Moor Hall – A Conference Centre of Excellence

Moor Hall Conference Centre in Cookham has long held a national reputation as a first class venue for meetings and events and now they have received confirmation of their status with their inclusion in The Conference Centres of Excellence consortium.

Home to The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for over 40 years Moor Hall has played host to thousands of events and conferences at its 9 acre site and this recognition comes as reward to Claire Pearce, General Manager of Moor Hall Conference Centre and her team of highly experienced event managers and organisers.

‘We are one of the very few venues in the area that is dedicated exclusively to hosting business events and we are delighted to be awarded the status as a Conference Centre of Excellence’. In addition to rating our meeting rooms and accommodation facilities as excellent the assessors were particularly impressed by our provision of full on-site technical and operational support’.

Moor Hall is one of only 30 Conference Centres of Excellence in the UK and as CCE Membership Director Alan Robinson explains it is easy to see why they have been included.

‘Conference Centres of Excellence is the leading organisation of its type in the country, we assess each venue on its suitability and Moor Hall meets every requirement perfectly in offering a first class purpose built and completely distraction free working environment. That it enjoys a location so close to the motorway network yet maintains an almost tranquil charm is an undoubted bonus.

Claire Pearce concludes ‘it is a privilege to serve the business community of Berkshire and I am delighted that we are able to provide a service that they can be proud of’.

Conference@SaïdOxford joins the MIA (Meeting Industry Association) and achieves AIM Accreditation.

Conference@SaïdOxford, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford has joined the MIA, one of the fastest growing associations in the conference, meetings and events sector.

The AIM accreditation demonstrates the high standards we adhere to in order to deliver a first class conference venue with a first class service.

Gaining industry accreditation and achieving recognition for our conference venues is hugely rewarding, as well as ensuring a kite mark of quality assurance for our customers.

Conference@SaïdOxford is one of the UK’s leading conference, meeting and event providers with high quality function and event spaces and superb bar and entertainment facilities.

We have two unique and diverse world class venues to choose from, each equipped with the latest audio-visual facilities and having a dedicated, friendly team on hand to take care of your every last detail.

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

Burleigh Court first to achieve Gold with Green Tourism’s new assessment criteria

imago’s four star hotel Burleigh Court is once again celebrating after being awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

It is the third time in a row Burleigh Court has achieved the Gold standard. The latest assessment was marked against the new Green Tourism Version 5 Criteria making Burleigh Court the first hotel in England to achieve the accolade. Green Tourism is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK. Originally developed in partnership with Visit Scotland, it is now the only certification scheme validated by Visit Britain, through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) and is the largest and most sustainable tourism certification programme in the world.  

With a strong sustainability agenda and a forward thinking approach on issues such as energy, recycling, wastage, procurement and social responsibility, the Loughborough-based hotel and conference centre excelled in criteria which judged the environmental impact of its green policy and the resulting benefit to staff, customers and the local community. 

imago has been recognised for its comprehensive monitoring of energy, water and wastage across all areas of the business to ensure annual  targets are achieved. The hotel also strives to support the community and encourage sustainability by sourcing local produce and supporting local producers and suppliers. It has recently launched a range of ‘Taste of Leicestershire’ menus that includes a payback scheme to raise money for local charities. 

Guy Hodge, Operations Manager at Burleigh Court, comments: “We are thrilled to have retained our gold award for the third time in six years. What makes this achievement all the more satisfactory is that Green Tourism’s standards have been raised and we are the first hotel in England to receive gold with their new auditing criteria. We are passionate about sustainability and ensure all team members are involved and play a part in our green culture. Initiatives such as our cycle to work and staff car share scheme continue to make a difference whilst our green policy, which includes ideas such as recycling food waste and greywater, extends across the whole hotel.  We see sustainability as much more than our efforts to save water and energy - it is also about improving the service we provide which benefits our guests and the community.” 

