What's Floating Around? 30 January 2017

Welcome to another week and thankfully after the mania of last week and judging for the Fresh Awards it should be a little quieter here at Cloud 9 Towers this week.

Having said that, all of our Ambassadors are descending on the offices on Tuesday for a catch up and team meeting. We are also going to partake in a little team building activity so it won't be that quiet after all! 

If you haven't had the chance to check out our amazing Ambassadors yet, please make sure you take a look at our team page.

Fiona, our South East Ambassador is off to Confec Red in Venice later this week. In an exclusive and intimate results-oriented business setting, CONFEC Red 2017 brings together the United Kingdom’s top agencies, corporate and incentive organisers to meet with international major and emerging hotel chains, individual properties, unusual venues, convention bureaux, tourist boards and DMCs to participate in a series of one-on-one

meetings over two dedicated business days.

Set on the peaceful banks of Giudecca Island, the Hilton Molino Stucky is a former flour mill refurbished to become a unique hotel. This Venetian masterpiece, with its contemporary décor, elegant furnishings and views of the town and the canal, will make the most of her stay by offering the services you need, the amenities you expect, and the extras you deserve. We are just a bit jealous here at HQ! 

It's not all fun though as throughout the event, attendees meet senior level executives in top agencies, corporate associations and suppliers during meals and other planned networking activities.  This fosters communication and cross sharing of ideas, best practices and future business relationships.  Taking networking to a whole new level, they have a fun evening planned during the social networking activity!

It remains to be seen whether Fiona will find time for a gondola ride whilst she is there as she will have a busy schedule and lots of appointments with suppliers.

Confec is just one the international meeting events and we notice that a lot of suppliers are getting in early this year! 

We've already had numerous invitations to attend IMEX and the Meetings Show in May and June respectively, and although forward planning comes with the territory in our industry, we can't think that far ahead at present...

Have a good week everyone and welcome to February - January is almost over!

 

 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 23 January 2017

Welcome to another week and it's "Awards Central" here at Cloud 9 Towers!

This week most of the team and a couple of our Ambassadors are camping out at the beautiful Stoke Rochford Hall in Grantham as judging for the Fresh Creative Awards will start on Wednesday.

With around 800 entries covering everything from Advertising, Design, Media, Digital and PR we are in for a busy week, and we have around 50 judges descending on us from various parts of the UK for a very intense three days.

It's hard work but incredible fun and always very interesting to see the sort of Creative work being produced around the UK.

We're also heavily involved in the 2017 CHS Awards again which accompany the CHS Show which takes place in April and once again we are coordinating the judging and awards for Emma and the team.

The awards provide hotels and venues with a unique opportunity to showcase their facilities to the industry at large, compete in each of the carefully chosen categories and be recognised at a glittering Awards Ceremony on the 11th May 2017 at The Royal Armouries in 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 within the UK.

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 fun setting.

What's interesting about both awards programmes and indeed all awards is that their credibility is only valid with judges who are respected and know what they are talking about and we are very lucky to enjoy some incredible support in both awards.

Busy Busy as ever, so have a great week everyone and don't forget to celebrate Burns Night this week! 

 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 16 January 2017

Welcome to another week and its Blue Monday, officially the most depressing day of the year apparently. Well not here at Cloud 9 Towers, we don’t do depressed so here are 9 reasons to embrace the day and look ahead positively!

Firstly today is a great day to kick start something new, have a different lunch,  take some exercise or finally invest a little time and unsubscribe from any emails that you no longer wish to receive. Alternatively you could plan an event for your team – and save yourself some time and trouble by using our free venue finding service. So Monday 16 January is now known at Cloud 9 Monday instead of Blue Monday!

Chinese New Year starts on 28 January and it’s the year of the Rooster. We’re not suggesting that you use this an excuse for a take-away but if you have an International Event Schedule and you are looking for a potential destination, then why not make China an option.

