06/2018

The Meetings Show has announced that its annual charity party in partnership with the MPI Foundation will return for the sixth edition of the show.

Taking place on Wednesday 27 June, the all-inclusive networking event ‘Cocktails for Charity’ will be held in the Pillar Hall of Olympia London, following the first day of the show, representing a key part of the show’s networking calendar.

Offering access to a plethora of meetings and events industry professionals, those in attendance will benefit from an exclusive opportunity to network with leading buyers, suppliers and associations.

All proceeds raised will go to the MPI Foundation EMEA, directly benefitting key programmes for both the UK and EMEA chapter programmes, and additionally helping to fund the foundation’s young leader’s development programmes.

Chloe Modaberi, marketing manager for The Meetings Show, said: “We are extremely excited to be working with the MPI Foundation again this year, collaborating on the Cocktails for Charity party to raise vital funds to advance the meeting and event industry. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to network and a great end to the first day of The Meetings Show, enabling attendees to relax after a busy day of face-to-face meetings and innovative education sessions.”

Christine Roberts, executive director of the MPI Foundation, said: “We cannot wait to hold another exceptional event in collaboration with an established and reputable industry show. Our team have been working hard to create an outstanding evening that will help to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and give back to the meetings industry.”

General admission tickets will be €20 for industry buyers and €35 for suppliers who wish to attend and include canapés and drinks vouchers for cocktails.

Tickets for Cocktails for Charity are available by clicking here.

The Manchester Airport Concorde Conference and Events Centre, has become the latest venue to join the Lime Venue Portfolio. The attraction sits as part of the Runway Visitor Park, and adds further iconic meetings and events options into the venue group.

The venue is based just off site at Manchester Airport, and regularly caters for product launches, gala dinners, team building events, exhibitions or meetings - all taking place in and around one of the world’s most famous Concorde planes. The main stand out space, the Concorde Hangar, gives event delegates the chance to meet in the same room as the iconic Concorde.

Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year to watch planes take off and land at the UK’s 3rd busiest airport. As well as running aircraft tours, the park also has a restaurant; children’s play area, aviation shop and 5 classic aircraft to explore.

“This is a great venue, which does an exceptional job in wowing visitors. They have an ambitious team and were looking to join Lime Venue Portfolio to challenge themselves in every aspect of delivery, and benchmark itself against other great venues,” commented Jo Austin, Sales Director, Lime Venue Portfolio. “With this job, you often get spoilt for amazing spaces, but this one has always been breath-taking, it’s a valued and welcome addition to the group.”

“Lime Venue Portfolio is a strong brand within the meetings and events space and we felt its reach and brand strength would help get this exceptional venue in front of more national event organisers,” commented Robert Pattison, General Manager at Manchester Airport Concorde Conference and Events Centre. “We also wanted to make sure we take advantage of Lime Venue Portfolio’s quality benchmarking to ensure we always give the very best food, service and operational support to our clients.”

The venue adds to other outstanding settings housed within the Lime Venue Portfolio, from railways to museums, historic castles to ski slopes. Lime Venue Portfolio now consist of over 90 unique and unusual venues based throughout the country, offering event planners the option to work with one group to secure inspiring venues anywhere within the UK.

The £7million Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel (EAC) at Loughborough University will place bespoke nutrition at the centre of the offering to be delivered by Imago Venues.

The EAC’s team are working with UK Sport, Sport England and English Institute of Sport to create a world leading training facility that meets the unique needs of high performance athletes.  The facility will also be available to meeting and event organisers looking to use a unique venue built on a foundation of performance improvement and competitive success.

In addition to the wider event and sporting facilities on campus, the EAC offers accommodation with altitude control, appropriate rest and relaxation facilities and the right nutrition to support not just athletes in training but also delegates looking to maximise their learning experience.

