What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 24th September

Welcome to another week!

As its the last week of September, we are gearing up for a busy October with both The Fresh Awards and the CIPR Northern Conference, so its all hands on deck.

Social Media plays a big part in events these days and during one of our discussions on this subject, the topic of reading came up and just how many actual books we collectively get through now we are in an age when Kindles and ebooks are ever more popular.

 

If you consider just how you now read online, its very different and is ever changing. You may have an ebook open on your iPad, plus your email, maybe a song playing on Spotify, and of course when you find a memorable line in the book, you might want to post it on Facebook.  You also might look a word up online or check a fact or two via Wikipedia.

Kindles are great and make life so much easier: going on holiday you don't have to pack half your case with the latest novels which incurs huge charges at the airport; its portable and light and can store an incredible amount of books online; its much cheaper to download books than to buy them: some authors are now writing exclusively for Kindle - the list goes on.

Of course not everyone is a fan and at The Hay Book Festival back in June, which attracted a quarter of a million people, Kindle owners were told they would not be at all welcome. This  coalition of local booksellers are blaming the Kindle for the closure of 5 local bookstores in the past year and claim that Kindle owners are different from other readers in that they walk around like robots, not noticing their surroundings or interacting with other festival participants!

What was slightly amusing about this was that Google was one of the sponsors of the event - and of course Google sell ebooks!

We are big fans of Amazon here at Cloud 9 Towers and regularly order or download books from the site, both actual books and Kindle versions (although the Kindle versions are cheaper) and whilst we appreciate the many benefits of electronic reading, what do you do with all of those books once you have finished with them?

Yes, you could donate them to charity, sell them online or pass on to your friends, but we think there are some great ways you can use old books without simply shoving them in a an old box ready for your next car boot sale...

Seating plans at events are always a key feature and offer a great excuse to get creative and whilst most formal events require a straightforward seating chart, we love the idea of using old books with bookmarks to guide guests to their appropriate tables. Whilst this image is a little "Weddingy" we think its a great way of using books and by using books with selected titles or of selected genres like Romance, Reference, Sci-Fi or even Thrillers, you can cater for any event and any theme in an effective and stylish way.

The Pages from old books also make excellent table confetti, just get an appropriately shaped hole punch and a few old pages and hey presto, or if you want to use a larger book, then you can even have a go at bunting! It doesn't matter what the book was about particularly, although you may want to avoid including paragraphs about grisly murders if using large hole punches or making bunting - it might well put your guests off their dinner!

Now we are not sure the next suggestion is great or simply bonkers but we love the idea of a Book Broom - especially if you are clever enough to make one from any book about cleaning or the art of housekeeping. Not having a single domestic goddess within the walls of Cloud 9, we like to think that this is a great idea for a book that tells you how great it is to spend your life cleaning! Fantastic!

The greener amongst you might like to take your old books to a recycling plant but if you are the owners of green fingers then we think this is a lovely idea, an old book plant holder. We are sure it involves some plastic and compost and a strict rule about not over watering, but its a cute idea all the same.

If you are feeling festive, then you might try wrapping old books up to boost the stash of presents under your tree - give old books as stocking fillers with a message on the front for your loved ones - or not depending on your feelings towards the recipient!  While hardcore book lovers may have a hard time tearing out the pages of any book, for those less faint of heart, use the pages of your old books to wrap small gifts or to make envelopes, paper flowers or even personalised cards.

Whatever your feeling about books and reading, with the ads currently all over TV for Stoptober, the stop smoking campaign starting in October, we loved this campaign that featured heavily earlier in the year with a book.

An ambient campaign which cleverly inserted a page mid way through several new book releases, with the simple message that as a smoker, your story would end 15% earlier than as a non smoker.

So that's what came up this week at Cloud 9 Towers.  Books and reading. Not a bad way to start a week so when you get the chance, now that the nights are drawing in, turn the TV off, stick the kettle on, and snuggle up on the sofa with a good book. You might just be glad you did.

Have a lovely week!

  

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 17th September

Welcome to another week and this week we are all about decor, decorations, themes and props!

Adding sparkle and those little extra touches to events can make all of the difference and whilst we have some experience in this field and offer a range of items through our sister company www.dazzlingtabledisplays.com we would like to showcase a few of the great themes currently on trend, to provide you with some inspiration for your next event, no matter what the occasion!

With Chocolate Week around a month away, the nation’s favourite themed week returns for an eighth consecutive year in October and culminates with the deliciously indulgent consumer show, Chocolate Unwrapped at the LFM, Covent Garden on 13th & 14th October. Chocolate Unwrapped will feature more than 70 exhibitors, including top British chocolatiers and chocolate companies as well as international chocolate makers from around the world. Taste fantastic chocolates, view chocolate sculptures and eat in the chocolate cafe.