Maritim Hotels has confirmed plans to open two new hotels in China, in Hangzhou and Hefei. Well located in prosperous cities in eastern China, both properties will be expertly designed, stunning new-build hotels featuring a distinctive interior inspired by the local culture of the region. Ask us for details of these amazing new properties for your next international event.

February 28 is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day - The ancient Greeks and Romans ate pancakes, sweetened with honey; the Elizabethans ate them flavoured with spices, rosewater, sherry, and apples. They were traditionally eaten in quantity on Shrove Tuesday, a day of feasting and partying before the beginning of Lent and whilst we can’t do much to take you to a bygone age here, we can suggest that maybe an event in Greece this year is worth a look.

Sani Resort, Greece’s much-loved five-star resort and ecological reserve, is expanding with a band new adult-friendly hotel, Sani Dunes, in 2017. The chic new destination will offer a private beach, indoor and outdoor heated pools, an exclusive spa with six private treatment rooms including a couple’s suite with private steam bath, a special Thai massage cabin, Jacuzzi, fitness studio and gourmet restaurants. With 80 open-plan suites and 56 spacious rooms with handcrafted furniture and uncluttered interiors, it will be one of the hottest places for events and escapes in 2017.

March 17 is St Patricks Day so what a great excuse to make Dublin a go to destination for your next event. It is reported that billionaire Virgin boss Richard Branson is looking to tap into the ongoing demand for hotel rooms in Dublin by establishing a new property in the capital.

"Dublin is a city we're actively pursuing as part of our European growth strategy," said Alex Andjel, vice-president of development for the company, adding that, "At this stage, we have not confirmed a location. Further details will be release in due course so look out for a new Virgin Hotel in the City.

On April 23 its St Georges Day, so why not consider the Saint Georges Hotel in central London for your next event. The Directors Boardroom on the 15th floor overlooking the West End is ideal for meetings and private dining for up to 10 people. It is also possible for the Directors boardroom to be combined with the Small Lounge to accommodate up to 18 people.

The Heights Venue next to Heights Restaurant Bar and Lounge on the 15th floor with a wall of windows can cater for functions ranging from formal dinners, cocktail parties and wedding receptions for up to 100 guests. This area features a wooden floor, a raised balcony, modern furnishings as well as high quality audio equipment and plasma screens. Ask us for details of this hidden London gem.

May 9 is known as Liberation Day in Guernsey and Jersey, so if you fancy getting away from it all for your next event, but without a huge commute or flight, then both of these charming channel islands could be ideal.

Hand Picked Hotels has introduced a range of options for meetings, conferences and business events to ensure that delegates enjoy a productive, creative and memorable experience without the distractions of the office.

The Channel Islands hotels are great places to escape for meetings. In Jersey, L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa and Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa have stunning sea views and outdoor terraces. St Pierre Park Hotel & Golf Resort in Guernsey, set in 35 acres and overlooking a beautiful lake,   provides a range of spaces. The newly refurbished La Fontaine Suite has a capacity for 350 for a reception.

The big American Eclipse on August 21 offers a range of great destinations in order to enjoy the event and there are lots of places claiming to offer the best view and best parties. If you stick to the length of time you can enjoy the eclipse, then we suggest Hopkinsville, Kentucky where they have totality for 2 minutes and 41.2 seconds.

The civic boosters of Hopkinsville cite their fair city as the best spot in the nation for the eclipse. While Hopkinsville is a great location, you can travel for hundreds of miles east and west along the eclipse centerline and receive within 1 or 2 seconds of maximum eclipse duration. But if you would like to join a festive crowd, Hopkinsville will certainly be a great location to enjoy the eclipse.

31 October is of course Halloween and although the American influence of making this a major holiday in the Uk continues to expand, if you want a truly magical Halloween experience, then Londonderry in Northern Ireland is for you – just ask some of our team who have first hand experience of this amazing destination which is now the European Capital of Halloween!

