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CHS Leeds takes place next week with the organisers promising not only one of the newest, innovative, and professional exhibitor floors in the show’s history, but also a packed Education Programme, and networking opportunities galore, with all the care and support for visitors that the show has become known for. The Royal Armouries will host both the main exhibition, on the 23rd April, but also the Welcome Reception the previous evening, which will represent the first in a number of networking opportunities. Throughout the show CHS is also offering other chances for visitors to meet likeminded people, not least through its legendary complimentary lunch. In the meantime, the Educational Programme has been created based on visitor feedback and will deliver a ‘start to finish’ guide to organising an event, presented through the voices of some of the most innovative new thinkers in the industry. The findings from the sessions will also be designed into a compendium, representing a complete guide to event organising, and sent to every visitor at the end of the day. CHS Leeds are also promising the continuation of the event’s care and compassion as it takes the opportunity to once again ‘check in’ on the CHS community and deliver opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally. With this year’s theme built around ‘Loving Life’, and with the industry firing on all cylinders again, this could be one of the most positive events in the industry’s 2024 calendar. “We’ve really invested in the environment, the networking and the education this year and we know our community will be really pleased with the show we’re putting on,” comments Emma Cartmell, CEO & Founder of CHS Leeds. “Our visitors have so much to do and so many enquiries and events to organise. Everything we’ve put together is about giving them the best opportunities to be productive, to learn something new and to love life and live well. It’s going to be a complete experience for them.” CHS Leeds opens its floors, 23rd April, Royal Armouries, Leeds.

Twickenham Stadium’s pitchside stretch tent will return to the west stand for summer 2024, creating a memorable addition to the iconic venue’s vast range of hospitality, conference, meetings, and event spaces. Underneath the extensive canopy in the famous surroundings of the Twickenham Stadium Bowl, event planners can host up to 1,200 guests for all types of events from exclusive awards evenings, dining events, team-building activities, summer soirées, cocktail receptions, and more. To further capture the essence of Twickenham's rugby heritage, pitch-side experiences can be combined with visits to the Players Tunnel and the England Changing Room, the Home of the England Rugby squad on matchdays. The pitchside tent space will be available from 24 June to 2 August, and from 14 August and 30 September 2024. Nils Braude, Managing Director at Twickenham Experience, commented: “Pitchside hospitality at Twickenham Stadium is not just about offering premium amenities; it's about elevating the entire Twickenham experience. It's where the heart of the game meets the warmth of hospitality, immersing our guests in our sporting legacy and creating unforgettable memories." Twickenham’s events offering boasts 34 spaces, including 150 pitchside meeting rooms, and a covered roof terrace for 550 people.

The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel has seen meeting and event bookings soar this year, with a growth of 55% ‘business on the books’ revenue from this time in 2023. The performance follows a £3million modernisation project and the launch of an ambitious new vision and investment plan to elevate the property’s meetings, events, and hospitality offering. The hotel’s growth in M&E can be attributed to the team’s focus on customer service, and specifically, response times. The hotel is currently demonstrating an impressive 19-minute response rate to over 3,900 enquiries over the last 12 months, ranking it among the best of the best in Venue Directory’s listings. A strong pricing strategy and a personalised approach are also key to Mercure’s success, explains Aziza Yessi, Sales Director at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly: “We have a strong pricing strategy in place, which places us correctly in the marketplace and keeps us competitive. We also take a personal approach to our customers, and keen interest in each client’s business, asking the right questions and trying to get to the bottom of the event brief. Our growth in new and repeat business is a testament to our dedicated, passionate, and hard-working teams.” The news follows Mercure’s recent success at the prestigious Aimbridge Hospitality Awards where the property picked up the award for the most improved Accor hotel in EMEA, with a 12.7% increase in performance and guest reputation. VenueVerdict scores are now consistently achieving 9/10, setting the stage for the hotel's goal to attain gold status within the year. Exceptional service has also resulted in a 500% year-on-year increase in positive Google Reviews and an upgrade to 'Preferred Status' on Booking.com.

