What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 11 March 2019

Welcome to another week and we're pleased to be announcing a new service exclusively for Executive and Personal Assistants which is being headed up by Daniel in our team. It does exactly what it says on the tin and is designed to be a super quick solution for busy people. 

Cloud 9 Assists offers a 24/7 service and if the idea of using it seems a little crackers then consider all of the time and effort you need to invest into running a successful event and this usually starts with selecting the ideal venue, on the date that works for you.

It may not seem like the hardest job, and if you have set a brief for an event, or have been asked by your employers to to find a venue for a specific event, then you know what you’re looking for, how many people will be attending and what your requirements and budget might be. 

You start your search, you find some potential venues online,  and then you call or email for quotes -  in amongst everything else you have to do that day - and the next thing you know you are inundated with length proposals all in different formats, some with vat, some without, and what's worse, they haven't answered all of your questions about the specifics.

Then you have to face the barrage of calls from venues following up to see if you have made a decision, as if you weren't busy enough! 

This is where Cloud 9 Assists is ideal. With over 25 years of combined, experience in sourcing venues, and delivering amazing events, we can take the arduous research away from you all for free - and we'll come back to you with a formatted document with a range of suggestions, enabling you to make an informed and educated choice. 

We'll ask the questions you might not think of, even down to ensuring that the day of your event, you will not arrive to be faced with scaffolding or building work! 

You'll have one point of contact, who can negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal and rates, and arrange any site visits should you need them. And even if you don't like any of the venues we suggest, you can always ask for more or change your mind about location - we understand about being flexible and our service if fast, friendly and effective. 

It's also 100% free all of the time, so give it a try. There is no obligation to book any of the venues we suggest, so there really is nothing to lose, and everything to save when it comes to your time and your sanity!

Have a great week.

What's Floating Around? 4 March 2019

Welcome to another week and we're all about the invitations this time - as agents we are lucky to receive all manner of invitations to fam trips, trade shows and wonderful incentive trips across the world. 

We know every travel destination, hotel and venue wants publicity and to be on the radar of agents, and every DMC wants their services recommended but as agents you have to be realistic. The first class service and red carpet welcome you get as agents, might not be the same experience enjoyed by clients - and yet its clients that pay the bills.

Fam trips are of an educational nature to give planners ideas, inspiration and networking opportunities with local suppliers and some are really well planned to maximise time, whilst some seem to miss the point - but we wont dwell on the negative experiences we have had with fams or at trade forums. 

However, we would like to make some suggestions  for suppliers when it comes to fams and educationals, for instance, on the first day attendees are coming from different destinations, some have short, others long journeys and rather than rush right in to a manic schedule, give people a little time to adjust to their new surroundings. Keep it light, with a relaxed evening event, and allow delegates to have a good nights sleep and save the energy for second day. 

Try to facilitate introductions, make a simple ice breaker game or add name badges including name, company and maybe a flag of the country of origin, and if you are splitting people between hotels, try and think in advance about any language barriers.

Also, whilst  we all  appreciate the fantastic hospitality, sometimes there is simply too much food. Less is more and although we don't want delegates to go hungry, waste is far worse. Stick to a theme and budget - most event professionals would rather have a glass of something anyway! 

If you want to attract decision makers, you must think creatively to prove it’s worth their time and the initial invitation is the first impression you give them and because they get many invitation, yours needs to stand out.

Fam trip organisers show us the best venues and when it comes to business, planners want to know how much it costs. It’s surprising how often suppliers send junior staff members to welcome the group and are not always informed or confident enough to talk about prices and share a couple of examples with the attendees - it will give them a much better chance to being able to sell to clients. 

Finally, try and avoid arranging an amazing trip at the same time as someone else, or when they is already a major industry event taking place - and what better way to check this than by using Famtastic. It lists all of the key industry events and fam trip invitations.

Have a great week, and enjoy! 

What's Floating Around? 25 February 2019

Welcome to another week and as we had a conversation with a potential new client last week, we thought we would raise the subject of venue finding and why using an agency is essential for many clients. 

