New interactive installation at London Transport Museum will take families on a ‘Green Journey’ this summer

This summer London Transport Museum is welcoming families to explore a new interactive ‘Green Journey’ installation that will get visitors thinking about climate change, the role of transport in creating a sustainable city, and how we can all do our bit to ensure a greener future. A green themed trail around the Museum galleries and creative workshops will also run throughout the holidays, helping young visitors to learn about these big concepts in a fun and family-friendly way.

Visitors to The Green Journey installation will be able to explore four themed, hands-on areas to learn about topics such as global warming and its effects on London, the solutions from big businesses that are already underway to help tackle it – such as Transport for London’s hydrogen buses – as well as new green jobs and the people behind them. The space will also help families discover the small changes we can make at home to be more eco-friendly.

Family workshops inspired by the themes of the Green Journey space will also take place on selected dates throughout the holidays. Five workshops will run per day, suitable for children 8-14 years old:

  • Climate Calling: selected dates between 23 July – 4 August (23, 26, 28, 30 July and 2, 4 Aug). Learn about the ways climate change affects our city and the role of transport in providing the solution – from TfL’s new hydrogen buses that are helping make London’s air cleaner, to the active travel choices we can all make when getting from A to B. Create your own Climate Calling board game inspired by what you’ve learnt.
  • Future Innovators: selected dates between 6 – 18 August (6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19 August). What will life in our city look like in the future? What jobs will exist and what skills will we need? Hear about real-life climate change innovators and explore the skills we are going to need to help tackle climate change in the future. Then create your very own climate change super-hero. Let your imagination lead the way.
  • Activate: selected dates between 20 August – 1 September (20, 23, 25, 27, 30 Aug and 1 September). We all have a role to play in tackling climate change. Discover the small ways you can do your bit to make London greener and create your own set of Family Action Cards to get inspired.

Sustainable installation

These summer activities are part of London Transport Museum’s 18-month Climate Crossroads programme supported by Mastercard, Mott MacDonald, Cubic Transportation Systems and Sopra Steria. The programme aims to create experiences that get people thinking about what the future of our city could look like and inspired by the great engineering ingenuity of London’s past and also explores what innovations, skills and jobs we need to build this sustainable future.

On Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 August, London Transport Museum will also be hosting Mastercard’s Girls4Tech STEM workshops in the main Museum gallery. Children can drop-into sessions on Cryptology and Big Data, learning about these topics through fun, problem-solving games. The Girls4Tech workshops will be run by Mastercard staff, looking to inspire the next generation to pursue a STEM career.

While at the Museum, families can also see real buses, trams and Tube trains from 200 years of the capital’s transport history. They can learn how to drive a modern-day Elizabeth line train in the Future Engineers gallery and climb aboard a fleet of mini vehicles in the All Aboard play zone.

Between 11:00 and 15:00, visitors can head to Canteen, the Museum’s café by popular eatery Benugo, for a bite to eat, and choose from exclusive transport inspired toys, gifts, homeware, poster artwork and games in the Museum’s shop.

Timed tickets to visit London Transport Museum can be booked online in advance. Adult tickets are £21 and allow free return day-time entry for a whole year. Plus, kids go free!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

Discover Westminster; Showcase Success!

We have long been known for our fantastic Westminster Venue Showcase events and this year was no exception!! The 26th of May 2022 marked the occasion of our Discover Westminster; Around Westminster Venues in 80 minutes, showcase event and how special for us all to be back together and what a fantastic evening it was!

Located at the Royal Society, one of our fabulous member venues, it was great to be back hosting a face-to-face event – You could feel the excitement amongst all. This elegant setting really set the scene and created the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

The showcase was attended by event professionals from London and beyond for the opportunity to celebrate and explore our unique consortium of Westminster’s finest venues. It was amazing to see them all showing off their venues and event packages to new and potential clients. Our venue collection includes a wide variety of venue types and styles, all with their own fascinating backstory and many with historic significance.

Originally home to the United Services Club, Georgian venue 116 Pall Mall was designed by John Nash, and this Grade I listed venue still contains many of the club’s original treasures. Then we move to The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn. Their Great Hall was opened by Queen Victoria, and not to mention, Edwardian venue One Great George Street, 18th Century RSA House, and the world-famous Houses of Parliament.

The recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place throughout the city have seen these spectacular venues celebrated in all their glory, which has led to more enquiries, but let’s not forget the incredible modern venues within the collection. The QEII Centre got the chance to boast their cutting-edge AV facilities, essential for delivering live and engaging hybrid and studio events. The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton, showcased their stylish conference spaces and luxurious rooms for overnight stays. And if you’re looking for big screen events, Vue West End have got you covered!

We were also joined by key industry suppliers, including Frew & Co rolled ice cream. Their fun and refreshing treats are perfect for outdoor summer events. The talented chefs at the Royal Society also made an appearance to showcase some sweet offerings. Dan and the team plated up a feast for the eyes, demonstrating some impressive techniques, including dry ice!

