YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS
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Inside this Issue...
Editor’s Letter
4. E VENT ADVENT CALENDAR
Welcome to the 2015 Christmas Edition of the Conferences Group Magazine. In this edition we feature a selection of venues and their festive offerings. We also take the time to look at some of the packages in a bit more detail, to provide a little inspiration for those of you who have assumed responsibility for booking the annual Christmas Party. Don’t worry we’re here to help.
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EVENT ADVENT CALENDAR
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EVENT ADVENT CALENDAR
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C HRISTMAS PARTY STEP BY STEP GUIDE
This year we feature several venues from the Valor Hospitality Group as well as the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club, the Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel, The Britannia Stadium and the Wood Norton Hotel and Restaurant. We hope you enjoy this edition, and we will be back in September with the launch of our new meeting guide manual. Simon Thompson, Managing Director, simon@conferencesgroup.com
Event advent calendar Pop these events in your diary ready for the festive season
Throughout late November and December, the home of Stoke City football club have a series of events focused around popular tribute artists, including Bruno Mars, Olly Murs, Rod Stewart and the Beatles. The season kicks off with a Strictly Ballroom event. They are also offering a range of tickets from £26.50 to £45.
1 13 This year the Crowne Plaza Glasgow is running a full season of events, culminating in their annual ‘First Foot’ family disco, on the 1st of January. The package includes a three course dinner, as well as disco prices at £24.95 per person and £12 for children aged between 3 and 12.
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10 5 Further south, The Holiday Inn Harrogate offer guests with groups over 40 the opportunity to customise their own night, with prices starting at £20.
DISCO FEVER
Tony Waddington Suite
Stanley Matthews Lounge
Get down tonight because dance fever is alive and well and it’s accompanied by a three-course or two-course carvery. That’s the way (aha aha) we like it!
Saturday 12th and 19th Dec Three Course Dinner & Disco £39.50 per person
Friday 27th Nov Two Course Carvery & Disco £26.50 per person
1863 Lounge
Friday 4th Dec Three Course Dinner & Disco £35.50 per person
You’ll love to love our live DJ as he brings you all the classics to shake your booty to. This chic night, complete with a festive dinner, will make sure you never can say goodbye… just blame it on the boogie. Here’s your ultimate guide to our Christmas disco party nights:
Friday 4th, 11th and 18th Dec Two Course Carvery & Disco £30 per person Saturday 5th, 12th and 19th Dec Two Course Carvery & Disco £30 per person Sunday 13th Dec Two Course Carvery & Disco £30 per person
Saturday 28th Nov Two Course Carvery & Disco £26.50 per person Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th December Three Course Dinner & Disco £35.50 per person
To book your party call 01782 592 233 or visit www.stokecityfc.com/christmas
CHRISTMAS EVENTS CALENDAR Located in Evesham, Worcestershire, The Wood Norton Hotel offers flexible Christmas packages in it’s original 19th century surroundings. Traditional disco party nights are available from £34.95, while the venue also provides private hire opportunities for parties over 20.
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7 11 23 9 The Holiday Inn Portsmouth’s Mariner Suite will host a Las Vegas themed night in mid December. The event include a three course meal, themed entertainment and casino table. Prices start at £35.
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This year the Crowne Plaza Nottingham features a New Year’s Eve Gala ball with prices starting at £63 per person. This includes overnight accommodation, a four course meal, traditional piper and live band. Running at the same time is a family event which includes a three course carvery menu and a children’s menu.
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Have a magical Christmas and New Year this year at the Wood Norton. The Wood Norton is a beautifully-Crafted Grade II* listed Hall, completed in 1897 for exiled European Royalty the Hall is a glorious example of Victorian opulence with original 19th century French decorative interiors, stunning terraces and vistas all taking full advantage of the view beyond. Equidistant from Worcester, Stratford-uponAvon, Birmingham and Cheltenham, situated in a stunning location The Wood Norton is a real window on Worcestershire.
With our log fire burning, The Wood Norton will be offering a range of festive celebrations from Christmas Party Nights, Festive Lunches or Dinners, Winter Afternoon Teas, Christmas Breaks & New Year’s Eve for you to enjoy with Friends and Family for a truly magical Christmas. The Wood Norton boasts a traditional wood panelled restaurant, The Orangery perfect for your party celebrations which can accommodate up to 120 guests, and smaller more intimate private dining rooms, along with our beautifully snug lounges, in addition to 50 magnificent bedrooms, so once the celebrations are finally over, guests can retire in luxury boutique styled accommodation. The Wood Norton promises to take care of every detail to make your Christmas a stress free and enjoyable occasion.
To book, call 01386 765611 email christmas@thewoodnorton.com
www.thewoodnorton.com
CHRISTMAS EVENTS CALENDAR This year the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and Country club is offering weekend Christmas party nights throughout December. This traditional offering includes a 3 course dinner & DJ with a smart casual dress code for £45. The venue is also providing a similar offering mid-week for £35 which includes a half bottle of wine.
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8 Packages start at just £24.95 per person at the Holiday Inn Luton. They’ve got a fantastic winter wonderland party night, which includes a three course meal and disco in a themed party room.
3 Aimed at achieving a more relaxed and traditional atmosphere, the Christmas Carol evening at the Best Western Plus Reading Moat House includes a mulled wine reception, Christmas carol singers and a three course dinner. Prices are £23.95 for adults, £10 for children under 12 and free for those under 5.
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At the Crowne Plaza Chester the Dance Through the Decades event features a live band ‘Perfect 10’ as well as a three course meal and a half bottle of wine for £39.95 per person.