Here at Cloud 9 Towers, we offer free venue finding for clients and we know from personal experience that our services are invaluable in terms of both cost and time saving efforts.

If you’ve ever needed to book a venue for a meeting or event, then you’ll know it can be a time-consuming and, sometimes, daunting experience and the range of options is vast. 

With so many different types of venues to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start and to ask the questions that really matter. Venue-finding agencies have the experience and knowledge of hundreds of venues and are skilled at placing the right type of event at the most suitable venue, and keeping up to date with new venues or refurbishments is part of our job

Additionally, using an agency will save you masses of time as the agency will take your brief and do all venue searching and negotiating for you - and most will be able to come back to you with a range of options within 24 hours.  As most agencies have great relationships with venues, it enables them to negotiate and due to the sheer buying power, they can normally get you much better rates, or complimentary upgrades.

When it comes to site visits, agents can do all of the ground work on your behalf, or if you are considering a couple of options, schedule meetings that work for you so you can make an informed choice - and even do simple things that might escape you, like a chair check! It might sound daft, but if you have delegates sat down for an eight hour conference, the last thing anyone needs a numb bum!

Whilst you are making a decision about the right venue for you to use, the last thing you want is continual stream of calls chasing you to see if you have made a decision, and using an agency takes all of that stress away - they will chase us instead!

We'll also consider everything you need is included or can be arranged, from additional syndicate rooms to AV and we'll check that contract to make sure there are no hidden charges or lurking extras that can come as a surprise, and this is especially useful if you need to cancel an event. 

More often that not, an agency like Cloud 9 can negotiate better cancellation charges or find another event to fill the space so its also a reassuring service in the unlikely event you have to pull an event, and in the case of a really short lead time, agencies can source somewhere quickly and efficiently 

And we are free. 100% of the time, so there really is no down side to using an agency, and the more we work with clients, the more we understand your business and your needs so it makes our job easier as times goes on, and means we can propose more suitable venues each and every time. 

So why not give us a go with your next event enquiry no matter the event. Email paula@cloud9em.co.uk or call +44(0) 203 858 7809 - we can source venues, locally, nationally or internationally and we are fast, friendly and effective.

Have a great week and we look forward to hearing from you! 

Whaht's Floating Around? 18 February 2019

Welcome to another week #eventprofs and we're in major Awards mode here at Cloud 9 Towers, as next Sunday night is the big one - the Oscars - what a great event that must be to organise - although probably a logistical nightmare, given the prolific nature of the event, and those who attend. 

The M&IT Awards are also just around the corner, set for 1 March with the Conference News Agency Awards on 21 March, so lot's of opportunities for recognition for both agents and suppliers to get glammed up

- and - a little closer to home for us, is the CHS Awards 2019 which are now open for entries.

The Conference and Hospitality Show (CHS) Awards which showcase the best of the UK hospitality industry - from hotels and venues to suppliers and buyers – is now in its fifth year, recognise and celebrate groups and individuals that don’t normally get an opportunity to share excellence, across a variety of different disciplines.  

To commemorate this landmark anniversary, and in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the Conference and Hospitality Show, organisers have introduced ten new categories.

Alongside established award categories for Best Independent Venue or Hotel, Best Catering Provider and Best External Event Space, new for 2019 are Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Best UK Conventions Centre and Best Conference Planner Awards.  

The awards are judged by an independent panel of 50 event and hospitality professionals from leading agencies across the UK.  The awards are free to enter, and nominees can enter as many categories they like and there is a relevant award for every individual, venue, event space, organisation or supplier involved in the industry. 

The CHS 2019 Awards are open for entries and details of the categories and entry criteria are all available online at www.chsawards.co.uk   The timeline for the CHS 2019 Awards is:

Friday 1^st March 2019           Deadline for CHS 2019 Awards

Tuesday 30^th April 2019        Shortlist Announced at The Conference & Hospitality Show 

Thursday 6^th June 2109        CHS 2109 Awards at Royal Armouries, Leeds

Have a great week and think #Awards! 

