Conference Centres of Excellence hosted the 16th annual Chefs’ Challenge Competition on Saturday 25th October 2014.  

The event invites chefs who work in any of the nationwide CCE centres to take part in a cook-off competition where their skills are put to the test with specific criteria for their menu.  For this year’s competition in the kitchens of Milton Keynes College (Bletchley Campus), the chefs had to prepare a 3 course meal suitable for a conference banquet, using game 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, and saw 6 entries into this team element of the challenge.

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:

• Graham Crump, Executive Chef Warwick Conferences

• Jim Eaves, Chairman British Culinary Federation

• Fergus Martin, Head Chef, Darwin College Cambridge

• Jerry Toth, Executive Chef, Sundial Group 

• Stephen Lambert, University of Brighton

• Graham Day, Food and HS Manager, University of Warwick

The 10 Finalists, shortlisted from their detailed menus were:

• Ashley Harrison, College Court

• Iain Ramsay, The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre

• Jennifer Chaudhuri-Goff, Maple House

• Matt Wiltshire, Ashorne Hill

• Ashley Holt, Wellcome Trust – supported by Cydney Nicholson-Ray for Food Service Skills

• Claire Willett, Wyboston Lakes – supported by Josh Spence for Food Service Skills

• Jason Turton, College Court – supported by Richard Augustus for Food Service Skills

• Keith Tayler, Scarman Warwick Conferences – supported by Kimberley Tayler for Food Service Skills

• Kieron Toner, Wyboston Lakes – supported by Linda Zilberta for Food Service Skills

• Robert Gossage, Burleigh Court – supported by James Geary for Food Service Skills

The Awards Dinner was this year held at one of the founder members of the Conference Centres of Excellence consortium, Cranfield Management Development Centre.  The dinner was attended by just under 100 guests from CCE member centres, including a number of the conference industry’s leading figures. 

The event was supported and sponsored by:

• British Premium Meats

• Tchibo Coffee International

• Wilson Vale

• Kent Frozen Foods

• Elior UK

• Savona

Plus the following CCE Centres:

• Ashorne Hill

• The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre

• College Court

• Warwick Conferences

• Wellcome Trust

A raffle took place during the Awards Dinner, raising £725 for the “Meeting Industry Meeting Needs” charity.

The winners of each Award category were:

• Best Hygiene:   Claire Willet, Wyboston Lakes

• Best Starter: Keith Tayler, Warwick Conferences

• Best Main Course:  Keith Tayler, Warwick Conferences

• Best Dessert: Claire Willett, Wyboston Lakes

• Best Food Service Skills: James Geary, Burleigh Court

• Chairman’s Award for Best Team Work: Linda Zilberta and Kieran Toner, Wyboston Lakes

• Bronze:   Matt Wiltshire, Ashorne Hill

• Silver: Robert Gossage, Burleigh Court

• Gold: Keith Tayler, Warwick Conferences

The Gold award winner, Keith Tayler of Warwick Conferences presented a menu of :

Starter 

Seared Filllet of John Dory

Razor Clams and Crayfish served with a Butter Sauce

~~~

Main 

Roast Loin of Red Stag

With Forest Mushrooms, Celeriac Purée, Butternut Squash and Parsnip

