What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 9 February 2015

Welcome to another week and we're pretty manic as ever here at Cloud 9 Towers, with the CHS Awards, MMA & MMA Student Awards, Fresh, IMPACT & NSpine all taking centre stage, there is not much time to think about much - especially Valentines Day which is looming. Lovely for those in love, not so groovy for the singles and loveless amongst us!

However, we did promise you some great ideas for Valentines Day so if you need some last minute inspiration, then here you go....and really, where else but Paris measures up?!

With our thanks to the Huffington Post, we couldn't have put it better ourselves!

1. Perfect the art of flânerie

The flâneur dates from the 19th century and denotes a certain type of gentleman who strolls around the city aimlessly, although he finds much to enrich him: the writer Honoré de Balzac described this pastime as "gastronomy of the eye". Indeed there's no better way to get the feel of Paris than by exploring it on foot at a leisurely pace, hand in hand, uncovering hidden delights along the way. Or alternatively, relax in a pavement café and watch the world go past you.

2. Stay in a charming neighbourhood

© Robyn Lee
You can find a romantic hotel in every arrondissement, but Montmartre, with it's village-like maze of narrow streets, is located on a hill in the north of Paris so has great views of the city, especially from the steps of the Sacre-Coeur. Think of the movie Amélie for a general idea, as many scenes were filmed here.
For a more central location the Marais, on the Right Bank, is a good bet. This historic quartier has quirky narrow medieval streets and is also the trendy epicenter of the city, with hip restaurants, cafés, galleries and boutiques seemingly on every corner.
St Germain-des-Pres, once the bohemian Left Bank haunt of intellectuals, writers, artists, film-makers and actors, nowadays attracts an extremely well-heeled crowd, drawn here by upmarket boutiques, fine dining restaurants and legendary pavement cafés such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots (above). This is a good choice if you want to stay in an elegant shopping district.
3. Enjoy many romantic meals a deux © Hotel Daniel

You're in a city famed for its cuisine, so you don't have to start, or end, with just dinner. A lingering, lazy lunch can feel decadent and indulgent, plus you won't be competing with hordes of other couples for evening reservations. It may be thought of as a solely English tradition, but many of the fancy hotels in Paris have an afternoon tea. Surprise your partner with Hotel Daniel's "Traditional French tea", served in their exquisite chinoiserie-styled dining room (above). Choose from homemade pastries, macaroons, finger sandwiches and even scones and clotted cream, along with exotic teas or a glass of champagne. 

For dinner, try a traditional French brasserie; the better ones serve excellent classic dishes in a grand, authentically Parisian atmosphere. Book a table for two at Bofinger, a Belle Époque bistro with a show-stopping glass domed ceiling. Oysters, fruits de Mer and foie gras are all executed perfectly.End your evening off with a nightcap - the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz would make for a memorable, if expensive, end to the night. 

4. Indulge in some of the best chocolate in the world

© Juanfran Not only is Patrick Roger one of Paris's finest chocolatiers, but the man himself has a wild streak of creativity; he's known as the "Rodin of chocolate" due to his ever-revolving, larger-than-life chocolate sculptures on display in his stores (above). Make sure you stop by to see what he has in store for Valentine's Day.

La Maison du Chocolate began in Paris in 1977 and is now known worldwide; founder Robert Linxe has been described as "the sorcerer of ganache". The shop holds regular tasting sessions, in English if you book in advance - what better activity for Valentine's Day?

5. Visit a perfumier
© popaitaly
The perfect gift for Valentine's Day is perfume, and a great place to visit is Editions du Parfums Frederic Malle. Master perfumier Frédéric Malle approached some of the top noses in France and offered them the opportunity to create their own fragrances, without any restriction as to ingredients, audience or cost. The result is a collection of 21 unique and adventurous perfumes, some for women, some for men and some regarded as unisex. There are stockists around the world, but nothing beats visiting in person, where the knowledgeable staff will help you find your signature scent.
6. Tour Paris in a vintage convertible

© AlainDurand
Impress your partner by arranging a sightseeing tour with a twist: a chauffeur who speaks your language and looks the part of a quintessential Frenchman will take you around the city in a vintage convertible Citroen CV2. The drivers have an encyclopedic knowledge of Paris and can show you the hidden spots in the city, as well as take you to landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower for lunch or for a spin down the Champs-Elysees. Brief your driver in advance to take you somewhere romantic and off the beaten track for extra bonus points - perfect for if you're planning a proposal...

