Weekly Round Up

Stay up-to-date with the latest beam member news and updates in our weekly newsletter.

Down Hall's Agent Wellness Retreat

On Monday 1st July, Down Hall - Hotel | Spa | Estate will will be welcoming conference agents for a wellbeing experience at Down Hall. The event offers fantastic opportunities to view the function spaces, a chance to try the venue's new street food offering and first hand experiences of its wellness packages with its partner - Glow Wellness Events.

Email the team at Down Hall to book your place, or to find out more about Down Hall's array of incredible summer events, and meetings offers:

Rebecca Smith: [email protected]

Jennifer Pigram : [email protected]

RCP London Events bolsters its sustainable credentials and achieves ECOsmart Gold Accreditation

The Royal College of Physicians’ award-winning London events venue, RCP London Events , has achieved ECOsmart Gold accreditation, a leading certification recognising outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability.?

ECOsmart, designed for meeting venues and hotels, evaluates venues based on a comprehensive set of criteria including Energy & Water, Building Infrastructure, Rooms & Consumables, Waste Management, Food & Beverage (F&B), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.?

The Gold status is a testament to RCP London Events’ efforts and achievements in F&B, Rooms & Consumables, Energy & Water, and ESG.

RCP London Events, Head of Commercial Events, Natacha Allen says: “Being housed in a Grade I listed estate covering over 95,000 square feet including a mix of buildings with different purposes, presents considerable sustainability challenges. To tackle this we ensure our venue is consistently maintained and its features upgraded to reduce our impact on the environment; we also prioritise sustainability across all areas of our business, including catering and waste management and only work with suppliers and service partners that are environmentally conscious."

Destination Emirates Old Trafford wins major association conference

EDMC (Emirates Destination Management Company) has secured the Hospital and Specialty Optometrists Conference, organised by the Association of Optometrists , a leading UK membership organisation for professionals in the optical sector.

More than 300 hospital and specialty optometrists will head to Destination Emirates Old Trafford for a two-day conference, featuring a range of CPD-accredited education and workshops, from 21-22 September 2024. The gathering will include an exhibition to provide delegates with the opportunity to meet representatives from industry, as well as an evening dinner.

The Association of Optometrists will use a wide range of the venue’s spaces, including The Point, which offers enormous seven-metre windows with panoramic views of the legendary pitch. Organisers will also use the vibrant 1864 Suite, Members Lounge, Library Suite, Honours Suite, Emirates Lounge, and Executive Boxes.

For delegates staying overnight, the venue’s newly extended onsite hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, will provide 200 bedrooms, many of which look over the famous Lancashire Cricket pitch.

This event is one of a raft of new wins for the business, following a ￡75 million investment project, including a hotel extension, to transform the iconic cricket stadium into a world-class, multi-purpose venue in Manchester.

Survey reveals growing demand for integrating culture and arts into conferences and events

A new survey from Barbican Business Events revealed that an overwhelming 77% of the respondents have incorporated elements of culture and the arts into their conferences or events, with 20% of them integrating these elements either significantly or completely.

These figures highlight the increasing importance of cultural elements in commercial, association, charity and not-for profit conferences and meetings.

Further details from the survey indicate diverse applications of cultural and artistic elements.? From the 77% who already incorporate culture and the arts:

• 29% have embedded cultural or artistic themes.
• 67% have featured cultural or artistic performances.
• 31% have run cultural or artistic activities alongside their events.
• 24% have utilised arts professionals to enhance creativity.
• 11% have engaged arts professionals to improve delivery.
• 24% have included arts professionals as guest speakers.
• 31% have incorporated workshops involving the arts.

The respondents cited multiple benefits for integrating arts and culture, and 61% observed that including cultural content led to an increase in registrations. Looking ahead, 89% expect to incorporate arts and culture into their future events.

“It's truly inspiring to see the depth and creativity with which culture and the arts are being integrated into events and conferences. These elements are not merely additions; they transform events into vibrant, immersive experiences that engage and inspire attendees,” comments Jackie Boughton , Barbican Centre's Director of Commercial.

The research was conducted via a survey of corporate, association and agency clients working with the Barbican.? The survey received 70 responses: 81% were from Europe (48% from the UK) the remaining 19% were from the rest of the world (14% USA).

BMA House announces New Access Guide in partnership with AccessAble, enhancing venue accessibility

BMA House , a leading conference and events venue located in the heart of London, has unveiled a Detailed Access Guide, developed in collaboration with AccessAble , the UK’s leading provider of detailed disabled access information. This launch marks a significant milestone in BMA House’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring accessibility for all its delegates.

As a Grade II listed building known for its historical significance and architectural beauty, BMA House is dedicated to providing an inclusive environment that welcomes guests with varying accessibility needs. Understanding that accessibility is crucial for enabling all guests to participate fully in events, BMA House partnered with AccessAble to create a guide that offers comprehensive, factual information to assist in planning visits.

The Access Guide provides detailed insights into BMA House’s facilities, including parking arrangements, assistive listening technologies, accessible toilets, and more, all verified by AccessAble’s trained surveyors. This initiative reflects the venue’s understanding that accessibility needs are diverse and that providing reliable and precise information is key to fostering an inclusive atmosphere.

Further demonstrating its accessibility, BMA House is proudly used by Guide Dogs for the Blind for events, underscoring the venue's suitability for individuals living with sight loss. Additionally, the London Community Team for Guide Dogs for The Blind is based at BMA House, further exemplifying its commitment to accessibility.

Anna Nelson , Chief Executive of AccessAble, added, "We are thrilled to partner with BMA House on this important initiative. Our mission is to provide comprehensive access information that empowers people to navigate and enjoy spaces with confidence. BMA House's commitment to accessibility aligns perfectly with our goals, and we are delighted to feature them on AccessAble.co.uk."

The Detailed Access Guide for BMA House is now available on the BMA House website, offering essential information to ensure an accessible and enjoyable experience for all guests.

For more information about BMA House's accessibility features and the new access guide, click here.

Boyes Turner Offer HR Masterclass With Discount for beam Members

Boyes Turner is running its popular HR Masterclass again on 26 June 2024 (0930-1600).? The cost is ￡425 + VAT; however, it is offering a 10% booking discount until 30th April 2024. The invitation and details are here.?

Running since 2017, the Masterclass is specifically written and delivered with the HR professional in mind and covers key day-to-day people management issues from a specific legal, HR and employee relations angle.? The day focuses on HR’s role and how HR can help and support business managers with their responsibilities.? They cover the practical as well as the HR curveballs!

The course is aimed at those who are new to an HR role, have had a career break, might want a fresher, or for those who want to meet like minded professionals and share HR knowledge and learn employment law best practice.

The course is run by Emma O’Connor, a Legal Director in the team who heads up the HR Training Academy.? This face-to-face course is run in a small group from Boyes Turner 's Reading office. ?

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