Don’t miss the chance to be at our fang-tastic showcase

Make sure you have the hottest ticket in town to attend our Hallo-Westminster showcase at One Great George Street.

The event, from 6.30pm on Tuesday 24 October, offers a gore-inspiring opportunity to meet with over 30 of London’s finest venues, network with other event professionals and take part in some terrifying trick or treats.

Our wonderful venues have kindly gifted the following treats to the Hallo-Westminster raffle:

  • Bateaux London – Dinner cruise for two
  • Army & Navy – Lunch for two in the Coffee Room
  • Royal Society – Tour of the venue and afternoon tea for two
  • Churchill War Rooms – Two museum entry tickets
  • One Whitehall Place – Afternoon tea for two
  • IET – Lunch for two in the Faraday Brasserie
  • The Lansdowne Club – Dinner for two in the Dining Room

Register your interest before Friday 20 October by emailing [email protected]

*Places are strictly limited and Westminster Venue Collection reserve the right to qualify your event planning credentials in order to confirm your place.

Experience grandeur and political intrigue at House of Commons’ pop-up restaurant

The House of Commons is pleased to offer the opportunity to dine in the magnificent surroundings of one of its grandest dining rooms – The Strangers’ Dining Room.

Originally a Peers’ committee room that was later transformed into a dining facility in approximately 1867, The Strangers’ Dining Room was renamed during the interwar period. When Parliament is in session, the room is used by Members to meet their guests and these visitors are referred to as ‘Strangers’.

The House of Commons is a very British affair with the promise of courteous service and top end British cuisine. Seasonal ingredients from across the United Kingdom will be paired with sublime presentation and elegance, for a truly unique pop-up dining experience.

Book your table today at www.parliament.uk/dining

Discover how to get ahead in life at QEII’s inspiring masterclasses

A series of three inspirational masterclasses is being held at the QEII Centre this October to help people get ahead in their personal and professional lives and follow their dreams, no matter how big or small.

The first event, ‘Being Your Best Self’, will take place on Monday 9 October hosted by Zoe Jackson MBE.

Founder and managing director of Living the Dream Performing Arts Company and charity Dream Foundation, Zoe started her business aged just 16 and has gone on to achieve national and international recognition. She will be sharing her story and top tips for adjusting your mindset to aid personal development and realise your full potential.

The second masterclass on 16 October, ‘Turn Your Blogging Passion into a Career’ will feature professional blogger Lucie Kerley from ‘Lucie Loves’, talking about how she has built a career as a freelance lifestyle blogger. Attendees will learn about the complexities of the modern blogging world including including blogger communities, sponsored posts and real life vs. Instagram.

On Wednesday 18 October the final inspiring event, ‘Think Like a Winning Athlete’, will offer advice on using the focused mentality of an Olympic athlete in everyday life.

Speaker Danielle Brown MBE is a double Paralympic gold medalist archer, who has also gone on to win Commonwealth gold in the able-bodied discipline. The session will discuss how harnessing the powers of resilience and self-belief can help you get ahead.

QEII Inspire began as part of the QEII’s 30th birthday celebrations, to mark three decades of providing a stage for game changers and innovators. All of the QEII Inspire sessions will include an interactive Q&A session, as well as a welcome drink on arrival and goody bag to take home, with tickets costing just £10 per person.

All ticket proceeds from the events will be donated to the Prince’s Trust, an organisation that is dedicated to helping transform and inspire thousands of young lives every year.

Tickets can be booked online at qeiicentre.london/qeii-inspire.

Discover the magnificent view of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks at One Whitehall Place

Celebrate the New Year in luxury and style at One Whitehall Place’s New Year’s Eve black tie dinner dance.

With magnificent views of the River Thames and London Eye, One Whitehall Place at The Royal Horseguards is the place to be this New Year’s Eve.

Commencing in the Reading and Writing room with a welcome glass of bubbly and canapé reception, guests will enjoy the finest seven-course dinner with complimentary house wine, beers and soft drinks in the Gladstone Library.

