Category: Expert Insights

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Event sponsorship has changed – has yours?

Most commercial and association events have some form of event sponsorship, whether that’s financial, direct or indirect support. Yet, the expectations of sponsors have changed!

You can’t hang your hat on giving these vital investors a logo on signage, advertisement in a programmes or the opportunity to provide corporate gift bags. Sponsors are looking at events to connect them with your attendees and begin a relationship.

The best way to help them achieve this is to give the the chance to help attendees, rather than selling to them. But how?

Know your attendees

An in-depth understanding of the audience profile will make sure that you target the right companies for event sponsorship. They usually look for access to decision-makers and a highly engaged audience.

Consumer brands treat potential customers as fans, and business events give sponsors an opportunity to meet attendees face-to-face, make a connection and build loyalty.

Managing the event sponsorship package

Your results won’t be as good if you outsource your sponsorship sales and management. You need to get to know your sponsor and find out exactly what they are expecting. If you build a long-term relationship, there will be less turnover and a more successful outcome for both sides.

Understand the sponsor’s objectives

Fact finding is an integral part of the negotiation process. How does the sponsor’s involvement in the event link to their organisation’s strategic, or tactical objectives? Build an environment of trust to help your sponsor find the right package to meet their goals.

Check how many people or departments are involved, as they may have different objectives.

Measure the return on investment or return on objectives

There are many ways of measuring success, but if you deliver to the sponsor’s objectives then they will be happy. Find out what information they need, update them regularly and make sure that they are informed if there are any changes to the event.

Talk to sponsors onsite and afterwards and check that everything is as expected.

Examples of event sponsorship

Sponsors need to be integrated into the event, so branded experiences are a great opportunity, for example:

  • VIP networking events
  • Innovation hubs
  • Meeting pods
  • Refreshment stations
  • Wellbeing corners
  • Sampling innovative food and drink
  • A thought-leadership educational element to the event
  • Or work with the sponsor to design a bespoke opportunity to engage with attendees at the event and afterwards.

The engagement must be meaningful and creative so attendees pay real attention!

What if things don’t go as planned?

We know things can change or go wrong at events. So make sure you know what to do if the sponsor isn’t satisfied and deal with it immediately. Have contingencies ready to go! If they are happy with their experience of how you deal with a problem, you’re more likely to resecure a sponsor’s support for your next event.

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How to use AI in event management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has boomed in recent years and AI in event management has become a giant trend. But what is it, and how can you use it the event industry?

What is AI?

AI is a branch of computer science to develop intelligent machines to think and work like humans. Computer systems perform tasks that usually need human intelligence. These include visual perception, speech recognition, planning, decision-making, problem-solving and translation between languages.

Most of us are now familiar with voice recognition systems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri, and Cortana. The driverless car has been developed which senses its environment and move safely with little or no human input.

Increasingly more intelligent devices are being used in homes through thermostats, lighting, and home security systems. AI is already being used in marketing, customer service, medical research, entertainment delivery, shipping/product delivery and much more.

Examples of AI in event management

SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION

‘Wordly’ is a system that uses voice recognition to instantly translate an event presentation into over 50 languages. All that is required is a patch from the sound system into the internet-based application. Attendees access the information via their mobile devices using Wi-Fi.

The cost is lower than providing human interpreters, sound booths and issuing audio headsets to attendees. Although this system will not replace the need for human translators for high-end events, it enables simultaneous translation for a broad range of events.

SPEEDY REGISTRATION USING FACIAL RECOGNITION

Airlines are testing facial recognition for boarding passengers. iPhone users can use it to unlock their phones. Hotels in China are using it for room check-in. If a conference delegate adds their picture upon event registration, cameras on arrival recognise them and print the badge automatically. This speeds up the process while increasing security.

For more information about facial recognition, take a look at our previous article.

Tracking attendee numbers, demographics, and mood anonymously: iPhone cameras can be used for facial recognition to collect estimates of the number of attendees, their age, gender, demographics, reactions, the amount of time spent and what they are looking at in an exhibition or other event area. It can be used anonymously, so there is no concern about privacy.

CHATBOTS

Chatbots can provide good support and reduce the number of staff onsite. They can conduct conversations using text and respond humanely and are available 24/7.

CHATGPT

Similar to a chatbot, organisers can use ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI. The “Chat” in ChatGPT refers to the model’s ability to engage in conversation and generate human-like text based on the input it receives.

ChatGPT is designed to understand and generate coherent and contextually relevant text. It is pre-trained on diverse internet text data, allowing it to capture patterns, context, and information from various sources. Users can interact with ChatGPT by providing prompts or queries, and the model generates responses based on its training data.

It’s important to note that ChatGPT operates based on patterns in the data it was trained on and doesn’t have real-world knowledge or understanding. It may generate plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical responses, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The premium version of ChatGPT has recently been updated to include up-to-date information and the latest news, meaning it can generate more factual and relevant information.

Organisers can use this to pull data, create reports, compile checklists, write copy, and so on. It is a handy tool to save time and resources.

MAKING CONTACTS

Matchmaking programmes driven by AI can analyse registration data, social media feeds, surveys, agendas, and badge scans to suggest matches for event attendees and exhibitors. Attendees can be given recommendations to attendees on the best sessions, speakers, and panels to attend. This ultimately could improve attendee ROI.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Software like ChatGPT can analyse data and make predictions more quickly and deeply than doing this manually. It can be used for better attendee personalisation, to provide more accurate data for decision-making, to streamline communications, to plan content and improve sales.

AI can monitor online content, remember what a user clicks on and prioritise future content based on these clicks. It can also provide links to related content sources. In the case of an online newsletter, each reader could receive a customised page based on their interests.

