CULINARY AWARD SERVED TO WARWICK FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

Warwick Conferences is celebrating after its culinary team won the best overall menu category in the 19th annual TUCO (The University Caterers’ Organisation) Chefs Skills Challenge.

This is the third successive year that Warwick Conferences (part of the University of Warwick) has taken an award home from the annual competition, which is designed to test and showcase the talents of University chefs. The team, made up of Greg Crump, Gary Brown and James Queenan - all chefs at Warwick Conferences’ award-winning training and conference centres - were up against strong competition with 17 rival teams also running for the best menu award.

The winning four course menu was constructed using locally sourced, fresh food and included exciting dishes such as Cardamom Cream, Mango Jelly, Cinnamon Apple Samosa & Gingerbread.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences said, “We are thrilled and extremely proud of the team for winning the Best Overall Menu at this year’s TUCO challenge. “The competition was really tough and to impress the judges was no mean feat, especially considering the high calibre of chefs competing. “Warwick Conferences is passionate about quality and exciting food and we are delighted that this shined through in the winning menu and in the enthusiasm of our team.”

BIG NEWS...The Møller Centre is awarded Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade

The Møller Centre in Cambridge has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding achievement over the last three years delivering Executive Education.

The Møller Centre for Continuing Education Limited was established 20 years ago by Churchill College, University of Cambridge to bring the worlds of academia and commerce together in a training and conference centre.

The Centre offers world class facilities and educational programmes delivered to a wide range of clients in the corporate, public and professional service sectors under the Royal Charter of Churchill College. Today, over 40% of clients are from overseas markets, with earnings from Executive Education increasing by 90% last year.

The quality and proven success of the programmes, which initially targeted Japan then developed substantially into the Chinese market, combine academic and practitioner-based learning for international business leaders particularly in the corporate, banking and healthcare sectors.

Gillian Secrett, CEO of The Møller Centre commented: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which recognises our success through our commitment and dedication to our clients. We design our programmes to meet the specific objectives of our senior delegations and build long term relationships to support each organisation to achieve its goals. It is a very special honour for the team here at The Møller Centre to receive this award in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee”. All profits from The Møller Centre are covenanted to Churchill College for investment in undergraduate and graduate education and student support.

For further information on booking this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

IMAGO WELCOMES THE OLYMPIC TORCH DURING AN AMAZING YEAR

With just 98 days until the opening ceremony, the team at Loughborough-based imago has been celebrating the arrival of the Olympic torch. 

During the practice run today (Friday 20th April), the torch relay followed its official route which passes imago’s four star conference centre and hotel Burleigh Court and its dedicated conference centre Holywell Park. Both venues are due to play a vital part in Loughborough University’s role as the official preparation camp for Team GB. 

imago is inviting its customers “to be part of an amazing year” as it prepares to celebrate the Olympics in addition to marking the 21st anniversary of Burleigh Court throughout 2012. 

Kay England, Chief Executive of imago, commented: “This is a unique year of celebration for the UK and for imago as we prepare to welcome Team GB and continue to mark the 21st anniversary of Burleigh Court. “We’re encouraging all of our customers to join us during the Olympics to celebrate and soak up the special atmosphere that such an exciting occasion will bring.” 

For further information about this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

Conference Centre gains triple Gold in 2012

Cotswold Conference Centre has continued an amazing start to the year by earning its third Gold Award of 2012.

The leading conference centre won its latest accolade by reaching Gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which recognises eco-friendly organisations in the UK. The achievement follows two other Gold titles so far in 2012. In January, the centre earned a national VenueVerdict Gold for excellent customer service and in March it won Gold in the Conference Venue of the Year category of the Cotswold Tourism Awards, beating Cheltenham Racecourse and The Barn at Calcot Manor.

The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. Businesses opting to join are graded against a rigorous set of criteria, covering areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Cotswold Conference Centre was visited and assessed on 8 March and the final report has just been completed. The report stated: “There are a number of ‘best practice’ measures in place [at Cotswold Conference Centre]. A lot of these are found at the new Maudslay Court with high levels of insulation, rainwater harvesting, sensors, solar panels and ground source heat pumps. “The site plays an important part in the community, getting involved in initiatives to rid the town of plastic bags while supporting many charities as well as showcasing a great deal of local food and drinks on the delegate menu. The green message is promoted very well with an ‘Environmental Folder’ communicated to guests as well as excellent room and website information.”

Cotswold Conference Centre is a modern meeting, training and team building venue based on the 370-acre Farncombe Estate, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon. Richard Howdle, Operations Manager at Cotswold Conference Centre, said: “This award is another feather in our cap and further recognition of the excellent work that the team at Cotswold Conference Centre is doing across the board. “It’s going to be a fantastic year for the UK and especially for tourism. To earn these three Gold titles in the first four months alone is a remarkable achievement.”

For more information about this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

WARWICK STRIKES GOLD AGAIN IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

Warwick Conferences is celebrating once again after two of its venues have secured Gold in the BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict awards for the fourth quarter in a row.

Warwick Conferences’ Radcliffe and Scarman training & conference centres are amongst just a handful of conference and meeting venues in the UK to be awarded the prestigious accolade, which recognises outstanding levels of customer satisfaction.

Venue Verdict Gold Standard is measured through ‘Net Promoter’, a progressive measure of customer service performance, and is awarded to venues with a twelve month ‘Net Promoter Score’ of +70, subject to the venue having met specific qualification requirements in each calendar quarter.

James Bland, senior client services manager at BDRC Continental said: “This quarter, only 22 properties achieved the Gold Standard so Warwick Conferences should be very proud. “Net Promoter can range from -100 to +100 so to achieve and sustain a score of +70 requires consistently excellent customer service.” 

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences said: “We are absolutely thrilled that two of our venues have been rated so highly in the awards for the fourth quarter in a row! “There is no better testimony than positive customer feedback and this accolade is a real testament to the outstanding service that we pride ourselves on delivering.”

For further information on this venue contact the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk

All on schedule for Wyboston Lakes redevelopment

Work is on schedule for the completion of the first phase of Wyboston Lakes’ extensive redevelopment of its dedicated conference and training venues.

From the end of April, users of its Robinson Executive Conference Centre will benefit from an intensive programme of enhancement across all aspects of the facility. When that project is completed, refurbishment of the Willows Training Centre will commence. From the beginning of May, the Robinson will be rebranded as the ‘Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre’, while the Willows will become the ‘Wyboston Lakes Training Centre’. The enhancements will help emphasise the different propositions the centres provide in terms of tariff and facilities.

Enjoy a complimentary pimms reception at Kettering Park Hotel and Spa

Looking for a stunning setting for a dinner to say thanks to the team - take a peek at the brand new outdoor Garden Room at the Kettering Park Hotel and Spa. An ideal dinner venue for up to 16 delegates and it doesn't have to be so formal, we're happy to do BBQ's and less dressy events too.

Reserve the Garden Room for a private lunch or dinner before the end of May for a summer event and in honour of our very first season we'll include a Pimm's reception with our compliments.

For more information about Kettering Park Hotel and Spa call the Hotline today on 0845 230 1414 or info@cceonline.co.uk