What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 5 November 2018

Welcome to another week and we seem a little in Racecourses at present here at Cloud 9 Towers. We held the My Sight Notts Fireworks Event yesterday at Nottingham Racecourse and we're off to Warwick Racecourse this week to take a look on a site visit for a client. 

And, not only that but the AIEA are holding a race night next April in Ascot so its horses, racing and courses!

Jockey Club Venues with whom we work on venue finding (which don't forget we do for free here) has fifteen iconic venues in fourteen locations  across the portfolio along with the fabulous and historic Rooms in Newmarket.

The Jockey Club Rooms have been at the heart of British horse-racing for over 250 years. As a private members club, few people have stepped inside and seen the magnificent interiors, which house an unparalleled collection of British racing memorabilia, but luckily we enjoyed a fam trip there a few years ago so we have seen how stunning it is first hand.

Racecourses in addition to their normal fixtures are often overlooked when it comes to holding meetings and events, but there are lots of great reasons to consider them for your next event.

Parking is never an issue and usually free for delegates, the spaces are vast and the views great - and most of the venues have smaller and more intimate spaces available as well. 

Nottingham Racecourse for instance is ideal for corporate or private events, a company dinner, conferences, team building or even outdoor event and the sense of scale and space, with green views across the track, Colwick Park and the Trent Valley make it a great location. 

In addition to the outside space, there are four great rooms available at Nottingham Racecourse so depending on the size of your next event, something for everyone. 

That's what we call a good result so please do ask us if you want additional details and we can help you cross the finishing line in style.

Tally Ho & Have a Great Week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 12 February 2018

Welcome to another week and it's all about Skip Rizzo this week as we get set for the VR Expo & Awards from 8-10 March 2018.

Albert "Skip" Rizzo received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Dr. Rizzo conducts research on the design, development and evaluation of Virtual Reality systems targeting the areas of clinical assessment, treatment and rehabilitation - and you will have the opportunity to meet him at the VR Expo in person very soon.

He is also working with a team that is creating artificially intelligent virtual patients that clinicians can use to practice skills required for challenging clinical interviews and diagnostic assessments (sexual assault, resistant patients, suicide lethality, etc.). 

His cognitive work has addressed the use of VR applications to test and train attention, memory, visuospatial abilities and executive function. In the motor domain, he has developed VR Game systems to address physical rehabilitation post stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury and for prosthetic use training. He is also investigating the use of VR for pain distraction at LA Children's Hospital and is currently designing game-based VR scenarios to address issues of concern with children having autistic spectrum disorder. 

His research also involves designing and evaluating 3D User Interface devices and interaction methods and he has created a graduate level Industrial and Systems Engineering course at USC entitled, "Human Factors and Integrated Media Systems". In the area of Gerontology, Dr. Rizzo has served as the program director of the USC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and is currently conducting a VR study of visuospatial and wayfinding ability with persons with Alzheimer's. He is associate editor and on the editorial board of several VR and CyberPsychology journals, notably with MIT press, and has created his own Listserve (VRPSCYH).

Book Now to Enjoy the Godfather of VR in Nottingham Coming Soon! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 4 July 2016

Welcome to another week and this week we are all about St Mary's in the Lace Market Nottingham. No, we have not become venue representatives or anything remotely like a supplier, but so impressed are we with the stunning church, that we agreed to help get this venue on the radar of other busy event professionals like ourselves.

 

So this Thursday we are busy helping to organise a Summer Showcase at St Mary's in conjunction with the great suppliers we have on board. Saffron Catering, Fiona Herbert Catering, Quadrant AV, Limelight AV, and Paul Carroll Photography. We might even have a little stand ourselves to show off our talents in the venue world!

 

What can we tell you about St Mary's? With its central position in the heart of Nottingham, St Mary’s is ideally located and easily accessible, with great transport links and lots of parking nearby.  Its historic setting and stunning iconic architecture will guarantee your event will be truly memorable. The space is perfect for meetings, conferences, product launches and presentations.

 

Whether you are staging a cultural performance or planning to showcase a product or service from a range of suppliers, the Nave space in St Mary’s will inspire your guests and enhance your exhibition. With a huge amount of space available, good connectivity and fast wi-fi, the potential at St Mary's is limitless.

 

St Mary’s is a splendid setting for celebrations of all sorts. Work with our creative AV team to turn your event into something truly spectacular with bespoke sound and lighting. Put a spotlight on your guests or focus your attention on the main stage as you help your guests celebrate any occasion. 