  

Stuart Park, senior grading officer with Green Tourism said: “Burleigh Court has demonstrated once again that it is one of the leading green hotel and conference centres in the UK, securing Gold under the new Green Tourism Version 5 Criteria. This is the first hotel in England to achieve the accolade, indicative of the determination of the enthusiastic team in introducing and improving sustainability measures within the hotel, and continuing to work very closely with the community and region. Efforts have been made year on year improving low impact technology, such as installing more LED lighting throughout the building, showcasing many local food and drink producers on the menu as well as being an ambassador for sustainable tourism practices – something other aspiring hotels in East Midlands should be aware of.” 

Burleigh Court has achieved much success over the last 12 months, being awarded AIM Gold, Investors in People Gold and winning Gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category at both the   Leicestershire Tourism Awards and VisitEngland National Tourism Awards for Excellence. 

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. As well as Burleigh Court, imago’s portfolio of venues includes Holywell Park, Loughborough University’s conference and events facilities and The Link Hotel. 

imago wins gold at Leicester and Leicestershire Excellence in Tourism Awards

imago wins gold at Leicester and Leicestershire Excellence in Tourism Awards

For the second year in succession, imago’s Burleigh Court has won Gold in the Hotel of the Year category at the Leicester and Leicestershire Excellence in Tourism Awards. 

Hosted by Leicester Shire Promotions, the awards celebrate excellence in service and were presented at a gala dinner at the Leicester Mecure Grand Hotel last week (November 20, 2014). Burleigh Court, which is located in Loughborough, beat off stiff competition to win the award which was collected by imago's Head of Sales and Marketing Emma Boynton and Burleigh Court reception and bar team members Katie Walker and Kieran Teasdale.  

Burleigh Court will now progress to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, for which it is currently the title holder in the Large Hotel of the Year category. 

Burleigh Court, part of imago’s portfolio of venues, is a four star conference centre and hotel with 26 meeting rooms, 150 square metres of exhibition space, 225 bedrooms, bar, restaurant and leisure club which offers guests a well-equipped gym complete with swimming pool, sauna and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments.

Emma Boynton, Head of Sales and Marketing at imago, comments: “Once again Burleigh Court has been recognised for offering our guests high quality facilities and service. We take pride in everything we do, from the moment a guest arrives to the time they leave in order to make their stay as comfortable as possible. Winning awards such as this is a testament to the hard work of the entire team and I would like to thank them for their enthusiasm and commitment in helping us achieve our goals. This is a fantastic accolade for the venue and our hard working, customer focused staff.”

imago unifies Loughborough University's conference and catering activities under one brand. Burleigh Court is one of the UK's leading residential conference centres and provides the ideal environment for training and conference events.

New era for Farncombe Conference Centre

General Manager Gillian has big plans for award-winning venue

Farncombe Conference Centre near Broadway in the Cotswolds has appointed a new General Manager to oversee the operation of its conferences, events, weekend courses and growing leisure business.

Gillian Roe, aged 47, is a leading venue and events manager with experience of launching and transforming hotels and venues around the UK.  She joins Farncombe this autumn with the aim of steering the business through an exciting stage in its evolution.

“I want to redefine Farncombe into a place you can’t define!” she says.  “It has a wonderful history of conferencing and events. But the rule book hasn’t yet been written here and there’s so much we want to achieve. It’s really exciting to be part of the start of something new.”

Gillian’s career began at venues like Alveston Manor in Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford’s famous Randolph Hotel. She has been General Manager of many more, including the Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross, Bowden Hall in Gloucester, the Mill and Old Swan in Minster Lovell and Warbrook House in Hampshire, the last two for De Vere Venues. She also launched the Holiday Inn, Oxford in 2001.

 “I have always had a leaning towards conferencing and events,” says Gillian.  “At The Bull and Warbrook House we would do 120 weddings a year. I have also been privileged to work in places with extensive grounds. What I love about Farncombe is that this beautiful 400-acre estate has great people and so much potential.”

