Event Venues

Mandy Chagger

What a fantastic year “2006″. After getting feedback from clients about hotels from around the world that are hipper than hip, I have listed ten cosmopolitan retreats below. Outstanding designs, great locations and trendy bars and restaurants make each of these hotels a unique experience. So in no particular order.

1. Soho Grand Hotel (New York) a favorite with stars of the fashion and entertainment industries, the Soho Grand is ideally located for exploring the trend-setting shops and galleries in the surrounding area.

2. Pavillon De Paris Hotel (Paris) Within walking distance of some of the most attractive areas of Paris, this design boutique hotel is high on the style stakes offering hi-tech furnished rooms and a relaxed ambiance.

3. Lloyd Hotel (Amsterdam) a design hotel located in the fashionable Eastern Docklands area of Amsterdam, the Lloyd Hotel offers individually styled guest rooms furnished by Dutch artists within easy reach of the city centre.

4. Hotel Birger Jarl (Stockholm) Located in the centre of Stockholm, Hotel Birger Jarl is a uniquely-designed contemporary testament to Swedish creativity. The rooms mix fun modern touches with authentic Swedish décor.

5. Bryant Park Hotel (New York) Bold colours and modernist furnishings fill this stunning 25-storey building opposite New York’s Bryant Park and close to 5th Avenue. Sip Martinis in the hotel’s candlelit Cellar Bar or enjoy views of the park and meals in the Lobby Bar.

6. Clift Hotel (San Francisco) This Ian Schrager hotel incorporates Philippe Starck furniture, guestrooms draped in leathers, silks and velvets and blends tradition with cutting-edge design. Rooms offer great views of the city while the Asia de Cuba restaurant is one of San Francisco’s hippest venues.

7. Art’Otel Mitte (Berlin) Beautifully decorated hotel in Berlin’s historical Mitte district, decked in art by contemporary artist Georg Baselitz. Stylish rooms offer plenty of comfort while the hotel’s restaurants offer a variety of modern cuisine.

8. Avalon Hotel (Los Angeles) Just a short stroll from the world famous Rodeo Drive, the Avalon features an hourglass swimming pool and 68 separate guest rooms all benefiting from separate sitting and dining areas; many of which have private balconies.

9. Andel’s Design Hotel (Prague) Surrounded by the shopping complexes of the renovated Andel City, Andel’s Design Hotel epitomises the area it inhabits. Expect architect-designed guestrooms with heated bathroom floors and minimalist but comfortable furnishings.

10. Aleph A Boscolo Luxury Hotel (Rome) A short walk from the city’s famous Spanish steps (and many of its better shops), the Aleph and its award-winning design are housed in a Renaissance building on a quiet side street. Massage and saunas are available in the hotel spa.

Mandy Chagger

The conference market seems to be on the up and up for UK Hotels. “Hotels, universities and other academic venues, and conference/training venues typically hosted more conferences than other venues (hotels an average of 546 conferences; universities and conference/training centres an average of 507)” (British Conference Venues Survey – published Monday 18th September 2006 by the British Association of Conference Destinations).

With this in mind I have compiled a list of the top 10 corporate conferencing hotels in the major UK cities as used by our clients. The meeting facilities offered at these properties are unrivalled for quality and value in their respective cities. In no specific order:

1)The Cumberland Hotel (London). A world-class hotel. A place where breathtaking style and design, exceptional comfort and personal service combine to form a truly unique and intimate experience. The Cumberland is situated at the top of Park Lane, one of London’s most upmarket districts. This unique hotel has over 1,000 contemporary designer bedrooms.

2)Hilton London Metropole (London). The 4-star Hilton London Metropole is one of Europe’s largest hotel and conference centres, with the space and flexibility to hold any size of meeting or event. With superb transportation links, the hotel is just 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station by the Heathrow Express air-conditioned train; and the Hilton London Metropole is an easy ten-minute walk to Oxford Street.

