The 2019 Conference & Hospitality Show welcomed 1,350 attendees to the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 30 April.
Attendance was up by 10% from last year, as were pre-registration numbers. The event had a 74% conversion rate from pre-reg to attending the show.
Emma Cartmell, CEO of CHS Group, said: “We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to the Conference & Hospitality Show (CHS19) this year.
“We’re blessed with a really loyal following who come to CHS every year and the 10th anniversary status has also attracted a high percentage of new exhibitors and visitors this year who will get to experience Leeds hospitality for the first time.”
“The city has been very good to us and Leeds BID, who have described CHS as the conferencing ‘jewel in the crown’ has been a great support, particularly when we upscaled to First Direct Arena.
“An economic impact survey estimated the show attracted £0.5m to the city in 2017, our estimates predict we are on target to substantially beat that figure this year.”
CHS group communications manager Julie Phillips said: “CHS is the premier meetings, incentive, conference and events (MICE) shows outside of London and its reputation, and indeed, numbers have grown YoY to become one of the best events, venue and hospitality showcases in the industry calendar for event professionals.”
Industry discussion forum EventHuddle will be looking at requests for proposal (RFP) at its next edition.
EventHuddle CEO Kirk Thomas said: “Receiving a RFP should be a joyous occasion; someone out there has expressed an interest in potentially working with your company. But for hundreds of event venues and suppliers up and down the country, the RFP has become a torturous process.
”The explosion in agencies over the last decade has lead to many businesses receiving 50-100 RFPs a day, many with 24 hour response deadlines, some with as little as one hour. As if that isn’t daunting enough, they then need to contend with incompatible software, blanket RFPs which could be classed as spam, speculative RFPs (where the agency hasn’t won the business yet), duplicate RFPs (multiple agencies sending the same request), etc. All while trying to manage the many other responsibilities of your job.”
The event takes place on Tuesday 28 February, from 8.15-10.30am at 1 Wimpole Street, London and will include breakfast.
The panel will look at the RFP process, discuss what needs to change, offer tips on how to handle the overwhelming task and answer questions.
For more information and to sign up visit the EventHuddle site.
The January edition of EventHuddle saw a discussion of what would happen to the events industry post-Brexit.
Former MP and Rapiergroup MD Nick de Bois told attendees it was important for the industry to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. The former chief of staff to former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said that no deal would be challenging, but not the end of the world, and advised event professionals to prepare for it by reading the government’s technical advice.
Reducing our use of plastic, particularly single use plastic, is a hot topic at the moment and we all know that there is a lot of waste created by events and exhibitions. Recycling has increased, but it’s probably best to stop the problem at the source. So, we’ve taken a look at a few things that can be changed to reduce our use of plastic at our events.
Plan from Day One
Talk to all the stakeholders and clients to see what is important to them. Do they have a sustainability policy? If so this should be shared at the earliest possible stage of planning.
Think about what will be thrown away at the end of the event and try to find an alternative from the start.
Venue finding
Ask the prospective venues questions about their use of plastic items and recycling policy and find solutions that are easy to implement. If you want a plastic-free event, then the best way to start is to find a venue and destination that matches your requirements. That’s far easier than introducing a new way of working to a venue that’s not set up for it.
Name badges
There are lots of alternatives to the plastic badge holder. The simple solution is just to clip the badge straight on to the lanyard and it’s easier to reuse the lanyards at another event afterwards.
Ban plastic water bottles and single use coffee cups
Ask your venue to provide alternatives. If there’s a goodie bag, how about putting a keep cup or reusable bottle in there for the event attendees to use. Lots of people have their own already and are happy to use them. They also carry water bottles, so water dispensers can be used, with ice and fruit, instead of bottles of water.
Straws
Ir’s now quite unusual to be given a drink with a plastic straw. Lots of venues are now using paper straws, but consider if you need straws at all.
Signage
Can the signage be re-used, or if not can it be recycled? Try not to laminate any paper, as this can’t be recycled.