There will be more development of AI in event management and beyond, as the adoption of these tools becomes widespread. It has already taken the industry by storm; we’ll be keeping watch on what becomes capable of in the future.

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Is facial recognition valuable to your event?

Facial recognition will bring changes to the event industry. However, alongside the cost, there are concerns about privacy and how attendee data is stored and used. 

It could be of great benefit, particularly at large-scale events. But would your attendees be comfortable knowing they are being watched?

Facial recognition technology

The recognition technology is becoming more advanced each year and is now being used commercially as biometric identification in place of passwords. 

It has also been introduced by the Metropolitan Police in London. 

Cameras in popular locations will scan passers-by to find criminals and suspicious individuals. This Computer Weekly guide looks at the use of facial recognition technology by UK police forces, and where it’s heading next. The guide includes police facial recognition controversies, including how it originally had ‘no firm legal basis, poor transparency and questionable accuracy (especially for women and people with darker skin tones)’.  

The EU Parliament adopted a ban on facial recognition in public places in 2023. While the technology may not be introduced to the rest of Europe soon, it can still be used for events.

Facial recognition technology is still new and daunting for the events industry. Organisers and attendees will need to experience it and see the benefits, before trusting it.

Will facial recognition improve the attendee’s experience?

Event attendees can opt-in to share a photo when registering and supply certain pieces of personal data. Then, faces can be scanned on arrival at the event, avoiding the need to queue for a badge. Or attendees can check on-site at a kiosk which produces a badge. 

The new radio frequency identification (RFID) badge has a code which can be detected by an electronic reader. It is far easier and quicker to detect than the current method of manually scanning badges.

It can also add another level of security if only people who have registered in advance and have been approved are permitted to join.

Data about the event can be collected and analysed in real-time. For example, in the conference rooms judge how well attended the sessions are, the number of attendees in breakout sessions, demographics of attendees, and the number of attendees for catering. 

A further step is to detect facial expressions to judge the interest in presentations and assess positive and negative reactions. Facial recognition cameras can also be used at exhibitions to find out how people navigate the event, which stands they visit and how long they stay there.

This technology can impress attendees and many will find it a fun and exciting experience. It will enable an attendee to have a completely personalised event, as a camera recognises a delegate’s face wherever they go. When they arrive, their badge will be printed automatically, in seconds.

Considerations

However, event organisers need to reassure attendees about how their data will be used. Where and how long it will be stored? How does it take UK GDPR into account? 

In the USA, guidelines on the use of facial recognition are falling behind. There are calls for federal legislation and an executive order, as well as attention from courts, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other organisations that work with facial recognition technology and provide guidance for the technology’s responsible development and deployment.

The technology does have its problems and will need to be addressed so that facial recognition can be used effectively. As with all technology, it can make errors and incorrectly identify attendees, leading to confusion and frustration. It can also be costly and time-consuming to set up and integrate into the event.

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The Trinity EDGE Challenge Charity Auction

The Trinity EDGE Challenge charity auction is an annual fundraiser to support charities. This year, we’re auctioning LOTS kindly donated by hotels and venues to raise money for four small charities. The LOTS will be released in batches over the next four weeks so just in time for bidders to bag a bargain gift in time for Christmas!

LOTS include everything from luxury weekends away, golf breaks, a signed England rugby shirt, and afternoon teas to canvas art, fine dining, an escape room experience, and more.

  • 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.

If you have something you’d like to donate to the auction, have any questions or for any other reason, please get in touch.

AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS (“TERMS AND CONDITIONS”) 

These Terms and Conditions are applicable to any use by you of the online auction (“Auction”) and bidding facility (the “Bidding Facility”) hosted by the Charity (the “Charity”). Use of the Bidding Facility constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, you may not use the Bidding Facility. 

1. Auction 

The online auction operated on the site is for the benefit of the Charity for whom the Auction is being run. 

A number of Auction Items offered for sale on the site (“Items”) are subject to a reserve. All monies paid by a winning bidder and above the reserve price will be donated to the Charities. 

Bidders may bid for more than one Item in the Auction. 

The winning bidder on each Item offered for sale in the course of the Auction will be the person who has submitted the highest bid at the deadline and is in excess of any reserve. 

2. Eligible Bidders 

All bidders must be capable of forming legally binding relations under applicable law. The Bidding Facility may not be used by individuals under the age of 18 years old and by any other persons who are legally prohibited from, or otherwise incapable of, entering into binding contracts. 

Any bidder using the Bidding Facility is warranting by so doing that they are legally entitled to do so. 

As bidder you agree that we can process your personal data for the purpose and specifically for this Auction. 

We do not and will not store your credit or debit card details beyond taking payment during this auction. 

3. Bidding 

Bidders wishing to bid on an Item may make a bid for an Item through the Bidding Facility. 

All Items offered in an Auction are listed and offered for sale on an “as is” basis. Bidders are advised to conduct any research or due diligence on an Item prior to making a bid. 

A bid made by a bidder is an offer to purchase the Item listed at the stated bid price. Any bidder making a bid for an Item acknowledges and agrees that their offer is an irrevocable offer to complete the transaction if they are the winning bidder whereupon the bid will become a contractually binding obligation to purchase the Item at the bid price. 

If a bidder bids on an Item and that bid represents the winning bid for that Item and the winning bid is above or equal to the reserve, the bidder’s bid is deemed accepted. 

The ‘winning bidder’ is the person certified by the Charity at the end of the Auction to be the highest bidder, provided that their bid meets the reserve. The winning bidder may include any under-bidder who is awarded the Item.

Bidders may pre-authorise or pay by credit cards using the payment system provided by Stripe; by paying you are agreeing to Stripe’s terms and conditions, please see https://stripe.com/en-gb/checkout/legal

We, the Charity, will not retain your payment records. Stripe may retain your details as per their terms and conditions and please see them for more information.