So what better theme than Chocolate for your next event? 

You could go all Willy Wonka and have themed invitations, and decorate your room with coloured sweets and as much colour as you can find, from gumballs to giant lollipops.

It's an easy theme to carry through as the props are easy to recreate and inexpensive to hire, and, if you really want to push the boat out, then you could even build your own replica Wonka Boat or Glass Lift! 

So get down to your nearest DIY centre, chop up some ply wood and get your paint brush out. Easy! 

Another advantage of using this theme at present is the current trend for Candy Buffets at events. These colourful displays make great talking points at events and whilst you can hire a company (there are several great ones around) to come and deliver, its just as easy to make your own. Get several glass vases, jars and glasses of varying size and fill them with a range of sweets and chocolates remembering to be colourful and creative!

Now that X Factor and Strictly are back on our screens, you can tell its the countdown to Christmas and whilst we promise not to focus on Christmas for a while (again), the return of terrific tangos, wonderful waltz's and rousing rumbas offers a great excuse to throw on your dancing shoes.

Think Glitter Balls. Everywhere. On the ceiling, on tables and as decor for the event as well as on your invitations. Get your host to be a Brucie or a Tess and make sure you give all of your guests a strictly dress code so that the ambiance of the event remains in tact.

Get lots of silver streamers and door hangings to decorate the room and don't be afraid of glitter, glitter and more glitter. A local children's face painter can probably be persuaded to come along and offer a glitter booth where guests can have their own stars and glitter added to faces, arms, chests you name it! 

Have a silver balloon arch as an entrance or setting for photographs and make sure all of your table numbers look a little like the judges score cards.

Use Silver plates or charges and sprinkle glitter over the tables for extra sparkle.

It doesn't matter if your guests are as bad at the Chicken Dance as they are at the Cha-Cha - a local dance instructor will normally come along cheaply and provide some great entertainment for your guests with a quick lesson.

Or if you are feeling really brave, you can always get some of those great Dance Floor Feet, placed on the floor and let your guests have their own impromptu dance competition!

 With the limited release of the Magical Mystery Tour, the restored and being shown on the big screen for the very first time, including some never before seen footage and interviews, then a Beatles Party is ideal! A strictly limited number of screenings will take place from 18th September in the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Italy, and Mexico.

But if this particular Beatles genre is not for you, then there are a whole host of other options available to celebrate these great British icons.

You could have an Abbey Road invitation for guests and even recreate the famous crossing on the floor to welcome your party to the venue. Take pictures of guests as they enter, four at a time, on the crossing which will make great soveneirs of the evening.

A local photographer on hand to capture guests as they enter and staged shots which you can replay through the night will add to the atmosphere and provide a real air of authenticity to your event. 

You could even take it a step further, if you will pardon the pun, and make the whole event a Black, White and Red theme, with the Beatles images played throughout the night on a screen, in Black & White. Get the guests to dress approrpriately whatever era you decide to dedicate your Beatles theme towards.

 

For table numbers use either  some old records and change the centre labels with the table numbers on, and the name of a Beatles record, or even use Cardboard Guitars to mark each table - cheap and easy to do and highly effective!  

Old records, picked up cheaply at car boots, also make great chargers for guests and again you can personalise them with a suitable record, to match the guests or their tables.

There are loads of different decorating ideas available on a Beatles Theme but if you are looking for a cheap but chic option, then why not cut out large letters to make up the names of key songs from the Beatles catalogue and attach them to fishing wire so they seem to float around the room. Or, you could hang images from the various Album and Singles titles from the ceiling, or attach the to the walls to give a real taste of the band over their long history.

Play the music, hire a tribute band or just indulge in a good old fashioned sing-a-long, as there has never been a better time for a Beatles themed party.

You could also have a bash and play Beatles Bingo, Beatles Word Search or have a Beatles Quiz and of course, you cannot have a Beatles themed party without Strawberry (Fields) Cupcakes....

And the music? Well, that kind of takes care of itself!

So there we go, our top three ideas for parties and events currently on trend!

Of course, if you need some inspiration, then you can always give us a call and we can style your next event.

Have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 10th September

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9!

We’d like to remind you about our free venue finding service this week and although we have been providing this service for over eight years, it’s something which we rarely shout about.

As it’s increasingly popular with our clients, saving them time, and money, we thought we would share some of our great venue finds around the UK and abroad.

So in addition to our Daily Recommendation which we post on Twitter via our “Venue Tip of the Day” at 12.30pm Monday to Friday, we thought a focus on a particular destination would be handy.

And, where better to start than in our own city of Nottingham!

