Author: Toni

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beam State of the Nation, CN Agency Leaders Summit, booking offers research, isla membership, and more

This month’s news round-up brings you industry and association news and views from September 2024, including beam State of the Nation event, CN Agency Leaders Summit, booking offers research, isla new-look membership, and more.

beam State of the Nation event highlights value of sector to MPs

SIC codes and the value of business events were the main discussion topics with MPs at the beam State of the Nation event at Cliveden House.

Senior representatives of beam agency and venue members, as well as Windsor MP Jack Rankin and shadow business minister Mike Wood, were joined at the invitation-only event by multiple guest speakers who showcased the events industry’s contribution to the UK economy. 

Julie Shorrock, beam chair and managing director of Hotel and Travel Solutions, said: “We collectively impressed upon them the industry’s benefits and the need for updated SIC codes to accurately reflect its value. Furthermore, we shared the need for an easier visa scheme for all and an event tax credit scheme to attract new events.

“We also shared an industry requirement for increased support in attracting international events, including practical support for competitiveness and increased national and regional convention bureau funding. Finally, we discussed leveraging events to help deliver government policies and create a legacy.” 

Read more, on M&IT.

CN Agency Leaders Summit brought together 70+ agency community leaders

On 18-19 September, the inaugural CN Agency Leaders Summit successfully brought together event agency directors for two days of insightful expertise-sharing, learning, and valuable networking with key industry professionals.

Amid an ever-evolving agency landscape, the summit gathered senior leaders from across the community to tackle strategy-focused challenges associated with running an events business. With a balanced program of engaging content sessions and networking opportunities, the summit empowered agency leaders to pursue best practices and strengthen the sector as a whole.

EDGE Venues’ CEO, Jacqui Kavanagh, spoke at the event on a panel discussing mergers and acquisitions among agencies.

Jacqui commented: “I had the pleasure of joining Simon Hambley, Rick Stainton and Simon Quarendon on the mergers and acquisitions panel at the CN Agency Leaders Summit. It was great to share our journey honestly with a great group of people who may be considering mergers and acquisitions. I hope that by sharing, we have helped a few people prepare and manage their expectations of the process and the journey ahead so they can achieve a successful result.”

95 per cent of event bookers say exclusive offers and booking incentives would make them consider a venue for their event

Research by The Delegate Wranglers and CUSTARD has revealed the thoughts of event buyers and venues on the topic of offers and incentives and provides an insight into booking behaviours.

It also reveals buyers are likely to get frustrated by:

  • Venues failing to tailor offers and incentives, and providing limited availability when they promote offers.
  • Hidden terms and conditions and unclear additional fees with venue booking offers and incentives.

Read more.

isla announces new-look membership with tailored offerings for organisations, no matter where they are on their sustainability journey

isla, the non-profit organisation heading-up the charge towards a sustainable future for events, have unveiled a new membership offering, designed to provide more tailored sustainability solutions for agencies, brands, associations, venues and supply chain businesses.

Anna Abdelnoor, CEO and founder of isla reflects; “with evolving legislation and incoming regulations across the EU and beyond, isla recognises the need to stay at the forefront of these changes, translating these into impacts on the event industry and ensuring the sector is equipped to respond and act on climate and legislative change.

Designed to instil confidence within the events community and support members to make progress and take action in a changing sustainability landscape, the new offering focuses on providing expert guidance, practical tools and building a community of action-taking changemakers.

Read more via the link below.

isla announces new-look membership with tailored offerings for organisations, no matter where they are on their sustainability journey

M&IT Awards partnership gives Meeting Needs £24,000 boost

Event industry charity foundation Meeting Needs raised more than £24,000 during and in the run-up to the M&IT Awards 2024.

Partnering annually with organisers Northstar Meetings Group to raise cash at the event delivers positive results for Meeting Needs as well providing a valuable platform to present details of its projects around the world.

In the online auction, £9,940 was raised while a raffle on the night delivered £14,450.

Read more.

Why no-one should ever put agents in the corner

beam, the association for the business events, accommodation and meetings industry, recently shared thoughts on the crucial role of agents in the realm of venue booking:

Agents and their suppliers have some of the strongest relationships, forged on years of trust, secured volume, agreements and rates that mutually benefit both parties. However, being the industry we are, these relationships can extend out to the travellers and the agents’ bookers – which is great – until the lines get blurred and bookers cut out the agent to book directly. This is when relationships get a bit murky and the issue around booking ethics comes to the fore.

So, what should a venue do when a booker approaches direct for business? At beam, we believe in ethical booking standards that value the agent’s role in the booking process. While we encourage relationships to be positively maintained all-round, suppliers must be transparent with agents, keeping them informed of any ongoing conversations. At the end of the day, both supplier and agent have the same goal: to deliver what the booker wants and generate long-term repeat business.

Read it in full, here.

Skift asks if DEI becoming a “Dirty Word” in the Meetings Industry

Skift’s Andrea Doyle has covered a Skift Meetings Forum session which considers DEI in meetings and events. ‘From changing terminology to debates about the effectiveness of Employee Resource Groups, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a hot-button issue.

Skift Meetings Forum featured a conversation between Dr. Brandi Baldwin, an organisational and leadership psychologist and CEO of Millennial Ventures, and social purpose consultant Bea Boccalandro, highlighting the need for more authentic, values-driven inclusion efforts — without tokenism or haste.’

Read it here.

Seth Godin shares strong advice for planners’ at Skift Meetings Forum

According to a report on Skift Meetings, Seth – American entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker – told the audience:

“What people need are the kinds of interactions they had when they would bump into someone in the hall at work. So how do you create that environment?

“What if we imagine that the conference doesn’t last 72 hours? What happens instead is that a month before it starts, you get a dossier of 12 people you need to meet while you are there. What happens is that instead of saying, ‘Please download our app,’ there’s a good reason to stay in it?”

Read the full feature.

View from the EDGE

EDGE Venues’ Commercial Director, Scott Ford, summed up this latest monthly Insights:

“It’s great to see MPs and lawmakers engaging with the industry at beam State of the Nation to help promote the huge benefits the sector can bring to the economy.

“With the new government’s focus on growth and the economy, this can only help support the industry as a whole, and with regular engagement like this, beam can make sure that meetings and events stay high on the agenda.

“Our industry is well known for its generosity in supporting worthwhile causes, so it’s wonderful to see the impact of the recent Meetings Needs charity activity in and around the M&IT awards. I was lucky enough to be there on the night to witness first-hand some of the life-changing impacts Meeting Needs has day in and day out to those less fortunate than us.

“‘The Delegate Wranglers and CUSTARD have highlighted an interesting trend on the impact that tailored, targeted and transparent incentive offers can have in leveraging event buyers’ decisions on where to place their events. Although it seems this could be a double-edged sword if the incentive has overly burdensome T&Cs, it could just as easily be seen as negative, so it’s important to be as transparent as possible to have the greatest effect.”

Missed August’s news round-up? Check it out here!

Book your next meeting or event venue on EDGEVenues.com

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Vine Hotels & Dan Wilson – get to know us!

Inside a meeting room at Vine Hotels' Kenwood Hall
Dan Wilson, Vine Hotels

With his role overseeing nine properties across England, from Sheffield to Southampton, Dan Wilson, Regional General Manager of Vine Hotels, has lots of conference and meetings insight for EDGE Venues users.

Dan’s expertise in all things Vine Hotels is clear from our interview: read all about the group in Dan’s words here, including the group’s pipeline projects and refurbishment plans.

Tell our meetings and event bookers about Vine Hotels 

Vine Hotels owns, manages, and operates a portfolio of eleven uniquely individual hotels and venues in the UK. Each is distinctively different in style. All focussed on delivering a consistently high standard of guest experience.