But if you are single this Valentines Day, do not despair...

Sure, Valentine’s Day is great if you’re in love, however, if you’re single and miserable it can only add to the supposed winter depression some singles face. But, wait-- what’s that saying-- misery loves company?

Luckily, there are plenty of people who can’t stand the alleged day of love, which some people consider to be a day fabricated by retail stores. Maybe you’re not single and you still hate Feb. 14, the day when men and women and boys and girls exchange gifts in the name-- or illusion-- of love. So why not throw an anti-Valentine's Day party?

First, hosts can send out a cheeky invite. Something like “I hate this stupid holiday” or even something simple like, “Valentine’s Day Sucks.” Maybe you don’t want to use words at all, and just have a picture of a heart with an “X” over it.

Next, it’s time to decorate. Hosts should take advantage of the Valentine’s Day decorations in stores, but just add their own flair. Maybe get some black spray-paint to draw X’s over the hearts or write “Cupid Rhymes With Stupid.” While lovers might use red and white candles, black candles could be appropriate for an Anti-Valentine’s Day party.

Bakers can do a spoof on candy hearts and create candy-shaped sugar cookies. Use pastel coloured icing to replicate the candy, but instead of “Be Mine” and “I Love You,” phrases like “Bite Me,” “Go Away” and “Pain” might be more appropriate. Bakers can also use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to create faux voodoo dolls of their exes.

For music, tunes like Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Katy Perry’s “Roar” and almost every Taylor Swift song are appropriate.

So if you are all loved up, then enjoy and if not, well enjoy anyway! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 2 February 2015

Welcome to another week and with Valentines Day looming, love is all around. Or is it?

Whilst next week, we’ll share some great last minute ideas for Valentines Day treats and escapes, this week we thought we would look at some of the signs that point to an office romance in the making!

Birds Do It, Bees Do It, Even Employees Do It

You'd think people have enough to do when they are at work, but obviously they don't, as they spend huge amounts of time gossiping about each other. And nothing is juicier than other people's love lives, especially when it's supposed to be a secret.

The latest rumour making the rounds at your company is that Arthur in marketing and Martha the office manager are "seeing each other" outside the usual channels if you catch our drift. But how can you really know for sure, aside from hacking into their email?

There's no need to do anything as unethical as that -- just watch for these 15 tell-tale signs that an office love affair is brewing.

1. They Avoid Eye Contact

When Arthur was hired and met Martha on the job there was a bit of competition between them, which led to tension in the office. And so you were happy to see them gradually become cordial, then friends, and finally close friends. Soon it was clear they had really clicked as colleagues.

Everything seemed to be going swimmingly, and then, suddenly, they became extremely formal with each other. Now they barely make eye contact in public anymore. And when you do encounter them in a room together, Martha blushes, Arthur looks pale, and they both suddenly leave.

2. They Never Leave the Office Together

"OK, I'm out of here," Martha announces loudly, making sure everyone in the office can hear. "I'm heading home to feed my cats, wash my hair, and watch 'Britain's Got Talent.'"

"I think I'll stay and do a little more work on the Farber contract and prepare for the planning meeting," Arthur answers just as loudly. "See you tomorrow."

You've got a pretty small office, and most employees leave work around the same time. But lately, for some odd reason, Arthur and Martha make a point of letting everyone know they are leaving separately.

3. They're Both Putting in an Awful Lot of Overtime

You don't even think about it any more. When someone is needed to pull a little overtime, you know Arthur and Martha will be the first to volunteer.

