Warwick Conferences chef wins Institute of Hospitality award

Warwick Conferences has another culinary success to celebrate after a member of its catering team was recognised at the Institute of Hospitality awards.

Graham Crump, Executive Development Chef at Warwick Conferences, was nominated for the Innovation in Management award for his contribution to the university’s development of its chefs and catering. The Institute of Hospitality selected Graham as the winner from a shortlist of nominees for his involvement in Warwick Conferences’ apprenticeship scheme and for leading chef development at the University of Warwick.

Graham mentors Warwick Conferences’ apprentices throughout their training. He ensures they gain experience in all areas of catering and frequently goes the extra mile to make sure they benefit from a rounded experience. The panel were particularly impressed by his planning and arranging specialist placements to enable them to learn skills in areas of expertise, as well as covering the fundamentals normally expected during an apprenticeship.  

In terms of supporting chef development, Graham ensures the team are kept up to date with modern trends and are constantly involved in the ‘bigger picture’ of understanding and appreciating how the food is grown, cared for, selected and processed to make it onto a delegate’s plate. The fact that Graham also encourages chefs at all grades to enter and participate in culinary competitions did not go unnoticed: the panel commended his efforts to help them hone their skills in different environments and under different pressures, and to network with professionals in the industry. 

The awards were organised to mark the Institute of Hospitality’s 75th anniversary and to celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry. Aside from Innovation in Management, two other awards were presented for the Highest Achieving Student and Outstanding Leadership categories.

Graham commented: “I’m delighted to accept the Innovation in Management award. The Institute of Hospitality is a hugely respected organisation in the industry and it’s a real honour to have been recognised as part of their 75th anniversary celebrations.” 

The awards were presented at a gala dinner on the 20th November at The Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, London.

British Premium Meats joins Conference Centres of Excellence as preferred partner

British Premium Meats (BPM) has entered into sponsorship agreement as preferred partner with Conference Centres of Excellence, the UK’s leading sales and marketing consortium for training, meeting and conference venues. 

Formed in 1986 by four brothers who opened a butchers shop in Kenton North London, British Premium Meats are a well-established meat suppler to the catering trade. This privately owned business has enjoyed extensive growth, predominantly from recommendations and referrals and has gained a reputation for quality and reliability. In 2005 the company opened its BRC accredited processing plant at Welwyn Garden City, in a 1950 Sq. Metre purpose built site.

The company has a broad customer base including multi-outlet contract caterers and restaurant chains, award winning restaurants, pub groups, private schools and colleges, and Event Caterers. BPM work closely with each sector to ensure that their specific requirements are met and even exceeded, whether sourcing a new product, setting up a product specification, or tailoring a delivery route to fit in with access requirements.

With a purchasing strategy to source and buy the best product available from a range of accredited suppliers from home and abroad, BPM ensure full traceability and due diligence throughout the process, with a computerised system tracking products from gate to plate. 

From the Welwyn production site, products are dispatched to the distribution centre at Wembley North London, ideally located to deliver to a variety of locations throughout the midlands and the south of England.

Weston Wright, Head of Sales at British Premium Meats commented “We are delighted in becoming a preferred partner to the group and look forward to working together with Conference Centres of Excellence in promoting and supporting the business in whatever way we can”.

British Premium Meats join Wilson Vale and Tchibo Coffee Ltd as select preferred partners with Conference Centres of Excellence, and as part of the agreement, will be sponsoring the annual conference and awards dinner, to be held during the summer of 2014.

Anthony Lishman, executive director of Conference Centres of Excellence, said:

“We continue to strengthen our membership at every level, and part of this activity involves supporting our members’ commitment to quality and standards by working with select preferred partners. Our customers expect great service and excellent facilities, with quality of food consistently being a key factor in determining the success of an event. The agreement benefits both parties and we are delighted to align our brand with BPM who have such a strong reputation within the industry. We look forward to a successful 2014 and beyond.”

Christmas arrives early at Broadway House

EEF Venues’ Broadway House has appointed a new events co-ordinator, Katie Christmas. 

Originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, Katie was previously a cabin supervisor with Virgin Australia. She brings with her a keen understanding of customer service and a genuine interest in putting clients’ needs first.

For Katie, who also has a degree in performing arts, great customer service is not only about meeting but exceeding customer expectations by going that extra mile and being friendly, efficient and approachable.

She said:” My colleagues at Broadway House are very good at knowing what our clients want and I am delighted to be part of such a successful venue which continues to attract and retain a very loyal and satisfied client-base.”

CEME Conference Centre celebrates 10th Anniversary

CEME Conference Centre were delighted to welcome Mark Ovenden, Ford’s UK Chief to join the 10th Anniversary Celebrations at CEME, as Elutec Kicks-Off.

Ruth Umerah ‘broke the ground’ for the commencement of building works for the fantastic Elutec University Technical College (ElutecUTC) for 14-19 year old students who wish to follow a career path into engineering and design. The Elutec UTC strapline Engineering… Education… Employment promises to be an incredible platform to propel our emerging engineers, designers and technicians on their way to a brighter future.