3)Hyatt Regency Hotel (Birmingham). The Hyatt Regency Birmingham is a modern, luxury hotel located in Birmingham city. The Hyatt Regency is linked directly to Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) and just ten minutes by train from Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

4)Holland House (Cardiff). This ultra modern hotel has exceptional levels of luxury and service and offers superb accommodation. The hotel has one the largest meeting and banqueting facilities in Cardiff and is situated in a prime location within minutes of the shopping district and the Millennium stadium . 5)The Palace Hotel (Manchester). The Palace Hotel is a historical grade II listed building dripping in history and character. The hotel’s distinctive façade is a recognised land mark in Manchester with a distinctive 217ft tall clock tower. The hotel is easily located in the centre of Manchester and in close proximity to a host of stylish and elegant bars, clubs and restaurants.

6)The Midland (Manchester). Lavishly refurbished, the hotel now melds a glamorous 1903 chic with an impeccable deluxe pedigree. Standing proud in the heart of the city the hotel offers contemporary luxury inside with all that the city has to offer on the doorstep.

7)Thistle Newcastle Hotel (Newcastle). This 19th Century listed building has 115 bedrooms, 7 meeting rooms and fitness centre. Thistle Newcastle is centrally located 5 minutes from a host of shops, entertainment and nightlife.

8)Glasgow Marriott Hotel (Glasgow). Set in a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a renowned business centre and prestigious shopping, the Glasgow Marriott Hotel puts you in the heart of it all. This luxury hotel is a five-minute stroll to nightlife, the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre and one of the best shopping areas outside London.

9)Radisson SAS Hotel (Edinburgh). With conference and banquet rooms that can accommodate a meeting for two or an event for 200, the Radisson SAS Edinburgh offers flexible meeting facilities that can cater for most meetings and events needs. Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre on the historic Royal Mile, the Radisson SAS Hotel is located halfway between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.

10)Europa Hotel and Eurobusiness Centre (Belfast). Having recently completed a major extension, with the addition of 56 new executive bedrooms the Europa now has a total of 240 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in Northern Ireland. Conference facilities at the 4 Star Europa Hotel are second to none. From the Grand Ballroom to the purpose built Eurobusiness Centre, this is truly the province’s best City Centre Business Centre.

Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions. - Evan Esar (1899-1995), American Humorist

Mandy Chagger

There is no doubt that conference venues can determine the success of a corporate event. The location of conference venues needs to portray a good impression of an organization and its delegates. This means that a substantial amount of planning is required if a suitable conference venue is to be obtained. Finding a conference venue can be a difficult task without the right guidance and support. Organizing an event like an international conference is complicated enough and as such, companies will need specialist assistance in order to stream line the whole administrative process. It is also worth mentioning that finding a conference venue can be both an expensive venture and time-consuming venture.

This is because organisers will have to invest time and money in searching for the venue and will also have to pay for the use of the venue itself. Furthermore, another important fact to consider is that most corporate conferences, meeting and events have to be organised within a very short period of time. This makes finding the most suitable venue an even more difficult task for organisers, because they also have to attend to other corporate matters. In this regard, it is advisable for companies and event organisers to use a specialist venue finding agency. Such agencies can remove all the bottlenecks and unforeseen costs involved in finding a conference venue. So, it can be said that such professional agencies can save companies a substantial amount of time and money. This is why an increasing number of companies and event organisers are choosing venue finding agencies.

When searching for an agency which deals with finding conference venues, it is advisable to look out for those which offer a free service. These types of conference venue finders are actually funded by hotels and conference venues. This enables them to offer a free service to companies and event organisers. Using a free service gives you the added peace of mind that there will be no hidden costs or charges. Professional conference venue finders are also able to provide their clients with a fully customized service which meets their exact venue specifications and requirements. They deal with all the leg work, paperwork and administrative issues so that companies and event organisers can focus their time and resources on other aspects of their business. Regardless of what conference venue size you require or whether you require dining and accommodation facilities as well, a specialist conference venue agency can assist you. They can also help you find traditional, contemporary or unusual conference venues locations. In the light of this, it can be suggested that the benefits which a conference venue finder can provide cannot be over emphasized. When searching for such free venue finding agencies, it is always a good idea to approach those which have many years of experience and good track record in the industry.