They've always been good employees, but they used to have lives outside of work. Now (when they aren't ostentatiously making sure everyone knows they are leaving separately) they are both the first into work in the morning and the last to leave; in fact, you have no idea when they leave, because you do have a life outside the office and you go home.

4. You Feel Like You're Invading a Private Party

Why is it you always seem to be invading a private party when you run into these two?

You need some staples. You walk into the supply room, and Arthur and Martha happen to be there. Martha is furiously brushing her hair and Arthur won't even turn around to face you. He seems fascinated with looking through the file folders against the back wall.

Lately Martha and Arthur seem to be reading the same books, watching the same movies, and have an endless string of insider jokes to which only they are privy. And then there are all those meaningful, knowing glances in the lunch room, by the water cooler -- pretty much everywhere, which is honestly a bit annoying.

5. They Keep Coincidently Showing Up in the Same Places

The first time you encountered Arthur in Martha's office you thought nothing of it. But after a while you came to realize that if you wanted to find one, all you had to do was find the other. If they are both missing, you check the mail room. You won't be surprised to find them in the broom closet one of these days.

Then there are the occasional wardrobe malfunctions: You could have sworn Martha's blouse was buttoned correctly when she arrived this morning, and ... is Arthur wearing his sweater inside-out? But you really began to suspect something was up when you saw them together at the restaurant across town -- on a Saturday. They said they were "having a strategy meeting." Now that's dedication

6. They Start Fiercely Defending Each Other

Your company is known for creative, outside-the-box brainstorming sessions, no hard feelings and no holds barred. Employees enjoy the freedom to engage in lively debate and witty repartee. They are confident and skilled, and everyone knows it's nothing personal if an idea doesn't float.

At the last planning meeting, Martha made a suggestion that was immediately shot down by others. Nothing unusual there; this happens all the time, to everyone. But when Arthur adamantly defended her position beyond any logic, and then challenged Ron from Sales to "take it outside" it was, well, a little weird.

7. Their Vacation and Sick Days Keep Matching Up

The first time Arthur and Martha took vacation days at the same time you thought it was just a coincidence. By the third time, you were seeing a trend. And when they began calling in sick on the same days, you weren't the only one talking about it. In fact, it has become more surprising to see one of them in the office on a day when the other is out.

Ask either one of them what they did on their time off and you get a vague answer. And neither Arthur nor Martha ever offers to show you vacation photos anymore.

8. Their Tastes Have Changed

Arthur's been known to drive for miles to catch an Alan Jackson show. Martha loves going to the symphony. Suddenly, Arthur is urging you to listen to the first movement of Brahms's Piano and Cello Sonata, Opus 99. "Isn't that exquisite?" he says with a strange fervour in his eyes as you back out of the room slowly.

And what about that Alan Jackson bobble head on Martha's desk? "I think his music's fun!" she insists, laughing manically. There are other signs: Martha, never a sports fan, suddenly cares about the football team of the college that (coincidently) Arthur attended; and the other day Arthur expressed strong opinions at the water cooler about the latest Jennifer Aniston movie.

9. They Both Look Great

Martha was always pretty, but there used to be days when it looked like she'd forgotten to iron her blouse or comb her hair. Now her makeup is always perfect, she's sporting a sleek hairdo, and she wears stylish new outfits.

Arthur was a good-looking guy, but couch-potato weekends were starting to show around his middle. Then he started jogging at lunchtime, and instead of eating his usual deli sandwich and chips he was suddenly frequenting the salad bar. "Gotta stay in shape," he says, patting his shrinking belly. Then Martha started jogging too, and they both joined the same local fitness centre.

10. Their Office Doors Are Always Closed

Arthur always struck you as one of those "open office door" kind of guys. His assistant seemed to run in and out of there constantly, bringing him files, documents to sign, and the occasional cafe latte. Nowadays, however, the files and documents get slid under the door and Arthur seems to have cut back on the caffeine.