The portfolio spans the length of the UK and includes an eclectic blend of heritage hotels and modern properties, plus rural locations, and urban venues.

We have a collection of venues in the South Yorkshire/ Sheffield/ Peak District area, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park and Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa. Plus, two properties in the south Manchester area, and the remaining hotels are in the south of the country, including the Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant (Stratford-upon-Avon).

Inside a meeting room at Vine Hotels' Kenwood Hall
Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa

Our venues operate as a mix of unbranded properties and we also work with key brands such as Accor, Best Western, Hilton, and Choice Hotels to offer hotels under the Best Western, DoubleTree by Hilton, Mercure and Clarion brands.

The style of our hotels and venues varies too from heritage locations such as Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant to modern hotels such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park. It allows us to offer a range of small, intimate meeting spaces for one-to-one meetings, to larger event spaces accommodating up to 500 people theatre style.

A number of our venues also offer self-contained event rooms, for additional privacy, and extensive outdoor event space for team building or al fresco meetings.

Vine Hotels is owned by Greg Dyke (chairman), the former director general of the BBC and former chairman of the FA, and Garin Davies (chief executive), former divisional director of BDL Management and former main board director of Best Western UK. 

Can Vine Hotels support all event types?

Yes, there’s not much that we can’t offer—anything from a small meeting for two people to training facilities to large conferences and events with break-out space.  A number of our hotels and venues offer access to acres of landscaped grounds, perfect for outdoor events in marquees/tipis, team building days, outdoor dining, and more.

We offer maximum flexibility in how we plan an event with you, so pretty much anything can be delivered. Because we have hotels clustered in some areas, such as Sheffield, we can also provide cross-venue options allowing you to hold a meeting at one venue, and an evening event or team building at another. Many of our venues are hotels, and so can meet accommodation needs, but we also offer non-residential venues.

DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park guest room

What trends are the team at Vine Hotels seeing that you can share with EDGE Venues users? 

We are seeing a renewed growth in conferences and meetings in our Sheffield properties. Historically, this business may have bypassed the city for other northern locations such as Manchester. However, they are seeing the great value, accessibility, and attraction of the location – which blends the best of city amenities on the doorstep of the Peak District countryside.

We are seeing growth in two areas – day delegate business and team building. The post-pandemic shift to homeworking has eased and we are seeing companies wanting to return to face-to-face meetings and, in particular, training. As teams are more dispersed, many see this gathering of employees as an opportunity to add building activities to meetings, to help bond remote workers.

Have you seen any change in seasonal events, like corporate Christmas?

Post covid, Christmas events were shrinking in size, but not this year. The enquiries are strongest for larger corporate Christmas parties. They are looking for innovative ideas on menu and décor, steering away from the normal turkey dinner. So, our creative chefs are collaborating with clients to develop food stations, sharing platters, and more.

We are also seeing a growth in more interactive Christmas events. A party where guests get involved – so part team build/part celebration. For example, mixology masterclasses. Painting a festive ‘graffiti wall.’  Quizzes with great prizes. Interactive food stations such as taco stands or hot dog stalls – where you personalise your food by serving your toppings and sauces.

And what about Vine Hotel’s approach to sustainability?

Vine Hotels is dedicated to sustainable growth and recognise that our business has an environmental and social impact on local, national, and global communities. Our sustainable approach means building strong relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers, regulators, investors, and the wider communities we serve, considering the issues that matter to them.

To ensure our business delivers integrity and compassion towards both people and the planet, we focus our strategy on the three key areas of Environment, Social, and Governance.

Our policies are consistently reviewed, and we work collaboratively with all our stakeholders and franchise partners to ensure that we are as effective as possible in addressing our responsibilities.

Environment

We commit to:

  • Lessening our negative impact on the environment.
  • Reducing carbon and working towards Government-defined net-zero targets.
  • Effective waste management, including a reduction in single-use plastics.

Environmental sustainability is at the top of the agenda for our customers, team members, local communities, and investors. Our policy is therefore to approach every element of our business with a view to how we can lessen our impact on the environment. We consider the environment in our everyday decision-making and our supply chain has been subject to scrutiny, with the aim of developing strong relationships with like-minded suppliers.

With sustainability in mind, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint year-on-year by minimising our use of natural resources, and reducing the waste we generate and ensuring it is disposed of in a way that causes minimal harm. Where possible and viable, we aim to use local goods and suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint further whilst striving to continue to obtain the best value in terms of cost, quality, service, and innovation.

We have pledged to significantly reduce our consumption of single-use plastics across all areas of the company, and we are working towards increasing energy efficiency across the entire business. Vine Hotels has been awarded the MIA Green Meetings Standard. Visit:  https://www.mia-uk.org/Green-Meetings 

Some of our Best Western properties are also working towards the REST accreditation, a quality grading scheme for tourism and hospitality businesses that measures the responsibility, ethics, and sustainability of our practices. The scheme is designed to objectively quantify our hotel’s commitment to the environment, visitors, staff, and suppliers.

Social

We commit to:

  • Positively impacting communities by encouraging our staff to support national and local charities.
  • Upholding the highest standards for human rights and labour.
  • Nurturing talent from within by providing ongoing staff development opportunities.

We actively encourage our staff to support local and national charities, through charitable giving, fundraising, and volunteering.

Vine Hotels operates a no-ceiling policy, it is the company’s aim to be fully inclusive, encouraging diversity at all management levels. We continually strive to provide a safe, inclusive, and healthy workplace that supports employee safety and physical and emotional well-being. The company operates a fair pay policy with additional rewards for team members.

At Vine Hotels we recognise that investment in people is one of the most important elements that can help a business to grow exponentially. Our commitment to building the skills and confidence of our workforce is evident in several internal development programmes that aim to help our staff accelerate their professional growth, develop new skills, and progress along their chosen career path.

Governance

We commit to:

  • Adhering to the correct legislation and governance to protect our staff and communities.
  • Delivering first-class service
  • Ensuring our facilities meet the highest standards and are safe, healthy, and hygienic.

Vine Hotels aims to be a fair and trusted business that upholds the highest professional, ethical, and quality standards. We strive to promote best practice and comply with the relevant legislation and standards of the locations in which we operate.

As many of our venues are MIA-accredited, we have the recognition and endorsement from the sector’s leading trade association for business meetings and events. This qualification recognises first-class service, excellent facilities, and a total commitment to upholding legal compliance and health and hygiene protocols.

A number of our hotels have achieved customer service awards, and we continually invest in training and development of teams, to ensure the highest standards of service.

We have clear business policies that ensure we take a professional approach to business and offer an environment that is healthy, hygienic, and safe. We aim to do the absolute best for customers and staff and are aware of social, political, and environmental issues that could affect them negatively ensuring we have stringent policies set out for their protection.

Brand Partnerships and ESG

Vine Hotels operates hotels across the UK with a number of international brand partners. Where our properties operate as a franchise to a wider group, we will embrace and support the specific brand’s ESG charter to ensure consistency and focus on our ESG principles. Examples of these policies can be found at the links below:

Does the group have any plans on the horizon that we are allowed to talk about? 

Pipeline projects include the 216-bedroom Gateshead Novotel and the 140-bedroom Gateshead ibis. This is a £48m hotel spanning nine storeys at a major quayside development. The 344-room hotel will be built at the Baltic Quarter in Gateshead with more than 100 jobs being created when it opens.  Vine Hotels is involved in the planning of the Hotel and will operate it once open.

We are also working on soft refurbishment plans at the Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel, Clarion Hotel Charlecote Pheasant, and Best Western Cresta Court Hotel.

Clarion Charlecote Pheasant Hotel

What do you think sells Vine Hotels to meetings and events bookers? 

