What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 22 August 2016

Welcome to another week and we’re in Venue Finding mode! Maybe not a revolutionary statement for a venue finding agency we know, and yes we know there are literally hundreds of other venue finding agencies in the UK, doing exactly the same thing. This is after all, the event industry and in business, there are very few sectors without some serious competition.

However, we feel that sometimes we don’t shout about our free venue finding or the additional services that compliment this, perhaps as often as we should. So this week we thought we would remind everyone about our FUSE service, which is so much more than just venue finding.

The Cloud 9 website which is a tad unusual within our industry, is often commented upon as being a bit quirky, slightly different and certainly fairly unique, doesn’t always showcase our free venue finding service as well as it should, so we have a brand new site to shout about to complement our existing site.

So what’s different about this particularly free venue finding service. Well, first, it’s a 24-hour service so it doesn’t matter if you are in London, Leeds or Latin America, we can handle enquiries at any time of the day or night.

We will of course offer a quick turnaround, lots of suitable options for your next event, be it a conference, meeting, symposium, gala dinner or incentive programme. We don’t work with contracted hotels and we won’t steer any enquires towards the venues or hotels that may offer us any deals to ensure the business.

What we will do, is always provide a completely impartial services at venues that we think best meet your objectives and then we will do everything we can to get you the added extras and benefits that can make a simple event a spectacular event. There is no reason why a small meeting should not benefit from the extra touches that can make all of the difference to delegates.

And, yes, it’s all completely free and more importantly, there are no hidden catches, no hidden agendas and no unexpected surprises for our clients. It’s a completely transparent process and we make sure each and every venue is fully briefed about your expectations ensuring your next event is seamless.

But this free venue finding service is just one of the four elements which goes into making our FUSE service something a little bit special and a little bit different from the norm.

Understanding Social Media is also included as a complimentary offering as part of our venue finding service, and social media and events go hand in hand these days.

Whether you need us to set up social media platforms to enable delegates to engage in advance through groups on LinkedIn, Facebook or even schedule some Tweets in advance to generate interaction we can help and this is all part of the service. We are also pretty good at discovering new social media tools both paid and free that can enhance any events, as well as providing a free App building service for events, that mean the end of lots of wasted paper.

the event. Plus, we also recognise that good social media can also extend the longevity of your next event. So, not bad for free?!

As we have been venue finders and project managers for many years we have accumulated no end of decorative items which means we can help style your next event as well. From vases to lava lamps, we have no end of decorative items to help dress and theme your next event if its required. Book your next venue through us and we are happy to loan you any of our stock, completely free of charge.

We also have pretty good imaginations so we can suggest simple and inexpensive ideas to transform the bland to the beautiful and the dull to the delightful.

 Logistically we do recognise that it will not always be practical for us to ship 40 flower centrepieces to Manchester, or even Outer Mongolia, but we are so well connected that if we can’t help, we can put you in touch with the best people who can!

The final element in our FUSE service is evaluation. We do recognise that not every event requires a complete post mortem but if you as a client are investing significant amounts of your annual event budget into an annual conference for your staff, you do want to make sure that the tone, content and any stakeholders are on message and on brand.

Yes, food, meeting space, accommodation and all of the elements that make an event are important, but as a learning exercise to make sure you are getting a decent R.O.I. on your spend, we can help evaluate and review your events, either in brief or in detail to help shape future events.

The small things matter here at Cloud 9 so whilst we are happy to find your venue, our FUSE service delivers so much more and is a great example of going the extra mile for clients that we so enjoy.

Feel we can help? Please call or email us as we would love to tell you more...

Have a great week, enjoy!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 11 January 2016

Welcome to another week and whilst we have all been ‘locked down’ escaping the incessant rain - our sympathies go out to the people in the North of England, Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire etc. who were affected by the floods we witnessed over Christmas.  

As we waved goodbye to 2015, it was a time to reflect on all the lovely venues we visited last year.  At Cloud 9, we love our hidden gems and here are a few we unearthed:-

CharingworthManor:  Near the delightful area of Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds.

Charingworth were showcasing their beautiful new extension with amazing views over the stunning Cotswolds countryside.  We can thoroughly recommend the Pimms, which would rival anything served at Wimbledon. A great venue, with lots of potential for MICE business.

StanbrookAbbey: 

A former monastery, in beautiful grounds, with its own chapel, exclusive-use function rooms and hotel suites.  Stanbrook has added more hotel rooms to their venue and it is truly ‘Amazing’.  Located in the Malvern’s, an area of outstanding beauty – Stanbrook is a unique and beautifully renovated building, the bedrooms are luxurious and meeting space is unique.

Ashhorne Conference Centre:

Ashorne Hill is a dedicated conference centre set in 35 acres of Warwickshire countryside. The Grade II listed building offers a venue for conferencing and events, a bespoke training provider with residential accommodation.  Very near to Stratford upon Avon and M40.

TheMere: 

The Mere Golf Resort & Spa’s philosophy is centred on delivering a fantastic guest experience, whether you are staying with us for business or pleasure.  A short distance from Manchester and airport.  A multi-functional venue, offering seclusion and beauty in the Cheshire countryside.  Hosted CHS Independent Venue Show, providing excellent accommodation and meeting facilities.

Paula visited London and the rather incredible ME hotel, more to follow from the ME group in our February round-up.  www.melia.com/me-london

We look forward to welcoming our venue representatives to Cloud 9 Towers in the forthcoming months and will have the customary tea and biscuits ready to greet you.

A special thanks to:- Moulden Marketing for bringing the lovely ladies from Toulouse and gentlemen from the Accor Group, Madrid, Paris and Zurich.  We enjoyed meeting them all.  

The special familiarisation trip to Seville - following a successful visit to IBTM.

Paula’s rather fabulous visit to Portugal with Sana Hotels. The Cloud 9 Team start the year with lots of eventing, awards, incentives and projects. 

We are expanding our Free Venue Finding Service, Worldwide, and look forward to receiving your enquiries for MICE anywhere in the world.  Whether it’s a small meeting in Moscow, to a vast bash in Vegas, we are here to make it happen! 

Have a great week and don’t forget the CHS Awards deadline is looming!

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!