Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby
Coventry Building Society Arena joins ABPCO Coventry Building Society Arena has joined The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) after passing the robust accreditation process to become part of the professional body. ABPCO is the professional body for the organisation of association conference and not-for-profit events. Members of the association are selected based on peer assessment and Coventry Building Society Arena has passed the accreditation process to join the body. It comes as the arena gears up for the opening of its new multi-millionpound Commonwealth Convention Centre later this year. Work is ongoing to complete the new south pavilion gateway to the convention centre, which will provide access to the new Convention Centre Lobby, an open plan multi-purpose reception space and seamless access to the 7,750 square metres of indoor conference and exhibition space at the arena. The project has already seen work completed to renovate the 6,000 square metre indoor srena, transform 1,750 square metres of space beneath the arena and create the popular new sports bar, The Anecdote. Ross Stewart, business development manager for agency & associations at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “Joining ABPCO allows us to increase our profile within the association market. “The membership gives us a stamp of approval which shows we have gone through, and passed, the robust accreditation process which ensures professionalism within the community and recognises excellence. “I’ve worked in the events industry for over five years and, in that time, I’ve worked with multiple associations. I understand the requirements and needs for an organiser, and Coventry Building Society Arena is a perfect Midlands venue for associations.”
British film icons awarded freedom of Stratford status Two icons of British film and theatre had the ancient honour of “herding sheep” in Stratford’s streets after they were given the freedom of the town in a special ceremony. Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh, Kt were granted the honour at an unveiling of the town’s restored David Garrick statue of Shakespeare as a preview to the bard’s birthday celebrations. The statue, donated to the town by Garrick in the 18th century, had been taken away to London for much-needed restoration work after a project led by Dr Paul Edmondson from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – called Shakespeare’s Coming Home – helped to raise part of the £45,000 needed to restore the statue. In ancient times, “freemen” of Stratford-upon-Avon were given the right to herd sheep along the town’s streets as they pleased.
So just after their freedom was conferred and the statue was unveiled, the Oscar-winning pair exercised those rights by leading a couple of sheep along Sheep Street, much to the delight of the watching public. Dame Judi Dench said: “It was absolutely wonderful to receive the freedom of Stratford-upon-Avon, and I very much enjoyed exercising my rights by herding the sheep along Sheep Street. “Stratford has been the place nearest to my heart, not only for work but for
my family and friends, so I felt very honoured to be given the freedom of this wonderful place." Kenneth Branagh added: “Unveiling the restored David Garrick statue was the perfect way to start the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon. “I have to thank Stratford Town Council for giving Dame Judi and I the freedom of the town. It’s been a huge part of our lives for so long, and it was fantastic to share the occasion with so many people.”
“It was absolutely wonderful to receive the freedom of Stratford-upon-Avon, and I very much enjoyed exercising my rights by herding the sheep along Sheep Street."
Alps challenge to raise funds for NHS trust Local business Sky Blue Adventures has partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Charity (UHCW) to help raise vital funds for patients and their families at UHCW NHS Trust. The Meriden-based outdoor pursuits specialist will be helping to guide twenty UHCW staff members and supporters on the Tour du Mont Blanc Challenge; a forty-mile mountainous trek through three countries in four days. Sky Blue Adventures owner Paul Reeve said: “As a small local company, we’re immensely proud to be working with the UHCW charity to bring the event to life. It’s an honour to support hospital staff to undertake this fantastic worldrenowned challenge in the Alps.”
ABPCO’s industry members and partners are made up of some of the UK’s top venues, convention bureaus and suppliers in the conference industry.
Among the staff taking on the challenge is the UHCW chief executive, Prof. Andy Hardy. He said: “Our UHCW staff have risen to the challenge over the last two years. Now I’ve decided to push myself to the limit and take on the Tour du Mont Blanc Challenge to show my support and thanks for all that they do.”
For further information visit www.abpco.org/
NHS staff from across the hospitals, including the physiotherapy department,
30
Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh at an unveiling of the town’s restored David Garrick statue of Shakespeare
acute medicine and operating theatres, will be joining local supporters including Coventry Building Society in this gruelling high-altitude trek. Heather Tysall, a consultant nurse in acute medicine, said: “I’m joining the UHCW Mont Blanc Trek Challenge as
a way of showing my appreciation and thanks to the charity team for providing an incredible amount of well-being support to the staff at UHCW and in particular those in my area of acute medicine during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To sponsor the trekkers on their challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/uhcwcharitytrekkers To find out more about UHCW Charity, visit www.uhcwcharity.org
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
