Category: Networking events

BAFTA plays host to ‘A Night to Remember’

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During this year’s London Fashion Week, The Green Carpet Challenge (GCC) united with BAFTA and the British Fashion Council to present ‘A Night to Remember’ hosted by Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Anna Wintour, Natalie Massenet, Livia Firth, Amanda Berry, William Vintage and the Metropolitan Museum of New York Fashion Institute curator Andrew Bolton with Andrea & Guido Bonaveri.

‘A Night to Remember’ celebrated fashion from the world’s iconic red carpets – from the movies to the Met Ball and unveiled a unique exhibition of iconic vintage couture gowns discovered by William Vintage. Undeniable red carpet icons, they exemplify the values of artisanal skills and handcrafting from the 20th and 21st centuries with work by Hubert de Givenchy to John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. The event also saw an eco-world first: the unveiling of Bonaveri’s eco-mannequins. Bonaveri is world-famous for creating mannequins for the fashion industry and now launches the first biodegradable mannequin.

Guests including Victoria Beckham, Helena Bonham Carter, Joely Richardson, Luke Evans, Arizone Muse, Amanda & Tallulah Harlech, will.i.am, Caroline Rush, Mario Testino, Sabine Getty, Erin O’Connor, Daisy Lowe, Caroline Sieber, Christopher Bailey, Henry Holland, Stephen Jones, Erdem, Matthew Williamson, Hannah Weiland, Molly Goddard, Portia Freeman, Pixie Lott, Justin O’Shea, Laura Bailey, Lauren Santa Domingo, Nicole Farhi and Bianca Jagger attended.

Following the presentation, was the premiere of ‘The First Monday in May’, Andrew Rossi’s feature capturing the collision of high fashion and celebrity at one of the globe’s biggest fashion events: the Met Gala, famously chaired every year by Anna Wintour, artistic director, Conde Nast.

Amanda Berry, CEO BAFTA said: “The creative industries must take responsibility for their impact, seizing every opportunity to ensure the creation of art has a positive environmental legacy. Since 2011, BAFTA has chaired the BAFTA Albert Consortium, helping the film and television industries to act on their impact together. With over 400 organisations involved, the consortium provides the tools, guidance and opportunities to all those who recognise the urgent need for action on climate change. Five years of collaboration has seen the roll-out of environmental management tools, bespoke industry training and, most recently, the costume directory – a guide to ethical sourcing. The Green Carpet Challenge highlights important progress made in fashion and BAFTA is excited to be working with GCC and hopes that the collaboration will allow us to drive further sustainable progress.”

To find out more about BAFTA or to make a booking click here.

Photography supplied by Dave Bennett from Getty.

RSVP now for special showcase at Cavendish Venues

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You are invited to a special showcase at Cavendish Venues on Thursday, 29 September 2016, open to all event bookers. The event will begin at 6.30pm and will include champagne, cocktails and canapés alongside plenty to keep attendees entertained including a fantastic, fun photo booth.

RSVP now to [email protected] to receive confirmation and secure your place and see for yourself how member venue, Cavendish Venues consistently surpasses expectations through a warm, personable and efficient approach to hospitality.

Event buyers enjoyed business breakfast at Victory Services Club

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On Friday, 15 July, member venue Victory Services Club (VSC) showcased its newly refurbished El Alamein & Trafalgar Suite to event buyers, industry professionals and fellow member venues, at a breakfast networking event.

Guests enjoyed delicious breakfast samples prepared by the venue’s executive chef and a chilled glass of prosecco while they networked with other attendees and explored the new and improved events space.

Rosa Davies, events manager at VSC commented on the event: “After investing £1.5 million into the new space and adjoining state-of-the-art banqueting kitchen, we were very proud to share the new rooms with fellow event professionals and would like to thank all those who attended. It was a pleasure to host you and we look forward to seeing you at the many more TWC events in the future.”

Breakfast, Buses and Bond: Covent Garden museums host private tour

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Event buyers and fellow TWC members were treated to not one but two venue show-rounds on Tuesday 26th January as neighbouring venues London Transport Museum (LTM) and London Film Museum (LFM) welcomed them to their breakfast showcase.

Attendees were given the unique opportunity to take in the museums’ interactive exhibitions like the LTM’s tube driver simulator almost exclusively, as the event took place outside the venues’ normal opening hours.

Showcasing the versatility of their event spaces, both venues were on hand to answer any questions and highlight the opportunities available for corporate and private hire.

