Weekly Round Up

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The Power of Events shares Schools Engagement Programme pilot impact to date and Four Nations Expansion Plans

The Power of Events is releasing results to date of its Schools Engagement Programme pilot in the East of England. Launched in January 2024, the pilot aims to refine the process of inspiring the next generation of event professionals, by introducing pupils aged 13-18 to the dynamic range of opportunities within the events industry.

In the Spring term, the programme has so far engaged over 3,000 pupils from 17 schools, significantly enhancing their understanding of the events industry as a viable career path. The engagement numbers soared to a promising 65% average in pupils' awareness of the sector and career consideration post-presentation, up from an initial 2% pre-presentation.

Following this initial success, The Power of Events is set to expand the programme across additional regions in the UK, starting in the Autumn term in September 2024. The scalable model, backed by pilot tested processes and feedback results, aims to engage all 4210 secondary schools across all four nations within the next five years.

Call to Action: Sponsor a Region & Register as a Schools Ambassador

The Power of Events is calling on businesses to collaborate with their local event industry community to be part of this transformative educational project by sponsoring new regional roll-outs. Sponsors will enable direct impact in shaping the educational journey of thousands of pupils across circa 100 schools in their local region.

Industry professionals can also volunteer as Schools Ambassadors, playing a pivotal role in presenting The Power of Events content in their local schools across the new regions, introducing them to the seven sectors and five routes into the industry.

Founder Rick Stainton comments, “This initiative not only provides an excellent CSR opportunity but also helps support the future of the UK events industry - we have over 200 Schools Ambassadors already signed up and ready to go into schools as soon as new regions are confirmed. We’re hoping as we start to launch into new regions later in the year, many more organisations and event professionals from all sectors will put themselves forward to sponsor and support this unique cross Four Nations movement, elevating the impact to unprecedented levels.”

Several Schools Ambassadors from the industry shared their experience : “It was inspiring to witness the transformation from initial skepticism to an 80% show of hands from students considering a future in our industry. The experience was incredibly fulfilling, and we encourage anyone interested in joining us to reach out!” Zo? Lucy - WeImplement

“It was an intense but hugely rewarding experience, unlike anything I’ve done in my career to date. The 286 students started the sessions admitting they did not know what the events industry was, however by the end circa 70% were raising their hands with enthusiasm, to show interest in a career in events.” Leah Freeland (Assoc. CIPD) - Rego Group

For more information on how to become a sponsor and/or to register as a Schools Ambassador, please contact The Power of Events at [email protected].

ABPCO Festival of Learning Shows How to Be Fit for The Future in Glasgow

The ABPCO Festival of Learning, which took place on Monday and Tuesday this week, welcomed 150 industry professionals to Glasgow. The third ABPCO Festival of Learning brought together PCOs and industry partners from around the UK for two days of high-quality education and networking focused on ensuring the attendees are Fit for the Future.

The education focused event included an inspiring keynote from Dr Tharaka Gunarathne , who presented cutting-edge brain science tips for enhancing productivity and reducing stress. The diverse program also covered sessions on the societal and economic impacts of events, the synergy between technology and human creativity in event management, and practical advice for public speaking.

Significant workshops included 'Adapting to the Future with Limited Resources', which introduced a new tool for measuring conference contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and discussions on risk management and the future of event accessibility, reinforcing ABPCO's commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.

The success of the festival was made possible by the generous support of the SEC, and their destination partner Glasgow Convention Bureau . Additional support was provided by GES, Harrogate Convention Centre , Aberdeen Convention Bureau , Brightelm - The Event Agency for Associations and ACC Liverpool , who all contributed to the event's vibrant networking and learning environment.

ABPCO co-chair Sarah Byrne remarked, "This year's Festival of Learning has been a phenomenal success, fostering an environment of growth and innovation. The engagement and enthusiasm for future-proofing our profession fill me with confidence and I look forward to the success we will continue to see both as an association and a profession."

Emma Duffy , fellow co-chair, added, "I am so grateful for the collaborative spirit demonstrated by our community. Thanks to our speakers, hosts and sponsors, we continue to provide our members with the tools to navigate the future confidently.? The ABPCO community demonstrated this week not just its professionalism and deep knowledge of Association Events but also its incredible sense of community."

Kathleen Warden , Director of Conference Sales, from host venue the SEC concludes: “It was fantastic to host the ABPCO Festival of Learning this week.? The content goes from strength to strength, and it was current and highly relevant. ?ABPCO really deliver for the members, and this week’s event was clearly inspiring the attendees.? It was great to see the community together and totally engaging in the event.”

