What's Floating Around Cloud 9?

Welcome to another week everyone and although its a short one, we hope that everyone had a great Easter break. We know that many of our agent friends are on deadlines not only for their own clients but also as judges for the CHS Awards, which here at Cloud 9 we are delighted to be running with the CHS Group. We look forward to seeing you all in Manchester on 25 May! 

In other news this week we are delighted to introduce our Guest Blogger from TeamSport and for fast and furious four-wheeled thrills, no one does it better! With seventeen tracks across the country, they make a perfect venue for corporate events. Welcome TeamSport!

"Are you looking for somewhere different to hold your client’s next sales meeting?  Has your client asked to include a fun team activity or have you been challenged to find somewhere they haven’t been before? You have? Then TeamSport Karting could just be the answer. 

We’re extremely proud to be the UK’s No1 indoor karting company offering 17 venues nationwide. We’re challenging perceptions and differentiating ourselves by not only providing top class exhilarating multi-level tracks to race around but we also offer great corporate meeting spaces and facilities too.  This makes our venues ideal to combine that corporate activity session with work all in one place. Our London Docklands is just one of our venues that includes purpose built meeting facilities.

You might be surprised to learn that we can hold up to 100 people in the large meeting room here and we have a projector, screen and sound system installed to ensure that meeting expectations are met.  There’s also a secondary meeting room, a spacious bar area which has plenty of room for additional team building activities that you may like to bring in or simply used as a breakout area for refreshments. 

Have a look at our website and specifically inside our tracks where you take a tour of Docklands. All venues are available for exclusive hire and provide multiple options for events: parties, meetings, networking, team building, product launches etc. 

More than just exhilarating indoor karting!

In addition to the top class multi-level tracks and meeting spaces, we provide other facilities such as changing rooms with lockers and showers, licenced bars, serve delicious food and offer the opportunity to race against the original Stig too!  These are all part of our commitment to ensure that the participant has a great experience at TeamSport.

So, next time you’re asked “where we can go that’s different?” why not consider TeamSport!  If you’d like to know more about our venues and meeting facilities please contact Fiona Tayler, Corporate Events Manager at fiona.tayler@team-sport.co.uk or 07467 910 674 "

Our thanks to Fiona and TeamSport and we wish everyone a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 22 March 2016

Welcome to another week as Paula is currently stranded in Alicante – we have taken the opportunity to infiltrate the C9 Blog!!  Paula PLEASE return soon – we need you!!

 

Special thanks to all our CHS Judging panel who have very kindly agreed to judge entries for #CHSAwards16.  We appreciate your support and value your expertise. 

We are currently immersed in lots of wonderful submissions for our CHS Awards 16 http://www.chs-awards16.co.uk/#!sponsor-us/c146e – thank you to all Entrants for their hard work.   We have been so impressed with the standard of entries and the amazing venues.

Judging is now underway and the nominees will be announced at the Conference & Hospitality Show at the First Direct Arena, Leeds on 26 April 2016 - http://www.conferenceandhospitalityshow.co.uk/. CHS Awards dinner tickets are selling fast – so please call Janet or Carol to book – we want to make sure everyone can go!! 

Midlands Media Student Awards is in full swing and again we have been astounded by the level and standard of entries received.  Charlotte is doing an amazing job with all the entries and judging is under way.  www.midlandsmedia.co.uk. Cloud 9 is very proud to produce the Awards for the Birmingham Press Club.

Paula and all the Staff at Cloud 9 Towers want to wish you an Eggscellent Easter.  We were trying not to have chocolate during March – as part of our Meagre March campaign.  However, we all fell at the first hurdle and now have Anxious April to contend with in our quest to lose weight for the CHS Awards’ dinner in Manchester on 26th May at the Manchester Mercure Piccadilly Hotel.  Watch this space for our progress!!

Have a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 14 March 2016

Welcome to another week and its a week of travel, trips and events all round this week. Monday sees the Accor Paris Workshops so we're popping over on Monday to meet some 40 different hoteliers from France.

