Work has begun on a £350,000 extension to the catering facilities at the East Midlands Conference Centre which will double the size of the existing set up. The development will lead to increased capabilities at the EMCC including the ability to host over 500 people for a banquet.

As well as being designed with an increased environmental consideration, the larger space will allow the EMCC to cater for a more diverse range of events, increase refreshment efficiency for larger events, and provide space to serve food for two smaller conferences or events simultaneously. 

The project will be completed in five months by local building contractor specialists;

Read the rest of this entry »

Leicester City has reaffirmed its position as one of the leading hospitality providers in the UK by sweeping the board at the 2009 Football Hospitality Awards.

The venue, whose hospitality and events division is managed by Lime Venue Portfolio, was awarded Gold for both the Director’s Choice in Coca-Cola League One, as voted for by visiting club directors and the prestigious Conference and Events Marketing Award, as judged by BDRC acknowledging   its quality marketing literature and successful mystery shopper-style telephone calls.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lime Venue Portfolio has become the latest organisation to sign up to the 2012 UK Events Industry Fair Pricing & Practise Charter, created by tourism bodies Visit London and VisitBritain.

This commitment will see one of the largest collective of venues operating in the meetings and events market pledge its commitment to sustain business value surrounding the Games and become more accessible to Olympic event planners.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nottingham Conferences has confirmed a conference win for Nottingham that will see an estimated £250,000* of economic impact for the city. The conference, branded Interflam, will bring over 350 experts in fire science and engineering from 25 destinations across the globe into the city.

“A delegate for a conference like this is expected to inject on average £247 per visit into the city, be it through accommodation, travel and through spend in bars, restaurants and local shops,” comments Kirstie Danzey, Marketing Manager at Nottingham Conferences. “This, added to the event production and overnight accommodation, represents a significant boost to the local economy.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Nottingham Conferences has joined a significant agreement that will see it become closer to the business opportunities presented by the Olympic Games set to take place in London 2012.

The 2012 UK Event Industry Fair Pricing and Practice Charter is designed to capitalise on the city’s business tourism industry - currently worth an estimated £172 million a year to the local economy - by committing signatories to a fair pricing business agreement involving the domestic and international business that will be attracted to the UK surrounding the Games.

Nottingham Conferences, which represents the entire conference and events portfolio of The University of Nottingham is the first academic venue in the whole of the UK organisation to sign the charter. 

Highlighting the impact that the 2012 Olympic Games will bring to Nottingham and the East Midlands, Kirstie Danzey Marketing Manager of Nottingham Conferences commented; “Although inevitably, most of the focus will be on London during 2012, it is important that Nottingham and the East Midlands and all other UK destinations press themselves to become a part of the Olympic Games, aligning themselves with what is going on and help to make it a UK legacy rather than just London.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Destination London, the trends report from ExCeL London has received a welcome endorsement from the Mayor of London ahead of its launch at IMEX (26^th - 27^th May 09) later this month.

The report features quantitative and qualitative research from over 300 event organisers and delegates, providing insight into current and future trends within the London conference and events industry.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, commented within the report:

“Our capital is a unique city that offers great diversity and choice, with over 300 languages spoken and a skilled and talented workforce to help businesses in the capital grow and succeed.

“We are investing in large infrastructure projects such as Crossrail, the largest addition to the transport network in London and the South East for 50 years, and upgrading our Tube lines so that they are fit for the 21st century.”

Read the rest of this entry »

The campaign theme for this year’s National Meetings Week launched today, mirroring the US ‘Keep America Meeting’ incentive as a show of solidarity with the US market. The new identity will also act as a lobbying initiative to garner further government support for the UK meetings industry.

The campaign slogan ‘Keep Britain Talking’ will present a harder identity to wider business and government audiences as the UK meetings industry enters one of its toughest trading environments for the last 20 years. Once again the campaign will be spearheaded by VisitBritain with Partner and Supporter backing throughout the industry, including all the major associations.

“2009 is already proving to be a tough year for the meetings industry and as one of the key initiatives run by the industry to promote itself, National Meetings Week needs to adapt,” comments Joss, Croft, Head of Business Visits & Events, VisitBritain and campaign coordinator. “Keep Britain Talking gives us a campaign identity that can gain government endorsement and support as we raise awareness of the value of meetings and events in front of a wider business audience.”

The campaign has already gained support from Partners & Supporters, and VisitBritain will also be discussing the campaign with national politicians, with the aim of reaching the highest levels of UK government.

“The government is heavily focused on events with the onset of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the recent The London Summit underlining the value within our industry; there has never been a greater need, and a better time to get their support,” concludes Croft.

www.keepbritaintalking.co.uk

Lime Venue Portfolio has secured the high profile new home of Cardiff City Football Club and Cardiff Blues Rugby Club into its ever expanding venue collection. The new stadium and purpose built conference & banqueting suite is due to open in July 09 and joins the Millennium Stadium and Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium, under the brands strong presence in South Wales.

“Cardiff City Stadium is a welcome addition to the brand,” commented Louise Amphlett, Head of Lime Venue Portfolio. “South Wales has a rapidly expanding and ambitious conference and event market, and through Lime Venue Portfolio, meeting and event planners have access to some of the finest venues in the region.”

Read the rest of this entry »

ExCeL London is further expanding its product offering by developing a bespoke meetings package aimed at events with 20 delegates and upwards, following extensive consultation with its customers.

Due to be launched in June, ExCeL London is developing the product which will include an extensive upgrade programme of its current meeting and conference facilities, complimented with state-of-the-art AV technology, an innovative F&B offering, user-friendly DDR and also specially revised contractual terms to specifically meet the needs of smaller audiences.

James Rees, Director of Conferences & Events, ExCeL London commented; “We have definitely seen an increase in demand for smaller meetings and conferences, particularly within the corporate and public sectors. Short lead business is also on the increase owing to the pressures put on organisations by the current economic climate.”

He continued; “In response to this, we have put a large investment of time and money into developing this initiative including a complete overhaul of our current meeting and conference facilities and services across the Gallery Meeting Rooms and Platinum Conference Suite.”

Church House Conference Centre, Westminster will utilise its unique wireless voting system this week at the annual national assembly of the Church of England; The General Synod.

In total, 469 leading figures will use the audience response system; ‘Agenda’ produced by market leading company IML, to register their votes on high profile religious issues including the ordainment of women bishops.

As a legally binding digital voting system, the Synod has the ability to use the results generated by the technology to pass measures that can result laws.

Read the rest of this entry »