~~~

Dessert 

Dark Chocolate and Orange Mousse

With Praline, Hazelnuts and Basil Ice Cream

~~~

Val do Xuliana Albarino

Cotes-du-Rhone Arbuse

Domaine du Mas Neuf Muscat de Mireval

Madingley Hall won a Silver Award at the University of Cambridge Catering Managers Committee (CMC) Environmental Awards held on Tuesday 21 October 2014.

The CMC Environmental Awards help to promote environmental and ethical awareness across Cambridge College catering departments, encouraging more sustainable activities and improving the environmental impact of catering provisions. 

The competition is judged by Cambridge Carbon Footprint and Transition Cambridge. 

Rebecca Burgess, Sales Manager at Madingley Hall commented on the win: "We won a Bronze Award in 2013 so this improvement shows a real commitment to environmental and ethical issues from the Catering Team and across the Hall Operation.”

Madingley Hall is a sixteenth century country house, owned by the University of Cambrdidge since 1948 and situated about 3 miles west of the city.The venue provides conference and seminar rooms for up to 100 delegates, with 62 ensuite bedrooms all within seven acres of spectacular gardens and grounds, designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown.

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

Wyboston Lakes Appoints New Commercial Director

Karen Evans has been appointed to a new role of Commercial Director at Wyboston Lakes, the UK’s largest privately owned single site specialist conference and training centre.  She took up her position on 22nd September.

For the past eight years Karen has been Vice President, Business Development EMEA for BCD M&I.  Previous to this role, Karen spent 16 years in the travel and events industry and brings with her a real understanding of venues from the client and agency world. 

Karen’s new role carries commercial responsibility for the entire company managing a team of 15, and will encompass the day to day sales function optimising all sales opportunities, business development and leading the team whilst representing the company’s Values and Principles.  

Karen said: “I am delighted to join Wyboston Lakes as Commercial Director.  My experience in this industry will allow me to develop further the excellent facilities and flexibility Wyboston Lakes offers all its customers.  It is truly a unique complex”.

Mark Jones, Managing Director added: “We warmly welcome Karen into the Company. Karen’s attitude, professionalism, integrity and energy are entirely in keeping with the way in which we achieve success. I have the good fortune to have great colleagues - and Karen will inspire total confidence in our customers for what Wyboston Lakes can deliver.”   

Wyboston Lakes recently completed a £5 million facility investment and offers sector leading IT infrastructure across its two speciality conference venues.  High-involvement leisure dimensions for corporate away-days and team-building events are available on site together with serviced offices, branded spaces, a hotel with a luxurious spa and an 18 hole golf course.

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

Wyboston Lakes achieve AIM Gold accreditation

Wyboston Lakes, northern Europe's largest privately owned single site conference and training centre, has had both of its conference and training venues, The Executive Centre and Training Centre, awarded the Gold Accreditation In Meetings (AIM) standard by the Meetings Industry Association (mia).  

The accreditation is awarded for its first class facilities and high levels of service that are reflected throughout the meeting and conference experience. 

To achieve the AIM Gold standard a venue must demonstrate that it has attained continuous, exceptional standards against the most stringent quality assurance criteria, including rigorous assessments focusing on a venue’s facilities; service and processes, compliance with codes of conduct and corporate social responsibility.

Receiving the accreditation, Wyboston Lakes’ managing director, Mark Jones commented: “To be awarded AIM Gold is a significant achievement for any meeting and events venue. It demonstrates, from the outset, that our business proposition, facilities and service are exceptional, we are very proud of this recognition.”

Jane Longhurst, mia’s chief executive, says: “Wyboston Lakes AIM Gold Accreditation sends out a very clear message to meetings and events buyers/planners about their commitment to delivering a high quality product, professionalism throughout every event and integrity. Equally, the venue has secured itself an advantage within their competitors.”

AIM is the UK’s only nationally recognised standard for accredited venues and service providers in the meetings, conferences and events industry. There are around 500 accredited venues and suppliers at entry level of the scheme and 29 are at the Gold standard. 

AIM is endorsed by Visit Britain, Visit Wales, Meet England, ABPCO, MPI and HBAA. 

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

Warwick Conferences’ father-daughter duo team up for CCE Chefs’ Challenge

A father-daughter team from Warwick Conferences have earned their place in the finals of a highly competitive culinary contest.

Keith Tayler will be partnering with daughter Kimberley Tayler in the final of the CCE Chefs’ Challenge—a competition run by Conference Centres of Excellence to find the best chefs serving the UK conferencing industry.

Having been selected based on a detailed menu presentation to the panel, Keith—head chef at Warwick Conferences’ Scarman venue—will now face the nine other finalists in the bid to become the CCE Chefs’ Challenge 2014 champion. The final will see the talented chefs compete to produce the finest cuisine while adhering to a strict set of specific criteria for their menu.