After the ‘ground breaking’ ceremony Mark addressed an audience in the iconic POD auditorium at CEME Conference Centre.

Our audience were also treated to a talk by Richard Noble OBE holds the land speed record in the fantastic Bloodhound SSC or Supersonic Car which and can go faster than the speed of sound! We were all delighted to be able to see the Bloodhound in the circulation area and this was available for everyone to view throughout the day as well as a simulator to enable guests to have a go at driving for themselves.

Pictured: Richard Noble OBE chats with Mark Ovenden, Chairman, Ford of Britain and Bill Williams, CEO CEME

Industry Insight: Conference Centres of Excellence venues report strong customer confidence heading into 2014

Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence

It’s fair to say there is a great deal more optimism than a year ago, and from a Conference Centres of Excellence perspective, enquiries are on the increase. We are investing in additional resource to meet this new demand, and also growing our collection of specialist venues across the UK to meet customer requirements in terms of venue size and location. We are strengthening our membership at every level, through sophisticated marketing activity, building up an increasingly loyal following who have come to expect great service and excellent facilities as standard, with dedicated event packages and no nasty hidden extras. We look forward to embracing excellence throughout 2014.

Eynsham Hall, Shaun Bowles (General Manager)

“We are focused on a continuous program of improvement for the property - we've undertaken extensive refurbishments to our main function rooms, catering for the wedding market, as well making over many of the bedrooms in the main hall.  Work will continue into 2014 and beyond and we are dedicated to our goal of being the hotel of choice for the corporate and leisure market in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.  So far there has been a £200k investment.”

College Court, Steve Crawford, (Centre Director)

“Following the investment of £17million I believe College Court is entering the market place at a good time as there are positive signs of confidence coming back into the sector. While we have all experienced the “rate war” and understandably the customer will continue to look for great value for money it has been my experience that the greatest benefit for a successful long term relationship between customer and venue is Trust, Flexibility, and Investment in both venue and the team.  Today’s customer take as a given that the facilities, food and service will be first class. I believe we are increasingly in the business of putting a smile on people’s faces and this is often achieved by the attention to detail and small personal touches that will make us stand out in an increasingly competitive arena. After only 3 months of trading and excellent customer feedback College Court enters 2014 with great optimism.”

CEME Conference Centre, Eamonn Cole (Director)

“It’s been a very successful year for CEME Conference Centre.  We have exceeded budget and grown the business by 34% this year.  We’ve also increased the Conference Centre occupancy by 40% and the forecast for next year is that we will continue to grow our business by about 23% for 2014!

Our achievements include not only membership of CCE but CEME Conference Centre was also awarded the prestigious ‘Accredited in Meetings’ AIM Gold standard by the Meetings Industry Association.”

Farncombe Confererence Centre, Kathryn Clarke (Business Development Manager)

“There have been major changes at Farncombe Conference Centre in the past 12 months, including a new name and brand, CEO and Commercial Director. The creation of a dedicated Sales & Events team, working across all our businesses for corporate and leisure bookings, is a cultural change that helps us to maximise sales.  

We are making huge investments in 2014. We are spending £2.2m in a stunning exclusive-use venue for meetings and events at Foxhill Manor, our Grade-II listed manor house.  We are also refurbishing the Coach House, to give us three ultra-modern, high-spec meeting spaces.

All bedrooms will get an upgrade: new beds, coffee machines, bathrobes and slippers.  And we are creating four new bedrooms for trainers.  

We predict that there will be more unique/bespoke events in the New Year, with clients demanding funky and unusual spaces to hold them.  We are ready to take them on!”

Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Linda Prior (Sales and Marketing Manager)

“2013 has been an incredible year! Everyone, both staff and visitors cannot help but be blown away by the changes that are sweeping across the Welcome Trust Conference Centre. June saw the completion of our Restaurant extension, increasing the capacity to 300. November then witnessed the completion of 64 new bedrooms. Designed to an incredibly high standard, the Mulberry Court now takes our room total to 134. Then finally, in the past couple of months we have received planning permission to build a luxurious space that will cater for a wide range of audiences. This project, known as the Kitchen Garden Enclosure, is reminiscent of the famous glass ceiling in the British Museum and will include a new exhibition centre, modern meeting rooms and a bar. Ground breaking for this major project will begin in January 2014 and is due to be completed by December 2014. Aside of the investment and despite numerous build projects, the Conference Centre has also witnessed its highest sales in November since 2010. We are all incredibly excited about the future, 2014 may have some restrictions, but we are already taking those important 2015 bookings!”

