London News
CVB Pick of the Week: Mews of Mayfair
Mews is one of Mayfair’s best-kept secrets: a sophisticated four-floor restaurant and bar with an air of exclusivity. Tucked away in a historic courtyard, the converted mews houses offer a venue that’s as smart and stylish as its location – the very heart of Mayfair.
Each of the rooms has a unique character and a touch of eccentricity, making Mews an elegant and unforgettable destination for private events, whether you want to dine, drink or dance.
The Chef’s Private Dining Room, reminiscent of imperial Britain, features stunning antique maps, original beams, a majestic chandelier and prime views of the kitchen. It’s ideal for seated lunch or dinners for up to 28 guests, canapé parties of up to 40, as well as meetings and presentations, with surround sound, wireless internet and a hidden 50” screen.
For a light lunch, an informal business dinner or a private dinner for up to 65 guests, eating at Mews Restaurant is an intimate dining experience, with modern cuisine in a chic and timeless environment. Located next door to Mews, the Art Gallery is the perfect space for receptions, press events or to showcase artwork. The Gallery can accommodate up to 45 guests and is ideal during the summer months. Finally, adajcent to the Art Gallery is La Cave, both a wine boutique and a private dining room seating up to 16 guests for lunch and dinner, or 25 for wine tasting.
To find out more about holding your next event at Mews of Mayfair, contact Event Solutions.
Events industry Tweetup planned for Altitude 360 Black to kick-start Social Media Week
London’s tech savvy events industry will be joining in the worldwide activities of Social Media Week which begins on Monday by attending a Tweetup hosted by Altitude 360 Black.
Held to coincide with Motivation Month, inspirational guest speakers at this event include social media strategist, trainer and international speaker Tiffany St James, who will be talking about creating lasting digital footprints for events using social media.
The organisers have employed the help of art students who will be using the venue’s huge windows to doodle all of the Olympic venues as well as the locations of social savvy businesses in London including Twitter and Facebook. They will be taking doodle requests from guests on the night to draw locations such as their offices.
Designed for event industry professionals who want to learn more and join the social media conversation, these Tweetups bring together like-minded people in a face-to-face environment who are already sharing information and conversing online.
TweetUp organiser Peter Kerwood said: “Social Media week is a fantastic way to explore new forms of global communication. The opportunities of social media are endless and the week celebrates innovative new ideas in the field. It is vital the events industry keeps up with this ever changing social media landscape. These Event Industry TweetUp events will help anyone interested to do just that.”
To attend this free event please RSVP here http://bit.ly/360tweetup2012
Previous London TweetUps have been hosted at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, The Brewery, the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds.
London City Airport wins Wanderlust award
Congratulations to London City Airport for winning the prestigious ’Top UK Airport’ award at the Wanderlust Magazine Travel Awards last week, held at the Destinations Show in Earls Court.
The accolade, voted for by Wanderlust Magazine readers, recognises the airport’s commitment to customer service excellence. The award, presented by the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Lyn Hughes, marks the sixth time City Airport has received this honour, which it won five years in a row from 2006 to 2010. Wanderlust claims this award has exceeded all their previous airport awards, in relation to the number of votes received by its readers.
A delighted Richard Gooding OBE, Chief Executive of London City Airport said: “We are excited to receive this esteemed award and the recognition from this group of discerning travel experts. Winning this accolade is significant to the airport as it is dependent upon the readers’ votes and is truly impartial.”
The launch of more new leisure destinations from London City Airport for the summer season means Wanderlust travellers will have even more reason to use the airport this year.
Central Hall Westminster rolls out red carpet for Laureus World Sports Awards
The Laureus World Sports Awards, hosted by British Hollywood actor Clive Owen, took place at Central Hall Westminster on 6 February.
The ceremony was staged in the 2,000-capacity Great Hall, with the winners chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy.
Novak Djokovic received the top prize of ‘World Sportsman of the Year’, just days after he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. The 24-year-old from Belgrade finished his 2011 season with 70 wins and just six loses.
The title ‘World Sportswoman of the Year’ went to the 28-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot from Kenya for her double victory over 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 2011 World Athletics Championship in Daegu.