Celebrations will continue with the opportunity to dance along to live music entertainment including the best position to observe the nation’s famous firework display.

Enjoy a splendid New Year’s celebration at the Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place for £395 per person*.

For further information or to make a booking please contact the team on 020 7451 9386 or [email protected]

*Kindly be informed that the event is for guests over 18 years, only.

Good luck to WVC members at miaList awards

We wish members Paul Martins of Cavendish Venues and Roopi Woodall and Charlotte Best from the QEII Centre the very best of luck in this Friday’s miaList awards.

The winners who make their way onto the prestigious role of honour, which celebrates the very best talent in the sector, will be announced at a celebratory lunch on Friday, 6 October 2017 at Park Plaza Victoria, London.

Cavendish Venues assists Animal Hero Awards 2017

Cavendish Venues was delighted to attend the Animal Hero Awards ceremony after facilitating the judging panel for publisher Trinity Mirror.

Hosted by Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden at Grosvenor House on Park Lane on 7 September 2017, the awards celebrated the bravery, dedication and resilience of animals and people.

A host of celebrity faces presented awards including ‘RSPCA Superstar of the year’, ‘Outstanding contribution’ and ‘Hero Animal of the year’, filling the evening with tales of appreciation for special people and animals.

Read more about the winners of the night, here

Christmas Showcase at Conrad London St James

Conrad London St James welcomed the great and good of the corporate and event world to their Christmas showcase on Tuesday 19 September.

Head Chef Michael Riordan and his team cooked up a winter feast for the 180 guests, transforming the historic 19th Century building into the newest Christmas market on the block and presenting the venue’s different party options for the upcoming festive season.

Conrad London St James’ party packages include:

  • Lunchtime celebrations from £35 per person
  • Afternoon Tea buffets from £35 per person
  • Evening celebrations from £45 per person

For more options and information about the events and packages, contact the Conrad London St James team on [email protected]

Join St Martin-in-the-Fields as Events and Sales Executive

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate, highly organised, forward thinking people person to proactively support the Events and Sales Manager, in the management and sale of the events and conference spaces at St Martin’s. This is an ideal opportunity for the right candidate looking to start a career in Events Management.

This unique central London venue is situated within a historic and modern architectural masterpiece, with a team of award winning chefs, customer service trained staff and a choice of beautiful spaces.

The key focus of the role will be working closely with the Events and Sales Manager delivering events across the site. You will fully support our existing business, as well as generate new business leads through proactive sales calls, presentations and show rounds.

If you are…..

 Passionate – about understanding and responding to a client’s needs

 Enthusiastic – about hospitality and great customer care

 Hardworking – who can take the initiative to get things done and work to deadlines

 Motivated – to learn and excel in events industry  Self-starting – excellent at organisation and calm under pressure

 Friendly – able to work in a team with a fantastic team spirit

…then apply.

Experience of working in a hospitality environment is required, and a degree in Events Management or appropriate Hospitality degree or formal qualification.
Working at St Martin’s

Based at: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.

Working pattern: In general will be Monday to Friday, however there is weekend work for some event bookings, 40 hours per week, including some early mornings and evenings.

Salary: up to £21,000 plus Workplace Pension. Free meal on duty, free filter coffee and tea throughout your working day, 20% discount in the Café in the Crypt/Courtyard and Shop (excluding books and CDs) and limited concert concessions.

Holiday entitlement: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays Notice period: 1 month

For a full job profile see our website www.smitf.org

How to apply

To apply for this post, please email the following to [email protected] by 9.00 am Monday 25 September 2017:  a supporting statement, explaining why you believe you can do this role  a comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role, and including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer (please note we will not contact referees without your permission).

If you would like to chat about the role, please call James Clark, Events and Sales Manager, on 020 7766 1139, or Nadine Swaffield, Human Resources Manager on 020 7766 1101.

