Warwick Conferences achieves VenueVerdict Gold Standard

Warwick Conferences is celebrating their venue Scarman achieving the BDRC Continental VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation.

The VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation is given to those venues recording a twelve-month Net Promoter Score of +70 from 40 or more business event hosts responses in 2015 and is testament to the team’s dedication to providing a first-rate meeting experience to every customer. 

Richard Harrison, Head of Conference Centres at Warwick Conferences, says: “We are delighted to receive the prestigious VenueVerdict Gold Standard from BDRC Continental. The staff at Scarman always go the extra mile to understand and implement the details valued by our customers and it is fantastic that this is being recognised. There really is no better testimony than positive customer feedback so we are thrilled to receive this accolade.” 

James Bland, Director of the Hotels and Hospitality team at BDRC Continental, says: “Warwick Conferences should be very proud of their venue Scarman. Net Promoter Scores can range from -100 to +100 so to achieve and sustain a score of +70 requires consistently excellent customer service. It’s a very discerning measure and that’s why only 39 venues have achieved it this time around.”

Warwick Conferences new £5.3m venue on target for autumn opening

Warwick Conferences new £5.3m dedicated meeting venue on the University of Warwick campus in Coventry and Warwickshire is progressing on schedule with the first concrete pour of around 270 cubic metres (almost two double decker buses) taking place earlier this month.

Demand is looking strong for the new standalone facility, which sits adjacent to two of Warwick Conferences’ existing training and conference venues, with business leads reported as far ahead as December 2017.

Along with the new opening, Warwick Conferences has reviewed its strategy and the experience it delivers to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the industry. Conference, training and meeting needs are constantly evolving and it is not just about delivering four walls, a flip chart and some food, it is about delivering an experience. This involves providing the space to debate, engage, resolve, share, challenge and learn in a way which is individually tailored to the customer and their objectives.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at WarwickConferences, says: “We recently reviewed our strategy and how we deliver it to ensure that we continue to respond to the needs of the changing world. As part of this process, we are updating the way we look and our communications to better reflect who we are and what we can deliver to our customers.  Ultimately, it is business as usual, but better. The improvements across our brand and communications reinforce the ethos that at Warwick Conferences we take the time to understand our customer’s needs and objectives and respond by giving them a completely unique experience that is tailored to them.

“This year is set to be an extremely exciting one for Warwick Conferences with our new venue opening in the autumn. Work is progressing on schedule and we are already in a strong position in terms of enquiries for the new space. We look forward to continuing to break new ground with our training and conference solutions by delivering an experience where anything is possible.”

Warwick Conferences continues venue investment

Warwick Conferences is set to complete an extensive refurbishment in one of its distraction-free venues this spring.

The £1 million investment will see 154 bedrooms in its Radcliffe training and conference centre entirely renovated and replaced with new carpets, wall coverings, desks, beds, wardrobes and soft furnishings.

Due to be completed in March 2016, this latest refurbishment will precede Warwick Conferences’ £5.3 million investment in ‘The Canvas’ - a new customisable events venue set to open on the University of Warwick campus in Autumn 2016.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences, comments: “We’re extremely proud of our diverse range of facilities here at Warwick Conferences and dedicated to continuously improving the events solutions we offer for our clients. 

“2016 is set to be a busy and exciting year for the business, and the investment in our Radcliffe venue plays an important role in our ongoing commitment to enhance our facilities.”

Warwick Conferences Sets Its Sights on Gold

Warwick Conferences is in the running to continue its awards success in 2016 after being shortlisted in four categories at this year’s Meeting & Incentive Travel (M&IT) Awards.

The collection of meeting venues – based at the University of Warwick – has been nominated for four awards in total: Best UK Conference Centre, Best UK Management Training Centre, Best Academic Venue, and Best Conference and Banqueting Staff.

The M&IT Awards are the oldest established awards programme in the industry. Voted for solely by event organisers and the readers of M&IT magazine, they serve to reward excellence in the meetings and events sectors.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences, comments: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in four categories at this year’s M&IT Awards. The awards are a real highlight on the calendar, and as a reflection of the valuable opinions of event industry professionals, are also extremely important to us as a business.