Conference bags and incentive items
Make sure they are environmentally friendly and of value or they will be discarded during the event.
Recycling
The recycling bins need to be obvious and have clear labels of what can be recycled in which bin.
This week Excel has announced a ‘No Plastic’ campaign and all plastic straws have been removed by retailers in the central boulevard. They also offer a discount to customers who have a reusable cup. Permanent water fountains have been installed to provide free chilled water to visitors, exhibitors and organisers who bring a reusable container. They’ve also introduced new waste bins to enable visitors to sort their rubbish more easily.
Scandic Hotels decided to stop using plastic straws and cocktail sticks in all of its hotels and are working to remove all single-use disposable items made of plastic. They were using approximately 1.3 million straws and 120 000 cocktail sticks every year. The plastic lids for take away coffee mugs have been replaced with biodegradable ones. This group has provided toiletries in large dispensers for many years.
IHG has already removed plastic straws from around 1,000 hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa and they’ve announced that plastic straws will be removed from all hotels by the end of 2019, which is more than 5,400 hotels in nearly 100 countries. They are also are introducing bulk-size bathroom amenities to several hotel brands in the Americas, as part of broader efforts to reduce waste.
Conference and meeting venues are being urged to take part in the 2019 UK Conference and Meeting Survey (UKCAMS), now in its 26th year.
Sponsored by VisitBritain, the UKCAMS 2019 report is scheduled for publication in June and has a specific focus on the value and volume of the market and the performance of meeting venues. It also highlights key market trends identified by venues.
The 2018 research found that the conference and meetings sector was worth an estimated £18.1 billion to the UK economy, with some 1.29 million meetings taking place in 2017.
Kerrin MacPhie, head of business events at VisitBritain, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Conference and Meeting Survey to enhance our understanding of the work and activity undertaken by UK venues in the international business events market. We are also keen on using the survey to discover how UK venues and destinations are performing in securing international events.
“Industry initiatives such as this are great for encouraging as many UK venues to get involved in contributing to the research, which helps to ensure Britain remains a competitive destination in the global business events marketplace.”
The 2019 survey asks UK venues to provide data on their conference and meeting business during the calendar year 2018. It includes questions on the number of events hosted, rates achieved, event duration and size, client type, levels of residential and non-residential business, origins of business, and investment plans. UKCAMS 2019 also includes a section on the targeting and securing of international events by UK venues.
Participating venues will receive a complimentary, personalised summary report enabling them to benchmark their performance against other comparable venues. The research is being carried out by Tony Rogers of Tony Rogers Conference & Event Services and Richard Smith of RJS Associates via an online survey.
Tony Rogers said: “The UKCAMS research has a proven track record as a source of reliable and robust information and market intelligence. It helps venues and destinations, as well as other industry stakeholders, to understand the latest and emerging trends in order to target their marketing and investment decisions to greatest effect. UKCAMS also plays a key role in highlighting the significance and value of the conference and meetings sector to the national economy.”
VisitBritain has announced its flagship business event MeetGB will return this year to show 120 international buyers why the UK is the destination of choice for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
MeetGB will welcome 80 suppliers from venues, hotels and local attractions across the UK to do business with global buyers from France, Germany and North America at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor from Thursday 11 to Friday 12 April 2019.
The programme will see the buyers and suppliers engage in one-to-one business meetings, networking events and workshops.
VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “We are proud to bring MeetGB to Windsor in 2019 after the success of our inaugural event in 2018.
“MeetGB has been designed with global buyers in mind to demonstrate the breadth and quality of the UK’s meetings and events industry, highlighting VisitBritain’s commitment to growing the business events sector.
“MeetGB gives UK suppliers a platform to promote their products on an international scale, creating valuable business connections that will ultimately drive more international MICE events across the country.”
Ahead of the business programme, buyers will be introduced to some of the best of the UK’s conference and events offering as they take part in three days of educational visits across the country.
MeetGB is hosted by VisitBritain in partnership with VisitEngland, Visit Wales, VisitScotland and Tourism Northern Ireland.