Interviews will be Friday 29 September 2017.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, unfortunately we cannot respond to all individual applicants.

Join Cavendish Venues as Event Sales Executive!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work for the award-winning Cavendish Venues, experienced events professionals with seven central London properties.

Job description: Events Sales Executive

The Event Sales Executive’s role will be to proactively represent, promote and sell Cavendish Venues’ facilities to the corporate markets as well as industry agents. You will liaise closely with the Director of Sales in optimizing the promotion of all the facilities available within Cavendish Venues.

Cavendish Venues will work with the successful candidate to make sure that flexibility to maintain a constant flow of information is upheld on the database for reporting and that sufficient training is given to develop in the role and succeed.

Working hours will vary according to business demands, predominantly based on a rotation basis in one of three central London venues either in the West End by Oxford Circus or in the City by Tower Hill.

Generally though, a 40 hour week, 9am-5.30pm, however flexibility in covering the administrative offices is required and time off in lieu will apply.

It is envisaged that with new found business, those clients would expect the Event Sales Executive responsible for bringing in that business to be present initially to ensure a successful event.

Package:

  • Competitive starting salary negotiable and dependent on experience, regularly reviewed
  • Individual financial incentives subject to achieving agreed Key Performance Indicators and targets
  • Bonus incentive payable subject to meeting company financial targets
  • Hot Fork Buffet Lunch option available to all staff every day when at venues
  • 21 Days Holiday Leave plus 8 Bank Holidays
  • BUPA cover after and subject to passing probationary period (3 months)
  • Pension option after and subject to passing probationary period (3 months)
  • Opportunity to learn and develop career with a company with a track record of encouraging staff to achieve and to be successful for the firm and personally

Responsibilities:

  • Representing, promoting and selling Cavendish Venues by establishing contact and developing relationships with prospects; recommending solutions
  • Maintaining and developing relationships with existing clients via meetings, telephone calls and emails
  • Arranging and carrying out site visits and visiting potential clients for new business as appropriate
  • Making accurate, rapid cost calculations, and provide clients with quotations on proposals
  • Negotiating the terms of an agreement and closing sales
  • Representing Cavendish Venues at trade exhibitions, events and networking occasions with and when the Director of Sales is not available to do so
  • Identifying venue improvements or new packages by remaining current on industry trends, market activities, and competitors
  • Identifying business opportunities by identifying prospects and evaluating their position in the industry; researching and analyzing sales options
  • Reviewing your own sales performance, aiming to meet or exceed agreed Key Performance Indicators and targets
  • Providing feedback from clients to enhance product performance and service delivery
  • Preparing weekly sales activity reports to be sent to Director of Sales & CEO
  • Ensuring effective internal communications both within the Sales Team, Diary Team, Operations Team and across the organization
  • Maintaining quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards
  • Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies as required
  • Contributing to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed such as operational assistance where required
  • Updating special offers on online platforms and suggesting ideas for Marketing such as contributions for Social Media promotion
  • Attending Monthly Company evening meeting

The ideal candidate should have:

  • Some experience of working in the hospitality, event, venue, sales or catering sector, holding a sales/coordinating related position for approximately 1 year, ideally London based but not essential
  • Have a target driven mentality with the desire to win and retain business
  • Be articulate and have a proactive approach to sales
  • Be sales focused with an ability to think on your feet, have the confidence to negotiate and close business successfully and consistently
  • Be able to prioritize and be highly-organised with exceptional time management
  • Strong administrative and coordination skills
  • Commitment to delivering a high level of customer service
  • Self-motivated
  • Team player
  • Degree qualification (preferable but not essential)
  • Be passionate about sales and hospitality in events
  • Be smartly presented
  • Ability to drive an advantage
  • Have previous experience of using NFS Rendez-Vous System or similar

If you feel you have all the above qualities and would like to join and contribute towards a privately-owned, award-winning company which takse pride in personable service and people development, Cavendish Venues would love to hear from you.

Email your CV with salary expectations to [email protected].