Category: Blog

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The Magic of Meetings and Events in Munich

Germany’s vibrant city of Munich boasts a rich history. With its diverse culture, and variety of attractions meetings and events in Munich are popular with planners worldwide.

Read on to find out why it creates such a big draw for event planners!

Culture

Interestingly, Munich’s history dates back to the Middle Ages when it was founded by Henry the Lion. Throughout the centuries, it has been- and remains – a significant centre for art, culture, and politics.

Munich is renowned for its traditional Bavarian culture. Experience it first-hand at festivals like Oktoberfest, where locals and travellers unite to celebrate with music, food, and beer.

The city also has a thriving arts scene, with numerous theatres, galleries, and museums showcasing both contemporary and classical art.

Top Attractions

Among the city’s top attractions is the iconic Marienplatz, the central square surrounded by stunning historical buildings and the famous Glockenspiel. Nowadays, it’s famous for hosting the Christkindlmarkt, the annual Christmas market.

The Nymphenburg Palace, with its magnificent architecture and expansive gardens, is another must-visit. During the summer season, visitors can take a gondola ride down the middle channel of the gardens to take in the views in a different way.

Munich is also home to several world-class museums, such as the Deutsches Museum, which is one of the largest science and technology museums globally, and the Alte Pinakothek, housing an impressive collection of European art.

Meetings and Events

The city’s vibrant atmosphere, paired with its rich cultural heritage and modern amenities, provides the perfect backdrop for successful gatherings.

Munich offers a wide range of venues. From historic landmarks to state-of-the-art conference centres, various event sizes and requirements are catered for.

Additionally, Munich is renowned for its impeccable transportation system, known for its punctuality and efficiency. This means delegates can get across the city with ease.

Attendees can enjoy exploring iconic attractions during their free time. The Marienplatz or Nymphenburg Palace, add a unique cultural experience to anyone’s trip.

Moreover, the city’s efficient transportation system makes it easy for guests to navigate and access venues conveniently.

Hosting a business conference, trade show, or cultural event? Munich’s dynamic atmosphere and excellent facilities ensure meetings and events in Munich are unforgettable.

H4 Hotel Munich Messe

Handily located in the vicinity of the trade fair centre, this hotel offers the perfect setting for any event. Whether your hosting a meeting, workshop, or congress it has space to suit every occasion. Think 1,120 square metres of events space!

The 8 multi-functional meeting rooms are simple yet elegant, decorated in warm colours and finished in natural wood. They are all equipped with air conditioning, state-of-the-art conference technology, and Wi-Fi Internet access inclusive. Head to the wellness area between 16:00 and 22:00 to unwind after a day of business or sightseeing.

The hotel’s guests are a stone’s throw away from the exhibition centres and the International Congress Centre München (ICM). The centres are just five minutes away on foot.

The nearest U-Bahn station is around a five-minute walk away and offers a direct connection to the city centre. So guests have fast access to the shops and sights in the heart of Munich.

In addition, the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) only takes 20 minutes with the U-Bahn. If arriving from the airport by car, H4 Hotel München Messe is around half an hour away.

NH Collection München Bavaria

The contemporary, newly renovated NH Collection München Bavaria is the perfect place to stay for the event professionals. It can be found in the city centre next to the main train station. Just steps from the old town, it makes Munich easily accessible. So it’s an ideal base for business visitors or those exploring the city.

The hotel’s 219 newly renovated rooms are light and spacious. And those on the top floors offer some of the best views of Munich. Upper-floor guests can take in stunning views of the old city, Olympic Tower or, on clear days, the Alps.

The hotel has extensive meetings and events facilities, with a total of over 800 square meters of indoor event space, divided over 12 flexible meeting areas, all with natural daylight. There are spacious lobby areas which offer comfortable breaks between meetings. A stunning boardroom on the 16th floor offers amazing views over the city and the Alps, and can host meetings or more intimate events for up to 25 delegates.

Bayerischer Hof

The hotel has 337 rooms, of which 74 are suites, each individually designed in various styles with luxury furnishings. All rooms feature a Samsung flat-screen TV with wireless keyboard and free Internet access.

There are 40 air-conditioned banquet and function rooms with capacity for 10 up to 2,500 guests. The hotel’s largest space, the banquet hall, features a sliding glass roof and has an art deco style.

Bayerischer Hof also has a cinema lounge for film screenings and private events for up to 38 delegates. Finally, it has a roof terrace and lounge, a large modern area with an open fireplace and jazzy bar.

The Westin Grand Munich

The Westin Grand Munich is located in the Arabellapark and near the English garden. Within just a short trip by public transportation from the hotel you’ll find yourself at the city centre of Munich and its unique attractions. Whether guests are just arriving or continuing onward, Munich Airport is a quick 22 miles away.

Its rooms and suites are designed in warm colours. And thanks to its comfy beds and a rain showers, it is the perfect place for regeneration and well-being. The ISAR Spa offers 1500 m² of space for relaxation with a pool, various saunas, and renewing cosmetic treatments.

Large panoramic windows of the elegant Westin Club Lounge on the 23rd floor offer amazing views up to the Alps.

Interested in booking any of these hotels for a meeting or event in Munich? Follow the links in the feature to enquire or book.

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Top Sporting Venues to Make Your Event Win Gold

Sporting Stadiums

Sporting venues can be used for much more than exciting tournaments and matches. Many of the UK’s sporting spots can also be ideal venues for meetings and events. So, we’re taking a look at our top sporting venues picks.