 

Whether you are planning a simple cocktail and canapés style reception event, an elegant gala dinner or a stylish finish  and awards ceremony, our fantastic catering partners can deliver the perfect menu. St Mary's has first class partners all dedicated to making your event a resounding success.

 

If you have missed out on an invitation to attend and fancy coming along to check out this amazing space, then please email us and we can add you to the guest list - there is still time!

 

Have a great week and we hope to see you Thursday!

 

 

 

 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 14 December 2015

Welcome to another week and our review of the year in photos. We've already told you where we have been and what we have been up to, but we wanted to share some of the photos that haven't made the blog this year - for obvious reasons! We hope you enjoy them....

Carol explains the theory of gambling at Alea Casino in Nottingham

 

 

 Paula at the Races with Accor in Chester

Paula in Lisbon with SANA Hotels

                  Paula & Rubina with Adil Ray aka Mr Khan at the Birmingham Post Business Awards


  

 

 

 

 

Paula in Seville with Barecelo

 Charlotte & Rubina at Fresh Awards

Charlotte having the time of her life

Here we have Ali - Thinking hes won an award but it sadly wasn't his

Janet - Presenting an Award

Rubina in Full Force!

Overall it has been a pretty hectic year. But we have enjoyed every moment here at Cloud 9! Have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 22 June 2015

Welcome to another week and we are all at NSpine this week which is the UK's most comprehensive Spinal Meeting. NSpine takes place every two years to provide the latest knowledge for spine healthcare professionals. Growing from strength to strength at each meeting, NSpine provides ascendant medical professionals with the supplementary material they need to forge best practice in their careers.

NSpine provides for all those disciplines involved in the management of the patient with spinal pathology. There will be an excellent opportunity for multidisciplinary discussion that truly encompasses all of the facets of Spinal Surgery.

It's a busy week and in addition to a very comprehensive event comprising of lectures, meetings and workshops, we've also been instrumental in the coordination of their social programme which is quite extensive to say the least!  

Whilst we are not directly involved with the Cadaveric Sessions too much, which take place at the start of this week, Wednesday, most of the Cloud 9 team, will be on site all day at the Nottingham Conference Centre helping the many leading pharmaceutical and medical companies set up for the Exhibition which opens on Thursday morning. 

Wednesday evening we're hosting a VIP Cocktail Reception at The Galleries of Justice for the key Faculty and specially invited guests. Recently voted England's Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2014, based at Nottingham's old courthouse and gaol, there are many ways to explore the museum of Crime and Punishment. The legend of Robin Hood has a particular importance and connection to the Galleries of Justice Museum, as for centuries, this historic building was the base of the Sheriff of Nottingham!

There's an International Faculty Dinner on the Thursday evening at Marco Pierre White's with one of our lead sponsors. A stunning steakhouse from one of Britain's most critically acclaimed celebrity chefs, Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse Bar and Grill at Alea Nottingham invites diners to tuck into tantalising steaks, delicious British dishes and sumptuous Sunday roasts. Undeniably one of the most stylish restaurants in Nottingham, Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse Bar and Grill is simple and elegant in its décor. The red seating contrasts effortlessly against the jet black walls, while contemporary lighting adds to the ambience.
     

Tennis Fans are also going to be enjoying Tennis & High Tea at Nottingham Tennis Centre as part of the ATP Tournament.  Nottingham Tennis Centre is one of the largest tennis centres in Europe. Situated just minutes from the bustle of Nottingham city centre, it boasts 11 acrylic indoor hard courts (3 covered by a dome), 16 outdoor acrylic courts including a show-court housing 514 seats, and 9 grass-courts including the impressive 1200-seater centre court.   

Nottingham Tennis Centre has a world-class gym and fitness centre including a health suite. The tennis centre is also home to the MyTennis High Performance Academy where several of the best junior and senior tennis players currently train under the guidance of many experienced coaches and the supervision of Great Britain's Aegon GB Davis Cup Captain, Leon Smith.

 
We're also treating some of the International Faculty attending NSpine, a special tour called The Spine of the City. This will take in three historic hostelries, The Bell Inn, The Salutation Inn and The Trip to Jerusalem, some of the oldest public houses in the country.

