What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 27 October 2014

Welcome to another week and we are delighted to announce not one, but two new Awards Ceremonies, one in conjunction with our friends at the CHS Group and one with our fabulous client, The Birmingham Press Club.

So lets start with our first, launching mid-week, it's the MMA Student Awards on behalf of the Birmingham Press Club. As the world’s oldest Press Club, it is only fitting that we should recognise the wealth of young and exciting talent that is emerging in the Midlands media sector.

That is why, as part of Birmingham Press Club’s 150^th anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to be launching the Midlands Media Student Awards.

A spin-off from the Midlands Media Awards, now in their 14^th year, the Student Awards will recognise the progress and achievements of next-generation media stars developing their skills via the fantastic range of journalism courses now being offered by universities in the region.

In the past, a Students and Newcomers category has always featured as part of the Midlands Media Awards. However, the time is now right for the Press Club to take a further step forward and create a special “Oscars” event for the legions of talent now beginning to make their presence felt in what is becoming an increasingly diverse industry.

The media sector is currently facing enormous challenges and traditional outlets are under immense pressure. But I am sure the vitality and imaginative creativity of today’s students will ensure its continued existence – even though a few years from now the landscape may well have changed again! So keep your eyes peeled and don't miss a fantastic opportunity if you are within the industry as there will be more news to follow and, the event will be taking place in March 2015!

Moving on to the other Awards Ceremony we are just around the corner from launching, it's the CHS Awards! 

Scheduled to take place towards the end of April/beginning of May, the Awards are not designed to be a formal black tie affair, but rather an opportunity for venues to network in a fun and informal environment and to try and gain some recognition for aspects of their properties.

The categories have been designed to allow for a complete level playing field and rather than invite the industry to vote, venues will have the option of whether to enter or not and then be judged by a jury of around 6-8 industry professionals per category to determine the shortlist before putting it out to an industry wide vote.

With the exception of the category we are running with Maiden Voyage, all entrants will be UK based and unless demand dictates it, based outside of the M25 – so your regional knowledge will be vital please!

Emma Cartmell, Director of CHS Group said: 

'We’re delighted to launch the the CHS Awards alongside the Conference and Hospitality Show next year.  The awards sit nicely alongside our flagship event that is now established as an show for the meetings and events industry.  The awards will give the industry an opportunity to celebrate some of the UK’s most outstanding venues the evening before the show and we’re delighted to be joining forces with Cloud 9 Event Management to deliver the awards with style.'

Although, that isn't it for this weeks Awards Ceremony updates as The Fresh PR and Fresh Creative Awards are taking place towards the end of the week. Fresh is an independently owned organisation that works in conjunction with a variety of leading industry titles, delivering awards programmes designed to recognise and reward creativity, effectiveness and innovation in the Creative, Digital, Media and Public Relations arena’s in the UK and Ireland. 

Established in 2003, Fresh has quickly become a recognised brand and an important highlight in the industry calendar, with an original approach to awards delivery and a policy of keeping the process of entering awards as transparent as possible. 

So that's it for this week folks, have a Happy Halloween! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 20 October 2014

Welcome to another week and we are certainly in the clouds this week as it's all about flying here at C9 Towers!

Not only are we working with the fabulous people at Cello (more about them later) but we have been really interested to see some of the massive developments airlines are making in terms of enhancing the whole flight experience.

Thomson Airways — which helps define leisure travel in Europe — has thought outside the fuselage when planning its new cabin interiors for its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, bringing the coziness of travel by train to the skies.

There’s lots of talk of intermodal travel these days, but that usually involves one form of transport taking you directly to another seamlessly. Instead, Thomson blends the best of two modes of travel into what promises to be a unique travel experience in the skies.

The leisure airline says this forms part of “a five-year vision to change the face of holiday flying.” It will introduce new, more efficient and comfortable aircraft, add more long-haul destinations and introduce “innovative on-board product and service concepts,.” the airline states.

