CEME strikes gold

Not only has CEME Conference Centre retained its Aim Gold status for ‘Accredited In Meetings’ with the MIA, but Events Manager, Ranjith Kumar has been shortlisted in the Conference and Events People category at this year’s miaList awards.

The CEME Conference Centre continues to be the only venue in East London and Essex to achieve AIM Gold status. AIM is the industry recognised mark of distinction, with Gold showing a venue is at the peak of service excellence.

But it’s not just the venue which is celebrating, the announcement that Events Manager, Ranjith Kumar was nominated for an award at the MiaList Awards has also got the conference centre a buzz. The ‘miaList’ recognises and rewards those hardworking, enthusiastic, inspiring individuals that have such a positive effect on everything they do. As a proud sponsor of this year’s ‘miaList’, taking place on Friday 16th September 2016 at the Park Plaza Victoria, London, CEME Conference Centre was always going to be a big part of this year’s event. To have Ranjith as an award finalist is the icing on the cake of what has already been an exciting year for CEME. 

Find out more about the ‘miaList’ awards.

Eat the Elephant Improve Engagement and Performance at CEME Conference Centre

CEME Conference Centre is an Award winning, ‘Gold Accredited’ Events and Conference venue in East London and part of the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence – a Regeneration Charity focusing on business growth, education, skills and learning in the Thames Gateway. The Conference Centre has enjoyed enormous success in the past few years growing the business by 250% in under three years; achieving Accredited In Meetings gold standard with the MIA – the only venue in East London or Essex to do so; being accepted into Conference Centres of Excellence; becoming a World Host venue for exceptional customer service; achieving an NPS score in September 2015 of 94; and, in October 2015, winning the Havering Business Awards for outstanding Customer Care.

Much of this success is down to the quality and commitment of the conference centre team and their level of employee engagement achieved, in no small part, through the partnership enjoyed with Eat The Elephant. At the beginning of 2105, CEME appointed Eat the Elephant to undertake their team development with the assurance that bringing them in would contribute substantially to making a good team even better by improving not only individual performance and engagement, but also team achievement, customer satisfaction and business development.

To this end, CEME embarked on a Team development programme over the course of a number of months with Eat The Elephant that began with employees completing on-line PPA profiles followed up with individual employee evaluation sessions, ‘1 to 1’ coaching and team development days. There were two key statements adopted to underpin the development and drive participation – ‘Engagement, Ownership, Performance’ and, for the team development day – ‘Responsibility, Action, Achievement’.

The results of the programme have truly been phenomenal with the engagement of all employees rising to the highest echelons comparable with any ‘high performing’ team; quality standard compliance improving to over 95%; the achievement of an NPS score for the business of 94 and ‘exceeding expectations’ at 66%; and financial targets for the year not only met, but substantially exceeded.

All in all, the employee engagement programme undertaken with Eat the Elephant has proved enormously successful and a guaranteed route for our organisation in improving employee engagement and business performance.

Another Award for CEME Conference Centre

The Havering Business Awards were held at CEME Conference Centre on 16th October to celebrate the success of the local business community in East London. Over 320 guests attended the glittering Awards Dinner hosted by comedienne Francine Lewis.

CEME Conference Centre Director, Eamonn Cole
with CEME’s ‘Award Winning’ Team – Ranjith Kumar, Debbie Beckett,
Kristina Jefremova, Marc Chattaway and Darren Lee

CEME Conference Centre were the proud winners of the Customer Care Award. Their success was the culmination of what has been a fantastic year for CEME having achieved their highest ever Net Promoter Score of 94; over 67% in ‘exceeding customer expectations’; and been a ‘Featured venue’ with Conference News and the Meetings Industry Association.

In receiving the Award, Eamonn Cole, Conference Centre Director commented,
‘This Award is really for our fantastic team here at CEME.  We focused this year on raising their levels of engagement through a bespoke team development programme that raised their engagement and ownership and, ultimately, their performance not least of all, in the crucial area of customer service. Our clients appreciated that enormously as reflected in the NPS result proving that 9 out of 10 of our conference clients will not only use CEME time and time again, but have no hesitation in recommending us to others’.

CEME Conference Centre is the only venue in East London or Essex to achieve ‘Accredited in Meetings’ Gold quality standard with the MIA and is a member of Conference Centres of Excellence and a World Host venue for outstanding customer service.

New fresh 'bean to cup' coffee machines at CEME Conference Centre

In a strive towards continuous improvement, CEME Conference Centre have installed new Tchibo Fresh 'Bean to Cup' Coffee machines in the Circulation Area that will provide a much higher quality coffee product made from fresh Arabica beans and offering a wider selection of beverages including Espresso, Cappuccino, Chocolate and Americano. The new offer is further enhanced by the provision of new 'Fair-Trade' Clipper Tea selection that was recently 'trialled' to the satisfaction of many delegates, hand-made Bronte biscuits and a variety of wrapped English tray bakes. 