Then its off to the Albert Hall for the main NSpine Social Evening with a performance by the Spinal Chords!   Nottingham City Council purchased the Albert Hall in 1987 and a major refurbishment was set to task in order to link the venue with the adjacent Nottingham Playhouse for use as a multipurpose centre. The work was completed in 1988 and Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales unveiled a plaque on 23rd February 1989 to commemorate the refurbishment.

     

 The Nottingham Playhouse managed the Albert Hall until July 1990 when the Nottingham City Council leased the building to the Albert Hall Nottingham Ltd for use as a Commercial Conference and Entertainment Venue.

  

NSpine is committed to making a difference and all of the funds raised at the NSpine Social Evening, will go to the UK Scoliosis Society. The Scoliosis Association (UK) (SAUK) aims to provide advice, support and information to people with scoliosis and other spinal conditions, including kyphosis and lordosis. For more information or to make a donation please see their website.   
  

The main NSpine Course Dinner & After Dinner Dance is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Friday evening and features dancing and entertainment. Located in the centre of Nottingham City, just 5 minutes' walk from Nottingham Train Station and close to the M1 junction 25 and junction 26. and only 12 miles from East Midlands Airport. The hotel is conveniently located for Nottingham's business district and close to the Theatre and shopping district.

Nottingham University Hospitals has a partnership link with the University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, where health workers are treating survivors following the devastation of the recent earthquakes across Nepal. NSpine is committed to making a difference and will donate significant funds raised as part of the Course Dinner to PHASE, which is a specialist organisation looking after primary health care in remote communities. If you would like to make a donation please see their website.

NSpine concludes on Saturday and as well as a special section this year which includes GSpine, all about the future of spinal surgery, there is also a rather unique and special day called Patients Day. 

This day is about those who we serve, our patients. Relatives and other members of the public interested in the Spine are more than welcome to join us as well. Full details on the NSpine for Patients and Relatives day, are on the NSpine website. The day is heavily supported by the various patient groups, and we are confident that it will be a fun, informative experience for all those who attend as per the last NSpine for Patients and Relatives event.

There will be several lectures throughout the day and you are welcome to choose which to attend. Additionally there will be various forums run throughout the day for more in-depth discussions.

Have a great week and we look forward to welcoming you all to NSpine 2015.

 

What's Floating Around? 4 August 2014

Welcome to another week and as the deadline for one of our awards has approached, we're rather busy here at Cloud 9 Towers. Although, we're not sure why we stick to a deadline... you should hear some of the calls we receive!

After our blog last week, about the rather interesting Maiden Voyage concept, we thought that this week we would excite you with the recent industry news and a few of the new event spaces in the UK.

Starting with the East Midlands, The St James Hotel, formerly the Rutland Square hotel, has launched in Nottingham's historic castle quarter after a complete re branding and refurbishment. The boutique hotel officially opened on the 23 July, having been purchased a year before.

The public areas have been totally transformed into grand, yet contemporary spaces, with dazzling chandeliers, restored pink marble floors, and sumptuous furnishings. The hotel's lounge and bar, 'No6', is a warm and inviting space with an exciting cocktail list, regular events and a library wall of over four hundred books. 

The hotel is unique in Nottingham for its art collection which is focused on work from local young artists. The hotel has its own gallery, which will have regular events showcasing the best of breakthrough talent. 

The hotel also has several refurbished event spaces. The largest of which can cater for two hundred guests. These rooms have stunning views over Nottingham Castle and are the ideal venue for weddings, product launches or conferences.

As the largest independent boutique hotel in Nottingham, The St James is sure to set the standards for style and service.

Moving to the West Midlands, we have The Vox, which the ICC Birmingham are set to open in Birmingham mid-2015. The Vox represents a new world of conferencing - a unique and attractive offering for the conference market, not only providing innovative conference facilities and event expertise, but its location within an integrated comples also offers clients access to a huge choice of restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel, spa, cinema and casino all under one roof. This new proposition, never seen before in the UK, offers a fresh approach for those wanting an end to end conference experience. 

The Vox Suites 1-5 will provide fully flexible conference and banqueting space that can be combined or divided to create several multi-functional areas to suit individual event requirements. The unique layout of the Vox can accommodate any type of event from a small seminar or meeting for just a few people, to a banquet for 850 or a conference for 900 delegates.

The new state-of-the-art conference facilities will include plug and play technology from the event industry's most respected brands, together with complimentary delegate Wi-Fi. An audio visual, sound, lighting and crew package will be included in the quoted cost for conferences, adding extra value for the client. A media wall and digital signage will also be available for use to support the delegate experience at the Vox. 