VisitBritain promotes business events worldwide under the Events are GREAT brand, part of the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign.
The brand drives awareness of Britain’s destinations and products, highlighting its history of research, innovation and high-quality infrastructure, positioning it as a leading destination for business events.
by Paul Kennedy MBE, Director and Owner, Kennedy Integrated Solutions
When I was asked to write about this subject with its long title it initially felt like that old school task of writing about the history of the world in one short essay. Well, now like then, I have decided the topic is too vast, too diverse and too subjective to try to cover a large range of topics so I am just going to focus on a small number. I am NOT going to talk about Brexit because like everyone else I don’t have the answers; I am NOT going to talk about Trump despite having a keen sense of humour and I am not going to claim that what I say identifies the challenges and achievements which are the most important as the criteria to judge which are, are simply too complex.
As I look back and peer forward …
… the industry I joined almost thirty years ago feels very different indeed. The first achievement I think worthy of note might be viewed as an academic one and this is how the meetings and events industry in all its guises and definitions has gained much wider political and policy making recognition.
At a macro perspective there is now a methodology which can measure the gross economic impact of our industry at a national level and this can indicate the contribution to GDP, employment levels and the generation of taxation revenues. Who would have thought that in the UK there would ever be a cross party all parliamentary group which acts as a voice for the work that our industry colleagues contribute to the wider economy? This economic value is currently being explored and championed further by the discussions around the subject of the knowledge economy and how the world of meetings and events can and arguably should be aligned in the quest to attract events to a destination.
Such strategic thought of say trying to attract meetings in subjects and industry sectors which are relevant to local economies, their talent pool and academic and research agendas is now to many an obvious thing to do. The Iceberg initiative founded and championed by that clever man James Latham is an example of real joined up thinking about how the destination supply side of our industry can think more strategically about the type of business it could and arguably should try to acquire.
The second area of my ramblings …
… once again focuses on the supply side and its explosion at a global level. Almost every day I read about a new meetings hotel being opened or planned; there are as I write something in the region of 40 new convention and event centres being planned, expanded or opened in Europe alone (Blackpool, Aberdeen, Gateshead, Newport in the UK to name just four) and the opening up of the myriad of new air routes many relatively low cost, presents the meeting, event or incentive planner with an incredibly increase in choice.
This destination competitive landscape will I believe continue to grow rapidly-there are it is reported 5000 towns and cities in Europe alone and the thirst for something new and different among meeting planners from all sectors would suggest that venues and hotels and the cities and region in which they are based will need to keep spending their marketing budgets as competition increase well above current levels.
My personal view is that digital marketing and face to face business development activity will become ever more dominate and that traditional trade press will become increasingly marginalised in the battle to acquire inbound meetings business .
But how have meetings changed?
This alone is one of those topics which spurn many books and much commentary. The transition for meeting planners from a more traditional focus on meeting logistics to meeting content is now well established across all sectors.
The discussions around meeting design, meetings architecture (pioneered by Maarten Van Este) and the ROI of meetings (championed in Europe by Elling Hamso) for example have really aided the debate around the value which meetings and events bring to organisation, and continue to drive the evolution of content and ideally the increase in delegate satisfaction and experience. If any organiser is failing to embrace issues such as these then perhaps as planners they will personally become less valuable in time.
Technological development
I guess there would be howls of derision, not least from Jacqui Kavanagh, if I did not mention technological development. Well although technological developments impact on all elements of our business and many elements of consumer life the old arguments that technology would lead to a dramatic reduction in meetings now surely has been consigned to the waste basket (it seems modern offices no longer have a waste bin for each desk!)
There is little doubt that technology has massively widened how we can plan and deliver meetings and research suggests that despite virtual conferencing increasing still further and replacing some small scale business and other meetings, the underlying trend for meetings continues to rise as economies grow and national boundaries open up.