Kimberley will be participating in the Food Service Skills award, which encourages food service staff to take part and support their chef colleague. As a pair, Keith and Kimberley will also compete for the Chairman’s award for best team.

Graham Crump, Group Executive Chef at the University of Warwick, comments: “We’re delighted that Keith and Kimberley have been selected as finalists for this year’s CCE Chefs’ Challenge. To have a father-daughter team enter and be shortlisted is very unusual but a love of cooking up and serving good food appears to run in the Tayler family!

“It’s a real achievement to have made the top 10—especially with so many talented chefs and service staff in the industry. Keith and Kimberley make a brilliant team and we’re thrilled that together they will represent Warwick Conferences in what is a longstanding and important competition for the sector. We wish them the best of luck for the final.”

Conference Centres of Excellence is the leading national consortium of specialist conferencing venues. 2014 marks the 16th edition of the annual competition, which sees outstanding chefs in the conferencing industry battle it out head-to-head. 

The final will take place on Saturday 25 October at Milton Keynes College, followed by a celebratory awards dinner.

imago achieves AIM Gold for Burleigh Court and Holywell Park

imago has achieved the highest level of venue accreditation for its flagship venues - Burleigh Court and Holywell Park – AIM Gold. 

Kay England, Chief Executive

Kay England, Chief Executive of imago, comments: “Achieving AIM Gold puts imago in an exclusive group of the highest quality meetings venues in the country. It sets us apart from other venues and is a unique point of differentiation. As a result, we believe it will help us attract more business both nationally and internationally. A huge amount of work has gone into achieving this award and I would like to congratulate all our staff for their contribution, particularly the working group, as they have all played a part in helping imago achieve its aim of excellence within the meetings industry.” 

AIM Gold is the only industry recognised mark of excellence. Achieving the standard places Burleigh Court and Holywell Park, both located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, amongst a select group of the very best venues in the country. 

Burleigh Court and Holywell Park underwent a rigorous audit process which examines all elements of the business including planning and the customer environment and service levels.

Kay continues: “The audit process provided us with some valuable lessons which will enable us to continually improve our business and we will work to ensure these are embedded in our processes as we go forward.” 

Jane Longhurst, mia’s chief executive, says: “To attain AIM Gold is a truly fantastic achievement. It is a hallmark of excellence showing bookers and planners a venue’s exceptionally high levels of service across the board. As such, it is an invaluable indicator of high quality for all those involved in the procurement of meetings and events. I offer my congratulations to Burleigh Court and Holywell Park as they continue to meet and exceed client expectations.”

The announcement was made on the same day Holywell Park was once again awarded the BDRC Continental VenueVerdict Gold Standard for the end of Q3 2014. This is given to properties recording a twelve-month Net Promoter Score of +70 or higher from 40 or more Business Event Host responses in the twelve month period October 2013 to September 2014. 

Kay adds: “imago has built a reputation based on providing our guests, whether they are here for business or pleasure, with the best possible service. Our success demonstrates our ability to deliver excellence to customers and this is something we collectively strive to achieve.” 

Launched in 2003, imago unifies Loughborough University’s conference and events venues under one brand, providing high quality meeting spaces, venues and accommodation along with excellent sports and leisure facilities. Imago’s portfolio of venues includes Burleigh Court, Holywell Park, Loughborough University’s conference and events facilities and The Link Hotel. 

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

Gold Standard Accreditation demonstrates independent venue excellence

Conference Centres of Excellence member venues have once again achieved a significant number of BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation at the end of Q3 2014, based on a customer’s ‘likelihood to recommend’ using feedback across a number of key areas.

Conference Centres of Excellence is delighted that a number of member venues consistently achieve the top level Gold Standard Accreditation, demonstrating the high standards required by the membership group to provide excellence in service and facilities for all customers.

Just under 22,500 individual pieces of feedback were collated to determine the VenueVerdict results, providing a completely independent assessment of experience. In choosing a venue where customer feedback and in particular the ‘likelihood to recommend’ has been measured in this way, customers can rest assured that they are in safe hands.

Five Conference Centres of Excellence member venues have achieved the BDRC Continental VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation following ongoing assessment of customer feedback during the year from September 2013 to October 2014.

The Conference Centre of Excellence gold accredited venues are:
• Farncombe Conference Centre, Cotswolds
• Woodland Grange, Warwickshire
• The Møller Centre, Cambridge
• The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, Glasgow
• Imago – Holywell Park, Loughborough

Amanda Stacey, Marketing Manager of Conference Centres of Excellence commented:
“We are delighted to see a number of our members achieve Gold Standard Accreditation with BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict. As a consortium which measures quality standards in terms of dedicated facilities, exceptional food, superior staff expertise, and overall event experience, these independent accreditations support our own quality criteria to ensure that customers have the very best experience when using a Conference Centres of Excellence venue.”

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

Annual Chefs’ Challenge Competition comes to Cranfield Management Development Centre

Conference Centres of Excellence is holding the 16th Annual Chefs’ Challenge competition at Milton Keynes College, followed by a Gala Awards Dinner at established member venue Cranfield Management Development Centre.

With just over two weeks to go, finalists in the longstanding competition are perfecting their menus ready for the cook off on October 25th in Bedfordshire.

The Competition

Judges Barry Stonham and Graham Crump found it very difficult to whittle down the 16 paper entries to the 10 finalists with a fantastic selection of menus. 

The criteria for this year’s competition was a main course based on game (kindly provided by preferred partner British Premium Meats), and whilst the judges were convinced the majority of entrants would go for venison, they have been pleasantly surprised to see a much wider variety used, including Guinea Fowl, Partridge, Pheasant, Rabbit, Venison and Wild Boar. 

The judges on the day of the event will be:

Chairman of Judges:     Graham Crump, Executive Chef Warwick Conferences

Food Judges:                       Jim Eaves, Chairman British Culinary Federation

                                                 Fergus Martin, Head Chef, Darwin College Cambridge (New this year)

                                                 Jerry Toth, Executive Chef, Sundial Group (New this year)

Food Service Judge:           Stephen Lambert, University of Brighton

Hygiene Judge:                 Graham Day, Food and HS Manager, University of Warwick

The Awards Dinner

After the competition the awards dinner, held at Cranfield Management Development centre, is a fitting celebration of the skills demonstrated by members’ teams and offers a very lively opportunity for networking with industry peers and colleagues.

A raffle during the evening also raises valuable funds with all proceeds going to for our charity partner Meetings Industry Meeting Needs, who raise funds for worthy causes relevant to the events industry.

Booking Tables and Tickets

Tickets and tables are available to purchase from Competition Chairman Barry Stonham and we are delighted to welcome both members and non-CCE members to this celebratory event.  

We thank our generous sponsors and preferred partners, without whom this longstanding event could not take place, and wish all finalists the very best of luck during the cook-off competition.

Event Sponsors:

British Premium Meats, Tchibo Coffee International, Wilson Vale, Elior UK, Kent Frozen Foods, Savona, Ashorne Hill, The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, College Court, Warwick Confrences and Wellcome Trust.

Competition Chairman Barry Stonham

07860 682481 

bazza666@iCloud.com

Kents Hill Park expands sales team with experienced Business Development Manager

Dean Boatman joined the team at Kent’s Hill Park in August 2014 as one of the Business Development Managers in the sales team. 

Dean has been in the industry for 8 years; previously working in sales for a mixture of National and International Brands Including Choice Hotels, Hilton and The Belfry.

Dean brings a balanced approach of fun and professionalism to the office, with a can do attitude and creative solutions to his clients requirements.

When Dean isn't marketing the business to prospective clients, he can be found with his Twin Daughters or in those rare moments for spare time, out on the Golf Course trying to bring his handicap down.

Purpose built to meet the specific needs of clients; Kents Hill Park is one of the largest dedicated training and conference centres in the UK and a proud member of Conference Centres of Excellence.

With over 70 meeting rooms, 300 bedrooms and 800 parking spaces, Kents Hill Park offers a large degree of flexibility meaning that the venue can adapt to exact business requirements.

For more information please contact info@cceonline.co.uk or call 0845 230 1414.

Warwick Conferences ‘British BBQ Champion’ hosts thank you dinner

As a thank you for their business during 2014, Warwick Conferences held a BBQ event for its clients on Friday 26 September.

The BBQ event comes after the success of Warwick Conferences’ Executive Development Chef, Graham Crump, at this year’s British BBQ Battle. Graham impressed a panel of judges, led by World BBQ champion Ben Bartlett, during the live ‘cook-off’ held at Blenheim Palace in June.

Pictured are (l-r) Hannah Collins – RICS; Kate Stockley – RICS; Graham Crump - Warwick Conferences; Gemma Beasley – RICS; and Naomi Reynolds.

Kirsty rates ‘location, location, location’ of Woodland Grange

One of the key considerations for anyone booking a conference is location. Is the venue accessible to all major motorway, rail and air links? 

Facilities are also important, but making the right choice of venue goes far beyond just having the right address or kit. It’s a holistic approach covering everything from assessing a venue’s ethos, standards of care and technology to the quality of its food.

When Kristy Peake, Chair of the CAPBT, the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers, was looking for a venue for the organisation’s annual conference this May, she took a practical approach and checked out Woodland Grange for herself before committing to a booking.