The Vox is the perfect choice for those looking for an impressive but affordable venue in contemporary surroundings, with premium catering, the latest technology and an experienced team, in a central location.

Heading further South, The Roundhouse has announced the opening of a brand new rooftop event space, ideal for summer parties.

Overlooking Camden beach, the new venue offers room for up to 120 guests. The roof garden comes complete with trees, sun loungers, sofas, a private bar, television and sound system, panoramic views and a swimming pool.

An all inclusive party package is available at the rooftop venue, incorporating exclusive access, a Prosecco and canape reception, fish and chip supper, event host, security, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and popcorn and towel hire. 

In addition to the roof garden, Camden's Roundhouse offers a range of spaces ideal for corporate and private events. The famous Main Space can accommodate up to 1,800 guests, whilst the venue's two bars, The Circle Bar and Torquil's Bar, offer room for up to 120 guests.

Again in London, the Royal Society have unveiled its newest event spaces for this

September. The Library Suite is a stunning set of rooms which bring grandeur and elegance to very special events.

Revealed behind the magnificent doors, the Library is a breath-taking room which exudes glamour and sophistication. With is intricate features and fabulous natural light, this show-stopping space is the perfect setting for an exquisite event, be it contemporary in design or classically stylish. 

Overlooking the Mall and St James's Park, the Royal Society is a prestigious venue which offers a unique insight into the world of scientific discovery and the opportunity to create an outstanding, inspirational event.

Knowledgeable, energetic and passionate, our conference services team dedicates every minute of the working day to creating flawless events. 

Another London venue, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC) have announced they are having extensive refurbishment programme to re-establish the Centre's 'wow factor'. 

The ambitious programme of capital works will provide aesthetic and visual improvements and enhanced facilities to the building and facility environment. The improvements are focused on enhancing the customer experience and will create more modern, quality and stylish environment and improve way finding. These works will have a significant impact on improving user and visitor perceptions whilst stimulating client interest and business generation. 

The programme will include;

• Sanctuary Foyer - Comprehensive refurbishment of the main entrance foyer, reception and registration areas to deliver a modern, high quality and welcoming environment that will "wow" delegates. Works will cover; ceilings, lighting, furniture, floor surfaces, layout and configuration, business centre and the establishment of an executive lounge/cafe.
• Connectivity - improved connectivity between the ground floor and 1st floor for Churchill Auditorium focused events which will involve replacing the staircase and improving the route to the Pickwick Suite (the principle break out area) as well as expanding its overall area and delegate capacity.
• Floor surfaces - Replacement of all carpeted floor surfaces across the Centre.
• Furniture - Replacement of the Centre's conference chairs and conference tables.

The Centre will close during late July and August - with all works being completed by early September 2014. 

Also, on top of all this exciting news, Marriott International have announced plans to add more than 200 luxury and lifestyles hotels to its global portfolio over the next 3 years! 

So... we think we have bombarded you with enough industry news for this week. 

Have a great week folks! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 12 August 2013

Welcome to another week and it's busy as ever with events for both 2013 and 2014 all looming!

In addition to the nominations for the inaugural Bristol Media Awards which will be announced this Friday 16 August, sourcing numerous venues for events and squeezing in the Freshtival activities, we also have a rather unusual event this week via our friends at m360 who have been working incredibly hard over the last six months on the Nottingham Re-signalling Project.

The project, which means 6 weeks of essential works at Nottingham station which started on 20 July and includes limited train services out of the station, presented a huge communications challenge for the agency.

Months of planning and stakeholder management culminated in a comprehensive communications plan, including staff and customer communications both prior to and during the works, detailed station signage, promotional goods to enhance the travel experience and informative literature.

You may have seen Shirley, she's the face of 'We're helping you to stay on the move' - the Nottingham Re-signalling campaign. Shirley can be spotted around Nottingham station throughout August. 

We're pleased to be helping m360 on this project and you can find out more about the event by following Shirley this next week and look forward to an exciting event this next Friday at Station Street in Nottingham.

Singing and Dancing, lets just hope the sun shines!

In other news this week, as we continue our search for weird and wonderful venues for clients both in the UK and Abroad, we couldn't let this week pass without a mention for a new hotel which is surely a must for any Star Wars fans.

