Friday 21 November 2014

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 24 November 2014

Welcome to yet another week at Cloud 9.

As always, it's a busy week ahead. but we thought we'd give you an insight of what exactly Rubina and Shannon got up to in EIBTM last week. For those of you who are true Cloud 9 supporters will already know all about EIBTM, but for those who aren't (!)... 


EIBTM is the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, taking place in the award winning business and tourism destination of Barcelona. The event gathers over 15,000 industry professionals for three days of focused access to a dynamic business environment, thought provoking professional education and business networks. 

EIBTM not only provides networking opportunities during its exhibition hours; After exhibition hours, networking and business go on as meeting professionals connect in different ambiences. 


As hosted buyers, Rubina and Shannon were lucky enough to be spoilt by Accor and Moulden Marketing. After a long, tiring, insightful day Tuesday, Rubina attended the Pullman Skipper party at ’The ‘Le Club’. On arrival they were welcomed with a drinks reception, but once you headed in to the club, you was instantly thrown back in to the 50’s. With everything from a vintage Cadillac to a swing band – Accor got it spot on once again. Even the ladies were treated to a mini hair treatment with some local senoritas giving the girls classic up do’s that fitted with the theme of the party.

We can’t wait to see what the 2015 Accor party has in store!


However on Wednesday after the exhibition, Shannon attended Moulden Marketing's exclusive evening event at Barca del Salamanca where Catalan Tapas, local wines and meat/fish platters were served. 

The evening was attended by around 40 buyers/guests and a number of Moulden Marketing's partner co-hosts which included the likes of ConferenceWise Group, Dublin Convention Bureau, Korea MICE, Accor, Martins Hotels, Camden Court Hotel and many more. Needless to say, we were extremely well looked after and Shannon has now decided to go on an eating strike for the next couple of weeks! 


Additionally, Shannon joined Moulden Marketing on their familiarisation trip to explore the beautiful city of Madrid and what they have to offer for the industry. 

The trip included an overnight stay in the Hotel Auditorium and AC Palacio de Retiro, dining at the La Posada de la Villa, Hotel Santo Mauro and El Corral de la Moreria and activities such as an iPad Challenge around the city, watching the Flamenco Show and site visits of a number of great venues.

To conclude, we'd like to give a massive thank you to both Accor and Moulden Marketing for giving us the opportunity. Also in a result of attending the EIBTM we would highly recommend anyone within the meetings and incentives industry to attend next year, but don't be confused as they have now changed the name to IBTM World.

That's all for this week folks, enjoy!

Monday 17 November 2014

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 17 November 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and most of the team are floating around to many different places and events! 



As mentioned in our previous blog, from last week, we told you all about the EIBTM event which is taking place in Barcelona from Tuesday to Thursday! Rubina and Shannon are attending on behalf of Cloud 9 this year, and Shannon has very kindly been invited by Moulden Marketing to join the post-event to Madrid.


In the meantime, Paula is off to the Palace Theatre in Manchester for a showcase of hotels and venues from Leeds Hotels & Venues Association (LHVA) and then to join CHS to watch Northern Ballet's performance of Cinderella. 

Hotels in Leeds is owned by the Leeds Hotel & Venue Association (LHVA), a membership organisation covering a wide cross section of all the best hospitality brands the Leeds city region has to offer. The benefit of booking via our website is that you are dealing direct with the hoteliers and not through a third party website. You will find a range of accommodation from boutique and beautiful to grand and majestic so there really is something for everyone. Leeds Hotels and Venues Association collectively provide everything from 4000 bedrooms, venues for 1200 delegates, unique locations and intimate settings to action packed team- building and incentive programmes.

However, that isn't all from us this week, as last week saw the launch of two of our inaugural award programmes! Firstly, we launched the MMA Student Awards, on behalf of the Birmingham Press Club...

To celebrate the historic 150th Anniversary of the Birmingham Press Club in 2015, a new awards programme has been introduced which recognises the talent of tomorrow in journalism and broadcasting.

Working with all of the leading academic establishments throughout the Midlands, Students are invited to enter the MMA Student Awards 2015,  in order to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and flair in either journalism or broadcasting in any of 11 categories.

