Tag: Birmingham

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Employee wellness demands, IMEX success, Power of Event’s new app, and more

This month’s news round-up brings you some of the industry and association news from May 2024, including delegates demanding employee wellness, IMEX success, industry app pilot, and more.  

Employee wellness tops the corporate agenda for offsite meetings

A new survey has revealed that 77% of event planners are prioritising employee wellness facilities in response to delegate wishes. 

Research by Hand Picked Hotels polled five hundred event planners and also found that events are now increasingly being planned last minute. Just under half, 43% say they are booking offsites between one and four weeks out from the meeting or event date, with just 2% booking six months in advance.  

The top five planners’ priorities are big on employee wellness:

  • Nutritious food and beverage offerings (48%) – in number one position is food and beverage, booking event caterers that not only deliver delicious food, but healthy menus too are key with delegates expressing their wish for it to be healthy.  
  • A wellness walk (34%) – walking is one of the easiest ways to improve wellbeing. It is also free and accessible and an effective way of building in a business break for delegates.  
  • A wellness experience (25%) – a quarter of respondents cite breathing and relaxation techniques as important to delegates. Many venues can offer on-site massages as well as mindfulness and yoga classes for delegate / employee wellness.  
  • Access to spas and health club facilities (24%) – keeping fit with regular exercise is desired by many delegates and for those who travel a lot, maintaining a routine is welcome if they can fit in some exercise while attending an event.  
  • Outdoors activity (19%) – being outside is beneficial for mind and body and in fifth place is the desire to do some events outdoors. For planners, this can be challenging because inclement weather may make planning difficult but where a wet weather plan is possible and in the summer months more certainty can be reached, outdoor activities are welcomed.  

With more companies leaving remote working behind, the popularity of face to face meetings in 2023 has returned to pre pandemic levels; and with it the focus is now ensuring meetings and events support and aid employee wellness – physical and mental. 

The study also unveiled the 2024 market is all about late bookings, with 43% of planners admitting to booking offsites between one and four weeks out from the meeting or event date and only 2% booking six months out, evidence of more spontaneity in the marketplace. 

IMEX Frankfurt welcomes 12,000 global suppliers and event professionals

IMEX 2024 saw 12,000 global suppliers and event professionals come together, for 63,000 buyer-exhibitor meetings over three transformative Frankfurt days.

Updates on imex-frankfurt.com news pages share that the past few years have, “challenged us all to reimagine every aspect of what we, as event professionals do. IMEX Frankfurt 2024 reflected this transformative journey, showcasing where events are heading, and how we can, as a global community, work together to shape a brighter future.

“The IMEX events microcosm saw big-name, star-turn, up-and coming and ground-breaking suppliers ignite our show floor; stand-out speakers and standing-room only sessions tap into the hunger for learning; and a whirlwind of business meetings, exchanges and transformative connections bring a dynamic energy to every corner of the halls.”

What’s more, M&IT Magazine has reported that encouraging the next generation of event planners entering the sector was the focus of many conversations at the show. IMEX CEO Carina Bauer told the publication:

“We’ve been really pleased with the number of young people attending our Rising Talent programme for those with up to three years’ experience. It was also great to see the launch of a complementary programme – Young Stars – part of our broadest ever range of German language education and an integral part of the hugely successful MICE Impact Academy.”

Read more about all areas of IMEX success for 2024, here.

University of Northampton commissions Power of Events research app pilot 

The Power of Events has announced the launch of its first research project through the Events Industry Insight App, in collaboration with Claire Drakeley from the University of Northampton.

From May 22nd to mid-July, industry professionals can participate in this pioneering study, which aims to improve decision-making in event management.

The Events Industry Insight App is the first digital app tool available for all commissioners of research in the UK Events Industry. 

Download the app, register, and engage, via The Power of Events.

EVCOM London Live Awards announces new agency-focused categories

As the EVCOM London Live Awards readied to open its entries on May 23rd, it announced a new roster of agency-focused categories.

As agencies often work on events that are outside their control and are often unable to share the incredible work they do due to client permissions, EVCOM’s new categories celebrate agency cultures and workplaces instead.

Entrants are invited to answer three questions on the initiative or strategy, the journey to its creation (how they identified the need for the initiative and shaped it to ensure it met the needs of the team and agency) and the impact (what the effect has been on the individuals in the agency, and the agency as a whole).

