Event venue update - March

Twickenham Stadium is expanding its conference capacities by offering the stadium’s seating ‘bowl’ for upwards of 1,000 delegates.

Ideal for main plenary sessions that work in tandem with the stadium’s many other spaces, the venue is combining a selection of highly visual mobile screens and staging set-ups, with conference hospitality, offering a striking and original conference environment.

“More and more of our clients are asking for ‘more Twickenham’ and to get closer to where the action takes place,” said Johanna Byrane, head of business development at Twickenham Stadium.

“They come to us because we can help them deliver big brand messaging in a unique way. Using the in-built bowl seating really ups the experience and carries a bigger punch for the event.”

The events and conference venue, Church House, Westminster is committed to achieving Net Zero carbon status by 2030.

The goal is to integrate sustainable practices into its everyday operations by implementing measures that promote efficiency – in turn helping clients and tenants to reduce their carbon footprint when using the building. This includes reducing water and energy usage in all operations across the building, prioritising recycling and using local services and products.

As well as renewal of energy and mechanics on site, work will include replacing gas equipment with green-energy appliances, introducing motion-sensitive lighting, sensory taps, and integrating smart-energy management systems to further increase efficiencies.

Stephanie Maurel, CEO of The Corporation of the Church House said: “At Church House Westminster, we are on a mission to work in the most sustainable way possible and are constantly finding new ways to help the environment through our working practices. Our ultimate success depends on our collective efforts as organisations and individuals to preserve the beauty of our country and planet, without which our clients and tenants will cease to come. Our future and the future of our environment are interconnected."

Hilton Birmingham Metropole has launched a new executive experience developed for event professionals looking to upgrade delegates. The experience brings together three of the new concepts brought into the venue following its refurbishment last year – the executive suites, the executive lounge, and the Brightsmith-on-the-Water cocktail bar and contemporary dining restaurant. 

“Not all delegates have the same requirements, and a big part of our refurbishment strategy was to allow organisers to create different levels of hospitality for their delegates,” said Liz Watson, commercial director, Hilton Birmingham Metropole. “This is really relevant for conferences where some delegates want to choose a high premium option, or where the event is creating different tiered experiences. The most important thing for us is to continue to offer choice across the venue.”

Israel-based Fattal Group has purchased The Grand Brighton, an iconic seaside hotel in the south of England.

Fattal Group, the owner of Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland, said it planned to "invest significantly" in the 201-room Victorian property to retain its "iconic status".

The seafront hotel first opened in 1864 to cater to a surge in wealthy Victorian holidaymakers and featured the first working lift outside of London.

It appeared in the 1979 British film Quadrophenia and famous guests over the years have included ABBA, who stayed at the property after winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton.

The sale price is estimated to be £50m-£60m. The hotel was last sold by De Vere to privately-owned British firm Wittington Investments in 2014 for an estimated £50m.

The seven-floor hotel features a restaurant and bar and over 1,200 sqm of meeting and banqueting space across 13 rooms.

For the first time in years, the largest internal space within London’s neo-classical riverside venue will be available for commercial events and private hire for over half of the year.

Business development manager Luci Sorrell said “this is ground-breaking news for brands and creative agencies looking to host multi-day

experiences and spectacular events. We receive so many enquiries for large numbers which, ordinarily, we can fulfil only at specific times of the year. Now we have a variety of options throughout 2023.”

With the ability to host up to 1,000 guests for a reception on all three floors, the galleries have been a popular choice for post-premiere after-parties and dinners for up to 340.

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa in Nantwich, Cheshire has launched Mindful Meetings, a complimentary wellness initiative available to all event delegates this winter.

Mindful Meetings brings a 20-minute stretch and movement energiser into the meeting room, which delegates can enjoy from the comfort of their seats. Led by one of the venue’s onsite wellness experts, the sessions are designed to gently warm the body and focus the mind ahead of a full day’s meeting.  Delegates can also make use of complimentary access to the hotel’s award-winning health club facilities either before, during or after their event to further incorporate wellbeing and wellness into their experience.

The venue’s 38 acres of grounds provide many opportunities for outdoor walks, talks and alfresco breaks and lunches which event planners can easily incorporate into their plans and agendas.

The 10,500 sqm expansion includes a large undercover, tropically planted forecourt, and expanded main entry lobby on the entry levels. The Mezzanine level includes a 410-seat plenary lecture space that can be divided into two spaces, three 110 seat meeting rooms that can be combined, and exhibition space for up to 30 display booths.

The brand new third level includes a 500-seat banquet with a large adjoining pre-function space and external terrace with spectacular views over Trinity Inlet. The Centre is equipped with fully integrated AV systems including projectors, screens and sound systems.

With the Queensland Government Economic Recovery Bid Support Program funding available, an amazing array of 5-star hotels and a city that has been revitalized with significant investment, now is the time to host your next conference in Cairns.

Contact our Business Development Director, Wayne Smith, to make an appointment at AIME 2023 to find out about Australia's most desirable business events location.

Hilton has opened the 330-all-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort.

With nearly 650 sqm of flexible indoor event and meeting space and 46 sqm of meeting space outdoors, Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba is a tropical oasis for oceanside corporate events and meetings.

The $55 million expansion of arguably Detroit’s Motown Museum is on track to be completed by 2024.

The Motown Museum was founded by Esther Gordy Edwards founded in 1985.

Phases One and Two of the expansion were completed in 2022 and marked by a grand reopening in August.

Construction is now underway on the third and final phase of the expansion project. Phase three will involve a 3,800 sqm theatre and exhibit space.

Located in the original headquarters and music recording studio for Motown Records, the Museum is home to an extensive array of authentic company artefacts, photographs, costumes and other valued memorabilia.

Multiple spaces are available for event hire at the Motown Museum.