From M Gallery Hotels to Sofitels and Pullmans, there is a vast range of properties for us to meet and discover and given the awful events in Paris at the back end of last year, we are aiming to encourage our groups to visit the City of Light. Although its only a short trip (back Tuesday) it will be a great opportunity to reconnect with some of the hotels we know, and connect with some that we don't.

Wednesday is already full as not only do we have a German Group to meet in Nottingham, we are also off to the launch of the Nottingham Food & Drink Awards for 2016 at the Malt Cross in the City.

From Thursday its the HBAA All About People Conference in Alicante. The Forum will be held at the five-star Barcelo Asia Gardens & Thai Spa in Alicante, and will bring together UK based agents who make overseas M&E bookings on behalf of their corporate clients, and the supplier venues who can accommodate their events.   The event will promote building relationships and developing industry best practice in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. 

So as you can see, it's pretty much a week of packing, unpacking and repacking again so we thought it timely to share with you our suggestions on successful packing, Cloud 9 style!

First up is making sure your suitcase stands out for the crowd! 

The last thing anyone wants is to be faced with an airport baggage carousel crisis where you can't identify your luggage from other almost identical cases. Make sure you have a luggae label and ribbons and stickers can also help - it used to be that a brightly coloured case made life easier, but there are so many around now its hard to spot your case!

You can avoid shoes marking your clothes by popping disposable shower caps over them (pinched from hotels we know!) and you can also use the shower caps for keeping chargers and cables neatly packed and not all jumbled up. If you hate ironing, the last thing you want is to iron to pack, only to find your clothes creased when you unpack so roll items where you can. 

This saves space as well, and don't forget to fill the inside of your shoes with any bits and bobs such as jewellery or smaller items like underwear. A great way to keep your clothes nice and fresh whilst you are travelling is to either pop in a drawer liner, scented fabric sheet or even a tissue sprayed with your favourite scent

Also, if you are like the majority of us, you always end up taking far too many clothes, so pick a colour scheme and some complimentary and matching items which you can mix and match for the perfect wardrobe - this will also save you taking too many pairs of shoes!

We suggest a weigh in too! There is nothing worse than being charged for excess baggage at airports so check before your travel that your case meets the weight or size requirements. If its overweight then reconsider what you have packed - do you really need to take everything you have packed?

Avoid leaky cosmetics and toiletries ruining your clothes with good old fashioned cling film or the trusty shower caps and make sure you pack a roll for the return journey too - or buy small versions of what you need so you can donate and leave them without the need for bringing them back.

A great way to keep your clothes nice and fresh whilst you are travelling is to either pop in a drawer liner, scented fabric sheet or even a tissue sprayed with your favourite scent

Finally, and just in case, make sure you keep your essentials handy just in case your suitcase is lost. Valuables, medication and anything else that yo would be lost without needs to stay with you!

So there you have it, the Cloud 9 packing guide!

Have a great week and happy travels wherever you might be going!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 7 March 2016

Welcome to another week and we are starting the week with Carol's Birthday, so Happy Birthday Carol - she is off exploring the wilds of Essex for most of this week and Janet who celebrated her birthday last week is off in Scotland so we're a bit thin on the ground this week here in the office!

So what else is new? Well, we like to keep up to date with new hotel launches and opening this June, is Australia’s newest, world class venue at the heart of Darling Harbour. Offering uninterrupted water views, the Four Points by Sheraton in Sydney has inspiring waterfront event space and state of the art conference facilities. The 3,700 square metres of flexible meeting and event space, expansive pre-function areas and unique dining options can all be tailored to suit your needs. Then when the day is done, your guests can relax in one of the 892 refurbished guestrooms, or have a little indulgence in the brand new 300 seat restaurant, contemporary bar or Rooftop bar which opens towards the end of the year.

A little closer to home is the Barcelo Emperatriz, Madrid, a hotel that reinterprets the palace aesthetics of 19th century Madrid, and is inspired by the life of Eugenia de Montijo. The new, completely remodelled design of this central hotel matches this cosmopolitan, intellectual and visionary personality, who was the last Spanish empress.

