What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 17 December 2018

Welcome to another week and for many this is the last working week of the year and a chance to take stock, get organised, and get ready for a well earned rest over the Christmas Period.

Here at Cloud 9 Towers, as a small business we are never really off work as such, but it is always a little quieter than usual so helps us tidy up a few things and more importantly plan well ahead for our 2019 event schedule and beyond. 

If you are planning some major events in 2019, please remember that we have a free venue finding service which operates locally, nationally and internationally and we also offer a full and effective event management service for corporate events. 

Picking the right dates is the starting point for most events, and to make sure you are not clashing with any already scheduled world events is usually a good idea, as well as anything in the vicinity of your event that might mean traffic or travel issues - and increased hotel prices. So some key dates for your diary for 2019 both in the UK and further afield to note, just in case!

January

1 January – New Year’s Day

1-31 January – Dry January

14-27 January Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne

February

3 February – Superbowl in Atlanta

5 February – Chinese New Year

14 February – Valentine’s Day

March

1 March – St David’s Day

5 March – Shrove Tuesday

14 -21 March Special Olympics Abu Dhabi

15 March – Comic Relief

17 March – St Patrick’s Day

31 March – Mother’s Day

April

1 April – April Fool’s Day

6 April - Grand National Aintree

19 April – Good Friday

21 April – Easter Sunday

23 April – St George’s Day

 May
 

5 May – Cinco de Mayo

14-25  May - Canne Film Festival 

18 May – FA Cup Final Wembley

 27 May – 2 June – National Barbecue Week

30 May -July - Cricket World Cup UK

June

14-16 June - Download Festival Donnington Park 

16 June – Father’s Day

26-30 June Glastonbury

July

1 July Wimbeldon Tennis Tournament

6-28 July Tour de France Belgium

7 July – World Chocolate Day

16 July – National Cherry Day

18-21 Gold Open Northern Ireland 

August

Nothing Doing to Note!
September

13 September – International Chocolate Day

20 November - Rugby World Cup Japan

October

31 October – Halloween

November

5 November – Guy Fawkes’ Night

24 November – Stir-Up Sunday

30 November – St Andrew’s Day

 December

25 December – Christmas Day

31 December – New Year’s Eve

Have a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 10 December 2018

Welcome to another week and its Christmas Party Season peeps! Here at Cloud 9 Towers we have already enjoyed a few festive events which kicked off with the AIEA Christmas Drinks last week, and then a party night up at Trump Turnberry on Friday. And this coming week, we're lucky to be guests of Visit Scotland who are hosting a Christmas Dinner at Hotel Du Vin in Birmingham.

We are very lucky as event profs in that we get inundated with invitations to events by suppliers, and luckily we get to be a little selective about which ones we attend, but we do know that many people dread the official office Christmas Party. So with that in mind, here is the Cloud 9 Guide for survival!

So, rule one is even though you might be surrounded with free booze, it's best not to over indulge as you don't want to end up doing or saying something you shouldn't and whilst it might seem like a good idea at the time, it's likely to come back to haunt you back at work in the cold light of day. 

Pace yourself and make sure you eat something beforehand or during the party so you’re not drinking on an empty stomach, tipsy is about the max level to aim for!

Even if you have been a little careful with your dosage of Dutch Courage this is not the time to declare your undying love for the office hunk or tell your secret crush what you’d like to do to them behind closed doors. Not only could you face a possible rejection, you also might end up in serious trouble at work, especially  if you have taken your flirting too far. People are sometimes a little more sensitive than we realise so be careful, especially under mistletoe!

Rule three is all about the dress code and even if the weekends usually find you in skin tight Lycra strutting your stuff, remember this a work do so notch up what you would normally wear to work with a little glitz, but keep it professional people.  

Use the Christmas Party as an opportunity to get to know people you don't normally mix with at work. Network and mingle and especially be a little kind to those who clearly are more shy than you - the Christmas Spirit can be a force of good!  

Yes, its a work party but that doesn't mean that you have to talk about work. Keep it social and fun, and whilst you don't need to bore everyone with your hobbies or interests, its a good opportunity to start a little small talk and get to know your colleagues a little better. Should that conversation be with your boss, then this is most definitely not the time to ask your boss for that promotion or pay rise. 

