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The QEII Centre has conducted research to reveal what trainers really want when sourcing a venue to host inspired learning.

Turning up to find a training room is the wrong size, badly lit and set up incorrectly are the three biggest frustrations shared by training providers booking venues for their courses.

Bad acoustics, a limited choice of refreshments and failing IT were also high up on the list of pet hates among trainers, research by leading London events venue The QEII Centre has found.

With an increasing number of training courses set to take place at meetings and event venues when lockdown restrictions lift, venues need to know how best to cater for providers and their delegates in order to capitalise on this growing area.

According to the results of the survey of more than 500 professionals responsible for delivering training, the way to create the perfect environment for learning is to give delegates access to fresh air and provide an inspiring view.

Offering a modern well-decorated room with the ability to adjust the temperature were also favourable features.

And to stimulate effective learning, layout is key, the research found. There has not been a shift towards more radical approaches as just 3% believe asking delegates to stand for a session is the most effective format. Instead, the equally most popular room set ups to engage delegates were the more traditional table groups with chairs facing forward, or enough room to sit as well as facilitate group working, which was closely followed by a horseshoe of tables with chairs.

While clocks on the wall serving as a constant reminder of the time were a low priority, trainers said a schedule for pre-determined breaks with catering served in a separate room is the best way to keep delegates fuelled. This was preferable to flexible breaks where refreshments are ready in the room for when energy levels dip.

The quality of catering should also be a high consideration of venues hosting training courses. When trainers were asked to describe their worst experience when delivering a training session, many said the food left a lot to be desired.  ‘Poor quality’, ‘not enough to boost energy levels’ and ‘lack of choice for veggies’ were some of the answers.

Power cuts, IT glitches, and noises outside the meeting room were also referenced by many trainers as contributing to their worst experiences of holding courses at external venues.

Diane Waldron, sales and marketing director at the QEII said: “The pandemic has created many changes within employment and as a result, many people are now looking to re-train, or brush up on skills to return to, or start in a new workplace.

“Our research shows that 40% of training professionals use external venues for more than half of all courses they run and an even higher percentage – 91% – claim that holding their training event off-site is either essential or helpful, so clearly there is likely to be a growing demand for venues with facilities to host training courses as lockdown measures begin to ease.

“This insight into the needs of professional trainers and their thoughts on environmental factors that are more conducive to learning than others will therefore be valuable to those looking to book or run face-to-face training and development courses.

“The QEII Centre has a wealth of experience in holding training sessions, conferences and other events where learning is central to the cause and our team will listen closely to training providers to be able to advise on the best space, room-set up and facilities relating to each client’s needs.”

Vue West End is very much ready to welcome back guests for show-stopping events from 17 May 2021.

During the last few months, the venue has been making sure that the nine-screen cinema equipped with recliner seating, Dolby Atmos sound and a private bar is clean, safe and compliant.

Having invested in developing comprehensive technology for cross-site streaming over the past five years across 90 different sites, Vue is well ahead of the game when it comes to delivering high standard hybrid events.

Over the last few weeks, Vue West End has seen a large uptake in enquiries to host a number of award ceremonies: Superheroes Outstanding Accomplishments on the Big Screen. At Vue, the team understands the importance of value and recognition for the hard work that people have done during this testing time. The central London venue can cater for all award ceremony needs from red carpets and drinks receptions to show-stopping state of the art audio visual packages.

Contact the events team on [email protected] to discuss how you can benefit from the Big Screen Business Experience.

Throughout the period of venue closure, the chefs at Lincoln’s Inn have kept themselves busy by honing in on their skills to offer new bespoke event catering.

Throughout lockdown, they have also been cooking food for homeless shelters, baking cakes for local hospitals, or selling sourdough bread to raise money for charity. Now that summer events and weddings at Lincoln’s Inn are on the horizon again, the team of chefs have excelled themselves at creating bespoke menus. Whether it’s fine dining vegetarian dishes for an intimate wedding, a mouth-watering BBQ menu for summer receptions, or a delicious evening food menu to keep those wedding guests dancing, the venue can’t wait to have its team back together again to offer exceptional catering and innovative events onsite.

For further details on the Inn’s dedicated catering team, please visit https://eventvenues.lincolnsinn.org.uk/your-event/food-drink-service/

In response to couples searching for something a bit different, and keeping up with the latest wedding trends, Regent’s is offering a new type of informal “Aperitivo” wedding reception this year.

Inspired by the Catalunyan “Aperitiu a peu dret”, the concept will offer a more relaxed, less formal style of wedding celebration. With no formal seating, impromptu speeches and a variety of food offerings from tapas to bowl food, along with the traditional “Aperitivo” antipasti starter course offered at Italian weddings, the venue has combined both styles to take advantage of the fantastic outside space at Regent’s.

Allowing for an extended “graze”, the food is served over a four-hour period, and in no particular order, and provides a great variety of flavours and dishes that keep guests talking and mingling without the formality that can sometimes seem very daunting to newly-weds.

Weddings Co-ordinator, Valentina Andreoli, said “The Aperitivo” menu has proven to be very appealing to our clients who are looking to imprint their individual style onto their special day. It lends itself well to the relaxed atmosphere of the lawns and provides a different way of celebrating for our happy couples.”

Find out more about the wedding opportunities at Regent’s here.

Those in the events industry will know it’s not unusual to start planning Christmas the moment the last one has finished, and after a slow and uncertain start to the year for many in the industry, 116 Pall Mall is thrilled to have finalised and launched its 2021 Christmas party packages.

From South Carolina to Central London, 116 is transforming into the dancehall of your dreams… It may be 2021 outside, but within the walls of 116 Pall Mall, we’re throwing it back to the 1920’s – bringing fancy footwork & frolics to your Christmas party!