Arthur's office door is always closed. In fact, according to those who have tried to barge in on him, not just closed but locked. Arthur must be in closed-door meetings a lot, but the only person he ever seems to be in closed-door meetings with is Martha. And you can't imagine the subject of those meeting can be that confidential and serious when all you seem to hear in there is the rustle of papers, furniture creaking, and an occasional giggle.

11. You Notice Strange Goings-On in the Parking Garage

You usually just eat lunch at your desk but last Thursday you had an errand to run across town, and lunchtime was the only time to do it. While walking through the parking garage to your car, you noticed Martha's silver Dodge Durango was parked not too far from you. It was definitely her car: you recognised the "Chocoholic On Board!" bumper sticker right away.

What's weird is that the windows of the car were all steamed up. And the reason that was weird was because it was a sunny June day.

12. They Both Tend to Disappear at the Same Time

That outdoor corporate bonding event was a great idea. Everyone seemed have a lot of fun spending the day in the park, falling back into each other's arm during the "Trust" game and running while tied together for the "3-Legged Race." It was such a blast.

Only it's too bad that two of your employees didn't feel well that day. Those two employees just happened to be Arthur and Martha. "I think I ate too many corn dogs," Arthur moaned, holding his stomach. "I must have gotten too much sun," whispered Martha, looking like she might faint. So everyone left them behind on a blanket near the edge of the woods and didn't really think about them again.

Funny how they both came in on Monday with the same bad case of poison ivy.

13. They Seem to Drive to Work Together

You consider yourself to be very environmentally conscious. That's why you bought that Prius, isn't it? So you think it's great that some of your employees have started to carpool to work together. At least, that's what you thought when you drove by Martha's car and saw her pull over to let Arthur out about a block away from the office.

It was strange that Martha wouldn't just drop Arthur off in front of the office (it was raining, after all). But that wasn't as strange as the fact that two people who live on opposite sides of town decided to start carpooling to work. Martha must be waking up very early to get all the way over to Arthur's house each morning.

14. They Don't Actually Seem to Get Any Work Done

Arthur and Martha have both started to make Ron in customer service, up until now your least productive employee, look like a Type-A go-getter by comparison.

That PowerPoint presentation you've been waiting for Arthur to send you? It's over a week late and it doesn't look like it will be finished any time soon. And your office supply cabinet is as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard. What exactly is your office manager doing these days?

15. You Get an Invitation to the Wedding

The invitation is classy and elegant. It's printed on thick, creamy paper and requests the pleasure of your company at Arthur and Martha's wedding. You find you're not all that surprised. Suddenly those meaningful glances, those private jokes, those clumsy efforts they made to pretend nothing was going on, the odd forays to the supply room, Martha's newfound interest in football, and the coincidental days off -- it all makes sense.

Of course you accept the invitation. Weddings are fun, you like these two crazy kids, and who knows? Maybe you'll meet someone interesting at their reception.

In other news this week, we’re off to the Independent Venue Showcase tonight at Champneys Springs in Ashby de la Zouch with our friends from the CHS Group.

In a tranquil setting in Leicestershire, surrounded by water walkways and beautiful open parklands, Champneys is a cocoon of calm that grows around you, melting away your stress and leaving you feeling fabulous.

Springs spa hotel is home to the finest Champneys traditions of health, fitness and wellbeing, as well as a full size FIFA football pitch, all delivered with a touch of luxury in the heart of the Midlands.

We might just see you there!

Have a great week, enjoy! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 26 January 2015

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we'd like to start of by thanking Moulden Marketing for hosting Paula at Conventa, despite the nightmare flight and luggage logistics, she has had an interesting time away!

There's a lot of travelling within the MICE industry and no matter how long you have been in the business, you always come across new experiences and as mentioned above, travelling terrors! Which brings us on to the topic of top tips for surviving a long haul flight, we'd like to share with you...

If you are travelling long haul this year, check out these top tips for ensuring a stress-free journey:


1. Book a Decent Seat 
Most airlines that fly long haul allow you to select your seat in advance of the flight via their website or app, although some do charge for the privilege so keep your eyes peeled!

