do with. Plans came and went, but through all this, events companies have been staging some of the best parties, launches and movie shoots beneath its crumbling towers. The latest plan for re-incarnation of the Grade II listed structure looks set to stick, a mixed-use space of 3,500 urban accommodation, shopping and entertainment that will bring untold growth to Battersea. A small part of me hopes it could continue to be an adventure sports / rave / exhibition / party hub for years to come.

Guy Pelly’s midas touch (ok, forget about short-lived Public) has again been applied to the hottest new nightspot for Chelsea luvvies. Taking a cue from the latest Mezcal craze, Tonteria on Sloane Square sports hammocks, piñatas and a tequila train that delivers shots directly to your table. Good for? Royal watching. Bad for? The budget.

Siemens’ centre for urban sustainability is located near Excel in the Royal Victoria Docks. The Crystal opened in autumn 2012 as a striking glass-faceted structure to house a permanent showcase for sustainable technologies. One of the mosteco-friendly venues around, its state-of-the-art 270-seat auditorium or breakouts rooms can be used for events. Additional areas include a 150-capacity atrium ‘street’ between the auditorium and exhibition, as well as a café and restaurant, with locally sourced food by Sodexo Prestige.

Hooray – The Deck at the National Theatre has been given planning permission for another five years so will continue to be one of the best-connected funky rooftop venues for dinners for 90 or summer parties up to 120 people. We love the changeable colour scheme and casual deck chairs for enjoying the London skyline.

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9 WORLD EVENTS

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WORLD EVENTS THAT HAVE KEPT US ENTHRALLED

Cirque du Soleil Well, technically they came from humble Quebecoise beginnings in the early Eighties, but the world-wide phenomenon that is Cirque du Soleil has become one of the greatest shows on Earth. With up to 20 consecutive shows touring in 2012, with themes from music, dreams, animals and now more specifically, Elvis, The Beatles and Michael Jackson, this circus of six continents has certainly helped to conquer my fear of clowns.

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9 WORLD EVENTS October 2001 - Robbie Williams Live at Royal Albert Hall The Nation’s then hero took to the stage in the Royal Albert Hall singing covers from his album Swing When You’re Winning, marking a new period in his career. Robbie and friends crooned their way through memorable Rat Pack numbers like ‘Mack the Knife’ and ‘It was a very Good Year’ with video of Frank Sinatra singing. The album went 6 x Platinum and Robbie showed he was here to stay as a solo artist.

July 2005 - Live 8 Twenty years after Live Aid, the global musical charity event returned bigger, though not necessarily better. Ten concerts featuring 1,000 artistes were satellite linked across the planet. Let’s be honest, nothing could touch the 80’s efforts and there was some sense of confusion about what was achieved, but impressive it certainly was. Two years later, Live Earth was so botched it felt like the whole format had become outdated and ineffective, proving once and for all, Geldof knows best.

July 2006 - ‘Top of the Pops’ shown for the very last time The show that charted the rise of pop culture in the UK was responsible for many things – a trend of acts miming to their own songs, a crowd of dodgy fashion and even dodgier dancing occupied the central point in British pop music for four decades goes out with a whimper, killed off by the BBC because of lack of interest.

June 2008 – Glastonbury headlined by hip-hop artist Jay-Z Well who can forget that year watching Jay-Z storm the stage while giant video screens played Noel Gallagher’s recent statement, “I don’t want hip-hop at Glastonbury” It ended with Gallagher saying, “Jay-Z? No f***ing chance” as the rapper took to the stage and mimed along to Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ After his success, wife Beyoncé blew the crowd away in those barely-there hot pants when she headlined in 2011, proving that hip-hop and RnB are here to stay.

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9 WORLD EVENTS November 2008 - Barack Obama wins Presidential Election Many people never thought they would live to see the day the first African-American president gave his victory speech.

Barrack Obama won the Election amid near-hysteria, watched by millions of people globally. Four years on he was reelected and starting the slow process of reversing the fortunes of the free world.

June 2009 - Death of Michael Jackson Anyone who knows our outspoken Editor, will know this event hit him hard – the day Michael Jackson died. Just weeks before his 50-date residency at London’s O2 Arena, the King of Pop collapsed of a suspected drug overdose. In a process of Elvis-like deification, Michael Jackson’s reputation was transformed by tragedy. Cue hate campaign against his doctor and an outpouring of fan grief, culminating in a solid gold coffin and world broadcast memorial service for all and sundry.

July 2012 – Opening Ceremony London 2012 Olympics Who will ever forget seeing the Olympic rings forged in steel, Mary Poppins visiting children or the Queen skydive from a plane with James Bond? Arguably the best ceremony so far, the creativity of the music, lighting, themes and even the design of the Olympic Flame will stay with Londoners for decades to come.