Wyboston Lakes, Mark Jones (Managing Director) 

“2013 has re-enforced our strategy of widening the choice and service we offer to our clients and their delegates.  Following a site-wide £4 million investment, we now include the level of ITC and AV that is found in the smartest and most efficient of offices. Total connectivity – whether using a tablet, iPhone, laptop, BlackBerry or downloading entertainment after an event - make Wyboston Lakes the natural choice for a booker that wants dedicated and efficient support!   But it hasn’t only been about investment in facilities: we’re forging ahead in yet another new direction having launched our own range of high level learning and development solutions through our Wyboston lakes Academy. We have created the very best, non-academic learning and training environment to take us into 2014. Dedicated venues can move at the pace of and in anticipation of their clients’ needs. This ‘fleetness of foot’ combined with a dedicated and long-serving, professional team will always give us the edge. The challenge is to get our total package of benefits understood by bookers!” 

EEF Venues, David Vaughton (Director of Venues)

“2013 has been another good year for EEF Venues. We have seen positive year-on-year revenue growth right across our three venues and greater penetration of buyer markets through effective marketing strategies. Major milestones include gaining AIM Gold status across the group and being ranked top group in the BDRC Net Promoter Scheme - a great credit to our passionate, stable and high performing staff. A £1.5 million capital investment in refurbishment and technology was another major highlight of 2013 and a reflection of our commitment to clients. Regarding 2014, we predict a good year ahead as our 2014 order book is already 11% above this time last year, showing increased corporate confidence.”

Warwick Conferences, Rachel Bartlett (Head of Sales and Marketing)

“Commissioning our independent ‘Value of Satisfaction’ research was a particular highlight of 2013. Exploring attitudes to customer service on an industry-wide national scale, the finished report provides us with a solid, objective tool which we can use to help our clients get the most out of our events. 

 One of the leading conclusions brought to light by the research was that—above all else—people deliver satisfaction. Despite the ongoing trend for driving prices down, the lure of the low-cost still can’t compete with quality interaction when on-site at an event. 

 In 2014, we therefore believe there will be a growing need to keep close to our customers and to invest in our staff. Venues must work hard to nurture the customer/supplier relationship, and to remember and respect the unrivalled value of customer service. “

The Møller Centre, Stuart Websdale (General Manager)

 Following another very successful year in 2013, The Møller Centre anticipates even further growth in 2014. Our long term strategy to remain a venue committed to exceptional quality and purity, exclusively servicing the conference, training and executive education market, continues to deliver. Significant capital investment in the form of additional bedrooms, catering areas, meeting and training facilities over the coming year, is further evidence of both the demand for our services and our confidence in the market continuing to improve. 

Sales and events given a new focus at Farncombe

Farncombe Estate, which includes the Dormy House Hotel and Farncombe Conference Centre, has recruited a number of key staff as it approaches the launch of its new House Spa in February. The entire Sales and Events team has been restructured in response to new developments and growing sales. 

Underpinning all the new developments at Farncombe Estate is the new sales,  events and reservations team, who aim to provide a more streamlined service for clients.

Under the direction of Chris Ward, who was appointed to the role of Commercial Director in June, five event managers, three sales managers and two reservationists are now responsible for managing clients who book conferences, courses, events and residential stays across the whole Estate. Key clients will have a dedicated events manager and sales manager. 

Chris said of the new approach: “Traditionally, our sales and events staff have concentrated on specific parts of the business but not really worked across all of our businesses. This has been especially so with the Dormy’s relationship with the rest of the Farncombe Estate.

“We have terrific expertise in the sales and events team and this will help use that expertise more widely and in a more integrated way. It also means we will be better able to promote, for example, leisure courses to our hotel guests, or offer Spa packages to conference delegates.”

For more information call us on 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk 

If you do need a little 'Help' before Christmas with last minute bookings for venues and events, it's not too late!

The Conference Centres of Excellence sales team can find you the best venue for your event requirements, saving you time and money...  and we can make sure your event is a spectacular festive success.

Our venues provide the optimum solution for conferences, training and meetings, offering completely focused support and a distraction-free environment for productive events. 

With a choice of 32 venues providing over 3,000 bedrooms, more than 500 meeting rooms and 10 tiered lecture theatres, we are confident we can provide the right environment for your event success, even at short notice.

Call us today... 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

We offer a free venue-finding service and will provide a bespoke package within just 2-4 hours, leaving you free to concentrate on your Christmas shopping! 

 

Two Renowned Centre Directors Join the Conference Centres of Excellence Board

Conference Centres of Excellence, the UK's only marketing consortium to represent specialist, quality conference and training centres in the UK has appointed two new Centre Directors to its board.

Joining the ten-strong board are Stewart Elsmore, Director of Residential Services at Cranfield University, and Steve Crawford, Centre Director for College Court Conference Centre, Leicester.

Conference Centre of Excellence now has 32 members nationwide, including many of the country’s best known specialist conference and training venues, covering a geographical area extending from the South Coast of England to Scotland. Before joining, venues have to meet our stringent criteria in terms of quality, facilities, accommodation and customer care. 

Stewart Elsmore

Stewart Elsmore

Stewart Elsmore, Centre Director of Residential Services at Cranfield University, a world leading and distinctive, wholly postgraduate University, spent ten years in hotel general management, before he moved into the conference centre sector in 1989 and joined Cranfield Management Development Centre, one of the first purpose built centres in the UK.