2. Pick the Best Airline
The top airlines have improved things for long haul passengers over the last few years including seats with more space in front of your knee; 'wings' on the headrests to support your head; and on-demand seat-back entertainment.

3. Avoid Peak-Time Flights
You will have more space, more air, more personal service and arguably a nicer experience all round on a half-empty flight. You may also pay less for it as fares vary due to demand.

4. Wear Layers
You've got to contend with airports at each end, and different levels of air-conditioning on the plane, so layers are best.


5. Drink Water
At least one litre every five hours is the recommendation from researchers at St John's University in Taipei. Dehydration on flights happens because passengers don't drink enough water, drink too much alcohol and the cabin microclimate increases the rate of dehydration.

6. Break the Journey
For any flight more than 12 hours, you are likely to have to change planes during the journey or disembark while the aircraft refuels. Use this break to get some sleep, freshen up or stretch your legs while enjoying some sightseeing.

7. Beat Jet Lag
Set your watch to the destination time as soon as you board to help you adjust to the time difference. Flights east generally cause worse symptoms than those westbound.

8. Stay at the Airport
Having to leave home in the middle of the night to catch an early morning flight is not likely to help with the long haul journey. Start off with a full night's sleep by booking an airport hotel the night before departure.

One other tip, Cloud 9 would like to add is, always pack essentials i.e. straightners, make-up, travelling documents, the correct currency etc. in your hand luggage!

This week at Cloud 9 Towers is yet again another eventful week, as we celebrate the birthday of our Event Executive, Shannon Jenkins, some of the team are attending Moulden Marketing Destination Showcase and the deadline of the CHS Awards approaches!

The CHS Awards provide hotels and venues with a unique opportunity to showcase their facilities, compete in each of the 13 carefully chosen categories and be nominated for 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, the Awards, which will be fun, fair and credible, will also offer the perfect environment for entertaining clients and customers alike in a relaxed setting.

The nominees will be announced on 24 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. www.chs-awards.com

Thanks for reading and we hope you all have a fantastic week - enjoy!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 19 January 2015

Welcome back to another week at Cloud 9! 

Within the Meetings, Incentives and Events industry, we can imagine that your diaries are already starting to look chock-a-block (especially if you read our blog last week!). However, we do have an additional event we'd recommend you add to your diaries as part of Moulden Marketing; it would be a journey of a lifetime...

Traversing the Tropic of Cancer through India – Bangladesh - 12th October – 17th November 2015

From the Arabian Sea to the border between India and Myanmar, the journey covers a distance of almost 4300km and explores how uniquely different the West is from the East...

On your once-in-a-lifetime journey, we will take you along a line that connects places that would otherwise be extraordinarily different and diverse. The Tropic of Cancer divides India almost equally into two and is remarkable in the locations that it connects. Experience how much more to India there is than outsourcing, IT, economy, snake charmers or elephants. The tour highlights include meeting a number of influential and passionate people that live or work in this incredible country, from a Bollywood director to an evening with a well-known UK TV presenter and New York Times best-selling author and a famous fashionista.

The journey is divided into 3 chapters. You can choose to travel on all 3 chapters, any 2 consecutive chapters or along a single chapter.

Chapter I – Across Gujarat: Your journey starts from close to the Western border of Gujarat. On a no-moon day you might be able to see the lights of Karachi, Pakistan from Lakhpat. You then wind your way through a region that is known for the myriad hues and precise prints. Speaking with hands, craftsmen here would create carpets and wearable prints of such fine quality that it is constantly exported. Learn more about these arts whilst also visiting the stories that the various temples and palaces of Gujarat speak of.

Chapter II – Central and Eastern India: Buddhism in Sanchi. Tigers in Satpura. Mughal architecture in Bhopal. French architecture of Chandannagar. British architecture in Kolkata. Terracotta crafts in Bishnupur. A new concept in education in Santiniketan. Baul (similar to wandering friars) music across the border. Fishing with Otters in Tangail. Sarees in Dhaka. Grassroot initiatives in Kushtia. Need we say more ?