Thomson Airways announced that it will add two more Dreamliners and take delivery of 47 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by 2020, modernizing Thomson Airways’ fleet as one of the youngest in the UK, at an average age of just five years.

The Family Booth concept in the Thomson cabins would allow parents and children, or friends, traveling together to sit face to face, enjoying conversation and a shared dining experience with a folding table between them.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen the lounge seating concept — in fact it was a feature of the Southwest Airlines cabins for years — but Thomson expressly intends to target this toward people traveling together, which turns the concept from an awkward face-to-face with strangers to a pleasant coming together of families.

Other family friendly features of the new Thomson concepts include treats for the kiddies, which result in a more pleasant flight for the adults. An on-board kids’ club will include Thomson and First Choice child care with “a fully trained member of the crew to help parents keep the kids entertained with arts, crafts and quizzes that relate to the destination,” the airline states.

Thomson has also developed a concept to make flying more pleasant and comfortable for couples as it is introducing a triple seat with a multi-function folding middle seat.Thomson’s Duo-seats are seats designed for lovers; comprising three innovative pod-style seats which become two with a table for champagne, in-seat charging and mood lighting.

The folding middle has was a popular feature in vintage aviation, and still flies on some carriers with an extra-narrow middle in business class, but the full-sized middle will afford Thomson flexibility to sell the seats according to demand from singles. Beyond seating, Thomson has introduced an onboard snack bar where its Premium passengers will find drinks and snacks.

Staying with all things flighty this week, 

Virgin America prides itself on being a nontraditional airline, a characteristic that bleeds into its marketing strategy.

The airline this week uploaded a 5-hour 46-minute video to YouTube that traces the supposed real-time events on a flight from Newark to San Francisco.

The airline, the flight, and its passengers; however, are all fake. The video is a playful way to poke fun at the much-complained-about experiences that travelers endure on some domestic flights. Although the airline wouldn’t share the costs of producing the spoof, it is evident from the video that they were not high. We don't have time to watch the entire thing, but the short version is quite fun!

 And now on to our favourite airliner, Cello, based in Birmingham. If you want to experience the luxury of VIP air travel in the magnificent comfort of your own 46 seat corporate or private charter jet, look no further than Cello Aviation.

Cello Aviation's AVRO ABJ brings convenience, comfort and speed to European VIP private air charter operations, not to mention a product quality that surpasses anything currently in the corporate jet hire marketplace.

Perfect for almost any client requirement including corporate travel, sporting events [for travelling teams or fans], honeymoons or corporate events, Cello's personal service and commitment to client satisfaction is second to none.

The Cello's private or corporate jet hire service is simple - we exist to provide all of our highly valued clients with the best available VIP private jet charter and corporate jet hire options.

We are working with Cello on some very exclusive excursions so watch this space and you could soon be experiencing a whole new level of service and style....

Have a great week and keep flying high....!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 13 October 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 Towers, this week's blog is for all of you chocolate lovers out there, including a Cloud 9 team member (Shannon)

We all know that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but chocolate must come a very close second! With National Chocolate Week this week, making it compulsory (well in Shannon's mind anyway!) to munch your way through as much chocolate as possible without the guilt, this surely is the greatest week of the year.

Chocolate Week, the nation's favourite themed week, returns for a tenth consecutive year, celebrating the world of fine chocolate. This week culminates with the Chocolate Show London at Olympia West from 17 to 19 October, bringing the best of the industry together all under one roof. 

Hundreds of events are expected in this Chocolate Week around the UK, with the country's top chocolatiers and chocolate companies, as well as hotels, bars and restaurants celebrating by hosting talks, tastings, demonstrations and sampling, as well as creating exclusive products, new launches, offers, chocolate meals, cocktails and recipes using some of the best chocolate brands from around the world.

Chocolate Week aims to promote fine flavour chocolate, the independent artisan choclatiers and the chocolate companies who work in direct partnership with cocoa farmers, encouraging consumers to pay a fairer price for their chocolate. 

Whether you adore milk, dark, white or even something a little more creative, we have just the places you need to check out when travelling (or just for fun!).

