What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 1 August 2016

Welcome to another week and we are in Awards mode here at Cloud 9 Towers with the Midlands Media Awards for the Birmingham Press Club and prepping for the launch of the 2017 CHS Awards which we run for Emma Cartmell and her team, and our Fresh Awards brand which is also having a major overhaul.

Although Awards Ceremonies are not our only focus, it’s how Cloud 9 began so we do still relish the delivery of the actual events themselves even though the process can be quite arduous as any good Awards organiser knows.

From appointing a credible jury to orchestrating a workable timeline, to marketing, to entry processing and to generating sponsorship and involvement from stakeholders, there is a considerable number of elements to include to successfully run an awards programme. 

Many entrants view awards with a certain amount of cynicism and we’ve been very stoic in our approach to making all of the awards events we run as transparent as possible, with good communication at each and every stage. From acknowledging entries, to announcing shortlists, finalists or nominees, making sure that everyone, irrespective of their own success within the awards is kept up to date.

One of the questions we are asked most is about feedback and this is where it can be a little tricky. It’s great to be able to provide a positive commentary from the judges about a job or project that has been well executed but when it comes to anything even remotely critical, it can be a bit tough.

Yes, we all operate in a business environment, but let’s be honest, we have all a personal investment in our work, and even more so when it comes to awards which are an emotive subject at the best of times.

Before you actually put your work out there for scrutiny, it’s likely that you are proud of the job you have done and the effort you have invested so to be told it’s not up to standard, is way behind the campaigns, products or creativity of your peers, can be a pretty crushing experience.

From an Awards organisers perspective this is perhaps the most difficult element when running awards, as to deliver good news, encourage attendance at the awards and have lots of positive stories to tell, is great. But to have to share disappointment or any levelling commentary is not so good, no matter how constructive. 

So perhaps its worth considering that Awards organisers are not always the baddies in this scenario, they are simply working with the results they have and the findings of the juries they work with.

Awards remain a great way to promote your business though, and a great way to motivate your teams and your staff. Even if you don’t enjoy massive success in the world of awards, it is worth remembering that if your business is prepared to invest in an entry or two, then your employer must think you are doing something right to have supported your quest for a gong or two.

Have a great week, enjoy!

What's Floating Around Coud 9? 11 July 2016

Welcome to another week and we’re in Awards mode this week here at Cloud 9 Towers with three main events on the go.

Firstly, it’s the Midlands Media Awards which we run on behalf of the Birmingham Press Club and these are scheduled for Thursday 20 October at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Charlotte in the team who manages this project is being inundated with entries and as Headline of the Year is always one of the most popular categories, we are really looking forward to seeing some of the entries this year following the recent referendum on the EU.

The Fresh Creative Awards which we’ve run alongside Cloud 9 for many years are also having an overhaul or a refresh if you will pardon the pun. Although the competition in the market is fairly intense for awards in the creative sectors, Fresh is one of the only independent programmes in the UK and is totally integrated, covering all disciplines from Advertising through to PR. We’ve changed the model for these awards and also split the Fresh brand down into three core sectors with the Awards being the main platform.

The second platform is a new programme called Fresh Adventures which follows the model that we have successful used for judging over the years, and it’s a series of creative and inspirational trips for professionals working in the creative and communications industries, who can connect with likeminded people, and enjoy experiences in Europe and beyond to reignite their creativity and passion.

The third strand of Fresh is a little under wraps for now, but let’s just say its exciting times ahead and we look forward to sharing the news soon.

Last and by no means least is the CHS Awards which we run for the CHS Group and is aligned to the Conference and Hospitality Show which takes place in Leeds each year. Year one showed just how popular the awards were and this last year’s event which was held in April cemented the programme in the industry, and was attended by over 250 guests in a glittering ceremony in Manchester.

So, planning is well underway for next year and along with the CHS Group, we have big plans for the event!

In other news this week, did you know its International Cherry Day this coming Saturday? We thought this was a perfect opportunity to feature a hotel (as we do) called The Cherry Hotel. Now there are an abundance of hotels our there with names like Cherry Court, Cherry Tree, Cherry Tree and the Golden Cherry, but not one we can find called The Cherry Hotel – and we should know as venue finders!

In fact the only Cherry Hotel we can find is an historic hotel building located at Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina. It was designed by Charles Collins Benton in Beaux Arts style and built in 1917. It is a six-story, "U"-shaped brick building with approximately 200 rooms. The interior features a two-story lobby with Art Deco style lighting fixtures. The hotel closed in the 1980's and was subsequently converted to apartments.

So if you can find a hotel with the correct name, we’d love to know, just for the sheer joy of it!

Have a great week and enjoy!