PRESTIGE EVENTS WINTER 2014/15 EDITION

WINTER 2015 EDITION WWW.PRESTIGEEVENTSMAGAZINE.COM

PRESTIGE

EVENTS

COOL Venue Awards

COOL VENUE AWARDS 2015 NOMINEE SHORTLIST COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE WHERE WE ATE, DRANK, AND STUMBLED OUT NETWORK LIKE A KARDASHIAN MAKING CHARITY EVENTS WORK SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT COOL EVENT LIGHTING VIDEO ENGAGEMENT

CONTENTS Welcome to 2015, a new

year, and chance for new

beginnings., that’s if you believe in new year’s resolutions. One thing is for certain, the world that

events

surrounds

continues

corporate

and

you

either get into the slipstream of the current, or you’ll be left

behind. Old venues being torn

down or replaced with re-fits or new venues. This event world

doesn’t’ wait for any man. Which lends perfectly to the creation

of our annual COOL Venue Awards (whose nominees shortlist can be found on pages 60-66), and our 20/20 Speed Networking events which bring you face-to-face with the latest, COOLest and most charismatic venues and events services companies around.

After all, you are only as good as your last event. So you work with people you feel you can trust and have as much enthusiasm for you. Which neatly ties in with our decision to give you more

editorial than ever before. You trust us to help you execute the perfect event, and I hope the recognition of this is displayed.

Happy reading.

Wes

Prestige Events team: Publisher / Founder: Wesley Mendy

Head of Client Relations: Dan Bearpark Editor (Print & Online): Hope Mendy

Head of Database Administration: Allanah Brownsdon-Dolan Head of Social Media: Asif Mirza Design Director: Saroj Patel

Design Editor: Errol Griffiths

Contributing editors: Jacqui Partridge, Jason Scott, Stuart Groves, Ben Gamble

Financial controller: Siobhan O’Dwyer

CONTENTS 10 17 Things 13 Readers Letters 17 Late Night Eats 18 Who’s In The Booth? With Megabooth 21 Paul Neal’s Out And About 24 Event Social Media 26 Event Live-Tweeting 27 Make Twitter Work For Your Events 29 In The Trade 32 Network Like A Kardashian 34 Makiing Charity Events Work 36 Keep Your Budget On Track 37 Cost Saving Strategies 38 Event Foundation 39 Creating Content 41 Choosing A Conference Venue 42 Agencies For Your Speed-Dial 45 Best Lighting 46 Capitalize On Video Engagement 48 5 Event Terms 49 Hosting A Virtual 50 Detox Your Event 51 Everything Is Getting Shrtr 52 Venue Focus: Egg Ldn 54-59 Supplier Focus: Lick Me I’m Delicious,

Demonwheelers, Efx 60 8Th Annual Cool Venue Awards Nominees 71 Cool Venue Architecture 76 20/20 Speed Networking…On Tour Photospreads 90 Upcoming Exhibitions: Confex 96 Reasons To Be Thankful 97 Ways Weather Can Affect Your Event 98 Useful Websites

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All views, opinions, and content, both text and images, expressed within this edition 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 2014 prestigeeventsmagazine.com

17 THINGS

17 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8

SKY HIGH Sky-high London venue The View from the Shard has announced it will officially launch its event space for private hire, making it easily one of the best event locations in the world. Excited is not the word!

THE FORCE IS STRONG Event marketing consultancy Evvnt has joined forces with global online self-service ticketing platform Eventbrite which could see some potential change in how the industry advertise events.

TIME TO GET OUT THE TOMTOM? A panel of specialists from team-building agencies have revealed brands should look to interactive tools and multi-city events this year to keep delegates interested. The change would allow for less cross country travel but the jury is still out on how feasible it would be…

I’VE SEEN THE FUTURE 2015 could see the launch of the HoloLens possibly changing the way we interact with each other forever. This confirms interaction tech is at an all-new high.

SO GOOD IT’S STAYING PUT It’s all change for Kurobuta in Chelsea this month, as the Japanese restaurant shuts and re-opens on 30 January at bigger premises further down King’s Road. The site it’s leaving was originally intended only as a pop-up space but popularity led to it sticking around

COOL VENUE WINNER CLOSES As of earlier this month, Paramount — the restaurant atop Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road — has closed. This suggests that there is now nothing to stop Almcantar proceed with turning the tower into flats. Sad face.

HEY BIG SPENDER! New Bond Street auction house Bonhams deals in the seriously high end, and it now has a restaurant to match. A decadent European menu from head chef Tom Kemble — previously at Chiswick’s Michelin-starred Hedone — will be accompanied by a wine list among the capital’s best.

NEW PATHS, NEW BEGINNINGS Elsewhere on the London restaurant scene, chef Michael Riemenschneider has left his Chelsea restaurant Canvas following a supposed dispute with investors. The news comes just six months after the site opened, replacing the original Canvas site in Marylebone which itself lasted just half a year

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9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 THINGS

NEW OPENINGS New openings include this season include Chinese restaurant Chai Wu in Harrods, healthy deli and eatery Little H has opened in Parson’s Green, and another branch of fish & chip group Kerbisher & Malt has arrived in Clerkenwell — branded simply Kerbisher.

WIN YOUR MEAL In London, game operator PokerStars collaborated with restaurant Jones and Sons for a chance to win your meal.

We think this idea is brilliant (if you know how to play!) and either way, even if you lost, your three-course gourmet meal was still at a discounted rate. Brilliant launch event

IT’S PERFUME, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT Hotel Café Royal in London is launching a line of new drinks inspired by fragrances from Parisian fashion house Givenchy. Starting Feb.1, the cocktails will have distinct colour and “unique personality and taste, reflecting the key perfume notes which are unique, universal and distinguished” from seven Givenchy perfumes

NEW YORK, NEW TIMES What do you do with an outdated office building in one of the best locations in Lower Manhattan? You convert it into a hotel of course! That’s just what Marriott has done, with the opening of Residence Inn New York Manhattan/World Trade Center Area, just a short walk away from the 9/11 memorial.

HOTEL ROOM CRAVINGS Crave Interactive Ltd, the leading supplier of in-room tablets and mobile Apps to high quality hotels has announced the launch of Crave Tablet, the world’s first tablet designed specifically for use in a hotel room.

BE BLEECKER

The stylish Bleecker Street Burger matt black truck has moved around town a bit - it was part of KERB, it’s been on the Southbank, in the shadow of the Gherkin and from the end of January 2015 it takes up a permanent pitch in the Old Spitalfields Market. One of London’s best loved burger brands, Bleecker serves New York style cheeseburgers and their award-winning Bleecker Black - a double aged beef patties, American cheese, Clonakilty black pudding and special burger sauce.

THERE’S A NEW DUCK IN TOWN Hakkasan and Wagamama founder Alan Yau opens ‘Chinese gastropub’ Duck & Rice on the Soho street famous for

its fruit and veg market, silk shops and Flat White. The restaurant, on the site where The Endurance once stood, is just

around the corner from Yauatcha, another Alan Yau success story. Details are scarce, but rumours are it’s a casual restaurant serving Asian street food and Chinese-inspired cocktails

…AND UP THEY GO… One of two new hotels from the Montcalm group set to open in 2014/2015, the M by Montcalm at 151 City Road, close to Old Street roundabout and opposite the Moorfields Eye Hospital, is part of a cluster of towers beginning to form on City Road. The new build 200-room hotel is part of a 23-storey tower development which fuses large scale art, sculpture and architecture in a futurisitc looking tower.

…AND DOWN THEY COME… Finally and sadly venue and visitor attraction Vinopolis has announced that it will close on 31 December 2015.

Samantha Anderson, managing director of Vinopolis, stated “We’ve come to the end of what we feel we can do with Vinopolis, and the choice was made in the interest of our shareholders,” she said. “The retail opportunity arose and it was a better proposition than a wine tour.”

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9

READERS LETTERS

LORD KNOWS! Lord Jason Scott is possibly the most connected man in the UK event industry. Also the most dapper man in the industry, who else could we appoint to answer your ‘event-fashion/ grooming/style’ questions!

Ask Lord Jason 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.

See more of Lord Jason Scott’s sartorial style her – http://pinterest.com/lordscott/this-is-my-style-lord-it/

DOES SIZE COUNT, I WANT A 1/2 INCH!

Q/ Jason, I have heard you always have your one arm up, and

just like most I normally notice the timepiece first however then I

can’t stop staring at your 1/2 inch. Do you have any tricks they

use to keep that half inch of shirt cuff showing when wearing barrel cuffs? No matter what I do, my shirt sleeves find a way to hide in my jacket sleeves. I don’t have any problem with French

cuffs but not every occasion is a French cuff occasion. I’ve even tried longer shirt sleeves and it doesn’t work.

(Simon, Corporate Relations Manager, Surrey) As funny as this one might sound I’ve used it to good effect at

WINNING LETTER HAVE YOU SEEN MY PAN!

Q/ Hi LJS, long time reader first time question “asker” ( is that a word)! I am a fountain pen enthusiast ( Mont Blanc of course) and like carrying fountain pens with me, I am wondering if you

can clip a fountain pen (or two) on the breast pocket of your jacket as an accessory item and if so, how much of the pen

should / can be exposed? If not then what about those pens with

military clip where the top of the pen is on the same level as the opening of the pocket so nothing is exposed except for the clip

but then it would only be there for functional purposes instead of

an accessory item. If nothing is good then I suppose they have to be hidden inside in the shirt pocket… Thanks in advance.

times like weddings when I wanted to make sure the cuffs were correct in all the photos and didn’t want to have to shoot the cuff every time I moved.

Double sided tape. It’ll stick enough to the fabrics to prevent excessive movement but won’t stick enough to cause damage.

TO LAPEL OR NOT LAPEL…

Q/ As its award season, this is a very important question: Are notch lapels okay?

(Daniel, Agency Head, London) George Clooney often wears a notch lapel, so it must be all right, and 2) waiters often wear a notch lapel, so it ain’t all right.

Somewhere in between the two is the official line that a peak lapel

Paul Penny (Venue event manager, London)

is a sounder, classier bet. What I have more of an issue with is

Save the outer breast pocket for decorative squares. I wouldn’t

to me, it looks kind of pompous and costumey — on anyone,

laborer taking notes on a clipboard or a high school student

with a normal turn-down collar (like the Brooks Brothers one) is

recommend using a dress shirt pocket; unless you’re a physical on the math team you shouldn’t be clipping pens to your shirt.

Nice pens are pretty neat accessories, but they work best when you keep them hidden until needed. Then when you pull them

out it’s a tiny little show-stopper moment for the observant men in the room.

the wing collar. To classicists, a wing is the only good option, but including Hercule Poirot, but especially on me. An evening shirt more comfortable, physically, morally, and socially, for most of us.

Looking forward to seeing all of you dapper folk at The COOL Venue Awards soon and thank you again for your questions.

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11

WHERE WE ATE

Where we ate

EACH EDITION, IN BRIEF WE HIGHLIGHT VENUES WHERE WE ATE LATE-NIGHT FOR YOUR BENEFIT.

packed into tiny portions: from sliders filled with moist pulled

DISHOOM

seen in a tumble of a mild turnip and apple with crumbly feta,

Filled with vintage interiors, Dishoom’s walls are adorned with 60’s magazine covers while low level lighting harks back to old post colonial Irani Café’s. The look is distinctive and establishes that this is not the local Indian you frequented as a kid. This is something special. The main attraction though is of course

pork and pickled apple, to a black-edged mini pizzas topped with cicoria (Italian dandelion). The salads are equally innovative, as hazelnuts and black sesame seeds. To finish try the chocolate, pecan and bourbon cake which manages to do the job of aperitif and desert in a beautiful ‘two birds one stone’ combination.

