HOTELS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HOTELS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS

EVENTS AGENCY HAS GONE VIRTUAL

An award-winning hospitality and events agency has defied all expectations by flourishing during the pandemic.

It’s been widely reported how badly the UK’s £70bn events industry has been impacted by coronavirus but Sheer Edge’s success has continued to soar thanks to its forward-thinking managing director, Jo Ferreday.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Jo quickly transitioned from offering in-person events to virtual events and has created a variety of events tailored to her clients’ needs. In addition, Sheer Edge has hosted #virtualchats with branding, marketing and PR experts to provide advice to other businesses and has supported several charities through fundraising and social media promotion. Sheer Edge also launched Sheer Business Inspiration Podcast to share inspiring stores.

Jo said: “If you'd have told me at the beginning of 2020 we’d be running 100% virtual events I’d have been bemused. We thrive on live events but we have an amazing events team who embraced the situation and we’re now running all manner of virtual events and productions. Clients, who usually book corporate hospitality, have asked us to create amazing bespoke entertainment productions as well as the standard escape rooms, wine tasting, cocktail making and fun quizzes. We are ready for face-to-face events to return but we think hybrid events will play a significant role in the future.”

The business continues to grow and to mark its fifth anniversary it has launched two new initiatives.

Firstly, its new Incentives and Rewards service gives companies the opportunity to keep their teams engaged and motivated during uncertain times.

Secondly, it is providing wellness hampers and sessions, for organisations to roll out to their remote teams, with fellow Chamber member I Cook You Serve and Soo Yoga. For every session or hamper sold, Sheer Edge donates £2 to Eventwell and Kaleidsocope Group Plus who provide mental health support.

L-R: Jo Ferreday and Shannon Howe, of I Cook You Serve

Email: hello@sheeredge.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Nick Freeman Photography

POPULAR EXPO SET TO MAKE A RETURN

One of the biggest events in Northamptonshire’s networking calendar is set to return in November.

The Northamptonshire Expo, also known as Your Business Expo, has been a firm fixture in the local business diary since 2014 and will take place this year on 25 November at Holiday Inn Corby.

Due to the pandemic, organisers Sheila Smith Sales and Events, will partially run the Expo online with brand new software specifically designed for the occasion which is being sponsored by fellow Chamber members, The Business Times.

Sheila said: “Our first virtual exhibition in October attracted more than 960 visitors from eight different countries.

“It was a huge success thanks to the 35-plus exhibitors and five great speakers who got behind the initiative and bravely tried something new with us.

“That success gave us the confidence we needed to start work on November’s Expo which we expect to be a hybrid event containing both virtual elements as well as face-to-face interaction.”

The Expo is designed to be a real showcase opportunity and will give exhibitors the chance to show off their companies and generate new leads via face-to-face interaction and messenger. Exhibitors can also showcase themselves through videos, sell products and services, collect business cards and run live draws.

In addition, the November event will feature a variety of talented guest speakers.

For further information – or to book your stand – visit www.yourbusinessexpo.co.uk

A SAFE SPACE FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS

Sedgebrook Hall in Northampton is offering new ‘Meet Out to Help Out’ delegate rates specifically designed to get people back together and meeting in a safe and organised environment.

The new rates offer a day delegate rate or the inclusion of overnight accommodation. The venue is part of The Venues Collection, and is working to the Group’s ‘Stay Safe, Feel Safe’ COVID Secure Standards Charter – a six point charter that is committed to reassuring organisers and keeping everyone safe.

Sedgebrook Hall is a period property with modern, recently refreshed facilities offering 22 flexible event spaces with a capacity of two to 200 people, 103 bedrooms and 173sqm of exhibition space.

Sedgebrook Hall - Cedar Cabaret

Hotel manager Dominic Biggin said: “Our venue is set in the heart of Northamptonshire in 13 acres of landscaped grounds that is ideal for teambuilding activities and outdoor events, and is just five miles from the M1 and Northampton train station.

“Sedgebrook Hall also offers fully serviced office space, for companies to use on an hourly, daily or weekly basis, offering companies the perfect location to bring their teams together for teambuilding, a meeting or simply to collaborate.”

The Venue Collection is a group of eight affordable purpose-built conference and training venues that offer the combination of value-formoney and modern flexible meeting facilities. Located in central England in out-of-town locations, all venues have flexible meeting space, extensive breakout areas, leisure facilities, onsite free parking and all but one venue has onsite accommodation.