What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 16 July 2018

Welcome to another week and it might be true that our World Cup dreams are over, the heat is still here but the sunshine has faded, we have no British success at Wimbledon to applaud and the tiresome Brexit debate is still raging on and on, but we have much to celebrate in this little isle of ours.

So in the spirit of rousing the nation and especially all fellow #eventprofs, here are nine reasons to cheer up and solider on in true British stiff upper lip style.

Firstly, the UK might be small but it's mighty and despite our traffic, it's easy to get around and even getting from London to Edinburgh can be tackled in less than five hours by train. We also have some amazing landmarks such as Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.Not to mention some stunning National Parks likes the Peak District, Dartmoor and New Forest as well as some cracking coastlines and given our size, we are never more than a couple of hours away from the opportunity to enjoy a soggy sandwich on a beach somewhere.

Second is our list of amazing locations from pretty villages to vibrant towns and cities all with something different to appeal to every taste and requirement. From the delights of Cornwall to the beauty of the Cotswold's, or the hustle and bustle of London to the docks of Liverpool, home of the Beatles (another reason to celebrate!). Let's be honest, the UK has some amazing and iconic landmarks from Big Ben to the Blackpool Tower.

 Creativity is at number three and as the UK's second biggest export, out talents in the creative sector are the envy of the world - and we know as we have asked everyone!  From fashion to film, street art to architecture, us Brits are rocking it. A global phenomenon, Britain has some fab examples of great street art, from the famous Banksy pieces, to stunning film locations such as Chatsworth House which become the home of the dashing Mr Darcy, or Alnwick Castle the home of Hogwarts. Our Advertising scene is thriving and many of our directors have gone on to be Hollywood greats.

On the subject of greats, the our contribution to literature must also get a mention at number four. The world’s greatest playwright is still celebrated globally and his plays still performed at the Globe Theatre in London, and his house in Stratford and The Royal Shakespeare Company today hold critically acclaimed performances throughout the year. William Wordsworth, another of Britain’s great poets, was famously inspired by the beauty and drama of the Lake District but we are not sure what inspired JR Tolkein or AA Milne to deliver the Hobbit or Winnie the Pooh. Add in Roald Dahl and JK Rowling and it's clear we lead the way.

At five is the list of legends and myths, many of which have also enjoyed big screen success in the same vein as our literary greats. From Nottingham's famous Robin Hood, to the monster lurking under Loch Ness, we are also famed for the mystery of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table which includes the sword in the stone.

From Royal myths to the Royal family at six and love 'em or loath 'em there is no denying that us Brits do pomp and ceremony better than anyone in the World. Our Royal family still bring in a huge amount in terms of tourist attractions our new royals seem to have embraced a whole new capture in terms of their public face. The British Monarchy dates back to 1603, although before then England and Scotland each had their own monarchs as far back as 757AD and with such a fascinating history, the British Royals are still an obsession for the world’s media.

At seven is our ability to form an orderly queue.  Whether it’s waiting for a bus, or struggling with a big shopping trolley or to pay for a cheeky kebab in the early hours, we're normally pretty polite and sensible when it comes to waiting our turn. Although none of us have to queue to any longer to use a good old fashioned red phone box (another reason to be proud), we would win every gold if this became an Olympic sport!

For number eight we have to mention the amazing amount and variety of food and drinks available in this little Isle of ours. From Wine to Whiskey, Fish & Chips to a Sunday Dinner, our bland reputation for food no longer stands, and anyone who doesn't like a full English now and again, should be forced to do the washing up for a year - no dishwasher allowed. Additionally, our Afternoon Tea's are legendary and our abilities to embrace new cuisines a shining example of just how fab we are all are.

Finally at nine our events. From the variety of large scale events and festivals including Glastonbury, The Grand National, The Chelsea Flower Show, The Edinburgh Fringe and Pride, to the events we #eventprofs are delivering every day for our clients. With such a diverse and seemingly endless supply of great venues and hotels to choose from in the UK, it's pretty clear why the event industry is booming.

So there are lots of reasons to be cheerful everyone, and if you would like to explore this great nation with an event of your own, then do give us a call. We're always happy to help here at Cloud 9 Towers and our venue finding service is totally free. 

Have a great week everyone, chin up!

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? 2 July 2018

Welcome to another week and after all of the glorious sunshine we have been enjoying (in between being inside for the Football!), it's time to turn our attention to Wimbledon which starts today.

In previous years here at Cloud 9 Towers, we have focused on Hotels and Venus in the Wimbledon area, not so much for for accommodation but for their meetings and event spaces - which don't forget we can source for free, locally, nationally and internationally - just ask and we are happy to help.

So rather than roll out the same old story, year after year, we thought we would focus on prestigious properties that feature tennis academies as well as extensive event space, and where better to start than with The Headland in Cornwall.

The hotel is a members of Pride of Britain Hotels and in addition to the amazing sports facilities and spectacular view, the hotel boasts an elegant interiors & epic seascapes with capacities from 4 - 300 delegates - and attractive rates as well. With 95 bedrooms on site plus self catering cottages, the venue also boasts a spa and both indoor and outdoor pools. Perfect for a little dip at the end of a conference or a knock about (assuming you don't hit a shot in to the Atlantic as the hotel has rather distracting 360º ocean views. 