THE WOLSELEY

the menu with birianis, bhel (crunchy puffed rice with tangy

A self-proclaimed ‘café-restaurant in the grand European

tamarind chutney) and even pau bhaji (toasted white bread

tradition’, the Wolseley combines London heritage and Viennese

rolls with a spicy vegetable stew as a filling). Our black dal was

grandeur. Whilst the venue suggests it’s been knocking about

exemplary, and the lamb biriani suitably moist. Excellent lassi

since the 20’s, the venue is only a decade old. Nevertheless, it’s

concoctions will help with when the spice gets too much and

now firmly on many a London visitor’s checklist having gained a

even the soft drinks Limca and Thums Up are imported from Mumbai. Queuing is common but we can guarantee it’s worth the wait

SPUNTINO A challenge to this is no wholesome 1950s-style diner, but a dark, grungy space where dim lights dangle in cages, the walls are cracked and battered, and the staff sport daring

reputation that places it firmly along it’s neighbours Fortnum and Mason as a British institution. The kitchen is much-celebrated for its breakfasts but the menu as a whole is admirable. From oysters, steak tartare or soufflé suisse, via wiener schnitzel or grilled halibut with wilted spinach and béarnaise to tarte au citron or apple strudel, there’s something for everyone. The afternoon tea is definitely a highlight for many with weekend mornings seeing in

tattoos under flimsy vests (and that’s just the girls). The anti-

an abundance of mini cakes and scones, all as English as the jam

establishment vibe seeps into the Italian/American themed

that accompanies them, while crustless finger sandwiches at the

menu. Served on tin dishes, food features big bold flavours

bottom are replenished by formal staff from a huge service team. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

15

OUT AND ABOUT: MEGABOOTH

OUT AND ABOUT:

MEGABOOTH

16

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OUT AND ABOUT: MEGABOOTH

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WHERE WE’VE DRUNK

&

OUT AND ABOUT…WITH PAUL NEAL

WHERE WE’VE BARFLYED

PAPADAIBLO MEZCAL COLLECTION PAPADIABLO ESPECIAL & PAPADIABLO ESPADIN

Papadaiblo (Pope Devil) is a pure Mezcal made from the relationship between Maestro Don Beto and the land of Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. Both expressions are equally sophisticated, complex and subtle. The bottle and branding is outstanding, true to the quality inside the bottle. Papadailo Mezcal is a Mezcal in its truest form, and is pushing the boundaries in its category. A Mexican spirit full of history, culture and flavour. What makes if COOL? Papadiablo Especial is a supreme Mezcal made in

ZECA CACHAÇA

Miahuatlan, Oaxaca. A region renown for the quality of its three Mezcal’s - Madre Cuishe, Bicuishe and Mexicano. Held together

The first Cachaça brand to revolutionise the cocktail world

with 10% Espadin and the homeopathic extract of something

is soon to launch right here in the UK! This is the first time

special. Soft, rich, gentle. Fruits, smoke and green agave.

ever that a Cachaca brand has launched outside of its native country of Brazil. What makes it COOL? This is a hidden secret

Papadiablo Espadin, The perfect counter to his sweeter, deeper

of the Matos family, kept away from the world for more than a

and older cousin. Bright, light, fresh and very energizing. This is a

hundred years. It is a premium Cachaça that is keeping true to

lifter! A high note on the first sip. It is truly electric… but in a good

its identity and origins. A natural and earthy spirit that will truly

way. www.spiritbearmezcals.com

transform our opinions of its category and lead the way to an exciting future.

DICTADOR 20 YEAR OLD Dictador 20 Years Solera System Rum is made from the

Watch out for Zeca over 2015 as it takes the UK by storm. www.

fermentation of virgin sugar cane honey. Distilled partly in copper

zeca-cachaca.com

alembic and partly in steel continuous column, to achieve a

VESTAL VODKA (VINTAGES)

medium body rum. It is then aged in pre-used oak barrels, using the solera method and finally bottled under the highest quality

Over the last few centuries, the Government, big businesses

control to ensure all the secrets are contained in the liquids

and globalization have turned the vodka category into an often

flavour. What makes it COOL? Firstly is it a Columbian Rum,

tasteless spirit, suitable only for mixing with something else.

which is really cool in itself, it is highly awarded, receiving double

Now, thank god, the rise of artesian vodkas are now coming

gold at SFWSC and WSWA award shows.

back and reminding us of a spirits true delights. What makes

www.dictador.com

it COOL? I have chosen Vestal Vodka as it is a vodka of the truest form. A homely, down to earth vodka, with real earth like

MARTELL EXCLUSIVE 300 YR ANNIVERSARY

flavours.

La Maison Martell is the oldest of the great Cognac houses and has been making fine cognac for 300 years.

Vestal Vodka is only distilled once, to retain its aromas and taste. What makes it unique, much like a wine, is that each year

What makes it COOL? To commence this year’s Tricentenaire

it has its own vintage and individual flavours. This depends on

celebration in style, Martell have recently released an exclusive

the potatoes harvested that year. How bloody real is that?!

limited edition of the iconic Cordon Bleu. Cordon Bleu ‘Tribute to

www.vestalvodka.com

Martell 300 year anniversary’. It is a unique blend, crafted by Cellar prestigeeventsmagazine.com

19

OUT AND ABOUT…WITH PAUL NEAL Master Benoit Fil. Beautifully showcasing the characteristically

ORIGINAL SIN

elegant and floral attributes of eaux-de-vie from the Borderies

The Happiness Forgets team have bought their blend of bears,

Terroir. This fab edition is a must for any collector or fine Cognac

wines and spectacular cocktails to Stoke Newington. Stokey

fan, very much a Martell Signature.

Bears is upstairs, so there’s cracking burgers to factor into the

www.martell.com

equation too.

VENUES

What makes it COOL? It is the team behind Happiness Forgets!

LLC (SHOREDITCH)

A bench mark for many a boozy den in London. Original Sin looks set to deliver more of the same. A bigger space serving its

With a site to suit almost every drink enthusiast. The London Cocktail

own range of cocktails. Stokey’s newest cocktail cavern looks the

Club specialises in delivering classic and unique concoctions to a

perfect place for killer drinks and fun times.

world class standard. Each creating an environment you’ll never

www.originalsin.bar

want to leave. I recommend you to visit each and every one of them this year!

LADIES AND GENTS This new edition to the up and coming Kentish Town area is

What makes it COOL? It’s a Motor City theme! A Hells Angels

simply awesome! A Vibrant neighbourhood joint with star drinks,

meets Mods and Rockers mash up. That’s SUPER COOL! Once

produce and vibes. Expect unique cocktails from their daily

you’ve spotted the imposing heavy-duty skull and crossbones logo,

changing menu such as ‘Ladies Old Fashion”, ‘Guinness Flip’

head down the industrial staircase and delve deep into the graffiti

and ‘Pear Collins’.

clad basement. Here you’ll find an impressive American Whisky collection. I also recommend their Smoking Barrel cocktail, or take

What Makes it COOL? It is a refurbished, dingy toilet next to

your pick from their extensive cocktail menu.

Kentish Town Tube! Completely transforming the disused loos

www.londoncocktailclub.co.uk

and totally transforming the area with it. Expect to see some

LOWER DECK @ SPIAGGIA

top bar guest appearances here too. Ladies and Gents is the creation of William Borrell, Vestal Vodka so knows only too well

The basement hideaway, downstairs from its Italian beach bar and

how to create a dream team and tasty cocktails.

grill counterpart, Lower Deck offers up something totally unique to

www.twitter.com/ladyandgentsbar

the SW6 postcode.

Compiled and created by Paul Neal at Bespoke What makes it COOL? It’s a den for grown-ups, serving wicked cocktails and beach tapas!! There is plenty of games to keep you

and Tonic

amused, with the likes of Pac Man, Donky Kong and Foosball. It also has sun beds, a giant projector and various events, such as, Movie Nights, Beach Themed Parties and Live Music. www.spiaggialondon.com

BAR SMITH From The Marylebone Leisure Group, this new opening is a pizza bar and restaurant, taking service and skills to a higher level. In the heart of Farringdon, Bar Smith is set to have a long future.

What makes it COOL? Cocktails and Pizza firstly! Who wouldn’t love that? The concept is cool too. Bar Smith specialises in Artisan infused cocktails and spirit infusions. They also have a killer team of mixologists and everything is prepared daily. You’d be mad not to give this gem a try. www.barsmith.co.uk prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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EVENT PROS SHARE 4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Event Pros Share

4 THINGS

You Need to

to Know

NOW 22

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EVENT PROS SHARE 4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Some of the most creative minds in events shared their tips for success - and avoiding disaster during the Event Innovation Forum at BizBash Live: The Expo New York, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The two sessions of the forum covered a lot of ground, but here are some key takeaways.

1. HOW DOES YOUR EVENT LOOK ON INSTAGRAM? In today’s social-media-obsessed world, every event attendee has the potential to tell a brand’s story. “As designers, it’s what’s on the outside that counts. Every touch point and detail should speak to the brand’s identity,” said Nicky Balestrieri, managing creative director of BMF Media. “The goal of all of this process is to make our events not just memorable but also media-able.”

2. IF YOU’RE NOT MEASURING DATA, YOU’RE MISSING OUT. Angela Giacchetti, New York City metro marketing manager at Eventbrite, said planners need to have statistics to show, for instance, which social channels are the most effective at driving ticket sales. You might think business events would be best marketed on Facebook, but Twitter might actually be a stronger vehicle. “You want to make sure you have a clear timeline for building buzz and driving page views,” she said.

3. USE EVENT TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIAL ENGINEERING.

The message behind the C2 Montréal conference is connection,

and organizers don’t leave that to chance. Before the event, the 600 attendees can set up profile pages on a custom social

network called the Hub where they can not only list their business interests but also their hobbies. They can schedule meetings,

and the system will suggest sessions to attend. This way you can know what your audience is doing instead of guessing. Yes

it’s a bit Big Brother but saves you adding a bunch of people on Facebook who you don’t really want to.

4. PEOPLE CRAVE EVENTS, EVEN IN A DIGITAL WORLD.

“While people spend much of their time online, it’s offline communities formed at events that they are seeking out more

and more” said Ryan Begelman, C.E.O. of Bisnow Media.

“Successful events are becoming part of people’s identities”, he

said, pointing to Burning Man, Comic-Con, and TED “We need

to make our events shorter, pithier, faster-paced. Let’s not fight A.D.D.; let’s make our events snappier. We’re producing events like its 2001 and it’s 2014.”

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HOW TO - LIVETWEET

HOW TO - LIVETWEET Livetweeting is now actually part of some peoples job description. Let that sink it for just a second.

Twitter streams move fast and along with most note taking taking down quotes in real time whilst using all the wit you can muster is a skill and a half. It takes skill to juggle this with taking good photos, responding to questions and comments whilst recognising event stats your audience might find interesting.

get used to having to multitask in this way. Getting impressions

from speakers about their talk can help you pre-empt the kind

of humour you’re gonna be working with.

• Getting content beforehand from speakers such as pictures and stats can really help you out as well. You don’t want to

rush this part.

• Look into getting volunteers from the company. That guy from HR who is always on his phone? Yep ask him. That or the

woman constantly taking selfies whilst she waits for the kettle

to boil. These kind of people live to network and with the new

generation of workers social media is akin to breathing.

• Make sure these people are tweeting according to what If you’re not hiring someone or a company to do this work for you

they’re good and what they’re interested in as they’re way

it can seem tricky to navigate all of this at once so we’ve broken

down for you what the essentials are.

• Get the photographer on the account as well. Quality images

24

more likely to make it marketable. It’s just common sense. in real time are what press will be more likely to cover.

• Attend all rehearsals of the event and prepare for tweeting

• The hashtag should be known to everyone. Aim for

conversations. Yes even just through the notepad app so you

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#BreakTheInternet style domination. Naked Kim K optional.

MAKE TWITTER WORK FOR YOUR EVENT

Make Twitter work for your Event Using Twitter to scope for potential attendees is a pretty practical use of it. Hashtag sourcing, such as typing in #eventprofs and the like, can help find others interested in networking with those in a similar field. SocialBro and other similar social media tools can also help you identify similar Twitter users (but remember some services can charge for work you can DIY). Don’t overdo it and become spammy and make sure that everything you’re sending is engaging and links back to your site.

• Retweet relevant information and put some out there yourself!

• Look out for any serious tweets. Bad news travels faster than

good news

POST-EVENT • Make sure no questions or feedback are/is left unanswered • Thank everyone important and everyone who tweets you • Follow up anyone who wanted to attend but couldn’t with a

phone call.

• Write a blog post that covers all tweets that could be of interest/

make you look good.

4 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT • Make sure to follow all attendees, most people have theirs

on their business cards or company websites now. Follow all

event partners, sponsors etc

• Create Twitter lists for both of these to save you time later

on. Time consuming but you’ll appreciate it we swear.

• Get relevant content from across the web in order to make

sure your Twitter feed is interesting more importantly

informative

• Use your hashtag at all times!