Thank you to all who attended, and especially to Barbara Wutte and her team at the Royal Society for helping our board and the Paje team to organise the event, it wouldn’t have been a success without all those involved. The drinks were flowing and the delicious canapes went down a treat, and it was fantastic to see members sharing their images across social media.

“We are so excited about the future, we have new members joining our collection, new initiatives planned by the enthusiastic board and Paje Team and our venues are back to business at 2019 levels again!  We look forward to working with you over the coming months and celebrating just how amazing London and our wonderful Westminster Collection are!”  –  Rachel Azzopardi, Chair of Westminster Venue Collection.

Our experienced sales marketing and PR partners are here to support with enquiries and help you find the best space for your events. If you’re looking to book last minute summer parties, our venues have some stunning, private outdoor spaces available for hire, right in the heart of the Capital. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your occasion.

Central Hall Westminster joins Toilet Twinning charity’s 10th Birthday celebrations

Central London conference and events centre, Central Hall Westminster, is joining forces with Toilet Twinning for the charity’s 10th Birthday celebrations on World Toilet Day, Friday 19th November.

Since becoming a ‘loominary’ just over five years ago for the charity, which helps provide water and sanitation to some of the world’s poorest families, Central Hall Westminster has become a major sponsor, raising a grand total of £55,000.

As a partner for the event, Central Hall Westminster’s Managing Director, Paul Southern, will speak at a special online birthday party to mark ten years of Toilet Twinning at 7.30pm on Friday 19th November. The free evening event will be hosted by Toilet Twinning CEO Lorraine Kingsley and its Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Hebdavi Muhindo. It will also feature some more famous faces, including comic Paul Kerensa and TV presenter and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota, share stories about Toilet Twinning’s impact over the past decade and some of the innovative ways supporters have raised money, along with an inevitable dash of toilet humour.

Central Hall Westminster adopted the charity in June 2016 in partnership with Methodist Central Hall Westminster. Central Hall Westminster Ltd was originally set up to provide funds to maintain its iconic and architecturally significant Grade II* Listed building and provide income to support the local church mission and ministry, as well as donate to many UK and international charities including Toilet Twinning.

As well as ‘twinning’ its own toilets to provide latrines for families overseas, the venue invites visitors and event professionals to donate their loose change to help the poorest communities gain access to clean water, a proper latrine and receive hygiene training.

Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster, comments: “As an events venue which exists to provide money for the upkeep of our historic building and for charitable works around the world, we are delighted to have joined with Toilet Twinning to celebrate their 10th anniversary. We would like to thank each and every one of the event professionals and visitors who have donated to this worthy cause and helped us reach £55,000 in five years. Over this time, we have learnt about the crucial difference toilets make to people’s health and well-being. Sadly, 1.7 billion people globally still don’t have a safe, clean toilet at home. We are hugely impressed with the work Toilet Twinning has done over the last ten years to address this.”

Toilet Twinning CEO Lorraine Kingsley adds: “On World Toilet Day, we are so excited to be celebrating all we’ve achieved over the past decade to flush away poverty and delighted that Central Hall Westminster is joining us for the online party. Central Hall Westminster has been a ‘loominary’ for over five years and we are very grateful for the fantastic support they and their visitors have shown us: £55,000 is an incredible amount to have raised.”

Book your place at the Toilet Twinning’s World Toilet Day online party, in partnership with Central Hall Westminster, on Friday 19th November here: https://www.toilettwinning.org/world-toilet-day-party/

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].

Church House Westminster heads Stateside for IMEX America

Seeking to build on its international business, Church House Westminster will be exhibiting at IMEX America from 10-12 October at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Las Vegas

Exhibiting with London & Partners (B2416), visitors to IMEX – America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events – will have the opportunity to learn more about how Church House can provide the ideal backdrop for international events, with 19 flexible event spaces including its largest, and most impressive space, the Assembly Hall which has the capacity for up to 664 people.

One of London’s true hidden gems, the Grade II Listed building was designed by the renowned architect, Sir Herbert Baker. Hosting a wide variety of events from multi-day conferences to gala dinners and award ceremonies. Previous events include The International Somali Awards, Spectator Events, InfoComm International, international medical conferences and fashion shows.

Robin Parker, general manager of Church House Westminster commented: “Attending exhibitions is one of the most important parts of our business development strategy. IMEX America provides us with an excellent platform to promote ourselves overseas and we are looking forward to giving the American market a glimpse of our facilities as well as our first-class levels of customer service.”

For more information about Church House Westminster or to book you next event, please contact [email protected].

 

Awards success for WVC members

August has been an extremely successful month for our venues in both the 2017 London Venue Awards and Hire Space Awards.

We are delighted to announce that eight of our members have been named as finalists in the 2017 London Venue Awards in the following categories:

Best Historic Venue of Livery Hall: The Royal Horseguards Hotel

Best Catering at a Venue: One Great George Street, QEII Centre

Best Venue Customer Service – Under 500 (Reception): Broadway House, IET:London, One Great George Street, Victory Services Club

Best Venue Customer Service – Over 500 (Reception): QEII Centre

Best Wedding Venue: One Great George Street

Best London Event Venue – 500-1,000 attendees: IET:London

Most Versatile London Venue (1,000 attendees or less): Cavendish Conference Centre, RIBA

Most Versatile London Venue (over 1,000 attendees): QEII Centre

In total, 96 venues have been recognised for excellence and best practice by the awards and all will go through to the finals on Friday, 20 October at The Brewery in London when the overall winners will be announced.