There is strong evidence that in some sectors the number of delegates at mid to large events has and will continue to decline; in the world of international associations the challenge about how to attract younger generations into membership and then to attend meetings is of growing concern; intuitively it seems to me that this challenge must be associated with how today we all acquire, access and process information and for some will greatly influence how they choose to be part of a community or association.
I have selected just a small number of topics which have and will continue impact my career as a meeting and event planner and supplier. There are many more subjects I could of course have selected but none of the above or those issues not discussed, have been more impactful or important that the network of friends and professional colleagues with whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of working meeting and conversing with.
I can only ponder that the interaction with other professionals or like- minded and inquisitive individuals is why the world of meetings and events exists and continues to build, continues to enthrall and motivate and why I believe will for the long term continue to play a pivotal role in the lives of the many tens and tens of millions who attend meetings every year.
Kennedy Integrated Solutions advises destinations at a city, regional or national level, venues and venue groups, event companies and individual business executives about how to make their businesses grow and their organisations to become more effective and successful.
There’s been a lot of publicity about sexual harassment and the #metoo movement in the last year, but how would you handle a complaint of this sort if it happened at your event? What about a conference attendee smoking, vaping, carrying a gun or taking marijuana? In some places, this behaviour is permitted and it is important that we all know how to deal with these situations if they arise.
Sexual harassment is not unique to the meetings industry, but meetings do offer opportunities for abusive behaviour. You could get a complaint about any activity that an individual or group considers inappropriate and at meetings people often present themselves differently, as they are away from home, family and in unusual circumstances outside the office environment. Other issues which could offend are social media postings, suitable clothing and verbal comments, such as racist, anti-lgbt etc
Marijuana is now legal in Canada, as well as in 10 states in the US: California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. If you are holding an event here, you need to anticipate that attendees may want to use and what can be done to make sure that it is done safely. As this is a relatively recent development the liability laws have not been developed, as has been the case with alcohol.
EDGE Venues has looked at some items that you might want to consider when planning your event. If you’re organising an internal conference, then your company standards may cover some of these items, but if it is an external event then there are additional things to consider.
Checklist:
Outline what behaviour is unacceptable at meetings and events
Do attendees have a clear understanding of what is permitted and not permitted eg harassment, excessive drinking and other conduct
Issue instructions for an attendee to report improper conduct
Set up procedures for how you will investigate and respond if a complaint or allegation is made
If misconduct is found, plan what corrective action will be taken
Document all reported incidents, investigations and results
Check your insurance cover and any policy issues
Check your suppliers’ insurance cover and make sure these are adequate
Check national and state laws and regulations, make sure they are enforced
Have adequate security
Minimize opportunities for attendees to cause harassment, injuries or damage.
Accusations may be as harmful as proved bad conduct, as the perception of a badly managed event or one with a reputation for inappropriate behaviour will deter delegates from attending and will have a long term detrimental effect.
After months in the planning, Trinity Event Solutions is delighted to announce the official launch of EDGE Venues into the meetings and events space – providing a platform for a global venue sourcing solution to support agents, corporates and associations. This new, innovative and revolutionary digital platform has been created by the industry, for the industry.
With a global database of MICE specific hotels and venues, event planners and agencies will be able to use EDGE Venues, free of charge, to source the perfect venue for their next meeting or event.
Since the announcement of EDGE Venues earlier this summer, hotel groups, independents and venues have flocked to the site to update their data to with many achieving 100% of the available data fields to enhance their positioning on searches. Event planners, including agents and corporates can now search for venues within 125 destinations and 45 countries –a database that will continually grow as demand increases. The ‘compare’ feature is a key focal point for the website, allowing users to select a number of chosen properties and compare the features available to determine the most appropriate venue that meets their requirements. This is supported by a managed service to support both planners and venues.
Here’s what Julian Kettleborough, Commercial Director at Studio Venue Company had to say about signing up to EDGE Venues:
“We’re delighted to be launching thestudio on EDGE Venues and excited by the opportunity to promote our four-creative city centre event venues across an exciting new platform, which promises to deliver an excellent experience for venues, agents and their guests. The ability for users to tailor make their venue searches across a wide variety of criteria and for us to promote the personality and flexibility of our locations clinched it for us and we look forward to collaborating with the EDGE team and their users.”
