Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has become an official Charity Partner to Meeting Needs, as part of the hotel’s strategy to give back to the events community. The annual donations of Charity Partners make it possible for Meeting Needs – a registered charity set up by leading industry figures 21 years ago – to support vital charitable projects in the UK and around the world, making a significant impact on local communities. The funding helps to ensure Meeting Needs can continue to support applications for grants from charities changing lives in local communities. The hotel has recently been awarded the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) 'Aim Secure' accreditation, a prestigious recognition for excellence in business meetings and event spaces. This accreditation, given by mia – the trade association for business meetings and events – reflects the venue's dedication to diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment, as well as the quality of its meeting and event facilities and compliance with legislation.Over the past year, the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has undergone significant transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms and the reception area. Additional investment projects are in progress, including an overhaul of the hotel’s premier event spaces, ensuring the property continues to enhance its meetings and events offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for guests. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Partners as a Meeting Needs Charity Partner, commented Chris Parnham, Chair of Meeting Needs. “The annual donations that our Charity Partners make help us to award grants to small charities that find it so hard to raise funds and awareness. We look for a long and rewarding partnership.” Andrew Krawec, General Manager of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, commented: “Partnering with Meeting Needs is a significant step in our commitment to giving back to the events community. We are proud to support an organisation that has been a pillar in the industry for over two decades and aligns with our values. “It is also a honour to add a mia accreditation to our collection of accolades. We take great pride in maintaining excellence in every aspect of our services at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly and this stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences throughout our property.”
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has become an official Charity Partner to Meeting Needs, as part of the hotel’s strategy to give back to the events community.
The annual donations of Charity Partners make it possible for Meeting Needs – a registered charity set up by leading industry figures 21 years ago – to support vital charitable projects in the UK and around the world, making a significant impact on local communities. The funding helps to ensure Meeting Needs can continue to support applications for grants from charities changing lives in local communities.
The hotel has recently been awarded the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) 'Aim Secure' accreditation, a prestigious recognition for excellence in business meetings and event spaces. This accreditation, given by mia – the trade association for business meetings and events – reflects the venue's dedication to diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment, as well as the quality of its meeting and event facilities and compliance with legislation.
Over the past year, the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has undergone significant transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms and the reception area. Additional investment projects are in progress, including an overhaul of the hotel’s premier event spaces, ensuring the property continues to enhance its meetings and events offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for guests.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Partners as a Meeting Needs Charity Partner, commented Chris Parnham, Chair of Meeting Needs. “The annual donations that our Charity Partners make help us to award grants to small charities that find it so hard to raise funds and awareness. We look for a long and rewarding partnership.”
Andrew Krawec, General Manager of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, commented: “Partnering with Meeting Needs is a significant step in our commitment to giving back to the events community. We are proud to support an organisation that has been a pillar in the industry for over two decades and aligns with our values.
“It is also a honour to add a mia accreditation to our collection of accolades. We take great pride in maintaining excellence in every aspect of our services at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly and this stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences throughout our property.”
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Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has become an official Charity Partner to Meeting Needs, as part of the hotel’s strategy to give back to the events community. The annual donations of Charity Partners make it possible for Meeting Needs – a registered charity set up by leading industry figures 21 years ago – to support vital charitable projects in the UK and around the world, making a significant impact on local communities. The funding helps to ensure Meeting Needs can continue to support applications for grants from charities changing lives in local communities. The hotel has recently been awarded the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) 'Aim Secure' accreditation, a prestigious recognition for excellence in business meetings and event spaces. This accreditation, given by mia – the trade association for business meetings and events – reflects the venue's dedication to diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment, as well as the quality of its meeting and event facilities and compliance with legislation.Over the past year, the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has undergone significant transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms and the reception area. Additional investment projects are in progress, including an overhaul of the hotel’s premier event spaces, ensuring the property continues to enhance its meetings and events offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for guests. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Partners as a Meeting Needs Charity Partner, commented Chris Parnham, Chair of Meeting Needs. “The annual donations that our Charity Partners make help us to award grants to small charities that find it so hard to raise funds and awareness. We look for a long and rewarding partnership.” Andrew Krawec, General Manager of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, commented: “Partnering with Meeting Needs is a significant step in our commitment to giving back to the events community. We are proud to support an organisation that has been a pillar in the industry for over two decades and aligns with our values. “It is also a honour to add a mia accreditation to our collection of accolades. We take great pride in maintaining excellence in every aspect of our services at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly and this stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences throughout our property.”
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has become an official Charity Partner to Meeting Needs, as part of the hotel’s strategy to give back to the events community. The annual donations of Charity Partners make it possible for Meeting Needs – a registered charity set up by leading industry figures 21 years ago – to support vital charitable projects in the UK and around the world, making a significant impact on local communities. The funding helps to ensure Meeting Needs can continue to support applications for grants from charities changing lives in local communities. The hotel has recently been awarded the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) 'Aim Secure' accreditation, a prestigious recognition for excellence in business meetings and event spaces. This accreditation, given by mia – the trade association for business meetings and events – reflects the venue's dedication to diversity and inclusion, environmental protection, maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment, as well as the quality of its meeting and event facilities and compliance with legislation.Over the past year, the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has undergone significant transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms and the reception area. Additional investment projects are in progress, including an overhaul of the hotel’s premier event spaces, ensuring the property continues to enhance its meetings and events offerings and deliver exceptional experiences for guests. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Partners as a Meeting Needs Charity Partner, commented Chris Parnham, Chair of Meeting Needs. “The annual donations that our Charity Partners make help us to award grants to small charities that find it so hard to raise funds and awareness. We look for a long and rewarding partnership.” Andrew Krawec, General Manager of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, commented: “Partnering with Meeting Needs is a significant step in our commitment to giving back to the events community. We are proud to support an organisation that has been a pillar in the industry for over two decades and aligns with our values. “It is also a honour to add a mia accreditation to our collection of accolades. We take great pride in maintaining excellence in every aspect of our services at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly and this stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences throughout our property.”
