Guest Editor - Craig Wallace
Another busy season is upon us after what is a (too!) short break for most people in August. Its been a hectic year for the team of One Wimpole Street and there is of course, much more to come.
With the first of our industry technology masterclass briefings happening in September, we hope to see some of you here on the 15th to catch up on the changing face of our industry. Future topics are sure to include social media, the advent mobile technology, and tips on how to use these powerful tools to your advantage.
There’s lots to talk about in this issue with new faces joining the team and a lot of great offers for October 2011. We look forward to you catching up with us soon. Try to keep up! :)
FREE Interactive Technology Masterclass at One Wimpole Street
The “Hello? I’m in a conference!” – FREE Breakfast Briefing series kicks off with interactive technology masterclass.
On 15 September 2011, 8am—10am, we’re hosting our first ‘Sunny-side up’ Breakfast Briefing, free of charge for event organisers, in our interactive Main Lecture Theatre.
Forget the “switch phones off” rule if you’re holding a conference designed to engage, educate and inspire working professionals. One Wimpole Street believes the most engaging way to communicate with your delegates is to interact with them using the technology they’re familiar with – video, smartphones, iPads and interactive audience participation - and to allow them to interact with their own social networks while they're watching.
Join charismatic technology evangelist and published author Ioannis Pantelidis, professor of Hospitality at the University of Brighton, as he bites into the juicy debate about the dramatic step-change in attitudes towards technology in business and education, talking particularly about the hospitality and event management sector and its growth as a result of targeted social media marketing strategies.
“Conference delegates want buzz, they want innovation and they want interactivity. I’m going to guide you into the world of consumer behavioural research, communications culture shift and the social media minefield,” says Pantelidis, who will be looking to gauge audience attitudes to technology in the workplace, its use in marketing and the changing balance between work and home life.
Technology has changed the way we do business and event organisers, bookers, consultants and agencies should be attending if they want to learn more about how smartphones, iPads, laptops and other interactive tools, like our unique audience response voting system, can transform the impact and value to delegates of conferencing and meetings. Want delegates to 'tweet' about your event on Twitter, or post links on their Facebook news feed? Then you need to work with a venue that supports social media network access and provides free WiFi.
Second speaker Stephen Minall, owner and director of foodservice and retail brand and product solutions developer Moving Food Ltd, will bring the concept of multimedia-rich communications to life as he talks about the unrivalled engagement techniques video communication, QR codes and mobile data capture are having on brand consumption, nonetheless in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) sector.
“This event provides a unique opportunity for companies to absorb intelligence on tried-and-tested targeting of consumer markets, particularly ‘Gen Y’ (born in 1980s and ‘90s) consumers who are completely absorbed in social media and interactive content.”
This seminar on 15 September will be the first in a series of three events held throughout 2011/2012 to encourage the event industry to visit One Wimpole Street and share expertise and knowledge within their sector.
If you are interetsed in attending these unique and informative sessions,click here to register
October offers
Trick or Treat
Are you thinking of booking a meeting, event or conference in October? Book it before the end of September and we’ll trick or treat you to a surprise gift! If you fancy indulging opt for a treat. If you have a sense of humour and fancy a bit of a joke then be brave and opt for a trick! The choice is yours.
Simply quote ‘Trick or Treat’ when you book your event and as long as you’re based in the UK and your event is for a minimum of 20 delegates then your Halloween surprise will be on its way to you.
To book your event and claim your Trick or Treat, please contact the events team now on 0207 290 2951 or email conference@rsm.ac.uk
Exclusive Free Trial Membership of the Royal Society of Medicine
available if you reply before the end of September 2011
We want you to find out more about the RSM and how you and your company could benefit from a closer relationship. To whet your appetite we’re proving an opportunity to sample the benefits you would get as an individual Associate or Corporate Member for one month.
Here’s what you’ll be able to sample:
• Great meeting place for a catch up with colleagues or friends in our lounge just behind Oxford Street
• Lounge and buttery all have free Wi Fi access so you can continue to work whilst enjoying a tea/coffee in relaxing surroundings
• All day menu offering with our buttery offering – from bacon sarnies through to afternoon tea and pre theatre suppers
• Access our 3 member only private dining rooms – no hire charge but superb setting for lunch or dinner for up to 24 people. (Available until end of September)
• Members’ restaurant serving excellent seasonal menus at competitive prices – you can join us with guests for a cooked breakfast, working lunch or relaxing evening meal
This opportunity to sample the private club facilities for the next month is available when you contact membership@rsm.ac.uk quoting “WSNews”. We’ll then provide you with details about how you can apply for ongoing membership of the Society.
When you visit we’ll also welcome you to the RSM and give you your temporary membership card and introduce you to the member facilities.