Chapter III – Bangladesh and the Easternmost extremity of India: Bangladesh is an enigma – and we know that it isn’t at the top of your mind of holiday destinations in India. But a journey along the country is brilliant fun. Trust us. We have been there. For starters, the food is awesome. For the mains, the country is known for the exquisite sarees that it manufactures – some of which may cost more than the latest on the Milan runway. As you travel along the country, you will be stunned by how green it is. You will be stunned by how polite people are. You will be stunned by how they are themselves trying to change the country. As you cross into Tripura and Mizoram, you will miss the country. But Tripura and Mizoram are awesome in themselves. Your journey would end near the rolling meadows of Meghalaya. From your resort near world’s wettest region of Cherrapunji, you can set forth to explore the root bridges, the 800 odd caves or just take it easy and grab a beer… and compare this beer to the one you had on the white sands.

If that isn't quite up your street, then why don't you have a look at Moulden Marketing's Destination Showcase!

Held at The Radisson Blu Portman, London on Thursday 29th January 2015, this free-to-attend one-day Destination Showcase will bring together over 45 international suppliers of the MICE industry including Hotels, DMC's, Convention Bureaux & Tourist Boards from around the world. The workshop allows guests part or full-day attendance, and the opportunity to select suppliers of your choice for 15 minute appointments.

- Determine your arrival and departure times based on your busy schedule! Choose from AM, AM/PM or PM only appointment slots.

- Select which suppliers you would like to meet, and they pre-allocate the appointments for you! List of suppliers available here

- An opportunity to build relationships with senior MICE dedicated suppliers.

- Network with colleagues, expand your destination and venue knowledge, and WIN PRIZES including a range of 4* & 5* hotel stays!

That's it for now folks, have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 12 January 2015

Welcome to another week and now that the festivities are well and truly over its time to look ahead and start planning in detail!

Here at Cloud 9 Towers our diaries are already filling up with a marvellous mix of meetings, events, trade shows, client events and fam trips and without a doubt there will be a lot more to schedule into an already packed year.

If you are in the Event Industry then you’ll want to make sure that you have saved the date for all of the following shows and events and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see you there!

JANUARY
The Hospitality Show
19-21 January
The show will once again be providing a launch pad for British hospitality and food service opportunities, covering all things catering and tableware-related, as well as putting an emphasis on careers and technology. The latest product innovations from old and new exhibitors alike will be on display, while attendees can also enjoy the featured attractions.
NEC, Birmingham
Call 0207 886 3064
Visit www.hospitalityshow.co.uk

FEBRUARY
Event Production Show
18-19 February
This year, International Confex will be co-locating with the Event Production Show and, while the two will remain largely independent, there will be a steady flow encouraged between both in appropriate areas. The Event Production Show's offerings will be geared

towards the live event industry, including indoor, outdoor, sporting and music events. Attendees can avail of infrastructure suppliers showcasing their capabilities and offering details about the latest technologies. With over 200 exhibitors expected, inspiration will be rife.
Olympia, London
Call 0208 971 8282
Visit www.eventproductionshow.co.uk

Confex
18-19 February
International Confex will be following in the footsteps of last year's successful turnout, creating a community for buyers, suppliers, venues and destinations. The companies exhibiting will encompass UK and international destinations, venues, hotels and event support service suppliers. A focal point will be the 'Technology Sector, while the Technovation Station will provide hands-on access to the latest events-centric projects. 
Olympia, London
Call 0208 971 8282
Visit www.international-confex.com

Office Management & PA Show 
18-19 February

The Office Management & PA Show - which has grown over the past two years and attracts over 3,000 PAs and office managers - will also be co-locating with International Confex and the Event Production Show at London's Olympia. The event's core visitors are looking for solid business education on how to improve themselves professionally - and improve their business through their role - by extending their skills in negotiating, cost saving, external communications and networking.
Olympia, London
Call 0208 971 8282
Visit www.om-pa.co.uk