There was a touching moment in the ceremony as the legendary Manchester United and England footballer Sir Bobby Charlton was awarded with the ‘Laureus Lifetime Achievement’ in recognition of his remarkable career.
The ‘Team of the Year’ trophy went to Barcelona FC, the ‘Comeback of the Year’ trophy went to Northern Irish golfer Darren Clarke; another golfer, Rory McIlroy, picked up the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ award. The four-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was honoured with the ‘Laureus Disability Award’ and the ‘World Action Sportsperson of the Year’ trophy went to American surfer Kelly Slater.
Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster said: ‘’I am proud that Central Hall Westminster was associated with the Laureus World Sports Awards. It was very humbling to see so many World Champions and Olympic medal winners in one room to support such a good cause. The event itself was a monumental success and I am pleased that we were able to show that we have such a flexible, World Class venue to deliver this event.”
Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London.
Diamond Jubilee concert details announced for Buckingham Palace
Music stars from every decade of Queen Elizabeth’s 60-year reign, ranging from Shirley Bassey to Jessie J, will perform at a concert outside Buckingham Palace in June to celebrate the British monarch’s diamond jubilee.
Organised by Gary Barlow, the concert will take place on 4 June, on a circular stage built around the huge memorial to Queen Victoria that stands in front of the Buckingham Palace gates.
Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Elton John and Annie Lennox are among the veteran rock and pop stars who will take to the stage, while English tenor Alfie Boe and Chinese pianist Lang Lang will bring a classical touch.
Shirley Bassey will represent the older generation along with Sir Cliff Richard. Among the younger acts will be Jessie J, who scored her second UK number one hit with the song ‘Domino’ last month, and boy band JLS, who rose to fame by competing in The X Factor.
A lucky 10,000 guests from across the United Kingdom, chosen at random through an online and postal ballot, will receive free tickets for the concert which they will enjoy from a circular arena built around the stage.
Before the concert, ticket-holders will be invited to a jubilee picnic in the garden of Buckingham Palace.
Applications for tickets can be made through the website www.bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee from today until 2 March.
CVB Pick of the Week: Bateaux London
Bateaux London is one of London’s leading dining experience on the Thames. Fresh food, live entertainment and stunning river views are on offer from two dining vessels, the Symphony and the Naticia.
Enjoy a scheduled lunch, dinner or afternoon tea cruise on board The Symphony, a Parisian boat with elegant appearance; bringing a hint of sophistication while on the river Thames. The Symphony is London’s largest restaurant cruise vessel with an all-glass structure, enabling guests to enjoy the magnificent views of London without any interruption.
Bateaux London’s more traditional vessel the Naticia, featuring a luxurious royal blue and light wood interior, maintains classic charm and creates the perfect atmosphere for guests to indulge and relax whilst experiencing some of the best views of London’s skyline. Bateaux London is the perfect venue and offers a truly magical experience and memorable event.
To find out more about hosting your next event on the Symphony or Naticia, contact Event Solutions.
Theatre box office sales achieve record growth in UK capital
The Society of London Theatre’s 2011 box office figures, show that for an eighth year running, its members’ ticket revenues achieved new record sales of £528,375,874, up 3.1% on a like-for-like basis on 2010.
The figures were announced to coincide with the start of Motivation Month, proving that a trip to the theatre is still a huge draw for groups attending business events in the UK capital.
The growth can in part be attributed to sell-out productions such as the new musical Matilda The Musical (pictured) and the continued success of Les Misérables in its 26th year, as well as the remarkable success of plays in 2011 (revenue up 10% on 2010) including Frankenstein, Much Ado About Nothing, Noises Off, One Man, Two Guvnors, Richard III, War Horse and Jerusalem which had audiences queuing around the block.
2011 saw several of the bigger London venues welcome major new productions such as The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Ghost The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre), Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Matilda The Musical (Cambridge Theatre). This meant several weeks when the theatres were closed to the public whilst installation of these new shows took place leading to an unusually high number of dark weeks (146 in commercial venues, up from 85 in 2010). As a result the overall attendance in the West End (13,915,185) was slightly down compared to 2010, but the average attendance at each performance was up.