Stewart’s role has included Director of IT & Data Services and Interim Director of Careers in Cranfield School of Management.

In 2010 Stewart became Director of Residential Services at Cranfield University a role which includes all student and delegate accommodation, a range of lecture rooms and food outlets.

Stewart has long been a supporter of the Conference Centres of Excellence marketing consortium and has widely participated in various roles as Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Chair of Communications and the Membership Committee.  

Commenting on his appointment, Stewart said “I am delighted to be re-joining the Conference Centres of Excellence board, which is so completely focussed within its venues on high quality and customer service.”

Steve Crawford

Steve Crawford, Centre Director for College Court Conference Centre, has focussed on working in commercial areas within University environments, the majority of which has been in professional conference centres.

Steve’s previous roles have included posts at the University of Warwick (Warwick Conferences) and Centre Director at Missenden Abbey, prior to setting up the new 123 bedroom College Court Conference Centre in Leicester which opened on 1st October 2013.

As the first Director for this new conference venue, Steve has sympathetically reinstated a Grade II listed building, creating 55 jobs, bringing new business to the city of Leicester, supporting local suppliers and indeed the University’s strategic aims as all profits generated by College Court are gift aided back to the University.

Steve is also no stranger to the Conference Centres of Excellence board, having previously served for 8 years, two of which were as Chairman. 

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said “It’s great to be back and involved with Conference Centres of Excellence again; I hope to play a major part in the future direction of the consortium and offer support to members where it’s needed”.

The majority of CCE’s members are independent operators, all of whom benefit from the Consortium’s marketing support and central sales function.

 “We are delighted to have both Steve and Stewart join us again on the board, and welcome their experience and breadth of knowledge at a time when renewed business confidence is becoming evident. As a group our aim is to continue to grow our membership footprint and we have complete confidence that our service remains invaluable in promoting the benefits of independent, specialist venues.” commented Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence.

Conference Centres of Excellence is growing!

We are looking for a Business Development Executive to join our busy central sales team, to develop sales opportunities from existing and new clients and ensure that Conference Centres of Excellence are the first choice for venue bookers with existing clients from our offices in Warwickshire.


The ideal candidate will have an excellent telephone manner and be able to prioritise their workload whilst working closely as part of a team, preferably with industry experience.

Key duties:
• From assigned clients grow each Industry segment by agreed targets monthly.
• Business development executive to account manage specific value enquiries,  build upon existing relationships with contacts and source new contacts within the company/organisation.
• To pass on details to Sales Manager for required face to face appointments.
• Develop relationships in line with CRM activities
• Develop relationships with small/medium agents as agreed, developing and building relationships with new contacts.
• Sales calls to warm and cold leads to focus upon the target industry and to follow up events and exhibitions

Experience/ Skills Required:
• An excellent telephone manner and presentation
• A high level of customer service skills including written and verbal communication
• Industry background preferred
• Comfortable working independently and proactively

In return we offer a competitive salary, depending on experience and including a bonus scheme, 20 days holiday, with office hours Monday to Friday.



For further information please contact Katharine Armstrong, Sales Manager.
katharinearmstrong@cceonline.co.uk

Leading organisations work in partnership to strengthen Learning and Development provision

Conference Centres of Excellence and the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI) have formed a partnership representing an on-going commitment to raise quality standards within venues dedicated to learning and development.

Following an independent business mapping process carried out on behalf of the LPI, the long-established level of standards demonstrated by Conference Centres of Excellence venues has been endorsed in alignment with the Learning Facilities Accreditation Programme, providing evidence of on-going commitment to best practice and providing highest quality, cost effective facilities and service for the Learning and Development community.

Conference Centres of Excellence has been working with specialist venues in the training, meeting and events industry for 21 years, and its 32 members include many of the country’s best known specialist venues, covering a geographical area extending from the South Coast of England to Scotland.  Before joining venues have to meet stringent criteria in terms of facilities, accommodation and customer care, criteria which is then monitored using independent customer feedback.

Conference Centres of Excellence demands exacting levels of facilities and staffing throughout all areas of its 32 dedicated training and event venues, providing customers with a quality promise to deliver results, and providing a single route to booking nationwide venues, with consistent quality standards.

The Learning and Performance Institute is a global Institute for Learning & Development professionals. Established in 1995 the Institute has grown on an annual basis to become the leading authority on Learning & Development.

Through an unrivalled range of membership, certification, accreditation, events and bespoke consultancy services, the Institute focuses on enhancing and recognising the skills and professional status of individuals and organisations engaged in learning activities, and assessing the quality of learning services.

 “Forming an alliance with the Learning and Performance Institute allows both organisations to benefit from the considerable experience built over time working in the Learning and Development sector. The sharing of information is invaluable to ensure we continue to raise standards in the venue sector” commented Anthony Lishman, Conference Centres of Excellence Executive Director. “This endorsement allows trainers to book Conference Centres of Excellence venues with complete confidence that their needs and expectations will be met and exceeded.”