Business Travel Show 
25-26 February 
Now moving to the Grand Hill at London's Olympia, the Business Travel Show will be meeting the corporate travel sector's needs, delivering business developments along with networking and branding prospects. Over 6,000 corporate travel buyers and bookers from across the UK and Europe will be conducting business with more than 200 suppliers spanning the industry, including global travel brands and start-up companies.
Olympia London
Call 0207 970 4435
Visit www.businesstravelshow.com

MARCH
Best of Britain and Ireland
11-12 March

Best of Britain and Ireland will be holding its annual showcase for two cor sectors, serving the domestic tourism market and the conference, event and marketing industry. Visitors will be able to source new products and services as well as acquire information on the latest attractions, destinations, associations, regional tourist boards and more. 
NEC, Birmingham 
Call 0173 340 5735
Visit www.bobievent.com

Conference and Hospitality Show
24 March
The Conference and Hospitality Show is a free to attend event which connects event organisers with a variety of venues and suppliers. And in 2015 there will be an overarching focus on inspiration, with it generating a motivational education programme. More then 100 exhibitors will be putting in a an appearance, while Demo Zone will be offering interactive displays.
Centenary Pavillion, Elland Road, Leeds
Call 0751 236 5822
Visit www.conferenceandhospitalityshow.co.uk

MAY
IMEX
19-21 May

During the course of three days, IMEX will be playing host to 3,500 global exhibitors, featuring tourists boards, international hotel companies, technology providers and more. Also renowned for attracting high quality buyers, 15,000 senior decision-makers are predicted to be in attendence.
Hall 8, Messe Frankfurt, Germany
Call 01273 227 311
Visit www.imex-frankfurt.com

JULY
The Meeting Show UK
7-9 July 
Organised by meeting professionals, the event is centred on a large exhibition as well as networking prospects and professional education. Destinations from over 50 countries will be on display and the hosted buyer programme is the largest in the UK - drawing figures from the corporate, association, agency and public sectors.
Olympia, London
Call 0207 970 4410
Visit www.themeetingshow.com

SEPTEMBER
The Venue Expo 
8-9 September

The Venue Expo 2015, now in its second year, will once again be attracting MICE industry professionals, venues, hospitality suppliers and event support suppliers from all corners of the UK. Taking place at the brand new Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, visitors have the chance to attend seminars and conduct business with one another. 
Exhibition Centre, Liverpool
Call 0151 702 7752
Visit www.thevenueexpo.co.uk


Square Meal's Venues & Events
16-17 September
In 2014, Square Meal's Venues and Events saw over 7,000 event organising professionals descend to meet over 250 of the UK's top venues and suppliers - and the 2015 show is set to do the same. Spread across colourful floors will be a host of expert seminars, tasting master classes and workshops; ideal for anyone who plans events as part of their job.
Old Billingsgate, London
Call 0844 412 7963
Visit www.venuesandevents.co.uk

OCTOBER 
Office*
13-14 October 
Offering a unique platform where key corporate buyers can meet and do business with a range of relevant and carefully selected suppliers, office* successfully welcomed 4,019 attendees to its 2014 event. This year, Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants and Office Managers, among others, throughout the UK will be browsing the electic floor, accessing the education programme and meeting with 175+ exhibiting brands. 
Olympia, London
Call 01273 645 127
Visit www.officeshow.co.uk


The Showman's Show
21-22 October
The Showman's Show was held in 1984 and it has since emerged as the only outdoor show of its kind in the UK. The event has been capable of appealing to 5,000 visitors and in excess of 340 exhibitors who demonstrate the most sophisticated structures, equipment and entertainment demanded by the event industry at large.
Newbury Showground, Berkshire
Call 01747 854 099
Visit www.showmans-directory.co.uk

NOVEMBER
World Travel Market
2-5 November

World Travel Market - the leading global event for the travel industry - is a vibrant must attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It is a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.
ExCeL, London
Call 0208 271 2160
Visit www.wtmlondon.com

IBTM World
17-19 November
Held in Barcelona, the Global Meetings and Events Exhibition (EBITM) offers professional education and networking opportunities across a three day programme. The event features over 3,000 suppliers from over 100 countries across the world and information on industry trends.
Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
Call 020 8271 2127
Visit www.ibtmevents.com

So that’s it for this week folks, enjoy! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 5 January 2015

Welcome to our first blog of 2015 - we hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.

