What's Floating Around? 1 September 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9, this week we're following on from our previous blog. Last week we mentioned that Christmas Parties are starting to pop into people's minds, and we listed just a few different types of venues, great for the occasion. This week, we would like to help you with choosing the right venue for your event. 

You may be thinking how hard can it be to find and book a venue? Well that depends on your needs, what you want the outcome to be and how much time you have to spare, so below, we have just a few tips that could help you choose the right venue...

Get Someone Else To Do It

Take advantage of a free venue finding service. A good corporate events company will source a venue for you and could even get you a few deals due to a rather relationship orientated industry. All you need to do is send them a brief of your event and they will do the rest for you!

Start The Search As Soon As Possible

Leaving it until the last minute isn't the best idea! Yes, you might get a last minute deal but it's a big risk to take. You may have to settle for a venue that doesn't have the specific requirements you need. You could also run the risk of being forced to book somewhere out of your budget range, in the wrong location and doesn't have the feel for your event, that you may have planned.

Location

The venue location needs to be at the heart of your event plan. It's important to take into consideration who your guests are and where they will be coming from, and ensure that the location is somewhere that makes sense for the bulk of your guests, as well as being a desirable spot. 

Proximity To Motorway/Railway Station

Transport plays a huge role in choosing the right venue for your event. Booking a fabulous country house in hundreds of acres of parkland might tick the wow factor box, but delegates won't be impressed if getting there is a nightmare. Make sure the venue you choose is within close proximity to a motorway, railway station and an airport. Free parking is also essential for guests.

Size

The venue size and capacity must be just right, being too small will create overcrowding; whilst being too big will give a sense of emptiness and an under-attended, unsuccessful event. Most venues should have capacity numbers for all of their rooms, aim to be just slightly under the capacity limit, but never over and never far under, and you should be alright. Also, factor in any entertainment you may have in mind as they could need quite a substantial amount of space.

Star Rating And Budget

If you're planning on choosing a hotel as a venue for your event, think about the star rating. Will your budget stretch to a 4* or 5* venue? You might be better off with a good quality 3* hotel. Overspend on the venue and you'll have to cut back in other areas. Likewise with other venue's apart from hotels, have a picture of how you would like the event to be and your budget, with most venues you shouldn't have to pay room hire.

Room Layout

Choosing the right venue for your event involved thinking about room layout and seating plans. If you're planning a conference, product launch or presentation, you might want to consider a theatre-style layout. If it's a training day, a classroom style could be the way to go, if it's an awards ceremony or formal banqueting event, then you're more than likely going to want banqueting or cabaret style. Also, boardroom style is very popular for meetings. 

What About Catering?

These days, hotels and conference venues offer more than tea and biscuits. Do you have any set ideas or requirements about catering? If so, choose somewhere that will accommodate your preferences. Be sure to remember that not everyone will be drinking alcohol, so provide non-alcoholic alternatives, and also remember to offer vegetarian alternatives to meat dishes, as well as catering for those with food allergies. If your event takes plaice in the summer, a BBQ or buffet lunch is a popular idea. 

AV Equipment and Wi-Fi

Does the venue's day rate include use of AV equipment, if so what kind of equipment will you be able to use? Do they offer free Wi-Fi and can the speed cope with the events requirements, this is a question which is getting asked more and more often!

Outdoor Areas

If you're thinking of a team building day, think about activities. If you're planning to include country sports or driving activities on the agenda, you'll need a venue with a suitable outdoor area. Also it's a good idea to ask if the venue have a supplier or a preferred supplier.

Accommodation

Some delegates might want or need an over night stay. Check to see if the venue you're considering offers overnight accommodation and if they'll consider a special rate for your guests. You could also ask what their 24 hour rate is if they have accommodation.

The Visit

It is always advisable to visit the venue and check out all of the facilities for yourself. Try and have a look at some of the previous events that had been hosted at the venue and you will have a better understanding of the place. We'd always advice to check out the venue before booking it, so you can get the feel for it yourself. 

If you would like any help with your next event, please contact the team on 0115 933 3811 or info@cloud9em.co.uk. 

Have a great week folks! 

P.S. The Fresh Awards have announced the shortlist this week, make sure you take a look! www.freshawards.co.uk

What's Floating Around? 26 August 2014

Welcome to a short week at Cloud 9, we hope you all enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend!

The team at Cloud 9 were startled when they realised it was the last Bank Holiday of the year, with that in mind Rubina has been counting down the days until Christmas, so we thought we'd dedicated this blog to the Christmas countdown! 

Summer events may still, currently be front of mind, but with Christmas parties seemingly back up the agenda, the Christmas countdown is on! When budgets are tight, the annual Christmas party tends to be dropped quicker than a hot potato. While last year saw Christmas parties getting back on track, budgets were still being hidden somewhat. This year, however, looks set to be the year in which the Christmas party really makes its all-singing comeback. 