“In our experience, there are two types of accreditation standards”, said Alan Bellinger Executive Consultant of the LPI. “They are either base level minimum standards that minimise problems, or stretching, aspirational standards that maximise the client experience.  We were delighted to see that the Conference Centres for Excellence standards were of the latter variety.”

Double win for Warwick Conferences at CCE Chefs’ Challenge

Warwick Conferences found success to be twice as nice at the weekend when two members of its catering team were awarded recognition at a highly competitive industry contest.

The CCE Chefs’ Challenge is a competition run by Conference Centres of Excellence to find the best of the chefs in the UK conferencing industry. Ryan Dare and Natalja Saveljeva—from Warwick Conferences’ Ninety One restaurant at the Scarman venue—both brought home awards on the night of the final, which took place on Saturday 9th November at Stratford-upon-Avon College. 

This year marked the 15th annual CCE Chefs’ Challenge and brought together 12 outstanding chefs to battle it out in the race to become 2013’s culinary champion. 

The final saw the top 12 put their skills to the test to produce a three-course fine dining menu in accordance with certain criteria. This year, the dishes served needed to be suitable for an end-of-conference dinner for a large group, and beef was required to be served as the main.

After careful consideration, Ryan was announced as the joint winner of the Bronze Chefs’ Challenge award for his menu. He comments: “I’m honoured to have been awarded joint Bronze in the CCE Chefs’ Challenge. It’s a competition which sets out to recognise and reward the best in the industry, so I’m absolutely thrilled that my menu seemed to impress the judges.”

Natalja, who supported Ryan in the competition, picked up the Best Food Service Skills award. She was tasked with preparing, serving and clearing a table for two people, suggesting appropriate wines to match Ryan’s menu, while demonstrating food service techniques and excellent customer service.

Natalja adds: “I’m over the moon to have been awarded the Best Food Service Skills award in this year’s challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to compete in the company of such a talented group.”

Alan Robinson, Director at Warwick Conferences, also comments: “We are absolutely delighted with Ryan and Natalja’s success at this year’s CCE Chefs’ Challenge. They are both very skilled at what they do and are a credit to Warwick Conferences. 

“It’s a real achievement to have been recognised by such a prestigious judging panel, especially considering that this was their first national competition, and we couldn’t be more proud. I have no doubt that they’ll continue to impress in the future.”  

Conference Centres of Excellence is the leading national consortium of specialist conferencing venues. Its annual CCE Chefs’ Challenge has proved to be a stepping stone for young chefs to go on to higher profile competitions nationwide and is endorsed by the British Culinary Federation.  Each chef receives a certificate and one year’s free membership to the BCF.

The awards dinner was attended by 110 guests from CCE member centres, including a number of the conference industry’s leading figures.  

New European flight routes makes imago even more accessible

New flight routes to East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport are making it even easier for delegates to travel to imago’s portfolio of venues in Leicestershire. 

East Midlands Airport recently opened flights to Dubrovnik, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanaca, Nice, Fuerteventura, Jersey and Reus. 

It already operates direct flights to a wide variety of airports in European hub countries including Scotland, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Holland, France Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Greece, Croatia, Austria, Mediterranean Islands as well as Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt and the United States.

Flybe has announced it is to operate a new route between Birmingham Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock, making it the largest scheduled airline at the airport in terms of number of aircraft movements. This latest route to Knock increases the airline’s already extensive list of 23 destinations, including Belfast City, Dusseldorf, the Channel Islands, Paris Charles de Gaulle, regional France and Scotland. 

Key routes from Birmingham Airport include: Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Holland, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Romania, Belgium and Slovakia as well as flighty to the Middle East, South Africa, China, United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Brazil and South Korea. In 2014, the airport will be extending its runway bringing with it direct flights from additional long haul destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Johannesburg. 

Emma Boynton, Head of Sales and Marketing at imago, comments: “Many clients are surprised to learn how much of an international destination Loughborough, and therefore imago is. Both East Midlands and Birmingham Airport are on the door step making our venues easily accessible from many world leading business destinations. The new flight routes make it even quicker for international delegates to get here as there are many travel options available to them. Future development at Birmingham Airport will open up additional international routes making imago n attractive proposition for overseas business events.”  

Located in Leicestershire, imago unifies Loughborough University’s conference and events venues under one brand - including Burleigh Court, Holywell Park, Loughborough University’s conference and events facilities and The Link Hotel – allowing it to offer unrivalled conference facilities and luxury accommodation. 

New Senior Event Co-ordinators at the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre

Ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre have appointed two new Senior Event Co-ordinators, Heather Steven and Claire Wilson, to join their team. 

Claire Wilson, a 2009 graduate of Glasgow University, has joined the Beardmore, bringing with her extensive specialist experience in corporate and conference event planning at a 4 star, Greater Glasgow, hotel. 