Over on the French Riviera is the Mouratpglou Tennis Academy which is part of the amazing Beachcomber Resort (and in the interests of transparency - Beachcomber is a client).  In 2012 Patrick Mouratpglou became the official coach of Serena Williams, and over the last 20 years, he has used his experience to create a successful coaching method which is now the core focus of the Academy.  Whilst maybe not the first choice as a destination for MICE, this stunning property is certainly flexible and is situated between Nice and Cannes and  with 34 tennis courts, a pro shop, high tech fitness room and a medical centre, its perfect for sports enthusiasts. There is more to the resort than just tennis though, with two swimming pools, including one racket shaped, a 700-square metre spa and two restaurants, its well worth a look.

Part of the (Marriott) Luxury Collection includes the superb Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve. The spectacular cliff-top setting provides a stunning location for events, with both indoor and outdoor spaces.Located in a central area of the resort grounds, the conference facilities can cater for up to 700 guests and with flexible accommodation options on site, there are plenty of bedrooms to go round as well. This is a stunning resort and with 13 different meetings and events spaces, its well worth investigating not just for tennis, but for international conferences as well.

In Sardinia, the Forte Village is another dream destination for MICE, and lots of major brands have held conferences at this stunning resort including, Porsche, Ferrari, Vodafone, Volkswagen, Mondadori, Generali, Audi, Siemens and Mastercard. The beauty of Sardinia, the exclusive style of the resort and Business Centre, and the ease of location makes it ideal. There are some special event spaces on site and the resort can cater for large numbers, with a range of halls, and meeting rooms. Want a conference for 2000? No problem. Want an additional room for another 1,000 delegates, not an issue. Even the smallest event would feel right at home in this amazing village. They are also serious about sport, and host professional football teams as well as the legendary tennis academy which was founded by six time Wimbledon champion Mark Woodforde and includes Andy Murray's former coach Jonas Bjorkman amongst the star coaches.

We end our tour of the courts with La Manga Club in Murcia, sunny south-eastern Spain, and this resort is currently the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) official overseas training base. In addition to its 28-court centre and extensive leisure facilities, the resort also has over 2300 metres of event spaces and a flexible approach to hosting corporate events of all sizes. With both a four star and five star hotel on site, and eight football pitches, this resort is great for MICE style activities.

If all of the sport is driving you bonkers don't despair, we have a range of venues we can suggest globally for your next meeting or event, and even if you are not fan, we'll throw in strawberries and cream this week for any new venue finding requests.

Have a great week. 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 25 June 2018

Welcome to another week and there is only one thing to talk about this week if you work in the MICE profession. 

 

The Meetings Show is the premier event for the inbound and outbound meetings and event industry in the UK, and takes place this week from 27-28 June 2018 at Olympia London. Since its launch in 2012, The Meetings Show has become a must-attend exhibition for event and meeting planners from the UK and Europe, and it's a great place for us to catch up with industry colleagues and meet suppliers - as well as discovering new ones. The event also features plenty of educational sessions, social events and of course the invaluable networking.

The Meetings Show 2017 was the biggest edition of the show to date, with over 4,800 meeting and events professionals, attending to do business with over 700 suppliers who exhibited at the show.

There is a new addition to the Show this year with the Pre-Show Conference exclusively for Hosted Buyers (which we are) and is taking place on Tuesday at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in West London. 

 

Created in partnership with London Convention Bureau, it will have three main content streams for association, agency and corporate buyers.

 

As founding members of the AIEA, we are going along with our own hosted group this year and in addition to our individual appointments we have some group appointments with Visit Belfast and Moulden Marketing as well as a collective meeting or two.

 

Like most industries, event planning boasts a wide range of trade show opportunities for professionals to attend and there seems to be more and more events all clamouring for our attention. 

 

Whilst each trade show presents planners with the chance to further their education, network with other professionals, and practice leadership skills in an environment designed to foster motivation and creativity, there simply is not the time to attend them all even in the UK, and if you factor in the International ones you could become a trade show addict!

 

From Convene to IMEX, IBTM to M&IT, the possibilities are endless but do remember only to attend if you think you will have the chance to learn something new and provide a return on investment for the exhibitors. 

 

 But back to this week and we hope to catch up with some of you at The Meetings Show!

Have a great week.

 

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 18 June 2018

Welcome to another week and unless you have been hiding under a rock, you may have noticed a little event taking place, The World Cup 2018, in Russia.

It's a while since we bought you a guide to some of the hotels and venues that fall under a theme, but with football fever (at least until we knocked out of the tournament - fingers crossed we go all the way) we thought it a reasonably good idea!

So the Cloud 9 guide to Football Hotels begins...

We start with Hotel Football in Manchester, which was founded by two of the major names from Manchester United. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs first came up with the idea of starting a hospitality company,  after travelling the world during their footballing careers and as they have experienced more restaurants and hotels than most, it has given them an innate understanding of what makes an outstanding establishment.

