What's Floating Around? 25 February 2019

Welcome to another week and as we had a conversation with a potential new client last week, we thought we would raise the subject of venue finding and why using an agency is essential for many clients. 

Here at Cloud 9 Towers, we offer free venue finding for clients and we know from personal experience that our services are invaluable in terms of both cost and time saving efforts.

If you’ve ever needed to book a venue for a meeting or event, then you’ll know it can be a time-consuming and, sometimes, daunting experience and the range of options is vast. 

With so many different types of venues to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start and to ask the questions that really matter. Venue-finding agencies have the experience and knowledge of hundreds of venues and are skilled at placing the right type of event at the most suitable venue, and keeping up to date with new venues or refurbishments is part of our job

Additionally, using an agency will save you masses of time as the agency will take your brief and do all venue searching and negotiating for you - and most will be able to come back to you with a range of options within 24 hours.  As most agencies have great relationships with venues, it enables them to negotiate and due to the sheer buying power, they can normally get you much better rates, or complimentary upgrades.

When it comes to site visits, agents can do all of the ground work on your behalf, or if you are considering a couple of options, schedule meetings that work for you so you can make an informed choice - and even do simple things that might escape you, like a chair check! It might sound daft, but if you have delegates sat down for an eight hour conference, the last thing anyone needs a numb bum!

Whilst you are making a decision about the right venue for you to use, the last thing you want is continual stream of calls chasing you to see if you have made a decision, and using an agency takes all of that stress away - they will chase us instead!

We'll also consider everything you need is included or can be arranged, from additional syndicate rooms to AV and we'll check that contract to make sure there are no hidden charges or lurking extras that can come as a surprise, and this is especially useful if you need to cancel an event. 

More often that not, an agency like Cloud 9 can negotiate better cancellation charges or find another event to fill the space so its also a reassuring service in the unlikely event you have to pull an event, and in the case of a really short lead time, agencies can source somewhere quickly and efficiently 

And we are free. 100% of the time, so there really is no down side to using an agency, and the more we work with clients, the more we understand your business and your needs so it makes our job easier as times goes on, and means we can propose more suitable venues each and every time. 

So why not give us a go with your next event enquiry no matter the event. Email paula@cloud9em.co.uk or call +44(0) 203 858 7809 - we can source venues, locally, nationally or internationally and we are fast, friendly and effective.

Have a great week and we look forward to hearing from you! 

Whaht's Floating Around? 18 February 2019

Welcome to another week #eventprofs and we're in major Awards mode here at Cloud 9 Towers, as next Sunday night is the big one - the Oscars - what a great event that must be to organise - although probably a logistical nightmare, given the prolific nature of the event, and those who attend. 

The M&IT Awards are also just around the corner, set for 1 March with the Conference News Agency Awards on 21 March, so lot's of opportunities for recognition for both agents and suppliers to get glammed up

- and - a little closer to home for us, is the CHS Awards 2019 which are now open for entries.

The Conference and Hospitality Show (CHS) Awards which showcase the best of the UK hospitality industry - from hotels and venues to suppliers and buyers – is now in its fifth year, recognise and celebrate groups and individuals that don’t normally get an opportunity to share excellence, across a variety of different disciplines.  

To commemorate this landmark anniversary, and in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the Conference and Hospitality Show, organisers have introduced ten new categories.

Alongside established award categories for Best Independent Venue or Hotel, Best Catering Provider and Best External Event Space, new for 2019 are Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Best UK Conventions Centre and Best Conference Planner Awards.  

The awards are judged by an independent panel of 50 event and hospitality professionals from leading agencies across the UK.  The awards are free to enter, and nominees can enter as many categories they like and there is a relevant award for every individual, venue, event space, organisation or supplier involved in the industry. 

The CHS 2019 Awards are open for entries and details of the categories and entry criteria are all available online at www.chsawards.co.uk   The timeline for the CHS 2019 Awards is:

Friday 1^st March 2019           Deadline for CHS 2019 Awards

Tuesday 30^th April 2019        Shortlist Announced at The Conference & Hospitality Show 

Thursday 6^th June 2109        CHS 2109 Awards at Royal Armouries, Leeds

Have a great week and think #Awards! 

What's Floating Around? 11 February 2019

Welcome to another week and yes, love is all around us this week in anticipation of Valentines Day. Before those of an allergic nature start rushing off to ditch this festival of love and romance, there are some venues that really go that extra mile to mark the occasion although if you have yet to book, you might struggle to get in!

Valentine's Day is normally a time when hotels bump up prices to take advantage of one of the most commercial holidays of the year and as the nation's restaurants and hotels get booked up for the big day,  a few chains have launched special Valentine's Day deals for couples looking to take a break.

They include the likes of Malmaison's annual great bed, bubbles and breakfast offer and now another chain has got in on the act. Village Hotels has revealed a Valentine's Day deal for couples looking for a last minute overnight stay which is available at over 30 hotels dotted across the UK and the deal includes a stay, meal and cocktails all from just £89 for two.

