Essex. Essex: the next best thing to London for conferences and events. ConferenceNews Supplement WHERE THE UK MEETINGS INDUSTRY MEETS

Transcription

1 WHERE THE UK MEETINGS INDUSTRY MEETS Essex ConferenceNews Supplement Essex: the next best thing to London for conferences and events Come to Colchester: what s on offer in Britain s oldest recorded town > p4 Expect the unexpected in Essex with its range of Make your next conference or event memorable in eclectic venues > p12 Southend-on-Sea > p16

2 Creative conferencing The golden business hub in the heart of Colchester Colchester s centre for contemporary visual art Ideal for conferences, meetings, presentations, awards, celebrations... Lewis Gardens, CO1 1JH venuehire@firstsite.uk.net seat raked auditorium, flexible meeting rooms with natural daylight Bespoke packages and competitive rates! Redeem this voucher and receive 50% off our delegate rate! This is based on a minimum of 50 delegates, for conferences booked throughout 2013 and Includes delegate catering. To claim this offer quote Conference News when booking. Terms and conditions apply.

3 Essex: exceeding expectations isit Essex for Business is the official organisation V promoting the county as a destination for conferences, meetings, events, teambuilding, away days and incentive travel. This once Saxon kingdom located in the East of England region, close to London and continental Europe, is the perfect choice for your business needs. The county offers a combination of coast, town and country, and is easily accessible via road, rail, sea and air, with many venues located next to Stansted and Southend airports, the M25, M11 and A12. High quality venues are set in rolling countryside, picturesque historic towns and villages, and along the county s 350-mile coastline. There is a rich mix of stately homes, spa hotels, purpose-built conference centres or more unusual venues. As well as many activities to choose from when it comes to teambuilding, corporate days out and incentive travel, such as wine tasting in an English vineyard, high ropes adventure courses, or golf. Alternatively, you can try out a new skill such as cookery, kayaking, kitesurfing, archery or karting. Leisure time can be enjoyed exploring the heritage of stately homes, gardens and museums, or ESSEX relaxing and unwinding along the banks of the Blackwater estuary. Shop til you drop at Lakeside Shopping Centre, one of the largest complexes in Europe; wine and dine in one of the county s many fine restaurants; or simply enjoy the unspoilt countryside. Whether you re looking for a venue for a conference, meeting, exhibition, launch, wedding or corporate hospitality, Essex can fulfil your needs and provide a quality venue, at great value for money, with consistent professionalism for all your events. Make Essex the destination of choice for your next event. Our supporters: This supplement was produced in conjunction with Visit Essex. Main image: Osea Island Front cover image: Royal Pavilion, Southend September

4 Come to Colchester Located 50 minutes from London by train and 45 minutes away from Stansted Airport, Colchester is in a perfect location for national and international business conferences C olchester is the oldest recorded market town in Britain with a Roman heritage and rich history, but it is also a thriving modern town and has everything that is needed for 21st century meetings or conferences. From the grandeur of Colchester Town Hall and the historical connections of the Castle and Hollytrees Museum, to Charter Hall, Colchester has a venue that s right for every business. Baroque Town Hall Colchester Town Hall, in the middle of the town centre, has a variety of rooms to suit different size requirements and budgets, with one common theme: elegance and grandeur. The Moot Hall, with a baroque ceiling and columns, seats up to 300, while the Council Chamber, with stained glass windows and a domed ceiling, can host 60. For smaller meetings of between 16 to 40 delegates, the Grand Jury Room and North and West Committee rooms are available. Facilities include digital microphones and speakers, full disabled access and facilities, quality PA systems, free Internet access and photocopying and fax facilities. Castle and MP s house Colchester Castle was built on the orders of William the Conqueror, and is currently being transformed as part of a 4.2m redevelopment. When it reopens in Spring 2014, the Charles Gray room will be available for hire for meetings, presentations and receptions. In the evening, customers will get exclusive use of the Castle galleries with their hi-tech museum displays. The room accommodates 100 people. Colchester Town Hall W: colchester.gov.uk/corporate E: townhall@colchester.gov.uk Colchester Castle and Hollytrees Museum W: cimuseums.org.uk Charter Hall W: charter-hall.co.uk E: charterhall@colchesterleisureworld.co.uk Parking: colchester.gov.uk/parking 4 September 2013