Lime Venue Portfolio is set to release the third and final edition of its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Event Planning Guide series, with the ‘G’ Guide making its debut at The Meetings Show.
The comprehensive guides, released over the past year, address each element of ESG, offering practical frameworks for member venues and event organisers. The ‘E’ (Environmental) Guide was launched in November at the Event Sustainability Live, followed by the ‘S’ (Social) Guide at International Confex. Together, these resources form part of Lime Venue Portfolio’s wider commitment to advancing sustainability, social value, and long-term event legacies across the sector.
As part of this campaign, Lime Venue Portfolio will host its signature Roundtable sessions with event agency leaders at The Meetings Show, which runs from 25-26 June. A key highlight will be the ‘Governance: The Final Frontier in ESG’ session, which will delve into themes from the guide and discuss how the industry can demonstrate genuine progress through governance tools such as auditing, reporting, and compliance.
Jo Austin, Conference & Event Sustainability Lead at Compass UK&I and Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio, commented: “This series is about equipping organisers with tangible tools – from food waste reduction templates to guidance on communicating sustainability achievements. We believe these guides can drive real change across the events landscape.”
Delegates at The Meetings Show will be among the first to access the ‘G’ Guide and speak with Lime Venue Portfolio’s team about the complete ESG series. Following the event, the guide will also be available for public download via the content hub at www.limevenueportfolio.com.
The crew of Coastal Cruises Poole vessel Fortuna sprang into action today when two paddleboarders got into difficulty in the fast-moving waters of the Swash Channel, just outside Poole Harbour.
The incident occurred during the Poole – Swanage Jurassic Coast Cruise when Fortuna’s captain spotted the individuals struggling to stay afloat and clearly in distress. Responding without hesitation, the vessel’s crew coordinated swiftly with Solent Coastguard to initiate a rescue.
Thanks to the quick-thinking and professional conduct of Captain Jamie Moysey, Crew Luke Johnson, and Chris Furniss, both paddleboarders were brought safely onboard Fortuna and returned to shore unharmed.
“This is a perfect example of the high level of vigilance and seamanship our crews maintain at all times,” said Carol Scott, Managing Director at Coastal Cruises Poole. “We are extremely proud of Jamie, Luke, and Chris for their calm, capable handling of what could have been a very serious situation.”
This event underscores the vital role that commercial passenger vessels and trained crews can play in supporting marine safety in busy harbour areas.
Hilton Cambridge City Centre’s head chef, Ermal Cani has been crowned one of the winners of the Passion For Plating 2025 Aviko MasterChef competition, showcasing extraordinary culinary creativity and skill in one of the industry's most prestigious events.
Originally from Albania, chef Ermal discovered his passion for cooking after moving to the UK in 2000, transforming a hobby into a career through dedication and experience. Having worked at renowned establishments such as Hilton Hotels and Marco Pierre White restaurants, he has built a reputation for innovation and excellence. Currently, he serves as the executive head chef at Bull & Bass Restaurant, located within Hilton Cambridge City Centre, where he leads a team of 17 culinary professionals. His expertise in Mediterranean, Asian, and fusion cuisines shines
through in every dish, combining the finest ingredients from land and sea to create bold, mouth-watering flavors. Bull & Bass offers a diverse à la carte menu, alongside seasonal specials and its signature monthly Friday Supper Clubs, featuring Tanzanian nights, Surf & Turf, and seasonal-themed experiences, all designed to bring exciting global flavors to the heart of Cambridge.
Reflecting on his journey in the competition, chef Ermal highlighted the Dish Mystery Box challenge as his personal favourite. Given a selection of eight market ingredients, he crafted a charcoal-grilled cauliflower steak with a green peppercorn sauce, accompanied by vegan Aviko gratins. The challenge required instinctive creativity and quick thinking—qualities that define his approach to culinary artistry.
"Creating dishes that leave a lasting impression is what drives my passion for cooking. Seeing guests enjoy and appreciate the flavours I put together is the most rewarding part of the job," said Ermal Cani, head chef, Hilton Cambridge City Centre.
As part of his achievement, chef Ermal has been invited to Aviko HQ from October 14th to 16th, where he will tour their factory and gain deeper insights into their innovative food production. His remarkable success has also earned him an interview with Euronews Albania, further cementing his status as an emerging leader in the culinary industry.
The Passion For Plating competition, held annually, celebrates chefs who push the boundaries of creativity and excellence in plating. With this prestigious win, chef Ermal continues to inspire the next generation of culinary artists while redefining the dining experience for his guests.
Hilton Cambridge City Centre is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
Hilton Cambridge City Centre is celebrating a remarkable achievement after securing two prestigious accolades at the SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2025.
The hotel was honoured with the Gold Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), recognising its exceptional commitment to responsible business practices and creating positive social and environmental impact. This award highlights organisations that prioritise sustainability, community engagement, and ethical operations—areas in which Hilton Cambridge City Centre has shown ongoing leadership.
In addition, the hotel received the Silver Award for Hospitality Business of the Year, a category that celebrates hospitality organisations delivering consistently outstanding service, exceeding guest expectations, and building lasting customer relationships. The award spans across a range of hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and event companies.
These accolades are a testament to the team’s dedication to excellence in both guest experience and corporate responsibility. Hilton Cambridge City Centre continues to set high standards in the region’s hospitality sector, and this recognition reflects the hard work and passion of the entire team.
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