June 2012 - Queens Diamond Jubilee Concert The only royal family to be truly globally famous and current – the Jubilee year was made all the more special with the involvement of the younger royals as ambassadors at many scheduled events. A highlight was the Concert held outside Buckingham Palace, organised by ‘La Barlow’, which featured some of UK music’s greats. Clearly no royal shindig is ever complete without Elton John and Paul McCartney, but other headliners included Kylie, Grace Jones and JLS.

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ICELAND

ICE ICE BABY

air imagine peace tower

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ICELAND

The Icelanders have been masters of creative branding for over 1,000 years. It was Erik the Red who thought up the name “Greenland” in about 985 to persuade visitors to come to a vast, ice-bound land mass he’d just discovered a few hundred miles west of Iceland. History doesn’t record whether he told his fellow Vikings that it was “a fantastic space, with bags of potential” but we like to think his exaggeration of the truth has inspired countless Glengarry Glen Ross types since.

The notion, which took hold in the 1990s, that Reykjavik was the coolest city in the known universe is a stretcher that Erik himself would have been proud of. Not that the IT Crowd of the decade didn’t fall for it hook line and sinker (Damien Hirst’s art crowd were regulars) and the land has been a hotspot ever since. Reykjavik is a city of 200,000 people – around the same as Swindon – on a bleak stretch of the North Atlantic.

The climate is raw and the wind gives you earache. Beer costs seven quid a pint.

Most of the buildings have been assembled from kits, as the Vikings cut down all the trees and the local rock is too crumbly to be much use for anything. But some ideas have an unstoppable momentum and the decrepit nature of the landscape only brings the forefront of Iceland into greater perspective.

Housed in an old biscuit factory that overlooks Reykjavik’s waterfront, the Kex is the poster-child for this bizarrely durable notion of Icelandic cool. It opened in April and has been establishing a reputation since, becoming the go to place for event planners looking for something with a bit of an Edge, with bands like The Vaccines coming from across the world to appear in

the famous indoor conservatory.

With most of the action taking place on a big open-plan floor that contains the reception area, a bar and restaurant whilst a tiny cubicle fitted out as a 1950s barber shop and an interior courtyard that opens out from the bar area occupy the rest of the building. Gym & Tonic is KEX’s multifunctional hall. For meetings, conferences, concerts, theatre plays and private parties. Styled as an old school boxing gym you can also take a few swings at the punching bag Balboa style. No frills. No face masks. Just good ol’ workout. Equipped with a projector and a large screen Gym & Tonic also functions as a movie theatre where you can watch live sports coverage or chill over Icelandic flix.

A lot of thought has been put into the furnishing and the details of the design – which is, overall, spacious and relaxed. The key words here are “quirky” and “retro” as is associated with Iceland on the whole. You don’t come here for a typical getaway, but to be intrigued and puzzled by the culture and the people.

If the surreal nature of Iceland proves too much then truly submerge yourself in what is probably best known of the region; spas.

Sundhöllin, Reykjavik’s oldest pool (built in 1937) uses fresh water from the mountains, which is geothermally heated. The building is architecturally arresting, hydro massage therapy is available and swimmers can also use the sauna. Don’t want to be cooped up inside? Head to the roof: there are two heated outdoor pools and a steam room, plus a sundeck. Who needs the Blue Lagoon? And at under three quid, it’s a snip compared to anything this side of the North Sea, whilst providing service to rival that of any five star spa.

air imagine peace tower

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20/20 NON-LONDON VENUES SPEED NETWORKING

20/20 NON-LONDON VENUES SPEED NETWORKING

The Folly, London www.thefollybar.co.uk Wednesday 12th September 2012 / 0900am-14.00pm

EVENT SYNOPSIS: 20corporate buyers with a need and open-mind for the most charismatic venues outside London, speed networking with 20 likeminded venues ABOUT THE VENUE: Recently host to Channel 4’s Olympic Re-Union party, you too can escape to The Folly and immerse yourself in a world of wonder and relax in this botanically inspired haven. Wander through the garden lounge and flower shop, swing by the hanging chairs or simply dine at the chef’s table. A sanctuary of calm, our unique private dining room, deli, and collection of private vaults make the perfect retreat for business or entertaining friends. Whether you’re just in for breakfast on the way to the office, hosting a business meeting over lunch, or joining friends and colleagues for casual drinks and a late bite, there’s an array of seating, eating and drinking options to suit your mood regardless of the time of day. An all day menu sits alongside grape varieties from across the globe (that you can even take away with you), skinny cocktails and a mixology table, for those who enjoy indulging in an unrivalled range of spirits.