Heather Steven is a former Assistant Manager for a 3 star, Perthshire, hotel and graduate of Glasgow’s Metropolitan College who has been working within the Beardmore since the beginning of 2013. 

Bronagh Bell, Director of the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, commented on the appointments saying: “Our Events Team are responsible for arranging and co-ordinating events, as well as liaising with conference and events organisers to ensure that we provide the highest standard of service possible.

“As we continue to develop the Hotel and Conference Centre, constantly improving, upgrading and enhancing our facilities, and as demand increases ahead of Glasgow 2014 and the Commonwealth Games, it is essential that we have the right team in place.  

“We are delighted to welcome Claire and Heather to the team, and look forward to benefiting from their experience and enthusiasm as we move on to this exciting time in the Hotel’s development.”

In partnership with Warwick Conferences, Woodland Grange Conference Centre hosted the 15th annual Conference Centres of Excellence Chefs’ Challenge Competition on Saturday 9th November 2013.  The event invites chefs who work in any of the nationwide CCE centres to take part in a cook-off competition at nearby Stratford Upon Avon College, where their skills are put to the test with specific criteria for their menu.  This year, the chefs had to prepare a 3 course meal suitable for a banquet, using beef for their main course.  

The competition again included a Food Service Skills award, to encourage food service staff to take part and support their chef colleague.

The competition has proved to be a stepping stone for young chefs to go on to higher profile competitions nationwide and is endorsed by the British Culinary Federation.  Each Chef receives a certificate and one year’s free membership of the BCF.

The Judges for the cook-off competition were:

• Christopher Basten Craft Guild of Chefs

• Graham Crump (Chair) Executive Chef, University of Warwick

• Graham Day Food H&S Manager, Warwick University

• Jim Eaves Chairman, British Culinary Federation

• Peter Griffiths MBE Director, Le Salon Culinaire International 

• Stephen Lambert University of Brighton and TUCO Food Service Skills

The 11 Finalists were:

• Scott Cawse, Barnett Hill

• Jennifer Chaudhuri-Goff, Maple House

• Ryan Dare supported by Natalja Saveljeva for Food Service, Warwick Conferences

• Robert Gossage, Imago @ Burleigh Court

• Bartosz Kowalczyk, Missenden Abbey

• Ross McMillan, Stirling Management Centre

• Iain Miller, Woodside

• Daniel Park, Kents Hill Park

• Josh Sewell, The Manor House

• Claire Willett supported by Megan Horne for Food Service, Wyboston Lakes

• Matthew Wiltshire, Ashorne Hill

The Awards Dinner was this year held at Woodland Grange Conference Centre in Leamington Spa.  However the Competition was still Chaired by Andrew Taylor, Food & Beverage Manager from Warwick Conferences Scarman.  The dinner was attended by 110 guests from CCE member centres, including a number of the conference industry’s leading figures.  The event was supported and sponsored by:

• 3663 First for Food Service

• Althams Meats

• British Premium Meats

• Kent Frozen Foods

• Knight Catering

• Nisbets plc

• Savilles Audio Visual

• E Sidwells

• Stratford Upon Avon College

• Tchibo Coffee International

• Wilson Vale Catering Management

Plus the following CCE Centres:

• Ashorne Hill

• The Beardmore, Scotland

• Burleigh Court

• Kents Hill Park

• The Moller Centre,

• The Sundial Group

• Warwick Conferences

• Woodland Grange

• Wyboston Lakes

A raffle took place during the Awards Dinner, raising £822 for the “Meeting Industry Meeting Needs” charity.

The winners of each Award category were:

• Best Hygiene:   Daniel Park, Kents Hill Park

• Best Starter:                 Matthew Wiltshire, Ashorne Hill

• Best Main Course:   Daniel Park, Kents Hill Park

• Best Dessert: Scott Cawse, Barnett Hill

• Best Food Service Skills: Natalja Saveljeva, Warwick Conferences, Scarman

• Chairman’s Award for Best Team Work: Claire Willett and Megan Horne, Wyboston Lakes

• Joint Bronze:   Ryan Dare, Warwick Conference Scarman

Claire Willett, Wyboston Lakes

• Silver: Matthew Wiltshire, Ashorne Hill

• Gold: Daniel Park, Kents Hill Park

After much deliberation, the Judges could not differentiate between two chefs for the Bronze Award, so made the decision to award two Bronze medals.

The Gold award winner, Daniel Park from Kents Hill Park presented a menu of :

Starter 

Scottish hand dived scallops, charred corn, pancetta, pumpkin

~~~

Main 

Smoked fillet of beef, braised shin, horseradish pomme puree, 

autumn vegetables, truffle and Madeira jus

~~~

Dessert 

Egremont Russet Apple Fritters, blackberry gel, crumble Anglaise

Blind athlete raises over £1,000 for charity

Chris Marshall, a 21 year old blind athlete from Parkhall, Clydebank, has successfully completed a charity triathlon at the Beardmore Health Club, raising over £1,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

Chris has been blind since suffering a blood clot at age 15. After spending six weeks in a coma, he awoke to discover he could no longer see: having to learn how to walk, talk and even eat again. 