Plus,  a new free-to-enter category recognises an agency’s overall culture. The new agency-focused categories include Best People Engagement Initiative, Best DEI Initiative, Best ESG Strategy Initiative, and Best Agency Culture of the Year.

Find out more, here.

RWS Global Acquires Great Big Events

RWS Global, the world leader in live moments, today announced the acquisition of Great Big Events (GBE), a leading sports event production company known for its work on the world’s biggest sporting events. Past credits include over 100 World Championships, World Cups, Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and multi-sport Games.

As a result of this transaction, the company is launching RWS Global Sports, a new division of RWS Global that will provide an unrivalled, comprehensive range of offerings, including venue design, entertainment, sports production, merchandise and more. The new RWS Global Sports division will serve as a one-of-a-kind solution for clients, offering best-in-class, end-to-end live experiential offerings for audiences worldwide.

“This exciting acquisition redefines the possibilities for integrated, live sports and entertainment experiences on a global scale and propels us into a new realm of innovation and creativity,” said Ryan Stana, Chairman and CEO of RWS Global. “Fusing together our teams, resources and talent strengthens our position as leaders in the live experiential sector and allows us to deliver unprecedented live sports and entertainment experiences for our clients and their audiences across the globe.”

GBE co-founder Kim Henshaw will join and lead the RWS Global Sports division, bringing extensive industry expertise and knowledge that will be invaluable as RWS Global continues to expand its presence in the live entertainment and sporting events market.

IACC publishes Meeting Room of The Future trends report

IACC has published a report combining research and insights from 275 meeting planners worldwide into the future role of hotels and venues and trends in areas such as physical attributes, food and beverage, technology, and social impact. These evolving trends in conference attendee behaviours and needs will shape the future of conferences, meetings, and events with up to 250 attendees for the next three years and beyond.

The report, the first to seek the opinions of those arranging business events since 2019, supports the widely held view that the creative experiences and relationships built at live events cannot be replicated through technology alone and that Digitally Live Events will remain a feature for successful companies and communities.

Some key insights of the report include:

  • Food and beverage are still evolving. Many venues are reporting lower consumption of alcohol. Additionally, venues are dealing with increasingly complex and specific requests for dietary accommodations.
  • Venues are prioritising sustainability. Many venues have implemented programs to reduce food waste and single-use plastics, producing social responsibility & sustainability statements.
  • Demands and requirements are continuing to change. Breakout rooms are often requested, emphasising informal, comfortable seating that encourages team building and creativity.
  • Venues are starting to adapt to the next generation’s behavioural differences. Some venues are breaking up their events with more time for breaks and personal time and leveraging smaller groups to encourage more one-on-one engagement.
  • Adaptability to changing client needs is becoming a standard. 71% of venues have three-quarters to 100% of their meeting rooms equipped with flexible equipment and furniture that can roll quickly on wheels or be re-configured to turn a room quickly and efficiently.

Download and read the full report here.

Birmingham is shortlisted to host Invictus Games 2027

The Invictus Games Foundation has revealed that Washington DC, USA and Birmingham, UK have been shortlisted to host the Invictus Games in 2027. This shortlist has been confirmed after a detailed process which was launched last year. A final decision by the board of trustees will be made by the end of July. 

The bid from the city of Washington, led by Events DC, has outlined several potential venues in and around the city, with a focus on the George Washington University campus, alongside an indicative sports schedule which includes the nine core Invictus Games sports, plus the addition of esports. 

The UK government-backed bid focuses on the NEC, Birmingham, and draws the connection to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Selly Oak and wider Defence Medical assets in the region. Birmingham also seeks to utilise the nine core sports alongside e-sports, as well as exploring the addition of a team triathlon as a potential new sport. 

This could lead to a surge in hotel room and venue space bookings in the city, so don’t delay and book your event in Birmingham today to avoid disappointment. 

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

And book your next meeting or event venue on EDGEVenues.com

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Hilton Birmingham Metropole unveils new Conference & Event Spaces

One of the UK’s most expansive overnight meetings and events destinations – has opened its new-look and highly flexible conference and events facilities.

The new spaces are now fully operational and once again ready to accommodate some of the most recognised events in the UK. The new look is visible throughout the hotel’s 6,000sqm of meeting and events facilities, with all 31 event spaces receiving a contemporary facelift that belies the venue’s 45-year tenure.

The hotel’s bedrooms and three new bar and restaurant concepts complete the package, creating environments that celebrate Birmingham’s rich heritage and embrace its culture.