What's Floating Around? 11 February 2019

Welcome to another week and yes, love is all around us this week in anticipation of Valentines Day. Before those of an allergic nature start rushing off to ditch this festival of love and romance, there are some venues that really go that extra mile to mark the occasion although if you have yet to book, you might struggle to get in!

Valentine's Day is normally a time when hotels bump up prices to take advantage of one of the most commercial holidays of the year and as the nation's restaurants and hotels get booked up for the big day,  a few chains have launched special Valentine's Day deals for couples looking to take a break.

They include the likes of Malmaison's annual great bed, bubbles and breakfast offer and now another chain has got in on the act. Village Hotels has revealed a Valentine's Day deal for couples looking for a last minute overnight stay which is available at over 30 hotels dotted across the UK and the deal includes a stay, meal and cocktails all from just £89 for two.

However, if you are looking for something a little more quirky, then there's a Valentine's Day party happening at the stylish Radisson Clydeside hotel... and your dog is invited. Radisson RED Glasgow is teaming up with Dog Furiendly to host the event – which celebrates that special bond we share with our pooches.The evening  will be inspired by the romantic TAIL of two dogs in love, Lady and the Tramp and this of course  means spaghetti and meatballs (veggie option available) along with a glass of prosecco!

  

The Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket’s luxury Hotel, restaurant and wedding venue, is also offering the perfect romantic experience for couples this Valentine’s Day. The Hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Squires, will be serving an exquisite 3-course set menu, complete with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, and for those looking to extend their Valentine’s getaway, the Hotel is introducing two luxurious Valentine’s Day packages which will be available throughout February.  

The first of the Hotel’s offers is the Valentine’s Day package, which includes a 3-course dinner at the Squires restaurant, an overnight stay in a Superior Room, a complimentary bottle of chilled Moet & Chandon Champagne and a box of luxury Hotel Chocolat chocolates in your room on arrival, plus – the perfect ending to a romantic retreat - a full English breakfast. The Ultimate Luxury Valentine’s Day package features an upgrade to a Luxury Suite, chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival, and the inclusion of a bouquet of six red roses - how decadent!


If you want to look at the stars, then the Bōkan, which means lighthouse in Old Saxon is a nifty opener to impress a prospective date while dining at Canary Wharf’s namesake restaurant. Bōkan occupies the 37-39 floors of the Canary Wharf Novotel, a feat that surpasses any restaurant at The Shard and makes it one of London's highest dining destinations. Far from your average hotel outpost, this award-winning 2 AA Rosette restaurant towers above Canary Wharf and offers panoramic view over London, visible from almost every angle.

Sending you all love, and have a great week - and please don't forget if you need a venue for something a little more formal, our free venue finding service is available to help 24/7

www.cloud9em.co.uk + 44(0)203 858 7809

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 4 February 2019

Welcome to another week and as busy venue finders here at Cloud 9 Towers we like to stay ahead of new venues and hotels for our clients, so we thought it timely to take a look at some of the new launches happening this month.

Vintry & Mercer, which officially opens in London today,  is named after two of the City’s historic guilds: vinters, who traded fine wines, and mercers, who sold fine silks, and both trades will be reflected in the hotel’s interior. 

The hotel will feature three food and beverage outlets: Vintry Kitchen, which will serve an Asian-inspired menu of small plates; and the Mercer Roof Terrace, which will have a covered, glass-walled area as well as an outside space, with some dishes prepared in a charcoal oven. The DND (Do Not Disturb) cocktail bar will be located in the basement, a 60-cover space inspired by New York bars of the 1920 and whilst it's not a huge property, it has three great spaces for intimate meetings and events. 

Step inside and discover an indulgent city hideaway with the new Belmond Cadogan which opens this month in Chelsea, where every detail weaves together past and present. If walls could talk, the new walls would have some captivating stories to tell as the site of the new hotel has long been a playground for socialites and bohemians like Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry. They are marking their launch and celebrating past and heritage while offering modern, understated luxury. From the world-class restaurants and tranquil garden to quirky design details and in-room libraries, they can host key business lunches, with a  private dining room and the space can accommodation for up to 50 guests, the space can be divided into two sections and the Lounge can be used as an additional breakout area.