This is because these sort of agencies are more likely to provide a more efficient and reliable service. Such agencies will also have a team of fully trained professionals who are capable of providing effective advice and guidance. They have the resources and negotiation skills to ensure that you get the best deal possible. One way to check up on an agency’s reputation is to look out for customer testimonials on their site. The most reputable venue finding agencies will be able to provide assistance if you are looking for a conference venue outside the UK. They will also be able to provide solutions for things like event management, group accommodation bookings, and venue and event accommodation rate cards. The best venue finding agencies provide extensive, customer-oriented services such as management information and budgeting support. In most cases, free venue finding agencies will give their clients the opportunity to visit prospective venues for inspection. This allows the client to make thorough appraisal of the venue. Doing this is essential because at the end of the day, the decision to either accept or reject a proposed venue is ultimately the client’s decision.

Before contacting a free conference venue finder, it is important to know a few things about the type of venue you require. This will help the agency find the most suitable venue. Information such as potential number of attendees, layout, equipment requirements and the need for room annexes will help the agency in its bid of finding the ideal conference venue. In terms of distances, you will also need to ensure that any proposed conference venue can be easily accessed by your delegates. With the aid of a professional conference venue finding agency, there is no doubt that you have an increased chance of finding the ideal venue. The majority of free venue services make it easy for you to contact them via their website, and you can be sure that you will get a comprehensive response within hours of making your inquiry.

Mandy Chagger

On a regular basis, companies find that they have to organise meetings, seminars and other corporate events. In terms if organising an annual general meeting, companies have to engage in substantial planning and research when it comes to finding the most suitable venue. The process of organising meetings such as this can be a lengthy one. Moreover, not all companies have the time or resources to go through the whole process of organising a meeting. This is because there are many factors to consider when organising a meeting. This includes the number of people that will be in attendance, the accessibility of the venue and the equipment/facilities available at the venue. It is also worth mentioning that not many companies have the adequate personnel required for effectively organising a meeting.

If a company does not wish to directly locate a meeting venue, there are a few options available which they could explore. Hiring a specialist agency which organises meetings would be the one way to stream line the process of securing a meeting venue. Such agencies will charge the company a fee for the venue finding service they offer. Though this sort of service is more efficient and cost-effective than searching for a meeting venue directly, there are still some pitfalls and bottlenecks that could be encountered. These obstacles have the potential to cost a company substantial amounts of unforeseen expenses.

The main reason for this is because using such services often means that companies may not necessarily get the best deal possible, as some hidden costs might be involved. Such hidden costs may arise from the fact that the agency’s service fee and the cost of using the venue could be over-inflated, especially if the agency has commercial affiliations with the venues. In light of this, it will be advisable for a company to patronise the services of a free meeting organiser. A free meeting organiser will be able to provide a fully customised venue finding service on a free-of-charge basis. These free meeting organisers are funded by conference venues and hotels and as such, there will be no conflicting interests in terms of venue fees and service charges. Regardless of what type of meeting venue you require, whether a traditional or contemporary venue, meeting organisers can provide effective assistance. Before patronising the services of a meeting organiser, it is important for a company to know how many people will be attending the meeting and what venue equipment or facilities they would require. Companies also need to make sure that their delegates and attendees will be able to easily access any prospective venues.

Providing meeting organisers with as much information as possible will certainly facilitate the service that they provide. For those corporate meetings which will be held over a few days, companies will have to consider accommodation booking. Many good meeting organisers are also able to provide an accommodation booking service. If the selected venue does not have accommodation facilities, a meeting organiser can book accommodation in nearby hotels and inns. This can be done easily since the most reliable meeting organisers build and maintain close affiliations and communication links with a network of local hotels.