Haydock Park Racecourse

Haydock Park Racecourse in Merseyside has fantastic facilities to make hearts race. The venue caters for any variety of event from conferences to corporate away days. They have a range of executive boxes and luxurious suites that accommodate up to 500 delegates.

Sporting venues - Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse

Alternatively, the venue has a selection of banqueting suites with panoramic views across the racecourse for any gala diners or dances. However, for the large events, Haydock offers 1,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space along with 13 acres of hard standing exhibition areas for major events for up to 20,000 people.

Saints Events – Southampton Football Club

At Southampton Football Club, they combine creativity and unique environments to deliver ambitious events with a personal touch for up to 500 guests. With 15 unique event spaces and 30 meeting rooms, the variety and versatility of their suites makes the venue for all kinds of events. It is easily accessible from the M3 and M27 and offers complimentary parking for cars and coaches.

Sporting venues - Southampton Football Club
Southampton Football Club

The train station and ferry terminal are a 20-minute walk away, and Southampton Airport is a short 10-minute drive. Southampton FC has a range of flexible packages designed to suit any event objective with unique touches like stadium tours and presentations from ex-Southampton Football Club players that can add that extra flair to any event.

Exeter Racecourse

Exeter Racecourse sits just 5 miles from the end of the M5 southbound, along the A38. Set in a location overlooking the beautiful Devon Countryside, Exeter Racecourse can offer delegates its Conference and Events Centre, which has recently had a multi-million-pound extension.

Sporting venues - Exeter Racecourse
Exeter Racecourse

The venue offer flexibility for any corporate or private event from conferences, meetings, seminars, tradeshows, and exhibitions, to intimate dinners, parties, gala dinners and outdoor events.

Wolverhampton Racecourse & Conference Centre

Wolverhampton Racecourse is an ideal spot for corporate events, especially during summer. The venue has acres of green space and suites with balconies to make the most of the outdoors.

Sporting venues - Wolverhampton Racecourse
Wolverhampton Racecourse

Wolverhampton Racecourse has 22 acres of private and offering hard standing grounds, as well as extensive grassed areas. They have a varied infrastructure of gated entrances, turnstiles, sound systems, digital screens. Also, there is free parking for up to 1,500 vehicles, which they incorporate into event packages.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The award-winning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is UK’s most technologically advanced stadium and venue. Home of Tottenham Hotspur, The London NFL and a diverse range of stunning unique venue spaces, offering guests maximum choice and flexibility for your next event. The team work with guests to amplify their brand and create an immersive experience at any event.

Sporting venues - Tottenham HotspurStadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The stadium provides the perfect platform to make any event shine, whether a business event or special occasion. The venue is confident that their dedicated team will go that extra mile to ensure that everyone enjoys a memorable experience from start to finish.

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Doncaster Racecourse Exhibition & Conference Centre

The Doncaster Racecourse grounds exhibit a broad range of versatile conference and event spaces, which they tailor to suit any event requirements: from an impressive five-storey grand stand containing a purpose-built exhibition Hall of 3,400 square metres, to over 40 private suites which are able to house from two to 3,000 people.

Sporting venues - Doncaster racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse

Many of their rooms are glass fronted with huge sliding doors allowing guests to gaze at the impressive views across the racecourse and beyond. The venue provides hotel accommodation via their onsite 154 bedroomed Hilton Garden Inn Hotel with complimentary Wi-Fi, fitness centre, and direct access to the racecourse. Doncaster Racecourse is on course to become the winning post for the UK exhibition industry.

Twickenham Stadium

Twickenham Stadium, the Home of England Rugby, is a premium London event location. With excellent facilities and a wealth of flexible interior space, the stadium can effortlessly cater for large-scale business conferences with state-of-the-art AV, private dinners and social receptions, weddings or meetings. Their facilities are available and are tailorable to any event’s needs.

Sporting venues - Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium

Overall, there are 34 dedicated spaces and over 150 executive boxes for small meetings. Many providing attendees and delegates with a view of the famous playing field that has inspired the national rugby team. Twickenham Stadium is ideally located just 20 minutes from Central London and six miles from London Heathrow Airport. There’s excellent road links and over 2,000 complimentary parking spaces on site. The stadium also benefits from an onsite 4* Marriott Hotel and Virgin Active Club.

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If you are interested in booking any of these sporting venues or finding out more, please get in touch.

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Delightful Dubrovnik: A Desirable Destination for Events

On the south eastern coast of Croatia sits Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic.’ The small historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has famous city walls surrounding the city.

Dubrovnik: A Place of History

Dubrovnik takes great pride in its city walls, which are double-layered for the most part. Built during the 16th century and stretching for almost 2 miles, these impressive structures were go around most of the old city. They reach a towering height of around 25 meters. Inside the walls, visitors can find various towers, fortresses, and countless historical monuments. As visitors venture outside the walls they will come across charming villas nestled amidst beautiful gardens.

The Real-Life King’s Landing

Dubrovnik is famed for many things, but some may know it for being the filming location of the popular series, Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik serves as the setting for King’s Landing in the series. For those who don’t watch the show, it is in a position equivalent to London on the map of the kingdoms, making it a significant area.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Perched dramatically on a cliff 30 meters above Miramare Bay, Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik offers breathtaking views of the stunning Dalmatian coast. The hotel is only a short 10-minute stroll away from the medieval city centre, allowing visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds. Nestled at the foot of the cliffs lies a pebble beach, enticing guests to unwind on a sun lounger and bask in the warm Mediterranean sunshine without having to travel far. The hotel offers two sophisticated meeting rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 250 people.

