What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 27 February 2017

Welcome to another week and with Spring around the corner, this is really exhibition season for anyone working in Events. It was Awards season last week and now exhibition season, what will be next we wonder?

Last week was the North East Venue Expo in Newcastle, the week before was the BNC Show in London and this coming week see's the start of International Confex at Olympia. Combined with the numerous emails hitting our respective inboxes to attend both the CHS Show in Leeds in April and The Meetings Show in June, and its clear that exhibitions for events, and indeed most industry's are here to stay. 

What is clear though is that visitors don't just want to visit an exhibition, they want to be engulfed by it and use it as a complete opportunity to be engaged.Experiential events are quite the draw these days as attendees look for something unexpected, and with so many events and online experiences competing for our time, audiences to gravitate towards events that are producing amazing experiences. 

So which exhibitions are delivering in terms of education and our increasing demand for entertainment combined? Here at Cloud 9 Towers we love to know so we did some digging!

 

James Cameron’s “Avatar” created a world people were drawn to and an Avatar exhibition, AVATAR: Discover Pandora, has opened in Taiwan where Pandora becomes a “real” place and visitors can interact in a hands-on way to learn more about science and the wonder of Cameron’s 2009 movie world. 

This is not the first exhibition inspired by a film, as you may remember another of Cameron’s blockbusters – Titanic – has also inspired several exhibitions and permanent exhibits across the world. 

The exhibit plans to expand to other cities, before the 2018 release of the first of four Avatar sequels but this is not a one-off exhibition attended only by extreme fans as there is an increase in desire for virtual reality experiences.

Physco fan had the opportunity back in 2015 to attend and stay in the illustrious Bates Motel and the exhibition enabled visitors to step inside Norma and Norman Bates’ world in a truly unique and innovative way.

 

Closer to home and capitalising on the current popularity of escape rooms, Immersive Events have created a Prison Escape experience at Dana Prison in Shrewsbury. 

 

Attendees/prisoners are dressed in prison clothing and locked in cells and it's up to them to get out, navigate the guards, and other prisoners who may report the attempted escape. The first person who who makes it to freedom is declared the winner. Challengers can even decide to spend the night at the prison if they desire to. 

 

So these are exhibitions are not simply about walking round and collecting all of the freebies available (we can spot the freebie hunters a mile off!), they are instead a platform to change visitors to participants.  

Have a great week, enjoy! 

 

Whats Floating Around Cloud 9? 10 November 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we hope you all had a great weekend!

Next week two members of the team are off to EIBTM in Barcelona to talk international business and widen their knowledge of worldwide venues. With our FUSE service expanding and lots of new business to talk about this will be a positive experience for the girls which we highly recommend.

EIBTM is the place to grow your business in the meetings, events, conference, incentives and business travel industry.  Through highly-targeted introductions, EIBTM brings you face-to-face with the right people in the right organisations, to build relations, develop your business and expand your knowledge.

EIBTM attracts over 15,000 industry professionals to Barcelona every year. Their unique Hosted Buyer Programme and exciting Exhibitors bring global business under one roof for a busy three days. By attending EIBTM, participants efficiently and effectively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and keep abreast with the latest developments in the Meetings industry.

Who Exhibits

 

3,000 global brands and suppliers representing over 150 countries essential for your meetings, conferences, incentives and events.

• Airlines & Cruise Lines
• Attractions & Entertainment
• Business Travel Suppliers
• Conference & Meeting Venues
• Convention & Visitor Bureaux
• Destination Management Services
• Event Support Services
• Hotels,  Resorts & Spas
• Incentive Destinations

• National Tourist Organisations
• Professional Conference Organisers
• Sporting and Gaming Venues
• Technology Providers
• Travel Agencies
• Travel Management Companies
• Trade Associations / Media

Who Attends

 

Hosted Buyers

 

Over 4,000 high quality buyers and top level decision makers attend EIBTM on the Hosted Buyer Programme. Buyers can apply online via the website or are invited to apply as part of a group and must fulfil our qualification criteria for placing / having responsibility for international events.

Trade Visitors

Over 5,100 Trade Visitors including 244 members of the International Press attend EIBTM from around the globe, representing over 67 countries.  Attendee Profile

Hosted Buyers and Trade visitors include all those involved in the planning, budgeting and management of meetings, event, conferences, incentives, conventions, training and other events, as well as business travel.

• Business Travel Management Companies
• Corporate Organisations
• Destination Management Companies
• Event Management Companies
• Incentive Agencies
• Independent Meeting Planners

• International Associations & Societies
• Live Events & Experiential Agencies
• Not For Profit and Government Organisations
• Professional Conference Organisers
• Venue Finding Agencies

With Shannon off on a post EIBTM Familiarisation trip in Madrid with Moulden, Paula jetting off to Malta for more of the same with Corinthia Hotels and Rubina flying out to Jamaica with Sandals and the end of the month we can certainly see November being a educational month. 