Not only will the new machines improve the choice of refreshments provided, but CEME is also creating a new Conference Delegate area in the circulation space where delegates and guests will be able to partake of the new refreshment arrangements often in a much more relaxed and comfortable location.  It will mean that tea and coffee breaks can be taken at a time that is more suited to the needs of each meeting or conference without the interruption of flasks for coffee breaks being set up mid-meeting.

CEME Conference Centre is a Gold accredited ultra-modern events and meetings venue offering innovative and flexible solutions for all meetings requirements from high-tech conference auditorium – the POD Theatre - to small meeting rooms, conference, exhibition and outdoor space.

CEME deliver hundreds of meetings and events each year with ‘state of the art’ meeting space and can host product launches, presentations, award ceremonies, training seminars, conferences and exhibitions and cater for up to 600 delegates.

All 19 conference rooms have the latest AV technology, complimentary WI Fi, natural day-light and special inclusive rates.

Located near Rainham on the A13, CEME covers a wide demographic from Central and East London through the Thames Gateway and into Essex and is ideally located for London Docklands and The City with excellent underground, train and road links and free parking for 500 cars.

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

CEME Conference Centre goes from strength-to-strength

The expansion and development of CEME Conference Centre is continuing at a pace. Now in 2014, the Conference Centre has already expanded its ‘footprint’ with two new Executive meeting rooms and a new ‘light-box’ room with state of the art Smart-board and ‘light-wall’ and the installation of a wireless conference presentation system. 

Occupancy within the conference centre has increased by over 100% since 2012 and awards and accreditation for the venue continue to pour in with CEME now accredited as a preferred training venue with the Learning & Performance Institute. The additional meeting rooms now mean that CEME has over 20 meeting rooms and some fantastic space covering everything from small syndicate rooms, through meeting and conference rooms for 12 to 350, a state of the art POD Theatre for 120 and reception areas for up to 800. 

.. and it doesn’t stop there.   In the coming months CEME are looking for more on-site expansion to meet clients’ requirements and are currently in talks regarding the development of a new 500 seat auditorium and conference space and a 120-bedroom hotel.

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

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.

Upgrade to CEME Conference Centre's Executive Meeting Room

Whether you book our 'state-of-the-art'  POD theatre or one of our 17 meeting rooms or perhaps try our newly decorated luxury Executive room - our staff are always friendly and helpful. We like to ensure your event, whether a small round the table meeting or larger conference is well-organised. You will find our 'not-for-profit' regeneration charity venue a very cost-effective solution to all you meeting requirements.

We are the perfect venue being located in Rainham, Essex which is just 15 minutes from Canary Wharf and close to the City (C2C and District Line) and we understand your logistical challenges and can organise door-to-door pick-up in luxury coaches for large meetings to ensure your meeting time is productive and seamless from start to finish.   All this and a 5th of City prices! 

Installation of Wireless Apple Presentation system

As part of this upgrade to our Executive meeting room we have also through Savilles installed an ultra-modern Apple wireless presentation system and from January we will roll out this wireless presentation system in all our meeting rooms

CEME Conference Centre is a Gold accredited ultra-modern events and meetings venue offering innovative and flexible solutions for all your meetings requirements from high-tech conference auditorium – the POD Theatre to small meeting rooms, conference, exhibition and outdoor space.

CEME deliver hundreds of meetings and events each year with ‘state of the art’ meeting space from as little as £80.00 per day and can host product launches, presentations, award ceremonies, training seminars, conferences and exhibitions and cater for up to 600 delegates.

Say hello to CEME Conference Centre's new Marketing Manager

CEME Conference Centre is delighted to announce that Debbie Beckett has joined the conference team as Marketing Manager.

Debbie has worked in Sales and Marketing for over 14 years and brings a wealth of marketing and events experience.  Having worked as a marketing professional for several years, Debbie went on to be a Marketing Events Specialist at a leading hi-tech manufacturer for over 4 years and was responsible for multiple global exhibitions and large annual corporate events, conferences and awards ceremonies. Eamonn Cole, Conference Centre Director commented,

‘Debbie will manage and develop key client accounts and business partners and her strong people skills and proactive approach will benefit us hugely in continuing to grow CEME’s business, specifically within their corporate market. It’s great to have her onboard to promote CEME Conference Centre’.

‘I am delighted to have joined the team at CEME and in my new role I will undertake numerous marketing activities in support of the sales function, including preparing for and representing CEME Conference Centre at industry functions, exhibitions and networking events, with a special focus on PR and Comms, social media, website management and new business development.  I am really looking forward to continuing to build the business at CEME and will be focusing on e-marketing and B2B in order to raise awareness and get the word out about what amazing space we have here at CEME – whether for board meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions or film shoots.  We also have beautiful landscaped gardens and lakeside decking areas  – perfect for team building events.  