Dubrovnik Palace Hotel

On the beautiful Lapad peninsula, Dubrovnik Palace Hotel sits between the sea and pine forest. It offers peaceful seclusion and is blessed with a unique view of the Elaphite islands while being only a few minutes by car, bus or taxi from UNESCO-protected Dubrovnik Old Town. There are two dedicated conference areas on the 9th and 10th floor, and all rooms provide state of the art audiovisual equipment and services.

The Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

This hotel is in the city centre and is just 18km from the main airport meaning it is very accessible. This hotel boasts stylishly furnished rooms with contemporary benefits such as en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. There are leisure facilities such as a sauna, fitness centre, Jacuzzi, spa & wellness centre, billiards, steam room and massage ensure guests have a relaxing stay. The Hotel Excelsior is able to provide seven function and event rooms with a maximum capacity in the most substantial space of 450 delegates, as well as 158 bedrooms and a catering capacity of 400 people.

Grand Villa Argentina

Located on the cliffs just outside the historic city of Dubrovnik is Grand Villa Argentina. As soon as guests walk into the reception area, they meet incredible scenic views. The breathtaking views of the Adriatic stretch from the island of Lokrum to Dubrovnik’s photogenic old harbour. Whether guests are sunbathing on the hotel’s beach with its saltwater pool, dining on the restaurant terraces, lying on a sun lounge on one of the individual rocky outcrops, or reading a book in the gardens, spectacular scenery surrounds guests.

This elegant luxury hotel features three stylish and comfortable meeting rooms, all with natural light and AV equipment, which can accommodate a maximum of 200 delegates in theatre style seating.

Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik

Located adjacent to the exquisite Lapad Bay beachfront and Uvala and its famous tree-lined promenade, Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik is less than 4 kms from Dubrovnik’s magnificent medieval Old Town city centre. The glorious panorama of the entire Lapad Bay and its glistening clear waters and unspoilt beaches, greet guests from the vast floor-to-ceiling windows of the grand reception and the Zenith Bar.

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Berlin: Destination for Meetings and Events

Sat on the River Spree in North-Eastern Germany is Berlin. This city is renowned for its vast range of unique landmarks, vibrant nightlife and an eclectic mix of modern architecture and historic buildings.

Sustainable Smart City

Berlin has one of the most vast and efficient public transport systems in Europe. From the u-bahn to trams, there is always something to get visitors from A to B, and in a cost-effective way. This makes a massive difference as taking public transport halves the CO2 emitted per journey. 

Berlin also has the Einwegpfand – a 25c deposit on bottles that you can get back by returning used bottles. Not only does it incentivise recycling by getting your money back, but it allows individuals in need to collect up bottles and earn some euros. The scheme is popular with locals as people collect bottles off the streets to earn back the deposit.

As well as this, Berlin has a great selection of vegan cafes and restaurants. The variety gives visitors a choice in reducing their environmental impact as they can chose plant-based foods. Even in non-vegan restaurants there are plenty of plant-based options.

Hub for History and Culture

With citizens from over 190 countries, Berlin is a hub for culture. Walking through the streets of Berlin, visitors will have no trouble finding street art and graffiti. Many of these artworks have meaningful stories behind them, including pieces at East Side Gallery (an art exhibition scaling a remaining section of the Berlin wall).

Berlin also has an abundance of history. The city has more museums than it has rainy days – on average 105 rainy days a year to 175 museums. One of the city’s most famous historic buildings, the Reichstag is a fusion of the original 19th century parliament building and a restoration project from 1999. The building was heavily under fire during WWII and was ON fire in 1933 – causing catastrophic damage.

Meetings and Events Hotspot

Germany’s capital city is raising the bar on conference and event standards. Whether organisers are looking for a unique event space or a conference hotel, Berlin has a range of space to suit any event. VisitBerlin encourage the planning of sustainable and green events, and with the facilities that Berlin already has in place, this is easily achievable. 

Venues to Suit Every Need

H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz 

Located on one of Europe’s most popular squares, this hotel embodies the unique combination of tradition and modernity that Berlin has to offer. The 4-star hotel has every amenity a guest needs to feel at home and cared for. The hotel also has eight conference rooms that can be flexibly combined. The rooms are each equipped with multi-media facilities and are accessible to large car models, making it a fully functional and versatile space. 

Regent Berlin

Regent Berlin is a classic-style 5-star property, home to 156 luxuriously decorated rooms and 39 suites. Each room is soundproofed and comes equipped with an antique desk. The hotel is next to the Gendarmenmarkt Square, where there are plenty of upmarket shops and restaurants nearby. The hotel’s restaurant, Charlotte & Fritz, is decorated in the style of a 19th century salon and has views of the square. 

The Hotel Palace Berlin

This privately-run business hotel sits in the centre of City West between the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Mall Bikini Berlin. The Hotel Palace Berlin is home to the ‘House of Gin’ and the sous-vide restaurant ‘beef 45’. Also, guests can find Palace Spa and Fitness Centre, sauna, ice cave, and a modern gym. The hotel has 18 function rooms for meetings and events, from big conferences for 900 delegates to exclusive dinners, Hotel Palace can do it all. 

Berlin is an unforgettable choice of event location and makes a perfect spot for sustainably focused events. The city’s public transport makes it a breeze to get from one place to another, opening up lots of venues across the city. 

