What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 2 July 2018

Welcome to another week and after all of the glorious sunshine we have been enjoying (in between being inside for the Football!), it's time to turn our attention to Wimbledon which starts today.

In previous years here at Cloud 9 Towers, we have focused on Hotels and Venus in the Wimbledon area, not so much for for accommodation but for their meetings and event spaces - which don't forget we can source for free, locally, nationally and internationally - just ask and we are happy to help.

So rather than roll out the same old story, year after year, we thought we would focus on prestigious properties that feature tennis academies as well as extensive event space, and where better to start than with The Headland in Cornwall.

The hotel is a members of Pride of Britain Hotels and in addition to the amazing sports facilities and spectacular view, the hotel boasts an elegant interiors & epic seascapes with capacities from 4 - 300 delegates - and attractive rates as well. With 95 bedrooms on site plus self catering cottages, the venue also boasts a spa and both indoor and outdoor pools. Perfect for a little dip at the end of a conference or a knock about (assuming you don't hit a shot in to the Atlantic as the hotel has rather distracting 360º ocean views. 

Over on the French Riviera is the Mouratpglou Tennis Academy which is part of the amazing Beachcomber Resort (and in the interests of transparency - Beachcomber is a client).  In 2012 Patrick Mouratpglou became the official coach of Serena Williams, and over the last 20 years, he has used his experience to create a successful coaching method which is now the core focus of the Academy.  Whilst maybe not the first choice as a destination for MICE, this stunning property is certainly flexible and is situated between Nice and Cannes and  with 34 tennis courts, a pro shop, high tech fitness room and a medical centre, its perfect for sports enthusiasts. There is more to the resort than just tennis though, with two swimming pools, including one racket shaped, a 700-square metre spa and two restaurants, its well worth a look.

Part of the (Marriott) Luxury Collection includes the superb Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve. The spectacular cliff-top setting provides a stunning location for events, with both indoor and outdoor spaces.Located in a central area of the resort grounds, the conference facilities can cater for up to 700 guests and with flexible accommodation options on site, there are plenty of bedrooms to go round as well. This is a stunning resort and with 13 different meetings and events spaces, its well worth investigating not just for tennis, but for international conferences as well.

In Sardinia, the Forte Village is another dream destination for MICE, and lots of major brands have held conferences at this stunning resort including, Porsche, Ferrari, Vodafone, Volkswagen, Mondadori, Generali, Audi, Siemens and Mastercard. The beauty of Sardinia, the exclusive style of the resort and Business Centre, and the ease of location makes it ideal. There are some special event spaces on site and the resort can cater for large numbers, with a range of halls, and meeting rooms. Want a conference for 2000? No problem. Want an additional room for another 1,000 delegates, not an issue. Even the smallest event would feel right at home in this amazing village. They are also serious about sport, and host professional football teams as well as the legendary tennis academy which was founded by six time Wimbledon champion Mark Woodforde and includes Andy Murray's former coach Jonas Bjorkman amongst the star coaches.

We end our tour of the courts with La Manga Club in Murcia, sunny south-eastern Spain, and this resort is currently the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) official overseas training base. In addition to its 28-court centre and extensive leisure facilities, the resort also has over 2300 metres of event spaces and a flexible approach to hosting corporate events of all sizes. With both a four star and five star hotel on site, and eight football pitches, this resort is great for MICE style activities.

If all of the sport is driving you bonkers don't despair, we have a range of venues we can suggest globally for your next meeting or event, and even if you are not fan, we'll throw in strawberries and cream this week for any new venue finding requests.

Have a great week. 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 29th October

Welcome to another week and what a busy one it is!

Tonight we’re off to the Vue Cinema in The Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays Manchester to join Bil Bungay at a very special screening of his Film, When the Lights Went Out.

Based on supposedly true events that occurred at No. 30, East Drive on the Chequerfield Estate, in Pontefract, this is the story: In 1974, the Maynard family moves into their dream house. It’s a dream that quickly descends into a panic stricken nightmare as the family discovers a horrifying truth – the house is already occupied by the most violent poltergeist ever documented. As the attacks on the family become increasingly violent and terrifying it becomes clear that the exorcism of the poltergeist will be their only chance for survival. Two separate exorcism are attempted… the consequences of which… are disastrous.

Although the film has been out a month or so, the screening this evening will be special as everyone has to dress up as a vicar! We’ll post photos in due course!

Wednesday is the CIPR Northern Conference at The Rose Bowl, Leeds Metropolitan University with a Fit for the Future theme.

The focus for this year will be cantered around the changing face of the PR industry and how fit we are to tackle the increasing challenges that lay ahead.

Whether it is understanding and keeping ahead of the continual changes in the digital and social media sectors, making the leap to being a sole practitioner or starting your own consultancy, or making sure you are mentally fit to face the future of this increasingly diverse industry.

Key speakers at the event include Max Clifford, who probably for anyone with an interest in the media will need no introduction. Additionally,  Gavin Forth, Global Marketing Director at ghd and Nicola Green, Director of Communications & Reputation at 02 are also speaking.