• Make sure people are okay with any travel, accommodation

advice etc

DURING YOUR EVENT • Dedicate someone to running Social Media. Yes it warrants

its own job (and sobriety)

• Have the Hashtag everywhere • Encourage attendees to tweet (voting and Q&A’s are great

opportunities) prestigeeventsmagazine.com

25

IN THE TRADE

IN THE TRADE WITH... synchronized across multiple time-zones. The UK launch was

TERESA-ANNE DUNLEAVY THE CONCERTO GROUP CEO Harvard

educated

at midnight on Oxford Street with hundreds of people queuing Teresa-

Anne (TA) Dunleavy joined The Concerto Group as CEO in March 2013. A marketing and business school postgraduate she is interested in integrated approaches to corporate challenges has

over

and

20 years’ experience across

inhouse and consultancy roles for the likes of British Airways, Toyota, Nintendo and other leading global organisations. Her appointment followed an extensive search and decision by Concerto shareholders to reach beyond the events industry for fresh and innovative ways of managing a business through change.

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

I already came with a lot of experience in running large corporate events as part of an integrated approach to marketing communications. I’ve done everything from global car launches

overnight. Managing the public, the media, suppliers, celebrities and the client to deliver an event across multiple time zones is pretty cool.

How do you prepare for a big event day?

Prepare, prepare, prepare. Then prepare some more. I’ve always found that having good supplier (or partner) relationships to be key to events running smoothly.

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

I’d like to see greater degrees of professionalism in terms of how events businesses are run. So much focus goes on how we deliver to clients but there is more to be done around attracting and retaining great talent, succession management and building great events businesses for the future. ____________________________________

MARTIN HAWTHORN HAWTHORN Established in 1987 in Managing

to staging and managing financial results. It’s a myth that only

Director

people who work exclusively in events are experienced in the

Martin’s

garage,

whole array that falls under ‘event management’.

Hawthorn is one of the largest

You have a varied client portfolio. Care to name a few? And what do you feel was the defining factor in establishing your relationships?

of event production services in the

Our client base is vast and spans pretty much every industry but

1987 the business has grown

and longest established suppliers UK; in fact one of the production industries best kept secrets. Since

most recently we’ve been excited to take on the Home Retail Group handling product launches for the Argos, Homebase

and Habitat brands. As for how to build longstanding client relationships, it’s always a case of understanding exactly what

is expected of you and delivering beyond those expectations.

steadily with continual upsizing of premises, and we are now at the point where the Hawthorn warehouse is measured in the size of acres! A team of 130 work to design and deliver production solutions for clients in all spheres

Not always as simple as it sounds I appreciate.

of the industry; from awards ceremonies, parties and conferences,

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

and the Midlands, Hawthorn delivered over 1,000 extraordinary

It’s always fun to work on big budget global launches – who

events last year throughout the UK and overseas.

sometimes it’s the smaller budget events that present the

What’s the modus operandi of your company?

doesn’t enjoy a bit of media frenzy and excitement? But biggest challenge.

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

If by ‘COOL’ we mean innovative, ground breaking creativity, brilliantly executed then it’s pretty important. I once handled a global product launch for Nintendo across 32 markets, fully

through to exhibitions and concerts. Based in London, Cambridge

We are committed to close working relationships with our clients.

We deliver amazing work through incredible service, whether it’s a simple hire through to the most complex and spectacular one-off events. Our view is that we can only deliver this service if we get to know our clients and couple their ideas with our expertise and creativity. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

27

IN THE TRADE What are the USP’s of your company?

What was the inspiration behind you getting involved

Our “can-do attitude” – if it is physically possible to achieve

in corporate events?

something we will achieve it with our vast inventory of in-house

Since leaving University I have worked in both venue and agency

equipment and resourceful team.

environments, which not only broadened my knowledge and understanding of the industry from various perspectives, but

Who’s on your client list?

also made me realise how important events are to the corporate

BBC Worldwide, Smart Group, Taylor Bennett, Natural History

market, not only to showcase their products and services but to

Museum, NSPCC, and Status Quo, to name a few…

reward and incentivize their staff. It was also a growing market when I started out in events, so I guess it was an amalgamation

What is the COOLest event your company has been

of all these factors that inspired my involvement in corporate

involved in?

events, and ultimately lead me to Ministry of Sound, which I

There are so many, but the delivery of the 2014 Herbalife

believe is a strong rising player in the corporate world

Qualification Party over in Prague was one highlight. Our unique technical solution included a flown, LED paneled DJ booth

You have a varied client portfolio. Care to name a

controlled by a Kinesis system and suspended over a video dance

few? And what do you feel was the defining factor in

floor. This solution meant that DJs could be seen but then content

establishing your relationships?

such as Herbalife branding could be displayed in a creative way.

During my short time at MoS we have brought in phenomenal

Hung strings of LED balls and elements of bespoke-built set,

series of corporate events from ASOS.com to BAE Systems. Our

including industrial crates, were used to fulfil the black and gold

focus at Ministry is not only sourcing new business, but looking

industrial feel to the event.

after the clients we already have. I guess the success of any endeavour depends on the quality of the relationships between

Where do you see your company in 5 years?

those involved. A good working relationship, just like a good

Positioned as the market leader for corporate technical production

friendship, builds rapport and understanding between the parties.

throughout the UK.

To achieve such a relationship takes more than clear and regular communication, although this certainly makes a contribution. It

and lastly, what one word sums up your company?

requires investing time and effort into understanding the client

Amazing

and his or her event needs. But above all, I think it comes down

____________________________________

to maintaining a friendly, personable and approachable nature

REBECCA O’DONOVAN MINISTRY OF SOUND

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

I recently joined Ministry of Sound London as their new Private Hire Events Manager. HI

a fairly young age and I have enjoyed

working

on

them, whether it was for a school fashion

show

or

a

University ball, but it wasn’t until I

graduated 6 years prior that I decided I would make a whole career

for a major client, but I believe that every event, whether it be a big-name client or a small business, should be treated exactly strive for amazing results, whoever the client is

What preparation goes into your service?

A good flow of constant communication is definitely key, not only with my clients but also with my internal events team. Firstly I would meet with the client and get to know them and their event needs. It would then be my mission to strive to produce exactly

out of it! I didn’t sit daydreaming about layout setups, seating plans

what they want, and more. After carrying out all my clients’

and corporate dining menus, but when I left University many of my

requirements and keeping up with any changes they make along

memorable highlights involved working on some sort of event or activity and it was the perfect way to satisfy my need to be active and busy. Therefore I made it my mission to make a living out of doing something I enjoy and that I’m passionate about. I’ve spent the past 6 years working in events and I haven’t looked back!

28

There’s always that pressure to produce a successful event

the same. Our reputation is extremely important and we always

My interest in events began at always

and make clients want to work with you again.

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the way, I would ensure both my operations and technical teams are made fully aware of the event details and everything that’s required on the day. We always have a meeting just before the event takes place to ensure that everyone is completely up-todate with everything and that no problems have arisen. Nothing is too small to mention and as long as everyone is on the same

IN THE TRADE page, we will be sure to have a brilliant end result!

of badging and delegate tracking software and printers, IDentilam has provided badging services for conferences and events

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

worldwide.

Being part of such a well-known brand, ‘COOL’ plays a huge part in how we at Ministry of Sound portray ourselves as a corporate

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

events venue. ‘COOL’ recognises the COOL factor in venues

We have lots of interesting and well known clients we would love

and here at MoS we always strive to be ahead of the game and

to shout about, however as we are providing them with a security

keep up with any hip and cool developments in the events world.

service we tend to be somewhat discreet. It’s fair to say though that if you have been to a major sporting event or high profile

How do you prepare for a big event day?

Ensuring I have.. a good night’s rest, an excellent team on the day, comfortable shoes, my ‘spec sheet’, a cool head and a big smile!

conference in the UK in recent years, there is a good chance you might have worn one of IDentilam’s badges.

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

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

There are many things that have got me excited over the past year, however I think it is the development of technology utilised at events that particularly stands out. With event entertainers now incorporating elements such as video mapping and LED lighting into their acts, it can transform a blank canvas into something spectacular, therefore allowing for more vision and possibilities. The International Special Events Society (ISES)’s Mistletoe event held here at Ministry of Sound stands out for me as they really made the most of all the new technology we have to offer and the entertainment was notably incredible.

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

I would love to see more companies holding their events at unique venues such as Ministry of Sound. We have a variety of incredible spaces with unparalleled sound and lighting systems

A lot of the hard work goes on before we go onsite to the event.

As well as sorting and testing our systems ready to take onsite, we tend to print as many badges as possible before the event begins to reduce the load onsite and improve the delegate experience.

What preparation goes into your service?

I already came with a lot of experience in running large corporate events as part of an integrated approach to marketing communications. I’ve done everything from global car launches to staging and managing financial results. It’s a myth that only people who work exclusively in events are experienced in the whole array that falls under ‘event management’.

How do you prepare for a big event day?

Usually by working late into the night! Badging is often one of the functions that are left to the last and minute by the organisers and as there is invariably a rush of late registrations we are more often than not printing badges right up to the last minute.

equipped to host anything from receptions and banqueting to conferences and awards ceremonies. It’s great to see more and

What are the latest trends in the badging world?

more oraganisers taking that step outside of the norm and I hope

We have noticed a big increase in demand for larger sizes of

to see even more over the next year. ____________________________________

badges in recent times, particularly for sporting events. Also technologies such as RFID and NFC are now much more widely used for access control, data collection, networking or social media

ANTONIA FAGAN IDENTILAM PLC

integration.

Antonia Fagan is a business development

executive

at

IDentilam plc who has been

Do you see a time when badges will be completely replaced by technology?

providing badging solutions to

Although technology will play an increasing part in events I think

many high profile organisations

there will always still be a place for the traditional name badges as

for coming up to 30 years. As

a quick and easy way of identification. It is still the quickest way to

well as offering their own range

find out who you are talking to! prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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NETWORK LIKE A KARDASHIAN

Why you should network like a

Kardashian Whilst the ethics of the family may be under constant scrutiny from the press, you can’t deny that their skills in acquiring deals that years ago would’ve been laughable (hello Vogue cover) are on point. Here’s what we can learn from Kim K and co

4. KEEP YOUR PRESENTATION FLAWLESS – not just you appearance, which people will always judge anyway, but your general decorum when something unexpected happens. When attending the opera with her mother a reporter made a joke about ‘N*ggas in Paris’ to Kim. Angry, rather than cause a scene and make herself look bad she reacted

1. YOUR MANAGER ISN’T YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF WORK –

by staring at him in cold silence confirming him the

Yes going to a bar once you’re off the clock gives you permission

imbecile. Kim 1 Reporter 0.

to have that vodka tonic, but stay on guard because your downtime is often one of the best opportunities to make contacts

5. BE THANKFUL – and not through thank you

in the kind of laid back setting an event organiser can only dream

notes but through SDA’s (that’s social displays

of creating. Don’t rely solely on the momager in your life.

of affection). You get a gift bag that’s particularly cool? Post about it! Tag brands and the company

2. AIM HIGH – Kendall Jenner was labelled with the reality tv

will appreciate the free press more than they ever

brand before she hit puberty, now she’s walking every major

would a jokey email.

label’s fall line. Yes that rival company exec looks scary but think of the campaigns you could end up working on 3. BUT DON’T FORGET THE SMALLER COMPANIES – Despite the Kardashian brand having successfully managed to enter the luxury fashion field the sisters still collab with high street heroes Lipsy and Kim has guest starred on American Dad (Family Guy’s smaller, less successful brother show).

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NETWORK LIKE A KARDASHIAN

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Charity Events A BREAKDOWN

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CHARITY EVENTS – A BREAKDOWN Whilst doing pro-bono work can look brilliant for you company it can also be some of the most satisfying work you do in your career. When we talk to the greats about the best moments they’ve had professionally it’s the work that they do for others that truly brings a smile to their faces. We asked our charitable partners about how they’ve managed to succeed when organising events in the hope these tips will inspire you and help your charity event raise more money.

1. PLAN OF ACTION

4. SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

Your event needs a plan of action that begins 6 months before

If the no make-up selfies and ALS bucket challenge taught us

your event and goes right through the few months following it.

anything it’s that people love to tell people they’re giving to charity.

Who you are targeting and how you are going to reach them?

Encourage this by offering discounts or even free tickets to people

Make sure to include a marketing budget and ROI plan.

who share the event online or something along those lines!