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Cambridge Venues for Meetings and Events

Cambridge, the well-known university city on the banks of the picturesque river Cam, is scattered with beauty. From pretty bridges and streets to historical buildings such as the King’s College chapel, and Wren Library.

The city has a diverse community and a vibrant atmosphere enjoyed by the many business travellers who stay each year. With its stunning architecture, beautiful nature and intriguing history, there’s no surprise that event planner love Cambridge.

Here, we share some of the Cambridge venues for meetings and events, bookable on EDGEVenues.com.

Beautiful Cambridge venues

The beauty and architecture throughout Cambridge and its venues is a big attraction for events. Bringing elegance, beauty, and traditional features, if you are looking for an eye-catching location, look no further!

The Cambridge Belfry

The Cambridge Belfry is a beautiful hotel with stunning décor throughout and a charming brick exterior. Despite being situated outside the immediate city centre, the hotel is easily accessed by the M11, A1M, A14 and A428. It’s also only 40 minutes away from the nearest airport.

Set on a peaceful lake, with a calming courtyard, the venue offers a tranquil experience for guests. Boasting 120 comfortable bedrooms and 11 large meeting spaces, this is the perfect venue to create a classic, bold event.

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Fellows House is a gorgeous venue located only a short 15-minute walk from the centre of the city. The hotel offers 163 spacious bedrooms for guests to unwind and relax. And it has an elegant event space flexible for various events, from small group gatherings to a dinner setting.

This modern venue is filled with stylish features including intricate lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows to allow natural light in. There are also a range of amenities including a state-of-the-art gym and a lush indoor swimming pool.

The Graduate Cambridge

The Graduate Cambridge is a unique venue on the banks of the River Cam. It boasts excellent transport links with an airport under 20 minutes away and train station just a mile away. The graduate offers guests the perfect slice of Cambridge with traditional classic décor and wooden features throughout.

The reception offers a library backdrop which captures the essence of the city and its university culture. There are 148 bedrooms and 9 spacious meeting rooms providing a selection of options for your event.

University Arms Hotel

The University Arms Hotel is in the centre of Cambridge and has accessible transport facilities nearby. Cambridge train station is just a 5-minute drive and the city centre is a 5-minute walk away! Set across four floors the hotel is the perfect combination of classic Edwardian interior and modern features throughout.

With 189 bedrooms and 2 large meeting rooms, the hotel has space for a maximum of 200 delegates. The main feature of this venue is the grand ballroom. Boasting floor-to-ceiling length windows and traditional light features, natural light is abundant, lighting up the space for events.

Newmarket Racecourse

Accommodating up to 1000 delegates, Newmarket is a huge venue hosting various events. With 36 meeting rooms, there is endless space to accommodate large conferences and group meetings.

The venue is easily accessible and is close to the A11, A14 and M11 roads. It includes views of the racecourse and complimentary parking for up to 1000 cars, perfect for large group gatherings.

Restaurants and Bars

Cambridge, known for its friendly atmosphere has a selection of mouth-watering options for food and drink lovers alike! The Ivy has one of its spectacular restaurants in Cambridge. Sat amongst all famous landmarks, the boujee eatery offers all-day dining with a selection of delicious dishes.

For a taste of Cambridge luxury visit Trinity. The oysters-and-champers venue offers a selection of delicacies and delicious fresh seafood!

If you’re looking to enjoy the summer weather in Cambridge, the Oak Bistro is the place to go! Right in the heart of the city, the bistro offers a beautiful walled garden area. It serves a selection of mouth-watering classic dishes!

For a cold beer visit the Town and Gown pub in the city centre. It has a charming atmosphere, outdoor seating, and cocktails what more could anyone want? The 196 cocktail bar is also a favourite amongst visitors for a cocktail or two after a busy day!

Ultimately, Cambridge is an ideal location for event profs to host meetings and events. With its natural beauty, traditional buildings and cobbled streets, there’s nothing not to love about the city. Cambridge venues offer choice, beauty, and a mixture of high-end and traditional bars and restaurants to unwind!

To find out more, check out EDGEVenues.com and search ‘Cambridge’.

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Power of events report, beam annual forum, mia Student Membership, & more

This Monday’s Insights (03 July 2023) feature brings you the latest news including the power of events report, beam’s annual forum, mia’s Student Membership, and more.

Headlines

The Power of Events is limitless but the industry needs to spread the word, according to a new report.

The report from ICC Wales , called Event Power: A Force for Good, ‘looks beyond the traditional measures of event impact – economic value, job creation, increased destination profiling – and focuses on the far-reaching benefits that events bring to communities and supply chains, as well as on matters such as sustainability and future-building’.

The report – details shared by M&IT – includes forewords from Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, and Chris Skeith OBE, chair of UK Events, alongside expert industry contributions from The Business of Events, the Association of Event Venues, the Meetings Industry Association, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, and the BestCities Global Alliance.

Launched at The Meetings Show 2023 at ExCel London, the power of events document concludes: “The events industry is an unsung hero. Many people believe events just happen… they have no idea of what goes on behind the scenes.

“Events are a force for good and we need to get this vitally important message across to those who are not in our community, so that the remarkable power of events is truly recognised.” 

Read M&IT’s insights and access the download link, here.

Northstar Travel Group has launched The Meetings Show Asia Pacific.

Northstar Travel Group, the leading B-to-B information, events and marketing solutions company in the travel industry, has announced the launch of the hosted buyer led tradeshow for the Asia Pacific meetings industry.