Located in Matmata, southern Tunisia, ‘Hotel Sidi Driss’ will be an interesting holiday destination for geeky fans of George Lucas' Star Wars. The hotel was actually used for filming in the sci-fi franchise’s Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode II: Attack of the Clones—and was featured as young Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on planet Tatooine.

According to travel website GoNOMAD, the subterranean place is carved into the cliffs and is “cool, gloomy and unearthly quiet”. There’s not much to do around the area, and HiConsumption notes that it lacks “modern luxury amenities”—it would, however, make for an unusual experience. A night’s stay at this simple and unelaborate underground hotel costs only US$10, with breakfast included. We're not sure we would book anyone in here, but for real fans, it's a bargain!

It might only be August, but we are already late in trying to source some venues for Christmas events so it seems timely to take a look at some of the trends for Christmas 2013 in case you need a little inspiration for the festive season ahead. And in the words of Kenny Craig (from Little Britain) look into my eyes.....!

The growing trend over the past couple of years seems to suggest that psychological mind reading is what people are really enjoying and it is one of the more affordable forms of entertainment.

Essentially, a psychological mind reader doesn’t commune with the dead, predict the future or have anything to do with the paranormal. What they do is create the illusion that they can read minds by using as selection of psychology, soft sciences, analysis and a few other things. It doesn’t sound too exciting, but that’s until you see it in action.

Thoughts, words, images can all be pulled from the minds of your guests with a glance or a stare from the mind reader. The mind reader may even be able to make your guests forget things, and influence their choices.

Due to the nature of psychological mind reading it can be performed in large venues as a stage show, around the tables during a seated event or even mix and mingle where the venue may be smaller, or guests are standing.

The past few years have been manic, in a good way, for the industry as most professional mind readers have been fully booked from mid-November right through to Christmas day so if you want to grab some of this great entertainment, make sure you book early.

We end this week a little ironically as just as we were completing our blog and preparing to end with some other news we received an email, one of many, on a rather unusual set of training courses!

We are big believers in training courses here at Cloud 9 Towers and staying up to date with new trends, ideas and technology but we must admit to being slightly sceptical about the latest leadership courses that advertise that you can learn Self Hypnosis in a day.

Self -hypnosis is a form of concentration and relaxation. It is increasingly becoming a tool used by senior executives from all professions as an aid to leadership promotion and development. Once the skills of self-hypnosis are acquired, they can be used to manage change, reach goals and increase productivity.  Senior Executives, Managers and Directors learn self-hypnosis in order to make better decisions and improve productivity for themselves and their organisations.

Workshops provide underpinning knowledge and skills acquisition necessary in the use of hypnosis for relaxation, stress management and Goal attainment. 

Using the teachings of Elman, Boyne and Copeland, highly qualified and experienced facilitator can guide a group to achieve skills acquisition of self-hypnosis and one day workshop will be of special interest to all professionals and those with a training, mentoring, supervision or consultation remit. 

We have a terrible feeling despite the merits of the course, that we would end up pretending to be a chicken and trying to lay an egg on stage....so maybe more traditional courses are better for us!

Anyway, things to do, places to go and people to see, so have a great week!

Enjoy....

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 10th September

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9!

We’d like to remind you about our free venue finding service this week and although we have been providing this service for over eight years, it’s something which we rarely shout about.

As it’s increasingly popular with our clients, saving them time, and money, we thought we would share some of our great venue finds around the UK and abroad.

So in addition to our Daily Recommendation which we post on Twitter via our “Venue Tip of the Day” at 12.30pm Monday to Friday, we thought a focus on a particular destination would be handy.

And, where better to start than in our own city of Nottingham!

Nottingham is a great location for conferences and meetings as its well served by road and rail networks and being so central, is very accessible from the rest of the UK. 

Visit Nottingham for a weekend break in England's green and pleasant land or a day out with the kids at top attractions. See world class sport, amazing live performances, excellent nightlife and cutting edge art in some outstanding venues.

Get a taste for fine dining at the end of a hard day’s shopping.  Browse the freshest local produce in traditional market towns.  Hear legendary tales of Robin Hood and experience Sherwood Forest, stories of castles torn apart by civil war and the rumble of industry that built a city around Nottingham Lace.