Finding a meeting organiser is seldom a difficult task because the market for this service has been growing rapidly over the last few years. This means that the market is characterised by many competing firms which all engage in strategic advertising and promotion. New firms also enter the market on a frequent basis. Doing a simple keyword search on a reliable Internet search engine will yield a variety of free meeting organiser sites and advertisements. There is no doubt that with the assistance of an experienced professional meeting organiser, companies can be sure that they will obtain the most suitable venue at the most favourable rates. Once a meeting organiser has located potential meeting venues, they normally give the company the opportunity to inspect the venue before any final arrangements are made. Companies who are looking to organise a meeting outside the UK will also find meeting organisers to be helpful in this regard.

It is very important for a company to have a good idea about the track record of a meeting organiser in order to ensure that they would provide a satisfactory service. Asking prospective organisers for client references and looking out for customer testimonials on their websites is a good way to do this. Many meeting organisers can be contacted via their websites using online forms or email. Inquirers can usually expect a same-day response time. Their teams of fully trained customer service advisers will also be able to provide you with expert advice and guidance. Furthermore, some meeting organisers offer comprehensive services which include things like information management, accommodation group booking, event management and budget control.

Mandy Chagger

When booking a venue for a corporate event, there are a few important things which must be considered. The first thing which needs to be accounted for is the size capacity of the venue. Other things like accommodation booking, equipment, transportation accessibility and cost also need to be sorted out. Finding the actual venue for a corporate seminar, meeting, conference or training programme can be an arduous task without professional assistance and guidance. The fact is that the whole process of booking a venue can be a time-consuming and complicated one. Furthermore, most corporate events usually have tight time schedules which must be met. As such, venue booking always requires careful planning and organization.

Due to limited time and other resources some companies and events organizers may not be able to focus wholly on the entire process of venue booking. This means that such companies or event organizers may not be able to obtain the most suitable venue. There is no doubt that the right venue cannot only compliment any corporate event, but can also contribute to making the event a success. This is because the right venue portrays the company and its delegates in a good light.

With the aid of a specialist venue booking service, the whole process of finding a suitable venue can be stream lined and expedited. This is because a venue booking service can remove the administrative bottlenecks and unforeseen costs that are involved with finding a venue. Some venue booking services will charge you a fee for the service they provide. This means that companies will have to make two separate expenditures. In other words, they would need to pay the venue finding service and will also have to pay for the use of the venue itself. Using such venue finding services may not be the most cost-effective way of booking a venue. Hence, a company looking for a corporate venue should search for a venue booking service which offers their services for free. Such venue booking services are funded or sponsored by the venues themselves. This allows them to provide their services on a free basis. The venue sponsors which fund free venue booking services could either be hotels or other conference venues.

The advantages which a company could enjoy from a venue booking service cannot be too stressed upon. This is because such services are able to provide a fully customized service that meets the exact requirements and specifications of their clients. The most reputable venue booking services are also able to provide their clients with other peripheral services such as information management and budget support. At this junction it should be mentioned that it is always advisable for companies and event organizers to patronize the services of a venue booking service, which has a good reputation and track record. This will increase their chances of obtaining a high quality service, and this will in turn ensure that a suitable venue is found on time. Searching for customer testimonials on their website is useful way of obtaining an idea about the track record of a particular venue booking service.

A competent venue booking service will have a team of experienced professionals who have many years of experience in terms of finding corporate venues. Their staff will be able to provide clients with effective guidance and support. They will also have strong negotiation skills, which will be necessary for getting clients the best venue at the most competitive rates. One of the good things about using a free venue booking service is the fact since you will only be paying for the use of the venue it self, you can have the added peace of mind that there will be no hidden charges. This is why an increasing number of companies and event organizers are choosing free venue booking services for their venue finding needs.