A member of the Beardmore Health Club since then, Chris has been training for just over two months to complete the sprint-led triathlon; replacing the traditional swim, bike ride and run with 20 kilometres on a static exercise bike, 750 metres on a rowing machine and 5 kilometres on a cross-trainer. 

Fitness instructor Chris McGoogan and Health Club Manager Craig McKinnon, were delighted to see the hard work and dedication had paid off, when Chris completed the circuit in one hour, eight minutes and 54 seconds: beating his target time of one hour 15 minutes.

Commenting on the success of the triathlon, Craig McKinnon said: “We’re very proud of Chris; we knew he would do well, but he has surpassed every target we set for him. He’s been training with us for about 6 years now and is truly an inspiration to everyone here, he has an incredible attitude. 

“It was really important for him to do this triathlon and raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind to show that you shouldn’t let anything stand in your way: you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.”

With the initial target of raising £250, Chris has now raised £580 through his JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/chris-marshal12) and taken this total to well over £1,000 thanks to the support and sponsorship of local shops and businesses.  

Chris, who carried on exercising after completing the triathlon, said: “raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind means a lot to me; outside of the gym, guide dogs are probably my main interest. A lot of people don’t realise it takes £50,000 to raise and train a guide dog and that this is generated through a charity. Guide dogs can make such a positive difference to so many people, so I want to raise as much money and awareness as possible to let them carry on the amazing work.

“I’m keen to get on the waiting list to get a guide dog of my own. I don’t know what the plan is for the next fundraiser, but I’m definitely going to stay involved with the charity.”

Weetwood Hall strengthens membership with Conference Centres of Excellence

Weetwood Hall, one of the finest conference centres in the North of England, has developed their relationship with Conference Centres of Excellence, by becoming the latest full member of the UK’s only sales and marketing consortium of dedicated meeting providers.

Set within 9 acres of woodland and gardens, the award winning Weetwood Hall is one of the finest Conference centres in the North of England which has been awarded with AIM gold accreditation for its facilities, services and customer care, as well as the highest Green status, for meetings & events within the healthcare sector awarded by Compliant Venues.

The dedicated centre along with the Manor House has a total of 36 conference and seminar rooms; the largest seating up to 200 (theatre style) / 120 (cabaret) with an audio visual link to an adjacent room seating further 160 (theatre style).

There are 106 en-suite bedrooms, offering six different styles of accommodation from junior double to luxury bedrooms. Recently refurbished bedrooms allow guests to enjoy a stylish and modern interior that provides a relaxing area as well as spacious work environment.

Weetwood Hall has been working with Conference Centres of Excellence for some time, and has now decided to join as full member which enables the venue to benefit from the group’s marketing activities, providing customers with a single route to booking one of our nationwide venues, with consistent quality standards.

Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence said “Leeds has been identified as one of the truly up and coming areas for the conference industry, and we are delighted to welcome Weetwood Hall to full membership in order to continue growing our Nationwide presence.  Weetwood Hall is an exceptional venue delivering everything we look for as part of our quality promise to customers.” 

Conference Centres of Excellence has been working with specialist venues in the meetings, training and events industry for 21 years, and its 32 members include many of the country’s best known specialist venues, covering a geographical area extending from the South East of England to Scotland.  Before joining venues have to meet stringent criteria in terms of facilities, accommodation and customer care. 

Michael Longstaff, General Manager at Weetwood Hall stated “We are pleased to continue and strengthen our partnership with Conference Centres of Excellence.  This affiliation delivers excellent representation in the corporate marketplace which we require as an independent conference centre & hotel”.

Corporate Training - Get the base right and see it pan out perfectly...

It should be easy to make a pizza. After all, the dough is just a handful of simple ingredients - flour, water, yeast – and then there is just the oven time.  If you apply the standard approach, you’ll probably achieve a base that’s OK... But nothing better.

Pizza bases vary enormously, in texture, presentation, taste and quality. The pizza is now effectively a world commodity, but the range, variety and quality is breathtaking – from breathtakingly delicious to gasp-inducingly bland. This spectrum of quality is a major concern to those who guard the origins of the iconic food and genuinely care for its heritage, the Neapolitans:  so much so that in 1984 they formed the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana -  the True Neapolitan Pizza Association – to protect and preserve the taste and texture of the authentic pizza. The AVPN lists all those standard ingredients: but the secrets of perfection are in the preparation techniques and the baking. 

What has the humble pizza to do with organising training events? 

Well, similar attitudes exist. Those that commission training events believe that Standardisation and Commoditisation are good things. After all, you know what you’re going to get and what price you are going to pay, you can budget better and model your costs more effectively so that you know what profit or R.o.I you are going to make. The approach also represents the easy option and usually the most straightforward. In other words, you get by with something that’s OK.  