To achieve the EAC’s goals, Loughborough University are working with key players across sports development, nutrition, training and performance.  Kath Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian and chair of UK Sport, comments: “UK Sport is a world leader in the development of elite athletes and I am delighted that Loughborough is continuing to play a fundamental role in the advancement of top level sport.  This investment will create a unique facility that will be of huge benefit to all involved.  In particular, the decision to focus on nutrition will be key, as it is such a fundamental building block when it comes to successful performance.”

The team behind the EAC recognises that there is a need to go beyond just the food being served if they are to meet the needs of their guests. Chris McLeod (PhD student in eating behaviour, Loughborough University) goes on to explain: “A delegate might theoretically know what is right for them, but that is put under pressure by the sight of the average hotel breakfast buffet.  To perform at their best, eating behaviour and food psychology are as important as the nutritional values and ingredients in the food itself.  We can better influence their choices by making the right foods available and accessible.  It is less a matter of control or force but more a case of support by directing behaviour in the right direction. Ultimately the choices are their own, but we can help by giving them the best possible options in the first place.”

The EAC’s unique offering is its ability to provide bespoke services for individuals or teams through communication and collaboration. Mark Davies, Head of Sports Facility Operations and Customer Service, Loughborough University, comments; “Ultimately, the key to delivering something so bespoke for each individual is its flexibility.  It is something that simply isn’t possible under the normal business model used by hotels and other accommodation providers.  However, through a flexible and choice-focused approach, it is possible to deliver something that works for everyone.  Once that collaborative approach is combined with the right facilities, accommodation and rest & relaxation offering, we will deliver something truly ground breaking.”

Kay England, Chief Executive of Imago Venues, who will operate the EAC, concludes: “As the operators of the EAC, the Imago Venues’ team will face challenges previously unknown to the hospitality sector.  However, much like the athletes using the facilities our team are amongst the elite in their own field and relish the opportunity to deliver something unique in the market.  We are already seeing high levels of interest from a variety of groups and individuals looking to use the EAC.  From the sales and front of house, through to operations and catering teams, we recognise that a customer centric approach – which we are already known for in our other properties - will be fundamental to the success of the EAC.”

The EAC will open in November 2018.  Bookings and enquiries can be made via 01509 633030 or www.eliteathletecentre.co.uk

The Meetings Show is offering support and providing a forum for visitors to discuss the impact of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), following changes to the law last month.

On 25 May, GDPR – a new regulation requiring businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens – was introduced, but some in the meetings industry have been left uncertain about how it will affect them and how they handle data now and in the future.

With data collection playing an important part in most meetings and events questions now arise about how planners can gather details from delegates, how to store that data and how to use or share it while remaining within the law.

To help arm visitors with the knowledge they need to comply, The Meetings Show, which takes place at Olympia London on 27 and 28 June, is holding an educational session on the subject on Thursday 28 June.

Luke Vile, Cyber Security Operations Director for 2-sec will present GDPR - one month on and how is it affecting our industry? at 11.10am in the Olympia Room.

The hour-long interactive session will aim to bust myths on understanding GDPR and will allow attendees to share their experiences on how they have implemented this regulation to effectively understand the new compliance regulations.

Luke Vile said: "Most organisations struggle with GDPR compliance because they haven't done the basics. The basics will include; have you mapped out your information assets, who has access to data during its lifecycle, and crucially, has any of that been documented?

"Attendees of the 2-sec education session will learn more about the changes and be given tips on becoming compliant for GDPR as well as finding out more about the new legislation will be enforced, the evolution of data privacy and more."

David Chapple, group event director for The Meetings Show, said: “With The Meetings Show taking place one month after GDPR came into force, and with event organisers and meetings professionals from across the globe coming together at the show, we are in a unique position to look at the impact of the regulations and offer support. This is a chance for people to come together and discuss what GDPR means for them, and leave with a better idea of what they need to do going forward.”

The Meetings Show is the UK’s biggest dedicated event for meeting planners and returns to Olympia London on 27 and 28 June. For the full programme of educational sessions and to register to attend visit www.themeetingsshow.com.