Here are our top venue picks from Nottingham and the surrounding area:

Nottingham Hilton Hotel

This Nottingham hotel is a beautiful Victorian building situated in the heart of the city centre, with contemporary décor and furnishings throughout the interior. Featuring a 60 foot indoor heated pool with Jacuzzi - the longest hotel pool in the city - a fully equipped Living Well health club and fitness centre and a business centre for corporate events and business guests, this unique Nottingham hotel is a delight for guests visiting historic Nottingham on business or to take in the sights and sounds.

Step into Nottingham restaurant Nicholson’s Bar and Diner and enjoy modern and stylish American cuisine in an upscale diner setting, perfect for group dining or intimate romantic meals. Choose delicious cocktails from the extensive drinks menu and relax before a sampling the popular and lively night life that Nottingham has to offer.

Great for conferences and events, its City Centre Location makes the Hilton ideal for any event, with its 10 meetings and function rooms. This Nottingham hotel also houses the Wembley Suite, which can hold up to 200 guests/delegates for a special event or conference. The hotel can also provide a large space for dance floor, dedicated event co-ordinator, high quality equipment, business centre and WiFi access in selected areas.

The Park Plaza in Nottingham City Centre is another great venue. With 12 air-conditioned meeting rooms with neutral décor, comprising a generous conference suite on the 11th floor with panoramic views of the city, adjacent to the Vista Suite which can be split into five syndicate rooms, and the Park Suite with outdoor terrace on the first floor. This modern hotel also offers comfortable guest rooms, a fitness suite, lobby bar and the award-winning Chino Latino Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar.

Whether you're hosting a conference or business seminar, entertaining colleagues or associates over lunch or dinner or celebrating a wedding or anniversary, Park Plaza Nottingham is the perfect venue for your upcoming events.

Another favourite of Cloud 9 is The Nottingham Belfry. 

From its ultra modern design to its enviable location just 1 mile from the M1 and 5 miles from the city centre, The Nottingham Belfry is a stylish oasis of magnificent proportions. When it comes to hotels in Nottingham, the Belfry has it all covered. The geometric design of the building with its walls of glass, coupled with a plush, contemporary interior makes for one very special hotel experience.

Helping to cement its reputation as one of the best Nottingham hotels around, the Nottingham Belfry boasts a luxurious spa that will have you floating up to your room on a cloud of sweet smelling loveliness! Master therapists provide an extensive list of delicious treatments and packages for you to indulge in.

A versatile Nottingham conference centre, it’s an ultra-convenient, flexible and accessible Nottingham conference centre, just 1 mile from junction 26 of the M1. Stylish and modern, with fantastic facilities, The Nottingham Belfry has the environment and acoustics conducive to a fantastic conference, meeting or event.

 One of the largest banqueting and conference venues in Nottingham, with the capacity to host up to 700 delegates in the Admiralty Suite, there are a total of 13 meeting rooms on site, with Free and unlimited WiFi for all guests and visitors.

If you are looking for somewhere outside of the city, yet only a stones throw away then our next suggestion might be the one for you. Colwick Hall Hotel is a magnificent Palladian style Georgian country house mansion nestling in over sixty acres of parkland. A historic building dating back to Saxon times and once the ancestral home of Lord Byron.

Located just two miles from Nottingham City Centre, Colwick Hall is a grade II* listed manor with a grand entrance overlooking Nottingham racecourse offering exquisite facilities. From the award winning Georgetown Restaurant, 1776 The Grand Ballroom ~ hugely popular for grand weddings, several function rooms for meetings and conferences and private dining, through to the Lakeside Pavilion ~ a grand marquee within the grounds of Colwick Hall overlooking the lake.

From the intimate George Stubbs for seating on 10 people to the Lakeside Pavilion for product launches and exhibitions for up to 500 delegates at a time. Colwick Hall is determined to make a difference to your event.

If you are on the look out for something a little out of the ordinary then Trent Bridge might be worth look and the famous Cricket Ground has excellent conference and meeting facilities. People host their event at Trent Bridge for the same reasons they come and watch cricket - The friendly atmosphere, the unique historic charm, and the polish and professionalism – in short, a place where you can sit back, relax and be entertained without a care in the world.

Unlike a cricket match though, you set the score at Trent Bridge. Whatever the event, the team at the venue are first class and nothing is too much trouble, no order too small or too tall. From the food to the room layout to the order of play!

Don’t forget to look at our Daily Venue Tip and in October, we’ll be all about destination  Leeds…

Now a few dates for your diary in October..…

 

4^th October      The Fresh Creative Awards, The Midland Hotel, Manchester

5^th October      The Northern Ireland PRide Awards, Titanic Belfast.