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific (www.themeetingsshow-apac.com), supported by Singapore Tourism Board, will take place from 17-18 April 2024 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, welcoming global exhibitors and an audience of pre-qualified and hosted buyers.

Singapore is a Global-Asia node for MICE and business. As a gateway to the fast-growing Asia Pacific region and home to a vibrant business community, Singapore was chosen as the host destination for the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, offering access to new partnerships and business ideas.

Featuring Asian and international destinations, venues, hotels and other key suppliers, the event will be supported by an exclusive hosted buyer programme, bringing senior meetings, conventions, events and incentives buyers to a bustling tradeshow floor. A unique prescheduled meetings platform will provide an intimate platform to do business, as well as a conference providing a thought-provoking education programme and a series of high-quality networking events.

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is an extension of the long standing ‘The Meetings Show’ brand, which takes place annually in London, and will further complement Northstar Meetings Group’s global portfolio of media, events, information & marketing solutions.

Jason Young, CEO, Northstar Travel Group, said: “With our continued commitment to greater serve the APAC region, our depth of industry knowledge and the experienced meetings professionals who work in our UK, Singapore and US offices, it became apparent there was an opportunity to bring our world class experiences to the Asia Pacific meetings market under the established and successful brand of The Meetings Show.”

beam’s new style Annual Forum will prepare members for current and future challenges across their businesses.

Industry 4.0 – Collaborations, Connections & Community, is the title of beam’s upcoming annual forum, which has been created by the beam events action group. The event, with headline sponsors Open Audience and Song Division, will bring beam members together from across the UK at the Hilton Bournemouth on 6 & 7 July and is also open to non-members of the association.

“This year the Forum will be more of a hands-on business event, featuring engaging and inspiring speakers and generating tangible takeaways,” says Beckie Towle, events director of beam.

The keynote will be presented by Matt Lindley. Matt is a serving airline pilot and former RAF pilot who applies his experiences in leadership, accountability and culture to the business world.

Before taking his commercial flying job, he was a Royal Air Force Fast Jet pilot and later became a Captain on the Queens Flight, flying Her Majesty The Queen, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and Cabinet worldwide for over 10 years.

Among the many outstanding and fascinating speakers sharing valuable insights will be Paul Martin of Events Air, Sam McNeill of Song Division, Helen Moon of EventWell, Leslie Robertson of Open Audience, Neil Thompson of The Delegate Wranglers, Peter Heath of Venue Performance and many more.

Beckie Towle continues “Industry 4.0 – Collaborations, Connections & Community is about preparing and supporting our members with what is coming next. The format will be a mix of plenary and educational breakout sessions.

“The content will cover a broad range of significant industry subject areas, including AI and ChatGPT, data, ESG, and leadership skills.

“There will also be follow-up sessions on recent beam events such as the Sustainability Forum, Finance Forum, and the Instant Book Summit. We’ll be joined by guest speakers from across the industry as well as experts covering the themes. There will be a lot of engaging content that is valuable to everyone.”

The beam Annual Forum is also well known as one of the industry’s best social events of the year. Throughout the two days, there will be plenty of opportunities to catch up with colleagues and get to know new contacts. The event will also be supporting and raising money for Meeting Needs through a variety of activities.

Sian Sayward, chair of beam, says: “We have been working hard on creating an event that offers real benefits for everyone. The program is designed with audience involvement as a priority, as well as delivering fresh, relevant and thought-provoking content. It will be a Forum that’s not to be missed.”

Contact membership@beam-org.uk for information or visit https://www.cognitoforms.com/Beam9/Beams2023AnnualForum2 to register.

The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has launched a student membership.

According to a feature on Event Industry News, the new membership is ‘designed to inspire the sector’s next generation of talent, the membership will present aspiring event professionals with exclusive educational and career opportunities and provide a platform for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).’

Find out more via https://www.mia-uk.org/Student-Membership or Event Industry News.

Senior leaders from across Northern Ireland came together at an event hosted by ICC Belfast on 29 June, to reaffirm their commitment to delivering economic impact for the city.

It is estimated that events, such as conferences and conventions, deliver approximately £209m in direct economic impact, with up to 2,000 new jobs targeted by 2030 as a result. Check out all the details via the Conference News feature, link below.

https://www.conference-news.co.uk/news/belfast-leaders-commit-to-delivering-economic-impact-for-the-city/
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Venues in Nottingham – the home of Robin Hood

The fascinating city of Nottingham has rich and captivating culture and a long list of venues. This thriving city is home to so much more than men in tights! And it might be the perfect place for your next event!

Here are some of the reasons why event profs love the city, and a selection of venues in Nottingham:

A Captivating Culture

Well-known for the famous legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham is known worldwide for the part it played in historical culture. Overlooking this beautiful city, situated high on a cliff is Nottingham Castle.

Having recently undergone a £30 million transformation, this thrilling castle is a major tourist attraction for the city and brings in thousands of visitors each year.

Further down in the city, there is a vast cave network at the City of Caves which can be explored during your time in the city!

Nottingham is home to a thriving culture of literature and art. With an array of history museums and art galleries, this beautiful city is bound to grab your attention, with something for an array of interests.

The Nottingham Playhouse displays a selection of performances throughout the year, including live concerts, musicals, and operas for visitors to enjoy. For contemporary art lovers, the art gallery has a range of exhibitions and showcases to be enjoyed.

It’s a Food and Drink Haven.

Nottingham is a haven for food and drink lovers, with something for everyone’s tastes and preferences. The city offers a selection of bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants, from delicious traditional dishes to unique contemporary cocktails, this city has it all.