However, if you are looking for something a little more quirky, then there's a Valentine's Day party happening at the stylish Radisson Clydeside hotel... and your dog is invited. Radisson RED Glasgow is teaming up with Dog Furiendly to host the event – which celebrates that special bond we share with our pooches.The evening  will be inspired by the romantic TAIL of two dogs in love, Lady and the Tramp and this of course  means spaghetti and meatballs (veggie option available) along with a glass of prosecco!

  

The Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket’s luxury Hotel, restaurant and wedding venue, is also offering the perfect romantic experience for couples this Valentine’s Day. The Hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Squires, will be serving an exquisite 3-course set menu, complete with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, and for those looking to extend their Valentine’s getaway, the Hotel is introducing two luxurious Valentine’s Day packages which will be available throughout February.  

The first of the Hotel’s offers is the Valentine’s Day package, which includes a 3-course dinner at the Squires restaurant, an overnight stay in a Superior Room, a complimentary bottle of chilled Moet & Chandon Champagne and a box of luxury Hotel Chocolat chocolates in your room on arrival, plus – the perfect ending to a romantic retreat - a full English breakfast. The Ultimate Luxury Valentine’s Day package features an upgrade to a Luxury Suite, chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival, and the inclusion of a bouquet of six red roses - how decadent!


If you want to look at the stars, then the Bōkan, which means lighthouse in Old Saxon is a nifty opener to impress a prospective date while dining at Canary Wharf’s namesake restaurant. Bōkan occupies the 37-39 floors of the Canary Wharf Novotel, a feat that surpasses any restaurant at The Shard and makes it one of London's highest dining destinations. Far from your average hotel outpost, this award-winning 2 AA Rosette restaurant towers above Canary Wharf and offers panoramic view over London, visible from almost every angle.

Sending you all love, and have a great week - and please don't forget if you need a venue for something a little more formal, our free venue finding service is available to help 24/7

www.cloud9em.co.uk + 44(0)203 858 7809

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 4 February 2019

Welcome to another week and as busy venue finders here at Cloud 9 Towers we like to stay ahead of new venues and hotels for our clients, so we thought it timely to take a look at some of the new launches happening this month.

Vintry & Mercer, which officially opens in London today,  is named after two of the City’s historic guilds: vinters, who traded fine wines, and mercers, who sold fine silks, and both trades will be reflected in the hotel’s interior. 

The hotel will feature three food and beverage outlets: Vintry Kitchen, which will serve an Asian-inspired menu of small plates; and the Mercer Roof Terrace, which will have a covered, glass-walled area as well as an outside space, with some dishes prepared in a charcoal oven. The DND (Do Not Disturb) cocktail bar will be located in the basement, a 60-cover space inspired by New York bars of the 1920 and whilst it's not a huge property, it has three great spaces for intimate meetings and events. 

Step inside and discover an indulgent city hideaway with the new Belmond Cadogan which opens this month in Chelsea, where every detail weaves together past and present. If walls could talk, the new walls would have some captivating stories to tell as the site of the new hotel has long been a playground for socialites and bohemians like Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry. They are marking their launch and celebrating past and heritage while offering modern, understated luxury. From the world-class restaurants and tranquil garden to quirky design details and in-room libraries, they can host key business lunches, with a  private dining room and the space can accommodation for up to 50 guests, the space can be divided into two sections and the Lounge can be used as an additional breakout area.

Set to open on Valentines Day, Monkey Island Estate lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire. The island has a rich history centuries old, and has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals and now is home to one of the finest hotels in Bray. The two grade I listed heritage pavilions which form the property were originally commissioned as a fishing retreat in 1723 by the third Duke of Marlborough. These have been completely restored and renovated, with beautifully landscaped gardens and picturesque views of the River Thames. Set across seven acres, Monkey Island Estate features 27 exquisite guestrooms and three sumptuous suites, and featuring the stately and spacious Ballroom, the graceful River Room and the more intimate Spencer Suite and Boardroom, so great for events of all sizes.

Also opening this month is the new Hampton by Hilton Stockton on Tees, based in the heart of Northshore, opposite Teesdale Business Area, surrounded by the stunning countryside of North Yorkshire Moors, County Durham. Enjoy easy access to major roads: the North A19 and A1, the South A1 and A19 and West to Darlington A66 as well as the Tees Valley area to the east. You can explore the dramatic east coast towards Whitby and Scarborough. Local attractions include Tees Valley Barrage and International White Water Centre, the Globe Theatre (opening 2019) Stockton International Riverside Festival, Tees Valley and many more. The hotel rooms are fresh and modern spaces with a microwave, mini-fridge, 50-inch HDTV, coffeemaker, and a work desk with ergonomic chair. Feel rested after a great night’s sleep on the comfy bed, and stay connected with free WiFi and plenty of device-charging spots.  There is no meeting space at this hotel but it does have a business centre and is ideal for those looking for somewhere quiet to work.

There are lots of new hotels and venues coming soon, and do please remember to check back with us and shout if you need a venue for any occasion, locally, nationally or internationally.

Have a great week!