Most importantly, the team cares about the business and the bookings. We have a team dedicated to finding solutions for clients. Flexibility is the key, and the team takes the extra time needed to ensure that each booking meets the needs and expectations of the booker.

Tell our readers a little about you and your role

I am the Regional General Manager at Vine Hotels, overseeing nine properties across England, from Stockport to Canterbury and Southampton.

My role involves supervising the general managers at each location, supporting them in developing their hotels, ensuring smooth operational structures, and delivering excellent guest service. This often requires traveling across the country to visit each property and collaborate with the on-site operational and management teams.

Additionally, I maintain close communication with the hotel owners, keeping them informed about the progress and future development plans for their properties.

Do you have a favourite event that  took place at one of your properties? 

Yes, there was a particularly memorable event at one of our properties in Sheffield. We hosted a large event where the booker decided to have a blend of event elements, split between our beautiful garden, and our Event Suite. They had a live jazz band, a gourmet dinner, and spectacular fireworks display to end the night.

The entire event was flawlessly executed by our team, and the feedback from the guests was overwhelmingly positive. It was truly a standout occasion that showcased the versatility and elegance of our venue.

And another one of my favourite events that took place at one of our properties was a charity gala held at our Southampton location. The event brought together community leaders, local celebrities, and our wonderful guests to raise funds for a local cancer charity. The hotel was transformed into a glamorous venue, complete with live music, a silent auction, and a four-course dinner prepared by our talented chefs.

The evening was a resounding success, not only raising a significant amount of money for a great cause but also showcasing the exceptional teamwork and dedication of our staff. It was truly a memorable night that highlighted the positive impact our hotels can have on the community.

Vine Hotels on EDGE Venues

Let’s take a quick look at some of Vine Hotels properties:

Clarion Charlecote Pheasant Hotel
– 70 bedrooms
– 6 meetings rooms
– 160 delegates
Learn more / Book
Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall & Spa
– 114 bedrooms
– 8 meetings rooms
– 200 delegates
Learn more / Book
DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park
– 131 bedrooms
– 11 meetings rooms
– 500 delegates
Learn more / Book

Let EDGE Venues, your global venue sourcing solution, take the stress out of finding the right venue for you. Register today for free access!

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Optimism for meetings, cost vs sustainability, IBTM Association Leaders Forum, and more

A group of people in formal business attire with their hands all together in the centre of the photo, all smiling to visually represent optimism for meetings.

This month’s news round-up brings you industry and association news and views from August 2024, including cost vs sustainability, cautious optimism for meetings, IBTM Association Leaders Forum, and more.

Cautious optimism for meetings, according to Skift Meetings

Skift Meetings has covered data from CoStar Analytics, Delottie, meeting intelligence provider Knowland, and Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in a recent feature.

It’s positive news – in the first half of 2024, 21 of the top 25 largest hotel markets had higher group demand for meetings than last year.

Check out the optimism for meetings and outlook stats in full, here.

Cost vs sustainability: Which is more important in choosing venues?

M&C Asia has spoken to planners from the US, UK, and Asia to explore these trends in greater depth. The conversation follows the latest International Planner Sentiment Report 2024, published by The Business of Events think tank, which stated cost considerations now dominate the decision-making process for event buyers across the UK, Europe, and North America.

Read the M&C Asia feature here.

Elevate NewGen takes aim at access

M&IT’s Paul Harvey caught up with Peter Kerwood and Evie Manuel, the people behind Elevate NewGen, to find out about their mission to provide equal access to the events industry for underrepresented talent aged 18-25.

“The biggest thing for the people on this programme is educating them about the events industry, what the opportunities could be, and then giving them the resources to be able to get into it.” – Evie Manuel

Read the inspirational full interview, here.

IBTM World 2024 to address global challenges at renowned Association Leaders Forum

IBTM World, the world-leading global trade show for the meetings and events industry, has revealed the first details of its 2024 Association Leaders Forum, created in partnership with ESAE (European Society of Association Executives) and sponsored by Amsterdam Convention Bureau.

The industry-leading programme will address practical and strategic issues Associations face today, focussing on the need to balance executive governance and risk management with innovating and adapting to global challenges in order to build a thriving association industry of the future.

Taking place on day one, and tying into the theme for IBTM World 2024 – People.Power.Potential, which will provide a platform to explore and understand how people power can be enhanced by harnessing new technologies – the forum will explore how to integrate AI in Associations’ strategic planning, and how to use the possibilities offered by digital tools to make conferences and events more impactful, engaging and financially sustainable, while continuing the commitment to establish a greener future.

The forum will also try to understand how to prevent burnouts while equipping team members with the right tools and upskilling for them to perform in an efficient and rewarding manner; explore how Associations can prepare for a year of significant electoral shifts and provide insights into how Association leaders can guide members and staff in navigating the geopolitical environment.

Claudia Hall, IBTM World Exhibition Director, said: “We can’t wait for attendees to discover the exciting programme we have planned for them at this year’s Association Leaders Forum. At IBTM World, we strive above all else to always provide genuine value, and tangible take-homes, for delegates. This year’s Forum does just that, supporting association professionals to build an association sector that is not only at the forefront of advancement, but which prospers because of it.”

Find out more.

The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has unveiled the shortlist for its 2024 miaList

Now in its fourteenth year, the esteemed list recognises inspiring individuals and teams who continually go the extra mile and play a pivotal role in making their organisations so successful.

We’d like to say a huge congratulations to all the 2024 finalists! We know everyone has worked hard to get this far, and we wish everyone the best of luck. And here’s a special shout-out to our EDGE Venues+ members in the final:

Venue of the Year (Over 300 Delegates)

Venue of the Year (Under 300 Delegates)

You can view the full list of finalists here.

EDGE Venues CEO, Jacqui Kavanagh, joined speakers at this month’s Meetings Industry Association #SummerConnect event

Jacqui, a leading industry expert, joined Clarity Business Travel’s Sharon Bannister, Hotel Football’s Jessica Southworth, and Edgbaston Stadium’s Ros Wilson at The Belfry Hotel & Resort for lively discussion and debate around current industry opportunities, trends, and challenges.

Speaking after the event, Jacqui commented: “From ESG initiatives to the evolution of hybrid events and addressing growing training needs, the speakers covered a lot of ground. It’s inspiring to see how our industry continues to innovate and adapt.”

Could Snoop Dogg’s role at the 2024 Paris Olympics inspire event planners?

Andrea Doyle at Skift Meetings certainly believes so! In one of her most recent features for Skift, Andrea highlights how ‘an unconventional celebrity can amplify an event’s impact and broaden its appeal’. And even if you don’t have an Olympic-sized budget, ‘there’s plenty from that playbook for meeting professionals to emulate.’

Read the feature here, including views from the industry, here.

View from the EDGE

EDGE Venues’ Commercial Director, Scott Ford, summed up this latest monthly Insights:

“August is often referred to as a ‘quiet month’ or ‘silly season’. While I can’t be sure how silly your August was, I’m betting it was anything but quiet!

“Here at EDGE Venues, August was very busy in many aspects, including tech development, client and venue engagement, and business opportunities via the platform. It is great to see the findings from Skift Meetings backing that up, highlighting that groups and events business was substantially higher in 21 of the top 25 meetings and events markets for the first half of 2024.

“As we move into September, we are heading at breakneck speed towards the awards season, and it’s great to see so many of our valued partners and venues being shortlisted in the highly acclaimed miaList this year. We are rooting for you all, and, of course, we will be very happy to help you celebrate!

“IBTM World 2024’s theme of People, Power and Potential really got me thinking. As an industry, meetings and events is surely all about helping to release potential through the power of people. Here at EDGE Venues we are dedicated to helping our various clients reach their full potential, be that venues, agencies or corporates through the power of our ever evolving technology all backed up by our highly experienced people. If you would like to learn more about how we could help you and your organisation please do contact me for an initial chat.”

