CULINARY AWARD SERVED TO WARWICK FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

Warwick Conferences is celebrating after its culinary team won the best overall menu category in the 19th annual TUCO (The University Caterers’ Organisation) Chefs Skills Challenge.

This is the third successive year that Warwick Conferences (part of the University of Warwick) has taken an award home from the annual competition, which is designed to test and showcase the talents of University chefs. The team, made up of Greg Crump, Gary Brown and James Queenan - all chefs at Warwick Conferences’ award-winning training and conference centres - were up against strong competition with 17 rival teams also running for the best menu award.

The winning four course menu was constructed using locally sourced, fresh food and included exciting dishes such as Cardamom Cream, Mango Jelly, Cinnamon Apple Samosa & Gingerbread.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences said, “We are thrilled and extremely proud of the team for winning the Best Overall Menu at this year’s TUCO challenge. “The competition was really tough and to impress the judges was no mean feat, especially considering the high calibre of chefs competing. “Warwick Conferences is passionate about quality and exciting food and we are delighted that this shined through in the winning menu and in the enthusiasm of our team.”

BIG NEWS...The Møller Centre is awarded Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade

The Møller Centre in Cambridge has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding achievement over the last three years delivering Executive Education.

The Møller Centre for Continuing Education Limited was established 20 years ago by Churchill College, University of Cambridge to bring the worlds of academia and commerce together in a training and conference centre.

The Centre offers world class facilities and educational programmes delivered to a wide range of clients in the corporate, public and professional service sectors under the Royal Charter of Churchill College. Today, over 40% of clients are from overseas markets, with earnings from Executive Education increasing by 90% last year.

The quality and proven success of the programmes, which initially targeted Japan then developed substantially into the Chinese market, combine academic and practitioner-based learning for international business leaders particularly in the corporate, banking and healthcare sectors.

Gillian Secrett, CEO of The Møller Centre commented: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which recognises our success through our commitment and dedication to our clients. We design our programmes to meet the specific objectives of our senior delegations and build long term relationships to support each organisation to achieve its goals. It is a very special honour for the team here at The Møller Centre to receive this award in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee”. All profits from The Møller Centre are covenanted to Churchill College for investment in undergraduate and graduate education and student support.

For further information on booking this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

IMAGO WELCOMES THE OLYMPIC TORCH DURING AN AMAZING YEAR

With just 98 days until the opening ceremony, the team at Loughborough-based imago has been celebrating the arrival of the Olympic torch. 

During the practice run today (Friday 20th April), the torch relay followed its official route which passes imago’s four star conference centre and hotel Burleigh Court and its dedicated conference centre Holywell Park. Both venues are due to play a vital part in Loughborough University’s role as the official preparation camp for Team GB. 

imago is inviting its customers “to be part of an amazing year” as it prepares to celebrate the Olympics in addition to marking the 21st anniversary of Burleigh Court throughout 2012. 

Kay England, Chief Executive of imago, commented: “This is a unique year of celebration for the UK and for imago as we prepare to welcome Team GB and continue to mark the 21st anniversary of Burleigh Court. “We’re encouraging all of our customers to join us during the Olympics to celebrate and soak up the special atmosphere that such an exciting occasion will bring.” 

For further information about this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

Conference Centre gains triple Gold in 2012

Cotswold Conference Centre has continued an amazing start to the year by earning its third Gold Award of 2012.

The leading conference centre won its latest accolade by reaching Gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which recognises eco-friendly organisations in the UK. The achievement follows two other Gold titles so far in 2012. In January, the centre earned a national VenueVerdict Gold for excellent customer service and in March it won Gold in the Conference Venue of the Year category of the Cotswold Tourism Awards, beating Cheltenham Racecourse and The Barn at Calcot Manor.

The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. Businesses opting to join are graded against a rigorous set of criteria, covering areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Cotswold Conference Centre was visited and assessed on 8 March and the final report has just been completed. The report stated: “There are a number of ‘best practice’ measures in place [at Cotswold Conference Centre]. A lot of these are found at the new Maudslay Court with high levels of insulation, rainwater harvesting, sensors, solar panels and ground source heat pumps. “The site plays an important part in the community, getting involved in initiatives to rid the town of plastic bags while supporting many charities as well as showcasing a great deal of local food and drinks on the delegate menu. The green message is promoted very well with an ‘Environmental Folder’ communicated to guests as well as excellent room and website information.”