5 A further meeting room for 20 people is available next door to the Castle at the Hollytrees Museum, the former house of one of the town s 18th century MPs, Charles Gray. The room is available during the day or evening. Large and flexible modern venue Charter Hall is part of one of Colchester s biggest leisure complexes. With a number of rooms available, including a VIP lounge, modular staging, fully programmable lighting and video projection system, it is ideal for events including conferences and awards ceremonies, seating up to 1,200 people. It has its own entrance and free parking. Charter Hall is part of the Leisure World complex with sports facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool, squash courts and Aqua Springs spa. Travel, accommodation and entertainment There are a number of hotels and restaurants in and nearby Colchester, from budget to country house luxury. Mersea island, with its world-famous oysters, is just 20 minutes away by car and there are beautiful parks within walking distance of the Town Hall, Charter Hall, Castle and Hollytrees. The town has been awarded a Purple Flag for its nighttime hospitality and entertainment. Culture spots include the modern Firstsite art gallery, cinema and theatre. There is also a range of shops, including large chains and individual boutiques. As well as good rail links, there is easy access to the A12, M25, M11 and A14. Great value parking for short, all day or overnight stays is available at sites across town, accessed from the main road network. September

6 Venue Essex Promoting University of Essex conference venues V enue Essex is the one-stop service for conference and event facilities at the University of Essex in Colchester and Southend, with a range of innovative venues to meet all your business needs. The University of Essex has quality, flexible meeting spaces ideal for exhibitions and conferences, from two to 1,000 delegates for residential and non-residential events. The University is home to venues such as the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall and creative problem solving ilabs. Contact the dedicated conference Wivenhoe House What can the venue offer your conference or event? W ivenhoe House, the home of the Edge Hotel School, is Colchester s four-star country house hotel with meeting and conference rooms to suit events for up to 120. The dedicated team at Wivenhoe House will be delighted to meet with you to discuss catering and audio-visual options and will be on hand on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly. The venue also has free parking and Wi-Fi for all delegates. team to help you plan your successful event from start to finish. Contact details: T: E: venues@essex.ac.uk W: venue-essex.co.uk Intrigued? To find out more contact: T: E: events@wivenhoehouse.co.uk W: wivenhoehouse.co.uk 6 September 2013

7 Hotels meeting your needs Meet, eat and stay in Essex s modern, boutique or country house hotels W ith over 5,000 bed spaces between them, Essex s hotels are in abundance throughout the county. The Holiday Inns at Basildon, Southend, Brentwood and Colchester are perfect for meetings and events, and easily accessible. The largest for a conference is the Holiday Inn at Basildon (300), while the newest at Southend offers a sound-proofed, roof top restaurant. The Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport, can host conferences for 400 and is Essex s largest hotel bedroom-wise with 500 rooms. The hotel also has the famous Wine Tower within the bar area (one of only two in Europe), where the famous angels fly up and down collecting wine and champagne for guests. The Crowne Plaza Colchester Five Lakes Resort is the largest conference space in Essex and can cater for 2,500 delegates, with an exhibition area of 3,500sqm. The Resort also has spa facilities and two golf courses. Down Hall Country House Hotel on ESSEX the Essex/Hertfordshire border is an Italianate-style mansion. The hotel can host meetings for 200 delegates and has 99 bedrooms, a health club and spa facilities. Maison Talbooth and Milsoms are small exclusive hotels set in the heart of Constable Country on the Essex/ Suffolk border. Maison Talbooth s Garden Room is available for hire, as is the Library and Mr G s at Milsoms for 24 delegates. Main image: Radisson Blu Hotel Stansted Airport with flying angel, inset September

8 Chelmsford: England s newest city Whether you are looking for rural tranquility or urban chic, Chelmsford has it all C helmsford city centre offers a range of quality, contemporary facilities, while the surrounding countryside can provide a quieter, more relaxed venue. In an ideal location in the heart of Essex, only 35 minutes from London with excellent road and rail connections, Chelmsford is widely accessible. Civic Centre The City Council s Civic Centre is in a prime location within close proximity of the city centre, bus and train stations. The venue is ideal for meetings, conferences, training and away-days, and the flexibility of the event spaces means a variety of room configurations can be provided to suit different events. A range of high-quality, fully accessible rooms of all sizes (for up to 200 delegates) are available. The new modern Council Chamber can host 200 delegates (125 in fixed auditorium seating plus flexible layouts for up to 76 on the main floor). The Civic Foyer is ideal for pre-event drinks, as a meet-and-greet area or as an information display area. To discuss your conference or meeting, contact the Facilities Team: T: E: facilities.team@chelmsford.gov.uk W: chelmsford.gov.uk/civicvenuehire Hylands House Hylands House provides an escape from it all. The Grade II listed building, dating back to 1730, is anything but stuffy. If you wish to host elaborate professional conferences or intimate meetings to help your team refocus and become more creative, Hylands is the perfect setting. For a copy of the full conference guide, economy@chelmsford.gov.uk Main image: Hylands House. Above circle: Council Chamber, Civic Centre. Right circle: Chelmsford Museum 8 September 2013