Hilton Birmingham Metropole has been awarded the Gold ECOsmart status, which recognises organisations that demonstrate their comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability and meet the required standards. To achieve Gold status, the team at Hilton Birmingham Metropole showed evidence of the advanced steps it took to achieve a wide range of eco-focused actions. In line with Hilton’s ESG strategy Travel with Purpose and as a hotel, Hilton Birmingham Metropole’s ESG policy has evolved significantly as it continues to explore ways to create a positive influence on its Team Members, its communities and the planet. Some of the hotel’s sustainable initiatives include:o Digital Key – ensures a frictionless check-in experience by enabling travellers to bypass the front desk, choose their room and unlock their room door directly from their phone with no plastic keys required. In 2022 alone, the use of Digital Key reduced plastic consumption by 92 tons across Hilton hotels globallyo LightStay reporting – Hilton’s award-winning ESG measurement system, helping the hotel track watts, water and waste data and informing guests of the hotel’s performanceo Meeting Impact Calculator – providing event organisers with insights about their meeting’s energy and water use, as well as waste diversion and offsetting the carbon footprinto Menu carbon labelling – carbon emissions labelling is available on all menus to help inspire guests to make more informed food choiceso Locally-sourced supplies – catering supplies draw on local businesses wherever possible, including cheese supplier H&B in Worcestershire, meat products from local butcher Aubrey Allan and hand-crafted premium ales from Solihull distillery Sillhill Brewery. “We take our responsibility to our people and our planet very seriously and are delighted to be recognised for our continuous efforts. In the past few years we have significantly invested in our ESG-focused initiatives and are excited to continue to build on our commitment, with ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond” said Nicola Underhill, General Manager, Hilton Birmingham Metropole. ECOsmart by Greengage is a business travel and events industry certification that recognisesorganisations who can demonstrate a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability within their business and who promote a green approach with their clients.

Strata, the award-winning brand experience agency, has appointed Caroline Lumgair Wiseman as Group Head of Strategic Meeting Solutions, a new position created to develop Strata’s Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) offering.Lumgair Wiseman has specifically been tasked with helping Strata to build a stronger meetings management proposition to directly meet client demand. In her new role, she will draw upon her extensive experience in global venue sourcing, event management, and high-end experience design, advising clients on all aspects of event strategy and working within the wider group, devising future growth plans.Simon Hambley, CEO of Strata, said of Lumgair Wiseman’s appointment: “Caroline is a well-known and respected figure to many in the industry and I’m delighted she’s chosen to join Strata. She has considerable experience in the world of events, which I have no doubt she will bring to Strata at such an important time for the business.”Hambley continued: “Strata has long held the ambition to be in the Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) space, supporting clients such as Allergan and Dentons with their global programmes helping them to make the most effective use of their spend and resources on their meetings and events programming. Caroline's global experience, industry connections and entrepreneurial mindset enable us to put all the right elements in place to operate in this space, on a global scale.”On her appointment, Lumgair Wiseman said: “I have a huge amount of respect for Simon and all that he and his team have achieved at Strata. Ambitious plans are in place for future growth and I’m honoured to be included in the team and excited to get to work to help deliver on those goals. I’m looking forward to collaborating and contributing to the ongoing success and evolution of Strata, as the company continues to excel in this innovative industry.”

The Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford picked up the much-coveted ‘Hotel Top Team of the Year’ award last week at the Manchester Hoteliers Association Annual Awards, whilst two members of the team were recognised individually.The Manchester Hoteliers Association Awards are a celebration of Manchester’s bustling hospitality scene, capitalising on the city’s growing international stature, and its increasing profile as a centre of excellence for meetings and events. At the same time, the awards recognised the unique achievements of Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford, which, on top of completing the expansion project, delivered beyond expectations, both in terms of its business performance and customer satisfaction. The hotel operated at record levels of occupancy (80%, including the new rooms) and revenue, with more guests visiting the hotel than previous years.The venue, which announced the completion of a £75m investment project, including an extension to 250 state-of-the-art bedrooms, last year, also gained recognition in two other individual categories at the awards.The hotel has already carved out a unique position in Manchester’s hotel market, with half the rooms offering pitch facing balconies, in what is widely seen as one of the most stunning bedroom views in the city. The additional room space, which complemented the venue’s already highly respected meetings and events business, spurred the businesses positioning as Destination Emirates Old Trafford and supported its contribution of £22.5 million to the local economy, over the course of 2023.Daniel Gidney, Lancashire Cricket Chief Executive, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our hotel team at Emirates Old Trafford and what a thoroughly deserving award it is.“2023 was always going to be the busiest year our Hilton Garden Inn has ever had. Not only did the venue host an Ashes Test Match, Lancashire men’s and women’s teams and The Hundred, two Arctic Monkey concerts and a hugely busy Conference & Event year, we extended the hotel by a further 100 bedrooms and launched a new restaurant, event and hospitality space, The Edge. The hotel extension was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule and, without the great teamwork and spirit that this team possess, we would not have been able to deliver the year that we did. It was a phenomenal effort from the whole team.“Our off-field business continues to thrive, and the hotel is a hugely important part of that. This year, for the first time in the Club’s 160-year history, the hotel will generate more revenue that Emirates Old Trafford hosting international fixtures.“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our hotel staff for their hard work throughout the year, and we look forward to another record year in 2024.”The award judges also added: “…the team not only operate well as a hotel unity, but as a part of the greater entity of Lancashire Cricket Club. Having to learn new working practices in a hotel that has increased its capacity and hospitality space overnight and hitting the ground running to deliver the additional events they had on, is a testament to their team ethos and attitude.”As well as the Hotel Top Team of the Year award, The Hilton Garden Inn, Emirates Old Trafford, was also recognised in two individual awards. Caitlin Shaw was awarded a One to Watch Certificate in the Rising Star category, while and Ian Platt was a finalist in the Front of House Customer Service award.

Visitor registration is now open for The Meetings Show 2024, the UK’s leading event that brings together the world’s meetings and events community. Returning to ExCeL London on 19 and 20 June, The Meetings Show will give event planners the opportunity to meet with hundreds of global suppliers under one roof and enhance their industry knowledge and professional development through thought-provoking educational sessions. This year’s show will feature a broad spectrum of exhibitors from across the meetings and events sector and world, including destinations, destination management companies, hotels, conference centres, venues, and technology suppliers. Confirmed for 2024 are Q Hotels, Handpicked Hotels, Visit Wales and many more from the UK, while international suppliers include the Greek National Tourist Board, Meet Boston, Istanbul CVB, Zimbabwe Tourism, Malaysia Conference and Exhibition Bureau, Visit Finland, Westin Grand Frankfurt & Hamburg, Atout France and Estonia CVB. Exhibiting for the first time is STAR Your World, which will be joined by its DMC partners, while Banff & Lake Louise is a new destination for 2024 and can be found in the Canada Pavilion alongside Calgary Convention Centre, Meet Edmonton, Destination Vancouver, and Air Canada. This year’s soon to be announced knowledge programme, curated in partnership with The Attendee Experience Company (atex), will include 28 sessions across four key themes – Inform, Inspire, Innovate and Impact. Each session will ensure visitors leave the show feeling enriched with knowledge they didn’t know they needed, empowered to think, connect, plan and live differently, alongside innovation to do and be better and connections with relevant industry colleagues. The show will also provide ample opportunities for networking, helping visitors to catch up with industry peers and make new connections. Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director, Northstar Meetings Group, said: “We’re excited to open registration for this year’s show, which will provide a wealth of educational and networking opportunities for visitors as well as the chance to update their industry knowledge and meet with a broad range of suppliers from across the globe. The Meetings Show will yet again offer unrivalled access to the best hotels, venues, tourism boards, DMCs and other industry suppliers, all in one place.” There are various ways to register to attend The Meetings Show 2024, which will be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show.  To find out more about the buyer, hosted buyer and visitor registrations options, visit: https://www.themeetingsshow.com/register