Callum Stott, events coordinator at the Royal Television Society, attended the event and said ‘the event was very informative and it was a pleasure to view the events spaces.’ The showcase was also attended by event buyers and planners from companies such as Film London, Bureau van Dijk and Boo Events.

The Westminster Collection and its members are gearing up for another great year. To keep up to date with the latest events and news subscribe to our newsletter here.

Covent Garden’s most exciting venues announce breakfast showcase

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On 26 January 2016, London Transport Museum and London Film Museum are joining forces to present a morning of discovery for curious event planners interested in booking these iconic visitor attractions for future corporate and private events. The two-part breakfast showcase is open to all professional event planners and agencies.

LTM
After completion of a two-year £22.4 million investment and redevelopment project, London Transport Museum offers a modern and dramatic venue for a wide range of events. Located in the heart of Covent Garden under the glass roof and cast iron pillars of the Victorian Flower Market, the original features of this stunning Grade II listed building create an ornate backdrop for the Museum’s contemporary galleries.

The Museum galleries provide a spectacular backdrop for evening receptions and dinner parties, mixing old and new with dynamic displays of iconic posters, vintage vehicles and interactive displays that entertain all evening. Watch in awe as stunning projections of colour and light reveal the complexity of London’s transport networks.

Use the giant central screen to project your own imagery and branding and wow guests upon arrival with themed cocktails such as the Routemaster, Metropolitan Mixture or the Anorak. Enjoy delicious and contemporary style dishes, complimented by discreet, personal service. Then bid your guests farewell with a stylish gift from the Museum shop – the perfect memento of a fabulous event.

The Museum galleries can hold up to 500 people for a drinks reception or 180 people for a seated dinner. Your guests will arrive via the impressive multimedia World Cities Gallery and will have access to the entire Museum.

LFM
Across Covent Garden’s cobblestone Piazza is London Film Museum, currently home to Bond in Motion and a new display called The Cars of SPECTRE, the first UK exhibition of vehicles, props, models and costumes from the latest film release, including amongst others James Bond’s Aston Martin DB10, villain Hinx’s Stunt Jaguar C-X75 and Franz Oberhauser’s Rolls Royce Wraith.

The stunning 15,000 square foot exhibition space, which sits in Covent Garden’s former Flower Cellars, gives clients the opportunity to host a variety of fantastic events surrounded by Bond’s best sidekicks, his cars.

The space is available for exclusive hire with full-day museum closure possible. Inside, the team can cater for any event up to 450 guests and with two entrances on Wellington Street and Covent Garden’s Piazza, the London Film Museum is the ultimate destination for a unique event.

The professional and experienced events team can produce large scale events effortlessly and is on hand to work closely with clients from start to finish, offering advice on everything from catering and lighting to visual effects and staffing.

LFM entrance
London Film Museum is the perfect ‘wow factor’ event destination for spectacular product launches, exhibitions, awards and film premieres, through to more intimate private events like cocktail parties.

The morning showcase event, taking place from 08:30 – 10:00am on Tuesday 26 January, is exclusively reserved for event planners and event agencies. To request your invitation to attend, please email [email protected]. Please note that places will be allocated subject to qualifying criteria.

Trio of miaList honours for TWC venue talents

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The Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) prestigious miaList was announced on Monday 28 September during a celebratory lunch at the Park Plaza Riverbank hotel, London.

Maria Schuett, head of marketing at Central Hall Westminster and Mark Taylor, chief executive of the QEII Centre, are amongst the 11 events industry professionals now on the prestigious miaList, following successful nominations from their teams.

Mark Taylor scooped the Leadership Award, which was newly introduced this year. Nominated by his team for his exceptional leadership during a time of major investment and significant change for the iconic QEII Centre, Taylor outshone a number of other leading industry figures to claim the title and his place on the miaList.

“The nominations for this award were outstanding as you would expect from a passionate and innovative industry,” said Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the mia. “The judges selected the recipient of this award based on their knowledge of his 30 years in the industry, his passion, commitment and dedication to delivering cultural change.

“The nomination for him came from his team who highlighted the difference he has made at his current venue, his commitment to the customer journey and the way he has galvanized his team to rebrand and reposition the venue.”

Maria Schuett secures her place on the miaList 2015 for her marketing credentials. Speaking of Maria as she called her to the stage, Longhurst said: “Maria’s nominator said ‘Maria has an infectious determination and energy. Her work has played a pivotal role in securing business’. The judges said Maria is terrific, intelligent, ambitious, personable and hugely creative.”