Cotswold Conference Centre is a modern meeting, training and team building venue based on the 370-acre Farncombe Estate, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon. Richard Howdle, Operations Manager at Cotswold Conference Centre, said: “This award is another feather in our cap and further recognition of the excellent work that the team at Cotswold Conference Centre is doing across the board. “It’s going to be a fantastic year for the UK and especially for tourism. To earn these three Gold titles in the first four months alone is a remarkable achievement.”

For more information about this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

WARWICK STRIKES GOLD AGAIN IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

Warwick Conferences is celebrating once again after two of its venues have secured Gold in the BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict awards for the fourth quarter in a row.

Warwick Conferences’ Radcliffe and Scarman training & conference centres are amongst just a handful of conference and meeting venues in the UK to be awarded the prestigious accolade, which recognises outstanding levels of customer satisfaction.

Venue Verdict Gold Standard is measured through ‘Net Promoter’, a progressive measure of customer service performance, and is awarded to venues with a twelve month ‘Net Promoter Score’ of +70, subject to the venue having met specific qualification requirements in each calendar quarter.

James Bland, senior client services manager at BDRC Continental said: “This quarter, only 22 properties achieved the Gold Standard so Warwick Conferences should be very proud. “Net Promoter can range from -100 to +100 so to achieve and sustain a score of +70 requires consistently excellent customer service.” 

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences said: “We are absolutely thrilled that two of our venues have been rated so highly in the awards for the fourth quarter in a row! “There is no better testimony than positive customer feedback and this accolade is a real testament to the outstanding service that we pride ourselves on delivering.”

For further information on this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

All on schedule for Wyboston Lakes redevelopment

Work is on schedule for the completion of the first phase of Wyboston Lakes’ extensive redevelopment of its dedicated conference and training venues.

From the end of April, users of its Robinson Executive Conference Centre will benefit from an intensive programme of enhancement across all aspects of the facility. When that project is completed, refurbishment of the Willows Training Centre will commence. From the beginning of May, the Robinson will be rebranded as the ‘Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre’, while the Willows will become the ‘Wyboston Lakes Training Centre’. The enhancements will help emphasise the different propositions the centres provide in terms of tariff and facilities.

Enjoy a complimentary pimms reception at Kettering Park Hotel and Spa

Looking for a stunning setting for a dinner to say thanks to the team - take a peek at the brand new outdoor Garden Room at the Kettering Park Hotel and Spa. An ideal dinner venue for up to 16 delegates and it doesn't have to be so formal, we're happy to do BBQ's and less dressy events too.

Reserve the Garden Room for a private lunch or dinner before the end of May for a summer event and in honour of our very first season we'll include a Pimm's reception with our compliments.

For more information about Kettering Park Hotel and Spa call the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

imago prepares to introduce Loughborough to international market

imago is setting its sights on Europe after confirming its attendance at IMEX and EIBTM exhibitions.

imago, the hospitality and conferencing brand of Loughborough University, is setting its sights on Europe after confirming its attendance at leading meetings exhibition IMEX in Frankfurt and international events exhibition EIBTM in Barcelona.

Having access to a number of new buyers and markets will not only provide exposure for imago but for Loughborough University and the East Midlands as a whole. The main message at both exhibitions will be the strength of Loughborough’s central location and imago’s role as the official host to the Japanese Olympic team and Team GB, making it ideal for international events.

Emma Boynton, Sales and Marketing Manager at imago, said: “We have traditionally attended UK only exhibitions, building on the strong foundation that we already have in many sectors including academic and sporting markets. The decision to attend EIBTM and IMEX reflects our wider objective of promoting Loughborough as a key, central destination for international events. We believe that our offering is unique in combining outstanding hotels, sports and conference facilities and dedicated event management services.”

