2012 sees award wins for Wyboston Lakes

HBAA Venue Award

In September, Wyboston Lakes won the HBAA Venue IT Award 2012 for its investment and development in technology over the last year. A major contributor to this success was that, in the spring of this year, the company doubled the strength of its broadband service to 200 mbps, believed to be by some way the most powerful available in any specialist conference venue in the UK. 

The improved broadband facility has brought a completely reliable Wi-Fi service in all working, residential and rest areas, which is free to all conference clients and delegates.  The system also opens up new horizons for internet based events. It is a benefit that is already producing some dramatic results for clients. 

A recent nationwide survey of event organisers by a leading conference magazine highlights that the biggest area of dissatisfaction with venues is the lack of availability of free Wi-Fi. But that’s not a concern of Wyboston Lakes customers, who are reaping the benefits of the venue’s sector leading broadband system. E2BN, the Regional Broadband Consortium for the East of England, recently held an event at the venue which specified that more than 800 devices would need to be connected to the internet concurrently.

E2BN is one of ten consortia set up by the Government to help raise standards in teaching and learning by the use of broadband technology. It used the Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre for a three-day event for more than 450 guests from across the educational sector and dozens more representatives of relevant suppliers. The event used the centre’s main lounge and two large marquees, with guests and exhibitors receiving and responding to a wide range of information on their laptops and i-phones. “Clearly, the reliability, consistency and speed of Wyboston Lakes broadband system contributed in a very useful way to our message about how effective IT can enhance education,” said E2BN’s Val Mogridge. 

Three awards at MIA List event 

Wyboston Lakes has achieved an unmatched three awards at the recent MIA List event, which recognises exceptional achievements by staff working in the meetings and events sector. Operations Director Barry Stonham and Executive Chef Fergus Martin both won places on the coveted MIA List, while Barry also received a special ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award.

The MIA (Meetings Industry Association) List is an annual event which selects ten people from across the meetings sector who have made outstanding contributions to their own organisation and to the sector in general. At the awards event, held at BMA House in London on Monday 19 March, Wyboston Lakes was the only venue to achieve more than one person on the List.