Since some venues do not have in-house accommodation facilities, some free venue booking services are also able to secure accommodation discounts in nearby hotels for those clients who require this. They are able to do this because they build and maintain close affiliations and communication links with many good local hotels. Though locating an ideal corporate venue may not be a straight forward task, finding a free venue booking service is not at all difficult. This is because many free venue booking services can be found online. You can also contact them via their websites. The most reliable venue booking services will normally be able to respond to your online or email inquiries within hours of making it. There is no doubt that with the aid of the right venue booking service, you can find whatever type of venue you are looking for whether a contemporary, unusual or traditional venue. Even if you are looking to book a venue outside the UK, a reputable venue booking service will be able to provide effective assistance.

Mandy Chagger

Are you planning a professional gathering, conference or event? Professional conferences are an opportunity for education, networking and more. The right conference centre or conference venue can help make all your events a success. Conference venues vary, so selecting the one right for your needs may take some effort. You may find that good conference services can assist you in finding the right conference venues for your events.

A number of factors come into play when selecting a conference centre or venue for your professional events. The first consideration is the total expected attendance for all of your events. It is essential that the conference venues you select for your events are appropriately sized for your needs. A venue that is too small will be uncomfortable, and one that is too large will add to your costs and likely function poorly for your overall needs. As you plan your events, work to approximate the total attendance to choose the venue best suited to your events from among the venues available.

Conference services are another issue to think about when planning your professional events. Good conference services will make your planning both faster and easier. Conference services may assist with promotions, planning, catering, and other needs to help all your events go smoothly. If attendees will be travelling long distances, it may be especially helpful to make certain that excellent conference services are in place for events at your conference. When you select conference venues for your events, be certain that they offer the conference services you and your guests might require.

Conference services can range from technology, like wireless internet and projectors, to meal planning. Quality conference services can help your events proceed smoothly, and insure that your attendees will return in the future. Catering and food service can be a critical component of a well-planned event, so be certain that the conference services staff at the conference venues you consider for your events have this well in hand. If you prefer to have your events catered by a local restaurant or service, be certain that the venue allows that.

Consider also whether your attendees will require accommodations at your events. If so, perhaps selecting a hotel with food and conference services as your conference venue for your events will be beneficial. Conference services may also be able to assist with accommodations bookings for your attendees at the conference centre or venue, or another nearby hotel if that is more suitable. While a hotel is not a unique option as far as conference venues, it can be a very practical and functional one for your attendees. Being able to stay at the conference venue can make late nights at a training event or professional conference much more convenient.

Another consideration when selecting conference venues for your conferences or events is uniqueness. Your conference or event attendees will appreciate a new, different and unique conference venue. Hotels and conference centres are the most common choices for professional events, but you may find that smaller establishments or alternative venues would also work well for your conference planning needs. Some restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and other conference venues may offer the conference services you need to plan a memorable and successful professional event. Sports venues, racetracks, and arenas suit some professional events, particularly very large ones.

You may also find it worthwhile to select an unusual location, but do be certain to choose one that is easily accessible for your event attendees. Your events will likely not be well attended if your conference venues are hard to access. In the case of an international event of some sort, select a venue convenient to a major airport. A regional event of one sort or another may be well served by a location accessible by train, or centrally located and conveniently accessed by car. Some events are well suited to rural locations and may even allow you to combine a professional conference with teamwork building activities. Other professional events may work best when planned for a large urban area.

Conference planning services can help you to plan events and fine suitable venues. A successful professional event will include good accommodations, good food, and a well-chosen venue that meets the needs of all conference attendees. Whether you need a small venue or a very large one, good conference planning and good conference services can make your event a success. The right location and right venue is only one step in planning a successful event, as the event itself is up to you. Events of all sorts, particularly large ones, take substantial effort, organisation, and thought. Choosing the right venues for your events is only one piece of this puzzle. Some of the rest may be impacted by good conference services, as well as the activities, vendors, or training offered at your professional event or conference.