New wave of leisure guests

At the heart of the estate is the 87-bedroom Farncombe Conference Centre, where companies like Balfour Beatty, Ecover and NFU Mutual meet for conferences, training and team-building. At the weekends, the village of buildings becomes home to Farncombe Courses, a much-loved programme of art and crafts, history topics and music-making.  

Gillian’s brief is to integrate these businesses with a new wave of leisure guests seeking an affordable but wonderfully-located Cotswold break. New business licences mean that holiday makers are just beginning to appreciate the venue’s long views over the Vale of Evesham and its peaceful, well-managed parkland setting. 

She will also be delivering an exciting proposition for business customers looking for new ways to stage their training and inspire their teams. Think giant bean bags, campfire meetings and a wide range of outdoor challenges.

 “Farncombe is different to anywhere else I’ve worked,” says Gillian, “and we need to embrace that.  We are going to let our highly-individual flag fly!”

Wyboston Lakes Chefs scoop awards at Chefs Challenge.

Wyboston Lakes is delighted to announce that two of their chefs won awards in this year’s 16th Annual CCE Chefs Challenge Competition on 25 October.

Claire Willet, Chef de Partie, took home awards for 'Best Hygiene' and 'Best Dessert' and Keiron Toner, Chef de Partie, and Linda Zilberta, Senior F&B Supervisor, won the Chairman’s Award for Best Team Work.

“We are thrilled that both of our chefs took home awards at this year’s Annual CCE Chefs Challenge Competition.  They have both been working so hard in perfecting their dishes and skills for the challenge and their hard work has certainly paid off.  They are brilliant assets to our team and with the support of Linda and our service team the future of Wyboston Lakes looks bright.”  Paul Rhodes – Hotel Manager.

The chefs had to prepare a three course meal suitable for a conference banquet, using game for their main course.  The competition included a Food Service Skills award, to encourage food service staff to take part and support their chef colleague.  Claire Willet who won awards for ‘Best Hygiene’ and ‘Best Dessert’ served pan fried scallops, razor clam, cauliflower cous, beurre noisette purée, pancetta and lemon to start.  For mains she served stuffed breast of guinea fowl, croquette offal and wild mushroom cannelloni, peas, crispy skin and consommé.  Her award winning dessert was an apple bakewell tart with blackberry sorbet, cider jelly and almonds.

The long established competition invites chefs who work in any of the nationwide Conference Centres of Excellence venues to take part in a cook-off competition where their skills are put to the test with specific criteria for their menu, providing an opportunity to test culinary talents in a head-to-head competition with exceptional standards.

The competition is a great 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. 

Woodland Grange team bowled over by August results

This year’s Bowls England National Championships were held in Royal Leamington Spa, attracting an estimated 20,000 visitors to the area.

While players from across England competed for the top prizes in lawn bowls on Victoria Park’s famous five green arena, the venue team at Woodland Grange were also in top form, welcoming hundreds of supporters who stayed at the AIM-gold accredited venue during the Championships.

Historically a quiet month for the venue, August saw visitor numbers soar by 61% year-on-year during the event, as Ian Chaplin, general manager of Woodland Grange, explained: ”Woodland Grange was buzzing as a result of a targeted marketing campaign leading up to the event. The location of the venue within 16 acres of parkland, our leisure suite and restaurant facilities attracted this very welcome leisure market.”

Golden times for EEF Venues

EEF Venues’ three venues have achieved BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict Gold Standard for the third consecutive quarter this year.

Accreditation is based on approximately 22,500 individual pieces of customer feedback. The lead measure used by VenueVerdict is the Net Promoter Score, derived from the rating given by customers when asked how likely they would be to recommend the venue. Those scoring higher than +70 are awarded the VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation.

David Vaughton, director of venues for EEF Venues, said: “To consistently achieve the highest ranking across the group is a great endorsement of our customer satisfaction levels and the emphasis we place on quality.”