Covering everything from Fashion to Food, Social Economics to Sport, the categories have been chosen to allow Students a real platform to showcase their passion for a particular subject matter or topic, irrespective of the outlet they choose to use.

Entries are invited in to the MMA Student Awards on any of the topics listed, completely free of charge, and the subject matter must have been written, filmed, blogged, produced, broadcasted, posted online or photographed between Wednesday 01 January 2014 to Friday 23 January 2015.. 

Ed James, Chairman of the Birmingham Press Club said...

"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 150th anniversary celebrations, I am delighted to announce that in 2015 we will be launching the Midlands Media Student Awards.

A spin-off from the Midlands Media Awards, now in their 14th 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!

My sincere thanks go to universities in the Midlands for supporting our Awards – and may I also say “good luck” to everyone who takes part."

Additionally last week, we launched the CHS Awards on behalf of our good friends from CHS Group. This awards programme provides hotels and venues with a unique opportunity to showcase their facilities, compete in each of the 12 carefully chosen categories and be nominated at the Award Ceremony taking place on Thursday 30 April 2015 at The Queens hotel, Leeds.

With guaranteed exposure to a receptive audience of hosted buyers, an industry seal of approval for a job well done, a great platform for promotional marketing and first rate networking, the Awards are open to any hotel or venue outside of the M25.

Judged in two key stages by leading industry professionals and then by agency decision makers, these Awards, which will be fun, fair and credible, will also offer the perfect environment for entertaining clients and customers alike in a relaxed setting.

There’s no overpriced Black Tie dinner to worry about the cost of either, instead it will be an informal supper, with a snappy ceremony recognising excellence, followed by first rate entertainment.

We are inviting entries so there is no pressure to be a part of the programme, However, The nominees will be announced on 24th March 2015, the day of the Conference and Hospitality Show 2015, giving you something great to shout about on the day!

Increase your brand exposure, have a real platform for PR as part of this exciting and innovative programme.

Emma Cartmell, Director of CHS Group said:

'We’re delighted to launch the CHS awards alongside the Conference and Hospitality Show next year. The awards sit nicely alongside our flagship event that is now established as a 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.'

The CHS Awards 2015... we'll see you there!

So that's all from us this week folks, enjoy!

Monday 10 November 2014

Whats Floating Around Cloud 9? 10 November 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we hope you all had a great weekend!

Next week two members of the team are off to EIBTM in Barcelona to talk international business and widen their knowledge of worldwide venues. With our FUSE service expanding and lots of new business to talk about this will be a positive experience for the girls which we highly recommend.


EIBTM is the place to grow your business in the meetings, events, conference, incentives and business travel industry.  Through highly-targeted introductions, EIBTM brings you face-to-face with the right people in the right organisations, to build relations, develop your business and expand your knowledge.

EIBTM attracts over 15,000 industry professionals to Barcelona every year. Their unique Hosted Buyer Programme and exciting Exhibitors bring global business under one roof for a busy three days. By attending EIBTM, participants efficiently and effectively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and keep abreast with the latest developments in the Meetings industry.
Who Exhibits
 
3,000 global brands and suppliers representing over 150 countries essential for your meetings, conferences, incentives and events.

  • Airlines & Cruise Lines
  • Attractions & Entertainment
  • Business Travel Suppliers
  • Conference & Meeting Venues
  • Convention & Visitor Bureaux
  • Destination Management Services
  • Event Support Services
  • Hotels,  Resorts & Spas
  • Incentive Destinations
  • National Tourist Organisations
  • Professional Conference Organisers
  • Sporting and Gaming Venues
  • Technology Providers
  • Travel Agencies
  • Travel Management Companies
  • Trade Associations / Media


Who Attends
 
Hosted Buyers
 
Over 4,000 high quality buyers and top level decision makers attend EIBTM on the Hosted Buyer Programme. Buyers can apply online via the website or are invited to apply as part of a group and must fulfil our qualification criteria for placing / having responsibility for international events.


Trade Visitors

Over 5,100 Trade Visitors including 244 members of the International Press attend EIBTM from around the globe, representing over 67 countries.  Attendee Profile

Hosted Buyers and Trade visitors include all those involved in the planning, budgeting and management of meetings, event, conferences, incentives, conventions, training and other events, as well as business travel.