2. COMPILE AN EMAIL LIST OF DONORS

5. SELL TICKETS & TAKE DONATIONS

If you’ve got a list/database brilliant! You’re a step ahead! Treat

When people are already spending money they often prefer to

your list with respect and target your messaging to make sure

do most transactions in one go. With this in mind offer people the

you get the most out of your donations.

chance to donate early. Once people are at the event chances

If you don’t have a list, it’s time to start building one! Collect

are they’ll donate again anyway.

emails when you sell tickets, take donations, at your event, and on your website.

3. MAKE LANDING PAGES Landing pages are a brilliant way to attract potential attendees

6. TAKE DONATIONS EVERYWHERE Promote this everywhere over all of your social networks and sites. It’s what they’re there for!

and grow your email list. You can use lots of different services

7. FOLLOW-UP!

to create segmented multiple landing pages factoring in

Message to thank everyone! It’s only polite and be sure to further

geographical area, and even income levels. Make sure

down the line give a demonstration of where their money went

everything on the page links back to them giving you

and the positive effect they’ve had. Then start gently reminding

information on how to contact them and why they should be

them of your next event but be sure not to nag and don’t just ask

glad to know about this charity.

for money.

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUDGET ON TRACK

3 WAYS TO KEEP AN EVENT BUDGET ON TRACK Without a budget you’re essentially planning with tunnel vision. Yes that venue you saw was perfect but when it costs more than your entire staff’s salary to rent, you may need to reconsider.

Here’s our checklist of what you need to think of before planning anything.

Monitor how many attendees are coming from the moment they RSVP. Any sponsors should also have detailed packages for the planning and execution of the event. No all two are equal and neither should be treated the same.

If you are looking to profit financially from the event be sure to make a note of where and when (your accounts department

1. REVIEW ANY AND ALL EXPENSES

will be grateful.

Review all areas of your event starting from the venue contract to speaker fees to entertainment and giveaways. All elements of

Have weekly meetings to discuss what new and unexpected

your event require a checklist to make sure they’re accounted for.

expenditures you may have to stay on top of things and create

It’s a huge benefit to have worked with the same vendors over

new Goals lists.

and over again, as you know how they require payments to be handled, and how your company or business prefers to manage payments. Remember every supplier is different, so having a master list of every person you work with is a great idea to help keep track and manage your budget at the end of the event.

2. SET GOALS Once you have an overall idea of what your budget should

34

3. MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION You always need a plan B. It’s a rule instilled in all of us thanks to Scooby Doo and it’s a worthwhile rule if there ever was one.

It’s a great idea to have a small back-up budget as a go-to, must-have, hand in the piggy jar moment. This budget should only be used for absolute event emergencies. Make a list

realistically be, plus a master list of all of your vendor contacts,

of what those emergencies could be, and hand it out to the

take a step back and measure attendance goals.

event staff as well (you never know who’ll need to run to get an

Registration pages are practically a necessity in this day and age.

emergency latte)

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COST SAVING STRATEGIES FOR MEETINGS

Cost-Saving Strategies for Meetings Pinching pennies has never been fashionable (2008 is so out) but sometimes it’s simply a necessity. Here’s tips from event professionals on how to make your accountant happy and colour your boss impressed BE FLEXIBLE. “The market has turned to a seller’s market, which means hotels can pick and choose their business,” says Marcy Rodner, national account manager at Experient. Organisers can create budget options by considering multiple locations and dates and alterations to the event schedule can also save money. Maybe try starting a multiday event after lunch to eliminate the need to provide an extra meal.

PLAN AHEAD. Rob O’Brien, sales and operations manager for PTE Productions “Early planning provides suppliers with more options, which will always save the client money. It allows us to ensure the equipment and labor needed for the job is confirmed and available,” If the supplier has to jump through hoops and disrupt his operations to get the client what he wants, there’s a price for that.”

MAINTAIN OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION. “So many planners work with each vendor directly and don’t encourage or allow cross-communication,” says Ron Bracco, executive director of Hargrove. One strategy: Gather everyone

for a face-to-face meeting when planning begins, and then host regular conference calls or virtual meetings to touch base in the months leading up to the event.

REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION. Pasquale Semeraro, general manager of PTE Productions, says modern equipment such as battery-powered lighting and energyoptimized audio systems can potentially cut electricity charges by thousands of pounds.

THINK LONG-TERM TO GET THE MOST OUT OF WHAT YOU’RE BUYING. Develop graphics that can be reused from meeting to meeting, year after year. Invest in a stage set that is adaptable, with elements that can be moved around. “For example, lighting and imagery can be used in different ways to make the same stage always feel fresh and interesting,” says David Solsbery, executive director of design for Hargrove. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

35

EVENT FOUNDATION AND CREATION

THE FOUNDATION OF AN EVENT STEP 1. GET CLEAR ON YOUR EVENT You’ll have three main questions for this stage, What is your event type?

What is the “content” of your event?

What is your event’s goal?

Also how will you market your event? Got a sales team? Media coverage? Consumer awareness?

Write down the most important things you want to accomplish with your event. These notes will make other crucial decisions down the line a bit simpler and create a skeleton for you event

STEP 2. FIGURE OUT FUNDING Look into sponsors and event partners. Who makes sense as a sponsor or partner? Who might increase the event value and experience for your guests? What can you offer them?

Also think about the longevity of the potential relationship formed with these brands. If you want something in particular at your event be crafty and find someone who can offer you it and show them a template with the details of your event, your business history, your prediction for the event’s numbers, what you would like, and what you can promise in return.

STEP 3. VENUE! Does it suit your audience?

Does it add value to your event?

Is it within your budget?

Also think about the space, location and as boring as it seems car park facilities.

STEP 4. CHOOSE A DATE AND TIME What does a typical day/week look like for your potential guests? Are there any times or dates you know they’re likely to be busy? And for God’s sake don’t forget to check your calendar for holidays!

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CREATING CONTENT AT YOUR EVENT

HOW TO

CREATE CONTENT

AT EVENTS

Showing content at events is sometimes difficult. You want to do something different to your last event but certain ideas are just too good. Here’s our top twenty ideas to turn your company’s event into marketing devices 1.

Assemble live tweets into presentation recaps.

2.

Video attendees at the event talking about why they decided

to attend the event.

3.

Video attendees on what they are learning and the value they

are getting from the event.

4.

Video attendees about why people not at the conference

should attend next year.

5.

Get all kinds of digital photos – presenters, content, party

pics, etc.

6.

Video exhibitors on what their companies can do for

attendees.

7.

Get presenters to share additional details, insights, or

thoughts about their presentations.

8.

Write articles from the content that you have captured on

video.

9.

Create lists of the best tweets from the event.

10. Invite attendees to write blog posts or share other content

they have created.

11. Grab images from videos you have shot.

12. Turn photos and video snippets into a closing video for the event.

13. Turn audio from video interviews into podcasts.

14. Create a presentation highlights Slideshare with three high

impact slides from each presentation.

15. Recruit a social media team to generate content from more

perspectives within the event.

16. Ask open-ended questions on the pre- and post-conference

surveys about the issues, opportunities, and learning needs

attendees see. Turn the results into articles.

17. Ask attendees what questions were not answered and answer

these in future blog posts.

18. Invite presenters to submit blog posts or articles for the

conference website.

19. Solicit attendees for guest blog posts they prepare after the

conference and give a prize to everyone who creates content.

20. While it is tempting to upload 50 pictures to a Facebook album

because it is easy to do all at once, distribute the content over

time so you do not inundate your audience. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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CHOOSING A CONFERENCE VENUE

Choosing a Property for Your Business Conference In an age where most communication is done online a successful business conference can often bring to light problems you previously thought were dealt with. The first step in orchestrating such a conference is finding the right property to accommodate you and your guests but you’ll also need to know what you should actually be asking for. Here are a few pointers; How many people can we fit? Also is there any chance for add ons at the last minute?

Is the space versatile? Can you move about any of the

What audio-visual equipment is provided? It’s 2014. Enough said.

Is there sufficient wireless Internet access? Go to the Venue and check this beforehand. Often there are dead spots Does the venue support our ideals? It is important to find a venue that promotes your company’s values. For example If you strive to maintain an eco-friendly business, you should choose a venue that can host an eco-friendly conference Are fun activities available? Team building is the unspoken goal of a conference and a good activity before or after can add a huge morale boost.

equipment and possibly move into another room if needs be?

Are meeting packages available? Often these include lunch

Can guests park onsite? Also public transport links and local cab numbers are a good thing to have on hand

and coffee but make sure to weigh up whether it’ll mean you sending the temp to Pret.

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20/20 SPEED NETWORKING….THE STORY SO FAR

20/20 Speed Networking: 52 events in 3 years!

The most effective way to meet the right suppliers and buyers in just a ½ day

40

26th February 2015

COOL Venues

Shaka Zulu

26th March 2015

Meetings, Training and Seminar Venues

CCT Venues Canary Wharf

8th April 2015

Venues with 500+ Capacities

Bloomsbury Ballroom

23rd April 2015

Corporate Dining & Caterers

Venue: tbc

14th May 2015

COOL Events

Top Golf Chigwell

21st May 2015

Teambuilding/Outdoor Events

Venue: tbc

4th June 2015

East London vs West London

Venue: tbc

19th June 2015

Heritage & Quirky Venues

116 Pall Mall

2nd July 2015

Parties & Events@Night

Venue: tbc

16th July 2015

Sporting Venues

Venue: tbc

17th September 2015

Christmas Parties

East Wintergarden

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20/20 SPEED NETWORKING….THE STORY SO FAR

...WE LET OTHERS DO THE TALKING FOR US TESTIMONIALS – SUPPLIERS

TESTIMONIALS – BUYERS

“The quality of buyer at 20/20 Speed Networking event’s is

“20/20 is a great event, wide choice of different suppliers at all

better than at any event we’ve been to.” - Mike Kershaw, MD

20/20 events I’ve attended. A really efficient use of my time. I’ve

of Concerto Group

recommended it to the dozens of other event organisers and PA’s I know” - Liz Smith, Coca Cola Enterprises

‘I am always guaranteed qualified and decision making buyers at the 20/20 Speed Networking events and am consistently

“I thought the event was really worthwhile, and

happy with the outcome of the meetings, which are with people

I’ve now got so many people I want to meet and follow up with.

who genuinely have an interest in our product and want to

Thank you so much for letting me be part of a successful event.”

do business with us’. - Jackie Boughton, Head of Events,

- Hayley Saunders, Deloitte

Barbican 20/20 networking events are always so useful great suppliers and “The event has been amazing. Met some great new customers

venues all under one roof. The added bonus is that you get to meet

and great new leads”. - Sarah McQueen, Head of Events,

all 20 suppliers in back to back meetings all in one morning. I’ve

40/30 at The Gherkin

made great contacts at these events and business relationship have been formed, it’s the perfect combination for a networking

I have being involved with 20/20 for the past 2 year. In total

event. - Ryan Curtis, DRP Group

we have signed over £200K worth of new business with the companies like IGD , Direct line , Owen James and IMG. I

“Well presented. I have taken away many positives.’ - Jackie

would recommend this product to anyone wanting direct contact

Witter, HSBC

with decision makers in the events industry. - Andy Johnston, Business Development Manager, Blitz

“Would definitely recommend it to many people in my company.

Really useful.” -Valerie Bamford, Barclays

We have been both delegates and host venue for 20/20 Networking events and have always found them to be very

Attending 20/20 networking events, provides me with a deeper

worthwhile. Great use of time to meet some very relevant buyers

insight on suppliers associated with the 20/20 event theme.

as well as quick catch up on what is happening in the industry.

Whether the event is focused on sport stadiums, Christmas party

The organising team are a pleasure to work with.

venues or unusual spaces, the creditable contacts and information

– Andrew Birnie, Head of Events, Café de Paris

I retrieve from those events, is hugely beneficial to share with my peers. - Rob Morgan, Banks Sadler

“It’s been a good event and good value. It’s about the quality of the meetings, not the quantity” - Isla Mckenzie, Head of Events, Ministry of Sound “High quality structured meetings + plenty of networking

TO BE A PART OF 20/20 AND FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.PRESTIGEEVENTSMAGAZINE.COM CALL 01708 737393

opportunities = a very successful and enjoyable day” - Antonia Fagan, Sales Manager, Identilam

‘OVER £100,000,000 (THAT’S £100 MILLION) IN COLLECTIVE EVENT BUYER BUDGETS WAS REPRESENTED AT 20/20 SPEED NETWORKING EVENTS IN 2014’ prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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BEST EVENT LIGHTING IDEAS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Best

EVENT LIGHTING IDEAS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

1. MOTORIZED LIGHTING STRUCTURES Something blow your attendees minds, a motorized lighting structure is a lighting engineer’s dream and can simulate movements and is guaranteed to captivate the imaginations of everyone seeing them. It involves a framework and controlled motors where an event lighting engineer can program the movements. If you are having trouble picturing it watch the video below (its pretty insane)

2. LED BEAM/SPOTS Beams and Spots are moving lights that are the ones you’re probably most familiar with as theyre often used outside of the event world at cinemas and even nightclubs. They are programmed with cues, positions, colors, and patterned movements to add an intuitive feel to event lighting.