Lastly, have a great time and enjoy! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3 December 2018

Welcome to another week and the countdown to the Big Day! We can't quite believe how quickly this year has gone, but certainly this time last year all of the chatter was about GDPR and were we prepared for it moving forward, following the law change back in May.

Here at Cloud 9 Towers we duly did our research and undertook training to make sure that we were compliant should any issues arrive, but six months on, has anyone really noticed any major changes in how we all operate?We are still getting unsolicited emails, and occasionally we do ask to be removed from lists, but we did that before anyway. 

The level of hysteria around GDPR which was a bit like that of the Millennium Bug a few years ago, has been embraced by some but clearly ignored by many. However the reality is that its all so complex that the formal legislation will take years to implement and enforce properly and however prepared we are, or think we are, we probably are not prepared at all.  If that doesn't make sense try reading it through in full - you would need to be a legal expert to truly understand it.

Instead of relying only on targeted advertising, marketers have been forced to rethink their approach and because of this, personalisation in marketing has grown. Since GDPR became enforceable, the number of third-party cookies found on news websites in Europe has declined by 22%, according to a study by Reuters Institute, meaning marketers really have changed the way they track consumers.

The fuller effects of GDPR are perhaps more likely to be felt much further down the line and months ahead as people either become complacent, or decide to ignore the law and its perhaps less of an issue on our industry as its very people focused and B2B orientated. 

Ask how many suppliers business cards any agent has and they will probably tell you hundreds if not thousands and most of these probably end up in a box or a drawer. However, ask the same question to suppliers and you will probably find agents names on a mailing list, whether they met them at a trade show or a forum or if they have been scanned. 

Ironically enough, we still get the odd email from a supplier where we are just one of an endless list of agents who have been cc'd in and we always wonder what has happened to the person who hit send! Did the GDPR police come and take them away?!

 

 With Christmas just around the corner and festive campaigns well underway, most mail houses are currently seasonally busy but we do wonder how Santa is getting on now he has to be GDPR compliant?

Have a great week #eventprofs

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 26 November 2018

Welcome to another week and we are a bit too busy this coming week to share much so instead we thought we would pinch our content from the great Event Managers Blog, which we here at Cloud 9 Towers read avidly most weeks. 

Rather than just copy it, and we all know what happens to your SEO when you simply pinch content, we thought we would redirect you instead.

Have a great week and happy reading of the Top 25 Event Spaces in London - and don't forget if you want any additional information on any of them, here at Cloud 9 our free venue finding service is fast effective and friendly!

https://www.eventmanagerblog.com/venue-hire-London

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 19 November 2018

Welcome to another week and we can't quite believe where the year has gone with the countdown to Christmas well and truly underway. 

As soon as the John Lewis Christmas ad is screened you know that you are well and truly in the festive season and although we don't like the Elton John journey as much as some of the other legendary ads they have produced, there will always be a debate about the best Christmas Ads of all time. 

Depending on your age you will perhaps have your favourite and as there are over a billion users on Youtube and on average people are watching 40 minutes of online videos on their mobile, tuning in just to watch the ads is becoming the norm - which is strange given most of us download our viewing these days and skip the commercials! 

Looking back over the last few years, we would have to say that the ad by Waitrose focused solely on warming the heart as you follow a brave robin as he ventures on an epic journey home to Britain. It ends where a girl is waiting on his annual return with the reward of a mince pie. Using the hashtag #HomeForChristmas, this ad spreads the joy!

Another favourite from a Foodie was the Sainsbuy's Ad taking us back a hundred years,as they  revisit the battlefield in World War One. Recreating the famous truce, this ad really echoes the meaning of Christmas - Christmas is for sharing.  

Although no longer around, Yellow Pages was originally seen as a directory used mainly for distress and emergency needs instead of a leisure and pleasure guide. All that all changed with the arrival of J R Hartley, a pensioner who finds a copy of his out-of-print book on fly fishing thanks to Yellow Pages and they went on to create some great ads.