This strategy to target European customers follows imago’s appointment of Paul Cooper, Business Development Manager, who was recruited to assist with fresh sales ideas and customer incentives. The additional of a Coordination Manager, a Revenue Manager, a Marketing Executive and Event Management Assistant reflects the continued success of imago’s services which span the University, The Link Hotel, Holywell Park and Burleigh Court.

For further information on imago at Burleigh Court contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

Pre-Olympics special room hire rates at BMA House

It's Doctors orders at BMA House - the home of the British Medical Association is a stunning Grade II listed building in central London and they are offering you a 25% discount on room hire for all new bookings taking place between now and 13th July 2012.

BMA House is a hidden gem of grand proportions located in fashionable Bloomsbury and boasts excellent transport links.

The House is home to the prestigious British Medical Association and has been its headquarters since 1925. Most recently refurbished in 2008 BMA House offers 25 spaces to hire for Conferences and Events including a courtyard and garden.

The versatility of rooms at BMA House allow for meetings as small as 10 boardroom and 20 for a private dinner to 300 theatre style, 200 for banqueting and 320 for cocktail parties. The majority of rooms offer flexible seating layouts and four are even licensed for weddings!

BMA House boasts state of the art audio visual equipment and in-house technicians to ensure successful delivery of your message. Video conferencing and webcasting are also available on site and wi-fi is offered for free throughout the House.

Catering is provided by award winning on site caterers and ranges from a simple buffet lunch to fine dining and barbeques. Menus offer innovative design, premium ingredients and stunning presentation.

In the run up to the Olympics BMA House are offering a special rate of 25% discount on all room hires*.

For more information about BMA House please contact the Hotline on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

*offer valid on new enquiries only for events taking place between now and 13th July 2012

Eynsham Hall looks to the future with refurbishment programme

Eynsham Hall Oxfordshire, has pledged to its future with a refurbishment programme of its annexe bedrooms. Careful to not compromise its current business they are looking to carry this out over the next 18 months as business allows. With bedrooms already completed Eynsham Hall has had excellent feedback from guests and is looking forward to showing the changes off to others. The new look logo of an Oxfordshire hare and further rebranding to include a website is just part of the ongoing changes at Eynsham Hall.

Maciej Kowalski one of Eynsham Halls finest bar tenders has reached the heats in England of the ‘Twisted Traditions National Cocktail Competition’ by Sloane’s Dry Gin. His unique drink has been turning heads and we will keep you updated with his progress!

For further information about this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

Hosting 60 hotel inspectors – is this the toughest job in hospitality?

Whether it’s a classic episode of Fawlty Towers or Alex Polizzi’s latest TV series, the words Hotel Inspector can strike fear into venues across the UK.

But two Cotswold venues are this week embracing the challenge by hosting a four-day residential training course for 60 hotel inspectors.

The course is being run by G4S’s Quality in Tourism (QiT) team – which has a license to assess on behalf of VisitEngland – and is being hosted at the award-winning Cotswold Conference Centre, near Broadway. Course attendees will also spend one evening taste-testing at the nearby Dormy House Hotel.

Entitled ‘Food for Thought’ the training is a refresher course for the experts, most of whom have many years’ experience assessing accommodation on behalf of VisitEngland.

The delegates are brushing up on every area of their trade, from how best to judge food and spot which carpets work well in a venue, to hearing updates on the latest hospitality marketing and website trends.

However, the prospect of 60 hotel inspectors instinctively running the rule over the service and surroundings during the week has only enthused the Cotswold Conference Centre.

Operations Manager Richard Howdle said: “Even though they are on a training course I’m quite sure, in their heads, all the inspectors will be assessing our rooms, food and service during their stay, but I’ve absolutely no doubt that we’ll meet their expectations.

“We have had a wide range of clients over the years and a residential course for hotel assessors is just one more exciting challenge for the team.”

QiT’s role is not only to inspect hotels and B&Bs, but also to offer positive advice to venue owners on how they can improve their services. The course will ensure that the assessors are up-to-date with the latest industry standards.

Guy Levoir, Operations Manager for G4S Assessment Services, is leading the course.

