Would you like to join our team?

Looking for an exciting new role in a busy sales office? We are looking for a full time Sales Co-ordinator to join our team, responsible for handling enquiries and developing opportunities from existing clients from our offices in Warwickshire.

The Role

•Handling enquiries received in a professional and businesslike manner, ensuring the accuracy  of the information taken.

•Research and match relevant venues ensuring that the profile of the booking fits with the profile of the venue, and follow up in order to meet or exceed target response time to clients.

•Prepare bespoke proposal for clients using SOP’s and follow up to convert business.

•Continued communication with the client and venue leading to confirmation and contract, before handing over to venue.

•Account Management of some clients as determined with the Sales Manager.

•From assigned clients, grow each account annually in line with KPI’s.

•Sales calls to existing and prospective clients from leads, exhibition follow ups and to maintain the integrity of our CRM Database.

•Support the sales and marketing activity in line with the company strategy.

•Record sales data from the various sales channels and report weekly to the Sales Manager.

•Build strong relationships with our members.

•At all times present a professional image representative of the quality standards held by Conference Centres of Excellence.

The Person

•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

Must have a full driving licence and own transport

The Package

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

Business Visits Continue Growth in June

Results from the Visit Britain International Passenger Survey (IPS) have reported a record month in June 2014 for business visits, the area that tracks the contribution of international event visitors to the UK.

The latest research, which captures data on travelling passengers in and out of UK transport hubs, shows that business visits continued to show growth and in June 2014 were up 6% on 2013, setting a new June record.

The business visits sector has consistently grown throughout 2014 and has been a key contributor to the visitor economy. The report also showed that business visits are continuing to show signs of long-term recovery, up 6% in June 2014, compared to June 2013. Over the rolling 12 months to June 2014 there has been a 5% lift in business visits, reaching just short of pre 2008 levels.

“This is more great news for the UK events industry. Events are a big driver of the business visits sector and continue to make a massive contribution to the UK visitor economy,” comments Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP). “June has been a record year for the sector, and again shows that business events can drive footfall throughout the year.”

EEF Venues creates new sales post

EEF Venues has appointed Nicholas Williams as director of sales for the group’s three AIM Gold accredited conference venues: Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa, Broadway House in Westminster and Engineers’ House in Bristol. 

 He officially started the role on 5th August and is now responsible for business development and marketing strategy across the group.

Before joining EEF Venues, Nicholas was director of sales and marketing for Fawsley Hall Hotel in Northamptonshire, where he achieved record sales and profit targets during a challenging economic climate. Prior to that, he was director of sales with Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Rugby. He brings with him more than twenty years of experience within the hotel and conference sector.

Commenting on his appointment, David Vaughton, venues director for EEF Venues, said: “We take a very pro-active approach to sales and marketing, with an emphasis on relationship building and customer care excellence. We are confident that with Nick’s experience and expertise we will continue to attract and retain a diverse and satisfied client-base across the business.

”This latest appointment reflects the renewed corporate confidence we are now seeing in the meeting & conference sector, which is impacting positively on our performance right across our three venues. Year-to-date growth figures show that EEF Venues has grown by 15 per cent year-on-year, putting us 12 per cent ahead of our budget for 2014.” 

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

imago’s Burleigh Court retains Visit Britain silver standard for service

The multi-award winning team at imago’s international conference centre Burleigh Court has retained the prestigious Visit Britain Silver Award for the second year running, scoring an impressive 100% for hospitality. 

The Visit Britain report on Burleigh Court stated: “The level of hospitality is exceptional. The whole team, without exception, offered a smile, an appropriate hello, good morning, afternoon or evening and really went out of their way to offer conversation to guests during this stay. One of the very few hotels awarded 100% for hospitality, well done to the whole team on this achievement.” 

Burleigh Court achieved an overall rating of 86% - a three per cent improvement on the previous year. The national average for four star hotels is 82.1%. The hotel and conference centre performed particularly well in key areas, achieving Gold standard scores in service, food and cleanliness, as well as hospitality. 

In addition to the Silver Award, Burleigh Court also achieved the Breakfast Award, an accolade which is given to venues which offer a high-quality and extensive breakfast, supported by service and hospitality that exceeds the requirements expected of a four star rating. Visit Britain also renewed Burleigh Court’s mobility level three accreditation, which is part of its National Accessible Accreditation Scheme. 

Burleigh Court’s Operations Manager Guy Hodge commented: “We are extremely proud that Burleigh Court has once again been recognised for its high levels of customer service. We are one of the only a few select venues nationally to achieve 100% for hospitality, an area where we have worked hard to build and maintain high standards. We’re particularly pleased to have improved on our previous score and we expect to do the same next year as we look to achieve the Visit Britain Gold Award.” 