Kushi Ya is a delicious Japanese restaurant creating a range of traditional delicacies to try! It was even included in the Michelin Guide last year so it’s not one to be missed!

Located in the Island Quarter, The Cleaver and Wake brings a lovely splash of fine dining to the city, with a variety of dishes from lobster to mouth-watering steaks. For a chilled-out atmosphere, visit the Bar Iberico for 5-star tapas dishes- a favourite amongst locals.

For a cold drink, visit the Pitcher and Piano, a bustling chain bar set in a beautifully decorated 19th-century church in the city centre, this bar and restaurant is full of charm. For a fruity cocktail, the Tilt bar provides a selection of creative cocktails with a selection of live blues music every night!

Venues in Nottingham

There is a wide choice of venues in Nottingham. Here we share a selection, all bookable on EDGE Venues:

The East Midlands Conference Centre
The East Midlands Conference Centre is a premier venue located two miles from central Nottingham. Situated beautifully amongst 330 acres of picturesque parkland this venue is a must for a memorable event.

Boasting 202 bedrooms and 25 spacious meeting rooms, the conference centre is a sought-after location for a selection of conferences and meetings. There is on-site parking f for 20 cars as well as a restaurant and a mini gym for guests to enjoy. This venue and its peaceful location are perfect for an unforgettable event.

Delta By Marriott Nottingham Belfry

Delta By Marriott Nottingham Belfry is 15 minutes outside the centre of Nottingham, easily accessible from the main M1 road. The airport and railway station are also close to the hotel, providing an ideal location for a large conference.

Providing both comfort and convenience for guests, the 120 bedrooms and ten large meeting rooms offer space for large groups of delegates. It offers a selection of facilities for guests, including a gym, swimming pool and restaurant.

Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands
The Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands is near to East Midlands Airport. The hotel boasts 218 modern stylish rooms and a selection of facilities available for guests including an indoor swimming pool, spa, bar and restaurant, providing everything guests could need during their stay. There are nine spacious, versatile meeting rooms available for hire – perfect spaces for conferences and meetings.

Burleigh Court
Burleigh Court is a prestigious hotel and conference centre located in Loughborough, Leicestershire. With 185 bedrooms and 26 meeting rooms, this venue has ample space for any event. It is set in the stunning countryside, providing a relaxed and sedate atmosphere for guests. During their stay, delegates can enjoy the amenities and range of facilities available such as a gym, swimming pool and on-site restaurant.

The beautiful city of Nottingham has a wide selection of activities for visitors to enjoy. From a vast selection of tasty restaurants and bars to art museums and underground caves, the vibrant city is ideal for event profs and truly has something for everyone!

To find out more, check out EDGEVenues.com

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How to get involved with the Trinity EDGE Challenge

The auction is live!… View and bid on the auction lots.

Our Trinity Triple Challenge, now rebranded as Trinity EDGE Challenge is back!

Over the years we’ve raised more than £200K, supporting local charities that are close to our heart. Now we’re delighted to bring this back for 2023.

How does it work?

  • Our team are tasked with visiting 100 different venues each year.
  • As part of those venue visits, the team will be reaching out for donations that will be added as prizes for the auction. The auction will go live in October.
  • We will be running a social media campaign through July, August and September. This will promote the different prizes that have been donated with a big drive in October during the live bidding.
  • Depending on number of prizes donated, there will be approximately 5 weeks of Lots that will launch at the beginning of October. During this time we will be encouraging our network to be making generous donations for the chance to win one of the amazing prizes.

What’s in it for hotels and venues?

  • The opportunity to support our local charities
  • The opportunity to develop our team product knowledge on your venue
  • Brand awareness and exposure of your venue to our extensive network of our Trinity Corporate Clients and subscriber base of EDGE Venues
  • Social media and email campaign exposure about your venue

What does a star prize look like?

If you want to get a little added exposure, with a few extra shout outs, why not offer us a Star Prize. That might be a weekend away in an overseas destination or premium theatre tickets with dinner and overnight accommodation…

If we feel it’s worthy of a Star, we’ll give it star promotion.

Our Commitment

Trinity EDGE Solutions will cover all employee travel to ensure all proceeds go to charity. Our employees will source the most sustainable options to carry out their site visits and will only attend inspections that are relevant to their own product knowledge.

Our Charities

  • Don’t Lose Hope. A charity that offers a professional counselling service for all members of the community from age 4 upwards.  This is a free service for families/individuals receiving certain state benefits and affordable to all others and now proud to be able to offer their online shop.
  • Second Helpings. A project run in partnership with Stamford Methodist Church and the whole community. Their aim is to ‘feed bellies not bins’ and they are passionate about reducing food waste and working with the community to reduce environmental impact.
  • Bumps and Beyond. Founded in 2009 by Alice Scott in a small cupboard on the Stamford Hospital site. Ten years on and it is now a fully-fledged charity in its own right and has helped thousands of parents and care-givers!
  • Three Counties Dog Rescue – Bourne, Lincolnshire. Three Counties Dog Rescue has successfully re-homed over 7000 dogs and cats since its formation in 1971. All the animals are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped before re-homing. All work involving rehoming, is done entirely by voluntary and unpaid helpers.

How to Donate

If you’d like to support our Trinity EDGE Challenge with a donation, please email details of your prize to info@edgevenues.com. Include your terms and conditions that will be added to the auction site.