11^th October    The East Anglia PRide Awards The West Wing, Bury St. Edmunds.

18^th October    The Some Comm Awards, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Manchester

19^th October    The Cymru Wales PRide Awards, Hilton Hotel, Cardiff

26^th October    The North East PRide Awards, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead

31^st October    The CIPR Northern Conference, Leeds Metropolitan University


Have a great week! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 14th May

Welcome to another week!

The CIPR Northern Conference is starting to shape up nicely and we are delighted that the event, being held on 4^th July at the Northern Ballet Theatre in Leeds, is being supported by Kantar Media.

Delegate numbers are really starting to pick up and this could have something to do with the fabulous competition we are running – where one lucky delegate from each of the three regions (Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, the North East and the North West) each have the opportunity to attend the event as a V.I.P.

Simply purchase a ticket before Friday 15th June  either using the eventbrite link (www.ciprnc2012.eventbrite.com) or by emailing paula@cloud9em.co.uk and a winner from each region will then be drawn.

The lucky winners will then be fully refunded for their ticket and enjoy:

• A complimentary place at the event (if you have already paid to enter we will refund you)
• A small bottle of Bucks Fizz on arrival
• Full VIP treatment at the event including reserved seating
• A VIP Delegate Badge
• A Delegate Brochure signed by all of the speakers
• A personalised slide during the welcome and a mention in the Delegate Brochure

The winners will be notified during week commencing 18th June 2012 and confirmations issued. Please email paula@cloud9em.co.uk for additional information or contact your regional committee chair.

It’s a pretty tightly packed schedule this year at the Conference with three keynote speakers and all delegates have the choice to attend a choice of two out of three different workshops and panels.

Book now, you really will not want to miss this!

Our Royal Ascot Ladies Day Comes to Nottingham is starting to gain momentum and we have been on a mission to secure lots of lovely stuff to add to the goody bags – each guest will get a complimentary bag brimming with great goodies!

Our great friends at Hearst Magazines are leading the way and the latest issues of Cosmopolitan will be winging their way down to Cloud 9 towers ready for stuffing – if you will excuse us!

We don’t want to give too much away too early but you are also in for some great little surprises!

And now a note to all of the gents!

Yes it’s a ladies day, but you are welcome and we have relaxed the dress code so you can ditch the extra expense of top hat and tails. Lounge suits will be fine guys!

We have had lots of calls about this so just to reassure you all, ladies you can still dress up to the nines, but chaps, relax!

 

A couple of weeks ago we visited the Conference and Hospitality Show in Leeds and in addition to meeting some great people and discovering some new venues that have not previously appeared on our radar (how remiss of us!), we also have a great find to report!

We’ve all seen those great photo booths that pop up at events where you can get dressed up, but this is something a little different and makes us slightly nostalgic here at Cloud 9.

Funflip are pioneers in the next generation of flip books.  They’ve taken a century-old concept and flipped it on its head to create the very latest in motion capture. Like all the best ideas, its brilliance lies in its simplicity.

We will be using them at the next event we can and suggest you might like to do them same – and if you are not convinced then take a look at http://www.funflip.co.uk/ and play the video!

We end this week with a little Am-Dram!

No, we are not taking to the stage but there is a local production we are supporting, The Noble Spaniard.

Written and first performed in 1908, it was not published until 1953 and it’s an amusing farce with clever and witty dialogue that has become a staple of many amateur theatre companies.

Marion Nairn, a young widow, is spending the summer together with her young sister Lucy at Boulogne with Justice Proudfoot and his wife. The Duke of Hermanos, who is also passing his Summer at Boulogne, one day catches sight of Marion, and from that time on, her is her devoted admirer. He stands outside the window and admires for a few days, but finally he enters the house and declared his passion. Marion, ostensibly to get rid of him, tells him that she is married, whereupon he declares that her husband must die, and goes forth in search of him.

When the maid tells him that Justice Proudfoot is the master of the house, he naturally mistakes that elderly gentleman for Marion's husband and challenges him to a duel, which of course brings Lady Proudfoot under her husband's suspicion. One after another, the men in the piece are mistaken by the impetuous foreigner for the husband of his adored one, and one after another, he tries to fight them all. In the end Marion succumbs to this passion - it seems the only way to kill it.

So there you have it – a little culture to see out the week!

Have a lovely week everyone…