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Channel 4 Santander Tresor Paris DRP Group Pertrac Control Risks Advantage International QBE Deloitte

EVENT SPONSORS:

THE SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: The Grove IET Venues peed networking – Alton Towers e ultimate b2b forum Clarenco Warwick Conferences RSC Stratford Upon Avon Celtic Manor nue: The Folly Imago ate: 12th September Silverstone 12 De Vere (various) Wyboston Lakes eme: n-London venues Robinsons College Searcys nopsis: 20 blue-chip Bruntingthorpe Events ent decision-makers Trident Hospitality eet 20 charismatic encies

20/20

here like-minded dividuals meet

Official photographer: Matt Chung

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20/20

speed networking – the ultimate b2b forum

Venue: The Folly Date: 12th September 2012 Theme: Non-London venues Synopsis: 20 blue-chip event decision-makers meet 20 non-London venues Where like-minded individuals meet

Official photographer: Matt Chung

20/20 CENTRAL LONDON VENUES SPEED NETWORKING

20/20 CENTRAL LONDON

VENUES SPEED NETWORKING RICS – Parliament Square www.parliamentsqaure.org Wednesday 17th October 2012 / 0900am-14.00pm

EVENT SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate buyers with a need and open-mind for the most charismatic events venues in Central London, speed networking with 20 likeminded venues ABOUT THE VENUE: RICS at Parliament Square is a prestigious Grade II listed building, beautifully designed by Alfred Waterhouse and perfectly positioned in the heart of Westminster at Parliament Square. Purpose-built for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1899 and refurbished over recent years, RICS offers flexible conference and banqueting facilities for meetings, dinners, drinks receptions and weddings. Natural daylight, air-conditioning and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment are available throughout the venue and fine dining catering is provided by Roux at Parliament Square. The historic Lecture Hall provides a unique location for meetings and formal dining, the President’s Suite is ideal for business meetings and the Council Chamber and ground floor function rooms offer a blend of traditional & contemporary décor for your event.

RICS also has a panoramic roof terrace with views overlooking Westminster Abbey and Big Ben and provides the perfect backdrop for summer parties, wedding receptions and film shoots.

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: EVENT SPONSORS: Channel 4 HSBC Invesco Heritage Capital RBS Skype World Fuel Services Microsoft Powerscourt

THE SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: RICS Emirates Stadium Congress Centre London Transport Museum Radisson Edwardian peed networking – Hotels e ultimate b2b forum Fabric IET Venues Lincolns Inn Royal Academy of Arts nue: RICS British Library ate: 17th October HMS Belfast 12 Churchill War Rooms Barbican eme: Royal Borough of Kenentral London sington and Chelsea nues De Vere Canary Wharf The Athaneum nopsis: 20 blue-chip The Mermaid ent decision-makers eet 20 charismatic Central Hall Westminster

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gencies

here like-minded dividuals meet

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20/20

speed networking – the ultimate b2b forum

Venue: RICS Date: 17th October 2012 Theme: Central London venues Synopsis: 20 blue-chip event decision-makers meet 20 central London venues Where like-minded individuals meet

Official photographer: Matt Chung

20/20

20/20 UNIQUE VENUES SPEED NETWORKING

20/20 UNIQUE VENUES SPEED NETWORKING

Plaisterers Hall, London www.plaisterershall.com Wednesday 21st November 2012 / 0900am-14.00pm

EVENT SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate buyers with a need and open-mind for the most unique events venues on offer, speed networking with 20 likeminded venues ABOUT THE VENUE: Plaisterers’ Hall is now the pre-eminent City venue for conferences, road shows, presentations, parties and wedding receptions. Celebratory dinners and canapé receptions, bar or /bat mitzvahs, anniversary and birthday celebrations, Civil ceremonies and traditional wedding receptions are all regularly held in the Hall. Create Food and Party Design are proud to be the exclusive sales and catering partner at Plaisterers’ Hall and the resident team are delighted to show off this spectacular venue and their delicious menu and design service. Working with ethnic and kosher caterers, Create can accommodate all styles of private and corporate events.

Plaisterers’ Hall is the largest and one of the finest Livery Halls in London. Opened in 1972 and situated in the heart of the City of London, it reflects the grandeur of a bygone era but in an ultra modern setting. The Company’s first Hall was bequeathed to the Company by William Elder, Citizen and Plaisterer in 1556. It was situated at the corner of Addle Street and Philip Lane and destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The second Hall was built in 1669 from the design of Sir Christopher Wren, but this was also destroyed by fire in 1882. The present Hall, opened in November 1972 has décor throughout of the neo-classical style created by Robert Adam in the 18th century. His various designs have been faithfully reproduced in great detail both on plaster and wood, some being taken from his original moulds.