Debbie is looking forward to partnering with you to promote events and meetings business at CEME. When Debbie isn’t working she enjoys photography, garden design and sailing and is a qualified Day Skipper.

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 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. 

CEME Conference Centre achieves GOLD Standard

CEME Conference Centre has just been awarded the highly prestigious ‘Accredited in Meetings’ (AIM) Gold Standard by the Meetings Industry Association.  Located in East London, CEME is one of only 15 venues across the United Kingdom that has achieved the highest grade, and is the first in East London and Essex.

CEME is an ultra-modern events and conference venue ideally located for London and Essex with close proximity to The City and Canary Wharf.  The Conference Centre incorporates a state-of-the-art 120-seat auditorium, The POD, together with 19 meeting rooms, exhibition space and outdoor facilities. The venue is located on an 18 acre Business, Education and Research Campus and supports the charitable objectives of the Centre in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.

Eamonn Cole, Conference Centre Director, commented:  “We have a wonderfully modern building with amazing space, first class facilities and we know the importance of quality and value to event buyers in choosing venues in the current climate.  It is fantastic to be awarded this prestigious accreditation, especially as we have only been with the MIA for one year.  Being the first AIM Gold venue in Essex and East London is also a great privilege that adds substantial value to our clients and, together with us also being a World Host venue, ensures delivery of the highest levels of customer service.”

Accredited in Meetings (AIM) is the Meetings Industry Association’s national quality standard for venues and suppliers in the meetings, conference and events industry.  At Gold level, users can expect first class facilities with the very highest levels of service, exceptional catering using the highest quality ingredients, highly proficient staff and a price reflective of the quality of the venue and service delivered.

Jane Longhurst, Chief Executive of the MIA, said:  “A venue applying for Gold Accreditation is assessed across a very wide range of facilities and services.  To pass at this high level requires the very highest standards and staff of the highest quality.  I am delighted that this superb conference facility has made the grade.”

CEME Conference Centre is ideal for all types of meetings, conferences and events, film shoots, product launches, business presentations, receptions and corporate hospitality for up to 600 people.  A unique blend of contemporary design, innovative technology and the highest standards of quality and customer service, makes CEME one of the best value for money events and meeting venues anywhere in the South East.

CEME is also signed up to the Fair Pricing Charter with VisitLondon and has been accepted into membership of Conference Centres of Excellence proving its commitment to the consistent delivery of quality, value for money events and meeting solutions.

CEME Conference Centre becomes latest member of Conference Centres of Excellence

CEME Conference Centre, a unique, ultra-modern events and meetings venue in the London Thames Gateway, has joined Conference Centres of Excellence, the UK’s leading consortium of dedicated meeting providers. 

The Conference Centre is based within The Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) site, a world-class research, skills, education and business campus in East London, in close proximity to the City, Canary Wharf and Stratford’s Olympic Park. 

The impressive, contemporary venue can hold conferences, meetings and training seminars from 2 - 200 delegates and product launches, business presentations, receptions and corporate hospitality events for up to 400 people.  The entire range of flexible meeting space has abundant natural daylight, air-conditioning and access to large circulation areas, break-out rooms, landscaped garden space and ample free parking.

The state-of-the-art POD Theatre can hold up to 120 delegates for lectures, presentations or launches and boasts high-tech AV presentation and sound equipment as standard and is surrounded by spacious break-out and circulation areas. 

“With its distinctive and modern architecture, adaptable space and exceptional levels of facility and service, CEME Conference Centre is a significant enhancement to our portfolio,” 
said Anthony Lishman, Executive Director of Conference Centres of Excellence: “In being its own ‘Centre of Excellence’ it aligns itself with our very high quality standards, and provides further evidence that we only accept into membership those venues which will provide event organisers with a truly sector-leading selection of venues.”

Conference Centres of Excellence now has 34 members, including many of the country’s best known specialist venues, covering a geographical area extending from the South East of England, to Scotland. Its members are mostly independent providers, working together to promote the concept of dedicated centres as the optimum solution for meetings, training and business events.  Before joining, venues have to meet stringent criteria in terms of facilities, accommodation and customer care. 

“CEME Conference Centre are honoured and privileged to now be included in the portfolio of quality conference venues within Conference Centres of Excellence,” commented Eamonn Cole, Director of CEME. “As a Centre for Excellence ourselves, membership of this elite group of venues is wholly in keeping with our objective to be a preferred supplier for quality meetings and conferences within London and the South East and we are extremely confident that belonging to Conference Centres of Excellence will not only grow our business, but just as importantly, our reputation amongst events and meeting buyers.”

Conference Centres of Excellence provides a completely free venue-finding service, working with customers to understand requirements, and negotiating the best possible rates before providing an all-inclusive event package proposal within just 2-4 hours, to deliver the perfect business experience every time.

The central sales team can be contacted on 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk.