Avoiding WiFi woes – Central Hall webinar announced

Central Hall Westminster invites events professionals to register to participate in a free webinar it will host on Thursday 20th February, 9am-10am, to address the way and means to ‘Avoiding WiFi woes – filling the expectation gap between venues and event organisers’.

Staying ahead of the game is about proactively engaging with technology, sharing ideas and adapting to resources available. The UK events industry has a lot of catching up to do and through its ‘Meet the Future’ series, Central Hall is aiming to fill and bridge that gap.

Learn from the experts, including Richard Hughes, director of event WiFi specialist Max WiFi, and Kim Carrington, IT manager at Central Hall, who will help you to ask venues the right questions to avoid those familiar WiFi woes.

The session will prepare you with a solid understanding, case studies, a handy glossary and a unique chance to ask your specific event questions. To register for this free event click here.

Send your questions prior to the event to Maria Schuett to guarantee inclusion in the seminar programme.

 

RIBA’s 66@80 exhibition celebrates 80 years

The 80-year anniversary celebrations have begun for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and its conference and events arm, RIBA Venues in London, with the launch of a free ‘66@80’ photography exhibition showcasing the construction and history of RIBA’s headquarters – a light-flooded building that opened in 1934.

RIBA was formed in 1834 in a pub, St James Tavern and it was in 1928 that RIBA decided to build its own headquarters. Architect Grey Wornum submitted the winning design, which facilitated easy flow around the structure with its no corridor style. Many of the decorative features of this masterpiece tell the story of the construction and the people who worked on it.

Today, RIBA boasts a number of event spaces equipped for a variety of events, from conferences, meetings, dinners and receptions to weddings and creative events. It also features three terraces which offer rare outside space, with panoramic views of London from the top floors.

RIBA Venues can host up to 400 delegates in its tiered auditorium. All of its meeting spaces have large, bright windows and offer modern technology. Its art deco interiors add a touch of period romance to special occasions held at the venue – a popular feature captured as the backdrop to many films, fashion shows and TV productions.

St Martin’s announces new events menus

Adam Ismael, head chef at St Martin-in-Fields is pleased to present a series of delicious new menus for events at this Trafalgar Square venue. Appointed in 2013, Ismael’s career background encompasses West End restaurants and prestigious events, including state banquets at Buckingham Palace.

Since becoming head chef, Ismael has opened Café in the Courtyard, revitalised the daily menus in the Café in the Crypt and this season he will introduce a new series of menus for events and meetings at St Martin’s. From canapés and fork buffets to sit down dinners, the new St Martin’s menus are sure to delight every client.

For more details of St Martin’s menus and for information on room hire and availability email [email protected].

Burns Night whisky experience at The Athenaeum

Burns Supper at The Athenaeum Hotel is set to be brimming with tradition and twists. On Saturday 25th January this Mayfair hotel’s monthly whisky social will pay homage to the great Scottish poet with a sumptuous four-course meal created by Martine Nouet.

Robert Burns may have seen Scotch whisky as holding a special symbolic significance for Scotland but that has not stopped France-born Martine Nouet from becoming one of the world’s most famous whisky tasters and commentators in the world. Martine will revisit the traditional Burns Night supper and pair each course with specially selected drams of Balvenie whisky, a mouth-watering single malt sourced in Speyside.

The evening begins at 6.30pm with canapés and cocktails, followed by a four course meal at 7pm – each course paired with a different dram of Balvenie. Adding her own special stamp to the proceedings, Martine will guide guests through the menu and share stories from her world of whisky. Also joining her is Balvenie ambassador Alwynne Gwilt, a.k.a. Miss Whisky, together with The Athenaeum’s very own whisky sommelier, Ivo Silva.

The Athenaeum hosts a whisky social every month, but if you can’t wait that long why not visit their famous Whisky Bar? With over 300 whiskies and counting, they get their hands on every new expression they can, so you can enjoy the widest possible choice. Try the whisky and cheese pairing experience from £15 per course.

Tickets for the Burns Supper are £75 per person and spaces are very limited. To reserve a place please call 0207 640 3311 or email The Athenaeum on [email protected].

110 Rochester Row increases capacity

Form an orderly queue! 110 Rochester Row is pleased to announce an increase in its capacity, with the venue now able to host events for up to 180 delegates.

The contemporary space in Victoria combines cutting-edge technology with excellent service to give an all-round conferencing experience. The increase in capacity represents the venue’s continuing commitment to providing high quality events in the heart of London.

Inspired by a number of cultural events taking place across the capital in the coming months, 110 Rochester Row is also offering event organisers a number of exclusive incentives, from free photography to fortune cookies.

Menu relaunch for The Rag

Private members’ club The Rag has relaunched its menus for events, bringing a new level of culinary expertise to the offering at this exclusive venue on London’s Pall Mall.

Executive chef Paul Elliott’s career spans numerous prestigious establishments, including a three-year role as personal chef to the Aspinall family at Howletts Mansion in Kent, well known for its work with endangered wild animals.

The new private dining and banqueting menus feature the best British produce, promoting the use of rare breeds from British farms that practice the highest standards of animal husbandry. Only the finest meats make it into classics such as Tournedo Rossini and roasted loin of ‘Denham Estate’ venison wellington.

Using the new ‘menu selector’, event organisers can create their own event menus, choosing from an array of both classic and modern dishes.

Request a copy of The Rag’s new event menus by contacting Emily Moss, events manager via email at [email protected] or by phone 020 7930 9721.

Church House secures Venue Verdict Gold

Church House Conference Centre has scooped the coveted BDRC Venue Verdict Gold Standard once again, in recognition of the Westminster venue’s consistently high quality of customer service. Only a handful of independent venues receive the Gold Standard, making this an exceptional achievement for Church House and its team.

Based entirely on the opinions and experiences of clients, the Venue Verdict Gold Standard is a true mark of quality. This latest accreditation tops off a successful year for Church House, having secured the Gold Standard award every three months through 2013.

The continual feedback from clients via the Venue Verdict Accreditation programme also acts as a foundation for ongoing improvements. During 2013, the venue invested over £146,000 in audio visual technology including web streaming and ‘video on demand’ services using HD broadcast quality equipment.

“Delivering an unbeatable level of customer service has always been our main focus. It’s become a unique selling point for which our venue and dedicated team is renowned. We work hard to ensure that every event is a success, from the moment an event is booked to the time visitors leave. It is an outstanding achievement for us, and highlights the good work we have been doing and will continue to do to achieve the highest standards,” said Robin Parker, general manager at Church House Conference Centre.

Spend summer on Quarterdeck aboard HQS Wellington

If you are looking for a London venue with a difference for this summer, then look no further than a unique dining experience on board the HQS Wellington.

Moored on by the Thames Embankment, the HQS Wellington offers a memorable backdrop for summer parties. Her central location affords sweeping views of the South Bank, from the Shard to the London Eye, not to mention the ever-changing scene of river traffic.

Soak up the sun on Quarterdeck with up to 220 guests, as The Cook & The Butler’s dedicated hospitality service provides a fine dining experience including cocktails and a barbeque.

Email the events team to enquire about availability and the all-inclusive summer packages. You will never see the river the same way!