THE BUYERS INCLUDED: Channel 4 RBS Lambretta TFL Viagogo Unilever AXA Corporate Solutions UK Payments Heritage Capital

EVENT SPONSORS:

THE SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Plaisterers Hall Wembley Stadium Hedsor House Top Golf Fulham Palace Sno!zone ue: Plaisterers Hall British Museum e: 21st November 2 Ragley Hall The Pump House me: Waddesdon Manor que Venues Fabric Wellcome Collection Lords opsis: 20 blue-chip Indigo 2 nt decision-makers The Roof Gardens et 20 charismatic Saatchi Gallery ncies Legoland Four Pillars ere like-minded Holiday Inn Chessington viduals meet Central Hall Westminster

eed networking – ultimate b2b forum

Official photographer: Matt Chung

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20/20

speed networking – the ultimate b2b forum

Venue: Plaisterers Hall Date: 21st November 2012 Theme: Unique Venues Synopsis: 20 blue-chip event decision-makers meet 20 unique venues Where like-minded individuals meet

Official photographer: Matt Chung

WINE TASTING

THOUGHTS WORTH A SWIRL...

by Kelly Bayliffe, Founder of Tastour

Tastour is an award-winning Food and Drink Experience company which offers imagination and indulgence for your colleagues and clients. Twitter: @tastour www.tastour.com Have you experienced the nearly orgasmic sensation of perfectly matched food and wine? If so, what was the combination and why did it work? If not, than open up a bottle of your favourite wine and start experimenting.

Once you experience this ultimate sensory sensation you’ll never drink or eat in the same way again.

Break the Rules and experiment In my opinion, there are far too many rules when it comes to food and wine matching. Do this, don’t do that. Rules were easier to follow 50 years ago; there were fewer ingredients and only Old World Wines available. Traditionally foods were regionally paired, such as Sancerre with Goats Cheese. Let’s celebrate our culinary diversity by pushing the boundaries. Next time, try a white wine with a hard cheese; I much prefer it to a Red.

opening your mouth will close your naval cavity. And if you can’t smell, you can’t taste.

How do you know it’s a match?

The sign of a good food and wine match is that the individual flavours taste more pronounced. Are the flavours of raspberries in a Pinot Noir more apparent? Does it taste cleaner, brighter and more refreshing? Did you taste a flavour that was not previously present when you tasted the food separately? If so, you’ve found a match. If not, try it with something else. One of my favourite matches is Pork Belly and Grüner Veltliner. My least favourite is Stinking Bishop Cheese and a red Burgundy, I found out the hard way that an Époisses de Bourgogne was made to go with a white, not red. You win some and you lose some – that’s the fun of the game.

Make a soup in your mouth...

When you pair food and wine together, you need to think about the way each bite and sip taste independently; then taste them together. You need to make a “soup” in your mouth. With both the food and the wine held in your mouth, breathe deeply through your nose. Don’t be tempted to show your friend your homemade soup, as

Share the experience Providing your guests with suggested wine pairings will not only increase your guest experience, but it will also provide a lasting impression which will help your clients remember your company potentially for a lifetime.

Tastour’s Wine Matching Menu

high in fruit and acidity

Steak and Ale Pie with a Syrah from the Rhone (although I prefer a Fullers ESB!) Match the weight of the wine with the weight of the food; you don’t want one to overpower the other. Syrah is sufficiently full bodied; a Merlot isn’t

Pan Seared Sea Bass with Chablis If you’d squeeze a lemon on it, try an unoaked white

Corn Fed Chicken and a creamy leek sauce with Burgundy Chardonnay Match the wine with the sauce, not the meat

Salmon with Pinot Noir and Roast Pork with Chardonnay Ignore the rule: white wine with fish... the new trend is to match the intensity of the colour

Curry with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc When pairing spicy food, drinking wines with high alcohol and high tannins is like adding gasoline to a fire. If you need a fire extinguisher, look for wines which are both

Rib –Eye Steak, with Cabernet Sauvignon The fatter the meat/sauce, the higher the acidity and tannins in the wine

So, go on... break the rules and have some fun!!!

Mushroom Risotto with Pinot Noir Serve earthy wines, with earthy foods

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: PURPLE GRAPE

London’s Most Unusual Venue has teamed up with Purple Grape Catering One of London’s most unusual attractions in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, has recently opened its doors as a unique and exciting event space. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London has partnered with Purple Grape Catering, who are now their preferred caterer and event management team. This combination is sure to create the most unforgettable and exclusive events, where imagination is the only limitation.

Ripley’s has 6 floors filled to the rafters with weird and wonderful artefacts from across the globe, guests could be mingling with the Shrunken Heads from the Jivaro

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Indians of Ecuador, dancing with the tallest man ever to have existed or chatting to the world’s hairiest man whist eating canapés and bowl foods to match. Each floor is incredibly versatile – from team building days to private screening evenings, birthday parties to corporate canapé receptions – and can accommodate 40-450 people.