Missed July’s news round-up? Check it out here!

Book your next meeting or event venue on EDGEVenues.com

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The QHotels Collection & Joanne Horobin – get to know us!

Meet Joanne Horobin, National Account Director at The QHotels Collection. With a career spanning three decades, Joanne’s infectious industry enthusiasm shines as she shares insights into the eclectic portfolio of 19 hotels that make up The QHotels Collection.

From historic properties like Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa to modern venues like Delta by Marriott Nottingham Belfry, join us as we explore the unique charm of the portfolio’s properties, alongside industry trends.

Tell our meetings and event bookers about The QHotels Collection 

We currently have 19 hotels in our portfolio under the umbrella of The QHotels Collection. Within that portfolio are a couple of brands: three Doubletree by Hilton, two Delta by Marriott, and the rest are individual properties. By that, I mean venues such as Oulton Hall Hotel and Dunston Hall Hotel. 

Our three Doubletrees are Westerwood Glasgow, just on the city’s outskirts; Oxford Belfry, just outside Oxford in Thame, and Stratford, in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. Our Delta by Marriott properties are the Nottingham Belfry and Cheltenham Chase.

All of the hotels in our collection uphold high service standards. And we’re a mix of different styles, too—we’re not a cookie-cutter group. We’ve got properties that are historical, purpose-built, golf resorts, and even arena space—quite an eclectic mix, and many of them are near major motorway networks. We have a number of QHotels in the Midlands area. Our most popular hotel is Chesford Grange Hotel; due to its Midlands location and size – it can accommodate up to 700 people.

Our Collection includes Delta by Marriott Nottingham Belfry a purpose-built hotel built about 17 to 18 years ago. Again, that’s got a big event space of up to 700. There’s quite a big mixture of different styles as mentioned historic properties. So, Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort are those things which come with the modern aspects, and they’ve got that historic fit and quirky, boutique style.

We also boast seven golf courses as part of those resort properties. We are a genuinely eclectic, exciting mix of properties across the UK.

Can the Collection support all event types, then?

Yes, there’s not much the Collection can’t offer—anything from a small meeting for two people to large conferences and events. The majority of our hotels have outdoor space, too—that’s advantageous for planners, with such a focus on wellbeing. Getting outside has many opportunities, whether it’s a full team-building exercise on an events field or just time spent having a meal or meeting in fresh air. 

Some hotels have bigger event spaces than others, yet there’s always the opportunity to have that outdoor experience without being in a major city centre.

What trends are the team at QHotel Collection seeing that you can share with EDGE Venues users? 

We’ve seen a massive increase in the day delegate business. So, we’re discussing that as a separate project and what more we could offer to support those bookers. 

It’s interesting to see how some companies are moving away from at-home working and how that affects things, but also vice versa. There is still a lot of at-home work and flexible working. The most significant thing for us is the day delegate business, which we’ve definitely seen in the first part of this year.

Have you seen any change in seasonal events, like corporate Christmas?

The big corporate Christmas party, where you’d get that booking in for 250 people on a Friday night, is probably not as big as it used to be. But then you do get joiner-party nights, which do really, really well. That’s been a significant change, yet Christmas is still a massive market for us. Especially moving into December when the conference drops off and Christmas festivities kick in.

But yes, it’s changed over the years – rather than being recent. Only some people in a company want to go to a company Christmas party. That’s why some companies have stopped doing a massive one – they weren’t all getting the numbers as it isn’t everybody’s thing.

We’re getting more questions and inquiries about outdoor events or about building outdoor events into a meeting. For example, a half-day meeting could be followed by going outside in the afternoon to do X, Y, and Z. I think that’s a big focus for us because of the outdoor space we can offer bookers and their delegates.

It offers a refresh and reset and is also great for wellbeing. You know, bring people out of the office, take them away from their homework, and let them experience something that’s a mixture of business and wellbeing, maybe team building, too.

And what about the Collection’s approach to sustainability?

Our sustainability policy is available on EDGE Venues on each of our venue profiles. We are part of the Green Tourism initiative, and hotels are being accredited as we speak.

And we’ve always been hot regarding energy efficiencies, especially with our older properties – if you consider our historic properties where we can’t have super-strength double glazing. It was a big thing during COVID and during the lockdown times, and that’s continued, coming out of that period. We have league tables in terms of energy efficiency.

So, it’s a big focus, obviously, from a cost point of view and a sustainability point of view. And our hotels look to source things locally if they can, even homegrown from the gardens to the kitchen, you know?

We are actively playing our part – it doesn’t define our properties – yet it’s one of our responsibilities. For some hotel groups, it’s their main brand focus, yet for us, it’s part of our overall commitment to the business impact.

Does the Collection have any plans on the horizon that you can share?

We’re a steady ship this year. Many of our hotels have been through refurbishment or are currently or will be going through refurbishment.

So Chesford Grange Hotel completed an extensive refurbishment in September of last year, and they had everything bar the kitchen sink refurbed.

Crew Hall Hotel & Spa is just coming towards the end of their refurb in terms of bedrooms, meeting space and public areas.

So it’s a continual thing for us – to focus on our product and look where we need to improve, especially from a meetings and events point of view. We’re always trying to keep ahead of the game!

What do you think sells QHotels Collection to meetings and events bookers? 

We are known in the industry for our solid reputation in meetings and events. If you think about “who do I go to for M&E?”, there are few and far between these days. We’ve got some good-sized event spaces in good locations, which tick many boxes. Plus, we can support multi-location inquiries. 

Tell our readers a little about you and your role. 

I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years, which is a lot of experience. I started on a university placement at a hotel in Cheltenham. I worked in all the departments—housekeeping, kitchen, you know, covering all those key areas—and finally in the sales office. And I thought, “I quite like it in here; this is lots of fun.” 

I returned to university and started my life in a hotel in Evesham as a sales coordinator. Yet the thought of going into proactive sales scared the living daylights out of me. I thought, “Oh no, that’s not for me!” Then, obviously, you grow up, you learn, and during my 20s, I was an event coordinator and made the big jump into sales about 20 years ago now.

I started as a sales manager for Moat House Hotels, looking after two hotels in the northwest, and worked in Manchester for a few years, which I loved. I worked with De Vere Venues for six years and then landed at The QHotels Collection as Director of Sales at Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, moving into the national team about five years ago.

Meetings and events are my passion – it’s always been my market segment of choice. I enjoy being part of it from a strategy and sales point of view. I’ve got some great clients, and I love being out and meeting people in person.

Sometimes, I ask myself why I’m still doing this when I’m standing at an exhibition, but that feeling is a fleeting moment before somebody comes to talk to me, and then I’m back in the room!

With the hotel industry, I think you either love it or hate it. And if you love it, once you’re in it, you’re in for life. It’s a fantastic environment – for people, teamwork, and experiences – whether from a sales point of view or on property. I’ve done so much and travelled quite a lot as well. So, it’s a career that’s given me some great opportunities.

I like selling our hotels, being with the clients – we plan fam trips, run client events, and attend exhibitions, and I think that’s probably my favourite part of selling hotels! 

I’m building relationships with people, which I think is key, especially in our generation, where it’s so easy to send an email or message. We are in a technological age, but you can’t beat speaking to somebody face-to-face for that interaction with somebody. I think it’s essential, especially in sales – because people buy people, you know, regardless of what your product is, they’ll buy you first. 

And if you’ve got that relationship, you can also be honest with each other. I am part of the National Sales Team; we’ve all been with the company for so many years. Between us, you know, we have those relationships with all our agents.

Is there was a favourite event that you’d ever come across or heard about which took place at one of your properties?