This includes the great classic Christmas ad in which a creative use for Yellow Pages is found for one of life's little problems and Mistletoe was a great ad that truly captured this.

And why have we featured these great ads? Well great ads all need somewhere to film and here at Cloud 9 in addition to our free venue finding service, sourcing film locations is also in our area of expertise. 

So, for a stress free solution to film your next epic, make sure you give us a shout - we are happy tom help!

Have a great week!

What's Floating Around Clud 9? 12 November 2018

Welcome to another week and we're feeling a little fizzy here at Cloud 9 Towers as we have been organising drinks and activities for some of our clients Christmas Parties - as all good event planners know, its important to be organised as early as possible.

Although Proseco seems to be the popular choice for many an event these days, there are still clients around who prefer the real stuff and yes, we are talking the proper bubbly stuff, Champagne.It's been the drink of royalty going back to the 1800s and even Winston Churchill once said of World War II, “Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne.”

From Wedding toasts to celebrations it's been the staple, but what about those people who still want a cocktail with a kick but would rather avoid the Champers?

The current trend is to think different and what better time of year to enjoy experimenting with new

flavours, styles and cocktail mixes. But are you brave enough to try one of these for your next event?

One of the biggest holistic trends of the year has been to have a tablespoon of apple vinegar a day – believed to be excellent for digestion and weight loss and this trend has spilled, literally, into cocktails. Shrubs, and not the kind you find in the garden – but rather the fruit vinegary infused syrup – are the latest rage in cocktails. Often sustainable and local to source, shrubs cocktails are popping up in many trendy bar and restaurant. 

It might sound odd but but vegetable based cocktails are edging their way into the mainstream as well and its not hard to find a Bee Pollen Bellini or a Pumpkin Potion, and its an interesting way of getting your five a day! 

Turmeric adds a punch to many a dish and is regularly used in cooking so why not cocktails? You will notice an increased use of turmeric syrup or popular turmeric gin based cocktails including turmeric gin and ginger and the turmeric gin sour.

Never forget thought that not everyone likes a tipple but we can do so much more than orange juice when designing your drinks menu. Mocktails deserve to be creative and with an ever-increasing health conscious culture, take some inspiration form the non alcoholic section on your next cocktail list. 

Cheers, and have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 5 November 2018

Welcome to another week and we seem a little in Racecourses at present here at Cloud 9 Towers. We held the My Sight Notts Fireworks Event yesterday at Nottingham Racecourse and we're off to Warwick Racecourse this week to take a look on a site visit for a client. 

And, not only that but the AIEA are holding a race night next April in Ascot so its horses, racing and courses!

Jockey Club Venues with whom we work on venue finding (which don't forget we do for free here) has fifteen iconic venues in fourteen locations  across the portfolio along with the fabulous and historic Rooms in Newmarket.

The Jockey Club Rooms have been at the heart of British horse-racing for over 250 years. As a private members club, few people have stepped inside and seen the magnificent interiors, which house an unparalleled collection of British racing memorabilia, but luckily we enjoyed a fam trip there a few years ago so we have seen how stunning it is first hand.

Racecourses in addition to their normal fixtures are often overlooked when it comes to holding meetings and events, but there are lots of great reasons to consider them for your next event.

Parking is never an issue and usually free for delegates, the spaces are vast and the views great - and most of the venues have smaller and more intimate spaces available as well. 

Nottingham Racecourse for instance is ideal for corporate or private events, a company dinner, conferences, team building or even outdoor event and the sense of scale and space, with green views across the track, Colwick Park and the Trent Valley make it a great location. 

In addition to the outside space, there are four great rooms available at Nottingham Racecourse so depending on the size of your next event, something for everyone. 

That's what we call a good result so please do ask us if you want additional details and we can help you cross the finishing line in style.

Tally Ho & Have a Great Week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 29 October 2018

Welcome to another week and we are looking forward to next weekend already and the My Sight Notts Fireworks, family fun event taking place at Nottingham Racecourse on Sunday 4 November.

November, already! Where has the year gone. We are already booking events not just for 2019 but through into 2020 and in some cases 2021.