Purple Grape are pushing their imagination to the max in devising unique and exiting menus to match this extraordinary venue. For a recent networking event they took inspiration from the exhibits and you could find such canapés as: “Fur bearing trout” Little edible spoons topped Oak smoked fillet of trout & Crystallised lemon or “Junk Duck” Naturally stained mini eggs with celery salt dip and for the sweet of tooth “Robert Wadlow” Lollipop sticks of marbled macaroons.

Laila Owen, the Venue and Sales Manager at Purple Grape, who is heading up the account, comments: “We are extremely excited about our on-going partnership with Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London – working with a great team at Ripley’s and having such unbelievable and unique artefacts as inspiration is exhilarating. We are looking forward to pushing the boundaries with our fresh, innovative food and creating memorable events for our clients.”

For further information or to enquire about an event at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London please contact Laila Owen on 020 8453 3311 or email at ripleysspecialevents@ purplegrapecatering.co.uk

SUPPLIER FOCUS: PURPLE GRAPE

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: CORPORATE EVENTS

CORPORATE

Events Swindon based events specialists Corporate Events provided a stunning look and feel for the fifth National Restaurant Awards when, for the third consecutive year, London’s ‘The Ledbury’ was awarded the prestigious honour of ‘National Restaurant of the Year’. Organised

by Restaurant magazine, in association with www. bighospitality.co.uk, the event was held at The Brewery in Chiswell Street, London. Compering the event was William Drew, editor of the Restaurant Magazine.

These awards are designed to reward the crème de la crème of the gastronomic world of the UK’s restaurant scene. Launched in 2008 as the Top UK Restaurants, the awards were re-launched and re-branded to incorporate additional awards meaning they truly give a representative view of the best places to eat across the country.

Account manager Katie Lewis explained: “The brief was pretty expansive this year. It included design, coordination and operation of script which worked in conjunction with an ambitious twin screen Keynote slide deck, the design and build of the stage and, screens, lecterns, microphones, autocue, lighting, live cameras and all of the guest reception area design, dressing and musical ambience. We were also required to design, create and produce a dynamic opening animation video

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sequence, with all sponsors logos and the event brand logo. We designed, produced and operated a secondary sponsor logo loop to play out on the screens during dinner and provided the PA in the drinks reception for the lounge band. All in all pretty much everything in terms of audio visual was down to us.”

Because Restaurant Magazine was celebrating the fifth anniversary of the event, the awards were extra special this year with a galaxy of names and faces – the great and the good from the UK restaurant industry in attendance.

The winners were compiled and voted for by the National Restaurant Awards Academy. The academy is made up of chefs, restaurateurs and food critics divided across 12 regions of the UK. This ensures the end results are truly authoritative and representative of an independent nationwide vote. After polling the votes of 150 chefs, restaurants, food writers, critics and experts from across all 12 regions of the country, the top 100 restaurants in the UK were revealed and the full list of category winners were announced.

The Corporate Events Creative Studio was keen to create a retro look and feel for the National Restaurant Awards 2012. Explained Creative Director Dave Haslop: “ The set design was inspired by the work of Saul Bass, probably best

SUPPLIER FOCUS: CORPORATE EVENTS

Up’s the ante for the National

Restaurant Awards 2012 known for his film poster and title sequence designs of the 50’s and 60’s including some of the most famous, influential and controversial title sequences in movie history.” And so, redolent of Bass’s ‘The Man with the Golden Arm’, the opening sting and Keynote slides featured restaurant themed silhouettes, all animated over retro backgrounds to a funky music track. The creative content of the presentation - entirely produced in-house at Corporate Events - featured a ‘twin screen’ arrangement with the left hand screen showing a count down of the top 100 restaurants over the course of the night and the right hand screen showing the current activity on the set.

The branding, set design and motion graphics were all created in a collaborative way between the client and Corporate Events to ensure the look and feel had maximum impact on the night.

The menu on the evening, created by Brewery Executive Chef Tom Gore, was extremely well received with many of the celebrity chefs in attendance commenting on the high quality of the food and the excellent presentation.

Corporate Events provided a high level of audio visual support for the event in its fifth celebration year. Katie Lewis concluded: “It went very, very well. I heard some

incredible comments from the audience as they came out including: ‘’What a step up”, ‘’It looked fantastic”, “Best yet!” and so on. The client was thrilled with the event and the new style of Keynote presentation using the twin screens was a notable difference for our client and took the event to a whole new level. They got what they wanted and Corporate Events added much more to the overall experience.”

As well as account manager Katie Lewis and project manager Adrian Tolson, the crew that Corporate Events deployed on the night were the “best of breed” in each production discipline – sound, data and lighting all coming together to deliver a seamless audience experience.