The refurbishment has also underlined one of Hilton Birmingham Metropole’s key selling points; one of exclusivity. The conference and event space is easily divided into three separate and distinctive areas allowing guests exclusive use of sections of the property. The hotel’s event and conference offering also remains diverse, ranging from intimate boardrooms to expansive ballrooms, the largest of which can host up to 2,000 guests.

Leading the project is Nicola Underhill, who joined as general manager in September 2021 from Hilton St George’s Park Hotel.

She said: “This project has been many years in the making, and we sense the anticipation from our guests who know and love the hotel; they really have been on this journey with us. We want to ensure that we can meet the returning industry demand, while remaining focused on delivering outstanding guest experiences within our refreshed hotel environment.

“We have invested hugely in talking to our clients and working with all our stakeholders to ensure the new and improved space not only met with their objectives, but also exceeded their expectations. During its 45-year history, the hotel has secured an enviable reputation and we want to build on that by offering a new contemporary face to the brand.”

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Rate Check – How much can you expect to pay?

It’s great news that events are starting again, so we thought it would be interesting to look at the rates that are being quoted by venues in different parts of the country.

There is demand, but event bookers are reluctant to confirm the booking until the government guidelines are clear about social distancing and the pilot events have been completed.

As usual rates are higher in months where there is less availability and they are lower outside London.

For example, we’ve looking at a 3-day event for 350 people in February 2021 and comparing various locations around the country. The rates vary, as follows:

Location Catering B&B
Liverpool £32.00-£39.00 £75.00-£105.00
Manchester £27.50-£36.00 £125.00-£146.00
Birmingham £32.00-£38.00 £96.00-£121.00
East Midlands £37.00-£44.00 £87.00
South Wales £53.00-£60.00 £120.00

However, the rates are higher for 2021. This is for a mid-week one day event for 30 people, where we’ve been quoted daily delegate rates of:

Location Date DDR
Hertfordshire June £55.00
Leeds July £36.00-£40.00
Milton Keynes July £35.00
London September £55.00-60.00
London November £65.00-£85.00

Some venues are sticking to previous rates, some venues are increasing rates to take account of fewer people in the same space. Pricing isn’t consistent at the moment, with some venues requesting supplements or additional room hire costs.

Social distancing is a big problem for venues and both they and the event bookers need to know what they can do in terms of capacity. It’s not just for the meeting rooms, but moving around the venue, catering and restrooms. Venues with outside space definitely have an advantage. After a turbulent year, the venues will need to be confident that they can operate at a profit when they open.

The Meetings Industry Association carried out a survey into social distancing in May 2020 and found that:

  • The majority (82%) of venues confirmed they can operate with social distancing measures in place.
  • Nearly half (46%) of respondents identified that their venue’s capacity would have to be more than halved, with 27% highlighting a reduction of between 41-50% would be required.
  • As a result of these reduced capacities, 59% of venues would not break even.
  • Over 80% expect to lose more than half of their turnover per month.
  • 17.5% of venue operators say it would be ‘impossible’ to open their venue while adhering to social distancing measures, both on commercial and operations grounds.

It will take some time for things to settle down. We will continue to review rates and report on trends as the bookings increase and report.

For more information and advice on booking venues for conferences, meetings and events, call us on 01780 484051 or email enquiries@edgevenues.com

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Birmingham: an experts insight for meetings and events

Alex Dalby, Trinity Event Solutions Event Consultant, recently headed into Birmingham for a series of site inspections. If you’re considering Birmingham as a destination for your next meeting or event, take a read of Alex’s insight and key considerations for each of the venues.

Hyatt Regency Birmingham

The Hyatt Regency is a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station, so is a perfect location for delegates coming by train. When entering the hotel, my first impressions was how stunning it was, with a great atmosphere. The lobby is filled with plants and water fountains, making it a beautiful feel on arrival and flooded with natural daylight coming through the large rooftop atrium.

The hotel has 10 meeting rooms. The largest of these is the Symphony Ballroom which can accommodate 144 in a cabaret style. This is an elegant space for a meeting and can also be split into 2 separate spaces – Ballroom 1 and Ballroom 2.

There are 319 bedrooms, all spacious and comfortable. Depending on which side of the hotel you are on, the bedrooms either look out onto views on the city or the canals (has an extra charge).