But more often than not, as with the pizza, the standard approach usually means blandness – uninspiring events that may achieve the turnover but fail to excite the customer, or in our terms, the delegate. Because the approach excludes the key techniques that make for truly effective events - creativity, inspiration, innovation, anticipation, exceptional support and service. I’d argue that ignoring any or all of these factors actually threatens what you’re really trying to achieve:  inspired, motivated and well trained people.

More than ever, corporate training has to be optimised if it is to reinforce an organisation’s competitive advantage. But why go to great lengths selecting the right courses for your people to attend, the best trainer possible to deliver and inspire them, then care so little for the environment in which it is delivered? It puts the whole end product at risk. As with the pizza, it’s the base that counts most of all, and the best base for your event is an environment in which your people won’t be distracted by poor or unwilling service, facilities that don’t meet the needs of the trainers, extraneous noise or lack of responsiveness from those who staff the venue. 

In a Conference Centre of Excellence, the base combines the best ingredients and advanced techniques - conditions that not only optimise the education process, but also give you those vital by-products of getting people together: effective and spontaneous networking and the ready sharing of best practice. We believe that those results, together with service that is intuitively supportive and rates that are truly all-inclusive, give the organiser real value for money. 

  

To get all your ingredients right for a successful training event, call us on 0845 230 1414 or visit our website - or next time, ask your agent to book a Conference Centre of Excellence, for the very best results.  

CEME Conference Centre welcome their new Events Manager

CEME Conference Centre is delighted to announce that Ranjith Kumar has joined the venue team as Events Manager.

Ranjith has worked in the hospitality industry for over 6 years having joined from the Warldorf Hilton where he spent 3 years.  He has particular expertise in hospitality and events and in his new role he will ensure that each event is organized meticulously.

Ranjith joins a busy team in the Conference Centre and looks forward to bringing his expertise to the events team at this award winning Conference Centre.

Speaking of his new role Ranjith said “I am delighted to be joining CEME Conference Centre and I am looking forward to contributing to the CEME’s growth and reputation for great meetings and hospitality”

CEME Conference Centre is an award-winning meetings venue offering innovative and flexible solutions for all your meeting requirements from our ‘high-tech’ POD Theatre to small meeting rooms, conference, exhibition and outdoor space.  CEME can host product launches, presentations, awards, training seminars, conferences, film shoots and exhibitions for up to 600 with the latest AV technology, natural day-light and special inclusive rates and is ideally located for London Docklands, City, East London and Essex with excellent underground, train and road links and free parking for 500 cars.

Ranjith is looking forward to welcoming you and ensuring your event at CEME Conference runs smoothly from conception to finish.

EEF Venues takes prospective clients on a virtual tour

EEF Venues has produced three individual videos to provide a ‘virtual tour’ of its three distinctive venues: Woodland Grange, Broadway House and Engineers’ House. 

Martyn Bowen, Venue Manager at Engineers House

John Turpin, group operations manager for EEF Venues, said: ” The power of visual imagery to sell a venue cannot be underestimated. Video, in particular, can give potential bookers a real insight into a venue’s facilities, ethos and ambience. 

“Prospective clients can’t always find the time to visit a venue but the beauty of these short videos is that they showcase everything we have to offer throughout the group.”

Each of the three minute videos highlights the versatility of meeting rooms available at each venue, and covers everything from the food offer and audio visual facilities to local amenities and attractions.

“Our goal is to give a flavour of each venue,” said John Turpin. “All of the voiceovers and presenters seen on the three videos are EEF Venues’ staff, who were only too delighted to showcase their superb facilities.” 

Films of each venue can be seen on our venue pages here>

Warwick Conferences awarded Investors in People accreditation

Coventry- and Warwickshire-based Warwick Conferences is celebrating after once again being awarded the prestigious Investors in People accreditation. The achievement places The University of Warwick business amongst an elite group of employers – just a quarter of firms achieve the standard.

The areas in which Warwick’s collection of conferencing venues was recently found to particularly excel are: the apprenticeships programme; staff inductions; the learning and development programme for staff; and the staff Reward and Recognition scheme.

Alan Robinson, Director of Warwick Conferences, comments: “We’re delighted that our efforts continue to be recognised by the Investors in People standard. 

“We believe that it’s our people that really set us apart in the industry, so we’re dedicated to providing a framework of opportunities to progress.

“The fact that we’ve retained the award provides clear evidence of our investment in training and development initiatives for our people, and shows that we are dedicated to continually improving standards.”

Investors in People (IIP) is the UK’s leading business improvement standard, channelling the power of people to transform performance across a whole range of industries. It provides advice and support to organisations nationwide with a view to helping them achieve their goals.

Businesses applying for accreditation are assessed by an independent panel, which not only evaluates existing training and development programmes and other people-related initiatives, but also conducts interviews with staff and management in confidence in order to build a true picture.

Following a two-day assessment, cross sections of staff from the sales department and the Radcliffe, Arden, and Scarman venues at Warwick Conferences were interviewed. 

Warwick Conferences, part of the University of Warwick, is one of the leading collections of dedicated conferencing space in the UK.