Nottingham is a great location for conferences and meetings as its well served by road and rail networks and being so central, is very accessible from the rest of the UK. 

Visit Nottingham for a weekend break in England's green and pleasant land or a day out with the kids at top attractions. See world class sport, amazing live performances, excellent nightlife and cutting edge art in some outstanding venues.

Get a taste for fine dining at the end of a hard day’s shopping.  Browse the freshest local produce in traditional market towns.  Hear legendary tales of Robin Hood and experience Sherwood Forest, stories of castles torn apart by civil war and the rumble of industry that built a city around Nottingham Lace.

Here are our top venue picks from Nottingham and the surrounding area:

Nottingham Hilton Hotel

This Nottingham hotel is a beautiful Victorian building situated in the heart of the city centre, with contemporary décor and furnishings throughout the interior. Featuring a 60 foot indoor heated pool with Jacuzzi - the longest hotel pool in the city - a fully equipped Living Well health club and fitness centre and a business centre for corporate events and business guests, this unique Nottingham hotel is a delight for guests visiting historic Nottingham on business or to take in the sights and sounds.

Step into Nottingham restaurant Nicholson’s Bar and Diner and enjoy modern and stylish American cuisine in an upscale diner setting, perfect for group dining or intimate romantic meals. Choose delicious cocktails from the extensive drinks menu and relax before a sampling the popular and lively night life that Nottingham has to offer.

Great for conferences and events, its City Centre Location makes the Hilton ideal for any event, with its 10 meetings and function rooms. This Nottingham hotel also houses the Wembley Suite, which can hold up to 200 guests/delegates for a special event or conference. The hotel can also provide a large space for dance floor, dedicated event co-ordinator, high quality equipment, business centre and WiFi access in selected areas.

The Park Plaza in Nottingham City Centre is another great venue. With 12 air-conditioned meeting rooms with neutral décor, comprising a generous conference suite on the 11th floor with panoramic views of the city, adjacent to the Vista Suite which can be split into five syndicate rooms, and the Park Suite with outdoor terrace on the first floor. This modern hotel also offers comfortable guest rooms, a fitness suite, lobby bar and the award-winning Chino Latino Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar.

Whether you're hosting a conference or business seminar, entertaining colleagues or associates over lunch or dinner or celebrating a wedding or anniversary, Park Plaza Nottingham is the perfect venue for your upcoming events.

Another favourite of Cloud 9 is The Nottingham Belfry. 

From its ultra modern design to its enviable location just 1 mile from the M1 and 5 miles from the city centre, The Nottingham Belfry is a stylish oasis of magnificent proportions. When it comes to hotels in Nottingham, the Belfry has it all covered. The geometric design of the building with its walls of glass, coupled with a plush, contemporary interior makes for one very special hotel experience.

Helping to cement its reputation as one of the best Nottingham hotels around, the Nottingham Belfry boasts a luxurious spa that will have you floating up to your room on a cloud of sweet smelling loveliness! Master therapists provide an extensive list of delicious treatments and packages for you to indulge in.

A versatile Nottingham conference centre, it’s an ultra-convenient, flexible and accessible Nottingham conference centre, just 1 mile from junction 26 of the M1. Stylish and modern, with fantastic facilities, The Nottingham Belfry has the environment and acoustics conducive to a fantastic conference, meeting or event.

 One of the largest banqueting and conference venues in Nottingham, with the capacity to host up to 700 delegates in the Admiralty Suite, there are a total of 13 meeting rooms on site, with Free and unlimited WiFi for all guests and visitors.

If you are looking for somewhere outside of the city, yet only a stones throw away then our next suggestion might be the one for you. Colwick Hall Hotel is a magnificent Palladian style Georgian country house mansion nestling in over sixty acres of parkland. A historic building dating back to Saxon times and once the ancestral home of Lord Byron.

Located just two miles from Nottingham City Centre, Colwick Hall is a grade II* listed manor with a grand entrance overlooking Nottingham racecourse offering exquisite facilities. From the award winning Georgetown Restaurant, 1776 The Grand Ballroom ~ hugely popular for grand weddings, several function rooms for meetings and conferences and private dining, through to the Lakeside Pavilion ~ a grand marquee within the grounds of Colwick Hall overlooking the lake.

From the intimate George Stubbs for seating on 10 people to the Lakeside Pavilion for product launches and exhibitions for up to 500 delegates at a time. Colwick Hall is determined to make a difference to your event.

If you are on the look out for something a little out of the ordinary then Trent Bridge might be worth look and the famous Cricket Ground has excellent conference and meeting facilities. People host their event at Trent Bridge for the same reasons they come and watch cricket - The friendly atmosphere, the unique historic charm, and the polish and professionalism – in short, a place where you can sit back, relax and be entertained without a care in the world.