Christmas parties appear to be back in favour with companies keen to reward staff with some festive fun, however organisations still want the best value for money. So below, we have listed just a few of the many venues, that hold a cracking Christmas do...

Go and enjoy a spectacular Christmas in Leicester with The Belmont Hotel. From party nights in the Rose Suite to festive meals in Windows on New Walk to Christmas Day lunch to a New Year's Eve celebration, they've got something for everyone...

With groups from 4 to 140, they can host your party event with great food and warm service. It's champagne & Diamonds at The Belmont this Christmas and the beautiful hotel will be transformed for your enjoyment. 

You can enjoy winter cocktails in the lounge bar and afternoon tea with seasonal cakes, or hold your bigger party in one of their private dining rooms, or for a more intimate setting within their luxurious restaurant. 

Whether it is a Christmas Party Night you are looking to organise for your company, or if you are just looking to arrange a Christmas Lunch with your family or friends, the Regency

Park is one of the leading hotels at Christmas which has something to offer for everyone... look no further for some of the very best Christmas hotel deals.

There is a whole host of Christmas hotel packages to choose from at the Regency Park, so let your hair down and enjoy a traditional 3 course Christmas dinner with coffee, party novelties and disco and dancing till late - you are guaranteed a good time!

The Regency Park can also offer a selection of festive lunch options: including traditional Christmas Day Lunch, Boxing Day Celebrations and also Post Christmas Parties!

Celebrate at The Lowry, a truly unique Christmas party venue in the contemporary setting of Manchester's Salford Quays.

Experience their impressive party rooms with stunning views of the surrounding Quayside. With 2 fabulous entertainment packages to choose from including live singers, magicians and DJs. The Lowry's Christmas Party nights never fail to impress. 

For something a bit different, why not try their VIP Theatre Packages. Enjoy an evening of great entertainment and dining during one of their festive theatre shows. 

With spectacular live entertainment, delicious food and a fabulous location, it's no wonder guests go back year after year. Don't miss out and make sure you have a night to remember!

Celebrate the magic of Christmas at The Oakley Court Hotel. From the moment you sweep

up the drive you will be treated as a treasured guest and feel completely at home. With fizz, fun and festivities, your Christmas start here! We provide exceptional service, exquisite food, wine and Champagne to guarantee you a Christmas to remember. Set the mood for an evening of festivities from start to finish. Celebrate in style and enjoy a delicious festive banquet, then dance the night away with their superb disco, playing the oldies right up to the latest sounds. 

I think that's enough to leave you with for now, but here at Cloud 9, like many companies within the industry, we offer a free venue finding service, with a twist and we go that extra mile. So, if you're looking to hold a Christmas party, but don't have the time or resources, then please give us a shout and we will be happy to help. Please email info@cloud9em.co.uk or call 0115 933 3811.

Have a great week folks!

What's Floating Around? 18 August 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9 Towers!

Last week we saw the Fresh Awards judges in Warwickshire working extremely hard, getting through the hundreds of entries and determining the shortlist and results for this year! Keep an eye on the website as the shortlist will be announced on Monday 1 September. We also realised, that it was National Afternoon Tea week, so this blog is dedicated to some of the best Afternoon Tea's available through out the UK. 

National Afternoon Tea Week celebrates the great heritage with a week of activities, themed menus and offers in hotels, restaurants and tearooms across the UK in August. 

The Week offers tourists and locals alike the chance to step inside and experience some of the country's most exquisite afternoon tea venues. From five-star hotels in London to a castle in North Wales, luxury department stores to double decker buses, there's something for every region, at every budget.

There is no question that afternoon tea is in vogue. And it has definitely evolved a lot over the last two hundred years. These days afternoon tea is enjoyed by many, but most of all it's now an avenue for chefs to express their creative flair and add new twists to the indulgent British tradition.

The birth of afternoon tea is credited to Anna Maria, the 7th Duchess of Bedford around 1840. At the time, it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day: breakfast and dinner (around 8pm) and Maria is said to have complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. So, the solution for the Duchess was a pot of tea and a light snack taken privately in her boudoir during the afternoon. She then started to invite friends to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire and the tradition became popular within fashionable society.

There are certainly lots of different types to try. Some are made for tourists, but there are plenty out there that offer a wonderful dining experience to share with family and friends. 

So let’s take a look at some of the Afternoon Tea’s available throughout the UK.

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel - Edinburgh

Situated on Princess Street, Apex Waterloo Place Hotel is a luxurious building that sets the high standard for the Edinburgh city chic. It is located near Waverley train station and some of the most popular shopping areas of Edinburgh. A historic fact about the hotel is that Charles Grey 2nd Earl, the man who invented Earl Grey Yea, was given the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh at a ceremony in 1834 that took place at the Waterloo Hotel.