If the Charity has not received payment from the winning bidder after a reasonable period of time, such time to be determined by the Charity in its absolute discretion, then the Charity has the right to award the prize to the next highest bidder or another in its absolute discretion.

4. Auction Items and Descriptions 

Items for sale in the Auction are listed on the site with a description and a minimum bid. 

The Item is offered for sale by the Charity on the basis that it is raising money for good causes.

The Charity will, wherever possible, provide a representational image of the Item offered for sale in the Auction but shall have no liability if it does not do so. 

All Images are subject to copyright of the artist. 

Whilst the Charity strives to ensure that descriptions and photographs are accurate, complete and up-to-date, it does not guarantee that this is the case, and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused due to a bidder by reason of a description of an Item being inaccurate, incomplete or for the Item being otherwise in any way different to the bidder’s expectation. Descriptions of Items are provided without a warranty of any kind.  

While every effort is made by the Charity to ensure that the Item, including any experience or otherwise, works and is in good order and is capable of fulfilment and provides what you would reasonably expect, you acknowledge that the Items by definition are marketed as money can’t buy Items and as such they come with a significant risk attached and that risk is that they may not be as you expect or they may for some reason become impossible to provide or fulfil; in this scenario, or in any scenario, the Charity will not and cannot provide any refund and the Bidder agrees to not receiving any refund, without exception.

Some Items may have a redemption period within which you must redeem the Item and some will also have a date by which you must take up the Item. If you do not redeem the Item in time or take it up in time, you agree that you forfeit that Item and as per the above you will receive no refund.

In redeeming some items, you will be agreeing to the terms of an approved supplier of that Item and such terms will be clear for you to accept or reject at that time.

In no event shall the Charity (including, its employees, affiliates and volunteers) be liable for any claim, demand or damages arising out of or in any way connected with the Auction or Bidder’s purchase of an item.

5. Bidding Deadlines 

Deadlines for receipt of bids made for an Item offered in the Auction are at the sole discretion of the Charity and will not normally be extended under any circumstances. No bids will be accepted on an Item after the deadline. 

After the Auction closes the Charity will contact the winning bidder to inform the bidder that their bid was the highest and that they are, therefore, the winning bidder. 

6. Gift Aid 

By agreeing to Gift Aid, the bidder is confirming that they are a UK taxpayer and understand that if they pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all their donations it is their responsibility to pay any difference. The bidder understands that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. The bidder understands that Gift Aid is reclaimed by the Charity from the tax they pay for the current tax year. 

Gift Aid on lot items is only applicable in a limited number of situations; the Charity will claim wherever possible; for more info see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift_aid/rules/auctions.htm. 

7. Applicable Law 

This Agreement between you the bidder and the Charity shall be interpreted and construed in all respects in accordance with English law and any dispute arising in relation to any aspect of the use of the Auction, the Bidding System, bids made by a bidder in the course of an Auction, any Item, payment delivery or any other matter relating to the Auction shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts to which the parties hereby irrevocably submit. 

9. Variation of Terms 

These Terms and Conditions may be revised and updated by the Charity from time to time without notice. Bidders who have previously bid in the Charity Auction are accordingly advised to familiarise themselves with the prevailing edition of these Terms and Conditions when deciding to participate in an Auction. Notwithstanding the foregoing the edition of the Terms and Conditions that was current at the time an Auction commenced will continue to apply throughout that Auction and to all Items sold pursuant to it even if later edition of the Terms and Conditions is implemented before the Auction is completed. 

10. Third Party Rights 

No person who is not a party to an Agreement shall have any right pursuant to the terms of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of such Agreement.

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Team Building for Business

What are you waiting for?

Team building is a perfect way to bring employees together in a post-pandemic era. While some employers have stuck with flexibility around homeworking, others have welcomed many employees new to their industry.

Both of those scenarios can lead to disjointed teams which could benefit from the boost of a brilliant team build. The event are a great way to get to know individual strengths and weaknesses and develop skills people can use to support each other and your business.

Did you know that team building can also be a continual process to reinforce the company’s culture, rather than a one-off exercise with a particular training goal?

Here are some of the questions to ask yourself before planning your team building.

What does the team or organisation need?

  • Do you need a continual process to reinforce the company’s culture or one-off exercises with a particular training goal?
  • Does the team work well together and communicate well?
  • Do individuals work to their own goals or together to achieve success?
  • Do the team members know each other’s strengths and weaknesses?
  • Are individuals adaptable or resistant to change?
  • Are there conflicts between certain people that are creating divisions within the team?

Now you are armed with some answers to the questions above, how can you achieve your goals? Let’s take a look:

Methods to achieve the goals

  • Social events are a great way to get to know people and build relationships. These will also improve morale.
  • A team building exercise can target training needs, using the different abilities of the team members to develop skills in others. This can bring out the knowledge of individuals and staff will know who to turn to when they need help.
  • Keeping people connected is important, so an activity that builds relationships and brings people together can work with individuals who don’t usually work in the same location.
  • When employees work to a shared goal, an activity that leads to successful completion will increase confidence. It will also increase productivity by helping them to work more successfully together.
  • Improving communication – a relaxed, fun activity will help people get to know each other. These activities will break down barriers and improve trust between employees.

You can, of course, engage a team building company to run an event, such as Off Limits. Many venues also run the events themselves or partner with a preferred team building company. Here a couple of great options:

Ashorne Hill
De Vere Wokefield
Crewe Hall
Belton Woods

There are also exercises that can be done in-house with little or no budget. Consider the options and objectives as well as time, budget and desired outcome to find what suits you best.

Engaging your team and investing in them will mean a happier and healthier workforce, and people working to their full potential. And for employees who prefer to change jobs regularly, team building is another way of retaining talent through investment in their progress.