Located in the centre of the Salamanca neighbourhood, next to Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano, this hotel is perfect for business and leisure trips. It is a starting point for discovering one of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Madrid, where the most sophisticated restaurants in the city can be found alongside boutiques selling the most prestigious brands.
The luxurious rooms at the Barceló Emperatriz hotel base their B-Room concept on maximum Barceló standards and quality, completely fitted and decorated with avant-garde furniture that contrasts with classic details, such as the Capitone armchairs. Guests will be surprised to find, in a hotel that is respectful to tradition, cutting-edge technology such as a connectivity panel, Mini Media Hub, which connects the room’s TV with your mobile, tablet or laptop via USB connection or Bluetooth.

The Mutis restaurant is decorated with floral motifs, reflecting the Empress’s love of nature, which creates a warm and relaxed environment. It offers an exquisite buffet breakfast and a select menu that includes the daily Barceló Healthy Gourmet menu: dishes that combine the pleasure of fine dining with healthy eating.

Guests at the hotel will discover a new meaning of luxury with a unique personality, in an exceptional location and with first-class facilities. Whether it is for leisure or business, a visit to a European capital like Madrid, with its wonderful artistic heritage and vibrant cultural agenda, is a fantastic experience. Staying at Barceló Emperatriz for your visit is a unique and unforgettable experience. 

In other news this week we are keen to find out more about the new brand under Hilton, Canopy Hotels. Canopy by Hilton brings a modern boutique hotel experience which guests can enjoy with directed service and thoughtful local choices. 

Beyond simply creating a positive stay, five essential elements define what it means to be a Canopy hotel. Firstly its great neighbourhoods as Canopy is all about being local, through design, food and beverage, art and knowledge. No two Canopy hotels will be the same, and they apparently know that’s what their guests want. Next up is their market-driven approach. Who knows the markets and guests’ needs better than their owners? Together with our owners, they will explore each hotel’s unique potential for destination dining, rooftop bars, social and meeting spaces and swimming pools.  

Comfort and design is next and each Canopy Hotel will take a people-first approach to design.  The energy of their great neighbourhoods flows through the open, welcoming lobby space and this energy gives way to warm, inviting and comfortable “just-right rooms.”  

More included value is also one of their assets as they know guests are willing to pay for a more inclusive approach. So basic Wi-Fi and an artisanal breakfast will be included, along with a local welcome gift and an evening tasting of local beers, wines or spirits to bring the neighbourhood to life. The “positively yours” culture is a new addition and all staff or team members are “enthusiasts” and in the front of the house it’s a whole new approach: one-stop service.

The first Canopy Hotel opens shortly in Reykjavik with further properties set to open in the States in 2017, 2018 and 2019 but no news of any in the UK as yet.

So busy as ever here at Cloud 9 and we look forward to catching up soon! Have a great week! 

hotel that reinterprets the palace aesthetics of 19th century Madrid, and is inspired by the life of Eugenia de Montijo. The new, completely remodelled design of this central hotel matches this cosmopolitan, intellectual and visionary personality, who was the last Spanish empress.

Located in the centre of the Salamanca neighbourhood, next to Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano, this hotel is perfect for business and leisure trips. It is a starting point for discovering one of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Madrid, where the most sophisticated restaurants in the city can be found alongside boutiques selling the most prestigious brands.

The luxurious rooms at the Barceló Emperatriz hotel base their B-Room concept on maximum Barceló standards and quality, completely fitted and decorated with avant-garde furniture that contrasts with classic details, such as the Capitone armchairs. Guests will be surprised to find, in a hotel that is respectful to tradition, cutting-edge technology such as a connectivity panel, Mini Media Hub, which connects the room’s TV with your mobile, tablet or laptop via USB connection or Bluetooth.

The Mutis restaurant is decorated with floral motifs, reflecting the Empress’s love of nature, which creates a warm and relaxed environment. It offers an exquisite buffet breakfast and a select menu that includes the daily Barceló Healthy Gourmet menu: dishes that combine the pleasure of fine dining with healthy eating.