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel, Bournemouth

This has to be the ultimate chocolate lover's hotel. IT has 13 chocolate-themed rooms and you can even order a chocolate fountain to be there waiting for you. In a Grade II-listed building, the hotel offers free chocolates, chocolate-themed packages and workshops hosted by chocolatiers. Learn how to create the perfect Belgian truffles, try a delicious 'Choctail' at the hotel bar or even immortalise yourself in milk, white and dark chocolate in the chocolate portrait painting class. Their story began back in 2004, when the Wilton family were inspired to set up a chocolate business after seeing the first cascading chocolate fountain. They quickly snapped up the second and Chocolate Delight was soon hiring out fountains for film premieres and celebrity weddings, including Peter Andre and Katie Price's. 

In 2006, the Wilton family saw an opportunity to expand and bought a beautiful but outdated 19 century grade II listed hotel. By Christmas 2007, restoration was complete and the world's first chocolate themed hotel was born. 


Three Ways House Hotel, Cotswolds 

Home of The Pudding Club, the Three Ways has a Chocolate Suite equipped with Faith in Nature products - chocolate shower gel and chocolate soap. The bedroom also comes with free bars of Divine Chocolate and the bed cushions are shaped like chocolates! The hotel runs Divine Chocolate Indulgence breaks and Chocolate lunches and demonstrations every month. 


Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St Lucia

You've seen the shops and the boxes of chocs, now see the hotel. Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is high among the St Lucia rain forest and cocoa groves of the Caribbeans island's oldest plantation Rabot Estate, above. You can walk the cocoa trails before tasting the chocolate in sweet and savoury dishes - including a nine-stage tasting plate from roasted beans to exquisite truffles, caramels and a chilled shot of liquid chocolate - or enjoy choccie-themed treatments in the Cocoa Juvenate Spa. 


The Chocolate Room, Alton Towers

All aboard to embark on a journey of discovery in the travel-inspired The Chocolate Room at Alton Towers. This room is decorated as a railway cabin, complete with sound effect and of course endless supply of hidden chocolates! Sleeping up to six, a stay in the Chocolate Room will keep the family entertained even after the kids leave the rides behind, with activity packs and games. 



The Wensleydale Heifer, Yorkshire

The Chocolate Heaven room is dedicated to lovers of both art and chocolate. Guests are treated to a delicious feast for the mouth and the eyes. Spoiled with homemade cakes, biscuits and unlimited access to popcorn, the unique feature here is the room's very own chocolate masterpiece of the famous Sistine Chapel, adorning the ceiling above the bath. 


Etruscan Chocohotel, Perugia, Italy

As the name suggests, everything about the Etruscan Chocohotel is dedicated to chocolate. Each of the three floors has a different theme: Milk Chocolate, Gianduja Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. The guest rooms are decorated accordingly, with room keys shaped like chocolate bars. In the Chocostore, guests will find the finest products by Construttori di Dolcezze and chocolate-themed gadgets from iChoc. The restaurant's ChocoMenu features everything from cocoa-based appetisers to chocolate desserts, whilst the chocolate breakfast buffet boasts croissants, nutella and a chocolate fondue.

So that's it for this week folks, Sweet Dreams to you all and have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 6 October 2014

Welcome to another week and dare we say it, there are only 79 days to go until Christmas.....and if you take away weekends, then there are only around 55 days left.

So our question is this?

Have you sorted your Christmas Party yet?

If you have, then you should be applauded as we know that often, its left until the very last minute and then the options become limited. If you haven't booked yours yet, then we can help and provide you some options, just give one of the team a call and we can do the rest for you.

If however, you would like to consider some options, then hopefully we can provide you with a little inspiration.

Q Hotels have some fantastic packages at a choice of 21 of their hotels that are sure to get you and the office in the festive spirit! Their events teams have years of experience in party planning and will take care of every last detail to make sure your night is extra special!