Oh, yes. I never went to this one, but it was amazing. It was an event at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Gold Resort, one of our golf resort properties just outside Newcastle in Northumberland and they hosted a big festival-style event. The client took over the whole hotel. They had yurts and Teepees in the grounds. 

Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Gold Resort

And they had all sorts of music and outdoor activities – it was just one of those events that you just wish you were part of, and it’s always stuck in my mind as it’s a beautiful location. Only 20 minutes from Newcastle – they have the quad biking on-site and archery. It was a real ‘wow’ event – it would have been great to even just have been there serving drinks! 

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about QHotels Collection’s M&E offering?

Well, in my humble opinion, we are the M&E brand of choice. What we have to offer is our variety of hotels, our locations, and our flexibility with our spaces with great service & amazing teams.

Whether indoor or outdoor, we have clusters of hotels that can work together in terms of offering space, too. So, we’re great for a roadshow inquiry because we’re dotted all over the UK. And no matter the type of inquiry, we would never say no – we have the flexibility to suggest options – no matter how wild or wacky it is, you know, we’d love to deliver it, whether it’s involved in all elements of the hotels or just a meeting.

The QHotels Collection venues on EDGE Venues

Let’s take a quick look at each property in The QHotels Collection:

Belton Woods Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
136 bedrooms / 10 meetings rooms / 270 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Chesford Grange Hotel
205 bedrooms / 13 meetings rooms / 700 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
117 bedrooms / 17 meeting rooms / 364 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Gold Resort
166 bedrooms / 12 meeting rooms / 300 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
188 bedrooms / 11 meetings rooms / 400 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House
165 bedrooms / 15 meeting rooms / 340 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
152 bedrooms / 9 meetings rooms / 320 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
114 bedrooms / 8 meeting rooms / 350 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
141 bedrooms / 11 meeting rooms / 350 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Stratford Manor Hotel
104 bedrooms / 13 meeting rooms / 330 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
The Cambridge Belfry
120 bedrooms / 11 meeting rooms / 250 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
The Park Royal Hotel & Spa
146 bedrooms / 14 meeting rooms / 400 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Ashford International Hotel
179 bedrooms / 18 meeting rooms / 400 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Delta by Marriott Cheltenham Chase
122 bedrooms / 10 meeting rooms / 350 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Delta by Marriott Nottingham Belfry
120 bedrooms / 10 meeting rooms / 700 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Doubletree by Hilton Oxford Belfry
154 bedrooms / 18 meeting rooms / 450 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Doubletree By Hilton Glasgow Westerwood
148 bedrooms / 7 meeting rooms / 400 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Doubletree by Hilton Stratford Upon Avon
102 bedrooms / 6 meeting rooms / 132 delegates
Click here to learn more & book
Hampshire Court Hotel & Spa
90 bedrooms / 12 meeting rooms / 1500 delegates
Click here to learn more & book

Let EDGE Venues, your global venue sourcing solution, take the stress out of finding the right venue for you. Register today for free access!

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The dos and don’ts of booking last-minute meeting space

Last-minute meetings are often inevitable. Whether it’s an unexpected client pitch or an impromptu team gathering, securing the right meeting space at the last minute can be daunting.

To help you navigate this challenge, here are some crucial dos and don’ts for booking last-minute meeting space.

The Dos

Have a flexible schedule

Flexibility can be your greatest advantage for last-minute meeting space bookings. Openness to different times of day or even alternative dates can increase your chances of finding an available space.

Venues may have gaps in their schedule that they’re willing to fill at a discounted rate.

Make the most of technology

Leverage online tools and platforms to compare spaces quickly. Technology can streamline your search and give you instant access to venue details and pricing.

It can save you valuable time and help you make informed decisions swiftly.

Check out EDGE Venues to see how easy it can be!

Negotiate

Don’t be afraid to negotiate, even if it’s a last-minute booking. Venues may offer discounts to fill an empty meeting or event space, and you could secure a better deal.

Be upfront about your budget and see what they can offer to accommodate your needs.

Our feature on Venue concessions – negotiating what’s best for your event provides some great tips.

Know your requirements from the outset

Understanding exactly what you need—space, amenities, room layout, and location—will make your search more efficient.

Make a checklist of must-haves versus nice-to-haves to ensure the venue meets your requirements.

Check out our feature on Event room layout—choosing the right one—for more on this.

Conduct site visits where feasible

If time permits, visit the venue in person before making your final decision. A site inspection can help you better understand the space, its layout, and the available amenities.

It also gives you the opportunity to address any concerns directly with the venue staff.

For some of our handy tips, check out our Site Inspection Checklist—What to look out for.

The Don’ts

Rush without research

Avoid booking the first available space without proper research, even if time is tight.

Take a few minutes to read reviews, check the venue’s reputation, and ensure it meets your needs. A hasty decision could lead to issues on the day of the meeting.

As an EDGE subscriber, you can take advantage of some site visit insights available on selected properties.  

Overlook the fine print

Read the terms and conditions carefully. Last-minute bookings can come with strict cancellation policies or additional fees.

Before confirming your booking, ensure you understand the total cost and any potential penalties.

Forget to confirm final details

Double-check all details with the venue to avoid any surprises.

Confirm the booking, the room’s setup, the availability of equipment, and any other specific requirements you have. Miscommunication can be costly and disruptive.

Assume availability

Never assume your preferred venue will be available, especially on short notice. Always have a backup plan in case your first choice isn’t an

Neglect your budget

It’s easy to overspend when you’re in a rush. Keep a close eye on your budget and try to stick to it. Remember that additional costs can quickly add up, especially with last-minute bookings.

What to do next? Simplify your last-minute booking with EDGE Venues’ RFP tool

Booking the perfect meeting space, even at the last minute, doesn’t have to be stressful.

Our RFP tool provides clear booking transparency and great comparisons across multiple venues. It helps you make the right decision quickly and efficiently.

Don’t let last-minute meetings catch you off guard – try our RFP tool today and experience hassle-free booking!

Let EDGE Venues, your global venue sourcing solution, take the stress out of finding the right venue for you.

Register today for free access, or contact Scott or Kirsty to see how our platform can help your agency or business.

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EDGE Venues at miaConnect, International Planner Sentiment Report, Elevate NewGen, and more

This month’s news round-up brings you some of the industry and association news from July 2024, including EDGE Venues at miaConnect, International Planner Sentiment Report, Elevate NewGen, and more.  

EDGE Venues and ESG highlights of miaConnect Day agenda

The Meetings Industry Association’s miaConnect Day took place at Cloth Hall Court – University of Leeds, on 9 July.

Event Highlights include:

  • A business insights presentation from EDGE Venues’ CEO, Jacqui Kavanagh. This session provided a deep dive into the latest business trends and strategic approaches within the events industry.

“As predicted at the beginning of our EDGE Venues journey, digital tools to support the procurement of venues are really gaining popularity, as we move forward with a generation of people who are digital natives. Our industry needs to lead the way on this otherwise we will be left behind.”

Jacqui Kavanagh, CEO, EDGE Venues
  • An insightful case study, presented by University of Leeds’ Chelsea Rolfe. This focused on the challenges and successes of Cloth Hall’s efforts toward achieving net zero targets. Its particularly emphasised the challenge of using geothermal energy.
  • A panel discussion on ESG. Here, experts such as Nteractive’s Kerrin Honey and The Brighton Centre’s Emma Thurlow stressed the importance of measurement. They also looked at involving everyone in sustainability initiatives.
  • A panel discussion sharing best practices for fam trips and site visits. The panel highlighted the importance of effective communication and relationship-building with clients.
  • An ask the agents table session gave attendees the opportunity to engage directly with booking agents. Guests gained valuable insights into current industry trends and client expectations.
  • A team building event by ClueGo UK offered an interactive icebreaker session. This engaging start to the day set the tone for collaborative learning.