There are also three panels and three workshops on the day all addressing different subject matter:

Journalism, will see three of the North's senior journalists from the world of print and broadcasting will talk about how they have adapted to be "fit for the future", how they see mainstream and digital media integrating, and what effect they think Leveson might have on press regulation.

Social media, will see t hree leading thinkers on how social media and digital communications is evolving and changing the role of PR practitioners. They will share their expertise on how we can be 'fit for the future' and claim the social media space as communications, engagement and relationship specialists.

Video Broadcasting will focus on One hour of video is uploaded to YouTube every second and over 800 million unique users visit YouTube each month. The panel will outline how video is changing the skills required for PRs and explore how you can leverage the medium to support your communication objectives whether that's online or off. 

Kantar Media who are headline sponsors of the event are also delivering a session on “Track to the Future”.  Over the past decade, the client-agency relationship has evolved from a one-lane relay, with clear control procedures to finish the race, to a wider track, where we merge our expertise to complete the race together. In this session, Group Commercial Director of Kantar Media Intelligence UK Dean Wading and Deputy Manager of Media Evaluation, Matt Couchman discuss how much more PR and communications specialists can deliver beyond just numbers to set the track to the future.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep our delegates occupied, there are also three workshops in the afternoon the first of which is Leaders of the future with Professor Anne Gregory.

Running at the same time is  The future of digital communications with Paul Mallett, Digital Strategic Director and Board Director, Brass and Strategic Creativity or 'New School PR' with Andy Green.

So all in all a very very full day for the delegates!

Friday we are in preparation mode for a busy weekend with our clients Beachcomber who are holding an all years “Reunion Academy Weekend” at the Ettington Chase Hotel in Stratford.

Beachcomber Tours have been based on the High Street in Guildford since 1989 and specialise in the paradise islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles.  In Mauritius Beachcomber Hotels were the pioneers of the hotel industry opening the first hotel on the island way back in 1952 so we certainly come with some pedigree.

They certainly know how to look after their clients and their travel agents are in for a cracking weekend, with a treasure hunt around the grounds, a firework display and drinks, three course dinner, a band, entertainment a plenty and something rather special that we have been asked to provide…a candy buffet!

So in addition to doing our bit with registration, table decorations and centre pieces we have also had to source blue sweets (to match their corporate colours of course!) and chocolate which hasn’t been that easy, but should make for a stunning display!

So, that’s probably more than enough for the week

Have a good one everyone!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 8th May

Another short week ahead and lots to pack in so we better get on with it! 

The weeks are rushing by and the CIPR Northern Conference 2012 will soon be upon us. The full line up is pretty much in place now and next week delegates will be able to select their choices for workshops and which of three panel sessions they would like to attend. With great key-note speakers and a packed schedule, you certainly don't want to miss this event this year.

If you haven't booked yet then now is the time to do it!

The event takes place on Wednesday 4th July at the Northern Ballet Theatre in Leeds and you can either book by emailing us directly paula@cloud9em.co.uk or if you would prefer to  book online, then you can visit the eventbrite page www.ciprnc2012.eventbrite.com The site has additional details about the schedule for the day and lists the speakers. 

Have you planned your holiday this year yet?

One of our clients is offering the chance to win the trip of a lifetime to Mauritius. 

As the first hotel company in Mauritius the Beachcomber Hotels got the ‘first pick’ of some of the most stunning locations and prime beach fronts. All eight of their Mauritius hotels are designed to make the most of their magnificent surrounds ensuring you enjoy a holiday of a lifetime.

For the chance to win, simply follow this link and watch the brief film, featuring non other than Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and you might also spot a familiar face - yours! http://www.beachcomber-escape-to-paradise.co.uk/

It's all fresh on the Fresh front this year!  Last week saw the launch of our inaugural, well newsletter isn't quite the correct term for it...as it's basically the takes on a subject set by us on a monthly topic and our first issue was all about Fools Rush In. We invited three industry professionals to contribute and Gerry Farrell was hilarious, Wini Tse informative and Mark Borkowski incredibly clever. If you didn't see it, then make sure you register on the Fresh site to make sure you don't miss that May edition! www.freshawards.co.uk.

Fresh is open for entries for 2012 now with a closing date of 20th July so whilst you have plenty of time to start thinking about which pieces of your work to submit this year, do take a look at our new creative this year which has been devised by the team over at McCann Erickson in Birmingham.

It really is rather fabulous and is all about Making Your Mum Proud - with the help of some rather famous creative's Mums taking centre stage! 

We end the week with a call to you all about our Royal Ascot Ladies Day Comes to Nottingham event.

The opportunity for shopping, lunch and afternoon tea all in comfort is one not to be missed this year!

Throw in the chance to win some great prizes and also be one of four models on the day, and you could be in for the experience of a lifetime!

We are teaming up with personal image consultant Unique You who will offer our ladies the chance to have a make-over and show off their style!  

http://www.uniqueyou-imageconsultant.co.uk/index.html 

Book ahead ladies and make sure you don't miss this amazing event! Thursday 21st June from 11am - email paula@cloud9em.co.uk for a booking form or book online via eventbrite http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2556510592

Have a great week everyone!