Due to the incredibly high standard of nominations received, a number of shortlisted individuals received special commendations, including IET Venues’ Simon Timmis, who was acknowledged as ‘a driven and passionate marketing manager’ by his nominator. He ‘is thoroughly liked and well respected’ and the judges were very impressed with Simon’s focus and his commitment to team development.

Congratulations to Mark, Maria and Simon! If you’d like to tell the mia about those people who make your organisation special, or the unsung heroes behind the scenes, keep an eye out for the miaList 2016. For more information or to register for an application pack, contact [email protected].

Event professionals come together to #getxmaslicked at The Westminster Collection’s Venue Showcase

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Christmas came early last week at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace for The Westminster Collection’s festive themed venue showcase. Event professionals from across London joined 35 of Westminster’s most unique and prestigious venues, including House of Commons and BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, to discover the marketing consortium’s portfolio of spaces for hire and to network, surrounded by the magic of the festive season.

Guests were greeted by a traditional winter scene complete with glistening snow, vintage sleigh and a life-size reindeer, designed by Event Theming and Prop Hire. A themed Christmas breakfast featured mulled ice tea and Christmas pudding and white chocolate lolly pops, provided by caterer Searcys, while gingerbread cookie decorating, a photo booth with cheerful props and the chance to win some amazing prizes, such as two tickets to Christmas Carols at The Albert Hall, kept guests entertained.

No Christmas event would be complete without the man himself and Father Christmas took a break from his busy schedule to add a touch of magic to the day, handing out a selection of prizes and gifts to attendees in return for them making their top wish for their Christmas events and hanging it on the Christmas tree.

Clare Arouche, board director for The Westminster Collection and head of business development at host venue {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, said: “The Westminster Collection’s showcase is the perfect opportunity for events professionals to get together in a friendly and relaxed environment and enjoy face-to-face conversations with a very exciting mix of top central London venues. It’s such a time saver, as you can waste hours searching for venues online. At our showcase you get straight down to business, discovering rates, taking recommendations on ideal rooms for particular event types and making lasting named connections for future event enquiries.”

The Westminster Collection’s annual venue showcase is a one-stop-shop for event organisers looking to expand their venue repertoire and with Christmas fast approaching, it was the perfect opportunity for event professionals to #getxmaslicked by seizing the selection of last-minute deals and exclusive offers presented by venues.

Christmas party planning tips to banish bad weather blues

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Quick! It’s raining and dreary. Push cocktails and sun-soaked evening barbeques to the back of your mind and seize this miserable introduction to AW15 to start daydreaming about the most epic of Christmas parties, before everyone else does.

You’ve got to get in there quickly if you want a bite at the best London venues for your end of year bash, because it’s rain-soaked days like this that kickstart the festive fantasies and see the clever office elves begin their quest to plan enticing, amazing parties. Believe it or not, many companies start planning their Christmas events as early as March! Luckily, we’ve pulled together some tips to help focus your mind and get you into the festive zone fast.

1) Lock in the date

If you’re organising a company bash, first things first, fix your date. If it’s a company party for your staff, assess availability and preferences by reviewing diary dates with key members of staff in your next team meeting. For teams scattered across different offices, you could do this by running a poll, using a scheduling tool such as Doodle. Simply circulate the link to participate via email and you’ll soon have a tally of the most popular date options. Having first, second and third date options pencilled down will widen your pool of possible venues.

2) Theme for the majority

Dictating how people should have fun can be a recipe for a festive flop. Be sure to conjure up a Christmas concept that works for your audience and get the formal versus informal balance right. Are they a ‘slap-up lunch down the pub’, fuss-free sort of crowd, or are they adventurous extroverts who’d shun anything less than a fancy dress theme, a red carpet entrance and cocktail-fuelled antics at a headline-grabbing venue?

Over-engineered itineraries may please some but horrify others, so while budget is a big factor in what’s possible, be careful to always plan your Christmas party with the majority of your target audience front of mind. What would they see as an end-of-year treat that says thank you for their hard work? An opportunity to dress up and attend a glitzy, themed party with other companies at a unique London venue? A corporate away-day featuring interactive team building activities and a sit-down meal? Or maybe a private hire-out of a pub or bar, with self-service buffet, for all staff and their partners?

Creating an event that’s unique and memorable just requires a little imagination and a good knowledge of your audience. Just be sure to consider the after effects of a free-flowing bar and the impact on productivity the next day if you choose a week night!

3) Kill 37 birds with one stone!