They have a range of meeting spaces available for up to 350 delegates, including a roof top terrace called Heaven, which can cater for parties of up to 200 guests and offers spectacular views of Old Trafford.

Just over the M62 in Liverpool is The Shankly Hotel, a tribute to the life and career of one of football's finest managers. The rooms and suites are as unique as Bill Shankly himself, offering comfortable, stylish and spacious accommodation as well as a spacious conference and events centre  known as Eden, which can hold up to 350 delegates.

A little further afield and you can discover a relatively new hotel from Cristiano Ronaldo who has teamed up with Portuguese hotel group Pestana for the first of four hotel collaborations, with the  memorabilia-filled Pestana CR7 Funchal. 

It's more of a lifestyle hotel than a MICE Hotel but guests can discover a personalised training programme and yoga mats in the rooms, along with Smart TV's and all of the latest luxury amenities. 

Over in Prague however, if you want to be right on top of the action (assuming you are a fan!) then you could try the Iris Hotel Eden, which is set in an eastern part of the Eden Arena,  a football stadium of famous Prague club Slavie Prague. The hotel has 150 guest rooms, and event space for up to 400 guests. 

The trend for Football Hotels seems to have started in Argentina, with the Hotel Boca in Buenos Aires,back in 2012, when Argentina’s most revered football club, Boca Juniors, had a hotel dedicated to them. It's probably a trend that will continue and for the MICE industry, if we have sports mad clients it can only be a good thing!

Fear not if your client is not into football at all, not only are there a range of hotels attached to golf, rugby, cricket and golf and after all, the World Cup only lasts four weeks.

Here in the events industry we can create a legacy with our events that lasts a lot longer!

Have a great week.

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 11 June 2018

Welcome to another week and we'd like to talk awards this week -and specifically The Awards Trust Mark Scheme, of which we are on the board.

The Independent Awards Standards Council (IASC) is a not-for profit organisation made up of stakeholders in the Awards Industry. It was established with the aim of raising standards and perceptions of trust in awards as a whole, for the benefit of all stakeholders and we are pleased that we have had the time to help shape this important programme.

Chris Robinson, Co-Founder of the Independent Awards Standards Council, and his fellow council members believe that some award schemes are falling wide of the mark.

“The need for the Trust Mark, and the elements within an agreed code of conduct, are based on research by Boost Marketing that gained input from both awards entrants and organisers. According to Boost’s research, the average score given by businesses when asked ‘how well does the awards industry meet your needs’ was just 5.7 out of 10. But around 80% of businesses entering awards would be influenced by an independent accreditation scheme when picking awards to enter. It found that transparency was essential, and that most awards organisers were willing to consider such a scheme. The research also showed that perceived trust in the judging process used in an awards scheme is one of the most influential factors for businesses in picking schemes to enter.

The big picture for the IASC is that the UK aspires to lead the world in business awards, setting the standard to which the rest of the world aspires. This will improve the credibility and thus popularity and impact of awards schemes, for the benefit of all stakeholders within the awards industry.”

So if  you run awards then please make sure you take a look at the website and register yours, it could really make a difference. 

Have a great week and don't forget our free venue finding service 24/7! Just email Janet and she'll be happy to help.

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 4 June 2018

Welcome to another week and it seems like we're certainly in the midst of an explosion of industry events and invitations at present which for event professionals is both educational, enjoyable and sometimes just plain exhausting.

We've only just had the great showcase event from Hotel Republic where many of their International Destination Partners, hosted us at Landing 42 at the Leadenhall Building in London, followed by an overnight stay at the Sunborne Yacht, and then last week it was the CHS Awards at the Principle in Manchester, where we were kindly hosted by Jury's.

Jury's Manchester is certainly a bit of a hidden gem - fabulous bedrooms, great open spaces, stylish bar and kitchen area and whilst the meetings spaces are not huge, both rooms on the ground floor adjacent to reception have great light and are ideal for smaller meetings from 20-50. It's not expensive either so well worth a look.

In amongst our usual manic diaries, we also have the annual deluge of meeting requests for The Meetings Show which takes place at the end of the month. As hosted buyers, you do have to do so many appointments to meet our commitments, but sometimes securing the meetings in manageable way (and anyone who has been to IMEX or EIBTM will know what I mean) can be tricky. If you are not careful you find yourself in one zone, your meeting runs over and you have to impersonate Usain Bolt to make your next meeting on time.

Combine this with the flurry of invitations to other trade shows, launches, open days and events and its easy to see why suppliers have such a tough time competing for the attention of agents. 

This is one of the reasons we launched Famtastic a few weeks ago. Having a centralised place which lists all of the core industry events, detailed invitations and commission offers seems to be good idea, and certainly the industry is now embracing the initiative well.

If you haven't signed up (or opted in - we are GDPR compliant!) then please make sure you take a look at Famtastic.Rocks. It's a great resource for the industry and we are listing Christmas ideas, a suppliers directory and in time some of the best industry jobs.

So follow the Flamingo and keep up to date!

Have a great week and don't forget our free venue finding service is 24/7