Interested in experiencing great team building for your team? Find the perfect location and venue on EGDEVenues.com, or contact our colleagues at Trinity Event Solutions for more support.

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Manchester venues to hire

If you’re looking for Manchester venues to hire in the location renowned for its friendly atmosphere, the city offers endless choice. That’s great news for the UK and global event profs who hold a special place in their hearts for Manchester.

In this blog, we take a closer look at what makes Manchester attractive to the meetings and events community – from its rich cultural heritage with landmarks such as Old Trafford, the Northern Quarter, and the Museum of Science and Industry to its down-to-earth people. And we share a selection of Manchester venues to hire, with links to book their spaces:

The city’s history

Manchester is a city full of history, with a rich and fascinating past. You don’t don’t need to look hard to find that history either – here are some of Manchester’s historical interests to consider for your event itinerary or delegate free time:

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry: This museum is located on the site of the world’s first railway station. It features a wide range of exhibits that showcase Manchester’s heritage, including working steam engines, vintage cars, and interactive displays.

Explore the Manchester Cathedral: Dating back to the 15th century, Manchester Cathedral is a stunning piece architecture. Your itinerary could include tours of the cathedral or simply time to wander around and admire the stone carvings and stained-glass windows.

Tour the John Rylands Library: This library was founded in the late 19th century and features an impressive collection of rare books and manuscripts. It’s the perfect addition to the agenda for an educational event.

See the Manchester Town Hall: Manchester Town Hall is a grand building that dates back to the 19th century. It features carvings and stained-glass windows, and a striking clock tower visible from all over the city.

Manchester’s Most Sought After Food and Drink Locations

Manchester has a diverse food scene that caters to all tastes and budgets. From high-end restaurants to street food, the city offers a wide range of options for everyone. Here’s a small selection:

The Refuge by Volta: The Refuge offers a mix of cuisines, from Spanish tapas to Middle Eastern mezze, and cocktails inspired by the 1920s era. It sits in a stunning Victorian building and has a lively atmosphere.

Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza: This is a popular pizza restaurant that serves Neapolitan pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. It has a relaxed vibe and is perfect for a casual evening with colleagues.

Hawksmoor: Hawksmoor is a steakhouse that prides itself on serving the best British beef. The restaurant is sophisticated and offers an extensive wine list to pair with your meal.

Cloudwater Taproom: This craft brewery offers a range of beers. And with its laid-back atmosphere it is a great place to enjoy a drink with fellow delegates after a busy day of meetings or training.

Show Stopping Manchester Venues to Hire

Something you need to be aware if you’re booking Manchester overnight accommodation from April 2023 is the city’s new visitors tax.

Manchester has become the first UK city to charge an overnight accommodation fee. The £1 per night charge is part of the new Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (BID) initiative. 73 hotels and serviced apartments in Manchester’s BID zone have introduced the charge on accommodation bookings to enable BID to “deliver better visitor experiences and drive more staying visitors to the city”. You can read more about this, here.

Now, onto the venues! Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel or a modern event space to host your next conference, there are plenty of options in Manchester venues to hire.

Here are just a handful of ideas:

– The Edwardian Hotel Manchester

Bedrooms – 263 | Meeting rooms – 20
This Radisson Collection Hotel is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Manchester’s city centre. It features elegant and spacious rooms, a restaurant, bar, and fitness centre.

The hotel is known for its convenient location and its proximity to Manchester Central (see below).

BOOK HERE

– Manchester Central

Meeting Spaces – 29
Manchester Central is a versatile event space located in the heart of Manchester. The venue features a range of halls and rooms to host various events, including conferences, exhibitions, concerts, and corporate events.

With a capacity of up to 10,000 guests, it is one of the largest event venues in the city. It also includes high-speed Wi-Fi  and on-site catering services, making it an ideal venue for large-scale events.

BOOK HERE

– thestudiomanchester

Meeting Spaces – 10
This unique venue offers modern event spaces for meetings, conferences, and corporate events. It features a range of rooms, from intimate spaces for small groups to large auditoriums.

thestudiomanchester provides on-site catering and is easily accessible for attendees, conveniently located in the city centre.

BOOK HERE

– DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester

Bedrooms – 285 | Meeting rooms – 15
This modern and stylish city centre hotel features contemporary rooms and suites with comfortable beds. It also offers a restaurant and bar serving delicious food and drinks.

The venue is warm and welcoming, with a team of friendly staff to ensure your delegates have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The hotel’s location is also ideal for exploring Manchester’s many attractions.

BOOK HERE

– Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport

Bedrooms – 360 | Meeting rooms – 27
This is a contemporary hotel located just a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Airport’s terminals. In fact, Manchester Airport Train Station and Manchester Airport Bus Station are both in the heart of the airport complex which provides a direct connection to the hotel by the covered moving walkway.

The hotel features on site parking for 222 cars and modern rooms and suites. It also has a restaurant, fitness centre, and multiple meeting rooms – all making it ideal for business travellers.

BOOK HERE

Manchester is a friendly and welcoming destination, with heaps of hotels and venue choice. If the venues we shared don’t match your meetings or event requirements, search at EDGEVenues.com.

And, don’t forget you can check out more of our destination features, such as Dublin.

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Why choose Birmingham for meetings and events?

Birmingham is a memorable and inspiring city for many reasons. Here, we take a look at why event profs select Birmingham for meetings and events.

Birmingham’s Food and Drink Scene

Birmingham is a vibrant city with a diverse food and drink scene, offering a variety of options for visiting business travellers. Whether delegates fancy fine dining with colleagues, or a quick bite after a conference, the city has something for everyone.

Here are some of the best food and drink places in Birmingham:

The Wilderness

This Michelin-starred restaurant is known for its innovative, modern-British cuisine, which features locally sourced ingredients and unexpected flavour combinations. 