You can also join us and have ongoing access to these facilities and much more - either at an individual level (Senior Associate membership is just £162 a year) or corporate level (entry level is £1300 a year) – as a member you receive invitations to exclusive events, use of our library, discounted rates when staying at Chandos House and as a corporate member discounts when hiring our facilities.
Any questions please contact janice.liverseidge@rsm.ac.uk our Membership Director or call her on 020 7290 3930.
Register today for your free trial. Membership is open to all with healthcare interests. More
Olympic Security
It is without doubt that the recent riots in London won’t be forgotten in a hurry but how will this affect the Olympic Games in just under a year’s time? Concern has certainly been raised over security and safety measures, and while the organising committee LOCOG and the Department for Media, Culture and Sport claim they have “every confidence in security planning”, London is being viewed by many as ‘unsafe’.
A recent poll* conducted by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry also raises concern as 83 per cent of businesses believe that London’s commercial reputation will suffer and 73 per cent believe that the riots have sparked fear of unrest during the Olympic Games next year.
Commenting on the results, Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the LCCI said: "These figures highlight the fact that the riots could not come at a worse time for the capital. With the Olympics only a year away, the eyes of the world were already turning to London and unfortunately the events of the last few days are what international audiences have seen."
Despite this, the International Olympic Committee says it remains confident that the 2012 London Olympics will be secure despite the riots and believes that tourism will not be affected.
It seems too early to anticipate the long-term cost and implications the UK riots will have on the 2012 London Olympic Games, especially within the hospitality industry. Negative publicity could mean those considering coming to the UK for the Olympic Games think twice, but Britain does otherwise benefit from a strong and positive image, which should not be forgotten.
As is the nature of the press and wider media, the interest in the riots as headline news may soon fade and the talk and hype surrounding our Olympic athletes can come to the fore, to the benefit of UK tourism and 2012 Olympic success.
NB. *The Chamber of Commerce and Industry poll consisted of 134 businesses and was conducted by ComRes from 9 - 10 August. The survey results can be seen in full here.
AV Cultural Forum meeting
One Wimpole Street is delighted to be hosting the annual Audio Visual Cultural Forum meeting on 19th September 2011. The event offers the opportunity for audio visual (AV) managers from libraries, museums, colleges and societies, like the Royal Society of Medicine, to discuss current AV technology and consider ways to improve services by swapping information, personal experiences and new ideas.
One Wimpole Street is continually looking to improve their AV services and through collaboration with other AV teams, the forum has proven to be very useful over the past few years.
If you would like to attend the Audio Visual Cultural Forum please contact Kevin McLoughlin
.JPG)
.jpg)
Two new members to our growing team
One Wimpole Street and Chandos House, both home to the Royal Society of Medicine, welcome two exceptional additions to their team, as they announce the recent appointment of Amy Cracknell, events account manager and Keeley O’Mahony, sales executive.
Amy previously working at the Royal Automobile Club as a banqueting & weddings co-ordinator, assisting members and royalty with all their requirements, where she gained hands on experience in the events world. Most recently, Amy worked for the Crowne Plaza London City Hotel as a meetings & events sales executive where she pro-actively sold meeting and event space, strengthening her sales skills, as well as organising top account events, polishing her attention-to-detail and organisational flair.
Amy says: “I am incredibly excited to become part of the One Wimpole Street and Chandos House team. Both venues offer excellent facilities, an enviable location and the AV facilities in the lecture theatres are the best I have seen since I started working in London. From the experiences I have gained through my previous roles within the industry, I believe the key to success comes down to great team work and communication which I look forward to not just contributing to but becoming an intricate part of.”
Keeley O’Mahony, having studied at Roehampton University and graduated with a degree in media and cultural studies, began her career at The Penthouse No.1, Leicester Square as an events and marketing manager. Here Keeley managed high profile events such as premier parties, product and press launches, dinners, conferences, screenings and receptions.
Keeley says: “I wanted to work for The Royal Society of Medicine’s two stunning central London’s Venues, One Wimpole Street and Chandos House as it is a rare opportunity to work within such an established, well known and well respected company. Both venues are incredibly unique and finished to a very high quality. Also, given the fact that they are Hospitality Assured accredited, clients are guaranteed a truly outstanding level of service which means I can sell an event experience, not just a room. Attention to detail, outstanding service with a smile and staff who are willing to go the extra mile are all key to ensure an event is successful but a truly outstanding venue is also incredibly important and I am lucky enough to have all of this to offer clients.”
Keeley has brought with her an array of fresh ideas as well as a wealth of clients for evening events, something which Keeley will focus on to help continue the outstanding success of both One Wimpole Street and Chandos House.