3. LASERS

If you are asking yourself if you need lasers at your event forevent lighting, there are many reasons that the answer should always be “YES!” Lasers have the ability to sync with your playlist, be programmed to draw shapes and photos on surfaces, and span across your entire audience whatever the size.

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CAPITALIZE ON VIDEO ENGAGEMENT

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CAPITALIZE ON VIDEO ENGAGEMENT

4 Ways to Capitalize on the Power of Video Engagement Enticing an audience to get them to attend an event will always have its go to’s. Whilst a great website, an event app and competitions are still an essential, video marketing can often fall to the back burners. Media theorist John Berger said that “Seeing comes before words” and video is the preferred communication style for a lot of today’s tech-savvy event attendees.

Seeing a visual update in a fun way, is more appealing than a text-heavy email and video creates a strong impact with connection for any viewer.

Here are the top ways event planners can capitalize on the power of video engagement,

1. REPORT UPDATES AS THE HAPPEN Instagram and Vine allow you to reach your audience on a far more personal level than email has previously afforded whilst giving you the chance to reach new clients, and 15 or 30 second shots can keep attendees up-to-date and socially aware about

2. LIGHTS. CAMERA. PERSONALIZE. Make sure your content is valuable and if you’re selling a product in your booth, create fun, informative short-form videos that walk people through your product and brand. These are meant to be shorter than a product demo so be snappy and make sure to drive home what you’re selling.

3. VIDEO IS KING Video content rules all when it comes to social media today.

Why not use video to promote contests and giveaways taking place at events? Seeing the prizes given away at events and also the winners makes the use of video so much more fun with lots of brands using video to promote their company at events.

4. TELL A STORY! Any video should have two goals – engage with the viewer, and tell a story. Be creative – use music, animation, anything that makes the story compelling and thoughtful. Or create

what’s trending at an event. Through video, you’re allowing a

a Hyperlapse video of your day at an event? There’s a story

visual representation of the event to be shown, so make it count.

behind every brand! prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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5 EVENT TECH TERMS EVERY PLANNER SHOULD KNOW

5 EVENT TECH TERMS EVERY PLANNER SHOULD KNOW Talking to the AV guy can often make us feel inadequate. We may not be able to talk to teenagers anymore but goddamit we’ll try our hardest to make it seem like we know what we mean beyond “make the lights swirl and be red”. Here are a few terms you can drop into light conversation BANDWIDTH In the context of the Internet, bandwidth refers to the volume of information per unit of time that a connection can handle.

LINE-ARRAY SYSTEM Multiple speakers hung in vertical rows. This audio technology provides accurate sound to all attendees throughout a large space such as a ballroom.

MIXER Mixes all the sources of audio (including microphones, DVD, CD and video) into a signal that can be run through speakers.

REAR PROJECTION When a projector sits behind the screen, so all the equipment is hidden from the audience. This works best when a speaker wants to walk in front of the presentation.

STING A short burst of music or fanfare that is often used when someone takes the stage or approaches the podium.

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HOSTING A VIRTUAL EVENT

When and How to Host a

Fully Virtual Event

When potential business partners aren’t in the same city, or even country, a skype call is often a great alternative to a meeting that’ll see you lose valuable hours travelling. But what about when it comes to hosting an entire event virtually?

CONSIDER A FULLY VIRTUAL MEETING WHEN:

Live-streaming events has become popular as technology has

• Cost is an issue. Hosting a physical event comes with a

improved, costs have come down, and planners tap into the

opportunity to reach a much bigger audience. But when does it make sense to produce an event solely for online participation?

Kevin Larstone of Create If, an event production company that predominantly works with corporate clients throughout Canada states “There’s always value in doing a live meeting, but the return on investment is something that can only be measured by how deep a client’s pockets are. If you are plotting your course based on what your audience needs, that will tell you whether you should do a live presentation or a virtual presentation,“ he says. “With either one, the outcome you are looking for is some

• The in-person audience would be small. If the number of people attending your event in person would be much less than those tuning in online, consider eliminating the face-to

face event.

variety of potential costs, and by eliminating the physical event,

resources can focus on creating a high-quality online experience.

• There are logistical issues. For example if you need to inform

multiple offices about a company update, rather than sending

a team around the country delivering a presentation the same

team could contribute to infographic or a video series.

• To produce an effective virtual event:

level of engagement. Just passively providing a feed to an audience without engaging them is a waste of money.”

Here are some of his suggestions for when a virtual meeting may be the appropriate strategy and tips on how to execute

• Model it on TV programs, prep your speakers, try to engage with your online audience and structure content in segments.

Also keep it short! Less than 20 minutes ideally

it effectively. prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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DETOX YOUR EVENT

detox your event Last year saw Kale become a trend. Herbalife is on every street corner and frankly it’s just weird if you don’t have a gym membership in this day and age. It can be easy to drop the health kick when you get to the office and not only stress takes over but the catering options require lying to your personal trainer. Creating healthier menus and breaks is a great start, and here are some additional activities we’ve seen at events with much success:

Create electronic versions of key takeaways – the less paper attendees take home, the less clutter in their workspaces. By creating clean, clutter-free work spaces, workers are more productive and less overwhelmed. Email roundups are a great idea and something we use regularly at our 20/20s.

Take the meeting outdoors (if weather allows) – fresh air and sensory stimuli can reawaken a group, resulting in fresh ideas, inspiration and relaxation.

Include nutrition information on menus and food labels to raise

Short fitness breaks between sessions to help stimulate

awareness of healthy eating.

blood flow and reenergizing meeting attendees. Also a great teambuilding exercise!

West Wing it and hold walking meetings. Plus fresh air is a great stimulant.

Incorporate yoga and breathing exercises as part of the itinerary so attendees go home not only feeling relaxed but equipped

Place health magazines and journals around the common

to better manage daily stresses at work. (These exercises are

break spaces.

especially popular with our sales and internal meetings.)

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EVRYTNG GETTG SHOTR

EVERYTHING IS GETTING SHORTER… Or should that be Evrythng is gtting shrter? Or Everything Shorter? Or even just ‘Shorter?’ We’ve known this was coming since twitter first blew up and sites demanded that whilst they wanted us to make our point we must do so in haste.

So what does this mean for marketing?

Rather than viewing it as restricting many sites are using it to drive traffic through use of GIFS, Shorter clips and graphs that rely on visually compelling features over in depth analysis.

What does this mean for you?

1. ABBREVIATE People don’t have time to hear your waffle.

Keep it short.

2. RELY ON HUMOUR GIFs are at their best when funny. Source accordingly.

3. DON’T RUSH You still want to be memorable. Focus on that image and prepare to make an impact.

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VENUE FOCUS: EGG LDN

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VENUE FOCUS: EGG LDN

THE GREAT

Re-inventor “One of the most quirky and flexible venues in central London. Every room offers a unique experience” - Wesley Mendy, Founder, Prestige Events Magazine, and COOL Venue Awards.

Always keeping design and aesthetics at the forefront, Egg LDN’s recent makeover of the venues garden has allowed for a heated and covered space to be reinvented into a warm and homely, winter ski lodge; an area for guests to socialise and have a drink during the colder months in a welcoming, seasonal environment.

The ability to adapt at this scale is something only a limited

Egg LDN’s recent nomination in DJ magazine’s ‘Best of

number of venues can boast, easily making the transition from

British’ is of no surprise to those affiliated with the dance music

the summer to winter months. The ski lodge will officially launch

world but 2015 also sees the re-emergence of Egg LDN as a respected venue within the corporate sector and amongst the events industry.

The long term success of Egg LDN is down to the ongoing reinvention of its design and look, with the venues versatility enabling it to embrace many types of creative events, easily adaptable to the clients needs. And this is all complimented with expertise held by the entire field of the venue and events

on the 9th December at the annual Christmas Industry party, one of many parties throughout the year when friends and supporters of the venue are treated to the Egg Events hospitality and wowed by the creativity involved.

The rebranding and renovation of Egg LDN’s loft and roof terrace, VR5, and this year’s newly extended 2nd outside terrace, are other examples of the venues continuous strive to stay ahead

management team. In the past 12 months the venue has

in such a competitive market place. Seeking to draw in a wider

proved itself a trendsetter in today’s constantly evolving event

audience offering the most current musical entertainment,

market by continuously hosting both large and small events for

catering trends and themes is of the upmost importance and Egg

the public and corporate sectors alongside the ISES UK annual AGM and a majorly successful showcase.

Recent Industry analysis shows the nightclub industry has taken a 4.7% annual decrease and with the legislation that has extended licensing hours and banned smoking indoors, businesses need to continuously adjust to stay ahead.

Events in association with Egg LDN have nailed this to a fine art.

It’s time to step out of the box and work with a versatile venue with a twist. Let the team lead you into a land of fantasy and fun.

A venue perfect for summer and winter events and designed to cater for your event whatever it may be. www.egglondon.net For enquiries contact samantha@egglondon.co.uk prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: LICK ME

LICK ME

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I’m Delicious

SUPPLIER FOCUS: LICK ME Charlie Harry Francis is the founder of experimental events company Lick Me I’m Delicious. The company specialise in food installations for events centered around their range of fantastical contraptions including the nitro ice cream parlour, edible mist machines and instant logopop machine

Q/ WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING WITH SUCH BIGNAME CLIENTS? Great, we get to do some pretty awesome events.

Q/ WHAT PREPARATION GOES INTO YOUR SERVICE? We offer a no-stress service for our clients - we take care of everything, so they can just leave us to it and get on with their event.

Q/ HOW IMPORTANT A ROLE DOES ‘COOL’ PLAY IN EVENTS? Haha, no idea. Innovation is key for us though, all our machines and designed and built in house and our edibles (be it chocolate, cream, mist or pops) are made using only the finest ingredients

Q/ HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A BIG EVENT DAY? With lots and lots of very boring planning - timesheets, logistic papers, checklists, backups, everything to make sure it all runs smoothly

Q/ WHAT HAVE EXPERIENCED AT ANY EVENT IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS THAT HAS REALLY GOT YOU EXCITED? I’ve been doing a lot of work with levitation recently, developing machines that can levitate alcohol. That’s been pretty exciting

Q/ WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE CORPORATE EVENTS INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS? Well for us, I just can’t wait to have our

Q/ WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOU GETTING INVOLVED IN CORPORATE EVENTS?

chocolate factory built and out there working at events. And the

I sort of fell into it to be honest, I grew up on an ice cream farm

2016 ideas...

and I was trying to invent a machine which could make any

jellybean waterfall of course. Then we can start working on the

flavour of ice cream - which was where the nitro ice cream parlour was born - and the business has just grown from there really and we’re constantly adding new things into the mix we’re working on a portable chocolate factory at the moment and a jellybean waterfall.

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? Google, Sony, Barclays, 3M, John Lewis, London Zoo, all sorts really.

Innovation is key for us, clients are always on the look out for something new for their events prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: DEMON WHEELERS

DEMON WHEELERS

GOES FOR GOLD! This Summer has seen the nation gripped by sport! We watched on as England were knocked out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, witnessed Djokovic claim victory at Wimbledon, cheered on the Tour De France and welcomed the Commonwealth Games to the UK for Glasgow 2014.

As specialists in team building and corporate events, we’ve certainly felt the effects of sports fever!

Our sports-themed

events have been in high demand, proving to be a fantastic way to inspire team spirit, as well as being great fun.

We recently organised a football themed event at Sopwell House in St Albans for KP Snacks. Inspired by the World Cup, the 80 guests were brimming with enthusiasm and enjoyed an action packed day of activities; from hovercrafts and archery to ‘Shoot for Goal’ and a Back of the Net Finale. The sporting fun continued into the evening, as guests had the chance to unwind with pub games that included table football, air hockey and giant Jenga.