9 Hylands is situated only minutes from the A12 with ample free parking on site. There are competitive delegate rates, with bespoke quotes also available. Rooms are available for two to 100 people depending on the layout. New from January 2014 is The Hylands Grand Pavilion, which will cater for up to 300 people theatre-style and up to 250 for a formal dinner. To discuss your requirements contact the venue s dedicated Hirings Co-ordinator: T: E: hiringhylands@chelmsford.gov.uk W: chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands Chelmsford Museum Chelmsford Museum (with the Essex Regiment Museum) is set in Oaklands Park off Moulsham Street. The Victorian House is complemented by a modern extension which tells the story of the town s industrial past (including famous names such as Marconi, Hoffmann and Crompton). A perfect location for a meeting, the museum s education suite, overlooking the Park, is available for hire for corporate functions. Contact the Museum for more details: T: E: museums@chelmsford.gov.uk W: chelmsford.gov.uk/museums These venues are just a snapshot of the variety on offer in Chelmsford. Other notable venues include Anglia Ruskin University, hotels such as County Hotel, Essex Record Office, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Boreham House, Essex County Cricket Club and Chelmsford City Football Club. See chelmsford.gov.uk/business for further details. Whatever your meeting or conference needs, the perfect venue awaits you in England s newest city. September

10 How to get here... E ssex is easily accessible from all over the UK and Europe, and is well served by major roads including the M25 (Junction 28), M11 (Junction 8), and the A12, which runs through the heart of the county. There are mainline rail links into London Liverpool Street (35 minutes from the city of Chelmsford) plus four international gateways: London Stansted Airport, Southend Airport, Harwich International Port and Tilbury Port. Stansted Airport on the Essex/ Hertfordshire border, flys to and from more than 150 destinations in over 30 countries, while Southend Airport is an up and coming hub, and there are now flights to and from Europe, as well as existing services to Jersey and Ireland. A train station at the airport also connects directly to Stratford in 45 minutes and London Liverpool Street in 55 minutes. Harwich International Port, to the east of the county, is 70 miles from London and has regular weekly crossings to and from Esbjerg in Denmark, and the Hook of Holland via DFDS and Stena Line respectively. Stena also operates a Dutch Flyer ticket - rail and sail from Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague - straight into Colchester. The Port of Tilbury is also a major gateway to Essex and the City, with the M25 only seven miles away, a drive-time of 25 minutes into central London. National Express run coaches to and from over 1,000 destinations throughout the UK, including a regular shuttle bus service from London Liverpool Street and London Victoria directly to Stansted Airport. Essex is ideally placed for domestic and international business travellers, and getting here has never been easier. Stansted Airport 10 September 2013

11 Local coach operators: Cooks Coaches Kirby s Coaches September

12 Eclectic venues Expect the unexpected in Essex with its range of unusual venues F rom castles to islands, you are in for a pleasant surprise when looking for a unique venue in Essex. Museums play a large part in Essex s culture, and the Maltings at Great Dunmow has been restored with a modern edge, offering a function room with space for 70 guests, while the Combined Military Services Museum in Maldon caters for up to 35 guests seated. The meeting room is on the top floor where you can also view the private collection of memorabilia. For historical interest, look no further than Cressing Temple. Two large timber framed barns built during the 13th century for the Knights Templar. The site is popular for indoor and outdoor events, such as exhibitions and festivals, and caters for up to 250 theatre-style. If you enjoy being on the water, why not choose a Thames sailing barge for your next meeting of up to 50 delegates? With catering on board, you can charter the whole vessel for a day while enjoying a trip down the Thames or along the Essex and Suffolk coast. High House Production Park sits just short of the banks of the Thames estuary, with a wonderful view of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. On site you will find a restored barn perfect for meetings and events for up to 80. There is also a landscaped walled garden for outdoor entertaining, while the site is also home to the Royal Opera House production workshops, where delegates can take a guided tour. You are in for a pleasant surprise when looking for a unique venue in Essex 12 September 2013

