Bristol Patient Safety Conference returns to Engineers’ House

Following last year’s inaugural Bristol Patient Safety Conference, Engineers’ House hosted a very successful event again this year on 15th May.

Dr Mike Durkin, national director of Patient Safety for NHS England gave a keynote address, followed by presentations by leading national patient safety experts.

One of the aims of the conference is to provide networking opportunities for those involved in patient safety work across the region. Individuals and teams from local hospital trusts, local healthcare professionals, and businesspeople who have innovated to improve patient safety will be talking about their achievements at the conference.

Martyn Bowen, venue manager at Engineers’ House said: ”The format of the conference was a combination of plenary talks and interactive workshops so it was a lively event, with delegates making the most of our many break-out areas throughout this historic building.

”We were delighted that our client chose to return to Engineers’ House for a second consecutive year. It is always lovely when clients come back, and with repeat bookings accounting for 78% of our business, we see this as a great vote of confidence in our customer service skills. Our client has even gone as far as to book ahead for 2016 - a reflection of how successful the event was.”

Broadway House supports Sparks Charity

EEF Venues’ Broadway House in Westminster hosted a post 2015 Virgin London Marathon event at the venue on 26th April to welcome participants running in the marathon in aid of Sparks, a charity that raises money to fund pioneering children’s medical research.

The charity supports clinicians and scientists in finding cures and treatments to help the 1 in 30 children born in the UK with a condition which may affect them for life.

Amanda Sutton, venue manager at Broadway House, said: “There was a warm welcome awaiting the participants, their families and friends at Broadway House where they were able to take rest and refreshment after the event and share their experience with us.  We replenished their batteries with delicious finger food and plenty of juice and water and had  rooms set aside for massage areas for the participants.”

Todd Harris, challenge events executive with Sparks, said: “We had 75 runners participating in the marathon this year for Team Sparks and we expect to raise in excess of £165,000. In amongst those 75 runners we had former Olympian, Ian Stark; Phil Brown, current Southend United Manager, and Sarah-Jane Mee, Sky Sports Presenter. This is a major fund raising event for us and we were delighted to have had the support of EEF Venues at Broadway House.”

Woodland Grange appoints new reception manager

Woodland Grange has appointed Ann Langdon as reception manager at the AIM-Gold accredited venue. She joined on 11th May and is now responsible for a team of three.

Ann started her career with a HND in Hospitality Management at West Herts College and went on to hold many positions within the hospitality sector, moving up the career ladder from food & beverage team leader to general manager with Premier Inn.

Commenting on her new role at Woodland Grange, Ann said: "Reception is the hub of any venue so being organised and efficient impacts positively on the venue’s entire team and operation. Most importantly, first impressions count and it is a receptionist’s job to ensure that guests are greeted professionally and with warmth."

“It is a very exciting opportunity for me to join a business that is recognised for its customer service excellence, and I will be working very hard with my team to ensure that this reputation continues.”

imago to launch new industry research on future of face to face meetings at The Meetings Show

Research on The Future of Face to Face Meetings environment will be launched by imago at The Meetings Show next month as part of its education programme. 

Undertaken by imago in partnership with Loughborough University, this will be the industry's first opportunity to examine the research and its implications for the meetings sector moving forward. The results will be presented on Wednesday July 8th in an open forum by the research team, which includes Emma Boynton, head of sales and marketing at imago, and Sally Greenhill from The Right Solution. 

Emma comments: “The research we have undertaken examines the importance and benefits of learning in a face to face environment and whether it can compete with other forms of communication, particularly amongst tomorrow's business leaders. The results of this research will allow us, and other organisations, to build a better picture of the economic market place to spot opportunities that are not being maximised or highlight areas of the market that are over saturated. We welcome everybody along to hear the results and find out how face to face meetings play an important role in the way we conduct business.” 

The Future of Face to Face Meetings Environment will take place on Wednesday July 8 at The Meetings Show, held at Olympia, London (3.50pm). 

College Court is officially 5 Star!

Following an audit by the Environmental Health Officer College Court are delighted to have been awarded 5 Star which ranks the venue as ‘Very Good’ in their standards of food hygiene.

The catering team led by Riccardo Corbinzolu are passionate about food and want all guests to leave with a memorable experience.

"Since opening, guests have enjoyed wonderful food and while we know that we have always carried out best practice it is great for the team to have it recognised following an independent audit. Working with Wilson Vale, our catering partner, this is an excellent endorsement of the quality measures that they have in place and re-enforces that quality is one of the key building blocks at College Court" commented Steve Crawford, Centre Director.

Riccardo Corbinzolu Head Chef says "My team and I are always aiming high and this is a quality mark that recognises the commitment and efforts made by my team at all times, which ultimately delivers the best possible experience to all our guests."

A huge well done to College Court and their dedicated team.

imago increases broadband capabilities for better connectivity

imago, the conference and events arm of Loughborough University, has invested its broadband capabilities to ensure delegates stay connected. 

The broadband provided at each of imago's venues – Burleigh Court Hotel and Conference Centre, Holywell Park, The Link Hotel and Loughborough University campus - has increased from 100mps to 200mps making internet access quicker and easier. The investment means imago can accommodate even the most challenging AV requirements and provide seamless streaming for any event. 

Emma Boynton, head of sales and marketing at imago, comments: “We recognise the importance of technology in creating successful events, particularly the ability for delegates to stay connected. As a result we are always looking at ways to improve the facilities we offer. 

“Increasing the broadband speed not only provides seamless internet connection but also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring visitors Wi-Fi needs are fully catered for. As part of our commitment, for organisation’s holding an event across a number of our venues, the Wi-Fi is linked so there is no need for delegates to login separately at each site – they simply enter their details and stay connected for the duration of their visit. Improving our broadband capabilities allows us to facilitate larger events, and alongside our wide-range of AV services means we can provide the technological requirements of any event, however challenging they may be.”

As well as high speed broadband, imago’s conference and meeting rooms are equipped with the latest communications technology and AV equipment, supported by a team of on-site technicians. Facilities include a Crestron control system so all AV equipment is connected and controlled via in-room iPads, ceiling mounted HDMI projectors, projector screens, Blu-ray players, Digital Freeview and additional speaker system. 

The Beardmore enters Hotel Hall of Fame

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre has joined an elite list of hotels around the world, by being welcomed into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame. 

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, collates information from over 150 million reviews and opinions from consumers around the world. 

The Hall of Fame induction follows The Beardmore receiving the prestigious Certificate of Excellence from the site for five consecutive years. 

Gary Rice, General Manager of The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, commented on the accomplishment, saying: “The Certificate of Excellence requires us to maintain a consistent “Bubble Rating” from our customers of a minimum of four out of five in our most recent reviews. 

“To have received this consistently for five years and be invited to join the Hall of Fame is an absolutely incredible accomplishment; I am very proud of everyone in our team for all the hard work and dedication that has made this possible.” 

The Hall of Fame recognition continues an impressive run for The Beardmore in 2015, having secured two consecutive VenueVerdict Gold Accreditation’s for customer feedback, along with being named the Best Large Hotel in Scotland at the LateRooms Simply the Guest Awards. 

Gary added: “Awards like this are significant, as they remind us how important it is to make sure we are providing the best possible experience for every customer and delegate that comes through our doors.