Optimise learning outcomes in dedicated training environments

Conference Centres of Excellence, the UK’s largest consortium of dedicated conference and training centres, believes that the effectiveness of training events carried out in dedicated environments is increased by between 10% and 15% compared to non-specialist venues. 

With over 20 years of experience in the training venue sector, Conference Centres of Excellence has explored this belief in ongoing dialogue between the consortium and its 33 members, who include many of the country’s most prominent specialist venues, several of which also offer their own management training courses.

“In a traditional training event held in a specialist venue, we believe that there is a benefit of an additional 10-15% in retained learning –  which is a significant benefit  to people productivity or individual performance back in the work place,” says Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence: “For the trainer and for delegates, a dedicated venue brings focus and absence of distraction, services and facilities dedicated to communications, and support staff who understand the challenge  – all of which optimise the learning outcomes, and in turn success of the event.”

Conference Centres of Excellence currently has 33 members, which include many of the country’s most respected providers. All member venues provide facilities and staff dedicated to the process of communications and learning.

Conference Centres of Excellence will be attending the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition, where we can discuss your venue requirements and how our dedicated environments can benefit your training results.

Representatives from three member venues - Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre, imago at Burleigh Court, and Kents Hill Park Conference and Training Centre will also be in attendance.

Wyboston Lakes, imago at Burleigh Court and Kents Hill Park

Click now to register for your free place, and visit us on Stand F130.

Conference Centres of Excellence provides a free, focused venue-finding service for organisers of training events and meetings. The hotline provides ‘one-stop-shop’ guidance on facilities, availability and rates for all member venues. The service can be contacted on 0845 230 1414, email info@cceonline.co.uk. The consortium’s website www.cceonline.co.uk includes extensive information on all members.

imago Filmed for Google's 'Business Photos' Feature

Loughborough based imago is one of the first UK businesses to be filmed for Google’s brand new ‘business photos’ feature. 

Expanding on its current ‘street view’ mode, Google will offer 360-degree tours inside a number of businesses and venues.

Chris Jones, on behalf of Google

Four star conference centre Burleigh Court and The Link hotel were the first venues in Leicestershire to be visited by Google, building on imago’s ‘virtual tours’ which are a new feature on its own website.

Emma Boynton, Head of Marketing and Sales at imago, said: “It’s very exciting to be involved in Google’s latest innovation at such an early stage. The internet has become a very important tool for searching and selecting venues in the hotel and conference industry – I’m sure that the added option of seeing inside the venue will assist potential clients in finding the perfect setting for their event.” 

imago Burleigh Court

Burleigh Court is one of the Midlands largest 4-Star accredited residential conference and training centres. Facilities include 225 quality bedrooms including executive suites, 26 top specification training rooms, equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment, a versatile exhibition area, superb restaurant and private dining room.

Burleigh Court is proud to be Mobility 3 accredited, boasting some of the most accessible facilities in the region.

Ideally located in the Midlands, one mile from the M1 and 8 miles from East Midlands Airport.

For bookings and more information on imago Burleigh Court call the Conference Centres of Excellence Hotline 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

You are invited to Missenden Abbey's Open Evening!

We would like to invite you to come and see us here at Missenden Abbey during our Open Evening, and receive 10% discount on bookings that are confirmed and have taken place by 11th January 2013. 

September 25th 2012 4.30pm to 7.30pm 

All our facilities will be open for you to explore and understand what we do at the Abbey and how we can help you with any future training, conference or meeting needs. 

Not only will you be able to view all of our meeting rooms and historic Abbey, you will also be able to sample our delicious food, enjoy live music and experience our team building activities with Morale Solutions, as well as our professional leadership courses with Instal. 

Missenden Abbey Conference Centre

Combining historical atmosphere, modern conference facilities and first class hospitality, this fine 12th Century Abbey is located in the heart of Buckinghamshire and surrounded by 10 acres of spectacular grounds.

Missenden Abbey Conference Centre is perfect for residential training, day meetings, corporate events, private dining, Wedding Receptions, Barbeques, Christmas parties and much more.

Only 30 miles from London, with excellent rail links direct to Marylebone, just 20 minutes from the M40, M4, M25.

We look forward to meeting you! 

