Venue Updata
From luxury for dogs in Milan to acts of kindness in Birmingham, via dream parties, planner rescue kits and a slew of new hires and wins - it's your April Venue Updata.
The Hoxton brings dream events to life with ‘Let Us Pay For Your Party’
The Hoxton is inviting people to pitch their dream party ideas, and the brand will bring a few to life, completely for free.
A spokesperson said: "It could be anything from dinners, drinks and dancing, or something a little more adventurous. Hox will handle everything from start to finish, hosting the three lucky winners in our Apartments spaces around the world.
"You give us the glorious pitch, and we’ll select three parties to throw around the world. We’ll plan, facilitate and pay for ‘em - all you gotta do is bring the guest list, and we’ll take care of every. other. detail. You in?"
Paradisus Cancun reopens after $50m renovation
Paradisus Cancun, an all-inclusive, Designed by Destination resort, has officially reopened following a $50 million renovation that blends luxury, culture, and wellness while preserving its striking pyramid architecture.
The reimagined resort features 773 fully redesigned luxury suites, elevated gastronomy, enhanced experiences for adults and families alike, including a brand-new splash park and kids club, a Wellness Designed by Destination philosophy, and the largest convention centre in the Paradisus by Meliá portfolio.
Crowne Plaza comes to the rescue
Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter has created Event Organiser Rescue Kits for planners hosting conferences and corporate events at the hotel.
Designed in response to the physical and mental demands placed on event professionals when running events, the kits contain practical essentials that will keep organisers hydrated, energised, focused and supported.
Reusable branded bags will be filled with items like bottled water, energy bars, fruit, moisturiser, lip balm and refreshing facial wipes. To address fatigue and sensory overload, common during multi-day events, the kits may also feature noise-reducing earplugs, eye masks, stress or grip balls, and calming aromatherapy roll-ons or sleep sprays to support rest and recovery after the event closes.
The initiative forms part of Crowne Plaza Newcastle’s wider focus on client care within its meetings and events offering, recognising that the experience of organisers directly impacts the success of an event.
Corporate event planners lured by cultural events at Aviva Studios
Aviva Studios is expanding its corporate events pipeline due to increasing demand from organisations looking to align business events with cultural experiences.
The Manchester venue, home to Factory International, recently hosted The BRITS Fringe, Robbie Williams, and the David Hockney Lightroom experience, and is due to host the English National Opera, a major exhibition by Ai Weiwei, and live performances from artists including Lily Allen and Kesha as part of its spring/summer public programme.
Ruth Halliday, senior event sales manager at Factory International, the organisation that programmes and operates Aviva Studios, said an increasing number of corporate organisers were keen to schedule events alongside a 'major cultural moment'
She said: “We’re seeing brands wanting their conferences and activations to feel more immersive and culturally connected.”
Hilton Birmingham Metropole to perform 50 Acts of Kindness
Hilton Birmingham Metropole is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by undertaking '50 Acts of Kindness'.
The initiative began in January with a focus on team wellbeing offering staff the chance to take part in Reiki sessions on Blue Monday. In February, the focus shifted to guests, with a series of surprise treats designed to enhance their stay. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the hotel gave out 50 red roses to guests checking in, creating a memorable welcome for visitors arriving at the property. Guests checking in throughout the month were also invited to take part in a scratch card giveaway, with each guest receiving a card and the chance to win one of 50 prizes, such as cocktail experiences, complimentary suite upgrades and champagne.
Looking ahead, the anniversary celebrations will also include a significant fundraising challenge. In June, members of the Hilton Birmingham Metropole team will take on a 50km hike in the Lake District, raising money for charity as part of the 50th anniversary programme.
Cairns Convention Centre launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026–2028
Cairns Convention Centre has launched its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026–2028, marking a major commitment to embedding reconciliation across every part of the centre’s operations and the delegate experience.
Developed in consultation with Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Elder Professor Henrietta Marrie, the Innovate RAP has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
As a worldclass business events venue, the Centre exists to create lasting economic and social value for Cairns by attracting national and international conventions. The Centre’s vision for reconciliation is an Australia where First Nations Peoples, cultures and histories are embraced as an essential part of every event experience, with respect, equality and truth telling guiding how we connect, share ideas and create meaningful experiences.
General manager Janet Hamilton said the Centre is committed to ensuring reconciliation is a lived and visible part of the organisation, and a meaningful element of what delegates experience when they come to Cairns.
SEC strengthens leadership with two new executive director appointments
The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has appointed Dawn Lauder (pictured) and Andrew Healy to its leadership team.
Lauder, previously head of association sales, will take the role of director of conference sales as Kathleen Warden steps down after 25 years.
Meanwhile, Healy has been appointed chief financial officer, joining from his role as financial director at DM Hall.
SEC chief executive Dominic McKay said: “Dawn’s expertise and experience in the global conference sector make her the perfect leader to drive the next phase of growth for our conference business. Andrew brings a wealth of financial and strategic experience across multiple sectors, which will be invaluable as we continue to invest in the future of the campus and deliver on our long-term ambitions."
"Kathleen has had an incredible history with the SEC and it’s great that she can stay on and support our ambitions in a new advisory role. Her experience continues to be a huge asset to the business.”
European Robotics Forum heads to Birmingham ICC
The European robotics community will descend upon Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) in March 2027 for the annual European Robotics Forum (ERF).