EDGE Venues is a B2B platform packed with articles of inspiration and venue updates, news and offers. It will also provide a community voice where associations will be invited to share their insights into the industry.
Jacqui Kavanagh, Managing Director of Trinity Event Solutions and EDGE Venues had this to say on the launch:
“We’re really excited to be launching EDGE Venues into the marketplace. As event planners ourselves, we understand that every event is different. It’s with that in mind the search functionality for event specific data is very flexible with opportunities to see the benefits and USPs of the venue and how it will work for the event. The reaction from the industry in the lead up to the launch has been really encouraging and we can’t wait to see how we can develop this further to continue meeting the needs of venues, agencies and event planners.”
Want to know how you can get involved with EDGE
Venues? Contact the EDGE Team to find out more:
The Hyatt Regency Bangkok has had a soft opening and will celebrate a grand opening in January 2019.
Conveniently located on Sukhumvit road with direct access to BTS skytrain Nana Station, the hotel offers full facilities and amenities such as a fitness centre, swimming pool, outdoor spaces and Regency Club Lounge to provide energising experiences for guests visiting Bangkok, whether for business or leisure.
For meeting and event planners, the hotel will offer an array of function and meetings spaces totalling 1,359 sqm, with natural lighting and the latest AV technology featuring in all meeting rooms. The biggest space is on the fifth floor, where a pillarless ballroom has been designed to accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The room can also be divided into four separate venues.
Providing comfort and communal space for working or socialising, the event lounge, featuring a cluster seating area for four-to-eight persons, is ideal for small meetings.
Located on the 6th floor, their outdoor freeform pool is surrounded by lush vegetation with an outdoor whirlpool, shade/no shade pool chairs, a pool bar, lockers, sauna and steam room.
The 277 sq m. (2,981 sq ft.) lounge on the 27th floor offers stunning views of the city through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, with 66 comfortable seats both indoor and outdoor. Boardroom space for 12, with exclusive F&B offerings through the on-site kitchen, is also available.
The indoor and outdoor spaces of the hotel include a U-shaped bar and an all-day dining concept, including a multi-purpose venue and tapas bar on the 29th floor.
Working within the MICE industry for over 20 years, we have really seen the role of venues change when it comes to event planning and the relationships they hold with agencies and clients.
Traditionally the venue would provide a conference space, catering and accommodation based on the needs of the client. However, as event agencies look for new and exciting ways to help bring their message to life and create memorable experiences for their delegates, venues are stepping up and becoming important parts of the overall planning process.
HBAA Forum success
A recent and fantastic example of this new way of working can be taken from the HBAA’s Annual Forum, held recently at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon. While the venue provided a great blank canvas for our event, it meant we had to be extra creative on how to bring our festival theme to life, which was really important in creating an experience for our members.
While the HBAA events committee managed the agenda, registrations and the overall logistics of the event, they worked really closely with the team at the venue who supported us every step of the way and went above and beyond to help create our chosen festival theme.
The venue team embraced our vision in the planning stages, doing everything from sourcing local florist suppliers for our table centrepieces and creating a bespoke outside bar to enhance our theme to providing impressive bell tents for welcome and registration. Responding to our request for street food carts for the dinner, the venue knew this wasn’t its area of expertise, but instead of saying ‘no’ to the idea, venue staff went the extra mile and brought in external caterers to make our vision a reality.
In previous experiences, venues have been limited in flexibility in this type of offering, being relatively strict on catering and inflexible on many client requests that were not in line with their traditional room offering. The extent the venue team went to was a great experience for the HBAA and provided us with a real collaborative and flexible way of working.
In summary…
It’s good to witness venues going over and above their traditional role and starting to work as an extension of the events team. In my opinion this is a huge step forward in the industry and something we should and will start seeing more of in the future.