The fourth ABPCO Festival of Learning will take place next year at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 29th April, 2025, with networking the night before.

For more information about future events and updates, please visit www.abpco.org

Fourteen Venues from across the UK went head-to-head last weekend at the annual Venues of Excellence Cook and Serve Challenge 2024

Venues of Excellence (VOE) in partnership with Wilson Vale , were delighted to see the annual Cook and Serve challenge back on the calendar after four long years.

The competition sees VOE member venues strive to create culinary masterpieces and provide outstanding service to invited guests. It recognises the best individual courses and services in both junior and senior categories, as well as the coveted Champion Chef, Food Service Champion, and Chairman’s Best Team Awards.

Venues of Excellence were delighted to partner with Wilson Vale, and the competition theme featured ‘The gold thread of Excellence’, with venues given the challenge of preparing and service a three-course menu that showcases their personality and their venue using a minimum of five ingredients from a provided list.

Riccardo Corbinzolu , Operations Director, Wilson Vale who organised the competition, commenting on this year’s competitors said: “I couldn't be happier with how the competition turned out on Saturday. The standard this year was exceptional, and it's hard to believe it was the first Cook and Serve for each competitor. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the competitors for their hard work and commitment to delivering outstanding food and service.

A special thank you to our competition host, Nicky Randall , and her team at Leicester College , who pulled out all the stops to ensure everything ran smoothly. I also want to thank our friends at Nottingham Venues for hosting a show-stopping evening. I'm thrilled to see this new generation of competitors and can't wait to see what they bring to next year's competition. Plans are already in motion, and you can expect to see some exciting twists in the format, making it even more engaging for 2025!”

This year’s Awards Ceremony was held at Nottingham Venues EMCC and the Orchard Hotel.? The venue welcomed over 100 guests to celebrate the 2024 winner.? Peter Bartlett, Hotel Manager of Nottingham Venues’ Orchard hotel said: “There was incredible talent on show throughout the Cook and Serve challenge and we are proud to have hosted the awards dinner at the East Midlands Conference Centre and accommodated the guests at The Orchard Hotel. The hard work of everyone involved deserves to be recognised and celebrated, and we did just that! The Nottingham Venues’ team ensured everyone had a memorable evening.” ?

After dinner, the Awards were presented by judges and sponsors to the event.? Munashe Muchenje from Ashorne Hill - The home of Ashorne Advantage was named Champion Chef, with Katie Newham from Imago Venues – Burleigh Court winning Food Service Champion. The Chairman’s Team Award went to Chris Raynor and Katie Newham at Imago Venues – Burleigh Court.

To deliver the Cook and Serve Challenge 2024, VOE partnered with Leicester College to host the competition, and aspects of the event were sponsored by: LWC Drinks , Bidfood UK , Mathew Algie, Weston Park Enterprises Ltd , Rothamsted Enterprises , Tree-V , Paddy & Scott's , Steelite International and View It 360 .

Mandy Jennings , CEO of Venues of Excellence, reflecting on the event and the opportunity for member venues to showcase their food and beverage excellence, said about this year’s event; “It was so exciting to have this prestigious event back on the Venues of Excellence calendar and to see the amazing culinary talent we have in our member venues. Quality and excellence is our main goal and focus in all we do, and this competition never fails to bring out the very best skills and service levels our teams offer. We are so very proud to represent 54 of the best conference and event venues in the UK and this event truly showcases just how outstanding the teams in our venues are.”

Venues of Excellence and Wilson Vale were delighted to see member venues committed to showcase their team talents and look forward to planning the 2025 event.

The Champion Chef Menu:

King Scallop Satay, Pickled White Grape, Apple, Roasted Peanut, Black Rice Cracker, Coriander & Lime Oil

***

Beef Fillet, Celeriac & Black Garlic Puree, Roscoff Onion, Braised Ox Cheek, Bone Marrow Crumb, Sweet & Sour Onion, Butter Roasted Celeriac, Truffle Jus, Watercress

***

Banoffee Tart, Whipped Chocolate Ganache, Miso Caramel, Caramelised Banana, Banana Ice Cream, Banana Tuille

UKEVENTS Weekly Updates

·??????? EIF Monthly eBulletin - April 2024 – Purple Guide Update (Events in or around Water, Water Provision, Volunteers) | Purple Guide Lite | New Indoor Crowd Management Guidance | Terrorism Rehearsal | Schools Engagement Programme | Festivals Research | We Make Events Survey | Spiking | Security Advice for the Jewish Community. Read here.