13 CEME Conference Centre Eamonn Cole, Conference Director at CEME tells CN about its offering C EME Conference Centre is an ultra-modern events and meetings venue offering innovative and flexible solutions for all meeting requirements from its high-tech conference auditorium, the POD Theatre, to small meeting rooms and outdoor space. CEME delivers hundreds of conferences and events each year with meeting space from as little as 80 per day. It can host product launches, presentations, award ceremonies, seminars, conferences and exhibitions to cater for up to 600 delegates. All 17 conference rooms have the latest AV technology, complimentary Wi-Fi, natural daylight and special inclusive rates. Located near Rainham on the A13, CEME covers a wide demographic from Central and East London through the Thames Gateway and into Essex and is ideally located for London Docklands and The City with excellent underground, train and road links and free parking for 500 cars. CEME is a Centre for Excellence, reflected in the quality of our events and conference facilities through our Accredited in Meetings Gold quality standard with the mia, membership of Conference Centres of Excellence, and achieving World Host venue status for the consistent ESSEX delivery of the highest standards of customer care. CEME is also signed up to the Fair Pricing Charter making CEME one of the most affordable events and meetings venues in London or Essex and offering City quality without City prices. CEME is one of the greenest venues in London with reduced energy and carbon footprint technology, a large array of photovoltaic panels, free parking and natural daylight. We are members of Inclusive London for the provision of DDA compliant disability, accessibility and mobility access. Contact details: T: E: debbie.beckett@ceme.co.uk W: cemecc.co.uk September

14 London Cruise Terminal T he London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury is a versatile venue for conferences, training workshops, teambuilding events and exhibitions. The Baggage Hall, enhanced with stained glass memorial windows and marble tablets, is complete with staging, lighting and PA, and can accommodate 500 delegates. The Passenger Lounge has a ceiling mounted projector with PA installed and can be set up in theatre-style to seat 100 delegates or can host 80 delegates seated in groups around tables. The adjoining TRAAC building has suites for business events with fewer delegates September 2013 The catering team will liaise with clients to provide breakfast, lunch or dinner to suit specific budgets. London Cruise Terminal is situated an hour s drive from all five London airports and has easy access by road, rail or water to the heart of London, East of England and the Weald of Kent. There is ample, free car parking and the venue is close to Tilbury Town Station on the c2c London Fenchurch Street line. Contact: Lynda Viccars Cruise Terminal and Community Liaison Manager T: W: londoncruiseterminal.com Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel B ordering the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest, Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel in Essex offers a setting that keeps business travellers productive and leisure guests relaxed. The hotel is located 100 yards from junction 26 of the M25 and near the M11 and M1. The Loughton Underground Station, with a direct central line into London, is a five-minute drive away. The hotel is 20 minutes from Stansted Airport and 30 minutes from central London. Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel has 14 meeting rooms with a total meeting space of 1,454sqm. The largest meeting room, the Forest Suite, has a maximum capacity of 280 delegates. As a guest of one of the premier hotels in the Essex area, you will find stylish guest rooms that blend comfort with a modern flair. The hotel has a contemporary restaurant for dining, and a leisure club which offers a large indoor pool, fitness centre and sauna. Contact: Caroline Jenkins Director of Sales T: W: walthamabbeymarriott.co.uk

15 Get wed in Essex Formal, relaxed or intimate ceremonies and receptions in wonderful venues L ayer Marney Tower has several rooms that lend themselves to wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 140 seated guests, and the grounds provide a beautiful setting for those all important photographs. Built in the 18th century, and originally used to house the horse drawn coaches for Marks Hall Mansion, the Coach House is full of ambiance, charm and character. The garden is set in the heart of the Aboretum, and is a great space for a ceremony or entertaining guests. Finchingfield in Essex is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK, and nearby Spains Hall, a 15th century country estate, is a much sought after wedding venue. Spains Hall can accommodate 130 guests seated or 180 standing. Parklands is a 17th century mansion set in 100 acres of deer park. The Pavilion and Banqueting Hall combined can host up to 600 guests, while intimate weddings can be held in the Drawing Room. The grounds are also licensed for outside weddings under the gazebo. Hedingham Castle is one of the most romantic wedding venues in Essex. The 900-year-old Keep, the stately grandeur of the Georgian house, and landscaped gardens provide a magical haven. Ceremonies are held in the Banqueting Hall where 100 guests can be seated, with another 30 in the Minstrels Gallery. The venues above are all available for a host of events. Main image: Spains Hall Photo credit: Nigel Bowen Photography September