And finally, although you may have only jst recovered from this festive season, no reason to plan ahead and get next years Christmas Party all sewn up. From 1 December until the big day itself we’ll be personally selecting the best hotels and venues for our clients to celebrate Christmas 2017 in style.

So there you have it, no reason to be blue today – just on Cloud 9!

 
Have a great week and enjoy. 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 9 January 2017

Welcome to another week and normal service is resumed – at least here at Cloud 9 Towers at least. The Christmas tree is back in it’s box, the cards have gone to the recycling centre and we’ve polished off the last of the chocolates that were left lying around.

So it’s a new start for the team here and diets galore – although it’s a little hard to stay on track when it’s so chilly out there. Rather than give in to temptation we have instead decided to look ahead in order to give us all something to look forward to - instead of succumbing to the January blues!

There’s no better way to cheer us up here, than for us to discover some amazing new venues and hotels and if you thought 2016 saw a huge explosion with new openings worldwide, let’s just say that 2017 is looking even more spectacular.

This month alone there are some amazing new properties opening their doors to guests and it seems with each new hotel, the offerings get just a little better and the meetings and event spaces, a little better thought out!

In all honesty, we have never been asked to source a venue in Ajman (its in the UEA in case you didn’t know either) but we couldn’t ignore the fantastic Oberoi Beach Resort which opens this month.

A unique eco-destination, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah will provide a pristine natural environment including long, white sand beaches, azure lagoons and lush mangroves when it opens in Ajman. Just 25 minutes from Dubai, guests can enjoy a range of activities as well as spacious rooms and suites and international cuisine.

Also on our radar this month is the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul. A highly anticipated addition to the Istanbul's sky line, rising above the slopes of the Bosphorus and serving as a genuine hub for the well-travelled, while uniting the sophistication of modern Istanbul with the unique lineage of its location. The hotel will provide 209 guest rooms including 25 suites, each with panoramic views overlooking either the serene Bosphorus or the city skyline and decorated stylishly with industrial touches and plenty of natural light. With the Willow Stream Spa, the Marble Bar, stylish restaurants and elegant event space, this is one to watch.

A little less plush but in an equally charming location is the second Vienna House Berlin. Opening under the Vienna House Easy budget brand and will be set in the Prenzlauer Berg district. The hotel will be aimed at young urban explorers and offer modern rooms, with a bakery-style breakfast lounge, a stylish bar, three creative meeting rooms, a co-working area in the heart of the lobby and a mobile concierge service.

The Aloft Band seems to be making its mark, especially in the States, and Miami Airport is the latest destination to benefit from this hotel with modern rooms and meetings spaces. Also under the Aloft banner and due to open this month are Aloft Colombia Downtown in Carolina, and Aloft Louisville East in Kentucky.

Much closer to home is the new Four Seasons Hotel which opens at Ten Trinity Square. Located in London’s most historic area – close to illustrious neighbours such as the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral – Ten Trinity Square has long been regarded as one of Britain’s finest architectural landmarks. Now home to Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, this Grade II*-listed building possesses a fascinating history.

In a landmark of power and prestige, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square celebrates the capital’s rich history and culture, yet feels fully connected to the future with the latest technology. First opened in 1922, this Grade II*-listed building is the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority and played host to the inaugural reception of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. Within steps of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the River Thames, Four Seasons is a premier destination for London conferences and events, featuring two ballrooms and three London meeting rooms for 10 to 250 guests. 

The setting for the inaugural reception of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, the UN Ballroom is a beautifully restored London venue with nine-metre (30-foot) ceilings and original woodwork. Then there is the Merchants Hall - a one-of-a-kind circular ballroom, Merchants Hall glows with natural light from its circumference of windows. Light oak panelling and antique mirrors add a sense of traditional warmth. Finally, on the first floor, just above the front entrance, there are three London meeting rooms which can host from six to 16 guests for board meetings, private dinners or cocktail receptions.

So there you have it, the perfect tonic for the January blues with lots of new hotels to discover! 

Have an amazing week and see you all soon!