Set to open on Valentines Day, Monkey Island Estate lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire. The island has a rich history centuries old, and has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals and now is home to one of the finest hotels in Bray. The two grade I listed heritage pavilions which form the property were originally commissioned as a fishing retreat in 1723 by the third Duke of Marlborough. These have been completely restored and renovated, with beautifully landscaped gardens and picturesque views of the River Thames. Set across seven acres, Monkey Island Estate features 27 exquisite guestrooms and three sumptuous suites, and featuring the stately and spacious Ballroom, the graceful River Room and the more intimate Spencer Suite and Boardroom, so great for events of all sizes.

Also opening this month is the new Hampton by Hilton Stockton on Tees, based in the heart of Northshore, opposite Teesdale Business Area, surrounded by the stunning countryside of North Yorkshire Moors, County Durham. Enjoy easy access to major roads: the North A19 and A1, the South A1 and A19 and West to Darlington A66 as well as the Tees Valley area to the east. You can explore the dramatic east coast towards Whitby and Scarborough. Local attractions include Tees Valley Barrage and International White Water Centre, the Globe Theatre (opening 2019) Stockton International Riverside Festival, Tees Valley and many more. The hotel rooms are fresh and modern spaces with a microwave, mini-fridge, 50-inch HDTV, coffeemaker, and a work desk with ergonomic chair. Feel rested after a great night’s sleep on the comfy bed, and stay connected with free WiFi and plenty of device-charging spots.  There is no meeting space at this hotel but it does have a business centre and is ideal for those looking for somewhere quiet to work.

There are lots of new hotels and venues coming soon, and do please remember to check back with us and shout if you need a venue for any occasion, locally, nationally or internationally.

Have a great week!

What's Floating Around? 28 January 2019

Welcome to another week and one of the few resolutions we made here at Cloud 9 Towers in 2019, was to become better at all things film, and especially cinema.

Our viewing habits have changed significantly in the last decade with on demand being very much the order of the day, and yet with so much choice, there rarely seems anything worth watching unless you want to binge on reality TV. Christmas viewing this year in particular seemed full of repeats so the big screen it is, and what a year ahead we have.  So, here are our top nine films to look out for during 2019.

In particular we are looking forward to next week when Can You Forgive Me opens, and stars comedy actress Melissa McCarthy who takes a more serious turn as an actor in this awards season contender. McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, a struggling author who forges letters from dead writers and  Richard E Grant co-stars as Jack Hock.

The first of Disney’s live-action remakes in 2019 is Tim Burton’s Dumbo which opens in March. Based on the fantastic 1941 animation of the same name, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito and Eva Green all star.

The second is a live-action remake of the 1992 animated classic, this time Aladdin is directed by Guy Richie with Will Smith following in Robin Williams’ footsteps as the Genie.

In June, we can look forward to Men in Black International, and although Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones may not be appearing in the fourth instalment of the franchise, comic duo Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson have stepped up in this reboot set in the same universe.Focused on the London team of the Men In Black, the two agents set out across the globe to solve a murder mystery.

Who doesn't like Toy Story and the fourth film will open in June and see the return of Woody and Buzz Lightyear as they set off on a road trip adventure alongside new toy Forky.

Much darker in July is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.  Quentin Tarantino is back with a 1960s set LA movie about the Manson family murders which looks at Sharon Tate's murder. Tate is played by  Margot Robbie alongside a packed cast with Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Damian Lewis and Dakota Fanning.

Also a little darker, is Joker, the latest take on the comic book villain with Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role. The Joker turns to murder after failing as a comedian in this film, which also stars Robert De Niro.

In September we have the film version of Downton Abbey which star s Downton favourites Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville.Not much on the script yet, but we loved the TV series! 

 

We have a long wait until December but Star Wars XI, the third and final instalment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy is out in 2019 bringing the Skywalker saga to an end. 

And if you want somewhere unusual to view this array of great films, then why not hire your own private screening in either a hotel or cinema - just ask us - we can secure you the perfect venue with our free venue finding service, and you can enjoy the big screen in style.

Have a great week.