16 Conference-on-sea Make your next conference memorable and choose Southend-on-Sea M emorable conferences need all the right ingredients such as easy access, great content, delegate involvement and a memorable venue. In today s challenging business environment, getting that unique venue within budget is key and Southend-on-Sea offers some great solutions. Venues range from purpose-built conference rooms in hotels like the Park Inn Palace with inspirational views over the Thames Estuary, to the Cliffs Pavilion with huge, flexible space for larger events. Southend also has a range of unique venues like the famous Grade II listed Kursaal and its function suite, the Genting Club or four-star Roslin Beach Hotel. New for 2012 is the Royal Pavilion on Southend s pier. In terms of making an impression and a memorable conference, it stands alone at over a mile out to sea. Delegates will even enjoy the train journey out there with the pier s railway now the only one of its kind left in the country. Southend offers an array of leisure facilities for teambuilding including learning to sail or windsurf, casino packages, sailing trips or spa and golf all in the local area. Southend also offers some educational facilities with the modern university campus and South Essex College both centrally located within the high street area. With two rail lines to London with access under an hour, just 25 miles from the M25 and London Southend Airport, it s never been easier to reach Southend. Find out more at: W: businessonsea.co.uk E: economicd@southend.gov.uk T: September 2013

17 Entertain and motivate Action packed and creative activities to encourage communication and enhance teamwork W hether you are looking for an adrenalin fuelled or calm and creative activity, Essex can fulfil your needs. Canoeing at Lee Valley White Water Centre on the Essex/ Hertfordshire border is fast paced and exciting, while Gilwell Park in Chingford offers high rope experiences as well as a climbing wall. High ropes can also be found at Kelvedon Hatch near Brentwood, as well as quad biking, tunneling and archery. For those wanting something more relaxing, The Cookery School at Braxted Park offers a cooking with conference package, with a two-hour cookery demonstration before or after the meeting. Mersea Island, West Street, Dedham Vale and New Hall Vineyards offer wine tasting sessions, with all of them producing classic Essex wines. A spot of fishing is an offer at Hanningfield Reservoir, a beauty spot full of wildlife, which offers tranquillity and peace. There are over 60 golf courses in Essex, but you don t have to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy Topgolf. A driving range with a difference in Chigwell, it offers competition with a driving range that has numbered targets. A function room means the whole day can be spent on site. Looking for incentive reward ideas? There are many spa hotels throughout the county including Lifehouse, Crowne Plaza Five Lakes, Greenwoods and Stoke by Nayland Hotel. All have a swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room, as well as offering relaxing and holistic treatments. September

18 And there s more... opefully this supplement has given you an insight H into the many venues available to hire in Essex, all offering exceptional quality and great value for money. The Visit Essex for Business venue search website, visitessexforbusiness.com, is a comprehensive directory of many Essex venues for hire. New venues and special offers are added on a weekly basis. You can also make direct contact with the venues, and sign-up for a monthly e-newsletter so you don t miss anything. For impartial advice on suitable venues for your event, and to attend the Visit Essex for Business Venue Showcases or Familiarisation Visits, call Carol Jolly, Business Tourism Manager on / or carol.jolly@ essex.gov.uk Visit Essex County Hall, Market Road Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH. Key Facts Easily accessible via road, rail, sea and air Close proximity to London Quality venues capable of hosting up to 4,000 delegates Award winning hotels and over 5,000 bed spaces Dedicated exhibition areas up to 3,500 sqm. Join us: Follow Main image: St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell 18 September 2013

19 Event Production Company mrl productions are an event, av hire, and production company based in Essex. We are a one stop shop specialising in sound, lighting and staging for all events; including corporate, theatre, festivals and annual dinners to name a few. We also offer a Dry Hire service; we hold a large stock of event production equipment and are consistently investing in new products. Our work ethic is simple: mrl can also cater for all your draping requirements for any event at any venue... As a production company we offer a prompt, professional service with a good attitude. We believe communication is paramount - before, during and after every event to ensure a smooth running and memorable occasion. If you are planning an event call us now on for advice and a no obligation quotation. mrl productions Unit 15 Brunel Business Centre Enterprise Way Clacton, Essex CO15 4QW enquiries@mrlproductions.co.uk Find us on

20 Come to Colchester It s a great place to do business. From grandeur to size & convenience we have the venue that s just right for you. Colchester Town Hall A magnificent Edwardian building in the heart of the town centre. Resplendent with baroque architectural features that bring gravitas to any business event. townhall@colchester.gov.uk Telephone Charter Hall Part of a big leisure complex, with free parking, within minutes of Colchester station. A large flexible venue, with break-out rooms and a VIP lounge. charterhall@colchesterleisureworld.co.uk Telephone Both venues fully accessible. Bar & catering options available for both venues. Contact our professional and experienced events teams, who will make sure your event goes without a hitch.