Elliot's Bar and Restaurant is house within the Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, which is where the hotels fine Afternoon Tea is served. Elliot's Bar combines the traditional listed features of the historic building but combines it with modern stylish design; including an ornate corniced ceiling, Georgian windows and unique fireplaces. 

Elliot's Bar and Restaurant is the ideal setting for a traditional Afternoon Tea but with a modern twist on things. 

De Vere Oulton Hall - West Yorkshire

Oulton Hall is a magnificent, Grade II listed, mid 18th century mansion with beautiful gardens, converted into Yorkshire's only 5-star luxury hotel. Lovingly restored interiors, fabulous grounds and a team of staff passionate about making your visit special. 

Afternoon Tea is served by a traditional butler in the new Drawing Room, cakes that melt in your mouth and a house scone that boasts chunks of local rhubarb. 

Tea 42 Manchester

Tea 42 is a unique venue in the heart of Manchester's City Centre, offering a traditionally British Afternoon Tea for those looking for a relaxing break from a day of shopping. 

Guests can enjoy a selection of freshly made open sandwiches on artisan bread, accompanied by homemade tea infused fruit scones & Cornish clotted cream. As well as traditional Afternoon Tea servings, guests can upgrade their experience to include Champagne, adding a touch of elegance to the tea. 

Tea 42 is situated in the heart of Manchester and is a quick 5 minute walk from the Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre. 

BB Bakery Bus Afternoon Tea Tour

Come and experience Afternoon Tea with a difference on the BB Routemaster bus. This vintage London double decker bus will drive around Central London, taking in some of the City's best sights, whilst you can indulge in the fabulous BB Afternoon Tea. 

Capture the heart of the city's culture and history whilst sipping on a lovely cup of tea and enjoying the exquisite tastes of France, whilst looking out on some of London's most famous landmarks. High tea accompanied with an array of tasty sandwiches and delicious cakes and pastries.

Your uniformed driver will take you round The London Eye, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James's Park, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column, Downing Street and more.

Horsley Lodge - Derbyshire

Built by the Earl of Stainsby in 1850, Horsley Lodge is a charming country retreat in the heart of the Peak District. 

Tea can be taken in the "old Restaurant" with its spectacular views of the hills, lakes and the fountain or on the terrace in the summer months. 

Featuring gorgeous Vintage china, tableware and themed music, the Champagne Vintage Afternoon Tea experience includes quality teas, fresh baked scones, finger sandwiches, mouth-watering cakes and a glass of champagne each,

For more options or if you are interested in treating yourself to Afternoon Tea, take a look at afternoontea.co.uk for more information.

We hope that this has left your mouth watering and you enjoyed our blog this week.

Have a great week folks!

What's Floating Around? 11 August 2014

Welcome to another week at Cloud 9! 

This week we are wearing are Fresh hats as Creative judging commences from this Wednesday to Friday. Our four juries will all be making their way to Warwickshire for debate, discussion and hopefully not too many disagreements about the work this year as the quest begins to find out whose work is worthy of a Fresh gong or two.

As ever, we'll aim to tweet live from judging to keep you posted, but its not always possible as with four juries on the go at any one time, we don't always get the opportunity - but hopefully some of our judges will be doing their bit so keep checking.

The nominations for this years awards will be announced on Monday 1 September, so make sure you take a look at the Fresh website to see who has made the grade! www.freshawards.co.uk

Going back to Cloud 9, we came across this fantastic blog by Event Manager Blog and we thought it was great, so we thought we'd share it with you guys! As all event planners know, the industry isn't all glitz and glamour and we think this sums us up quite well, '20 Moments Every Event Planner Has Experienced'. 

When Guests Do Not Show Up

When Too Many Guests Show Up

When Guests Say Thank You

When The Projector Breaks Down

When A Speaker Cancels The Night Before

Death by Meeting

When You Don’t Sell Tickets

When You Wake Up at 4am

Going to Sleep at 3.30am

When You Decide Who the VIPs Are

When You Sell Out

When Someone Thinks the Event Should Have Been Different

You Know How to Repair a Damaged Wedding Dress

When You Realise How Good You Are at Saying Sorry

When You Know How To Say Appetizer in French

When You Welcome Guests Even if the Event is Not Yours

When You Deal With Weird Venue Managers

When You Calm Down Outraged Guests in 5 Minutes

When You Know How to Bounce People With a Smile

When You Ask Yourself: 'Why am I doing This?'...

...and When You Answer: 'Because It Makes Me Happy'

Our job is filled with hard work, partying, boredom and excitement. It is a roller coaster of emotions we can’t live without. We are sure some of the above gifs made you smile, cringe or laugh out loud.

So that's it for this week folks, enjoy!

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!