What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 9 July 2018

Welcome to another week #eventprofs and if it wasn't enough that the nation is currently gripped by Football Fever, then throw in the continual hot and sunny weather and Wimbledon and it's looking to be a great summer.

Without wanting to cast a single rain cloud on our sunny outlook though, the longest day is well behind us (21 June for the uninitiated) and before you know it Autumn will be here, so what is there to embrace as the weather cools and we turn out attention to falling leaves and the more normal UK weather of wind and rain?!

Well in a new initiative by our pals and fellow #eventprofs over at Chew Events in conjunction with Sandals and One Night Only, there is a great new competition to recognise the talents within the event industry. What's more, it's all in aid of UK Meetings Needs, our very deserving industry charity.

From the sales people who can sing better than Adele to the conference operation team who are a whizz at comedy, Events R Talented are looking for great performers from our industry and the ultimate winner of the competition will have the opportunity to be the "Star Act" at the M&IT Awards in March 2019.

Taking part is really easy as you need to do is sign up online and then you will have the opportunity to audition. From here the top three acts will have the chance to perform at the EVCOM Awards Lunch in November, from which the ultimate winner will not only shine at the M&IT Awards, but also enjoy a fam trip to a Caribbean Sandals Resort in 2019.

There are some amazing people in our industry, and many of them go unrecognised, so if you know someone in your hotel, venue, supplier or your team who has a hidden talent, then please encourage them to sign up. This could well and truly be their moment in the spotlight.

Have a great week and.....come on England...#ITSCOMINGHOME

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 25 January 2016

Welcome to another week and we're gearing up for CONFEC Red here at Cloud 9 as Paula is off to Abu Dhabi next week as pat of our educational experiences oversees.

In an exclusive and intimate results-oriented business setting, CONFEC Red 2016 will bring together the United Kingdom’s top agencies, corporate and incentive organisers to meet with international major and emerging hotel chains, individual properties, unusual venues, convention bureaus, tourist boards and DMCs to participate in a series of one-on-one meetings over two dedicated business days.

As we're keen to encourage more of our clients to expand their horizons and start exploring the Middle East, this is the perfect opportunity for us to get some real first hand knowledge on the ground.

The event takes place amidst beautifully landscaped gardens, gurgling fountains and Venetian-inspired buildings at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. It offers a luxury beach resort experience minutes away from the city center. The honouring of different cultures can be found throughout the Abu Dhabi resort, from the Bedouin-inspired spa to the array of dining experiences. Located across from the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand osque, this Abu Dhabi luxury resort offers a breathtaking setting and numerous facilities. It looks pretty good to us!

Whilst we are on the subject of trade shows, April is certainly a busy month. Not only is the CHS Show set for Leeds on 26 April, but we are already getting inundated with invitations to attend IMEX in Frankfurt from 19-21 April. The current count is seven invitations and we're still in January (just)!

However, the award for getting in early really has to go to Sandals who issued an invitation to attend the Meetings Show with them  in December and that's not until July!

So why are trade shows and keeping your knowledge about venues, destinations, hotels and DMC's important? It doesn't matter how long you have spent in the industry, its an ever changing landscape with new venues, changes in ownership, new opportunities for delegates in locations, new flight and travel options all to consider.

You might not have anything relevant or concrete to discuss and direct business to place there and then, but we've often found a hidden gem for a client, and more often than not been able to share our knowledge with clients in order to provide them with a wider portfolio for their consideration. Plus, you never know which enquiries might be next - a phone call could make all the difference and if you don't know anything about a certain region,  then its unlikely your client will have much confidence in your recommendations.

However it is a balancing act. We've had some amazing invitations here in the last few months alone and whilst we quite fancy sipping Mojotos in Manila in the Philippines, or Scuba Diving in the Seychelles, we might struggle to place any business there so we've had to politely decline.