Cloud 9 just got intercontinental - Pop back next week to see how we got on.

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3 November 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 and we hope you all had a Happy Halloween Weekend! 

After an extremely busy week, last week, running two consecutive Award Ceremonies in Manchester, then a rather relaxing weekend for us all, we're off to Leeds for the Sporting Venue Showcase 2014. 

Exhibition and Event Organiser for the MICE Industry CHS Group, have launched their second annual Sporting Venue Showcase, in partnership with Stadium Experience and Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds. The event which is being held this evening, Monday 3 September at Headingley Carnegie Stadium is designed to introduce Corporate Meeting and Event Planners and Agencies to sales teams from some of the UK's finest Sporting Stadium. All sporting venues including cricket clubs, football and rugby clubs are invited to exhibit and showcase their match day and non match day hospitality. 

Emma Cartmell, CHS Group Director said: "We were overwhelmed by response to our inaugural 2013 Sporting Venue Showcase from both exhibitors and buyers. There is nothing like this in the UK and we find that buyers really appreciate the opportunity to meet with venues from around the UK in one evening to update their venue knowledge and understand the variety of events that Sporting Venues can accommodate."

The evening starts with a drinks reception followed by a mini-exhibition. The guests will then be entertained by our Managing Director, Paula Kelsey by dinner and a prize draw. Paula Kelsey will speak about matching venues to an event brief, venue negotiation and making the events budget go further. 

Rachel Betts Conference and Events Business Development Manager at Leicester Tigers who are exhibiting for the first time said: "We always exhibit at CHS Group's Independent Venue Showcases and find these are great for getting us in front of buyers that we would not normally meet. The Sporting Venue Showcase is a perfect fit for us as it allows us to showcase our Match day offering too."

Also this week is the World Travel Market, which is taking place in London from Monday 3 - Thursday 6 November. World Travel Market is celebrating its 35th event and over the past three and a half decades WTM has established itself as the event where the industry conducts business its deals.This is the leading global event for the travel industry - it's a vibrant must attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It's a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business. 

There are a number of different elements to this event with a number of different activities going on throughout the few days, for example on Tuesday the highlight is the UNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit. At WTM 2014, the UNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit focused on 'Tourism and Mega-Events: building a lasting legacy'

Tourism and mega-events are closely interlinked in today’s globalized society. Many of those participating in mega events are tourists while mega events have an enormous impact in all the components of the tourism value chain of the host destination (s).

Beyond the immediate impacts of mega events in terms of investment, infrastructure development, namely accommodation and transport, urban development or regeneration, employment generation and brand exposure there are a number of legacy impacts that should be associated with hosting a mega-event. These include:

1. building national unity and pride through community involvement
2. improving the capacity to attract private investment
3. forming a better prepared workforce
4. achieving a strong positioning or reposition of the brand of the host destination(s); and
5. transforming a tourism destination (s)

However the Wednesday hosts WTM World Responsible Tourism Day. This is the one defining day in the year that travel companies, destinations, organisations, employees and suppliers come together across the world in a remarkable expression of this new way of thinking.

They aim to inspire, push the boundaries, question long held beliefs and opinions, and highlight good practice. Key debates and workshops on crucial responsible tourism issues facing the industry today are both challenging and provocative. WTM World Responsible Tourism Day 2014 will be no exception.

Last but by no means least, Thursday features exclusive seminars and speed networking sessions including a variety of speakers and influential figures from in and around the travel industry who offer the latest insights, trends and invaluable knowledge. 

Well, we think that's enough for this week folks, have a fantastic Bonfire night on Wednesday and we hope to see you here again next week. Enjoy!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 22 September 2014

Welcome to another week and whilst Paula has been enjoying the delights of Amsterdam with the fabulous people at Accor this last weekend, the nightmare that is Heathrow continues to daunt even the most seasoned traveller.

Hence our delight at being given the opportunity to work with Cello www.flycello.com the private aviation company that operates from Birmingham. 

The Cello service is simple, they exist to provide all of our highly valued clients with the best available VIP corporate jet transport, whether that be in the air or in terms of pre and post flight customer care. Based at Birmingham International Airport, and with the ability to position anywhere in Europe for your charter needs, Cello is superbly placed to deliver excellence at all times. 

They own and operate the Avro Business Jet (known as the ABJ). It is a highly impressive, quiet, modern aircraft which can operate almost anywhere - even in the most environmentally sensitive airports and those with short runways and demanding approaches such as London's City Airport. 