Read more.

The Business of Events publishes latest International Planner Sentiment Report 2024

The Business of Events has published its latest annual International Planner Sentiment Report for 2024. The annual report is in partnership with Meet in Ireland and IBTM World.

First published in 2020, the report uses desk-based research to track planner sentiments in ten specific areas. This is used to determine the key factors influencing their choice of destination. The audiences surveyed include planners from corporate, association, agency and incentive & reward across the UK, Europe and North America.

Key findings in this year’s report include:

  • Cost and value for money all tracked one point higher in every region surveyed. This reflects increased event costs and pressure on overall budgets through higher inflation.
  • The increase in importance of Destination Brand is up one point overall. This also reflects the need for a more personalised experience for brands and delegates.
  • Equity and Diversity, is tracking higher, more so across the UK and Europe. This reflects an increase in the wider conversation around DEI issues.

“Our International Planner Sentiment Report continues to be used by marketers and sales teams across the world to fine tune strategies and messaging and to increase competitive advantage. Once again, the report has shone a strong light on those factors that are influencing destination choice. While cost, brand and diversity have all increased in importance, it is becoming clear that sustainability, while still an extremely important topic, is becoming much more of an expected requirement rather than something which is seen as value added.”

Martin Fullard, Director of News & Content, The Business of Events

The study took place between 22nd April –10th May 2024. It covers three key geographical territories of the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

Download The Business of Events’ 2024 International Planner Sentiment Report, here.

AEO (Association of Event Organisers) launches working group for independent event organisers

According to Meetings and Incentive Travel, AEO has a new working group for independent event organisers.

The private independent entrepreneur (PIE) working group will meet for the first time ahead of the AEO Conference.

“The launch of the PIE working group recognises the increasingly important part independently-owned organisers play in AEO membership and the broader industry. Connecting this community to encourage collaboration and sharing of best practice will help support their growth and create a strong foundation for these organisers to thrive.”

Chris Skeith OBE, Chief Executive, AEO

Read more.

CHS Birmingham Announces 2024 Educational Theme

CHS Birmingham has announced the theme of its award-winning educational content, with a focus on ‘How to be an Event Organiser’. Following CHS Leeds’ ‘How to Organise an Event’ theme, the content will continue the show’s back-to-basics approach. It also continues a commitment to support organisers’ professional and personal growth.

The programme will move slightly away from the more practical CHS Leeds sessions. It will look to how event organisers need to go about their work in 2024 and 2025. The approach considers how to safeguard event organisers roles, and how this supports better delegate outcomes. 

CHS Birmingham can already confirm keynotes, with more speakers and sessions to come throughout the summer. These include an Event Psychologist, and Intimacy Coordinator with insight from some of the biggest Hollywood film sets. Both sessions will share how event organisers can create positive cultures and environments for themselves, their teams, and their guests. 

“We’re so proud of our educational content, it’s one of the many reasons our visitors come to our show and we’re once again looking forward to introducing them to some really exciting, unique, and insightful sessions.”

Lou Hindley, Commercial Director, CHS Birmingham

Read more.

UKEVENTS appoints Tom Clements as Executive Committee & Outdoor Events Working Group Chair

UKEVENTS has announced the appointment of Tom Clements as Vice Chair and Chair of the Outdoor Events Working Group.

Tom brings a wealth of experience, as President of the National Outdoor Event Association and member of the Event Industry Advisory Group. He is a key voice behind the importance of retaining and growing talent and skills within the industry.

“We are delighted to welcome Tom Clements to the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Outdoor Events Group. Tom’s extensive experience and passion for the events industry will be invaluable as we tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. His leadership will play a crucial role in driving forward our mission to support and grow the outdoor events sector.”

Chris Skeith OBE, Chair, UKEVENTS

Read more.

Elevate launches NewGen

According to Conference News, Elevate, the not-for-profit mentorship programme, has announced the launch of Elevate NewGen. The new initiative will ‘provide equal access to the events industry for underrepresented talent aged 18-25’. Read more…

https://www.conference-news.co.uk/news/elevate-mentoring-opening-doors-with-newgen-initiative/

View from the EDGE

EDGE Venues’ Commercial Director, Scott Ford, summed up this July’s monthly Insights:

“It’s great to see that net zero and sustainability remain high on the agenda within the meetings and events industry. Corporate clients often have carbon budgets they must not exceed in the meetings space. With many organisations now taking firm action to address this important area, it is becoming expected rather than a ‘nice to have’ for many professional meeting procurement teams. This view is reflected in the 2024 Business of Events report, so venues offering robust data on carbon impacts will lead the way.

“Something else we are passionate about at EDGE Venues is helping up-and-coming talent in the meetings and events industry. So it’s fantastic that when CHS Birmingham returns in October, its focus on education continues with sessions on how event organisers can effectively go about their work in 2024 and 2025. We also applaud Elevate for launching its NewGen, which provides much-needed equal access to the events industry for underrepresented talent aged 18-25.”

Scott Ford, Commercial Director, EDGE Venues

Missed June’s news round-up? Check it out here!

Book your next meeting or event venue on EDGEVenues.com

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Liverpool venues for meetings and events

Located in the county of Merseyside in Northwest England, Liverpool is a vibrant city, known all over the world for its music scene, football teams, maritime history, culture, friendly faces, and so much more.

Let’s take a closer look, and check out some Liverpool venues…

Did you know?

Liverpool is one of the most filmed locations outside of London, with many TV shows and films using this diverse city as a backdrop.

Recently we have seen the city transformed into Gotham City for The Batman film featuring Robert Pattison. The Birkenhead Tunnel was used as a filming location for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

And there’s more! Other filming sights which have taken place in this city include The Fantastic Beasts film shooting at Martins Bank, Captain America: The First Avenger filming at Stanley Dock as well as The Peaky Blinders being filmed at St. George’s Hall.

Liverpool Venues

Looking for Liverpool venues? Below is just a small sample of the spaces on offer for your next meeting or event.

Radisson Blu Liverpool

Right in the heart of the business district, but a short stroll from all of Liverpool’s main attractions is Radisson Blu Liverpool. The hotel is home to 194 smart and stylish rooms, free Wi-Fi, and Collage Restaurant where guests can experience a unique twist on the classic British Brasserie.

With a streamlined, minimalistic aesthetic, the hotel has nine conference rooms with everything you need for a successful event. The city centre location offers transportation links to the airport only 15km away, and parking is available within walking distance at NCP car park.

Read more.

Hilton Liverpool City Centre

Situated in the centre of the Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex, this Liverpool hotel’s location provides easy access to transport links and cultural attractions. From contemporary accommodations to numerous meetings and events opportunities, guests can easily get the most out of their experience. There are 11 air-conditioned function rooms available.

Its situated 20 minutes from Liverpool’s John Lennon airport, 45 minutes from Manchester International airport and just shy of one mile from Liverpool Lime Street station with services to all major cities in the UK.

Read more.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre

Delta is home to 146 large bedrooms and suites benefitting from luxurious bedding, with Egyptian cotton linens, to ensure all guests have the best start to their day. Guests also have full use of the hotel’s 24/7 fitness facilities.

Delta’s Merchant Suite is one of nine well-appointed meeting spaces and can cater for up to 240 guests in a theatre style layout. The suite is spacious and pillar free and has floor-to-ceiling windows offering natural daylight. The balcony terrace attached is also the perfect setting for pre-dinner drinks or BBQ themed events in the summer and overlooks the vibrant Queen Square.

Read more.

Pullman Liverpool Hotel

Stylish, elegant, and sophisticated, Pullman Liverpool is much more than a place to stay. Pullman is located on King’s Dock onsite with M&S Bank Arena, ACC Liverpool & Exhibition Centre Liverpool, making it a perfect spot to stay after an event at these venues. The hotel also has the Pullman Restaurant, Bar, and stunning lobby onsite, providing the perfect backdrop to connect with people.