For most #eventprofs its been a challenging year and staying on top of all of the changes within hotels and venues is not easy. 

Most of the Q hotels have been sold or are undergoing a rebrand under their new ownership and will emerge as Hilton’s or Marriott’s and Accor are increasing their portfolio with the purchase of Movenpick.

These are just two examples of the ever-changing face of the industry, and it got us thinking about what happens to all of the marketing materials and branded elements when something like this happens.

Whenever we engage with suppliers, in addition to the details about their portfolios or venues, we also usually end up with everything from branded pens to post it notes, notes books and note pads, and stress balls and screen wipes.

In all honesty, some of it is useful but the bulk of it is not, and normally ends up collecting dust in some cupboard or on an inaccessible shelf.

However, whilst we may suffer from a little clutter, what on earth do hotels do with the mountains of branded items they must have when they are no longer synonymous with their brand.

The bulk of hotels have branded menus, notepads, pens, signage an all sorts of uniforms and promotional items so its an awful lot of stuff to simply send to landfill especially when its such a hot topic and sustainability is all the rage.

When a hotel does rebrand, and before any of us have the chance to check in – and check out the refurbishments – there is an awful lot of work to be done. A hotel rebrand goes way beyond a few new dressing gowns and a fresh box of newly branded pens.

The numbers, it turns out, are quite extraordinary. Even at the Melia Desert Palm, which only has 39 rooms and has just undergone a rebrand has had to order 2,000 key cards, 2,000 luggage tags and 1,000 pens. 

While most hotels are able to stay with the same brand for the entirety of its lifetime, 43 percent of hotels change affiliations at least once, according to data collected by the STR Census Database, which tracks hotel affiliations over time. Nearly one-quarter undergo two or more brand changes.

So that’s an awful lot of unwanted post it notes, where do they all go?

Have a great week.

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 22 October 2018

Welcome to another week and we’d like to talk food this week,  as some of the menus we have seen recently from Conference Hotels and Venues really show a dramatic difference from those we were faced with when we first started delivering client events back in 2003.

Stodgy seemed to be the order of the day back in the nineties and early naughties with a range of sandwiches with crisps and chips, and heavy baked goods with the odd token grape or slice of melon in a nod to healthy eating.

Ironically enough, if back then you were presented with anything green you thought you were being offered rabbit food which is the last thing most conference delegate wants to enjoy. However, all this stodgy food just made delegates sleepy and the first session after lunch at many an event became almost like a graveyard shift with no interaction and heavy eyes.

Luckily for us all these days, the majority of Conference venues and hotels have really stepped up their game with imaginative and tasty dishes that appeal to a wide range of diets and accommodate even the strictest diets, even factoring in allergies and the most fussy of delegates.

So what food trends can we look forward to in the future? Well exciting stuff lies ahead for conference delegates where their event planner has enough vision and dedication to embrace change. With food costs rising and the competition amongst chefs at an all time high, then standard conference food could well include bugs – and put there on purpose!

The notion of insects as food might make your skin crawl, but they have been eaten by people for thousands of years and are actively eaten in various parts of the world.
Insects are cheap, nutritious and according to some supporters, they are delicious and with over 2,100 edible insect species, they offer a vast array of options for preparing food items where insets are the main element.

Arguably, Mexico is the country where bug consumption is most popular, and you can find many Mexican delicacies such as candy-covered worms, chocolate-covered locusts, and ant eggs soaked in butter. Brazilians like to collect ants, remove wings and fry and eat them. They also like ants dipped in chocolate and to them, ants simply taste like mint.
Silkworm soup and grasshopper tacos are found in some San Francisco, New York, and Washington D.C. restaurants and whilst not widespread yet, eating bugs is becoming more popular in the U.S. And what is popular over in the States, invariably makes its way to the UK before long. 

The dislike, disgust or fear of much of the trend towards the eating of insects will require a major shift in public perception and we doubt at this stage that many clients will embrace a conference menu where bugs are the main star – but who knows!
Now, where did we leave that chocolate covered ant?

Have a great week and enjoy!