July 2011 - EDGE Venues

31st July 2011

Barcelona 2010 Meetings Increase

The number of business meetings and incentive programmes held in Barcelona during 2010 increased by more than 15%, according to latest figures from the city’s convention bureau. During last year, the Catalan capital hosted 2,138 business events for around 616,833 attendees. The activity represented an economic impact of €1.3m (£1.2m), based on 2.5m overnight stays.

Other statistics released by the Barcelona Convention Bureau reveal that 70.4% of these events arrived from overseas and the average number of delegates had grown from 40 in 2009 to 99 last year. “Medical and healthcare congresses remained at the forefront and business events from the pharmaceutical sector predominated, accounting for more than 27%,” said Barcelona Convention Bureau marketing manager Mercedes Garcia. “One out of every four international conventions held in Barcelona were organised by a company or business from the UK. The United States ranked second.”

31st July 2011

Amsterdam Hotel Re-Opening

De L’Europe re-opened its doors of the original renovated and restyled Rondeel building this week, after 15 months and a € 60 million refurbishment. All the hotel’s timeless and historic architectural elements are fused with the latest comfort and technology. Not only are all guests rooms completely new, but the hotel opened a complete new culinary concept, with 2 new restaurants, 2 bars, a lobby lounge area and a terrace.

31st July 2011

Marriott Munich Opening

Modern and comfortable – that’s how the new Courtyard by Marriott Munich City East welcomes its guests on 1st October 2011, embedded in the living district Haidhausen, close-by the Ostbahnhof. The hotel is located 30 minutes from Franz-Josef Strauss Airport and 10 minutes by subway or car to Munich City Centre. The Courtyard offers 225 spacious guest rooms and 2 suites, 573 sqm meeting- and event space, the max – restaurant, bar & lounge with a terrace and “The Market”-24/7 Grab’n Go.

31st July 2011

Zurich Hotel Opening

Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel is opening in August 2011 in the spectacular Mobimo Tower in Zurich West. Positioning Renaissance Hotels & Resorts in the top league of Swiss hotels. The interior design of the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel reflects the environment and culture of its location. For a business conference in Zurich, a congress or social event it has 10 conference rooms all with daylight.

31st July 2011

Belfast Venues Awarded

Belfast Waterfront and The Ulster Hall are the first venues in Belfast to be awarded Arts and Disability Equality Charter Status. The venues were assessed for their promotion of disability equality across five areas of operation: Accessibility, Employment, Policy, Participation and Audience Development Visitors.

31st July 2011

Euston Friends House Expansion

Quaker HQ Friends House conference centre in Euston is to launch four new meeting suites on 28 September, following an investment of £400k. These will be added to the venue’s already extensive range of meeting and syndicate rooms, with a wide range of capacities.

31st July 2011

Rooftop Restaurant Opening

Madison is a new restaurant and bar on the seventh floor at shopping centre One New Change in St Paul’s, with views of the London Eye, Tate Modern and the Shard building. It features a roof terrace that, when combined with the restaurant, can cater for 160 seated or 250 standing.

31st July 2011

London Nautical Refurbishment

Pontoon is a five berth yacht that features a natural wood terrace and lounge, and is located at London’s Marble Quay in St Katharine Docks. It has recently been refurbished, and can host 80 guests for a drinks reception or 20 for a private dining event.

31st July 2011

London Venue Newly Available

The Harris Garden at Lord’s cricket ground is available to hire for corporate events for the first time this summer, providing space for 150 guests at a drinks reception. It is located directly behind the Grade II listed Pavilion building at Lord’s, and events held there can be combined with a tour of the world-famous sporting venue.

31st July 2011

Kensington Hotel Renovation

In celebration of its Golden 50th Birthday, Kensington Close Hotel & Spa has begun an impressive £40m renovation and extension project, due for completion at the beginning of 2012. The project will bring the Hotel leaping into the future with a fantastic new interior design and extension incorporating over 700 deluxe bedrooms, grand new conference and banqueting suites, a diverse set of impressive dining facilities, plush new furnishings and a plethora of new innovations.