She explained: ”Last year, while attending an event at Stoneleigh Park, my colleague and I were looking for accommodation. My Google search came up with Woodland Grange and while there, we asked for a tour of the facilities and we were very impressed. My colleague and I decided that Woodland Grange would be the perfect venue for us.

“This proved to be the case as our speakers and members were subsequently delighted with the venue and its facilities. Interestingly, this year we did an analysis of our membership to find a geographical centre. It turned out to be Leamington Spa so it couldn’t have made a better choice!”

CAPBT, the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers is the largest specifically qualified association for pet behaviourists and trainers in the UK. Membership offers all pet owners a guarantee of quality when seeking help with the treatment of behaviour problems or in training a dog or puppy.

Throughout the year, the organisation holds many small events around the country, but for its big annual conference, wanted a central location to facilitate its members.

Kirsty Peake said:” We like to ‘push the boat out’ for our annual conference, with speakers from outside our Association, as it helps to raise our profile.

“Location was key for us as many of our members travel to the conference from different parts of the UK and Ireland and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for them. Woodland Grange offers easy access to Birmingham Airport for members from Scotland, Ireland and the CIs.

“The food was also excellent and we were very impressed with the care and attention given to us. I spend a lot of time in the USA where the service industry is respected and valued, whereas here in the UK it is not so much. The level of service provided by the team at Woodland Grange was outstanding. The fact that everything went well and the odd hiccup was dealt with immediately was very reassuring. We will definitely consider returning to Woodland Grange again.”

Weetwood Hall Conference Centre gets a contemporary makeover

In a drive to deliver first-class conferences in the most stylish of surroundings, award-winning Weetwood Hall has completely refurbished three of its conference rooms. 

The £85,000 project included the refurbishment of the Lawnswood Suite, Lawnswood Breakout and Bramley Room. All three rooms have been designed in a contemporary style. 

The recent renovation of Weetwood’s conference facilities is part of a wider refurbishment programme of the hotel. Over the last five years, Weetwood Hall has invested two million pounds refurbishing the hotel bedrooms in a fresh and modern style. 

An innovative and comprehensive lighting system

A comprehensive lighting system has been installed into both Lawnswood Suite and Bramley Room in order to be able to reflect the different moods and aspects of a conference. 

For a more atmospheric ambience when hosting social functions and weddings, an events setting can alter the mood of the lighting to create a more intimate experience.

Enhancing the mood for conferences and wedding ceremonies 

Mood lighting is also at the heart of the Lawnswood Suite lighting system, with a coloured LED system in place, which can be set to the corporate colours of an organisation. This innovative lighting system can also be used in conjunction with musical entertainment to mirror the tempo of the performance.

Specific to the Bramley Room is a lighting setting for a civil ceremony. The atmospheric wedding lighting can be lit when the guests enter the room and by the registrar’s table. 

Promoting eco-friendly conferences 

Maintaining its aim to promote environmental awareness and minimise its impact on the environment, the LED lighting along with motion sensors reduce the electricity consumption in conferences. 

Weetwood Hall’s newly refurbished conference rooms, which have been revamped to the highest of standards, augments the hotel’s commitment to create a flexible, inspiring and practical meeting space for businesses. 

Weetwood Hall’s contemporary-themed conference rooms are accompanied by complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access, free parking and an accessible location – indispensable elements of a stress-free and enjoyable conference experience. 

Conference Centres of Excellence kicks off PA networking forums at Office* 2014

Conference Centres of Excellence is working with their group of nationwide venues to set up a new regional networking forum for PAs, and is inviting all Office* Show visitors to join them for a glass of bubbly to discuss this series of events at the show.

The group has acted on feedback from existing PA and Office Manager clients, having identified that there is very little scope for regional forums in their sector, and have already delivered the first successful session over the summer. Building on this, Conference Centres of Excellence aims to broaden these events across key regions throughout the UK, delivering valuable content with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and discuss relevant industry topics and challenges. 

With 29 unique meeting and event venues nationwide, covering an area from the south coast of England to Scotland, Conference Centres of Excellence is the UK’s leading marketing consortium for dedicated conference, meeting and event venues. By collating and sharing knowledge, best practice and expertise from all member venues, the group continues to deliver excellent events by providing the highest quality of service and facilities in the meetings and event industry, and all members are quality monitored to ensure these standards are delivered whatever the event.

Join us on stand 1071 at Office* 2014 and enjoy a free glass of bubbly while meeting our experienced venue teams. 

CLICK HERE to download your voucher and bring along with you!

Oxford City Centre venue latest to join Conference Centres of Excellence