Wyboston Lakes has been nominated as finalists for The UK Event Awards 2014.

Wyboston Lakes is delighted to be nominated for ‘Small Venue of the Year Award’ (up to 400 delegates) at the very prestigious UK Event Awards.

Situated midway between Cambridge and Milton Keynes, at the edge of the historic market town of St. Neots and set in 365 acres of rural countryside, thrives the largest, privately owned business and leisure destination in northern Europe. It is the perfect choice for day or residential events, product launches, wet and dry team-building, and offers a wonderful 18 hole golf course.

“We are privileged to be nominated for ‘Small Venue of the Year Award’ in the highly credible UK Event Awards. Wyboston Lakes continues to evolve and progress and nominations like this reassures us that our efforts have been recognised. It is a real honour to be finalists up against other professional venues across the UK so we look forward to finding out the results on November 28th.”- Mark Jones, Managing Director.

The UK Event Awards are now in their 5th year and have grown to become one of the most sought after accolades in the industry. The awards recognise and reward event organisers, suppliers and event marketers.

This year's awards will take place on Friday 28th November 2014. 

Promotion for Beardmore Hotel Manager

Following a period of sustained growth, The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre is delighted to announce that Gary Rice has been promoted to General Manager. 

Discussing the appointment, Director of the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, Bronagh Bell, said: “Gary has been a fantastic asset to the Beardmore for the past two years, and after 18 months of sustained growth, we have promoted Gary to the role of General Manager.” 

Hotel Manager of the Beardmore since November 2012, Gary previously spent 17 years working in the hotel and hospitality industry, working in a variety of roles for Posthouse, Devere, Mint and City Inn and the Hilton Group. 

In this new role, Gary will focus on delivering the day to day operations at The Beardmore and implementing plans to fulfil the Beardmore’s long term strategy.

Commenting on his new post, Gary said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been promoted to the post of General Manager at the Beardmore, and look forward to continuing to work with our fantastic team to grow and develop our services.

“In my new role, I will be delivering the new operational strategy which aims to support an increase  in medical, healthcare and international conferences and events, allowing us to continue to grow and expand as a conference centre of excellence. 

“This is a very exciting time for all of us at the Beardmore as we continue to grow and develop innovative ways to ensure that all of our delegates, guests and visitors receive the highest possible standard of hospitality and service across the organisation.”

Gary’s appointment as General Manager continues an incredibly successful 2014 for the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, recently receiving multiple awards and nominations for excellence. 

As well as receiving International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) accreditation, VenueVerdict Gold Accreditation and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the Beardmore is the only Scottish hotel nominated for the prestigious Green Tourism Goldstar Awards 2014 in the Best Hotel category. 

The Beardmore is also nominated for the People’s Choice Award at the Green Tourism Goldstar Awards. To make your opinion known and vote for the Beardmore, head over to the following link: http://www.green-tourism.com/go-green/events/peoples-choice-2014/. 

Henley Conferences awarded Silver Status for GreenLeaders

Henley Conferences, the riverside conference venue on the outskirts of Henley on Thames has been awarded Silver Status in the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Programme.

Henley Conferences recognises that the operation of a dedicated conference venue has an effect on the local, regional and global environment and is committed to achieving the highest standards of environmental performance, preventing pollution and minimising the impact of its operations.

The TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Programme identifies hotels and venues that are committed to green practices like recycling, water efficiency and alternative energy.

Accreditations at Henley Conferences already include BSI ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, IACC Platinum Level sustainability accreditation plus Green Business Tourism Gold Award, and the recent addition of the Silver Status GreenLeaders shows their ongoing commitment to these practices. 

Set in its own 30 acre estate in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, alongside the River Thames, this magnificent Grade II Listed Building offers excellent conference, meeting and event facilities and provides a spectacular setting for any gathering.

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