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Non-alcoholic drinks at events, ABPCO new board members, The Meetings Show, & more

This Monday’s Insights (26 June 2023) feature brings you the latest news including Non-alcoholic drinks at events, ABPCO new board members, The Meetings Show, and more.

Headlines

Non-alcoholic drinks at events – have your say

Cameron Roberts, editor of Conference News, has launched a new survey that aims to delve into how events organisers are catering for the increasing number of delegates that are choosing not to drink.

As part of a feature to launch the survey into non-alcoholic drinks at events, Roberts writes in Conference News: “For as long as I can remember alcohol at events has been the norm, with many a delegate and organisers alike unwinding with a beer or wine in hand. But over the last year or so, the number of people who don’t drink, or who choose to not drink, has become more visible to me.

Read more about the reasoning behind the new research and have your say via the survey link in the Conference News feature.

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) has confirmed the appointment of six industry figures to its executive board.

Announced during its virtual AGM attended by more than 50 members, the new board members introduced are:
Madalina Marincas – Opening Doors and Venues
Katie Bolton – MCI UK
Sarvjit Wunsch – Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Sammy Connell – NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union
Sarah Vaughan – The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
Kate Sargent – Bioscientifica Ltd

The AGM also shared the outline of ABPCO’s plans for the upcoming year including significant opportunities for growth.

Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s association director, said: “As these dedicated individuals join ABPCO’s executive board, the association looks ahead to another successful year, driven by the passion of our members. We look forward to capitalising on past achievements and embracing new opportunities for growth, innovation, and professional development.”

The Tourism Alliance has confirmed that Susan Tanner, CEO of the National Outdoor Events Association and UKEVENTS Vice Chair, has joined its 2023/24 board as the UKEVENTS representative.

Tanner takes the place of Michael Hirst OBE, UKEVENTS’ Immediate Past Chair, who has sat on the board since 2013.

The Tourism Alliance is an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the tourism industry and visitor economy in the UK.

UKEVENTS, itself an umbrella organisation, plays a crucial role in advocating and promoting the value of the events industry within the broader tourism sector. It brings together various stakeholders, including trade associations, event organisers, venues, and destination management organisations, to collaborate and work towards a common goal of supporting and growing the sector.

Outlining the role of the events industry in the wider visitor economy, Tanner said: “Naturally, I am delighted to be appointed to the Tourism Alliance Board for 2023/24. Approximately 50% of the tourism and visitor economy can be attributed to events, according to the UK Events Report of 2019. It’s a crucial component, not just from a fiscal point of view, but in the positioning of ‘Brand Britain’ as a whole; everything from Glastonbury and agricultural shows to the Coronation of King Charles III to The Ashes.

“Owing to the vast contributions made by events to the hospitality, tourism, and creative industries, it is important that we use the strong collective voice of the Tourism Alliance to ensure our sector is fairly represented and that our challenges are heard.”

The Meetings Show is nearly upon us

In a bid to share the benefits of the industry event, which takes place at ExCeL London on 28-29 June, Meetings and Incentive Travel magazine (M&IT) has shared ’10 reasons to attend The Meetings Show 2023′.

From pre-show experiences to learning with a difference, and lots more, check out the highlights planned for this year’s show

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What Belfast can offer for meetings and events

Our destination features are always popular, but we don’t pretend to always know absolutely everything about every city. There will always be hidden nuggets that others will know. With that in mind, we reached out to the team at ICC Belfast for their insight into one of Ireland’s most exciting cities.

With historical significance on every corner, unique dining experiences, bustling tourist hotspots and iconic hotels, Belfast provides a truly unique backdrop for event planners to create a world-class experience. Head of Sales and Marketing for ICC Belfast, Marie-Claire McGreevy reveals all…

Sustainable city 

Following the 2021 launch of Belfast’s first resilience strategy and climate plan, an ambitious goal ‘to transition to an inclusive, zero emissions economy in a generation.’ has been set comprising 30 transformational programmes to future-proof the city. In partnership with Visit Belfast and Belfast City Council, ICC Belfast has committed to the development of a sustainable tourism plan as one of the resilience strategy transformational programmes.

Visit Belfast have a dedicated sustainability and impact manager to support and collaborate with event profs on bespoke initiatives to deliver on specific SDGs. In addition to being ranked 8th worldwide in the Global Destinations Sustainability Index, Visit Belfast is tackling food poverty and homelessness in Northern Ireland through its social impact project, Changing the Menu. For Good., which received the 2022 GDS-Movement’s Innovation Award.

69% of all hotel bedrooms in Belfast City Centre are Green tourism accredited. ICC Belfast, the city’s convention centre has achieved a Silver Green Meetings Award and was the first venue on the island of Ireland to be awarded this accreditation.

Sustainable Belfast

Award-winning

The city rivals competitors with aplomb. Further investment through the Belfast City Region Deal in tourism-led projects such as Belfast Stories illustrates the growing confidence in NI following the 2016 unveiling of the convention centre’s £29.5M extended facilities.

Securing the top spot for ‘Best Conference Destination’ for 2022 at the highly influential Conference & Incentive Travel (C&IT) Awards in London for a second year in a row, Belfast sidestepped the global competition yet again as an ambitious destination that continues to exceed industry expectations.

Northern Ireland’s premier conference venue, ICC Belfast, was also shortlisted as the UK’s ‘Best Venue’ for events for 2022 for a fifth consecutive year, confirming a leading industry reputation for high calibre staff, cutting-edge innovation and a driving focus on sustainability. ICC Belfast has also held prestigious titles such as the Conference and Event Awards Best Large-Scale Event Venue and Event Technology Awards’ Most Innovative and Tech-Friendly Venue.