Headed by Alex Claridge, the Wilderness serves provocative, playful tasting menus set in a restored factory. The restaurant has 3AA Rosettes and has been featured in the Michelin Guide.

Located in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the restaurant has a rock and roll vibe as they play rock and heavy metal music while guests dine.

Purecraft Bar and Kitchen

This craft beer bar and restaurant offer a range of locally brewed beers and classic pub food to be loved by everyone. Purecraft Bar and Kitchen serves high-quality dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Its head chef, Jonny Mills, has learned from some of the finest restaurants and has created an exciting menu of delicious honest food that pairs perfectly with their award-winning Purity Beer.

The Indian Streatery

The award-winning Indian Streatery is home to a family of foodies who started as street food traders. Heading a team of all female chefs, the head chef and mum of this foodie family came up with the original vision to bring real Indian street food to the streets of Birmingham.

This savvy bunch have designed a dual concept Grab and Go lunch, encouraging passers-by to ditch their normal sandwich and grab a chicken curry, samosa or lentil hot pot to go. They offer a range of delicious authentic Indian dishes, including biryanis, curries, and street snacks.

Birmingham’s History

Birmingham offers fascinating insight into its past and the role it played in England’s industrial development. From museums to restored houses, your delegates can experience the city’s rich history first-hand. Here are some great examples:

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

This museum and art gallery houses an extensive collection of artefacts and artworks, including items from Birmingham’s industrial past and works by famous artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso. 

The museum and art gallery is now closed for ongoing essential maintenance work but plans to reopen in 2024. When it reopens, visitors will be able to see 35,000 pieces of art on display.

The Birmingham Back to Backs

These restored 19th-century houses offer a glimpse into the lives of working-class families in Birmingham during the Industrial Revolution. Visitors to this attraction will embark on a guided tour and will step back in time in Birmingham’s last surviving court of Back to Backs. These are houses built back-to-back around a communal courtyard.

Visitors will move from the 1840s through to the 1970s, where they’ll discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates and sounds and smells from the past, guests will experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.

Aston Hall

This Jacobean mansion was built in the early 17th century and is now a museum that offers a look into the city’s history and its people. There are over 30 rooms to explore at Aston Hall, including King Charles’ Chamber, the elaborate Great Stairs and the breathtaking Long Gallery – Hailed as one of Britain’s finest.

Guests can also explore the servants’ room from Dick Garrett’s at the very top of the house to the Butlers’ Pantry and Servants’ Hall on the ground floor. Aston Hall is renowned for its exquisite decorative ceilings. So, guests must make sure they look up for sightings of elephants, orange trees and devils.

The Pen Museum

This museum explores the history of the pen industry in Birmingham, which played an important role in the city’s industrial development. During the Victorian era, making steel pen nibs was a major industry within Birmingham, with 129 companies employing around 8000 workers.

At the Pen Museum, visitors will discover a wide range of fascinating objects and details that help tell the story of the Birmingham pen trade and its important legacy, including the link between a prominent pen manufacturer and the establishment of the University of Birmingham.

St. Philip’s Cathedral

This historic Anglican cathedral was completed in 1715 and is a fine example of English Baroque architecture.

St Philip’s Cathedral is home to four beautiful stained-glass windows designed by Pre Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. While these historic pieces are going undergoing conservation in 2023, visitors can book a free scaffolding to see the work taking place up close.

Venues in Birmingham for meetings and events

Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham

Rooms – 211 | Meeting spaces – 10
The Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham is a stylish and modern hotel located in the city centre. The hotel offers a range of comfortable and well-appointed rooms, and amenities including a fitness centre, restaurant, and bar.

The hotel’s excellent location makes it a popular choice for business travellers and tourists, as it is within walking distance of many of Birmingham’s top attractions. With its sleek design and excellent facilities, the Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a luxurious stay in the heart of Birmingham.

BOOK HERE

The Abbey Hotel Golf & Spa

Rooms – 98 | Meeting Rooms – 8

The Abbey Hotel Golf and Spa Birmingham is a luxurious hotel located in Redditch, just outside of Birmingham. The hotel offers spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, as well as a range of amenities including a golf course, spa, and multiple dining options.

The hotel’s beautiful surroundings and tranquil atmosphere make it an ideal destination for a relaxing weekend getaway or a corporate retreat. With its excellent facilities and convenient location just outside of Birmingham, The Abbey Hotel Golf and Spa is a top choice for anyone looking for a high-end hotel experience.

BOOK HERE

TheStudio Birmingham

Meeting Rooms – 19
TheStudio Birmingham is a modern, flexible event space located in the city centre. The venue offers a range of event spaces, from small meeting rooms to large conference halls, making it ideal for a variety of events including conferences, exhibitions, and corporate meetings.

It also offers a range of catering options and state-of-the-art technology to ensure that events run smoothly. With its central location and excellent facilities, TheStudio Birmingham is a popular choice for events in Birmingham.

BOOK HERE

Macdonald Burlington Hotel

Rooms – 112 | Meeting Rooms – 16
The Macdonald Burlington Hotel is a historic hotel located in the heart of Birmingham, close to many of the city’s top attractions. The hotel offers elegant and comfortable rooms, as well as a range of amenities including a fitness centre, restaurant, and bar.

The hotel’s stunning Victorian architecture and historic features make it a popular choice for weddings and other special events. With a prime location and luxurious facilities, the Macdonald Burlington Hotel is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-end hotel experience in Birmingham.

BOOK HERE

Millennium Point Hotel

Meeting Rooms – 7
Millennium Point can be found in the Eastside district of Birmingham, close to Moor Street train station and New Street station.

The venue offers several spaces for hire from small office spaces to large auditorium which can accommodate 350. A percentage of the package charged is donated to charitable work which supports Maths, engineering, technology and science.