Corporate Events MD Andy Ashley added: “The Brewery is a favourite venue of ours. Arriving through the courtyard and across to the octagonal reception area is stunning and all the Grade II listed rooms are impressive and really set the scene for a prestigious evening.”

For further information please visit www.corporate-events. co.uk.

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: DRP GROUP

Trends and movements over the last 9 years thevenuepot, part of the drpgroup, have noticed a number of changes over the past nine years regarding venue sourcing for live events. It goes without saying that many of these have been due to an increase in the number of changes being made to briefs , which in the most recent years of economic turbulence, is of little surprise This has also created greater challenges for companies and venues alike, as budgets are slashed, but expectations remain the same.

For instance clients are expecting more add-ons with their bookings. This can include free Wi-Fi for them and their delegates for the duration of the event, and the equipment within the venue to be of a good standard and up to date. Overall, clients are expecting to receive a higher level of service and this seems to be a key requirement of needing more for less.

It has to be said that timescales for enquiries are definitely shorter, meaning venue finders not only have to be a lot faster and proactive when it comes to meeting deadlines, they also have to be much more flexible with last minute requests and changes. Another consideration that an increasing number of enquiries would like incorporated, is a venue that is new to the market or is unique in some way. They are also becoming more commonly attracted to venues that have been used by fewer companies and thus there is a greater chance of a unique and more memorable experience for their audiences, compared with the more popular venues.

There are still venues that clients will always go back to as they like the service they are given and the venue is used to the way in which they work. At thevenuepot they

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have seen a decrease in using destinations abroad, but this is starting to return and business is going outside of the UK once again. thevenuepot became a standalone department within the drpgroup nine years ago. The team are all practiced and fully trained experts in venue sourcing and find only the most objectively suitable venues for their clients’ events. It is clear to say that over the years since thevenuepot began operating, they have seen many trends and changes develop. One of the first being a small reduction in requests for small boardroom meetings. This is due to the increasingly more affordable and much improved quality of video conferencing services such as Skype. This has meant people no longer need to leave their office to attend a meeting, helping them reduce costs by a more efficient use of their time.

In contrast there has been an increase in the larger events, as companies aim to more effectively engage with greater numbers of their people at one time. The drpgroup would agree with this and Jane Jones director of drpevents commented, “as a business we’ve seen a definite trend in companies holding larger scale events, as they strive to communicate with a greater number of people at the same time. A key reason is their need to deliver a cohesive message across their business that they know first hand has been understood and in return will achieve far more positive results and a greater return on their investment.”

Another factor that has changed all areas of the industry is technology, with companies introducing new ways of increasing delegate interaction. This includes the use of interactive voting pads, smart phones and tablet devices with bespoke programmes tailored to a client’s event objectives. More recently, the use of 3D projection,

SUPPLIER FOCUS: DRP GROUP

holographic technology and augmented reality are enabling organisations to powerfully engage with their audiences and demonstrate their messages in a way never before seen. Of course all businesses want to be seen adopting the latest technology, but it does come down to budget and the understanding of the returns such an investment can bring. This is something that the drpgroup have demonstrated through their constant investment in digital equipment and expansion of their services resulting in massive growth in their digital division to keep up to date.

Sustainability has had one of the biggest impacts on the industry with many clients taking this into consideration. They are more aware of the effects their activities are having on the environment and expect venues to comply with their own internal standards, even if they are above and beyond the current legislated requirements. thevenuepot have introduced a sustainability questionnaire for venues to complete, helping to identify what polices the venue has in place on environmental and sustainability factors.

This year, the ISO20121 accreditation was launched for the events and venues industry, replacing the old British Standard BS8901, and after previous indifference, more and more agencies and venues are seeing its value and becoming accredited.

Companies and their conferences have changed through the years and undoubtedly will continue to do so. It could be said for some an event or conference is seen merely as a luxury that offers little return, and when the recession started at end of 2007 businesses, with the prospect of large scale redundancies, began pulling back on such activities that they found difficult to justify.

practices. When putting on an event the company needed to be able to provide tangible benefits which meant ROI was a hot topic and worthwhile results needed to come from holding the event or conference.

However as conferences were stripped back to focus on the necessities, they still needed to be effective with greater levels of engagement, interaction and team development with many of the most successful businesses that remain today, doing exactly that.

An overall conclusion for the last nine years is that the recession had one of the biggest impacts on the way venues are sourced, bringing more awareness to budgeting and the rationale behind every option. It was a wakeup call for all businesses, making them analyse their costs and reduce them where possible. Today the challenges of sourcing venues still remains but things are changing once more, and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Sustainability is becoming a part of everyone’s agenda, seen to be more of a necessity than a tick box exercise and businesses want to be using the latest technology to increase interaction and engagement levels.