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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US THIS YEAR Celebrate this Christmas in the luxurious surroundings of the Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel and we promise you a visit to remember! There’s something for everyone with our fun packed Christmas packages. Whether you are joining us with family, friends or the work team, you’ll find great food, a fantastic festive atmosphere and the warmest of welcomes in our newly refurbished hotel. Indulge in a dazzling variety of irresistible food, made with carefully selected ingredients and using the finest seasonal flavours, all delivered with the warm, friendly and attentive service that has become synonymous with Marriott Hotels nationwide.
Call us on 0161 831 6014 or visit RenaissanceManchester.co.uk use booking code FN7
PUT SOME FIZZ IN YOUR FESTIVITIES Give your party celebrations a little added fizz this Winter. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party or big bubbly Champagne reception, a tasty Christmas lunch or New Year’s outing, let us set the scene for those special occasions at Worsley Park Hotel & Country Club.
Call us on 0161 975 2000 or visit www.marriott.co.uk
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Step by step guide to help you do the Christmas do In charge of the office party? Don’t panic, we’ve put together a simple 7 step guide to help.
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The Christmas Party. If you have been given the task of organising it, it can seem like a huge responsibility; especially as you know your colleagues’ enjoyment lies in your hands. Fear not, this step by step guide will help you to create the most fantastic Christmas party and minimize the stress factor.
Before you start looking and booking there are three things you need to decide:
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BUILD YOUR GUEST LIST
Roughly construct a guest list so you have an idea of numbers and email them asking for feedback on the type of event they would like.
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Once you’ve decided on a date, numbers and budget, you can start sorting out your Christmas party!
SET THE DATE
To get the best dates and venues, you’ll need to book as early as possible. Email your colleagues asking which date they would prefer, and check it against the calendar to ensure the party doesn’t clash with any other commitments.
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aside in case of unexpected extras.
MONEY MONEY MONEY
Before you go any further, you need to come up with a budget, and stick to it! Decide whether your party will be free to staff or not, and make sure you leave some money
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PRE-PACKAGED OR DIY?
There are two main party types which you’ll need to decide between: packaged or bespoke. - PACKAGED NIGHTS: These are organised by the venue and include everything from food and drink to entertainment. Simply pick a date, confirm the numbers and menu options and that’s it! Often favoured by smaller companies as they can enjoy a large, themed event without breaking the bank, but exclusive packaged nights for your company can be arranged too. Remember to confirm any special dietary requirements for your colleagues well in advance for such nights.
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STEP BY STEP GUIDE
- BESPOKE EVENTS:
• Catering
• Music and Entertainment
Bespoke nights require more work, as you’ll need to organise every single aspect of the event right from the catering and entertainment to the theme.
Organising your own event will mean you’ll have more choice than if you booked a packaged night, as there would be a standard menu. Ask employees what they would prefer – perhaps a traditional Christmas dinner or a stand-up buffet? When contacting caterers, make sure you find out whether you will need to book food choices ahead, what the vegetarian options are, and whether they are able to provide for special dietary requirements. It may be worth just double-checking with your chosen venue whether they can supply catering, as that can reduce some extra planning for you.
Through your previous emails, you will already know what type of entertainment your guests will prefer – it’s now up to you to sort it out within your budget. Maybe your venue might have some contacts?
• Venue Start by either making a shortlist of venues, or contact the Conferences UK team who will do that for you. Check each venues’ availability and ask for a quote – you can then compare each option to see which is best for you. As soon as you are happy with your chosen venue provisionally book it so no one else can take the date. Once you have turned your provisional booking to a confirmation, you will be required to pay a deposit. One thing to be aware of with the venue is the location – if the venue isn’t near the centre of town, you need to consider how your employees will get home. It may be worth looking into a coach hire, or sorting out a taxi share.
You’ll also need to decide on the drinks served, whether it be wine, champagne, cocktails… make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks on offer too. You will also need to decide whether there will be a free bar, a complementary drink on arrival or whether staff will be expected to pay for all of their alcohol. Make sure staff are completely aware of your decision.
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TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT
Once you’ve booked your party, the one thing you must not forget is to send out invitations. Using your guest list, formally invite everyone; making sure you include the date, time, venue, directions, dress code, theme and menu choice. Set up a spreadsheet with everyone’s names, making a note of confirmations/declines, whether they have paid a deposit, dietary requests and menu choices. If you have opted for a party package, all you’ll need to do is simply show up. However, if you’ve organised a bespoke event, you’ll need to sort out any last minute details.
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FINAL TOUCHES
- THE WEEK BEFORE: Create an itinerary which includes a complete breakdown of your event. Write down the contact details of everyone involved and send it to your venue, the entertainment and the caterers. The venue might incorporate this into an event schedule which you will need to check and sign as confirmation. It’s often worthwhile doublechecking that they understand everything you’re asking for – especially any dietary requirements to make sure everything will run smoothly at the party.
- THE DAY BEFORE: Print two copies of your contract, event running order, menu requests, special dietary requirements, seating plan, transport requirements and contact numbers. Give one folder to a trusted colleague. - MANAGING THE EVENT: Arrive early and introduce yourself to the event organiser – that way, you can make sure that everything is going as planned and how you want it. Devise a checklist of your guests so you can tick them off once they have arrived. You can then call anyone who hasn’t turned up to see if they are still coming and are not just delayed.
After the initial rush of guests, don’t forget to enjoy yourself – it’s your Christmas party too! – and you should be proud knowing that this night wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for all of your hard work.
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POST STAY
Whilst the event is still fresh in everyone’s minds, email a short survey asking for feedback (both positive and negative). This will help you to make next year’s party even better!
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The Old Church, Albert Hill Street, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RF Telephone: 0845 351 9917