With opulent 1920s theming, a delectable dining experience and show-stopping interactive entertainment, step back in time to the glitz and glamour of the roaring ‘20s for Christmas 2021. 

Richard Townsend, Head of Hospitality said: “After the incredibly difficult and challenging 12 months we’ve just faced – not to mention Christmas 2020 being cancelled – having something extra special booked in to celebrate the hard work of your team is exactly the morale boost that’s needed right now.

“We’ve already seen a real uplift in interest and bookings which is a positive sign that those who organise Christmas parties are confident enough to start making bookings.

“This year we have created three sensational packages, but as always, we are able to work with clients to put together bespoke celebrations for those with smaller or much larger numbers. For big companies, you can hire the whole building for a takeover which is something we did for a client in 2019 and it was the highlight of the season!

“We can’t wait to see some normality return to the industry and we’re feeling positive that by Christmas, parties will be able to go ahead as normal. If there are still any restrictions in place, clients can feel confident that we will always remain flexible to any new government announcements to ensure they can easily postpone or cancel their event if necessary.”

Take a look at 116 Pall Mall’s new packages here.

RIBA is offering flexible ‘Build Your Own’ bespoke experiences for summer parties this year in light of the varying needs of different businesses.

Remote working has meant team relationships and morale have taken a hit over the last 12 months, and in some cases, new recruits are yet to meet their colleagues in-person! With restrictions due to end by July, it’s the perfect time to gather your team together for a summer reunion at RIBA at 66 Portland Place.

Prior to the pandemic, RIBA noticed a reluctance to opt for fully themed event packages in favour of a more pared-back style with a focus on getting teams together to spend some well-needed time in each other’s’ company. Post-pandemic, they expect to see something similar – with the focus on teams being able to meet face-to-face once again in a relaxed, laid back environment. So, for 2021, and in anticipation of the return of events, RIBA have re-launched its ‘Build Your Own’ experience – a subtle nod to the venue’s architectural roots – the premise of which is to offer multiple F&B options at different price points that can be selected as a standalone package, or in conjunction with another to suit budget and preference.

If the venue can ease the burden of organising COVID-secure F&B, it gives you more time to flex your creative muscles as much as you like with regards to theming and entertainment.

Summer is definitely the season for socialising, making it the perfect time for a company party or get-together, not least because it is a proven way to support workplace morale, relationship-building and retention. Summer parties are naturally more informal than a big end of year celebration, so the ‘Build Your Own’ package is the ideal option and if you confirm your event booking before 31 May 2021 to take place anytime over the summer until 30 September 2021, guests will receive a free house cocktail on arrival.

Contact the team by emailing [email protected] to book your summer reunion at 66 Portland Place.

Vue West End is reopening its doors for corporate events following months of closure due to COVID-19.

In order to ensure the safety and reassurance of staff, event planners and delegates, Vue West End is adhering to strict new measures in its venue’s meeting spaces. Guests are required to wear a face mask at all times, unless eating and drinking, and a sign-posted one-way directional flow system has been implemented to control interaction throughout the venue.

Hand sanitiser has been made available around the building and enhanced cleaning measures have been implemented, including staff training to confidently deliver the new protocols.

Floor planners are provided to event organisers in order to allocate guest seats, and Vue safety team members are on hand to assist with managing the guests exit for breaks and departure.

Individual microphones are supplied to all necessary speakers, so nobody has to share, reducing shared touch-points wherever possible. Catering has been reassessed to offer lunch bags, canapés and bento boxes for individual consumption.

Lincoln’s Inn has received its ‘Good to Go’ accreditation from Visit Britain as part of preparations to invite guests back into a safe and secure environment at the venue.

The Ashworth Centre provides a perfect setting for small live meetings, complete with hybrid event solutions to extend an event’s reach to a virtual audience. Alternatively, the historic Old Hall also provides a stunning backdrop, a dedicated team on hand, and well-equipped professional supplier partners, lending itself nicely to intimate wedding receptions.

Lincoln’s Inn has worked extensively to put stringent measures in place in time for reopening for events of up to 30 guests, in line with government guidelines and most recent regulations.

116 Pall Mall has successfully reopened its building once again for meetings, weddings, hybrid events and for IoD members.

With the safety of visitors and employees of utmost importance, the venue has taken extensive measures to ensure they provide a safe venue, including distancing, enhanced cleaning regimes, reduced capacities and staggered arrival times.

Another key development is the ability to offer hybrid and virtual events, and 116 Pall Mall hosted their first fully virtual event since reopening – in the format of an awards ceremony for the Institute of Directors.

The award hosts were present in the venue and were filmed and streamed virtually out to ‘attendees’ by experts from their in-house AV company – Oxygen Events.

Jeremy Warrillow, Head of Hospitality said: “We are delighted to have reopened the venue due to demand from IoD members and increased meeting enquiries. It’s great to see visitors back in the building and we can see that usage is really picking up – especially the demand for meetings. This just shows how important face-to-face interactions are for people after so long working from home and having to work with colleagues virtually.

“We’ve also seen a flurry of enquiries for micro-weddings which highlights that couples are less inclined to wait for full restrictions to lift as this virus continues. Having held many smaller weddings over the years, and after hosting our first for 30 guests since lockdown last week, we want to reassure couples that micro-weddings can be incredibly beautiful and just as much fun.

“With the regular changing of government restrictions making planning more difficult, we are keen to stress we will remain flexible on all bookings to ensure we can deliver the best possible experience for our clients.”

Find out more about hosting safe meetings here.

Find out more about weddings at 116 here.