Pullman Liverpool has 216 bedrooms, three flexible meeting rooms, fitness lounge as well as on-site baby grand piano and restaurant. At Pullman Liverpool there are several fully flexible meeting spaces, all including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi with capacity for 2 – 100 delegates.

Read more.

Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa

Crabwall Manor Hotel and Spa is a historic 17th Century manor house just a short drive from Chester city centre and a stone’s throw from Liverpool. The Manor is a four star country house hotel, just two miles north of historical Chester and 25 miles from bustling Liverpool.

Crabwall Manor has 55 bedrooms and four air-conditioned meeting rooms, all with ground floor access and which can accommodate from 2 to 100 delegates.

Read more.

Interested in any of these venues? Check them out via the links underneath their introductions above. And if you would like to find out more about Liverpool venues or spaces in other locations, please get in touch.

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Sensory-friendly events – are your events inclusive and welcoming?

Inclusivity is a crucial commitment to ensuring each individual can enjoy and participate in your events regardless of their unique needs. And it means your attendees benefit from the ideas and input of those who may otherwise avoid your events!

Here, we explore the concept of sensory-friendly events and share the importance of ensuring events are welcoming for everyone.

Understanding sensory sensitivities

Sensory sensitivities can affect individuals on various levels. For some, loud noises may be overwhelming. For others, bright lights might be distressing. 

People with autism, sensory processing disorder, or anxiety often experience these sensitivities. By recognising and addressing them, we can create an environment where all attendees feel comfortable and valued.

The importance of sensory-friendly events

Hosting sensory-friendly events goes beyond being accommodating to creating an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance. Such events cater to those with sensory sensitivities and demonstrate your commitment to creating inclusive spaces for everyone. 

Embracing diversity and actively working to create sensory-friendly experiences, you send a powerful message that you value each attendee’s contributions.

EDGE Venues spoke to Daniel Brooke, Director of Neurodiversity Specialists, for her thoughts on the importance of sensory-friendly events:

“Incorporating inclusivity and sensory-friendly activities holds paramount importance in the meetings and events industry, particularly for neurodivergent individuals.

“By designing events that consider a wide range of sensory sensitivities and preferences, we ensure that neurodivergent participants can fully engage and contribute.

“Creating an environment that minimises sensory overload and respects individual needs fosters a sense of acceptance and empowerment. Such inclusive practices enhance the event experience for neurodiverse attendees and set a progressive precedent for the industry.

“Through embracing neurodiversity, we drive innovation and lead the way in creating truly accessible and enriching event spaces.”

Daniel Brooke, Director, Neurodiversity Specialists

Creating sensory-friendly events

1. Communication

Clearly communicate to attendees that your event is sensory-friendly. Provide information about the event’s sensory-friendly features, such as lower noise levels, dimmed lighting, and designated quiet spaces. This will help set expectations and reassure attendees that their comfort is a priority.

2. Venue Considerations

When selecting a venue, opt for spaces that offer flexibility in terms of lighting and sound. The ability to adjust these factors can greatly contribute to creating a sensory-friendly environment. Additionally, ensure your venue is easily accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.

3. Lighting

Use soft, diffused lighting to create a comfortable ambience. Avoid harsh spotlights or flashing lights that could cause discomfort. Consider incorporating natural light, as it tends to be gentler on the senses.

4. Sound

Control noise levels by utilising sound-absorbing materials such as carpets, drapes, and panels. Implement a quiet hour or designated quiet zones where attendees can retreat if they need a break from sensory stimulation.

5. Sensory breaks

This goes hand-in-hand with sound management. Designate quiet, comfortable spaces where attendees can take a break if they get overwhelmed.

6. Visual aids

Provide visual schedules or guides outlining the event’s timeline and activities. Visual aids can help individuals with sensory sensitivities better understand what to expect, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.

Some examples

An example of a brand that does sensory-friendly events well is Cineworld. At selected branches across the UK, they hold autism-friendly screenings with low lights and reduced volume. Individuals are welcome to bring their own food and drink and can move around the cinema if they like.

Cineworld has options to host a private screening for just you and your delegates. What’s more, with their sensory-friendly facilities, every delegate can enjoy the experience.

Many UK museums also have facilities to host neurodiverse individuals, whether they are just visiting or attending an event. 

The V&A Museum, National Galleries of Scotland, Dynamic Earth, National Museums Liverpool, and the Natural History Museum to name a few, all have facilities to reduce lighting and volume, hand out sensory packs. And some have quiet rooms. These venues all hold regular sensory-friendly days for those just visiting – they’re a good way to check out the facilities before booking an event.

Improvement

After hosting a sensory-friendly event, seek feedback from attendees to gain insights into their experiences. This information can be invaluable in refining your approach and making future events even more inclusive. Remember, the goal is not perfection but an ongoing commitment to learning and adapting.

Creating sensory-friendly events indicates commitment to, and understanding of, diversity – and prioritising the comfort and enjoyment of all your event attendees. And thoughtful strategies to accommodate sensory sensitivities creates memorable experiences while developing inclusivity that resonates long after the event ends. 

We take pride in supporting those hosting more accessible and welcoming events for everyone. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch.

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The New Era of EDGE Venues

On Thursday 4th July, once everyone had voted in the general election, we held our ever-popular annual EDGE Venues Summer Party. It was bigger and better than ever before.

This year, we hosted the event at the beautiful Haycock Manor Hotel. Relocating to Haycock was crucial for us as it enabled a more significant and impressive event experience, setting the standard for our vision of EDGE Venues’ future and introducing the new era of EDGE Venues.

It was a day full of insight. We shared the EDGE Venues journey and our plans for success. We discussed our future technology roadmap and provided insights into the developments of EDGE Venues, which is designed by the industry for the industry.

We welcomed guest panellists Kevin Harrison (Director – Good Travel Management), Stephen Flynn (Head of Events & Production – Allianz), and Chris Lester (Event Director – Bauer Media Group) for a fantastic session focused on business insights and opportunities from key buyers.

We received such positive feedback on this session. The audiences valued the input, as it’s so important that we hear from buyers first-hand what they are experiencing, as this shapes the way we develop future technology.

In fact, we’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback about the entire afternoon, flooded with LinkedIn posts and messages, and initial post-event survey results already showing 100% satisfaction with the event experience and its organisation (excellent or very good).

Early results also show that attendees found the content extremely relevant and useful, including our round tables and data analysis session, and enjoyed the discussions around sharing best practices.

One area highlighted during the discussion was that venues should share terms and conditions at the RFP stage, not the contract stage. Sending them at the contract stage can often cause delays with legal departments – sharing them earlier reduces the risk of losing potential business.

The event was well-attended by a diverse mix of our EDGE Venues users – it was wonderful to welcome buyers, alongside representatives from agencies and venues. It’s a real testament to the fantastic community we’re building.

The atmosphere was incredible, with so many networking opportunities. We feel we’re building a strong community, and this event demonstrated that EDGE truly is Technology with Personality. We’re excited about the new era of EDGE Venues!

“The event was great, it was so insightful – by far one of the best panel discussions I’ve been to. It was great to see buyers on the panel as opposed to just other venues talking about trends – it was good to get the buyers reasonings behind all the trends we are seeing.

We will definitely look at attending the January event in London too!”

Treehouse Manchester

With that in mind, we want to ensure that you don’t miss our next event:

Look forward to seeing you there!

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Events industry contributes £10.9bn, party manifestos and the events sector, and more

This month’s news round-up brings you some of the industry and association news from June 2024, including events industry contributing £10.9bn, party manifestos and the events sector, and more, and more.  