Involving the whole family in your corporate event is a great way to boost morale by showing your appreciation to staff and their loved ones. Children and parents (including those who are big kids at heart!) are bound to enjoy a sports day. United Biscuits recently treated 500 employees and family members to a family fun day that included Inflatable Assault Courses, Laser Tag, Coconut Climbing Trees, Fun Side Stalls and even Donkey Rides. The event went down a treat with everyone involved!

With the hot weather set to continue, there’s still plenty of time left to book Summer team building activities or corporate event.

Whether you fancy your very own sports day or something completely different we have over 100 activities to choose from!

Visit our website at www.demonwheelers.co.uk to find out more or contact us on 0114 2700330 / info@demonwheelers.co.uk.

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SUPPLIER FOCUS: EFX

SPECIAL EFX’S GLORY MOMENTS FROM 2014 The presentation in public of exclusively designed, dazzling awards is the glory moment of many a prestigious event. Renowned for creating inspired and memorable trophies for clients around the world, Special EFX reflects on some of those unique and treasured moments from 2014.

The Good Spa Guide Awards was held at Centre Parcs, Woburn Forest

Top exhibitors celebrate at the Elite Recruitment Event, Estoril Congress Centre, Lisbon

Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards held at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly 56

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Festival of Media LatAm 2014 Awards held at Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, US

SUPPLIER FOCUS: EFX

2014 Hertz MotoGP British Grand Prix held at Silverstone

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), presented at the Accra International Conference Centre

The first ever World Branding Awards, held at One Whitehall – Robert Opie is honoured

The Miller Music Tour Soundclash DJ battle, held at one of Vegas’s iconic EDM super clubs

The International Wine Challenge giant trophy, created for 2014’s presentation ceremony at The Grosvenor Hotel

Glasgow City were winners of The Scottish Women’s Premier League football trophy prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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COOL VENUE AWARDS 2015 NOMINEES Welcome to the nominees shortlist for the 8th annual COOL Venue Awards.

Trying to work out ‘who’s COOL?’ is a hard task. It’s a demonstration of which venues are hot, or Michael Jackson would have said ‘Who’s Bad?’ It doesn’t matter how your cloth is cut, the reality is that COOL is the greatest currency any one person or thing can possess. How original, stylish, authentic,, innovative, aspirational is your appeal? So enjoy the list, and remember this list is not just the collective choices of our editorial team on Prestige Events magazine, it is a panel of judges from leading and vibrant agencies such as Zibrant, DRP, Chew Events, Shoutabout London, and Caxton Manor, as well as corporates such as Channel 4 and Pret A Manger.

So here is the COOL list…. (..and don’t forget to follow the #coolvenueawards on twitter and other social media)

COOLest Venue Portfolio

COOLest Hotel Chain

COOLest Venue Portfolio (previous winner: ITA Venues)

(previous winner: Dorchester Collection)

Dorchester Collection

Maybourne Hotel Group W Hotels Rosewood Firmdale Crazy Bear Group Elite Hotels Red Carnation Hotels Millennium Hotels Morgans Hotel Group

COOLest Country House / Historic Venue

Late Night London Concerto Group Lime Venue Portfolio ETC Venues ITA Venues Searcys Q Hotels Inception group Hoxton Hotels De Vere Venues

COOLest Boutique Hotel (previous winner: The May Fair)

The Milestone Hotel Hotel Café Royal Ham Yard Hotel The Ampersand The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn ME London The Athaneum Ace Hotel Malmaison London The Zetter

COOLest 'On Water' Venue (previous winner: Spitbank Fort)

Spitbank Fort HMS President Tower Bridge Pig on the Beach, Dorset Pontoon, St katherine Dock Silver Sturgeon HMS Belfast The Yacht Bateaux London The Elizabethan

(previous winner: Blenheim Palace)

Ashdown Park The Bingham Blenheim Palace Somerset House Tower Bridge Gleneagles Weston Park Luton Hoo Cliveden Tower of London Churchill War Rooms

COOLest Sporting Venue (previous winner: Twickenham)

Emirates Stadium Wembley Stadium Top Golf Goodwood Ascot Twickenham CopperBox, Stratford Chelsea FC Lords Bounce Ping Pong

COOLest for Film Premiere After-Parties

COOLest Conference / Exhibition Centre

COOLest Museum / Gallery

(previous winner: Science Museum)

(previous winner: The O2)

(previous winner: The Roof Gardens)

Café de Paris Cirque le Soir The Roof Gardens The Playboy Club 195 Bafta Aqua Radio Bar at ME London Ace Hotel Indigo 2 One Embankment

Barbican Congress Centre The Crystal The O2 ACC Liverpool QEII Centre Alexandra Palace Business Design Centre SECC Royal College of Surgeons Imperial College

Science Museum The V&A British Museum Imperial War Museum Natural History Museum Museum of Brands National Portrait Gallery London Transport Museum Saatchi Gallery Museum of London White Cube

COOLest for Corporate Fun

COOLest for Awards Ceremonies

COOLest for Gala’s

(previous winner: Mercedes Benz World)

(previous winner: Café de Paris)

(previous winner: Vinopolis)

Harry Potter Studios Alton Towers Go Ape Hot Tub Cinema Center Parcs - Woburn Forest Mercedes Benz World Abbey Road Studios Namco Bounce Ping Pong Top Golf London Zoo

The Hurlingham Club East Wintergarden Roundhouse Warner Bros Studio Tour London Troxy V&A Museum Bafta 195 Piccadilly Royal Albert Hall Café de Paris The O2 The Roof Gardens

Vinopolis Middle Temple Hall Banking Hall Searcys at The Gherkin Rushton Hall The Brewery OXO 2 The Ivory Vaults Royal Naval College LSO St Lukes Dutch Hall

COOLest for Corporate Fun

COOLest for Awards Ceremonies

(previous winner: Mercedes Benz World)

(previous winner: Café de Paris)

Harry Potter Studios Alton Towers Go Ape Hot Tub Cinema Center Parcs - Woburn Forest Mercedes Benz World Abbey Road Studios Namco Bounce Ping Pong Top Golf London Zoo

COOLest for AGM’s

The Royal Exchange 155 Bishopgate QEII Centre Mermaid Theatre Tate Modern Painters Hall Central Hall Westminster London’s Living Room Magna Science Centre Freemasons Hall Royal Horticultural Halls

COOLest for Outdoor Events

COOLest for Receptions

(previous winner: The Orangery at Kensington Palace)

Vinopolis Middle Temple Hall Banking Hall Searcys at The Gherkin Rushton Hall The Brewery OXO 2 The Ivory Vaults Royal Naval College LSO St Lukes Dutch Hall

COOLest for Product Launches

(previous winner: Freemasons Hall)

Ice Tank De Vere Venues Holborn Bars Library Blue Fin The Arch (Marble Arch) The Connaught White Rabbit Studios ETC Venues Wallacespace RICS Wellcome Collection

The Deck Dandelyan, Mondrian Searcy at The Gherkin 195 Bafta The Roof Gardens Hurlingham Club Cutty Sark Sky Garden Mr Foggs Steam & Rye

(previous winner: Vinopolis)

The Hurlingham Club East Wintergarden Roundhouse Warner Bros Studio Tour London Troxy V&A Museum Bafta 195 Piccadilly Royal Albert Hall Café de Paris The O2 The Roof Gardens

COOLest for Small Meetings (previous winner: De Vere Venues Holborn Bars)

COOLest for Gala’s

(previous winner: Saatchi Gallery)

Sky Garden Arcelor Mittal Orbit Tower The Sorting Office Old Billingsgate Saatchi Gallery White Space Altitude 360 The Orangery at Kensington Palace The Roof Gardens The Dairy Arts Centre

COOLest Members Club

(previous winner: Top Golf)

(previous winner: The Playboy Club)

Japanese Garden The Playboy Club The Roof Gardens Mortons Club Top Golf The Groucho Club Borough Market The Roof Gardens The HAC No.5 Cavendish Square Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens Soho House Somerset House 41 Mayfair Mercedes Benz World Home House Center Parcs Adam Street The Ivy St Pauls Cathedral

COOLest Temporary Structure

COOLest Venue Launch in 2014 (previous winner: The Shard Building)

(previous winner: The Pavilion at the Tower of London)

The Sky Garden Arcelor Mittal Orbit Tower Royal Liver Building Ham Yard Mondrian Banking Hall The Loft Swingers LDN Crazy Garden Chiltern Firehouse Dutch Hall

(Grand Excelsior Malta)

Sagrada Familia Serpentine Pavilion Sheraton Huhzou Hot Spring Resort The Deck Burj Khalifa The Fountain Room W Verbier Bloomsbury Big Top Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza Selfridges Roof Garden JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai The Pavilion at the Tower Of London The Rockefeller Building, New York Battersea Evolution The Highline, New York HAC Artillery Gardens Grand Excelsior Malta

Syon Park Tom’s Terrace

Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens

COOLest Bar / Club

COOLest Venue Architecture

COOLest Restaurant, per se

(previous winner: V&A Museum)

(previous winer: Ministry of Sound)

(previous winer: Ministry of Sound)

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard Royal Opera House The Crystal Royal Albert Hall V&A Museum Blenheim Palace Syon House / Syon Park Banqueting House Somerset House Old Royal Naval College

Shaka Zulu Gilgamesh Dirty Martini Whisky Mist Ministry of Sound Radio Rooftop Bar Egg LDN Café de Paris Mr Foggs DSTRKT

COOLest indian Restaurant

The Arthur Somerset Award for exampling event charisma

(new category)

(previous winner: Sir Richard Branson)

Winner to be revealed on the night

COOLest Overseas Venue

Holborn Dining Room Duck + Waffle House of Wolf Tramshed Beach Blanket Babylon Hawksmoor stk at ME by Melia The Chiltern Firehouse Heddon Street Mint Leaf meat liquor

COOLest for Gala’s

(new category)

Dishoom Kenza Mint Leaf Hakkasan Veerashwamy Bonedaddies Cinnamon Kitchen sushisamba Gilgamesh

t

COOLest Middle-Eastern restaurant

COOLest French Restaurant

COOLest Italian Restaurant

(new category)

(new category)

Kenza Yalla Yalla Moma’s

(new category)

Verdi Italian Kitchen - Royal Albert Hall Bunga Bunga Theo Randall Café Concerto Jamies italian Restaurants

COOLest Mediterranean Restaurant

(new category)

Sarastro Iberica Beach Blanket Babylon Copa de cava Mem & Lez, Islington

COOLest Afro-Caribbean Restaurant

(new category)

Shaka Zulu Cottons Caribbean Scene Glistening Waters Mango Room The Rum Kitchen Mango Shack

Brasserie Zedel Balthazar Dining Room Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Sketch Galvin at The Windows L’escargot Les Trois Garcons

COOLest American Restaurant

COOLest British restaurant

(new category)

Hinds Head Bray Lanes of London Bumpkin Roast Thackereys The Guinea The Folly The Parlour Kettners

COOLest Latin American Restaurant

(new category)

Ceviche Peyote Wahaca Gaucho Floridita Barrio East

(new category)

Christopher’s Avenue (D&D) Bodeans Smiths of Spitafields Steam & Rye Meat Liqour The Big Easy Red Dog Saloon

COOLest South American Restaurant

(new category)

Sushisamba Cabana Cerviche Rodizo Rico Guanabara

r

COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE

COOL

VENUE

Architecture

By Stuart Groves of Shoutabout London prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE

People always us ask ‘What’s your favourite venue in London?’ But that’s like asking: What’s your favourite song? What’s your favourite bar?

What’s your favourite position? Amongst other things, it all depends on: Who you’re with, what mood you’re in and what you’re doing at the time.

(alright, slightly biased on that one).

So when we were asked to give a list of venues with the coolest architecture in London, we thought long and hard about how to approach it. Do we just list the above venues, which you all know? And let’s face it, do a pretty ‘C Grade’ GCSE write up on places that have had a thousand more educated men than us waxing lyrical about the designs/decor and structure. I’ve got a friend who is a direct descendant of Sir Christopher Wren.

In terms of stunning architecture: the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal

She’s his great, great (x however many) granddaughter. No,

Opera House, St. Pauls Cathedral, the Royal Naval College and

really! She’s a metal worker. Trust me, you don’t want to p*ss

the V&A. All, literally, jaw dropping when you first enter them.

her off.

This affects everyone, not just people with a PHD in Architecture.

Why?

So what we decided was to stick to our strengths. Here’s our list of some of our favourite spaces in London. Not because of the

Well, one thing they all have in common is size. The width

location, not because of the staff and certainly not because of

and height of the ceilings help create such capacious rooms,

how stunning they look on the horizon. Simply, (and in the true

you can’t help but get that overwhelming feeling of your own

Prestige Events fashion) because of how cool the rooms are.

humanity. It’s like the first time you go to a football match and see

After all, beauty is on the inside.