Mark Rubinstein, President of the Society of London Theatre, says: “We are extremely proud that our theatres have yet again gone on to achieve another record-breaking year of sales, with many shows announcing record-breaking runs of their own. Despite the prevailing rigours of the economic climate, theatre-goers have acted with their feet and wallets and shown just how much they value a trip to one of our world-class shows. We can confirm buoyant Box Office advances for 2012, a year in which we look forward to welcoming millions more national and international visitors through our theatre doors.”
One Great George Street welcomes two royals with two events on one day
One Great George Street played host to two separate royal events yesterday.
The Westminster venue’s Telford Theatre was the setting for HRH The Prince of Wales, who addressed 240 delegates attending the annual Joint ICE and Halcrow Sustainability Lecture, which examined a variety of themes surrounding civil engineering.
That evening, HRH The Princess Royal hosted the Annual Patrons’ and Corporate Supporters’ reception for RedR – a charity that trains aid workers and provides skilled professionals to humanitarian programmes worldwide.
The reception took place in the Great Hall (pictured), which will also become the main working area for non-accredited press when the venue becomes the London Media Centre during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Motivation Month launches with calendar of events
London & Partners, in conjunction with M&IT magazine has launched Motivation Month, a campaign throughout February in support of the UK-wide Britain for Events initiative.
As part of the month-long campaign a special calendar of events to inspire and motivate the UK capital’s meetings and events industry has been produced and is listed below.
Merlin Entertainment is kick-starting this month of motivational activity with an evening for corporate event planners at Madame Tussauds, where guests are invited to choose their own food, drink and party theme.
General Manager of Merlin Events London, Michael Aldridge says: “It’s time to shake things up a bit, give people the experience they really want. It seems to work quite well for Simon Cowell. Social media is being used pre, during and post event. The party is a must for event organisers to see the power of Social Media in a real setting. I am confident party-goers tonight will be motivated and inspired.”
Another key highlight of Motivation Month will be a free day-long event entitled Mission Motivation, held at Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa on 23 February. It will include fun activities and team building concepts created by motivational experts Motivaction.
Lynette Esposito Director of Sales and Marketing Pestana Hotels & Resorts says: “This is guaranteed to be one site visit you will not forget as industry experts, Motivaction, combine resources with Pestana to showcase and demonstrate outstanding concepts. There has never been a more ideal time to present the theme of motivation and team building to event planners in this 2012 year of challenges”
London & Partners Head of Business Development Europe, Barbara Jamison, who is heading up the campaign, will be sharing her own motivational top tips, best motivational venues and activities to inspire throughout the month.
She says: “We’re delighted to be launching Motivation Month today. We are acutely aware that 2012 is a really key year for London, and that the eyes of the world are on the capital. It’s key for business tourism and event planners that they use this unique year to motivate and really inspire their clients, staff and colleagues but also to share their knowledge. We want to highlight all of the events, activities and new venues on offer both now but also post-Olympic and Paralympic Games – so that there’s a real tangible legacy for the events and business tourism industry.”
Here Jamison starts her top tips below with a new motivational venue which has opened in the London Bridge area:
Brigade
Built in a converted Fire Station building, the Brigade bar and bistro offers the very best in sustainable and ethical cooking courses which make a perfect motivational experience.
The restaurant and bar downstairs offers outstanding seasonal menus, which offer delicacies such Farmer Sharp’s Mutton Pie with Leek and Lavendar Mash, Confit of Packington Farm Pork Belly served with Savoy Cabbage, Treacle Bacon and Pearl Onions or my personal favourite the Pumpkin Crème Brulee served with Jubilee Cherries washed down with a Marmalade Mojito!
But it’s the upstairs, which events planners will really get excited about. A beautifully designed ‘master chef’ like open kitchen offers hands-on team building cookery courses which give guests a chance to not only understand about food sourcing and sustainability but also how to create the most amazing food! As well as the cookery courses the venue also offers a range of London-themed stylish meetings rooms which can host meetings, wine tastings and stunning private dining.
The whole thinking behind Brigade is fresh, sustainable and ethical which is not only truly motivating but also ticks all the boxes for being a CSR friendly and a totally London focused experience. Working with the Beyond Food Foundation, Brigade also offers local vulnerable people catering apprenticeships, giving those tools for a brighter future.