The annual CHS Leeds Welcome Reception will take place at the Royal Armouries this year, for the first time bringing the host venue for the exhibition and the pre-event networking under one roof.The Welcome Reception has become a key part of the Hosted Buyer and Exhibitor experience. From the moment buyers and exhibitors’ step into Leeds, the event provides everyone with an opportunity to develop new industry relationships and to catch up with existing colleagues, ahead of the business day of the exhibition.Also, this year, and from previous event feedback from buyers and exhibitors, the format has been adapted to allow for more networking and conversation. The Tournament and War Galleries at the Royal Armouries will provide the exclusive backdrop to the event. A rare chance to wander after hours, through years of history with industry colleagues.The Royal Armouries will showcase their diverse variety of event spaces, the largest dedicated conference, events and exhibition space in Leeds, but also their reception and evening event product. The venue has stylish bars and seating areas, wooden panelling and contemporary lighting, fixtures and fittings that will add further character to the Welcome Reception.“We’re really grateful to the team at the Royal Armouries, who continue to provide the very best support to our event, and who are once again underlining how welcome this event, and our visitors, are in Leeds,” comments Michelle Rennoldson, Event Director.“Our event could not be coming at a better time, and there is a real focus this year on giving our Hosted Buyers as much time as possible with our exhibition partners. Its why everyone is here, and the Welcome Reception is a great time to get these conversations started.”

As Oracle Red Bull Racing embarks on its 20th season in Formula One as reigning Constructors’ Champions following a dominant year, it also has much to celebrate within its event business at the Red Bull Technology Campus. The Team has enjoyed enormous growth in its Milton Keynes-based home and corporate events venue, MK-7, with 2023 seeing a 40% year-on-year increase on venue hire and 46% for factory tours.2024 looks set to build on those figures, with a 52% increase in revenue for confirmed events in Q1, in contrast to January – March 2022.Since launching in 2019, MK-7 has offered corporate clients and their guests the chance to go behind scenes of the high-adrenaline and fast paced world of F1. Its central auditorium houses the Team’s collection of race cars dating back to 2005 and is complemented with a boardroom and mezzanine. Named in tribute to its Buckinghamshire home, MK-7 offers a unique setting for brand activations, receptions, dinners, conferences, and intimate meetings.In 2024, the Team will continue to enhance its offering by expanding factory tour open days to fans and corporate guests, delivering six hosted live race screenings across the season, and developing new offerings including ‘Train Like an F1 driver,’ teambuilding activities including ‘Build a Nose Cone,’ and guest speakers on exciting topics of ‘Innovation Without Fear’ and ‘Rapid Product Development through Digital Testing and Prototyping’.The Team’s Director of Events and Hospitality, Nick Kenton said: “While we’re delighted to see the popularity and success of MK-7, it’s vital that we continue to evolve our offering and provide first class experiences that are synonymous with our brand.”

Lime Venue Portfolio have agreed a partnership with Stress Matters that will see the organisation develop a series of toolkits, workshops, and learning resources that will encourage better experiences for delegates. The resources will be aimed at better catering to guests who are neurodivergent and to both celebrate and support inclusivity in event spaces. The announcement comes as we enter Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18th – 24th March) and comes following feedback gathered through Lime Venue Portfolio’s Meeting of the Future research. The campaign data showed clear signs that the industry could be more welcome to a wider range of participants, and identified a range of ways that the environment could be adjusted to ensure that all guests are considered and are able to participate. Lime Venue Portfolio have since been working with Stress Matters to create a learning-based partnership that will at first train and workshop key members of the group’s senior leadership, but then share helpful resources and advice that the brand will disseminate across its 80+ venue partners. The aim is to ensure that event planners using Lime Venue Portfolio venues both have access to intelligent, professional advice, but also practical solutions on how they can collaborate to best suit the needs of every delegate. “This year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week is once again all about celebrating diversity and being able to openly discuss and address what is still often a taboo subject,” comments Laura Capell-Abra, Stress Matters. “It’s great to see larger brands like Lime Venue Portfolio being brave enough to take on the subject, but also caring enough to want to make a difference. They work with dozens of venues but also some major event organisers across the UK and they can make a real difference. We’re really pleased with this partnership.” “We’ve known the team at Stress Matters for some time and have always been supporters of what they do to combat the subject of mental health and wellbeing within the events industry,” comments Jo Austin, Sales Director, Lime Venue Portfolio. “This is an area we’re incredibly interested in, and passionate about, but it needs trained, expert, and professional insight. We’re really pleased to be partnering with Stress Matters to guide us through it.”