·??????? TA Weekly Update 2nd May 2024 – MPs debate FHL taxation | Tourism Policy Conference – 26th November – save the date | Reeves: Labour will be more pro-business than Tony Blair | Add your name to joint letters on Youth Mobility | UK Ministers questioned on EU EES | Don’t forget to vote. Read here.

·??????? UKEVENTS website upgrade – The website is upgrading to Joomla 5 over the weekend thanks to Stuart Forrester (a former UKEVENTS Partner) and his team at The Forrester Corporation, who have worked tirelessly to find new application to run our Research Directory and migrate our content in order to upgrade the system. We would like to thanks Stuart’s for his invaluable involvement, help and continued support to UKEVENTS. We look forward to improved security, speed, clear, clean design with robust and flexible technology to support it. ?Thank you @Stuart Forrester! thefc - Design, Marketing and Business Consultancy

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Unveils Its Crown Jewel in Edinburgh: The Elegant and Historically Rich 100 Princes Street

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection (Red Carnation Hotels) , the family-owned hotel collection, proudly announces the opening of its latest masterpiece and first property in Scotland, 100 Princes Street. Heralding the start of a new era at its storied Edinburgh address, this boutique hotel is poised to become a beloved destination providing an exclusive, intimate and authentic Scottish experience. Inspired by the adventures of the Scottish explorers who frequented the building as the former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes Street - part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is an exquisitely curated property that promises a journey into Scotland’s rich cultural, historic and nautical legacy. The hotel’s enviable location, a stone’s throw from Scotland’s National Gallery and directly facing Edinburgh Castle, positions it as a unique vantage point for both discerning travellers and culture-seekers.

Evocative of a chic private members’ club and a celebration of all things Scottish, 100 Princes Street is led by distinguished Resident Manager Laura Jamieson . It features 30 beautifully appointed ensuite rooms and suites; ‘The Wallace’, a plush dining room, bar and lounge offering hearty, local fare and an expertly selected list of craft cocktails; and ‘Ghillie’s Pantry’, an elegant private dining room offering over one hundred whiskies and custom tasting menus. A collection of distinctive Scottish experiences, created exclusively for guests of the property, further enhance the “anything, anytime” ethos, for which Red Carnation is renowned.

Authentic Design: Where Every Detail Tells a Story

The soul of 100 Princes Street is captured through its inspired design and meticulous attention to detail, a collaboration from the acclaimed team behind Botswana's Xigera Safari Lodge and Ireland's iconic Ashford Castle, with the superb vision of Toni Tollman at the forefront. Whilst the Tollman family has focused on protecting the architectural heritage of the building and lovingly restoring its original features, a wealth of twenty-first century luxuries have been added for its discerning guests, delivering every creature comfort.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are immediately invited on an artistic voyage, marked by a hand-selected array of artworks including bespoke pieces by the notable decorative arts specialists, Croxford and Saunders.

Among these, a breathtaking, hand-painted mural stands out, celebrating the daring spirit and ingenuity of Scottish explorers. This artistic marvel stretches the length of the majestic five-story staircase, and tells the story of the journeys of Scottish botanists, whose discoveries and contributions to the world of plants, trees, and flowers are depicted throughout, with each vignette representing a different location.

The style of the mural harkens back to the late Victorian to late Edwardian periods, reminiscent of vintage posters and postcards, giving the mural the feel of a historic book illustration from that era. Set against the backdrop of high-gloss hand-carved woodwork, the masterpiece culminates at the top of the staircase with an impressive glass and bronze chandelier shaped like an adventurer’s hot air balloon.

In the rooms, skilled local artisans were commissioned to create custom-made furnishings, fabrics and artworks that are totally unique to the hotel, including five tartans by revered Scottish designer Araminta Campbell. Handpicked antiques and nautical design elements have been cleverly woven throughout the property, and come together to narrate the building's illustrious history.

A Private Residents Club With Unobstructed Views

100 Princes Street exudes the feeling of a private residents club, with its 30 rooms and suites each individually designed with exceptional attention to detail, and each a testament to the hotel’s rich heritage and its connections to historical figures. The two exceptional signature suites, named The Archibald and The Isobel after renowned Scottish explorers Archibald Menzies and Isobel Wylie Hutchison, offer guests breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle, making them the city’s most coveted accommodations.