The hotel had a refurbishment in 2014 and this was still clear to see from how modern and fresh it was. There is chargeable parking on site but there are limited spaces available.

Consideration: Hyatt Regency has a direct bridge link to the International Convention Centre (ICC). This means delegates can have direct access to both.

Novotel

The Novotel is situated in a great location as it is approximately a 15-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station. On arrival, my first impression was how quirky and colourful the reception area was. The reception area leads onto the restaurant and main breakout area for delegates and both areas had a lovely atmosphere to them. The restaurant can hold up to a maximum capacity of 100.

There are currently 9 meeting spaces in total. 3 of the meeting rooms carry the largest capacity of 48 cabaret. As of December 2019, work will be starting to add a large meeting space for 150 cabaret. I felt that the meeting rooms would be perfectly suitable for an event, but be aware there is no natural daylight.

The hotel has a total of 148 bedrooms and my first impression of the bedrooms was that they were all bright and clean.

Consideration: Car parking is available on site however; it has limited access (50 spaces) and chargeable.

Jurys Inn

The Jurys Inn hotel has a convenient location being just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham’s New Street Station. The hotel welcomes delegates with a spacious reception area, themed with black and white décor.

The hotel has 20 meeting rooms situated on the first floor and 27 syndicate rooms on the second floor. All meeting spaces are partitioned, but these can all be removed to make larger, open spaces. The largest can accommodate 160 in cabaret style. They all have natural daylight and come with standard AV equipment.

There are 445 bedrooms in total. All bedrooms were comfortable and bright, but with varying designs to them. All bathrooms have recently been refurbished, and this was clear by how new and fresh they looked.

Consideration: There will be no parking available on site starting from January 2020, as the hotel is building a lifestyle hotel just next door to the main hotel.

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

The Crowne Plaza is situated in the heart of Birmingham City Centre and is a 10-minute walk to New Street station. The reception leads onto the restaurant and 360-degree bar, which is quite a fun idea. At the end of this, there is a private dining area which can fit up to 20 delegates. However, this is not an exclusive space so be aware of people from the bar next door.

The hotel has 12 meeting rooms which can be found on the conference floor (first floor). The largest meeting room (Vista Suite) can hold up to 150 cabaret or can be divided into 2 smaller meeting rooms. Along the foyer there are 3 executive rooms, which can hold a maximum of 10 boardroom. For larger events they can exclusive use of all 3 of these rooms. All meeting space have natural daylight, but even with this the spaces are a little dark. There are 312 bedrooms, which are all spacious and comfortable.

Consideration: Currently, the only car parking use is at the Mailbox with a 15% discount for delegates. However, there will be a new car park opening for the hotel in early 2020.

Malmaison

The Malmaison is located within the Mailbox car parking complex, a short walk from New Street station. Malmaison has 6 meeting rooms in total, with the largest meeting space has a maximum capacity of 77 cabaret. They would be suitable for a meeting, but the spaces are basic and standard. In addition, there are 4 pods which can hold a maximum of 4 people. The pods are quite fun and different, so would be suitable for delegates needing a smaller meeting space.

The hotel holds 193 bedrooms, which are spacious and uniquely designed. There is a gym, spa and a newly refurbished sauna that all delegates can use. Chargeable parking is available in the Mailbox.

Consideration: There is only one meeting space that has natural daylight.

Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham

Radisson Blu Hotel is a 5-minute walk to New Street station, conveniently located near to the business district and shopping areas. On arrival the reception area (albeit a little small) is within a glass building and is flooded with natural daylight.

There are 10 meeting rooms in total, situated over both the 2nd and 3rd floor. The Lunar Suite is the largest of these spaces, with a maximum capacity of 80 in a cabaret layout. The hotel has 211 bedrooms that are all spacious, with the same décor and style. Bedrooms situated on the highest floor levels have views onto the city. The restaurant is situated on the first floor, which is spacious and full of atmosphere.

Consideration: The hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment in 2017 and this is clear by the modern feel to all spaces, so would be great for meetings.

Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre

The Holiday Inn, also known as the BCEC, is in a great location as it is only a short walk to New Street Station. On entering the hotel lobby, my first impression was that it had lots of decoration, with unique patterns and vibrant colours throughout.

There are 24 meeting rooms, with the largest holding a maximum of 250 cabaret. These includes a built-in stage and standard AV. The hotel has 216 bedrooms, all being decorated with a yellow and grey colour scheme. There is no car park available on site but there is an NCP, which is a very short walk away.