50,000 people together. Of course, even knowing very little about

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the history of a building, you can still sense it in some places.

THE CRYPT

Certain venues have an aura: St Paul’s, The Tower of London,

Walking into a medieval church is always going to be alluring

Westminster Abbey *coughs* the Emirates stadium

to the child in me. Even if I’m not religious in any way and am

prestigeeventsmagazine.com

COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE sprinting to my thirties faster than Linford Christie after a fresh

your tattoos out for a gig, or wearing a tux and having a 3 course

shot of Nandrolone. It helped that I was told going in that Henry

meal with the unsinkable Molly Brown.

VIII held his three day wedding feast here in 1531. Someone who loves history like me will always get that tingly feeling on the

THE IVORY VAULTS

back of the neck, when I close my eyes and try and picture the

From this list you’ll be able to tell we’re suckers for revealed

past in front of me. The revealed brick work, stain glass windows

brickwork. This venue is well known for the Medieval Banquet and

and stone floor helps immerse you in this history. The lack of

themed nights it hosts, to both the general public and corporates

daylight and beamed ceiling gives it a Da Vinci code mysticism.

- by the way it’s a cracking night out if you haven’t been. Who

We’ve been pushing this place for 18 months now and held three

doesn’t want to scream for more beer and shout ‘WENCH’ whilst

fantastic events.

simultaneously banging their goblet on the table. I must admit I did

ONE EMBANKMENT

flinch for the first hour or so, expecting my mum to slap me round the back of the head (she used to hate me doing that) - The main

When we start to operate our own venues again, this would be

space of the venue is met by several alcoves on each side, making

the type of space we’d want in our portfolio. Exactly what you

the focal point for each table of guests slightly different. Perfect for

expect from the ‘ONE group’: different, top end and as cool

immersive entertainment.

as it gets. This latest ‘One’ venture is sequestered under the Embankment, an exemplification of chic decadence. There’s

THE MAGAZINE RESTAURANT

a 360° balcony overlooking the main space downstairs and an

One of the things that make this the greatest city in the world is the

elaborate staircase for you to do your Kate Winslet in Titanic bit.

juxtaposition between old and new - the Shard popping up on the

There’s a great area for live bands and music, with little pockets

landscape behind the Tower of London for instance.

of extra space for privacy. The best thing about this venue is its

That being said: there is a massive lack of contemporary venues

flexibility. You’d be quite at home dressing down in jeans with

in the capital. That’s why the Magazine restaurant offers something

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COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE so different to other spaces. Almost futuristic in its design, flooded

THE TUDOR BARN (ELTHAM)

with light, with a tiny bit of that brickwork we love so much. It’s

This write up is all about the inside of venues, so I won’t mention

kind of like walking into an extremely expensive kitchen design

the stunning grounds and medieval moat surrounding the Barn

store; it’s so clean and slick. With slightly more provocative

(In fact I’m not going to mention that it’s got a Moat twice).

furniture it wouldn’t look out of place to have ‘Moloko Vellocet’

It’s all that remains of a country mansion built for Thomas More’s

written on the wall.

daughter. Another fascinating historical building that London is so lucky to have. I love the beamed ceilings that are synonymous

THE WALDORF PALM COURT

with these types of buildings. With such a beautiful and flexible

We keep banging on about this space, but - unapologetically - I’m

space, you can see why so many events here are perfectly

going to mention it again. The first time I entered Palm Court, it

executed (oops, bad choice of words).

really took my breath away. Magisterial in its elegance, it’s one of those times you feel really lucky to be in events. You get that “how else would a gal like me, end up in a place like this” moment of selfdeprecation. We finally managed to get an event secured in here last October and that definitely ticked off a top ten on our London events ‘bucket list’.

It’s bright and airy, with not an inch wasted, from its glass ceiling, via its stunning pillars down to its marble floor. I feel like every time I

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LOFT STUDIOS This studio in Willesden offers something cool and a little different (not many venues overlook a graveyard). The oak floors, high vaulted ceilings and white walls, combined with an abundance of natural daylight make it a sought-after location for daytime events. Its warehouse look gives it the kind of ‘Manor house shared accommodation’ feel, so popular with the ‘20 something’

do a site visit here, I should be wearing a toga and carrying a scroll

young professionals of today. Hopefully, there’s a few less bongs

talking about mathematics. In fact, watch this space.

smoked here in the early hours.

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COOL VENUE ARCHITECTURE

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20/20 ‘VENUES WITH 500+ CAPACITY SPEED NETWORKING THEME: VENUES WITH 500+ CAPACITY DATE: 10.4.14 HOST VENUE: ALTITUDE 360 www.altitudelondon.com

SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers requiring event venues that have a hold capacities of over 500 people, meeting 20 likeminded venue suppliers in the settings of the ultra-charismatic Altitude 360, an ideal setting for this themed event and a multi-category winner in the COOL Venue Awards.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Concerto Group, Indigo2 / Eventim Apollo, Edgbaston, One Moorgate Place

Awesome Events / Bloomsbury Big Top, Warwick Conferences, Ministry Of Sound, Altitude 360, Chelsea Fc, Egg London CafĂŠ De Paris, Imperial College, The Brewery, Lancaster London, Old Billingsgate, Demon Wheelers, Saatchi Gallery

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Legalease Ltd, Fisher Productions, Travel Weekly, Energy Uk, Mckinsey & Company

Pearl, Rock & Raven, Flare Communications, 1 Stone Buildings, Hillgate Solutions, Horizon, Drive Productions, Smart Live Eden Essential Events, Concerto Live, Cwt Uk, Crazy Cow Events, Sennheiser Uk Ltd, Chew Events

20/20 ‘CORPORATE DINING AND CATERERS’ SPEED NETWORKING THEME: CORPORATE DINING AND CATERERS DATE: 24.4.14 HOST VENUE: DUTCH HALL www.limone.co./dutch-hall-event-venue/ SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers demanding par excellence and charisma for their corporate dining occasions, speed networking with 20 suppliers with the ability to meet the demands head-on.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Dutch Hall, Stationers Hall, Mint Leaf, Steam And Rye, Tastour, Ita*, Clockjack Oven

Hedsor House, St Pancras Marriott, One Moorgate Place, Chamberlains, One Great George St, The London Kitchen Lifes Kitchen, De Vere Venues, Zafferano, Champagne Welcome

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Crazy Cow Events, Panacea Publishing International, Caxton Manor, Flare Communications Eden Essential Events, The Guardian, Blue Ice Management, Wellbeing Of Women, E2e Events, Conzortea Tradeair Channel 4, Unilever, Pure Events, Mazars, Newsquest Specialist Media, Directline Insurance, Fisher Productions Waitrose Ltd, The Guardian, Willmott Associates, Smith & Williamson

20/20 ‘COOL EVENTS’ SPEED NETWORKING THEME: COOL EVENTS DATE: 14.5.14 HOST VENUE: : UNDER THE BRIDGE, AT CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB www.underthebridge.co.uk SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers requiring the COOLest event venues and services, meeting 20 matched-suppliers in the settings of an amazing live music events venue located under the main stand at the world-famous Chelsea FC. An ideal setting for this themed event.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Top Golf, Megabooth, Demonwheelers, Blenheim Palace, Chelsea Fc, Concerto, Late Night

London, Hurlingham Club, Dean Taylor, Vanity Van, Vega Entertainers, Blitz, Steam And Rye, London Zoo, Partridge Events, Dutch Hall, Egg London, Efx, Optix Events

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Beau Production, Silver And White Occasions, Infiniti Events Management Ltd,

Thinkers Live, Hearst Magazines, 4Ward Communications, E2e Events, Nestle, Caxton Manor, Diageo, Eastville Associates, Department Of International Development, Future Plc, Channel 4, C Soul Media, Tba Plc, Shiv Events, Lynch-Pin Communications, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, The Guardian, Unilever, Esynergy Solutions, The City Uk, Mazars

20/20 ‘EAST VS. WEST ’ SPEED NETWORKING THEME: EAST LONDON VENUES VS. WEST LONDON VENUES DATE: 5.6.14 HOST VENUE: EAST WINTERGARDEN www. canarywharf.com/east-wintergarden/ SYNOPSIS: An extra unique 20/20 Speed Networking event: 20 corporate event buyers requiring event venues meeting 10 venues from East London, and 10 venues from West London. And no better place to kick it off than the diverse East Wintergarden, famed for it’s incredible flood of light. Enough sunshine to brighten up any event organisers morning.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: East Wintergarden, Top Golf, Lso Building, De Vere Venues, Crowne Plaza Docklands

The Hoxton, Cct Venues, Runnymede, Congress Centre, The Roof Gardens, The Drum, Saatchi Gallery, Gallery Soho Egg London, Old Billingsgate, Earlham Street Clubhouse

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Barclays, Knowledge To Action Foundation, Sweett Group, New World, Rssb, Bpm Consulting

Shiv Events Ltd, Grass Roots Group, Grass Roots Group, E2e Events, Mazars, Chameleon Pr, Caxton Manor,Grass Roots Group Imperial College (Offsite Events Division), Flare Communications, Banks Sadler, Shout About London, Chew Events Channel 4, Pearl, Rock & Raven, Unilever

20/20 ‘HERITAGE & QUIRKY VENUES SPEED NETWORKING THEME: HERITAGE & QUIRKY VENUES DATE: 19.6.14 HOST VENUE: : PAINTERS HALL www.lifeskitchen.com/venues/painters-hall/

SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers who stated a need for culture and quirk in the event setting, speed networking with 20 accordingly-matched event venues. And where better to host than at one of the square mile’s most incredible livery halls, Painters Hall, courtesy of Life’s Kitchen.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: St Pauls Cathedral, Lifes Kitchen/Painters Hall, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Ashridge House

De Vere Venues London, Leeds Castle, Historic Royal Palaces, Imperial College, Top Golf, Demon Wheelers One Great George Street, Hurlingham Club, Ita*, Mont Blanc, Banking Hall, Village Underground, The London Winery

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Designers Eye Events, Tonia Inc Pa Services, Cadence Pr, Eventful Ltd, Eastville Associates Directline Insurance, Unilever, E2e Events, Kuoni Group, Caxton Manor, Shout About London, Atlas Travel Solutions Silver And White Occasions, Crazy Cow Events, Blue Ice Management, Standard Chartered, Mawsonia Ltd. Evolve Events, Wellbeing Of Women, Via Events, Banks Sadler, Grassroots Group, Moelis, Sincura Group, Imperial College (Offsite), Factory Media

20/20 ‘PARTIES & EVENTS@NIGHT SPEED NETWORKING THEME: PARTIES & EVENTS@NIGHT DATE: 3.7.14 HOST VENUE: EGG LDN www.egglondon.co.uk SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers requiring THE MOST charismatic and aspirational party and hospitality venues for their events, speed networking with 20 carefully selected suppliers in the settings of EGG LDN, the absolute ideal setting for this themed event. A venue which is as diverse as the buyers on the day.

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Ministry Of Sound, Egg London, East Wintergarden, Senate House, Concerto Group, Indigo2

Demonwheelers, 30 Euston Square, Warner Bros Studios, CafĂŠ De Paris, Megabooth, Zaps Magic, Royal Horticultutral Halls The Roof Gardens, Saatchi Gallery, Blenheim Palace, Blitz, Village Underground, Top Golf, Hawthorn Theatrical Imperial College

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Cambridge Associates, Blue Ice Management, Caxton Manor, Sapphire Systems

Legalease, Reward Gateway, Reed Business Information, Prp Architects, Universal City Conferences, Casbah London Drp Group, The Guardian, Newsquest Specialist Media, Shout About London, Silver & White Occassions, Jam Events Unilever, Bt Sport, Slingshot Sponsorship, Exterion Media, Banks Sadler, Xclusive Touch

20/20 ‘SPORTING VENUES’ SPEED NETWORKING THEME: SPORTING VENUES DATE: 16.7.14 HOST VENUE: EMIRATES STADIUM www.events.arsenal.com

SYNOPSIS: 20 corporate event buyers seeking to add that aura of greatness to their event, speed networking with 20 sporting venues…and what better setting than a club and stadium recognized for the style, class, efficiency , and aura they possess, The Arsenal, and Emirates Stadium. The occasion was hosted in the halls of the beautiful WM club (not named after our publisher, incidentally, despite what he says).