Accreditations and affiliations

Compact without compromise

Belfast is a compact city meaning it is often possible to walk between hotels and venues or key attractions. However, for guests who travel slightly further, there are over 70 hydrogen buses and gliders servicing public transport routes across Belfast and the national transport provider has set an ambitious target to reach Net Zero in 2030.

The city has also introduced various accessibility enhancements across to support increased participation, and deliver on its promise of being a destination that celebrates diversity and champions inclusivity.

In partnership with The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement and the Department for Communities as lead sponsor, Belfast welcomed delegates to positively reframe the narrative on approaching, supporting and enabling persons with disabilities to achieve their career goals when it hosted the Harkin Summit in June 2022.

Transformational change

To ensure a successful set up and event, Belfast underwent leading transformational change before, during and post Summit to be an accessible diverse and inclusive host destination. This included over 80% of ICC Belfast staff and 100% of Visit Belfast visitor servicing staff completing JAM Card training which allows customers to communicate their accessibility needs discreetly, highlighting that they may need a little extra time and patience during their visit.

To allow maximum space and comfort for delegates, a permanent Changing Place was also installed by SYNC Living in the Riverside Foyer area of ICC Belfast, which includes a peninsular toilet, grab rails and a changing bench for visitors requiring additional support.

Over 260 hospitality and tourism professionals in Belfast are now trained in inclusion. The training video, curated by Visit Belfast and NOW Group, was developed specifically for the Harkin Summit and will be rolled out across the city’s tourism and hospitality sector to improve inclusion across the wider industry.

A further legacy initiative of Harkin Belfast was the development of a Social Narrative Access Video to support delegates in navigating their surroundings at ICC Belfast. The video, which covers arrival and complete access to the venue was produced by disabled-led arts charity, University of Atypical.

Harkin Belfast legacy

Under the Northern Ireland Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey’s direction, the Harkin Belfast legacy initiatives also include 300 ring-fenced employment opportunities for young disabled people, 100 mentoring sessions delivered during the Summit, an eight-week Entrepreneurship Course for young people with disabilities in collaboration with the British Council and a Dragons’ Den for disability led enterprises sponsored by Ulster Bank.

Belfast City Council, as part of the new Belfast tourism strategy, will also be rolling out an accessible tourism programme to build capacity and skills within the tourism sector.

The City of Belfast will continue to utilise the Harkin Summit to learn from global best practice, as a catalyst for further progress and to inform future policy work and initiatives in this area.

Harkin Belfast case study

Sectoral excellence

Northern Ireland is a powerhouse of innovation and talent. World-leading in cyber security, advanced manufacturing, fintech, life and health sciences and creative industries; Belfast is now ranked in the top 100 international meeting destinations globally. (International Congress and Conventions Association 2023).

The region’s compact size is its strength – home to a dynamic eco-system of SMEs, start-ups and 1,200 global corporations who all come together to welcome business events and meetings to Northern Ireland.

Cyber Security Hub

Belfast is fast becoming a global cyber security hub making ICC Belfast the obvious host venue choice for the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) flagship conference, CYBERUK.

In April 2023, Northern Ireland celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. Events marking this historic event across the region highlighted how the foundations of the Peace Process accelerated the prosperous Northern Ireland economy and opened up opportunities for hosting global events like CYBERUK. Belfast’s remarkable business transformation is a testament to the promises made by British, Irish and International Leaders when they signed the agreement in 1998. The city is now considered a centre of excellence for cyber security with prime investment from US firms alongside world-class research at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

David Crozier, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s University Belfast spoke recently about how Belfast is playing a pivotal part in the UK’s cyber journey:

“In 2009 when Belfast set out to incubate and grow a world-leading cyber security ecosystem, few people took it seriously. In that time, CSIT led the foundation of a research-led cyber security community that has brought on partners from government, industry, entrepreneurship, and the venture capital community to create a vibrant ecosystem that is driving societal and economic impact regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

David Crozier thought leadership

Hybrid hero

With large-scale hybrid conferences now the norm, ICC Belfast is well established as a market leader with a reputation for innovation thanks to Tourism Northern Ireland’s Experience Development Programme.

Following a successful application, ICC Belfast’s technical infrastructure has expanded significantly, and the convention centre is now fully hybrid by design. Technological enhancements made include 4K PTZ BirdDog P400 cameras in every meeting space as well as a suite of encoders and decoders to allow connectivity between video sources and NDI installation across the venue controlled by a central ‘gallery control’ allowing full vision mixing and streaming of spaces.

The interactivity of conferences has increased exponentially too, with remote and in-person delegates using a hybrid delegate platform to influence discussions and content themes through live Q & A sessions, polls and gamification.

Hybrid events

A Giant welcome

From sea to sky Northern Ireland offers something special. Exceptional giant coastlines meet sublime mountains with eight Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty on its doorstep.

Belfast City Centre offers plenty to see and do from the iconic Titanic Belfast to lush Botanical Gardens and history on every corner.

From Michelin Star restaurants to St. George’s Market and artisan cafes, Belfast’s food scene has something to delight even the most discerning palate.

Beyond the city visitors can embrace Northern Ireland’s Giant Spirit too by taking a drive along the Causeway Coastal Route. Or, if you’re a fan of the hit TV show why not become an honorary Derry Girl and visit all the main filming locations?

Attractions

For more on Belfast and other venues available for meetings and events, check out our Belfast profile.