Events industry contributes £10.9 billion to UK economy.

The business events industry helped to boost the UK economy by £10.9 billion in 2023, according to a new economic report by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA).

Marija Erzen, co-owner, Solutions 2 (UK) Ltd, ESSA and EIA chair, commented, “We are delighted with the results of our latest economic impact report. A 17% growth in the events industry between 2022 and 2023, demonstrates that, whilst other areas of the economy are struggling, the events industry is growing exponentially in a challenging economic environment and with little help from the Government.”

Erzen added, “These figures bring us just shy of our pre-pandemic levels of economic impact (£11bn) and the events industry’s strong growth really demonstrates our potential and resilience as an industry during an economically challenging year for many. We hope that these positive figures encourages the next Government to really notice and pay attention to our industry.”

Particularly promising is the increase in the number of events. The recent Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions (SASIE) report, published earlier this year, revealed over 1,000 exhibitions were held in 2023, demonstrating the industry’s resilience and innovation in the face of economic challenges.

Rachel Parker, director, AEV and EIA said, “The number of exhibitions over the last year is really promising, including both new and long standing repeat exhibitions. The dynamism of the sector to move with new trends and trades when they emerge in the economy is a particular strength and one that we hope to see more of in the future.”

Parker continued, “The positive growth in the industry feeds into other areas of the economy and helps explain the dynamic and far reaching potential of the industry, so it is not only the events industry that benefits from the growth of the sector.”

Beyond the events themselves, the 6.9 million attendees generate substantial spending in hospitality, travel and hotels. In 2023, the events industry made a significant contribution to the UK GDP, valued at £5.5 billion, and helped to support 114,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.

Working on behalf of the events industry associations, the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the Events Industry Alliance (EIA) provides a secretariat and platform to work together to achieve common objectives for the good of the events industry. 

Lime Venue Portfolio (LVP) has partnered with Stress Matters to launch a new neurodiversity toolkit.

The toolkit launched at The Meetings Show in June 2024 and is now be available to support clients and customers across the group’s 80+ venues.

In the last few years, the brand has bought new intelligence to the industry, including insight around ‘sustainability through food’, ‘event legacy and impact’, and is now looking towards accessibility, specifically Neurodiversity.

Within this toolkit, you will find practical strategies and resources to ensure that your events are accessible and enjoyable for all participants. From sensory-friendly environments to clear communication practices, each recommendation is grounded in the principles of empathy, understanding, and respect for neurodiverse perspectives.

Read more on Event Industry News.

The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has unveiled its new identity at The Meetings Show 2024.

Attendees visiting the mia pavilion (stand D51) on 19-20 June were first to experience the mia’s refreshed identity. This new branding is designed to celebrate collaboration, networking, and fostering positive relationships, reflecting the core values and objectives of the mia in supporting and bringing people together.

Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said this about the mia Pavilion at the Meetings Show: “The mia pavilion always provides the perfect platform for us to meet, educate and inspire visitors, but this year is even more exciting as we debut our new and yet to be revealed brand identity.”

IBTM has launched its Exceptional Experiences programme at a a  pop-up event at Cannes Lions.

IBTM has introduced a new addition to its flagship IBTM World event that next takes place in Barcelona 19-21 November. The team says the programme has been developed as a direct response to the challenges faced by in-house event professionals and marketers, and intends to showcase innovative strategies to help this community create event experiences that fuel business growth.

Read more on Conference News, below.

https://www.conference-news.co.uk/news/ibtm-launches-exceptional-experiences-programme-at-cannes-lions/

Strata acquires Trinity Event Solutions

Strata, the award-winning brand experience agency, has acquired Trinity Event Solutions, the venue procurement and event management agency. This latest acquisition boosts Strata’s ambitious growth plans, cementing its commitment to providing clients with full-service support and delivery.

Founded in 2006 by Jacqui Kavanagh, Trinity Event Solutions is a venue finding agency with extensive experience and a strong customer base in the pharma, legal, financial and retail markets.

Strata is on a mission to strengthen and broaden its client offering, adding new divisions and businesses to the group that complement the agency’s already wide-ranging breadth of services.

The agency has always understood that the right venue choice is paramount to the successful delivery of events. Therefore, its acquisition of Trinity Event Solutions – with its deep venue insight – is both a strategic and pivotal move for the group.

Read more, here.

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) is celebrating a 30 per cent growth in membership

The achievement was announced at its annual general meeting, where it also named two new co-chairs, Sammy Connell and Pauline Beattie.

The appointment of Sammy Connell of The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and Pauline Beattie of Conference Care, follow the successful tenure of outgoing chairs Emma Duffy from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Sarah Byrne from Mosaic Events. 

Looking forward, ABPCO has laid out a plan to further enhance its value and reach within the professional conference organising community. Key initiatives can be found on Meetings and Incentive Travel.

Meeting Needs celebrates big boost in fund-raising at showcase event

Event industry foundation Meeting Needs celebrated their best fund-raising result for eight years at their annual showcase event at the Radisson Blu Bloomsbury.

Current year income has topped £150,000 for the first time since 2016, reflecting a return to growth for the industry and the foundation, said chair Chris Parnham, when he welcomed guests including original founding trustees, Peter Rand MBE and Charles Blowfield.

It was an event to connect 110 trustees, founders, donors, fund-raisers, beneficiaries and sponsors, from Axiom for providing the superb venue and hospitality to Cvent for sponsoring the Royal Parks Half Marathon team and Media Mirror, for providing video and photography on the night.

“Our aim is to channel all fundraising activity within the M+IT Industry through Meeting Needs and then award these funds to small charities, loved, championed or supported by colleagues in our industry. Anyone here can help their favourite charity to benefit from a grant. We like to help small charities, the ones who find it so hard to raise funds or awareness, and some of those wonderful charities are in the room tonight,” said Parnham.

A further £1460 was raised on the night.

What do the party manifestos do for the events sector?

The Business of Events reviews the three major parties’ manifestos – from an eventprof’s perspective.

Read it on Meetings and Incentive Travel.

Conference programme announced for the CN Sustainability Summit 2024

Now in its third year, the event will take place on Wednesday, 24 July 2024 at Chicago Booth London Conference Centre.

Conference News is delighted to confirm the conference programme for the CN Sustainability Summit 2024.

The summit aims to bring together sustainability-driven event organisers, innovative suppliers and industry experts to discuss the latest best practices and establish next steps towards a greener events sector.

The 2024 agenda features a series of keynote sessions, panel discussions, roundtables and organised one-on-one meetings, curated to equip event planners with tangible takeaways and new industry connections to support the delivery of more sustainable events.

Find out more on Conference News, including links to full agenda and how to register.

London Policy Forum postponed following announcement of UK General Election

Following the confirmation that a UK General Election will take place on 4th July 2024, The Business of Events and The Meetings Show has elected to postpone the London Policy Forum until the Autumn. It had been due to take place on the 19th June 2024.

Martin Fullard, director of The Business of Events issued the following statement: “With the UK General Election catching most commentators by surprise, we have elected to postpone the London Policy Forum.

“The Business of Events exists to facilitate dialogue between industry stakeholders and policymakers, and since Parliament is dissolved, there are restrictions on what government officials can and cannot do.”

“With a new Parliament being due to sit on 17th July, this means we will be able to enjoy a more stable autumn period and look forward to working with The Meetings Show in bringing together industry stakeholders and what will be a new-look political landscape. We look forward to announcing new details surrounding the London Policy Forum in due course.”

Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director at Northstar Travel Group, said: “The Meetings Show remains committed to supporting The Business of Events with its ongoing work to raise the importance and profile of business meetings and events as an economic, policy, and community driver. We look forward to helping to facilitate its London Policy Forum when it takes place in the autumn.”

Missed May’s news round-up? Check it out here!

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