SUPPLIERS INCLUDED: Stadium Experience, Emirates Stadium, Warwick Conferences, Top Golf, Capital Fm Arena

Kia Oval, Lords, Royal Berkshire / Madjeski Stadium, Man City Fc, Chelsea Fc,Roastmaster / The London Bbq, Demon Wheelers, Lancashire Ccc, Leicester Racecourse, Lime Venues, Donnington, Bounce Ping Pong,Twickenham Hawthorn Theatrical, Imperial College

THE 20 BUYERS INCLUDED: Uk Power Networks, Reward Gateway, Rssb, Caxton Manor, Unilever, Thinkers Hq Knights Of London, Full Circle, Cambridge Associates, The Stroke Assocation, Shoutabout London, Drp Group Shiv Events, Incom Tours And Events, Vanilla Bespoke, News Uk, Banks Sadler, Casbah, Remote Pa Services Chew Events, Eastville Associates, Jam Events, Bt Sport

UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX

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UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX

Are you

Responsible?

Are you responsible for meetings, conferences or events of any size? If so, you need to be at International Confex the UK’s leading event for organisers of both national and international events.

hire, registration systems, audience response systems, smart walls, badging systems and event planning software to name a few as well as the new Technovation Station.

The Technovation Station sponsored by Lumi Insight and Rewind FX is a hands-on area, giving visitors the chance to test new and emerging event technologies.

Taking place on 18-19 February 2015 at Olympia London, Confex is an essential diary date for thousands of professionals looking to

Also in the ‘cloud’ you will find the Technology Theatre

source new spaces and places for their next event, with hundreds

that will feature educational sessions on new and emerging

of venues and destinations to compare.

technologies such as iBeacons, Googleglass and other wearable technologies, holographics and projection mapping.

Since 1983 Confex has been a focal point for thousands of event

There will also be hands-on session providing you with latest

buyers seeking venues, destination and supplier inspiration.

tips and tools to incorporate technology into your events more

2015 is no different with hundreds of venues, destinations and

effectively as well as the new Tech Tables session at the end of

suppliers already signed up to exhibit, view the exhibitor list here.

Day 1. View the technology programme here.

SO, WHAT’S NEW?

Tech Tables, sponsored by Mexia Communications, will give you

Up in the ‘cloud’ you will find over 30 technology stands exhibiting

the opportunity to hear from and ask our experts for advice, and

a wide range of products and services including apps, ipads for

guidance the wide variety of event technologies now available.

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UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX The Tech Tables will include: smart walls, wearable tech, Radio-

heritage and evolution they offer superb facilities combined with

frequency identification (RFID) & Near-field communication (NFC)

unsurpassed levels of effortlessly gracious hospitality.

technologies, registration Systems, Wifi, gamification, holographic tech, recharging stations as well as hybrid & virtual events. It will

STOKE ROCHFORD HALL

be a fantastic opportunity to find out if, when and how you should

Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham in Lincolnshire is a unique

adopt the latest or greatest technology for your events.

hotel, conference and banqueting centre with a world class reputation. A superb Victorian country mansion, set within formal

For more and all of the latest show news, visit:

landscaped gardens and 28 acres of parkland, Stoke Rochford

www.international-confex.com

Hall offers an exceptional standard of hospitality, cuisine and

SO, WHICH COOL VENUES WILL BE FEATURING AT THIS YEAR’S CONFEX?

location.

LENSBURY

UNIQUE VENUES OF LONDON

The Lensbury is a 4 star hotel, conference centre and premium

Unique Venues of London is a membership association of 81

leisure club located in 25 acres on the banks of the Thames at

specialist properties within the capital. With a wide selection

Teddington in south west London. 171 bedrooms, 35 meeting

of heritage and unusual spaces, the organisation caters for

rooms, extensive leisure, free parking and Wifi.

everything, from conferences and receptions to fashion shows and exciting live experiences.

NÜRBURGRING With a combination of motorsports events, attractions and

CHEWTON GLEN

venues, the world-famous Nürburgring racetrack is the place to

Quintessentially English, 5-star luxury country house hotels

host exclusive corporate events or hospitality. The Nürburgring

Chewton Glen and Cliveden House are ideal venues for high-

presents a huge range of options – we have a solution for almost

level meetings, incentives and corporate hospitality. Balancing

every personal preference.

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UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX

CHEWTON GLEN

NÜRBURGRING prestigeeventsmagazine.com

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UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX

BOWOOD

WHITTLEBURY HALL CONFERENCE, TRAINING CENTRE & HOTEL 90

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UPCOMING EVENT EXHIBITIONS: CONFEX BOWOOD Bowood, set in 2,000 acres of beautiful Wiltshire countryside has space for a wide range of corporate meetings, events and teambuilding activities. There is a large conference/banqueting suite with private terrace, championship golf course, tranquil spa, boutique hotel and 4 bedroom lodge.

ONE MOORGATE PLACE One Moorgate Place, a beautiful Grade II listed building in the heart of London is the perfect venue for your next event. Our range of versatile rooms showcases the venues stunning architecture and can cater for up to 600.

WHITTLEBURY HALL CONFERENCE, TRAINING CENTRE & HOTEL When it comes to Meetings and Events, we understand how much individuality matters. Our range of benefits are designed to meet your needs, from award winning service and flexible event spaces to our refreshed facilities.

ARDENCOTE MANOR Ardencote Manor is a four star, privately owned and independent Hotel in the heart of the Warwickshire with direct links from London. With 19 state of the art meeting rooms including superfast broadband and LCD screens with Apple TV technology. Other facilities include, car parking, 110 4 star bedrooms, leisure facilities and 83 acres of land including golf course. Team building activities are available.

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REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

Reasons Event

PLANNERS SHOULD BE

ThankfuL This Year

1. FACE-TO-FACE IS STILL THE FRONT-RUNNER.

(particularly in East London were venues are incredibly

Whilst meetings over Skype can be of benefit to international

multipurpose built) it looks like we have entered the era of a

businesses within most industries face to face is still recognised

more creative convention center. As existing venues expand

as having the most impact. American Express recently did a

and cities invest more it Centre’s are really beginning to take

survey concluding that 74% of attendees believe in-person

shape and compliment the areas they’re in. BizBash recently

meetings hold more value than virtual ones. However the same

highlighted new properties that are relying on meeting planner

survey also found that over 30% would still like the option of

perspectives to design more effective spaces.

a virtual meeting. I’m sure it has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to conduct a business meeting in your pyjama bottoms…

4. TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING YOUR LIFE EASIER.

nothing at all

Yep it’s everywhere and often out of battery but it is making things better, quicker, and more easily accessible to your clients

2. NEW HOTELS ARE ON THE HORIZON.

allowing you to not have your time wasted. Even simple apps

The mess 2008 left has shown more signs of improvement with

like Pocket Planner and other organising tools can allow you

a CitizenM Tower of London Hotel and a Tobacco Dock Hotel

to not have to consult a notebook or Filofax whenever you

opening next year. Brighter times are a comin!

need to sort things but rather your always with you Mobile.

Pocket planner in particular lets planners easily determine

92

3. CONVENTION CENTERS ARE ASKING FOR YOUR INPUT.

recommended F&B quantities, safety requirements and

With properties hoping to make more bang for their buck

staffing needs (a must have for us)

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WAYS WEATHER CAN AFFECT YOUR EVENT

WAYS WEATHER CAN AFFECT YOUR EVENT In Britain talking about the weather isn’t just small talk but a national pastime, and in our experience these are the forgotten aspects of rubbish weather that can affect your event.

Make sure they don’t feel hurried and know where they can clean themselves up on arrival.

STAGING The sun can get in your audience’s eyes and completely ruin a

QUEUE PRESSURE

good third of the day which is a major waste of money. Solution

A crowd outside your doors waiting for them to open can very

- If outside make sure the wind direction is in you favour and that

quickly turn sour should the heavens open and rain down upon

your stage doesn’t have the sun set behind it.

them. Solution – Keep at least three golf umbrellas on standby and an intern happy to run to the nearest Primark.

DROWNING DANGER IN CAMPSITES You can drown in only a couple of inches of water and overnight

SLIPPY FLOORS

tented events often include alcohol. Solution - so keep staff aware

Wet outside means wet inside and slippy floors very soon

of people should the heavens open up.

afterwards. Solution - Management and control measures should have been identified in the risk assessment and you can

DRINKING WATER

roll them out when you need to.

People will always drink more water than you expect. Always.

Solution – Overstock. Worst comes to worst you can always stock

EXTRA PRESSURE ON MEDICAL

up the office for a while longer than expected. It will get used!

Weather can affect people badly, be it extreme cold or heat Solution – As much as they’re doing their jobs give them a

STAFF MORALE

helping hand even if it’s just in a cup of tea.

When Staff morale hits a low so can your event, and as frustrating as it may be as a planner it is understandable. Solution – make

AUDIENCE ARRIVAL PROFILE

sure to have regular meetings and a treat at some point for them

Rain can make people look rubbish and arrive late. Solution -

(no matter how small)

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USEFUL WEBSITES USEFUL WEBSITES

USEFUL WEBSITES FOOD AND DRINK Caterers and Party Food www.eden-caters.co.uk www.zafferano.co.uk www.officediner.co.uk www.purplegrapecatering.co.uk www.foodshowltd.com www.liquidchefs.co.uk www.munchlunch.com General Food Retailers www.caleyco.com www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk www.freshfood.co.uk Meat and Charcuterie Specialists www.realmeatco.sageweb.co.uk www.bleikers.co.uk www.blackface.co.uk

www.trainline.co.uk www.orient-express.com www.eurostar.com

Wine, Champagne & Spirits www.bbr.com www.oddbins.com Cheese/Dairy Specialists www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk www.colstonbassettdairy.com Organics/Special Diets www.freshfood.co.uk www.somersetorganics.co.uk Beverage Specialists www.fortnumandmason.com Hampers/Gifts www.presentsofmind.co.uk www.chocolatestore.com www.fortnumandmason.com www.aquascutumgifts.com Deliveries/Takeaways www.deliverance.co.uk www.officediner.co.uk Chocolate and Cake Specialists www.chocolatestore.com www.theorigionalchocolatefountain. com www.jane-asher.co.uk

Event staffing www.rcpromo.co.uk Team building www.leapplc.com www.bluehat-teambuilding.co.uk www.www.sundialteamscapes.com www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk www.topgolf.com www.beargryllssurvivalacademy. com www.swordfightinginternational.com www.demonwheelers.co.uk

www.owen-brown.co.uk www.parnhamfunfairs.co.uk www.igloos.co.uk (luxury loos) www.merlin-fireworks.co.uk Entertainment www.megabooth.com www.krulive.com/krutalent www.tenorsunlimited.com www.partypianos.com www.urbansoulorchestra.co.uk www.zapmagic.com www.swordfightinginternational.com EVENT MANAGEMENT Creative Event Management www.leapplc.com www.shoutaboutlondon.com www.blitzeventsolutions.com www.optixevents.com www.tastour.com www.caxtonmanor.com Social Media www.smileysocialmedia.com Incentive Gifts www.montblanccorprategift.co.uk Venue Finders www.jpeventsltd.com www.shoutaboutlondon.com

FLOWERS www.designerflowersuk.com

Event Speakers www.londonspeakerbureau.com www.speakersforbuisness.com

TRANSPORT

122 94

Limousines www.hcdchauffeurdrive.com

Event Photography www.mattchungphoto.com www.hollywren.com

Rail

Badges, Wristbands, Lanyards

PrestigeEventsGuide.com prestigeeventsmagazine.com

Trophies www.awardefx.co.uk

HOSPITALITY

Outdoor Fish Specialists www.islandseafare.co.uk www.caleyco.com

www.identilam.com

Security www.redcarpetsecurity.com Printing www.c3imaging.com www.gprintsolutions.co.uk Published by MX4 108 Clydesdale Road Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AJ T:+44 (0)1708 737393 F:+44 (0)1708 737389 wes@prestigeeventsguide.com wes@prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsguide.com www.prestigeeventsmagazine.com Copyright of all editorial copy remains the sole property of Mx4 Ltd and may not be reproduced without the prior permission of Mx4 Ltd. All opinions expressed within this publication remain those opinions of the feature writer, and neither Prestige Events or Mx4 Ltd hold and liability or responsibility for those opinions,views expressed or photography supplied.

PRESTIGE EVENTS WINTER 2015 EDITION