What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 19 October 2015

Welcome to another week and we are delighted to announce the launch of the new Character Awards which we are managing on behalf of the lovely team at the CHS Group.

Last years inaugural CHS Awards were a resounding success so the new look Character Awards will provide even more opportunities for venues to showcase aspects or facilities of their properties.

The date has now been confirmed for our very special Awards’ Gala Dinner, being held at one of Manchester’s Landmark hotels, The Manchester Mercure Piccadilly, on Wednesday 25 May 2016.  Please do save the date as we sold out last year and want to make sure everyone can join us.

Dave Lloyd, Director of Sales, at The Piccadilly, has very generously agreed to be one of the sponsors for this special Industry Night.  Big thanks to the Piccadilly for their support.

The Character Awards are open to all hotels and venues outside of the M25.  So, lots of exposure for everyone nationally!  The Character Awards 2016 is the perfect platform for buyers, venues and sponsors to celebrate in style! www.characterawards.co.uk and #character16 will be going live next week.

Here is a sneaky peek at the categories:

1:         Best Anticipated Launch/Refurbishment
2:         Best Boardroom/Small Meeting Room
3:         Best Bedroom (Classical)
4:         Best Bedroom (Funky)
5:         Best DDR / 24 hour Rate
6:         Best External Space
7:         Best Welcome Guest Experience
8:         Best Onsite Leisure Facilities
9:         Best Unusual Event Space
10:       Best Large Conference/Exhibition Space
11:       Best UK Representation of an International Venue
12:       Best UK Representation of a UK Venue
13:       Best Green/Sustainable Venue
14:       Best Outside Catering Company
15:       Best Onsite Audio Visual
16:       Best Venue Communication
17:       Best Independent Venue
18:       Best Group Brand
19:       Best Auditorium
20:       Chairman’s Award
The finalists will be announced at the Conference and Hospitality Show on Tuesday 26 April 2016 www.conferenceandhospitalityshow.co.uk.

There are several opportunities available to sponsor a category, support or enhance the Awards, including one VIP Package for a Headline Sponsor, please call Janet Cattell -  for Sponsorship, Entry forms and Awards’ Dinner tickets - janet@cloud9em.co.uk - Contact: +44 (0) 115 933 3811

In other news this week we are also pleased to be working with the team at St Mary's in the Lace Market in Nottingham. No, we have not moved to the other side of the agent/venue fence, but with such a stunning and spectacular property we feel that being given the opportunity to oversee and market their events is a really fantastic experience.

We will be letting all of the lovely agents in the UK know about the exciting possibilities for events at St Mary's and the event space itself is really fabulous.

It's early days and we are still preparing some of the marketing materials and the website but we encourage anyone who is thinking of hosting a corporate event in Nottingham to think St Mary's.

Finally this week, don't forget to come and say hello to us at the Rushcliffe Business Partnership Showcase Event on Tuesday which is being held at the British Geological Survey in Keyworth.

Have a great week all! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 13 October 2015

Welcome to another week and whoops, we missed a day. No, it's not a Bank Holiday, we've simply been a little manic as per usual here at Cloud 9 Towers with all sorts of events and client meetings!

But normal service should be resumed now that last weeks Fresh events are both over although our schedule can hardly be called quiet in the coming weeks..but we are always on the look out for new opportunities and therefore next Tuesday we're off to show off at an exhibition.

The biggest business event of the year in Rushcliffe returns to the venue of the British Geological Survey in Keyworth in 2015 and is set to see a year-on-year growth in delegates and displays. John Collins, chair of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership, said: “We have been running this annual showcase event for several years now and it continues to become more popular and more successful. Holding the event at BGS last year proved to be a great success so we will be returning there again this year. The facilities at BGS are world-class and have benefitted from a £20 million refurbishment, providing the space to allow our event to grow as we receive more and more demand."

Now in its 5th year, this un-missable event on Tuesday 20th October is expected to be attended by over 250 delegates from Rushcliffe businesses. We encourage local business people to register early to avoid disappointment. Delegates will have plenty of time for informal networking among potential new customers and suppliers and the opportunity to visit numerous display stands hosted by local and national businesses. There will also be a high quality line-up of top speakers offering insights and helpful tips into running successful businesses and encouraging business growth.

Whilst we are in exhibition mode, on the afternoon of the 20th October, Janet is off to Manchester to join the CHS team at their Independent Venue Show at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester with around 50 great independent venues and hotels from across the UK.

 

There is also the opportunity to take part in their educational sessions and enjoy great hospitality as the event will finish with a memorable after show party where Janet will experience the famous CHS hospitality first hand. Victoria Warehouse is an iconic industrial warehouse which is an exciting venue to relax and network with peers and hoteliers to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones. She will no doubt grab a drink and chill out to the funky hispanic vibe whilst enjoying the authentic Mexican street food which will be cooked in an open kitchen for all to see! 

Then Paula is off to Portugal with the Sana Hotel Group team for an education visit taking in both Lisbon and the Algarve..but more of that to come later! 

Lastly this week, we'd like to encourage all of our readers to vote for Nottingham in Englands Home of Sport Campaign. 

Historic cricket ground Trent Bridge was recently the site of our glorious Ashes win, while the Aegon Open returned to the city this summer for the first time since 2008. Robin Hood fans can go back to Nottingham’s heritage, and play Archery at Sherwood Forest or take the ultimate fitness test in the Outlaw Triathlon, a gruelling Ironman-distance course. Having received more nominations than any other English destination, Nottingham is a worthy finalist in VisitEngland’s Home of Sport.

Have a great week!