Call our hotline now on 0845 230 1414 to register or email info@cceonline.co.uk for more information.

Half Term Incentive at Engineers House, Bristol

It's all back to business this month, but Half Term is coming soon.  Get ahead of the pack with our latest incentive. 

24th October - 2nd November - get 5 free delegate places

We're offering 5 free delegate places on all new bookings of 30 delegates or more, between the 24th October and 2nd November.

We know the pressure is on to keep your costs down and your productivity up, so we're keeping our offers rolling on the dates that you need.  We've put together this special package around the Half Term week, and we know that places will go fast.

Expect warm Bristol hospitality from the exceptional team at Engineers’ House. Quality is assured with AIM accredited facilities for up to 170 delegates and a prime location just 3 miles from Bristol Temple Meads train station and minutes from the M4 and M5.

For more information or to check availability contact the hotline on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk.

Events Industry takes its case to Westminster

Britain For Events Parliamentary Reception

The UK events industry was out in force at the Britain For Events Parliamentary Reception held at the House of Commons on 5th September 2012, with a core message that events in Britain are critical to the growth and well-being of local communities and destinations.

The meeting was addressed by Nick De Bois MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group For Events, Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership and James Berresford, CEO, VisitEngland. All spoke about the contribution both business and cultural events make to driving the economy, growing employment and trade, creating inward investment and regenerating destinations and their impact on community cohesion.

During the presentation Nick De Bois spoke of the positive characteristics of the events sector and the need for the industry to respond positively to the Government agenda on job creation and apprenticeships. James Berresford said that VisitEngland had a key focus to work closely with destination management organisations to grow business tourism.

Michael Hirst concluded: "It was very important to get the message out within Westminster that "events shape communities and communities make events". I am hopeful more MPs and Local Government leaders will recognise the importance of this message and get behind the industry."

Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence attended the briefing and commented:

“The Summer of sport and jubilee celebrations have been a resounding success, the world’s attention on our country and what we can deliver will have a benefit that will not be insignificant. The business visits and events community must ensure that the feel good factor reaches out to the rest of the country with additional marketing support and recognition, after all those that are credited with making the games such as success, the organisers, athletes and games makers came from all over the UK and their legacy should be one that benefits all areas of Great Britain, not just London and the South East. We will watch with interest the future actions of the national tourism bodies VisitBritain England Wales and Scotland”  

For more information about the event visit Conference Centres of Excellence or contact pr@cceonline.co.uk

Warwick Conferences 'All-Inclusive' Package

In the interests of transparency and ensuring value for money, Warwick Conferences are offering their all encompassing day delegate package from only £35 pp*!

In a bid to satisfy all your event needs, the ‘ALL-INCLUSIVE’ package is exactly that, and stacks up as follows: 

For all your meeting needs:

Warwick Conferences Scarman House

• Main meeting room 
• 1 Syndicate room for every 10 delegates 
• Extensive AV equipment including 
• Laptop 
• LCD Projector 
• Speakers 
• Microphone 
• Flipcharts 
• Lectern 
• Telephone 
• Free Wi-Fi for all delegates 
• Free stationery 
• Water cooler 

For all your catering needs: 

• Unlimited refreshments including 
• Tea and Coffee 
• Juices 
• Cold drinks 
• Biscuits 
• Pastries 
• Cakes 
• Fruit 
• Nuts and seeds 
• Extensive 3-course buffet lunch 

For all your planning needs: 

• Dedicated, on-site Event Manager, available pre, during and post-event 
• Conference and technical assistants on-hand throughout your event 

For all your leisure needs: 

• Access to exercise room on site 
• Extensive sports facilities just a short walk away 
• Complimentary car parking 

For more information on Special Offers and Late Availability, contact us today quoting ‘All-Inclusive’ on 0845 230 1414 or at info@cceonline.co.uk

*Subject to availability. Normal terms and conditions apply.

Special Offers from The Manor House, Surrey

Remember, remember - book meetings 'til November!

If you book your meeting at The Manor House before the end of September and it takes place before the end of November, you can enjoy a full day package for just £35 plus VAT per delegate. 