The event brings together more than 1,000 research and industry experts from across the continent to share ideas, create new connections and celebrate the best of robotics, one of the most important technologies that will shape the future of society for generations to come.
ERF in Birmingham will be organised and hosted by The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) a West Midlands-based research and technology organisation, and the University of Birmingham, in partnership with euRobotics, the European robotics association.
BMA House brings a fresh festival feel to summer parties in Bloomsbury
BMA House is ready for summer celebrations, with its much loved party packages returning for the season, bringing a refreshed, festival style experience to the heart of Bloomsbury. Set within a Grade II listed building, the venue’s private outdoor spaces combine heritage charm with a distinctly modern events set up, offering an easy way for organisers to deliver a standout summer party.
At the centre of the offer is BMA House’s Courtyard, a suntrap space framed by historic architecture and the venue’s water fountain, which creates an instant sense of occasion. For smaller celebrations, the tranquil Garden provides a greener, more intimate backdrop that feels a world away from the nearby bustle. Both options include access to an indoor space, keeping plans flexible whatever the forecast.
Packages are available for groups of 60 to 320 guests.
British Motor Museum wins bid to host Make UK Defence Summit 2026
The British Motor Museum has been selected as the host for the UK’s leading event for UK defence SMEs and supply chain companies, the Make UK Defence Summit, on 18-19 November 2026.
Make UK Defence is a national not-for-profit, member owned defence trade association representing around 900 UK defence manufacturers across the UK. Set to welcome around 550 delegates alongside an expanded exhibitor line-up, the two-day Summit will bring defence manufacturers, policy makers, financial firms and supply chain partners together for keynote content, panel sessions and a dedicated exhibition zone.
Last year’s Annual Summit saw keynote speeches from the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, tech giant Amazon Web Services, and major defence innovators QinetiQ. The summit will also host the UK’s largest defence focussed ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, which saw over 800 meetings between buyers and suppliers brokered last year, and an annual charity dinner, which last year raised £10,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Excel hosts first of 10 major international congresses ahead of record-breaking year
Excel London has welcomed the first of 10 major international congresses – a venue record for a single year – as its newly-opened 25,000 sqm expansion continues to help drive global events to the UK capital.
Held last month, the 41st European Association of Urology Congress returned to London for the first time since 2017, becoming the first major medical event to be hosted in the expanded Excel.
As well as staging the event and hosting 12,366 delegates from 132 countries, Excel also collaborated closely on EAU’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives including its charity run in aid of Prostate Cancer Awareness, and its ‘Urge to Act’ campaign. The latter aims to highlight the needs of those dealing with incontinence, with Excel helping to raise awareness across its venue by installing special sanitary bins in cubicle toilets.
In addition to EAU, some of the nine remaining association congresses being hosted this year include the FTTH Conference (14-16 April), the INTA 2026 Annual Meeting (2-6 May), EULAR 2026 (3-6 June), ESHRE 2026 Annual Meeting (5-8 July) and ESCRS 2026 (11-15 September). In total, the 10 events are expected to attract some 80,000 delegates to the UK capital and generate £250 million for London’s business economy.
The Barbican secures MIA Gold accreditation for fifth time
The Barbican has strengthened its position as one of the UK’s leading venues for meetings and events after securing MIA Gold accreditation for the fifth time.
Awarded by the Meetings Industry Association, MIA Gold is the highest level within the MIA accreditation framework and recognises excellence across operational standards, customer service, compliance and the overall event experience.
The latest independent assessment again recommended Gold accreditation for the Barbican, with the venue achieving an overall score of 146 out of 150, equivalent to 97 per cent, alongside a venue facilities score of 90 out of 100. Assessors praised the venue’s clear reporting and feedback procedures, strong culture of training and review, effective communication between departments, and the commitment of staff across the business. The report also described the venue as “outstanding” in its continued investment in maintenance, upgrades and long-term sustainability.
Five new venues earn Venues of Excellence accreditation
Venues of Excellence (VOE), has announced a 10 per cent increase in new member venues during the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing its position as a trusted collective of exceptional, independent venues across the UK.
In recent months, VOE has welcomed five new venues into its portfolio: The Eastside Rooms, Eton College and Dorney Lake, The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, and The Milner York (pictured).
Reflecting on the growth and evolving membership strategy, Mandy Jennings, CEO of Venues of Excellence, said: “ This growth is not about volume, but about curating a collection of outstanding venues that complement and strengthen the overall proposition for our clients.”
Milan hotel unveils ultra-luxe design-forward sanctuary for dogs (and their humans)
ME Milan Il Duca, an avant-garde urban hotel from Meliá Hotels International, has unveiled the MEME Suite, a world-first concept created entirely for dogs and their owners.
Designed in collaboration with La Maison Sissy, the suite features bespoke furnishings, a dedicated Dog TV channel, a curated music playlist, and access to a full pet-restaurant service. The experience is elevated with textiles by Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna featuring cushions, curtains, and upholstered furnishings from top-quality fabrics with antibacterial properties, fully water-repellent, and treated with advanced finishes that make them anti-mold, anti-odor and stain resistant.
The concept goes beyond typical pet-friendly accommodations, blending contemporary Italian design, luxury textiles, and holistic wellness features for both dogs and their owners. The MEME Suite also offers exclusive experiences, including personalized dog coats, pet-friendly itineraries, and 24-hour veterinary services.