In addition, London Transport Museum and Cavendish Conference Centre have been shortlisted in the 2017 Hire Space Awards in the Best Conference Venue and Greenest Venue categories respectively. The winners will be announced on Friday, 24 October at Landing Forty Two at the Leadenhall Building.

We wish all our member venues the very best of luck in their respective categories.

To find out more about all these venues, click here.

See you at Square Meal

WVC will be exhibiting at Square Meal Venues and Events Live for the very first time this year.

Taking place at Old Billingsgate, London, on 20 and 21 September, we will be located at stand number G32 and representatives from our member venues will be ready and waiting to help you save time while finding the very best Westminster venue for your next event.

Visitors to our stand will also get their hands on the hottest ticket in town – an invite to our spooktacular Hallo-Westminster showcase on October 24 at One Great George Street.

Entry to the event is free and you can register to attend here. We look forward to seeing you there!

You’re invited to the spookiest showcase in town!

Things are set to get pretty spooky this October when all our member venues come together at One Great George Street for our annual showcase – and you’re invited to attend… if you dare!

Creep along on Tuesday, 24 October at 6.30pm and meet with our selection of scarily good venues – all based in London’s iconic borough of Westminster. On your way, you may even bump into the phantom monk said to walk the tracks at Westminster Tube Station.

In true Halloween tradition, not only will you have the chance to meet and chat with representatives from our 34 venues, but you’ll also be invited to take part in a ‘Trick or Treat’ lucky dip where you could win some spooktacular prizes and experiences.

With fashionable townhouses and private members’ clubs to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and societies, we can help you find the perfect venue for your next event quickly and efficiently, no matter what you’re planning.

Pre-register for your place by contacting [email protected] before the witching hour on Friday, 20 October.

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

Westminster Venue Collection welcomes three new board directors

The Westminster Venue Collection has welcomed three new board directors – Rachel Azzopardi from Regent’s Conferences and Events, Kay West from House of Commons and Barbara Wutte from the Royal Society.

Head of catering and events at Regent’s Conferences and Events, Rachel Azzopardi brings a wealth of experience to the collection, having worked at the academic venue for over five years. Rachel will be responsible for the collection’s appearances at trade shows and exhibitions throughout the year.

Also joining the board of the marketing consortium, which features an eclectic mix of 36 venues from fashionable townhouses and private members’ clubs to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and societies is Kay West. The hospitality and event sales manager at the prestigious House of Commons has a stellar background in events and will be assisting the current board on all marketing activities for the collection.

Barbara Wutte, who will be working with Kay West on marketing, joins the board from the Royal Society, who only joined the collection in April of this year. Barbara has held the position of head of conference services at the Royal Society for just over two years and prior to that worked for industry heavyweights Elior and Peyton & Byrne.

All three of the new directors join hot on the heels of the collection’s new chair Diane Waldron, who took on the role in June, and will be assisting the current board to continue to increase the reach and enhance the reputation of the collection.

Speaking of the new additions, Westminster Venue Collection chair and QEII sales and marketing director Diane Waldron said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Rachel, Kay and Barbara to the board of directors. As a board, we work extremely hard to ensure our venues get the most out of their membership with us and with the recent changes in our brand and identity already reaping benefits, the future is looking extremely exciting.”

The Westminster Venue Collection will be appearing at Square Meal Venues and Events Live on 20 and 21 September. Come and see them at stand G32 or find out more here www.wvc.london.com.

Church House strikes Gold with AIM for the second time

Church House Westminster has once again achieved the highest level of venue accreditation – AIM Gold.

Securing the nationally recognised accreditation for a second time cements the venue’s position in an elite group of venues and it also demonstrates Church House Westminster’s commitment to capability, compliance and competence.

To achieve the Meetings Industry Association’s AIM Gold, the venue underwent a rigorous independent auditing process which saw a panel of independent industry assessors scrutinise the whole customer journey and business processes including resources, creating the customer environment, service delivery and continuous improvement.

Church House Westminster’s general manager Robin Parker said: “We have always taken pride in delivering a consistently high quality of customer service in all areas of our business. To achieve AIM Gold for the second time is an outstanding achievement that the entire team should be proud of as we are assessed on every aspect of our customer’s journey – from the moment they book and event to the time they leave.”

Jane Longhurst, chief executive of mia, said: “AIM Gold is awarded to venues which offer first-class facilities matched by exceptional catering and the highest levels of customer service. The judges were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of Church House Westminster’s staff who continually identify ways to improve services to exceed customer expectations.”

Church House Westminster is one of London’s most versatile event venues offering 19 flexible event spaces, which can accommodate between 2 and 664 guests, and host a wide variety of events including meetings, conferences, awards ceremonies, gala dinners and receptions.

For more information, call 020 7390 1590 or visit www.churchhouseconf.co.uk.