“We couldn’t achieve this without the support and enthusiasm from our staff. They are all experts in service and help us reach a common goal of absolute customer satisfaction. The positive comments from the report about the team reflect their highly motivated and upbeat attitudes and provide us all with a great sense of satisfaction.”

The Visit Britain Silver Award is given to venues that achieve exceptional standards of hospitality including customer service, catering, housekeeping and the quality of bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Part of imago’s portfolio of venues, Burleigh Court offers business and leisure guests 26 meeting rooms, 150 square metres of exhibition space and 225 en-suite bedrooms with a range of facilities to suit all needs, including a well-equipped gym complete with swimming pool, sauna and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments. Earlier this year, Burleigh Court won Gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014. 

Warwick Conferences raised a total of £520 as part of its Cycle for Change initiative, which saw delegates and staff saddle up to cycle a mile all in the name of charity.

Having teamed up with the UK's largest bicycle retailer Halfords, would-be riders tackled the challenge on a Boardman race bike—which toured the conferencing venues and university campus on rollers—in order to raise all-important funds for Re-Cycle, a charity that sends unwanted bikes to Africa.

The charity enables people to travel to work and school, as well as allowing small-scale traders to reach customers further afield. The bikes can also be an invaluable resource for travelling health workers and provide access to training and employment, helping to improve lives in a sustainable way.

Craig Emmerson (pictured)— Office Sales Manager at Warwick Conferences—cycled 77 miles as part of the campaign.

Take a walk on the Clydeside at the Beardmore

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre has unveiled its new walking route, continuing its dedication to promoting active, healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyles. 

Gary Rice

The walking route has been set up to encourage guests, delegates and conference organisers to take advantage of the fantastic scenery surrounding the Beardmore. 

The Beardmore’s walking route is approximately 1.75 kilometres in length, with benches positioned along the route to allow the opportunity to rest at regular intervals. 

Running through the beautiful Beardmore Gardens and taking in views of the River Clyde, the route follows clearly marked paths and roads. Suitable for walking and jogging, they can also be easily accessed by wheelchairs, pushchairs and those with mobility problems. 

Beardmore Hotel Manager, Gary Rice, commented: “We understand that in the fast paced world of events and conferences, it can sometimes feel impossible to find the time to go outside, get some fresh air and exercise. With our new walking route, we hope that more people than ever before will take advantage of the fantastic scenery on our doorstep to get some fresh air during their conference or unwind after a busy day. 

“We have made fantastic progress with our commitment to providing sustainable, eco-friendly events and tourism in recent years, with the introduction of our Green Conference Package, electric car parking spaces and bicycles available to hire on site. 

“This new walking route is the latest step we have taken in encouraging people to think about the environment when making their arrangements, whether for a conference, event or quiet get-away, and enjoy an active and healthy experience at the Beardmore.”

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award for Green Tourism three years in a row, in addition to being named the Top Eco Hotel in Scotland at the 2013 AA Hospitality Awards.  They have also recently been nominated for Best Hotel in the Goldstar Green Tourism Awards, taking place in November 2014. 

EEF Venues appoints new general manager at Woodland Grange

EEF Venues has created a new general manager post for its Woodland Grange conference venue in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, named ‘Business of the Year’ in this year’s Touch FM Pride of Warwick District Awards. 

Ian Chaplin joined the AIM gold accredited venue on 30th June, where he is responsible for the overall management and commercial success of the venue, including the achievement of financial and customer service targets. 

Prior to his appointment, Ian was operations manager with De Vere Venues at Staverton Park, and before that, operations manager with Principal Hayley Hotels and Conference Venues. 

Commenting on his appointment, David Vaughton, director of venues for EEF Venues, said: “This new role is a significant investment in the business and it highlights the importance we place on looking after our clients and our people. Ian’s strong background within the hospitality sector, and particularly, venue management, will ensure that customer service excellence remains a core value while building further on the business growth witnessed this year.” 

Weetwood Hall toasts to success after First World War in Retrospect Conference proves to be a roaring success

Over 70 people from around the globe with a mutual interest in the First World War united at Weetwood Hall in Leeds between the 28th July and the 1st of August, for an imaginative World War One Conference held to mark the outbreak of the conflict 100 years ago.

The five day event, that attracted delegates from as far as Australia, New Jersey and Texas as well as Europe, saw 20 eminent academics, authors and military officers come together to deliver a series of workshops, lectures and historical excursions that enabled people to reflect and consider the impact that The Great War had on the nation’s people. 

The Conference, that was planned by Dr Peter Liddle and Military Consultant, Colonel Alan Roberts, also had a very special Patron play an important role in bringing people together to reflect on the past, The Dowager Countess, Lady Haig.