Conference@SaïdOxford, part of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, in the heart of Oxford city centre is the latest venue to join Conference Centres of Excellence, the nationwide group of quality assured meeting, conference and events venues.

The impressive West Wing opened in 2012 and offers a wide variety of conference, meeting and exhibition facilities, finished and furnished to the highest of standards and with stunning architecture.

Highlights include three oak-panelled Harvard-style lecture theatres each seating up to 76 delegates, three large flexible classrooms, and 18 boardroom style seminar rooms.

The East Wing offers a high quality venue, with the pretty courtyard and beautiful garden ensuring an air of calm and tranquillity to a wide variety of facilities. The grounds are suited to seasonal networking events such as BBQs and wine tasting, and can incorporate activities such as team building exercises. Marquees can be erected in the courtyard area, and the 400 seat outdoor amphitheatre offers a truly stunning and unique option for an event.

“Customers will be extremely impressed with the variety of facilities, including the lecture theatres and superb technology in all event spaces. The convenient city centre location will also benefit all delegates and the unique outdoor space is a hidden gem within the urban environment.” commented Amanda Stacey, Marketing Manager at Conference Centres of Excellence.

Having met the requisite quality criteria for facilities and customer care, joining Conference Centres of Excellence enables Conference@SaïdOxford to benefit from the group’s marketing activities, providing customers with a single route to booking nationwide venues, with consistent quality standards.

“We are delighted and honoured to be joining Conference Centres of Excellence and fully support their values of providing the highest professional standards in the meetings and event industry, ensuring our customers experience an excellent quality of service and facilities.” Said Martin Garside, Space, Allocation and Events Manager.

“Following a £28 million investment into our conference and meeting facilities we offer world-class venues with all-year round availability and look forward to working in partnership with new event organiser’s in arranging events of the highest standard”.

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

EEF Venues celebrates market confidence with major refurbishment

EEF Venues has completed a £120K refurbishment project at its Woodland Grange conference centre in Leamington Spa. 

The company commissioned McCarthy Interiors, leading specialists in corporate refurbishment and space planning, to upgrade the venue’s lounge and bar areas. This included new flooring, lighting, décor and furniture.

This latest project follows just one year after EEF Venues made a £1 million capital investment in the refurbishment of bedrooms and bathrooms at the AIM gold accredited venue.

David Vaughton, director of venues for EEF Venues, said: ”We have seen a 27 per cent growth increase across our three venues over the last four years. Because of this significant growth, our parent group, EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, made a commitment to invest further.

“Our newly refurbished lounge and bar areas now reflect the diversification of our client-base and their expectations. Softer lighting, more comfortable seating and colourful décor have changed the mood of these areas, providing a calmer and more relaxing environment for people to unwind after a busy conference or training session.”

The coffee lounge features a new Autobar bean-to-cup coffee station, where delegates can enjoy Woodland Grange’s range of hand-made biscuits, speciality teas, fresh juices and fruit.

“Delegates expectations are higher than ever so we now bench-mark ourselves against top quality hotels and conference venues,” said David Vaughton.

“We have dropped the lighting levels, created lower ceilings and added luxury fabrics and contemporary, retro-style seating to create a more chilled environment because we feel that when people are happy and relaxed, they are more productive and energised. Our meeting spaces are still comfortable yet functional but it’s important that break-out areas and lounges have a very different feel.

“This latest investment is about strengthening the total solution for our clients so that their every need is met, from state of the art technology to great food and a warm and inviting after-work ambience.

“It is also an indication of the confidence we feel in the market. August trading results for Woodland Grange show a 61% per cent year-on-year increase. Now that we have completed the refurbishment, we expect further enhanced performance going forward.”

The 114-bedroom venue also features a health suite which includes a Jacuzzi, gym and sauna.

Join us for a glass of bubbly at Office* Show!

Conference Centres of Excellence will be attending the Office* Show next week at London Olympia.

Office* provides a unique platform where key corporate buyers can meet and do business with a range of relevant and carefully selected suppliers. Running alongside the show is a world class education and training programme which will aid personal development and attract executive support professionals from across the country. This is an event not to be missed by any PA, EA, VA or office manager!

Come along and meet our venue sales team along with representatives from member venues:

• Kents Hill Park
• Ashorne Hill
• Warwick Conferences
• Weetwood Hall

Join us between 12.30 and 3.30 for a free glass of bublly, and talk to us about our regional PA network events. Meet with like-minded professionals and discuss the subjects that matter to you…

Download our voucher and bring along on the day >

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