Calendar of Events
1st Feb – Merlin Events – fully booked
Merlin Events will be holding a Carnival theme event tonight which has been chosen entirely by their guests. Partygoers were then asked to select the food and entertainment to enhance the party theme via a survey posted on Twitter, Facebook and a link embedded in the invite.
Over 200 guests voted for their favourite food and entertainment. The results show the three most popular food stations are tortilla, tapas and pad Thai. The chosen mix and mingle act is a Carmen Miranda living table, while a young Dixie Jazz trio will perform reception entertainment. Rio Samba dancers won the votes for the stage show and the cocktail that came out on top is the white rum based Rio Daiquiri.
Partygoers will have the most popular choices at the It’s Your Party showcase on 1st February at Madame Tussauds London. Payne and Gunter will provide the culinary delights, Prelude Entertainment will provide the exciting acts and Grey Hare will bring the carnival atmosphere to life. Guests can follow the party thread on Twitter using the hashtag #Itsyourparty, where latest updates will be tweeted.
16th Feb 2012
‘Gin & Jazz’ in Mayfair – InterContinental London Park Lane
‘Gin & Jazz’ at InterContinental London Park Lane presents an evocative monthly tribute to classic cocktails and the golden age of Jazz in the heart of Mayfair, featuring the acclaimed Benoit Viellefon and his Orchestra exclusively for February. Set in the sumptuous hotel overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the iconic Wellington Arch, the celebration invokes the heyday of hotel revelry. Gin & Jazz is the latest offering from InterContinental London Park Lane delivering on its promise to offer guests an authentic and enriching local experience. Testament to this commitment is InterContinental London Park Lane’s unique ‘Insider Collection’ which provides event planners with the opportunity to enhance their meetings programme with activities and experiences that are rooted in the destination and draw on their expert local knowledge to create truly engaging, motivating meetings and events.
Special Offer: First booking will receive a complimentary drink each and sharing platter for two people
The Arch Bar
InterContinental London Park Lane
Thursday 16th February 2012
7.30pm – 10.00pm
Please contact thearchbar@ihg.com for reservations. For more information visit http://www.ginandjazz.com/
Emirates Stadium tours
Emirates Stadium Events is delighted to be part of Motivation Month and would like to offer the opportunity for the first 10 meeting/event planners to contact Paul Martins via email: pmartins@arsenal.co.uk to participate in a private viewing of our facilities and stadium, ending with a glass of champagne in one of our superb suites overlooking the famous Emirates pitch.
Emirates Stadium is one of the world’s most breathtaking sporting arenas; not only as a pioneering football stadium, but also as a groundbreaking meetings and events venue renowned across the UK and throughout Europe. Boasting an array of versatile, modern and luxurious suites it provides everything you would expect of a stage hosting one of the world’s most successful football clubs, and much more.
To book your free place email: pmartins@arsenal.co.uk
21 Feb – Motivation Roundtable – London & Partners will be hosting a closed roundtable event at its offices to discuss the key messages about Motivation. The event will be filmed but if you have a question you want answering about Motivation during the event then please email ccouchman@londonandpartners.com
21 Feb – ISESTALKS – How to Rock Your Clients Boat
Time: From 18:30 to 21:30
Venue: Beach Blanket Babylon West, 45 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2AA
Our next networking event will be an ISESTALKS entitled How to Rock Your Client’s Boat, taking place at Beach Blanket Babylon, famous for its unique interior design, it is known the world over for its opulence and glamour.
As part of our on-going support of Motivation Month we will be putting together a panel of the industry’s top creative experts.
Time: 6.30pm-9.30pm
Tickets: ISES Members £30, TWC/UVL/MPI Members £37.50, Students £10, Guests £45
http://www.isesuk.org/page.cfm/EMSLinkClick=831_214_185_166276_4957_1887
Landmark London – 22nd February 2012
9am – 11am
In partnership with BW Enterprise, The Landmark London is proud to invite you to a “Motivational breakfast and complimentary world-class customer service training conference.”