The Manor House, Surrey

Or stay overnight and benefit from a residential package for only £135 plus VAT per delegate. For shorter meetings, you can meet for half a day for just £28 plus VAT per delegate or in the morning or afternoon at a special price of £18 plus VAT per delegate.

p.s. don't delay! These rates are only available until 30th September and include everything you need to run a successful meeting. You won't find any hidden extras on any of your bills! Contact us today to discuss your meeting requirements.

Travel on Sunday, Fresh on Monday

If you're coming to a meeting at The Manor House on Monday, or want to beat the Monday morning rush to get here, why not arrive the night before? You can get a great night's sleep in a comfy bed and avoid the nightmare of stop start traffic. 

The special price is £75 including VAT and yummy full English breakfast.

*All prices quoted are subject to VAT at the current rate. This offer is subject to availability and must be mentioned at the time of enquiry.

To check availability or discuss your requirements call us on 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Conference Centres of Excellence Supports Britain for Events

Events in Britain, whether for business or pleasure, are worth an estimated £36 billion and the UK has a reputation globally for being world leaders in creating and staging events of all types and sizes. There has never been a more significant time for the events industry and the Britain for Events campaign is a celebration of the knowledge and skills of those that host, produce and manage events across the UK.

House of Commons Briefing

The Britain for Events Partnership held a special briefing on the state of the UK events business and its role in the local community to Members of Parliament and municipal leaders, at the House of Commons on 5th September.

Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence, attended the briefing.

Anthony Lishman

“The meeting at the Houses of Parliament are an opportunity to our industry, as a united group, to lobby our MPS’s regarding the importance of our sector and how they can, with very little investment create Jobs and long term employment for thousands of young and low skilled individuals.” Anthony continued: “The event of at the Houses of Parliament is also the launch of the annual Business for Events Campaign, which hopes to draw media interest and government focus on a sector that often gets forgotten in the wider scheme of things, but delivers annually £36 billion in trade a contribution in tax revenues to the Exchequer which is exceeded by very few specific industry sectors.”

Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits and Events Partnership, recently wrote to the Prime Minister saying there is estimated to be a £500 million boost to business events from the London Olympics and Paralympic Games, as an additional 20% in expenditure is derived from business and incentive groups visiting the Games, holding meetings and special events and extending their stay around Britain.

In addition, latest research reveals that 20% of existing conference and exhibition venues are being upgraded or extended with £1 billion being spent on improvements.

Michael Hirst says, “Britain’s Events Industry will be a major beneficiary of the London Olympics. Through the creativity of the sector, conferences and trade shows in Britain can proudly present Britain’s business opportunities to the World. By stepping up their involvement in bidding for international events which relate to their Departmental responsibilities, Government Ministers can help facilitate more business events in Britain. These will help promote British goods and services and develop our expertise for medical and scientific research”.

“The Olympic Games shows just how good our event management skills are in staging international events. We must build on these strengths to help our economic recovery”, Hirst concluded.

The letter also draws attention to the inclusion of the Events Sector in the Government’s GREAT promotion and the current “Britain For Events” campaign”, which promotes Britain as a world-class destination for global events and highlights the economic and social benefits of holding events in local destinations.

In a response from Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron confirms his support for the campaign adding “I applaud the work you and your associates are doing in showcasing the excellent work carried out by the UK events industry”.

For more information please contact pr@cceonline.co.uk or phone 0845 230 1416

Mix Business and Pleasure this Christmas at Cotswold Conference Centre

Perhaps you are planning a works’ Christmas party and would like to combine it with a brainstorm session, teambuild or mini-conference? Or do you have an important meeting to organise in December? Let us help you mix business with pleasure at the versatile Cotswold Conference Centre.

We have lots of great meeting spaces and we know how to put on a party here at Farncombe, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Cotswold Conference Centre at Farncombe:

 Let us take care of your Christmas party or event

Talk to us about planning a 24-hour package that might include a training room, energising / teambuilding activities and an evening’s food and entertainment. We can arrange all sorts of themes, from cocktail mixology to a disco, tribute or cover band. And we’ll throw in a free Christmas meal upgrade to keep things festive.

We are easy to reach from the M5 and M40 motorways, and we’re only 1.5 hours from London Paddington. If you stay overnight, we’ll arrange free transfers for your delegates from Moreton-in-Marsh Station.

Call the hotline 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk to find out more.