What is great is that we've done a little business in Dubai in the past and are hopeful of more, so the Middle East is certainly one for the checklist here. We just hope that Paula is not sold for any camels - she's probably not worth more than one and it would be embarrassing to find out!

Have a great week!  

 


 

  

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 11 May 2015

Welcome to another week and we're following last week's look at some of the new hotels opening around the world, with a few more we've found. To mark the start of what will hopefully be a sunnier period, weather wise, we thought that we'd just look at the Caribbean. That way even if the good old weather in blighty lets us down, we can always dream of that fabulous Caribbean sunshine.

Or you may even decide to take a last minute holiday to one of these hotels if, like us, you just love being in the sun...

We begin with Paradise Beach Nevis which opened on 26 January 2015 and is a stunning island beauty offering the only private beachfront Villa Resort on Nevis.  Located just feet from the white powdery sands of the Caribbean, their villas are distinctive for their unforgettable views of the ocean overlooking the island of St Kitts and the impressive, Mount Nevis.  Beckoning back to a time when the world was untouched, you will experience complete privacy and island grandeur in their unique luxury villas, built with Indonesian-thatched roofs, hand cut exposed beams, and 20-foot vaulted ceilings.

Very shortly after, Sandals opened their new, beautiful resort in Barbados on January 28, which is an all-new retreat in the spirited St. Lawrence Gap area, offering undeniable luxury with inventive accommodations spanning three unique villages, world-class cuisine with international appeal, including a festive Indian cuisine restaurant, and innovative bar and pool designs. Unwind to the relaxed calypso beat, enjoy the sun & surf and explore the sexiness of your suite, an abode designed with your utmost comfort in mind and featuring everything from ocean views, Butler Elite service and zero-entry access to Barbados' largest and longest lagoon pool, to private tranquility soaking tubs on most patios and terraces.

However, the most intriguing upcoming venue in the Caribbean is The Baha Mar Resort which in total, will have 2,900 hotel rooms and residences, a 100,000 square foot casino, an 18-hole, 72-par Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, an ESPA spa and more than a dozen pools. Plus a 200,000 square feet convention centre - sounds insane we know!

Of course, we're most interested in the hotels that will open and it's quite a mix, they are as follows: 

Baha Mar Resort and Casino
Summer fun is a breeze at Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, where you can play a round of golf at the golf course, cool off in one of the 6 outdoor swimming pools, and enjoy a treatment at the full-service spa. Want a nice, cool drink? Try the beach-side bar or one of the resort's other drinking venues including a beach bar and a swim-up bar. Additional amenities at this 4-star resort include a water park, outdoor tennis courts, and a fitness centre! 




Rosewood at Baha Mar 
Nestled against the famed sands of Cable Beach, Nassau, the Bahamas, Rosewood at Baha Mar will be island hospitality at its finest. This is a place that wears its British colonial heritage proudly on its sleeve, while melding it with every global amenity imaginable. A stunning mix of intuitive service, culinary treasures and Bahamian culture, Rosewood at Baha Mar will offer a range of authentic restaurants, an apothecary-style Tea and Floral shop and an array of distinctive Bahamian artwork. Minutes away the bustle of downtown Nassau awaits, the Bahamian capital providing a lively contrast to the serenity and tranquility of the resort. Epitomizing relaxed oceanfront living at its best, Rosewood at Baha Mar will give every guest a gilded glimpse into the soul of the islands, gracing every holiday not only with crystal waters and pure white sands, but also warmth, joy and opportunity. Truly, this is a destination to be savored, and explored!



SLS Lux at Baha Mar
In the heart of Baha Mar – The New Riviera, SLS Hotels takes its standards of style, luxury and service to an exotic new locale with SLS LUX Hotel & Residences at Baha Mar. A feast for the senses.  A creative cocktail of sophistication and playfulness.  A hotel with style, luxury and service with elements of creativity and community, SLS LUX at Baha Mar will be an irresistible Bahamian retreat for the most discerning global traveler. Featuring 300 rooms, including 107 residences, world-class décor, unforgettable dining and nightlife experiences, exclusive access to the sbe Collection and global concierge—this unprecedented destination and ownership opportunity can be yours.



Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar

As part of the epic endeavour at Baha Mar, their awe-inspiring resort overlooks the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Cable Beach. Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar features 707 opulent rooms and suites including 85 stunning residences with contemporary décor, high-end amenities and mesmerizing vistas. Lounge on their pristine beach, enjoy the vibrant nightlife at the 100,000 square foot Las Vegas style casino enhanced by ocean views, indulge in rejuvenating spa rituals at the 30,000-square-foot spa, ESPA at Baha Mar, and savor soulful cuisine at more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. From the lush landscape blooming with native flowers to the glistening show lake fountains, guests will indulge in an unforgettable Bahamian experience.

Looks like there will be something for everyone!

Well we hope that has put you in the mood and from all of us here at Cloud 9, we wish you a great week!

What's Floating Around? 21 July 2014

Our blog this week is written by the lovely Helen….

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 towers. From a promised British heatwave, which true to form for English weather only lasted a day here, to two new members joining the team, it’s been a busy busy week!

Our two new interns, Toby and Helen, have been getting stuck into life at Cloud 9 and learning the ropes. Toby who’s nervously waiting for his A Level results, is hoping to study Management at London School of Economics in September, so we’re all trying our best to keep his mind off it by keeping him busy. Helen who studies business at Loughborough University, is here for a few weeks to learn more about event management, before she goes back for her final year.

So what have we been up to this week?

We've been busy with lots of visitors coming to join us in our ‘so not bored room’ aka our meeting room, including Sharon Bannister and her team from Corinthia, Graham Saunders from Sandals, who invited Rubina to Jamaica to see their fifteen resorts, and Jade Sill from Best Western group.

Needless to say we've kept the biscuit tin topped up this week, and the kettle on constant boil. Our doors are always open, so let us know if you want to pop in and have a chat to us. We’ll provide the biscuits!  

Paula had a brilliant time at The PA Club at Alea casino, presenting Cloud 9’s newest venture ‘FUSE’ on Thursday. FUSE is our free venue finding service, and we’re all about taking the hassle out of your event, by offering advice on social media, event styling and post event evaluation techniques. Her game of ‘30 things in our event survival bag’ went down a treat over dinner, with many weird and random guesses.

We've been inundated with entries for the Fresh Awards, so we've been busy processing, unpacking and being blown away by the quality of entries so far. Don’t forget the deadline is the 31st of July, so keep those entries coming! Harriet’s been busy booking entertainment for the judging panel for Fresh, they've certainly got some treats lined up after a busy day of judging.

Next week looks to be as bustling as this one, with Harriet, Rubina and Toby off to visit Yew Lodge Hotel, which Jade Sill kindly invited us to visit before the £0.25 million makeover starts in January 2015.

Paula, Shannon and Toby are off to London on Thursday for the PR judging for the Fresh Awards, our award programme to recognise and reward the best in Creative, Digital, Media and Public Relations in the UK.

Harriet & Rubina are off to the Village Hotel for the reopening of the Verge Bar and Grill, to sample their new dishes, and yes we are jealous! Finally on Friday afternoon, we’re off on a staff outing to the Hinckley Island Hotel, I think a treat is in order after our hard work over the last couple of weeks!

So that's it for this week folks, have a good one! 

What's Floating Around? 14 July 2014

Our blog this week has been written by Harriet Taylor who is back with us for a third summer as an intern, as she completes her Event Management degree at Leeds

Metropolitan University.

Welcome to another week and did you know that today is  “Orangemen’s Day” a public holiday in Northern Ireland to commemorate the anniversary of The Battle of the Boyne on Ireland’s East Coast in 1690. If you’re in Northern Ireland you may come across various marching bands or large group walks of men wearing black bowler hats and white gloves holding orange flags.

What a jam-packed week we’ve had. Whilst we held the fort here in Nottingham, last week half of our team had the fabulous opportunity to attend The Meetings Show in London as hosted buyers.

After a well deserved coffee and a catch up in the board room we’ve heard tales of David Beckham lookalikes, Jamaican Parties with Sandals and even on-the-go afternoon teas’s on red London bus’s… Although I doubt the scones had a chance to roll of the plates before our hungry bunch had scoffed them! Carol is, of course, extremely jealous.

If you feel like you’d enjoy a BB Afternoon Tea Bus Tour experience as much as we did then why not have a go for yourself?
 

Here are the piping hot facts:
 

• The tour costs £45 per adult and £35 per child.
• Babies and very young kids aren't permitted on the tour.
• The bus currently departs from Belvedere Road, opposite the London Eye
• The BB bus is available for private hire and bespoke afternoon tea tours. Prices start at around £990 to hire the whole bus.
• The bus fits 22 people on the top deck, and 12 downstairs.
•  Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free afternoon teas are available on request.
• Alcohol isn't served, but you can bring your own bottle for a corkage fee. 
•  The tour is 1 hour 30 minutes long.

To book on, follow the link below:

http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london/south-bank/bb-bakery-bus/

Finally, re-united, the phones are non-stop and we’re all raring for another week of whatever we can sink our teeth into (and whatever you can throw at us.) So lets have a look at what's going on for Cloud 9 this week.

The Brand You Awards deadline is tomorrow, so as you can imagine it’s all speed ahead as we gather together those final entries that are flooding in. With one day left get your entries in, else you’ll be kicking yourself afterwards.

We’re looking forward to having a catch up over a cuppa with Jade Sill from Best Western Hotel group tomorrow. We pride ourselves here at Cloud 9 on our brilliant relationships we hold with reliable and trustworthy hotel chains. We better dig the posh biscuits out of the cupboard then!

Paula is pondering over which nail varnish will match her outfit ready to be up on stage presenting Cloud 9’s latest asset “FUSE” to The PA Club at Alea casino this Thursday. FUSE is a completely free service that we provide here at Cloud 9. Designed to make your next event go with a bang, but without blowing a fuse. We offer free venue finding, experienced advise for suitable means of social media, event styling and post-event evaluation techniques to help make your life easier.

(Please note that Paula has allowed this paragraph to remain the blog!)

So that's it for another week, enjoy! 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 7 July 2014

Welcome to another week and although we are incredibly busy with a variety of projects for clients, it would only be fitting to class this week as party central!

As part of The Meetings Show, which the majority of the team are attending, we have been inundated with invitations to attend some rather lovely events and although it's not physically possibly to attend everything, we are doing our best to hold up the Cloud 9 banner this next week.

As hosted buyers, we're jumping on an early train down on the Tuesday and by the time we get to London we are sure that some of our industry colleagues will be nursing sore heads from the rather fabulous Lime Venue Portfolio Party which is tonight. 

Held at the fantastic Science Museum without the daytime crowds, guests will enjoy a wonderful cocktail reception, win great prizes, and meet great people, suppliers and the UK's largest portfolio of unusual venues. With the award winning catering of Payne and Gunter and entertainment by Steampunk entertainers, it looks like a great do.

Tuesday evening will see us at the Jamaican Embassy with the lovely people from Sandals and Virgin Atlantic, as they host a night of Caribean fun. With rum punch and steel bands, we only hope that the weather is as good as it is in Jamaica!

Wednesday night is Accor Party and we are really looking forward to it as we will have the opportunity to brag about our footballing skills (see last weeks blog) in the marvellous High Road House, whilst enjoying cocktails and canapes with some amazing entertainment.

Thursday as we head home, Shannon and Paula are taking a diversion to Birmingham for not one, but two Summer BBQ's. The first at a regular venue of ours, Aston Villa and the second with a client at The Studio.

By Friday we might be all partied out, but the Cloud 9 show goes on and we are a hardened bunch here so work will continue all week. 

We recognise that we are very lucky to work in such an engaging and entertaining industry, and this got us thinking, with so many party invitations (and we don't accept that many we promise) which are the biggest and best parties in the world?

After a little light digging, its amazing at just what goes on in the world and starting with Thailand, there is the Full Moon Party. Held either the night before or after the full moon, these all-night ragers draw as many as 30,000 people. Revellers drop in to bars and clubs along the beach to dance and indulge in liquor sold in buckets. There are several huge sound systems along the beach, and partiers can hear a range of music from R&B to trance and house. Although these parties have been associated with drug use, authorities on the island are reportedly cleaning up the celebrations.

Tomato juice flows through the streets of Bunol on the last Wednesday of August as revellers take part in the world’s largest tomato fight. La Tomatina in Spain see's festivities begin in the town square where there is a huge pole covered in soap and with a leg of ham at the top. Participants try to scramble up the pole to retrieve the ham as onlookers throw buckets of water on the crowd from balconies above. After a gun is fired to signal the beginning of the fight, huge trucks carrying tomatoes appear. People grab their ammunition and pelt each other in the streets until the pistol sounds again, marking the end of the event.

This annual Carnival of Ivrea celebrates the city’s liberation from a baron who starved citizens during Medieval times. As the story goes, a miller’s daughter roused the town to revolt and drive out the baron. The event, which takes place the week before Lent, is perhaps best known for its raucous Battle of the Oranges. Teams gather in the city’s main squares to re-enact the citizen’s rebellion by lobbing oranges at one another. Anyone can join a team to participate, but you might want to wear your raincoat and Wellies.

Fasnacht, in Switzerland is the country's biggest party with roughly 20,000 masked revellers taking part. Festivities kick off at four in the morning on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, when all the lights in the city go out and groups of costumed pipers and drummers parade through the town with lanterns. Celebrations continue throughout the week with lots of drinking and singing. Some groups act out notable events from the previous year in what’s known as the Schnitzelbängg.

Burning Man, Nevada: This infamous festival began in 1986 with the burning of a large-scale effigy to mark the summer solstice. It’s since grown into a week-long annual event that draws more than 48,000 people to the Black Rock Dessert. Held during the week before Labour Day, participants set up camp in the desert to celebrate art, self-expression and self-reliance. Each year has a theme which artists are encouraged to interpret through installations and performances. “Mutant vehicles,” redesigned cars and trucks, are staples of the event, as is the burning of a 40-foot “Man” structure.

For nine days in October, Cape Breton is alive with Celtic culture from all over the world. This annual festival draws more than 10,000 visitors to celebrate with music, dance and events in communities across the island. Craft workshops, lectures on Celtic history and square dances are all on offer, as are community meals where visitors and community members come together over home-cooked food. Artists get together for an informal jam session at the Festival Club, located at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, where the bar is open until 3 am.

Songkran in Thailand marks the Thai New Year, which is celebrated in the second week of April. This is the hottest time of the year in Thailand, so it makes sense that the biggest Songkran tradition is to throw water on people. A soaking is considered a blessing and it’s a sacred practice. Traditionally, people would bestow blessings by pouring scented water on each other’s hands. But today, Thais of all ages engage in full-blown water fights, using buckets, hoses and water guns to celebrate the event. Now we like a good water fight at Cloud 9 but then again, we would have to invest in some serious water proof mascara we feel!

With Bay to Breakers, in San Francisco This is a 12k race and party rolled into one. Held annually in late May, it’s one of the oldest foot races in the world and draws more than 50,000 participants. What makes Bay to Breakers so much fun is that many people run in wacky costumes. There’s a costume contest offering prizes for categories including Most Original, Best Group and Best Musical Theme. Several live bands provide a lively soundtrack along the route. One of the worrying things about this particular party is the amount of people who choose to run completely naked! Just Google it if you don't believe us!

So party central indeed, have a great week and enjoy!