  • Business Travel Management Companies
  • Corporate Organisations
  • Destination Management Companies
  • Event Management Companies
  • Incentive Agencies
  • Independent Meeting Planners
  • International Associations & Societies
  • Live Events & Experiential Agencies
  • Not For Profit and Government Organisations
  • Professional Conference Organisers
  • Venue Finding Agencies



With Shannon off on a post EIBTM Familiarisation trip in Madrid with Moulden, Paula jetting off to Malta for more of the same with Corinthia Hotels and Rubina flying out to Jamaica with Sandals and the end of the month we can certainly see November being a educational month. 

Cloud 9 just got intercontinental - Pop back next week to see how we got on.



Monday 3 November 2014

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3 November 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we hope you all had a Happy Halloween Weekend! 

After an extremely busy week, last week, running two consecutive Award Ceremonies in Manchester, then a rather relaxing weekend for us all, we're off to Leeds for the Sporting Venue Showcase 2014. 

Exhibition and Event Organiser for the MICE Industry CHS Group, have launched their second annual Sporting Venue Showcase, in partnership with Stadium Experience and Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds. The event which is being held this evening, Monday 3 September at Headingley Carnegie Stadium is designed to introduce Corporate Meeting and Event Planners and Agencies to sales teams from some of the UK's finest Sporting Stadium. All sporting venues including cricket clubs, football and rugby clubs are invited to exhibit and showcase their match day and non match day hospitality. 


Emma Cartmell, CHS Group Director said: "We were overwhelmed by response to our inaugural 2013 Sporting Venue Showcase from both exhibitors and buyers. There is nothing like this in the UK and we find that buyers really appreciate the opportunity to meet with venues from around the UK in one evening to update their venue knowledge and understand the variety of events that Sporting Venues can accommodate."

The evening starts with a drinks reception followed by a mini-exhibition. The guests will then be entertained by our Managing Director, Paula Kelsey by dinner and a prize draw. Paula Kelsey will speak about matching venues to an event brief, venue negotiation and making the events budget go further. 

Rachel Betts Conference and Events Business Development Manager at Leicester Tigers who are exhibiting for the first time said: "We always exhibit at CHS Group's Independent Venue Showcases and find these are great for getting us in front of buyers that we would not normally meet. The Sporting Venue Showcase is a perfect fit for us as it allows us to showcase our Match day offering too."

Also this week is the World Travel Market, which is taking place in London from Monday 3 - Thursday 6 November. World Travel Market is celebrating its 35th event and over the past three and a half decades WTM has established itself as the event where the industry conducts business its deals.This is the leading global event for the travel industry - it's a vibrant must attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It's a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business. 

There are a number of different elements to this event with a number of different activities going on throughout the few days, for example on Tuesday the highlight is thUNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit. At WTM 2014, the UNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit focused on 'Tourism and Mega-Events: building a lasting legacy'
Tourism and mega-events are closely interlinked in today’s globalized society. Many of those participating in mega events are tourists while mega events have an enormous impact in all the components of the tourism value chain of the host destination (s).
Beyond the immediate impacts of mega events in terms of investment, infrastructure development, namely accommodation and transport, urban development or regeneration, employment generation and brand exposure there are a number of legacy impacts that should be associated with hosting a mega-event. These include:
  1. building national unity and pride through community involvement
  2. improving the capacity to attract private investment
  3. forming a better prepared workforce
  4. achieving a strong positioning or reposition of the brand of the host destination(s); and
  5. transforming a tourism destination (s)
However the Wednesday hosts WTM World Responsible Tourism Day. This is the one defining day in the year that travel companies, destinations, organisations, employees and suppliers come together across the world in a remarkable expression of this new way of thinking.

They aim to inspire, push the boundaries, question long held beliefs and opinions, and highlight good practice. Key debates and workshops on crucial responsible tourism issues facing the industry today are both challenging and provocative. WTM World Responsible Tourism Day 2014 will be no exception.

Last but by no means least, Thursday features exclusive seminars and speed networking sessions including a variety of speakers and influential figures from in and around the travel industry who offer the latest insights, trends and invaluable knowledge. 

Well, we think that's enough for this week folks, have a fantastic Bonfire night on Wednesday and we hope to see you here again next week. Enjoy!