Unlike a cricket match though, you set the score at Trent Bridge. Whatever the event, the team at the venue are first class and nothing is too much trouble, no order too small or too tall. From the food to the room layout to the order of play!

Don’t forget to look at our Daily Venue Tip and in October, we’ll be all about destination  Leeds…

Now a few dates for your diary in October..…

 

4^th October      The Fresh Creative Awards, The Midland Hotel, Manchester

5^th October      The Northern Ireland PRide Awards, Titanic Belfast.

11^th October    The East Anglia PRide Awards The West Wing, Bury St. Edmunds.

18^th October    The Some Comm Awards, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Manchester

19^th October    The Cymru Wales PRide Awards, Hilton Hotel, Cardiff

26^th October    The North East PRide Awards, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead

31^st October    The CIPR Northern Conference, Leeds Metropolitan University


Have a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3rd September

Welcome to another week and it feels a bit like we are all back to School!

August has been and gone and whilst much of the Summer has been dedicated to all things Fresh, the CIPR Northern Conference will be upon us before you know it.

Also now that "silly season" is over in the media, it's time to start looking at some of the great events and activities available to the industry over the coming months.

Whatever your needs, there really is something for everyone and despite all of the doom and gloom that continues to dog the press, we have a genuine feeling that things are on the up here at Cloud 9 Towers. We've some new exciting projects on the horizon and lots to look forward to, as well as maintaining our free venue finding service, which continues to be a valuable resource for our clients.

Don’t miss the UK’s biggest event for PAs, EAs & Office Managers - office* returns on 12-13 September 2012 to the new venue of National Hall, Olympia. With its mix of innovative products and services, networking and inspiring seminars, make sure you attend for what’s set to be the biggest and best show yet. With Over 175 exhibitors offering everything from stationery to business travel, training to corporate hospitality, there is also a great opportunity to learn essential skills in the 50 educational and inspirational sessions presented by the best speakers and trainers in the country. Additionally, all delegates can source everything you need in one dedicated area – including the NEW HBAA Village, NEW office* Interactive Theatre, and the returning AIM Accredited Destination & Venue Village. http://www.officeshow.co.uk/  It's free to attend so get yourself registered now! 

The CIPR Northern Conference is a must for anyone in PR and this incredible event will take place at The Rose Bowl, Portland Crescent, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3HB on 31 October 2012 with a “Fit for the Future” theme. The focus for this year will be centred around the changing face of the PR industry and how equipped we are to tackle the increasing challenges that lay ahead. Whether it is understanding and keeping ahead of the continual changes in the digital and social media sectors, making the leap to being a sole practitioner or starting your own consultancy, or making sure you have the skills, gravitas and confidence to reach the top; the 2012 Northern Conference is one you cannot afford to miss. There will be a packed schedule this year and a choice of interactive workshops as well as several keynote speakers, all of whom are at the top of their game. Delegates will also be able to enjoy the great facilities available at The Rose Bowl, a stunning prestige building with great views of the City of Leeds. Please email paula@cloud9em.co.uk to book your place or book online via Eventbrite http://ciprnc2012.eventbrite.com/

 

Renowned for facilitating business and interaction between sponsorship buyers and sellers, Think!Sponsorship is back on 14th November, at Stratford Circus, London.  Titled 'Forward Thinking' the event looks at sponsorship in a post Olympic Games landscape and will discuss, debate and analyse sponsorship's Olympic Winners and Losers, trends such as vertical ownership, education sponsorship, the future of alcohol sponsorship, commercial CSR and much more! The speakers' list includes high calibre experts like Matt Brocklehurst, Product Marketing - Mobile Advertising at Google, Tricia Thompson, Director of Cycling, BSKYB, Des Violaris, Director UK Arts & Culture, BP, Ilona Harris, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Tate and many more. Although not cheap to attend, a very valuable and interesting event for anyone looking to secure sponsorship. http://www.thinksponsorship.com/

We end this week with some exciting if somewhat scary news! We are off to see the premier of "When the Lights Went Out" which has been produced by our friend Bil Bungay.

The story is based in Yorkshire, 1974. Britain is in recession, the oil crisis and black outs loom large. The Maynard family move into their dream house, only to find a "presence" already living there. Len, Jenny and their daughter Sally must struggle to keep their already-fragile family together as they are attacked by poltergeists. Soon it becomes apparent that Sally is their main focus of attention. The house becomes a living nightmare. They must exorcise the evil spirits for them to survive.

Not only are we are off to the premier but we also get to visit the actual house...scary stuff!

Hopefully, we will back next week so have a good one everyone and enjoy!