“We have expert speakers in everything from flooring and carpeting to food and websites so that the assessors can provide the best advice to the 23,000 VisitEngland venues across the country,” he said.

“It’s a highly specialised training course for experts in their field. They never really switch off and at a residential event like this the attendees are inevitably assessing everything around them – it’s what they do.”

During the week, the Cotswold Conference Centre’s catering team will be put to the test as the attendees are expected to get through 420 cups – or 14 gallons – of tea and coffee, 480 biscuits, almost 300 cakes as well as several hundred rashers of bacon and sausages.

Are you struggling to get the availability at the rate you need in the Capital this summer?

Olympic rates from £35+ vat Day Delegate and £115+ vat 24h rate

If you are struggling to get the availability at the rate you need in the Capital this summer, why not give us a call and see what we can offer?

We are only 30 minutes outside of London, and easily assessable from the rest of the UK. Which means your delegates and colleagues can escape the commuter nightmare.

Our 70 purpose built meeting rooms can all be adapted to your requirements – they all have natural daylight, air-conditioning, conference furniture and free Wi-Fi, just let us know anything else you may need.

For further details, contact our Hotline team today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk and quote Olympic 04/12E

Terms and conditions apply, all offers are subject to availability

Spring into business at Missenden Abbey

Book your conference/meeting to take place between now and the 31st of May and experience Missenden Abbey for special rates of:

£120 + VAT 24hr rate

• Three course hot & cold buffet dinner

• En-suite single occupancy overnight accommodation

• Two free syndicate rooms

• All AV equipment

• Complimentary chilled water, cordials & sweets

• Full English or Continental breakfast

• Air conditioned meeting room

• Fast & free wireless internet access

• Unlimited flipcharts

• Unlimited tea, coffee, biscuits & fruit

• Three course hot & cold buffet lunch

• Secure car parking, free of charge

• Delegate name cards, pads & pencils

£30 + VAT Day rate

• Air conditioned main meeting room

• All AV equipment

• Fast & free wireless internet access

• Unlimited flipcharts

• Complimentary chilled water cordials & sweets

• Unlimited tea, coffee, biscuits & fruit

• Three course hot & cold buffet lunch

• Delegate name cards, pads, pencils

• Secure car parking, free of charge

*Offer for new bookings only

Call us now on 0845 230 1414 to check availability or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Leap into Spring with Broomgrove's delicious £25 day conference deal, with bonus bacon rolls

Our special, all-inclusive package is just £25 per person* and available for meetings held throughout April, May and June.

• Guest registration and a dedicated event manager

• Audio visual equipment

• Unlimited high speed internet access, cabled or Wi-Fi

• Flipchart stand with whiteboard and pens

• Pens, notepads, name cards

• Still and sparkling water, cordials and a selection of sweets

• Unlimited tea, coffee, homemade biscuits and cakes

• Two-course hot and cold buffet lunch

• On-site technical support

• BONUS OFFER:Breakfast roll on arrival

Celebrate Spring with us and choose the pretty Grade II listed Broomgrove, Sheffield for your next meeting, conference or workshop this April - June.

Broomgrove is AIM accredited and has 7 spacious and flexible meeting rooms, including a grand chandelier-hung Ballroom, the Hayloft for up to 15, the Snug for intimate groups of up to 6 and the Upper Court seating 55 theatre style. All rooms come fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including free Wi-Fi.

To book, contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk and quote 'Broomgrove Spring Offer'.

*Minimum booking of 10 people applies. Not applicable to existing bookings. Price quoted is exclusive of VAT.

Easter break offer at Engineers House!

We filled up fast this March and April's looking to follow suit. To fill those last minute gaps, how about 25% off our rack rate?

Engineers' House are expanding their Monday and Friday offering of £24.50+VAT DDR on any NEW BOOKINGS up to April 13th 2012.

What you can expect.