BOOK HERE

Birmingham’s National Conference Centre based at The National Motorcycle Museum

Meeting Rooms – 13

The National Conference Centre at the National Motorcycle Museum is a premier event venue that offers state-of-the-art facilities and a unique location steeped in history. The centre is located within the National Motorcycle Museum, which houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world.

The conference centre itself offers a range of flexible event spaces, from intimate meeting rooms to large exhibition halls, making it ideal for conferences, trade shows, and other corporate events.

BOOK HERE

This is just a small selection of the hotels available in Birmingham! You’ll find further Birmingham venues searchable from our homepage, EDGEVenues.com.

And, don’t forget you can check out more of our destination features, such as Bristol.

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Why choose Dublin for events?

Why choose Dublin for events? Dublin is a bustling, picturesque destination. The capital city is one of the most historical places in Ireland and a popular attraction for people from across the globe.

And here are some of the biggest reasons to choose Dublin for events, plus a selection of venues and where you can book them on EDGE Venues:

The Atmosphere

Dublin is renowned for its lively atmosphere in both the daytime and the night. From spirited buskers making marvellous music to bustling bars in the evening, there is certainly something for everyone.

Despite the busyness of the city, the new hotels and the many tourists, Dublin retains its village-like features and charms that people love so much.

Dublin’s History

Dublin has bucket loads to offer in terms of history, there are regular tours of Dublin Castle, leaving you packed with information on the history of the city as well as the Marsh’s Library, offering an insight into what Dublin was like in the 18th Century.

Other famous landmarks to visit in Dublin include Trinity College, the Guinness storehouse and Shelbourne Museum all of which add to Dublin’s spectacular history making it one of Ireland’s most historical places.

Places to Eat/Drink

Dublin is home to numerous mouth-watering restaurants – both old and new, that you must try during your trip. Glover’s Alley is one of Dublin’s new restaurants, where the food is cooked by the award-winning chef Andy McFadden to the highest of standards with pristine, fresh ingredients.

If you fancy a delicious cocktail or two, the Lucky Duck has 3 floors of cocktail lounges and small plates for the perfect day out before heading downstairs to the traditional bar for some pints. Chapter One is also a highly-rated restaurant in Dublin, providing elegant fine dining for lunches and dinners.

Showstopping meetings and event venues

If you’ve decided to choose Dublin for events, and you’re looking for the most fitting venues, we’re here to help. Here’s a selection of venues and what they have to offer, along with the link to book or enquire on EDGE Venues.

– Radisson Blu Royal Hotel

Rooms – 150 | Meeting spaces – 15
Radisson Blu Royal is just half an hour’s drive from the City’s international airport. The rooms are comfortable and provide guests with glorious views across Dublin. Its meeting rooms are spacious and contemporary, offering a clean and sophisticated look. The venue has onsite parking and accessible access.

BOOK HERE

Croke Park Hotel

Rooms – 252 | Meeting Rooms – 3
Croke Park Hotel is close to both Dublin Airport and the City centre. The famous Croke Park Stadium, known for large conferences and events is within close proximity. It makes this hotel ideal for guests delegates attending stadium events. The venue has onsite catering, free onsite parking and is close to the business parks – ideal for business and downtime.

BOOK HERE

The Westbury Hotel

Rooms – 205 | Meeting Rooms – 9
Nestled between some of Dublin’s historical landmarks, The Westbury Hotel is in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Surrounded by shops, pubs, bars and restaurants, there is not a shortage of ways to fill your downtime. The meeting rooms are grand and beautiful, decorated to perfection to match the hotel’s picturesque exterior. Alongside a restaurant, the venue boasts an onsite car park and disabled access. So it’s an all round favourable venue for large groups looking for a conference venue or team building meetings.

BOOK HERE

Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel Dublin

Rooms – 151 | Meeting Rooms – 11
This venue is an 18th-century house with panoramic garden views from each room and high-speed internet access. The hotel is 3.5 miles outside the city centre and 13 miles from the airport. And it has lots of onsite parking spaces available for guests. With meeting rooms to accommodate up to 300 guests, and some of the best conference facilities in Dublin, the hotel is second to none.

BOOK HERE

Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport

Rooms – 229 | Meeting Rooms – 24
This large venue has a wide selection of choices when it comes to both meeting rooms and bedrooms for guests. It is eight minutes from Dublin’s airport making it ideal for short stays and trips with large numbers of delegates. The meeting rooms vary in size, perfect for all types of events including intimate meeting groups and larger conferences.

BOOK HERE

This is just a small selection of the hotels available in beautiful Dublin! You’ll find further Dublin venues searchable from our homepage, EDGEVenues.com.

And, don’t forget you can check out more of our destination features, such as Bristol.

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Bristol venues to hire

Bristol is a diverse, bustling city with Instagrammable street art and waterfront views. And if you’re looking for Bristol venues to hire, it certainly has many hotels and venues, and an eco-friendly, creative reputation, making it attractive to the meetings and events community.

Here, we take a closer look, before providing you with a selection of Bristol venues to hire, and how you can book:

Eye-catching Art

Bristol is one of few cities where street art is celebrated so openly. Beautiful murals and displays transform walls that were once an eye-sore, with pieces created by famous artists such as Banksy also on display.

The Eco-City

The residents of Bristol pride themselves on being extremely eco-friendly and doing their best to keep their city clean. So much so that Bristol was voted the European green city in 2015. Bristolians regularly use public transport and use less energy per household than other cities across Europe, so if you’re looking for a smog-free weekend, Bristol is the place!

Bristol’s History

Bristol has many historical features hidden throughout the city, the perfect way to spend time enjoying the city and learning at the same time! The Clifton suspension bridge which was built in 1831 is one of the world’s most magnificent bridges and has spectacular views across the River Avon. Bristol is also home to a port which dates back to mediaeval times and remains a prominent part of the city today.