Guests at the hotel will discover a new meaning of luxury with a unique personality, in an exceptional location and with first-class facilities. Whether it is for leisure or business, a visit to a European capital like Madrid, with its wonderful artistic heritage and vibrant cultural agenda, is a fantastic experience. Staying at Barceló Emperatriz for your visit is a unique and unforgettable experience. - See more at: https://www.barcelo.com/barcelohotels/en_gb/hotels/spain/madrid/hotel-barcelo-emperatriz/general-description.aspx#sthash.UCXVpUzu.dpuf

hotel that reinterprets the palace aesthetics of 19th century Madrid, and is inspired by the life of Eugenia de Montijo. The new, completely remodelled design of this central hotel matches this cosmopolitan, intellectual and visionary personality, who was the last Spanish empress.

Located in the centre of the Salamanca neighbourhood, next to Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano, this hotel is perfect for business and leisure trips. It is a starting point for discovering one of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Madrid, where the most sophisticated restaurants in the city can be found alongside boutiques selling the most prestigious brands.

The luxurious rooms at the Barceló Emperatriz hotel base their B-Room concept on maximum Barceló standards and quality, completely fitted and decorated with avant-garde furniture that contrasts with classic details, such as the Capitone armchairs. Guests will be surprised to find, in a hotel that is respectful to tradition, cutting-edge technology such as a connectivity panel, Mini Media Hub, which connects the room’s TV with your mobile, tablet or laptop via USB connection or Bluetooth.

The Mutis restaurant is decorated with floral motifs, reflecting the Empress’s love of nature, which creates a warm and relaxed environment. It offers an exquisite buffet breakfast and a select menu that includes the daily Barceló Healthy Gourmet menu: dishes that combine the pleasure of fine dining with healthy eating.

Guests at the hotel will discover a new meaning of luxury with a unique personality, in an exceptional location and with first-class facilities. Whether it is for leisure or business, a visit to a European capital like Madrid, with its wonderful artistic heritage and vibrant cultural agenda, is a fantastic experience. Staying at Barceló Emperatriz for your visit is a unique and unforgettable experience. - See more at: https://www.barcelo.com/barcelohotels/en_gb/hotels/spain/madrid/hotel-barcelo-emperatriz/general-description.aspx#sthash.UCXVpUzu.dpuf

hotel that reinterprets the palace aesthetics of 19th century Madrid, and is inspired by the life of Eugenia de Montijo. The new, completely remodelled design of this central hotel matches this cosmopolitan, intellectual and visionary personality, who was the last Spanish empress.

Located in the centre of the Salamanca neighbourhood, next to Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano, this hotel is perfect for business and leisure trips. It is a starting point for discovering one of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Madrid, where the most sophisticated restaurants in the city can be found alongside boutiques selling the most prestigious brands.

The luxurious rooms at the Barceló Emperatriz hotel base their B-Room concept on maximum Barceló standards and quality, completely fitted and decorated with avant-garde furniture that contrasts with classic details, such as the Capitone armchairs. Guests will be surprised to find, in a hotel that is respectful to tradition, cutting-edge technology such as a connectivity panel, Mini Media Hub, which connects the room’s TV with your mobile, tablet or laptop via USB connection or Bluetooth.

The Mutis restaurant is decorated with floral motifs, reflecting the Empress’s love of nature, which creates a warm and relaxed environment. It offers an exquisite buffet breakfast and a select menu that includes the daily Barceló Healthy Gourmet menu: dishes that combine the pleasure of fine dining with healthy eating.

Guests at the hotel will discover a new meaning of luxury with a unique personality, in an exceptional location and with first-class facilities. Whether it is for leisure or business, a visit to a European capital like Madrid, with its wonderful artistic heritage and vibrant cultural agenda, is a fantastic experience. Staying at Barceló Emperatriz for your visit is a unique and unforgettable experience. - See more at: https://www.barcelo.com/barcelohotels/en_gb/hotels/spain/madrid/hotel-barcelo-emperatriz/general-description.aspx#sthash.UCXVpUzu.dpuf