Village Hotels are home of the Tribute Night. And what better time to sample the spectacle, the excitement and the sheer fun of it all. Be dazzled by Hollywood themes to Winter Wonderlands, or see your favourite pop or rock star imitator wow you for a night of fun, dancing and entertainment in our Inspiration Suites. Or join them for a festive dinner & disco in the restaurant or a good knees-up in Victory Pub. There's something to suit everyone whether your group is large or small.  

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and art'otel by park plaza can offer a range of facilities for every kind of event. They believe that as our guests you should be able to concentrate on the most important thing, enjoying yourself. Let their team take care of all those fundamental details - no matter how little or large - to ensure your party is an enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Running throughout December, you can join  full-blown Christmas parties or hire the flexible meeting venues at Park Plaza. For a tailor made Christmas party with your friends or colleagues, book a stylish Christmas celebration in your personal event suite. Their city-centre hotels offer all the comfort you need to enjoy the holiday season with your loved-ones. 

 

For a truly unforgettable occasion, Hilton are delighted to offer the perfect destination, a choice of tempting cuisine and sparkling entertainment. Whilst you concentrate on a hassle-free celebration, simply rely on their Christmas Coordinator to take care of all those important details that guarantee your party is a memorable event.

The HiltonNottingham has some amazing All Inclusive Party Nights. Celebrate the festive  season with friends and colleagues and enjoy a delicious three-course meal whilst making the most of the inclusive bar* until 10:45pm. Afterwards, dance the night away with their resident DJ.

Our fabulous entertainment nights are perfect for get-togethers with friends and family or office Christmas parties.
Celebrate Christmas and New Year in style with a choice of menus in the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Face to Face or the Casino Suite.
Why not book to stay over in one of the Crowne Plaza's luxury rooms afterwards?

Christmas in Vegas - Shared Parties

Taking place from Friday 28th November - Sunday 21st December
Enjoy an office Christmas gathering to remember with our Shared Christmas in Vegas party in the Casino suite.
Packages start from £35pp and inlcude the following:

• 5 course celebration menu
• Las Vegas themed room
• Live entertainment from party band TI Funk
• DJ & disco in the Hidden bar until late
• Learn to Play casino games
• Fun Vegas photobooth

We also have a discounted pre-order drinks menu that you can add on to your booking! All details available in the Christmas 2014 brochure. Viva Las Vegas!
Minimum booking of 8 people, max 160. £10pp non-refundable deposit required upon booking. Full balance due by Monday 17th November 2014.

Private Christmas Party

If you're looking for a private get-together to celebrate Christmas 2014, why not hire our Face to Face suite? Select a date that works for you and your guests and create a magical party all of your own.
The lavish design & decor of Face to Face makes it an ideal room for Christmas parties. Catering for up to 120 guests this space includes a bar, DJ area, plasma TVs, stage and Christmas decoration.
Buffet and sit down meal packages available on request. Please contact lswift@aleacasinos.com / 0115 871 9093 to enquire.
Available throughtout December. Minimum booking - 60 people.
- See more at: http://nottingham.aleacasinos.com/event-details/christmas-2014-#sthash.C8StxkFi.dpuf

This year, add a sprinkle of Vegas to your Christmas party and see in the New Year in true New York style - all at Alea Nottingham! Their fabulous entertainment nights are perfect for get-togethers with friends and family or office Christmas parties.

Celebrate Christmas and New Year in style with a choice of menus in the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Face to Face or the Casino Suite.Why not book to stay over in one of the Crowne Plaza's luxury rooms afterwards?

 

Taking place from Friday 28th November - Sunday 21st December Enjoy an office Christmas gathering to remember with our Shared Christmas in Vegas party in the Casino suite.Packages start from £35pp and include a 5 course celebration menu, Las Vegas themed room, Live entertainment from party band TI Funk, DJ & disco in the Hidden bar until late, Learn to Play casino games and a Fun Vegas photobooth.

We hope we've provided you with some ideas, and apologies to anyone who thinks Christmas shouldn't be mentioned until December, but as well know, planning ahead can save countless headaches!

Have a great week!