It will be interesting to see what is in store for the next nine years and how the industry develops but whether we will be able to look back at it in the same way, only time will tell.

This has in turn changed many industries’ business

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: CONCERTO GROUP

Summer 2013 venues: Playing it

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: CONCERTO GROUP

Those looking for the ultimate backdrop to their summer event should look no further than the stunning surroundings of our summer venues. Iconic and prestigious venues in City and West End locations will allow you to create an unforgettable event. The Pavilion at the Tower of London is nothing short of show-stopping. This exciting marquee is situated within the North Moat of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. For an oasis of calm in the heart of the City look to the Artillery Garden at the HAC, which boasts a brand new design for 2013. Finally the extraordinary and unique event space of Old Billingsgate offers views across the Thames and a fabulous blank canvas space, the ideal setting for the summer.

Summer parties at the Pavilion benefit from the ultimate London backdrop, The Tower of London. The marquee sits within the moat of this prestigious building, creating an extraordinary event space in this historic location. The fully produced structure and outdoor space have become one of the most sought after venues in London. Perfectly complimenting its surroundings, this stunning marquee is ideal for any special event, from awards dinners and networking events to a relaxed summer party. The structure will be available from 29th May – 5th July 2013 and can accommodate 200 - 1,000 guests.

and a half acres of manicured lawns in the heart of the City. Having been designed with versatility in mind, the venue is ideal for bespoke events. The Artillery Garden at the HAC is perfect for daytime and evening events for 4002000 guests.

The extraordinary and unique Old Billingsgate makes a spectacular setting for summer events. The venue is suited to both corporate and private events, and can accommodate up to 2800 guests. Boasting views across the Thames and a flexible blank canvas event space, Old Billingsgate is the ideal backdrop for the summer. hello@concertogroup.co.uk 0207 378 2970 Axe & Bottle Court, 70 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1YT

The Artillery Garden at the HAC is set within the secure grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company, against the inimitable backdrop of the historic Armoury House.

A new design for 2013 will allow the venue to be split in two to become ‘The Summer House’, a space ideal for drinks receptions, and a second larger space perfect for presentations and award ceremonies. The two venues combine in a purpose built structure situated amidst five

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: DIAMOND CITY EVENTS

Diamond City saddle up to manage Household Cavalry events venue

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: DIAMOND CITY EVENTS

Diamond City Events will be charging ahead with an exciting revamp of hospitality at The Household Cavalry Museum, one of London’s most iconic landmarks, overlooking Horse Guards Parade.

A stone’s throw from iconic landmarks such as Trafalgar Square, The Mall and Buckingham Palace, the Household Cavalry Museum boasts beautiful stonework and original 18th century floors.

Diamond City, headed by Donna Comfort, will take over the exclusivity of managing all the corporate events at the museum for three years from January 2013. One of the oldest and most familiar buildings in London The Household Cavalry Museum will join Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens in Diamond City’s stable of exclusive hire venues.

The Museum provides a year-round venue for Diamond City which has developed a dazzling summer event destination at Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens. High above the busy streets of Central London running alongside the Thames, Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens is one of the most desirable hospitality venues in London, and guarantees to take your breath away. An acre of beautifully maintained gardens are surrounded by sensational views of more iconic landmarks such as The Shard, Tower Bridge and St.Paul’s Cathedral.

Set in the heart of Whitehall, visitors to the museum can see the horses and history of the Household Cavalry Regiment in the original 18th Century stables and the elegant museum. Donna says: “It is such an exciting venue for a whole range of events from intimate dinners or drinks receptions in the museum itself to stylish product launches.

We will be developing the Household Cavalry Museum as a premier venue for corporate events.”

Visit www.cannonbridgeroofgardens.com information on this prestigious venue.

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“My team is thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of helping both current & future clients host fantastically successful and memorable events with a ‘wow’ factor that celebrate the 350 years of history that this beautiful venue evokes. The Household Cavalry Museum is in a stunning setting that exudes history and nostalgia but also offers every contemporary enhancement that our extremely discerning clients demand today from food to furniture to entertainment.”

She adds: “Following the London Olympics and Paralympics we are all basking in a renewed pride in Britain and our heritage. A venue like The Household Cavalry Museum gives us a chance to enjoy that heritage with a modern-day twist.”

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VENUE FOCUS: MINISTRY OF SOUND

RISES THE LEGEND

Relaxing Alpine getaway is rarely the first thing that jumps into your head when you think of Ministry of Sound but on a crisp November’s eve this iconic building transformed itself into a welcoming Ski lodge as the company hosted a unique winter social event, that was warmly received by all in attendance.