Cloud 9 Towers are now open as usual and raring to go and get stuck into 2015. As we all know, after a couple of weeks out of the office, it can take a little while to get back in to the swing of things. So, as a motivation for you all this new year, below are the top 10 New Years resolutions for business success...

1. Learn how to delegate and do more of it - There are so many things to do when you're running a small business, it's easy to delude ourselves that we need to do all of them. Then we wonder why we're so tired and frazzled and have no time to do anything else! Determine Your Personal Return on Investment, and decide to let someone else do some of the tasks for a change. Delegation is the key to a healthy work-life balance.

2. Promote your business regularly and consistently - Too often the task of promoting a small business slips to the bottom of the to-do list in the press of urgent tasks. If you want to attract new customers, you have to make promotion a priority. Make a New Year's resolution to hire a marketing expert, or take the time to create a marketing plan on your own and follow through. 

3) Make business planning a weekly event - Planning is vital if you want a healthy, growing business. Business planning lets you take stock of what worked and what didn't work, and helps you set new directions or adjust old goals. So why do it just once a year or once a quarter? Set aside time each week to review, adjust, and look forward - or even better, make business planning a part of each day. Not only will this help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on track, but you'll feel more focused and relaxed.

4) Learn something new - What you choose to learn may be directly related to your business or completely unrelated. Learning something new will add to your skills and add a new dimension of interest to your life - another important part of achieving a healthy work-life balance. Depending on how you choose to learn, you may meet new and interesting people, who may become customers, colleagues, or friends. How will you find the time to learn something new? By delegating, remember?

5) Join a new business organisation or networking group - There's nothing like talking to other business people for sparking new ideas, refining old ones, and making contacts. Whether it's a group specifically designed for networking or an organization dedicated to a particular type of business, in person or over the 'Net, making the effort to be a part of a group will revitalize you and your business.

6) Give something back to your community - There are all kinds of worthy organisations that make a difference in your community. Make a New Year's resolution to find a cause that matters to you, and give what you can. Make this the year that you serve on a committee, be a mentor, volunteer, or make regular donations to the groups in your community that try to make the place you live a better place. And those that give get. 

7) Put time for you on your calendar - In Schedule Time for You, recharge and refresh yourself; a healthy work-life balance demands time out. All work and no play is a recipe for mental and physical disaster. So if you have trouble freeing up time to do the things you enjoy, write time regularly into your schedule to "meet with yourself" and stick to that commitment. If you won't invest in yourself, who will?

8) Set realistic goals - Goal setting is a valuable habit - if the goals lead to success rather than distress. Make a New Year's resolution that the goals you set will be goals that are achievable, rather than unrealistic pipe dreams that are so far out of reach they only lead to frustration. If you have trouble setting realistic goals.

9) Don't make do; get a new one - Is there a piece of equipment in your office that's interfering with your success or something that you lack that's making your working life harder? Whether it's an old fax machine that's a pain to use, or the need for a new employee to lighten your work load, make a New Year's resolution to stop putting off getting what you need. The irritation of making do just isn't worth it.

10) Drop what's not working for you and move on - All products aren't going to be super sellers, all sales methods aren't going to work for everyone, and all suppliers or contractors aren't going to be ideally suited to your business. If a technique or a product or a business relationship isn't working for you, stop using it. Don't invest a lot of energy into trying to make the unworkable workable. Move on. Something better will turn up.

Achieving a healthy work-life balance is like maintaining a good relationship; you have to keep working on it. But if you apply these New Year's resolutions throughout the year, your success is guaranteed!

We're also interested in hearing what your New Year's resolutions are?!

That's all for this week folks, and we wish you all a fantastic 2015!