• Fully equipped conference room, set-up to your specification

• Dedicated event manager to ensure your event runs without issue

• Bistro lunch in our recently refurbished restaurant

• Hot drinks on tap all day, in our recently refurbished coffee lounge

• Industry leading service from a team that really performs

Contact the Hotline team today on 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Breakfast Meetings at The Manor House

Meetings work better out of the office, away from distractions like the ringing phone, pinging e mails and colleagues asking if they can “just have a word”. Yet getting a few people away for even a few hours is not made any easier by the pressures on time we all face, let alone any budgetary constraints.

Building a meeting around a meal at the Manor House Conference Centre near Guildford could be the answer. Breakfast meetings, in particular, are making a comeback and with a bit of planning they can offer so much more than the traditional pre-meeting fare of a limp sausage in a soggy bun with a cup of lukewarm coffee.

Breakfast meetings offer all sorts of advantages to Surrey businessmen. Not only is the cost reasonable compared to a traditional meeting, but a short meeting with colleagues before the start of the business day leaves office hours free to do the day job.

So what are the options? Firstly, you should consider how you want to meet. If privacy is important, you may want to think about hiring one of the Manor House’s private rooms, such as the Boardroom. If it is less of a concern, then a meeting in the main dining room may offer the easiest and most cost-effective solution.

Choosing what’s to eat is also important. If you are only a few people, you could start the day with a traditional full English breakfast. Some venues will cook everything to order, meaning you get your breakfast freshly cooked for you. Other venues prefer a hot buffet which , whilst offering plenty of choice, can have the disadvantage of looking unappetising if there is not a quick turnover of food or if it is not topped up often, as happens if service is slow or coming to an end.

The Manor House fall in to the former category, cooking everything to order, so when you want to eat, your breakfast is as fresh as fresh can be.

The Manor House also uses local ingredients & suppliers, so when you order a Manor House Surrey breakfast, that's exactly what you get, complete with organic eggs and sausages made a couple of miles away.

Of course, The Manor House also caters for those who prefer something lighter - how about pancakes and maple syrup or muesli made to the Manor House’s own recipe?

If your group is larger and networking is important, you may want to consider a breakfast finger buffet. This could incorporate traditional items such as pastries, as well as items like mini smoked salmon bagels and mini brioche with Parma ham. Of course, larger groups may also want to sit down and enjoy “the full monty”, perhaps to the accompaniment of an inspirational speaker.

There are lots of possibilities and we’re here to help. If you’d like to discuss some ideas, please contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

BURLEIGH COURT CELEBRATES TURNING 21 AND LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY PARTNERSHIP IN STYLE

Burleigh Court, the four star hotel of hospitality and conferencing brand imago, welcomed a host of VIPs through its doors on Friday 23rd March in celebration of its 21st anniversary. The red carpet event raised £2,000 through a raffle and auction for its brand new charity partner, Youth Sports Trust. All proceeds will be used for its Sporting Chance initiative which develops opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The invitation only event was attended by University alumni and existing Burleigh Court customers who were thanked for their support over the last 21 years. The evening’s Olympic theme celebrated the venue’s bright future as the official host of Team GB with evening speaker Baroness Sue Campbell CBE, who is the Chair of UK Sport and Youth Sport Trust, discussing the exciting prospects of London 2012 and the new partnership between the charity and imago.

The evening’s five course dinner was entirely sourced from the East Midlands with the Derbyshire trout even caught by the venue’s own head chef, head porter and sous chef the afternoon before. imago always strives to work with local suppliers where possible and has even launched its own anniversary hamper, complete with specially brewed ale and bars of chocolate.

Kay England, imago Chief Executive and team member since Burleigh Court opened 21 years ago, said: "The gala dinner was a fantastic opportunity to thank our customers and celebrate with colleagues from Loughborough University. The Olympic theme not only links to our relationship with Team GB and other top institutions in the sporting world but to our objective of always improving the services we provide whilst striving to be the best at what we do. This is an incredibly exciting time for Burleigh Court and we’re looking forward to using the experience we’ve gained over the last 21 years to welcome the Olympic athletes and a host of other guests.”

imago also manages Holywell Park, a versatile conference and exhibition centre and The Link, a quality budget hotel which is ideally located for access to the University, the M1 and East Midlands Airport. It also has a range of meeting facilities and accommodation across Loughborough University campus.