Conference delegates were also able to explore history through a series of performances and that saw appearances from the Yorkshire Volunteer Corps of Drums, Piper Thomas Mulholland of the Leeds Caledonian Society, Noel Whittall, a motorcycling enthusiast who rides a 1918 Model H motorbike, honorary farrier Jarvis Browning of the Wagoner’s Special Reserve and Darryl Foxwell and Roy Hirst, miniature model railway enthusiasts depicting scenes of WW1.

Events included a reception by Charles Dent, MD of Timothy Taylor explaining its links to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) now the Yorkshire Regiment, a visit to the Liddle Collection and Royal Armouries, a walking tour of Lawnswood Cemetery with Andrea Hetherington highlighting its 1914-1918 links, a visit to Heugh Battery on the headland of Hartlepool and Yorkshire Film Archive presenting “Filmed and not Forgotten”.

The event was rounded off with a three-course dinner that saw guests sing-along to songs of the era with singer Fiona Harrison and the conference concluded with a two minute silence and The Yorkshire Volunteers Corps of Drums playing The Last Post. 

Dr Peter Liddle, commented: “As the Conference Director of the Weetwood Hall First World War in Retrospect Centenary Conference, I am happy to report that the Speakers and Delegates and, in every respect, Weetwood Hall, lived up to my high expectations.  An informative, stimulating, friendly, conference was the experience we all shared. Well done Weetwood Hall.”

Co-organiser and Military Consultant, Colonel Alan Roberts said: “The delegates remarked that the programme exceeded all their expectations. The diversity of the lectures and presentations engendered participation and discussion. The conference had something for everyone. 

“The aim of the organisers was not to make it purely academic but to engage with people who had an interest in that world changing war. Included in the programme was the opportunity to see a professional demonstration of the actual weapons used in the Great War by both sides, and in the uniforms worn. Other practical presentations gave the conference further dimension as to the reality of life at that time”

Peter Chubb, Development Director at Weetwood Hall, said: “I am delighted at the success of our first World War One Conference that saw people travel from all around the world. The feedback from delegates has been fantastic.” 

International Recognition for Scottish Conference Venue ‘The Beardmore’

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland has been  accepted into the world renowned International Association of Conference Centres (IACC). 

There are over 350 certified IACC conference centres in 20 counties worldwide including venues in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, Kenya and Australia. 

For over 30 years IACC has brought together and represented the world’s most trusted meeting environments, services and support, with the aim of creating a “community of passionate people and organisations delivering innovative and exceptional meeting experiences”. 

Bronagh Bell, Director of the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, said: “IACC is an internationally recognised symbol of quality and excellence in the conferencing industry, and it is important that Scotland has a venue which is committed to developing and supporting international meetings at this level. We look forward to collaborating with venues across the world to raise standards and to develop excellent service to a global meeting audience.  

“Becoming a member of the IACC is a fantastic step forward for the Beardmore and underpins our strategy to welcome more international conferences to the venue’.  

Mark Cooper, IACC’s CEO commented: “We are delighted to welcome The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre into the IACC portfolio and family. IACC represents only the best examples of conference centres globally and The Beardmore has demonstrated the attitude, passion and facilities we look for in an IACC certified conference centre. We look forward to representing this focused meeting venue on the world stage as they strive to deliver the IACC Meetings Experience to their clients”.   

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre is one of the UK’s Conference Centres of Excellence and has recently been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the VenueVerdict Gold Standard and been shortlisted for Hotel of the Year at the Green Tourism Goldstar Awards. 

The Beardmore going for gold in green tourism award

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre has reached the finals of the Green Tourism Goldstar Awards 2014 – and is the only Scottish hotel to have been shortlisted in the coveted Best Hotel category. 

The Goldstar Awards recognise businesses who have ‘gone above and beyond’ to actively promote and implement sustainable, environmentally friendly practices for the benefit of the customers and the organisation as a whole.

Out of 2,400 contenders, the Beardmore is one of only 60 venues to have been nominated for an award, ranking them in the top three percent in the UK for environmentally friendly practices.   

Discussing the nomination, Hotel Manager Gary Rice said: “To be nominated in the Best Hotel category is an incredible accomplishment.

“We have worked tirelessly over the past few years to ensure The Beardmore is an environmentally friendly and sustainable venue. Our recent installation of electric car charging points and ongoing dedication to promoting our Green Conference packages to event organisers are just two of the steps taken.

“Our dedicated Green Team features representatives from each department, and we are constantly looking at new ways to ensure the Beardmore continues to evolve as an innovative, sustainable and eco friendly establishment for the benefit of our customers, clients and conference delegates.”

The Beardmore already has a proven track record in this area, having achieved the Green Tourism Gold Award for the past three years. In 2013, the venue was also named the Top Eco Hotel in Scotland at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards. 

The Goldstar Awards will take place during the Green Tourism Annual Conference in Manchester on Monday 10 November.