Consideration: A few of the meeting spaces have floor-ceiling glass walls so this would not be suitable for a pharmaceutical company due to the lack of privacy.

The Studio Birmingham

The Studio Birmingham is just a 2-minute walk from New Street station making it a great location for delegates. My first impression when entering was that the reception area was a very small space. However, on approaching the first floor I was pleasantly surprised.

All spaces had modem décor, with quirky features and bright colours throughout. There are 20 meeting rooms in total, all with natural daylight. The bar décor was in keeping with the meeting spaces, in that it was modern and vibrant. To the left of the bar, there is a quaint outside rooftop area. This would be a lovely space for delegates to use as a breakout space in summer.

Overall, this venue is different to most venues around Birmingham due to its quirky nature and relaxed atmosphere throughout. There is an NCP car park located a short distance from The Studio.

Consideration: This is just a meeting and event space, so there are no bedrooms.

Macdonald Burlington

The Macdonald Burlington is in the heart of Birmingham centre and is a short walk from New Street station. The hotel has 9 meeting rooms in total, with all having built-in Clickshare. The largest meeting space is the Horton Suite which can hold up to 250 in cabaret or can be divided into 3 smaller spaces. They were all soundproof so blocked out any noise from the city.

The hotel has 114 bedrooms in total, which are all clean and comfortable. The hotel’s restaurant area is spacious, giving a maximum capacity of 54 for dinner.

The hotel is adjacent to the NCP cark park, which holds 2000 spaces. The hotel has will be undergoing refurbishments in early 2020.

Consideration: All meeting spaces are partitioned and so can be opened out to provide more space if required.

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The Eastside Rooms set to launch in Birmingham

A new conference and events venue – The Eastside Rooms – is set to launch in Birmingham in the spring of 2020.

The venue, which will include an onsite hotel, is being built  as part of the Eastside development of the city, which will include HS2 and will be form part of the ‘Knowledge Quarter’.

The Eastside Rooms will feature one of the city’s biggest pillar-free banqueting spaces, with room for 1,200 delegates and  more than 2,980sqm of event space.

“The Eastside Rooms is a really exciting new development for the industry and is arriving at just the right time, in a dynamic city with a heritage of fantastic venues and interesting meeting spaces,” commented regional general manager, Matt Huddart. “This part of Birmingham has an amazing heritage that will be woven into the design of the hotel, but it also has a great future, and will becoming the city’s knowledge and information district, with businesses and innovation centres being built around it.

“We’ve worked really closely with event organisers from the very outset of this project to make sure we’re creating the right spaces with the right infrastructure for a modern event. Over the next few months we’ll be inviting more #eventprofs into the space so we can continue to listen to what they are after and give them the space they need.”

The Eastside Rooms will open in spring 2020, however the space itself will be presented to meetings and events planners in the autumn this year.

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Birmingham set for £32.1 million boost from Cricket World Cup

Birmingham is set to benefit from a £32.1 million economic boost by hosting five matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (30 May-14 July).

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup takes place in England and Wales for the fifth time this summer, with the hosts joined by nine other nations, including Australia and Pakistan.

The figure comes from analysis by global accountancy firm EY. The report – conducted on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – considered a number of factors.

These included ticket sales; match day spending on food, drink and merchandise; wider spending from international visitors in the hospitality, retail and transport sectors; and the tourism and business legacy from the tournament’s global exposure.

The global sporting spotlight will be at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Stadium on 30 June, as it hosts the eagerly-awaited clash between cricket’s current top two One Day International sides, England and India.

The fixture will also feature a day of celebration for UNICEF’s #OneDay4Children, helping children to learn, play and be healthy.

Nicola Hewitt, Commercial Director for the West Midlands Growth Company, which operates Visit Birmingham, said: “Sport plays a hugely significant role in drawing record numbers of domestic and international visitors to the West Midlands, boosting the region’s economy.

“It also brings us firmly to the attention of worldwide investors and our global target markets, helping new and existing businesses across our patch to grow. 

Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Edgbaston Stadium, added: “With five games in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the opening Test of the Specsavers Ashes Series both coming to Edgbaston, 2019 will be the biggest summer of cricket that we have experienced in Birmingham. 

“Edgbaston undertook a substantial stadium redevelopment project in recent years to ensure that we continue to bring the biggest matches in the global game to Birmingham.