Places to Eat/Drink

The city has a wide selection of places to eat and drink, from a tasty Italian pizza in La Grotta to a harborside meal in The River Grille, washed down with a drink in Keepers Kitchen or a delightful afternoon tea at The Harbour Kitchen, the options are endless.

Bristol venues to hire

If you’re looking for Bristol venues to hire, the vibrant city has an array of traditional and new spaces. Whether you’re hosting a small meeting or a conference, here’s a taste of what this inspiring place has to offer.

– Radisson Blu Hotel

Rooms – 176 | Meeting spaces – 4
This stylish hotel boasts elegance and is situated in the city centre making it an ideal place to stay when visiting the city. Bristol Filton Airport is only around 7 miles away, and there are nearby train links, perfect for an international conference. The Radisson Blu has 176 bedrooms and 4 spacious meeting rooms allowing plenty of room for large groups. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the whole venue and there is a lovely on-site catering service available for guests.

BOOK HERE

– Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa

Rooms – 275 | Meeting Spaces – 12
With the nearest airport only a 22-minute drive away, this hotel & spa is the perfect choice for accommodation. The meeting rooms are scattered across the 1st and 5th floors, each with unique features and varying in size to accommodate your group. The glamorous hotel offers access to a gym, swimming pool and an on-site restaurant, allowing you to fully relax during your downtime.

BOOK HERE

– The Bristol Hotel

Rooms – 187 | Meeting Spaces – 9
The Bristol Hotel is located right in the city centre of Bristol, close to a number of the best restaurants and other amenities. Less than a mile from Temple Mead train station, the hotel’s transport links are impeccable and the nearest airport is around 20 minutes away. The 9 traditional meeting rooms are elegant and spacious, ideal for any event, such as teambuilding meetings or large conferences.

BOOK HERE

– Engineers’ House Conference Centre

Event Spaces – 24
The Engineer’s House Conference Centre is an elegant space on the outskirts of Bristol. With 24 conference rooms, the venue can be used for various events. From meetings and group activities to board meetings and conferences. The Engineer’s House has indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s home to a rainforest café, marquees, and hidden passages, making it an exciting and entertaining space for all. The venue also boasts a large onsite car park and 4 restaurants for guests.

BOOK HERE

– Ashton Gate Stadium

Event Spaces – 34
Ashton Gate Stadium can accommodate up to 700 guests throughout its numerous event spaces. The event stadium offers a unique experience that differs from other venue locations and has an onsite restaurant available. There is a large onsite car park for up to 350 cars and disabled access to accommodate guests. It also has direct access to the M4 and the M5.

 BOOK HERE

– Aztec Hotel & Spa

Rooms – 128 | Event Spaces – 26
This purpose-built hotel is located perfectly for a stop-over, with close links to the M4 and M5. The Aztec hotel has a selection of rooms from junior suites to family rooms and premier suites. It also has a restaurant serving delicious local produce for guests to enjoy. It’s 21 meeting rooms can accommodate guests for a variety of meetings and events. Do you have delegates staying overnight during your event? These guests can enjoy use of the sauna, steam room, swimming pool and on-site gym.

BOOK HERE

– DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol South – Cadbury House

Rooms – 132 | Event Spaces – 11
The DoubleTree Hilton is only a 17-minute drive from Bristol International Airport. The 4-star hotel is 30 minutes outside the city centre and offers a large, onsite parking space. The venue has three large meeting spaces. It’s function spaces have private bars and terraces with spectacular garden views for guests to enjoy during your event.

BOOK HERE

Bristol is bright and refreshing destination, with plenty of venue choice. So if the venues we’re covered here don’t match your needs, you can find more from our homepage, EDGEVenues.com.

And, don’t forget you can check out more of our destination features, such as Leeds.

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VisitBritain’s see things differently campaign, IMEX Group sustainability report, mia research, & more

This Monday’s Insights (27 February 2023) feature brings you the latest news including VisitBritain seeing things differently, IMEX Group sustainability report, mia research, and more.

Headlines

VisitBritain has launched a multi-million pound campaign inspiring visitors to ‘See Things Differently,’ driving bookings to Britain. 

National tourism agency VisitBritain has started rolling out its new multi-million pound international campaign for 2023 to drive tourism to Britain.

The international GREAT Britain marketing campaign invites visitors to ‘See Things Differently’, showcasing Britain as a dynamic, diverse and exciting destination, packed full of activities to come and enjoy now, with a warm British welcome at its heart.

The first phase of the 2023 campaign, with a budget of £9.8 million, gets underway this week and runs until early spring focused on markets where VisitBritain is seeing strong recovery including the USA, its largest and most valuable market, Canada, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and European markets including France, Germany and Spain.

In Europe and the GCC, the ‘See Things Differently’ advertising campaign – ‘Spilling the Tea on Great Britain’ – uses a play on Britain’s love of tea, through destination images and short films (see launch film here) to tell a fresh and exciting story about the experiences on offer, showing visitors that ‘whatever your cup of tea, we’ve got it.’

From a ‘Festival’ tea theme that gives a taste of Britain’s live music scene to a ‘Graffi-tea’ that celebrates its vibrant cities and cultural attractions. A ‘Surf’ theme shows the adventurous side of Britain and ‘#nofilter’ its natural beauty. A ‘Monster Hunting’ tea draws inspiration from myths and legends including world-famous Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. A limited release of the themed teas, blended by British tea company Tregothnan, will also be available for tastings at VisitBritain promotional and trade events.