Why spend hours trawling Google using every search term under the sun when you could save huge amounts of time with a free venue finding service like The Westminster Collection? If you know you want a central London venue, you know the style of event you’re looking to achieve, you’ve got your proposed dates, and you’re open to recommendations, this free venue finding service can slice through the noise and deliver you up to 37 options of venues, ranging from luxury hotels and private members clubs, to river boats, quirky Grade I and II listed venues, iconic tourist attractions, museums and trendy restaurants.

These venues offer their own unique, off-the-shelf packages such as shared party nights, exclusive hire deals and Christmas lunch or dinner deals, or more bespoke planning services. A service like The Westminster Collection really can make your party planning pain free. Why not come along to our free venue showcase on Friday 18 September for some festive venue inspiration?

4) Don’t skimp on the food or drink

Nothing says ‘we value you’ more than an indulgent spread of festive food. Work with your venue caterer to plan the very best menu your budget will buy, whether it’s a sit-down meal, a drinks reception with canapés, or a self-service buffet. Let your venue help you make clever choices and advise on the most practical types of food for sociable party settings. Avoiding smelly foods will help out people’s networking efforts, as will lighter choices for the folks who’d like to avoid an impending food coma and uncomfortable bloat in their party frocks.

Set menus offering three choices of starter, main and dessert can help your guests pace themselves responsibly, as well as being budget friendly for you, the organiser. Keep the bar well stocked too and ensure people have access to adequate top-ups of alcohol and free-flowing soft drinks to keep them quenched and in the party mood through to the end of the night. There’s nothing worse than a bar running dry to kill the vibe and see the DJ left rocking the dancefloor on his lonesome!


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The Meetings Show – coming soon!

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Visitor registration for The Meetings Show has opened at www.themeetingsshow.com/open. Building on the success of last year, visitors to the show will benefit from an enhanced experience from the moment they walk through the doors at Olympia, London, from 7-9 July.

In particular, the education programme will address issues faced by agencies, corporates, associations, PCOs, AMCs, PAs and key sectors such as healthcare and technology. In addition to the dedicated Association Meetings Conference on 6 July, the education will include keynote sessions, seminars and Meet the Expert roundtables throughout the three days of the show.

With a growing exhibitor list, made up of more than 400 exhibiting companies, visitors will be able to meet with the UK’s largest collection of meeting industry organisations under one roof including: major domestic and international destinations, venues, hotel groups, DMCs, trade associations and suppliers.

Exhibitor highlights include The Westminster Collection on stand G19, London & Partners, Hilton Worldwide, Meet Birmingham, Accor Hotels and Tourism Ireland.

The Meetings Show’s Event Director Steve Knight says: “The Meetings Show is organised by meeting professionals, for meeting professionals, a fact that is demonstrated through both the calibre of our exhibitors and the quality of our education programme. If meetings are key to your business you will find the suppliers you want to see and education designed for your needs at our event.”

Applications for The Meetings Show’s hosted buyer programme are also open. Applicants will be reviewed by a team of expert qualifiers and benefit from scheduled meetings with organisations of their choosing, complimentary travel and accommodation, transportation to Olympia from host hotels and networking venues, as well as a choice of hosted buyer lounges complete with refreshments.

The Meetings Show is the premier event for the UK inbound and outbound meetings industry, organised by Centaur Exhibitions and taking place 7-9 July 2015 at Olympia, London. Organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals it is focused around a large exhibition, networking opportunities and professional education. Click here to register and book your appointment with The Westminster Collection, where you can find out about our free venue enquiry service spanning more than 35 unique venues within Zone 1 London.

Central Hall to crowd-source Meet The Future conference content

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Central Hall Westminster‘s next ‘Meet The Future‘ event technology conference on 9th June will feature Corbin Ball, writer and specialist with 20 years’ event technology experience, Neuroscientist Dr Beau Lotto and BBC technology journalist Kate Russell, while the rest of the day’s content line-up will be entirely crowd-sourced by delegates.

As part of the registration process, delegates must choose the topics they would most like to see covered in breakout sessions, with the most popular choices forming the basis of the agenda. The leading topics are currently audience engagement, location-based technology (iBeacons, NFC and RFID) and big data.

Maria Schuett, head of marketing at Central Hall and Meet The Future conference producer, says: “Our 2014 event was such a huge success, many felt it would be hard to follow. This year, however, we’re not only giving busy event buyers the chance to experience flash new tech as delegates, but taking the concept a step further and looking at how tech helps us to create better programmes and levels of engagement for organisers. Having Corbin involved is hugely exciting and we’ve got more than a few surprises up our sleeves for the day, so watch this space!”

A limited number of tickets for Meet The Future are available to senior event professionals by visiting www.c-h-w.com/future