“2016 is set to be an exciting year for us, and we’re exceptionally proud that our facilities and services have been recognised amongst the best in the industry. On behalf of all the team at Warwick Conferences, I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us.”

Multi-Million Investment Will See Warwick Conferences Open Fourth Venue in Coventry

Warwick Conferences has unveiled plans to invest £5.3 million in opening a fourth dedicated meeting venue on the University of Warwick campus in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The new venue – which will open in September 2016 – will offer 650 square metres of contemporary and highly flexible event space from a brand new standalone facility adjacent to two of Warwick Conferences’ existing training and conference venues.

With a single flat-floor space capacity of 350 seated, expansive ceiling height and reinforced flooring, the venue offers bookers a completely new option in Warwickshire and the West Midlands, and extends Warwick Conferences’ capability significantly.

Richard Harrison, head of conference centres at Warwick Conferences comments: “This is an important investment for both Warwick Conferences as a business and the region as a whole. Demand for high capacity, high quality, genuinely flexible event space is rising and there are few venues that can meet all these requirements in Central England currently – and even fewer that can do so without compromise.

It therefore should go without saying that we are thrilled to be making this announcement today. As a completely new development, our new venue will offer an uncompromised, contemporary and striking space that will give clients a complete blank canvas for their event. And, alongside our existing facilities, the new space will help to showcase our local area, bringing more business events and generating greater footfall to Coventry and Warwickshire.”

Designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, utilising highly sustainable construction standards, the new building will feature large expanses of glazing and exposed timber glulam structural elements. Surrounded by trees and landscaping, and in a lakefront location, the venue will also feature a striking full-length glass wall, opening onto a suspended deck that overlooks the water.

The new venue is available from September 2016.

For more information, visit www.warwickconferences.com.

Ashorne Hill recently awarded CMI Midlands Centre of the Year 2015

Ashorne Hill was recently awarded the CMI (CharteredManagement Institute) Midlands Centre of the Year 2015.

Ashorne Hill is a dedicated conference centre and learning solutions provider based around a grade II listed manor house, set in 35 acres of stunning Warwickshire countryside, just 2 miles off the M40.

With a dedicated in-house Learning Solutions team, and proud to have been a CMI Centre since 2009, Ashorne Hill has been a training solutions partner to major organisations across industry sectors for over fifty years. 

By working in partnership with organisations, the in-house team discuss the requirements in collaboration, offering the opportunity to provide a blended solution with appropriate objectives and measureable outcomes. Customised programmes can include blending trainer-led, experiential, and e-learning solutions.

On all aspects of accreditation,expert advice and programme design leads to achievement of an appropriate management award, certificate or diploma for learners from the CMI - an internationally-recognised accreditation body.

With a dedicated CMI Centre Manager, the experienced in-house operations team manages pre-programme communications, prepares learning materials, and compiles ongoing programme evaluation and feedback reports. They also manage a tracking system, the process of assignment marking, external verification and certification associated with programme accreditation.

Key features and benefits for organisations and learners are:

• clear process and communication

• tailored guidelines for learners with accessibility to online study guides and contactable Assessors

• an assessment team with clear guidelines that meet annual to review standardisation

• our expert Learning Solutions team encourage learners to make the link between their work place and the learning they acquire

Comments from the CMI Centre Reports include:

“Excellent standard of learner work observed. Possible use of case studies to promote good practice at Ashorne Hill. Overall some excellent practice observed. Good tracking systems in place and Assessment/IV matrix to show sampling strategies. This centre has robust policies and implements them effectively.” CMI Centre visit report 2013

“This centre is well run and the team work well together to provide high quality services to their clients. They have adopted the CMI assessment materials and are finding these to work well. Staff are well qualified and a new IV has been recruited this year too. If there are ever any questions or concerns, Emma contacts me to sort it out immediately which is very reassuring.” CMI Centre visit report 2014

 For more information contact training@ashornehill.co.uk or call the team on 01926 488 016.