What's Floating Around Cloud 9? Week Commencing 10 July 2017

Welcome to another week here at Cloud 9 Towers and we're celebrating Picnics this coming week as we are now half way through National Picnic Month.

The use of the picnic basket is increasingly popular at corporate events and many dinners and functions now deliver a sharing basket to tables rather than plated food, especially for summer events. This slightly unusual format certainly helps guests to engage and chat whilst they are delivering into the basket to see what delights are in store.

All of our suggested venues this week on our daily #VenueTipoftheDay feature properties with great gardens and grounds, all perfect to enjoy some outside air and a packed lunch or picnic in between your conference. Don't forget that our free venue finding service can locate you the perfect venue for your next event, whether its indoors or out!

But, with summer trying to break through in England (and let's be fair, we have had some great weather so far this year), it's got us thinking about al fresco dining and the joys of eating a delicious spread on a cosy picnic blanket!

So in tribute, here is the Cloud 9 Guide to the perfect picnic!

1 Choose a Lovely Location For a great day out, hit the road and head to your ideal location. Ensure there is plenty of space, lots to look at it and if you can, try not to be too far from the nearest facilities!

2. Be Comfortable Sitting on the ground can get a little uncomfortable so  if you have room, include some cushions or deckchairs and don't forget that all important picnic basket. If you are planning a twilight picnic, some lanterns are also a good idea and if you can pick ones up which repel rather than attract bugs, all the better! If however, its really sunny, don't forget to pack  some sun cream and pick a spot with some shade for those who would rather not be exposed all day.

3. Pick the Perfect Hamper A cool box is always a great addition to any picnic and don't forget to let food completely cool before packing, and a roomy hamper  is also a must. Remember to place heavier items at the bottom and leave room at the top for lighter items so you can avoid squashed sandwiches and cakes reduced to crumbs! Freeze some water bottles for your cool box to keep essential items really cool - and you#ll also have some nice cool water later to drink! 

4. Drink Drink & More Drink Whilst we are on the subject of water, in the heat its important to stay hydrated and although vino and beer will no doubt feature, some squash or lighter drinks are also a good idea to drink in between any top ups!

5. Get Savoury Savvy In addition to an array of  sandwiches and rolls, it's just not a picnic without a Scotch Egg and a Sausage Roll, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative with your savoury snacks. Include some bite size tapas style finger food and a range of dips and vegetables so your five a day will be part of the feast!

6. Sweet Tooth? Strawberries and Cream are a traditional favourite for a picnic but keeping cream nice and cool can be an issue  so why not prepare a tray bake of a strawberry style cheesecake or other easy to eat dessert. You can cook it in advance and even slice it before you go, and with it being flat, its going to be much easier to pack!

7. Forget Me Not Don't forget your cutlery, crockery napkins beakers, glasses and any other utensils you might need. Simple things like corkscrews can be overlooked so get yourself a list in place and tick items off as you pack them. You are less likely to end up in the middle of nowhere without a way to get that cork out that way! A little first aid kit can also be handy for any bites or stings - its the bugs summer too!

8. Enjoy  Picnics offer a great excuse to soak up some sun, have a catch up and even indulge in some board games or reading. The more active might want to indulge in a friendly game or rounders whilst the less agile can sunbathe or take a snooze mid picnic

9. Be a Perfect Picnicker  You've had a great time, and enjoyed your picnic so when you pack up to go home please make sure you take your rubbish with you and leave you ideal spot, well ideal, for the next people to come along and enjoy. You wouldn't pick a spot with broken glass and discarded wrappers so don't leave your rubbish behind.

We do hope that has insipid you to pack a picnic in the next couple of weeks but don't forget if you would like something more formal we are only a phone call away!

Have 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 Cloud 9? 16 June 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 Towers and again, we are pleased to inform you that another event has passed and went extremely well. 

The CIPR Northern Conference that took place last Thursday at Manchester Metropolitan University was really successful. We would like to thank everyone who attended the event and to everyone who was tweeting about the event, as the hashtag #CIPRNC14 was trending in Manchester!

Towards the end of this week though, we have the Bristol Media, Brand You Awards Deadline looming! Brand You, is produced by Bristol Media and Social Heads and supported by ourselves, and this year they are looking for individuals working right across the creative sectors in the South West. It doesn't matter whether you are just beginning your career or you have already established yourself in your field. 

The Awards are celebrating the outstanding contribution that in house, agency staff and freelancers make to campaigns, projects and productions. So it's now time to make a stand and shout about your success, or indeed the success of someone you know!

As we all know, the credibility of any awards programme is measured by the calibre of the judges there is an excellent judging panel for each of the categories from length and breadth of the country. With a leading professional from the South West plus three or four additional judges from outside the region to add balance, you can be assured that the results will be completely fair and unbiased. 

The popular awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 16 September at Bordeaux Quay this year, so make sure you enter before Friday 20 June or you really will be missing out!