Cello carry many different types of client, such as:

• Blue Chip Companies
• Football Teams
• Motor Racing Teams
• Horse Racing Clients
• High Profile Personalities 
• Entertainment Performers
• Wedding Parties
• Conference & Incentive Groups

There has been extensive press coverage recently about the use of private jets and these trips now are not just restricted to the rich or famous, as many individuals can benefit from a streamlined check in, a warm welcome, no queues and finally on boarding, a real sense of luxury.

Cello in particular offers a sumptuous environment for travel and utilising their expertise combined with some luxury hotels, we are hoping very soon to be offering some rather unique and bespoke packages that will enable corporate travellers to enjoy weekends and short breaks away, without the hassle of large airports that leave you feeling like you need a holiday to recover on your return! Watch this space.

In other news this week, we'll be at the MADE Festival www.madefestival.com in Sheffield exhibiting and promoting our revamped FUSE service to the great and the good.

Anyone who regularly exhibits or attends exhibitions know that it can be tough to ensure

your stand attracts attention and get the right sort of engagement with visitors.

We think we have it cracked with most of the team wearing appropriate attire - which if

anything should make us stand out!

We'll also be a rather sweet stand to come and visit as we will be running a small candy buffet during the festival - so make sure you float on over to see us on stand 51 and you might be in for a treat!

Brand You last week for Bristol Media was a great success and if you missed any of the results please make sure you check out the list here.

Finally last week, Shannon and Paula enjoyed the fabulous hospitality of Meet in Ireland  who held a networking event at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester followed by a fabulous evening at The Monastery in Gorton.

After a lovely Irish themed menu all of the guests were treated to some wonderful entertainment by accapella group, The Keynotes...

who performed some great numbers and thoroughly enthralled the audience. They certainly get the Cloud 9 seal of approval!

Organised by our friends at CHS Group this was a five star all round experience and both enjoyable and educational.

That's all from us this week, have a good one! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 12 May 2014

Welcome to another week and after yet another short week, normal service is resumed and we're all hands on deck here at Cloud 9.

The judging sessions have now taken place for the Midlands Media Awards, nominations have been announced and tickets are now are sale, which means we're in full preparation mode for the awards ceremony that will be taking place on Thursday 5 June at The Holte Suite, Aston Villa Football Club! 

Not only are we preparing and organising ourselves for that prolific event, but a week after, the CIPR Northern Conference will be taking place up in Manchester with a great line up of speakers and a fantastic networking opportunity!

So, in the run up to a rather hectic month, half of the team have been let loose and are attending a number of different conferences, exhibitions and familiarisation trips...

First of all, Paula has been kindly invited to an upscale & luxury MICE event by Accor from Tuesday to Thursday. It will begin with an overnight stay and networking at the Pullman's St Pancras Hotel, and a trip on the Orient Express the next day (which Paula was shocked when she found out Shannon had never heard of it!). 

After a luxurious train journey and a walking tour around Cantebury, the group will be travelling back on the British Pullman Train, with Afternoon Tea, to then finish the fam trip by checking out from the Pullman's St Pancras. Also during the trip, they will be introduced to a number of different other Accor Hotels, such as Sofitel Brussels, London St James, Luxemburg, Pullman Brussels Midi, Germany, Mercure Paris Hotels, MCGallery Italian Collection and many more!


Rubina on the other hand, will be attending the Academic Venue Show at Earls Court in London on Wednesday. During the show, you can meet representatives from such a great range of venues and be inspired by key industry speakers, all in one day.

Meeting, conference and accommodation teams from 50 locations across the UK are ready to show everything academic venues can offer. There is an incredible range of meeting and training facilities and quality accommodation, all supplemented by award winning catering and support services - all packed into one free-to-attend show.

With exhibitors Barcelona, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Colchester, Cornwall and many, many more you are sure to the perfect venue for your next event, at this show!

Also, at the end of the week, Shannon will be at the Office Management & PA Exhibition and Conference at ExCeL in London on Thursday. This show has been specifically designed to give Office Managers and PAs an educational, inspiring and fun day out of the office.

The Office Management & PA Exhibition and Conference will provide visitors with hundreds of ideas, expert advice, and real steps to career progression. At the show there will be an outstanding educational conference schedule to provide attendees with an expert knowledge and new skills to take back to the office, headline speakers from the world of business, hands-on training workshops, and there's a chance to relax and make contacts too in the Champagne bar or networking nail bar! 

We're all looking forward to attending these events and hopefully meet some lovely, interesting people along the way.

That's all from us this week folks, have a great week!