An Exploration of Scotland's Finest Produce

Looking directly at Edinburgh Castle and helmed by the hotel’s talented South African chef, Willhelm Maree, the gastronomic heart of 100 Princes Street is undoubtedly The Wallace. A plush dining room, bar, lounge and tasting room, where guests feast on delicious, hearty fare, prepared using the best and most freshly available local produce. Hotel guests are invited to indulge in rare Scottish whisky tastings, refined afternoon teas and a menu that pays tribute to the richness of Scotland's local produce.

Adjoining The Wallace, Ghillie's Pantry is an elegant private dining room, seating up to 12 guests, where discerning gourmands can enjoy custom tasting menus. Intimate and stylish, the walls of the room are lined with more than one hundred whiskies, including a number of rare bottles, such as the Laphroaig 20 Year Old Director’s Special, and The Glenlivet 25 Years Single Malt. Ghillie's Pantry is crowned by a stunning astrological ceiling mural by Croxford and Saunders.

A Distinctive Collection of Bespoke Scottish Experiences

Exclusively for its guests, 100 Princes Street presents a collection of experiences designed to showcase the beauty of Edinburgh and the idyllic Scottish countryside. These tailored adventures range from creating a personalised Scottish gin to serene fishing excursions on the River Tweed, ensuring an unforgettable stay for every refined traveller.

Nightly rates at 100 Princes Street start at GBP ￡450 (approx USD $565) for an entry-level ensuite double room, including a sumptuous Scottish breakfast for two. For more information, please visit www.100princes-street.com.

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly wins Best Contemporary Hotel Award

Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel has won Best Contemporary Hotel in North West England at the UK Enterprise Awards 2024.

A dedicated research and judging team assessed a host of businesses across the UK for SME News' seventh annual UK Enterprise Awards, which honours the remarkable accomplishments of companies from a wide range of industries.

The Mercure’s entry was considered alongside reviews, testimonials, and crucial feedback from clients and customers and chosen by the judges for its exemplary “commitment and quality in service”.

This has been driven by the hotel team’s focus on people and product, which has been central to its transformative journey over the past 12 months. For example, the Mercure has completed an extensive seven-month-long ￡3m modernisation project and launched a plethora of employee-focused initiatives, including regular rewards and bespoke training, which has led to high levels of customer service, strong customer relationships, and numerous accolades.

These achievements include an Aimbridge Hospitality Award for the most improved 雅高 hotel in EMEA, with a 12.7% increase in performance and guest reputation. It has also experienced a 500% increase in positive Google Reviews year-on-year and an upgrade to 'Preferred Status' on Booking.com. The team has achieved an impressive 19-minute response rate to inquiries over 18 months, ranking among the best of the best in Venue Directory ’s listings. VenueVerdict scores are now consistently achieving 9/10, setting the stage for the hotel's goal to attain gold status within the year.

Andrew Krawec, General Manger of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, commented: “The collective effort of the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly team has been pivotal in attaining our recent accomplishments, notably our significant refurbishment project. Receiving the UK Enterprise Award holds profound significance for us, marking a milestone in our endeavour to revitalise the hotel and M&E experience for leisure and business guests.”

Arena Racing Group Launches Wellness Experiences for Summer Meetings and Conferences

Arena Racing Group (ARC), the UK's largest racecourse group, boasting 21 venues and 16 premier racecourses nationwide, has launched ‘Step Into Summer’ – a Wellness-inspired experience at meetings and conferences this summer.?

The concept has been designed to help event organisers to boost delegate wellbeing by embracing outdoor experiences, connecting with nature, and discovering the rich heritage and history at each racecourse.

To ensure delegates can get their steps in and are engaged, each racecourse has designed a selection of measured walking routes, typically taking guests on a tour of each venue’s Grandstand Building, historic track, and notable sights. An example route at ARC’s Lingfield Park Resort in Surrey is a 30-minute 1.4-mile tour, which accrues around 3,400 steps.

For new bookings, each delegate will receive a complimentary racing ticket to enjoy the thrill of live racing. The ‘Step Into Summer’ day delegate package is valid for meetings and conferences at all ARC Racecourses from 1 April to 30 September 2024.

Julie Coates-Walker , Group Head of Sales at ARC, commented: “Event planners are increasingly aware of the profound impact of delegate wellbeing on the success of their events. Getting delegates outside and moving, embracing nature, and connecting with a venue’s heritage not only stimulates engagement but also nurtures attendees' mental and physical health. Our new initiatives will help organisers and delegates to find rejuvenation away from the office, fostering deeper connections and enhancing the overall event experience."

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