Presented by Bryan K. Williams, formerly the Global Corporate Director of Training for the Ritz Carlton Company, you will learn about the seven principles to fully engage your customers. Bryan’s charismatic and energetic presentation will inspire you to create a culture of service excellence, helping you to increase customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and employee motivation.
No matter what industry you are in, you will benefit tremendously from this conference.
When: Wednesday 22nd February 2012 9am – 11am
Please contact: emma.waycot@thelandmark.co.uk (numbers limited)
23 February 2012 – Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Motivaction presents: Mission Motivation – free to attend!
Touch, feel and experience unique events concept and activities to motivate, stimulate and integrate teams.
Never before will you have had the opportunity to view and interact with such outstanding products and tools to support Motivation, Leadership and Team Building event planning. An interactive palm tablet will guide you through a one hour trial, meticulously planned within the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel with industry expert partners, Motivaction.
The event opens at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa on 23rd February between 12p.m. and 6p.m. – available to registered and invited guests only.
To register your interest please email; lynette.esposito@pestana.com
You will see energetic live demonstrations of team building activities professionally designed to support business objectives – such as the synergies between football and business. Games that demonstrate the effectiveness and importance of team communication and inter personal skills. Build and row your very own sporting rowing boat to test your teamwork strengths. Walk through an entire indoor activity park – complete with inflatable arenas, state-of-the-art corporate motivational experiences, and amazing theming ideas for the ultimate ‘London Games challenge’. And no mission would be complete without a fantastic Survivor-style ‘I’m on a team build … get me out of here!’ experience!
You will be hosted by the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Motivation sales teams throughout your trail, concluding the course with an appetising refreshments and chat.
For more information on the Motivaction Group visit www.motivaction.co.uk and Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa on: www.pestana-chelseabridge.co.uk .
Mission Motivation Event takes place at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel, 354 Queenstown Road, Chelsea Bridge Wharf, London SW8 4AE.
To register your interest please email; lynette.esposito@pestana.com
23 February — Site Great Britain – Chapter Meeting and Celebrating Motivation Month 6pm – 8pm
The Site Great Britain Chapter is holding its evening event hosted by the Pestana Chelsea Bridge in partnership with MotivAction. Come and join us to experience part of the “London Games Challege” , enjoy delicious hospitality and find out about how you can become involved with your Site GB Chapter!
The chapter will also be participating in Motivation Month which will last throughout the month of February and bring awareness and support of the Motivational Events industry to the larger community. Registration is free and can be directed to Barbara Jamison at bjamison@londonandpartners.com.
24 Feb - Six Nations Breakfast – Twickenham motivational breakfast
You are invited to experience the pre-match atmosphere at Twickenham Stadium first hand on the eve of the biggest matches of the year.
Join us at 9.30am in the President’s Suite, which offers glorious views of the hallowed turf. Meet our sales team, Executive Chef and AV provider, before breaking-off into small groups for a show-round of the Stadium’s stunning facilities. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a pair of tickets to England vs Barbarians in May.
Dates: Friday 24th February and Friday 16th March 2012.
To confirm your place call us now on 020 8744 9997 or email conferences&events@therfu.com
Sail Royal Greenwich offers Tall Ship hospitality
The Borough of Royal Greenwich will host the inaugural Sail Royal Greenwich from 25 July to 12 August.
Sail Royal Greenwich will feature 16 Tall Ships, which will cruise along the River Thames between the Royal Arsenal Pier, Woolwich, past The North Greenwich Arena and along to Tower Bridge.
The fleet will provide a daily spectacle on the Thames during the Olympics and will arrive together in London in a choreographed parade on 25 July.
Onboard hospitality packages are available for parties ranging from 20 to 200 people. Catering onboard the Tall Ships will be provided by Michelin-starred chefs Richard Corrigan and Ron Blauuw. Menus will be inspired by The British Isles.
Councillor Chris Roberts of The Borough of Royal Greenwich said: “The presence of these stunning Tall Ships on the Thames on such a scale is a celebration of London and Greenwich’s maritime history. Taking place alongside the main Olympic sites these ships provide a great opportunity and viewpoint to showcase London’s best qualities at a time of International focus on the capital.”
For more information on available packages, visit http://www.sailroyalgreenwich.co.uk/