Also this week, in fact this evening, half of the Cloud 9 team will be attending the Independent Venue Showcase at The Nottingham Belfry, organised by the CHS Group. 

The showcase which is one of 6 held across the UK is an event for Meeting and Event Planners who wish to find out more about some of the UK's most exclusive and unique venues. 

The showcase will feature over 20 venues including Champneys Health Spa, historic Weston Park Hotel and a selection of boutique country house properties from Pride of Britain Hotels. Meeting Planners will be able to mingle with venues at a mini exhibition before enjoying drinks and a Summer BBQ and also have the opportunity to win some superb prizes in an exclusive prize draw. 

Emma Cartmell, Director of CHS Group explained: "We have a growing reputation for delivering great Showcases, this is now the 12th one that we have done over the last 2 years and they just get better and better. We know that Agents like being able to see some many independent venues in one place at one time and particularly enjoy the relaxed, informal format of our events." She continued: "We know also that access is really important to our guests, so wanted a stylish venue with a city centre feel but with great access to the motorway networks, The Nottingham Belfry offered a perfect fit".

So we're looking forward to attending that this evening and to everything else that is thrown at us this week! 

Have a great week folks!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3rd September

Welcome to another week and it feels a bit like we are all back to School!

August has been and gone and whilst much of the Summer has been dedicated to all things Fresh, the CIPR Northern Conference will be upon us before you know it.

Also now that "silly season" is over in the media, it's time to start looking at some of the great events and activities available to the industry over the coming months.

Whatever your needs, there really is something for everyone and despite all of the doom and gloom that continues to dog the press, we have a genuine feeling that things are on the up here at Cloud 9 Towers. We've some new exciting projects on the horizon and lots to look forward to, as well as maintaining our free venue finding service, which continues to be a valuable resource for our clients.

Don’t miss the UK’s biggest event for PAs, EAs & Office Managers - office* returns on 12-13 September 2012 to the new venue of National Hall, Olympia. With its mix of innovative products and services, networking and inspiring seminars, make sure you attend for what’s set to be the biggest and best show yet. With Over 175 exhibitors offering everything from stationery to business travel, training to corporate hospitality, there is also a great opportunity to learn essential skills in the 50 educational and inspirational sessions presented by the best speakers and trainers in the country. Additionally, all delegates can source everything you need in one dedicated area – including the NEW HBAA Village, NEW office* Interactive Theatre, and the returning AIM Accredited Destination & Venue Village. http://www.officeshow.co.uk/  It's free to attend so get yourself registered now! 

The CIPR Northern Conference is a must for anyone in PR and this incredible event will take place at The Rose Bowl, Portland Crescent, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3HB on 31 October 2012 with a “Fit for the Future” theme. The focus for this year will be centred around the changing face of the PR industry and how equipped we are to tackle the increasing challenges that lay ahead. Whether it is understanding and keeping ahead of the continual changes in the digital and social media sectors, making the leap to being a sole practitioner or starting your own consultancy, or making sure you have the skills, gravitas and confidence to reach the top; the 2012 Northern Conference is one you cannot afford to miss. There will be a packed schedule this year and a choice of interactive workshops as well as several keynote speakers, all of whom are at the top of their game. Delegates will also be able to enjoy the great facilities available at The Rose Bowl, a stunning prestige building with great views of the City of Leeds. Please email paula@cloud9em.co.uk to book your place or book online via Eventbrite http://ciprnc2012.eventbrite.com/

 

Renowned for facilitating business and interaction between sponsorship buyers and sellers, Think!Sponsorship is back on 14th November, at Stratford Circus, London.  Titled 'Forward Thinking' the event looks at sponsorship in a post Olympic Games landscape and will discuss, debate and analyse sponsorship's Olympic Winners and Losers, trends such as vertical ownership, education sponsorship, the future of alcohol sponsorship, commercial CSR and much more! The speakers' list includes high calibre experts like Matt Brocklehurst, Product Marketing - Mobile Advertising at Google, Tricia Thompson, Director of Cycling, BSKYB, Des Violaris, Director UK Arts & Culture, BP, Ilona Harris, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Tate and many more. Although not cheap to attend, a very valuable and interesting event for anyone looking to secure sponsorship. http://www.thinksponsorship.com/

We end this week with some exciting if somewhat scary news! We are off to see the premier of "When the Lights Went Out" which has been produced by our friend Bil Bungay.

The story is based in Yorkshire, 1974. Britain is in recession, the oil crisis and black outs loom large. The Maynard family move into their dream house, only to find a "presence" already living there. Len, Jenny and their daughter Sally must struggle to keep their already-fragile family together as they are attacked by poltergeists. Soon it becomes apparent that Sally is their main focus of attention. The house becomes a living nightmare. They must exorcise the evil spirits for them to survive.

Not only are we are off to the premier but we also get to visit the actual house...scary stuff!

Hopefully, we will back next week so have a good one everyone and enjoy!