In Canada and the USA the campaign, called ‘Fake (Br)it Till You Make It’ highlights the richness of Britain’s regional diversity. The phased advertising campaign gets underway with a variety of local phrases alongside destination images from across Britain. Later in March, a series of short films sees Brits sharing a warm welcome in local accents and dialects promoting their destinations, encouraging visitors to come and explore for themselves. Also from late March, a new online game on VisitBritain’s consumer website, using machine learning, goes live where players can have a fun go at mastering the accents with links to destination information to drive bookings.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “We know there is pent-up demand for travel and that tourism is also a fiercely competitive global industry. Our priority is to build on the recovery we have seen, competing hard in markets where we are seeing strong growth, tapping in to motivations for travel now to drive bookings.

“All eyes are on Britain this year and by telling the story of our dynamic destinations and diverse culture, along with a warm British welcome, we’re inspiring visitors to discover more, stay longer and explore year-round, supporting local businesses and economies.”

The campaigns also plan to capture major events in 2023 including the Coronation of King Charles III in May and Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine, also in May, valuable opportunities to show Britain’s welcome, creativity and ability to host events of the highest calibre.

The campaigns have been developed based on VisitBritain’s research into motivations for travel now, with discovering new and surprising experiences high on the wish list for its target audiences and markets.

Both multi-media marketing campaigns are using a mix of on-and-offline channels including short films and branded content across social media, digital display advertising, for example digital billboards in the Paris Metro, and print media. Content also drives online traffic to VisitBritain’s consumer website with ideas and links to activities, attractions and experiences themed around ‘See Things Differently’ using #lovegreatbritain. 

VisitBritain is working with partners including Lastminute.com in Europe and online travel market place Wego in the GCC as well as paid content partnerships to extend the campaigns’ reach and drive bookings.

It has also called for tourism businesses, attractions and destinations to get involved by sharing local experiences that promote a different side of Britain across their own channels using #lovegreatbritain.

Separate campaigns are also set to run in the USA to harness the growth from this market, with visitor spending by Americans up 40% on 2019 based on latest statistics. A campaign is launching in March in the USA with British Airways as well as a test pilot of a cooperative marketing programme with industry to drive bookings. Marketing activity is also underway through VisitBritain’s GREAT Gateway Innovation Fund to boost visits through regional gateways.

VisitBritain’s latest inbound tourism forecast shows continued strong recovery in overseas visitor spending this year. Its latest forecast for 2023 is for overseas visitor spending in the UK of £29.5 billion, up 4% on the all-time spending high of £28.4 billion in 2019. It estimates 35.1 million inbound visits to the UK, 86% of 2019 levels.

VisitBritain’s ‘See Things Differently’ campaign is part of the UK Government’s GREAT campaign.

The Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) latest research has revealed that one third of organisations in the sector started the year with more confirmed bookings for 2023 than they did in 2019.

According to Conference News, mia’s latest survey of 126 event venues and suppliers found that two-thirds (66%) of organisations have forecasted more revenue for the year ahead compared to 2022.

The feature continues ‘Despite this signal of sector optimism for the year ahead, the research also reveals the estimated value of cancelled business as a result of recent rail strikes to exceed £337m for the sector, while over £550m of business has been postponed.’

The report also provides a look at the industry’s ongoing recruitment challenge as 53% of organisations claim to be understaffed, almost half (47%) have had to reduce their service, with almost eight in 10 (79%) currently advertising live vacancies.

Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said: “While the latest forecasts from within the sector gives confidence that we are navigating the road to recovery well in testing times, we must remain cautious of ongoing challenges that threaten the industry’s recovery. The value of business cancelled due to rail strikes demonstrates just how the UK’s volatile environment can change forecasts at the flick of a switch.”

Reda more here.

IMEX Group has published its first ever externally-verified Sustainability Report for IMEX Frankfurt (23 – 25 May). 

The IMEX Group has tracked and published the environmental performance of its American show, IMEX America, since 2012 but today’s report represents a significant achievement for its German counterpart.

The report for IMEX Frankfurt has been prepared by sustainability partners MeetGreen, an organisation devoted to accelerating the event industry’s transition to a sustainable future. It marks an extension of an existing partnership as well as the first step in an ongoing process of data-gathering intended to measure and improve the show’s environmental impact.

Today’s report is also an important milestone in IMEX’s Pathway to Net Zero. In working with an external authority to validate results, this report represents an important sustainability step for IMEX and establishes the benchmark against which all future IMEX Frankfurt shows will be measured. Previous environmental reports for IMEX Frankfurt have been conducted by IMEX staff only.

The new report covers aspects such as waste management, energy and water usage, event design and also social impact. 

IMEX Frankfurt is currently the only show at Messe Frankfurt to track such a high level of sustainable data and to make it public.

The report reveals notable achievements in waste diversion and energy use, as well as highlighting several opportunities for improvement. These include simplifying and standardising carbon footprint measurement, sourcing more carpet with recycled content and expanding community donations.

As well as benchmarking the show year on year, the report is designed to share the IMEX team’s learnings with the rest of the global business events industry and – ultimately – deliver long term change. A prime example of a long-term shift is the show’s energy use. Since 2012, IMEX has worked closely with host venue Messe Frankfurt to achieve 100% renewable electricity use. As a result, Messe Frankfurt has now adopted 100% renewable sourcing as a standard operating procedure across all its events.

“We’ve long been committed to improving and developing our sustainability practices at IMEX Frankfurt and were able to share some good results prior to the pandemic,” explains Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “However, thanks to an expanded partnership with our sustainability consultants MeetGreen, I’m delighted to share this first externally-verified Sustainability Report for IMEX Frankfurt 2022.

“This, together with our sustainability reports since 2012 for IMEX America, is part of a long-term commitment to the environment. As supporters of the Net Zero Carbon Events industry initiative, we’re also set to publish our roadmap to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 later this year.”

IMEX Frankfurt takes place 23 – 25 May 2023. To register – for free – click here.