Taking in the full five rooms, production specialists Area 51 adapted the already versatile space into a cosy and imbibing hub of social discourse. C.E.O. Lohan Presencer welcomed visitors in a relaxed and informal manner, setting the tone and ensuring that business was not the only item on the agenda. Log fire, bookcases, skis and even a moose head hanging above the bar gave guests plenty to discuss, and as they got to know their business partners better Norman Jay took to the steel-wheels, providing the musical entertainment that would be more indicative of the 1500 capacity club.

The primary purpose of the event was to encourage the organisation’s wider sphere of business associates

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to come together, put faces to names, exchange ideas and reinforce existing relationships. With representatives, friends and invitees from EMI, Universal, Samsung, William Morris, Frukt and Warner there was no shortage of interesting things to talk about. As we all know nothing helps to stimulate conversation better than food and guests were greeted in the courtyard by a mouth watering hog roast, prepared by the very talented people at Eden Catering.

Not to be out done, PJ Catering provided a delicious alternative for vegetarians along with incredible steak burgers that didn’t last very long.

With food, drinks and conversation flowing, the club’s impressive lighting system going through the gears and music provided by a one man DJ institution there was little wonder that disenchanted groans could be heard from guests as time was called. Ministry of Sound are no strangers to bespoke events, however this was the first social affair of its kind held at the club. Deemed a success by guests and organisers alike, the only question to be answered is “When’s the next one?”

VENUE FOCUS: MINISTRY OF SOUND

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VENUE FOCUS: LONDON FILM MUSEUM

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VENUE FOCUS: LONDON FILM MUSEUM

The London Film Museum Covent Garden opened its doors to be an extraordinary exhibition space in May 2012 following a major multi-million pound redevelopment.

The architecturally amazing venue has since then been the scene of many high class events such as the World Press launch for Ridley Scott’s Epic Prometheus, the new Jonathan Ross TV Show, the grand launch of X Box Halo and the Aston Martin car show. Most recently it hosted the G-Shock Awards.

The new space has been specifically designed to allow The London Film Museum complete flexibility in creating dedicated exhibitions, parties, dinners and conferences in addition to receiving touring exhibitions without restriction in a perfect location.

They can also offer our flag ship venue on the South Bank, County Hall on The River Thames and next to the London Eye we host 12 event spaces available with fantastic views of the River.

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VENUE FOCUS: RADISSON HEATHROW

NO RESTING ON LAURELS The Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow has unveiled a £10 million refit that includes new high tech bedrooms, plus elegant restaurants and bars. At the same time the group has announced a further imminent multi million pound investment to upgrade the property’s 43 private meeting and conference rooms, with a team currently researching the very latest developments in technology. Already one of Europe’s largest conference centres with global accessibility, the hotel is set to become one of the most high tech and luxurious venues.

The enhancements have been made with the business traveller in mind. In excess of £25,000 has been spent on each of 350 Business Class and Deluxe bedrooms. Among the improvements are triple glazed windows, desk spaces featuring wireless and wired internet access, a conference telephone system and a docking station for iPhone and iPad.

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With the best night’s sleep at the core of any leading hotel, it is unsurprising that a significant proportion of the investment was allocated to sleep augmentation and mattress development and, following the introduction of new beds, the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow claims a superior product benefiting all its guests.

The public areas of the hotel have also undergone a transformation with new restaurant and bar concepts. Oceanic (the name originally given to the new terminal 3 that greeted long-haul transatlantic flights) is inspired by 1920s Miami meets New York and serves the finest steak and seafood. The more intimate Bijou Bar brings a touch of West End glamour where premium Champagnes and cocktail can be enjoyed.

The design concepts were created by Radisson Blu Edwardian in house Head of Design, Michael Attenborough.

VENUE FOCUS: RADISSON HEATHROW

£10 MILLION REFIT COMPLETES AT RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN, HEATHROW WITH PLANS FOR A FURTHER MULTI MILLION POUND INVESTMENT

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THE EVENT ORGANISERS PARTY

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO TOBACCO DOCK On 5th December, over 350 event professionals came to Tobacco Dock in East London to celebrate at Mistletoe, organised by ISES, MPI and SiTE. Leading associations, industry members and supporters came to celebrate the year and Christmas in style.

Guests were treated to award winning catering from The Recipe including seared fillet of beef, tuna steak burger canapés and bowls of chicken katsu curry and gorgonzola and walnut gnocchi.

The festive atmosphere and entertainment came from Urban Soul Orchestra’s string quartet, Elegant Entertainment and international circus performer Yusura, while digital creative specialists Luma had guests designing art on graffiti walls.

Showcasing all that is good and creative about the industry, Philip Atkins President of ISES UK Chapter thanked guests in his speech before prize draws were made. Raising £650 on the night, all donations went towards Meetings Industry Meeting Needs and Jo’s Cancer Trust.

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