News
Is the Credit Crunch Affecting Hotels and Venues?
As a venue finding agency we pride ourselves on our quick response times and in order to negotiate the best savings for our clients it's important to understand the venue finding market. So is the Credit Crunch affecting and stopping business spending on conferences, events, business travel, business accommodation?
Well, the answer appears to be no, however, UK Hotel Chains have recorded a decline in profit during May 2008 despite their hotel popularity levels remaining steady, according to the latest figures from TRI Hospitality Consulting.
London Properties registered a 1.4% increase in average occupancy against this time last year, many people feel this was buoyed by the better than expected weather meaning higher weekend occupancy, but profits only grew by 2%. Regional hotels were hit hardest, with a 4.7% decline in profit, however, this was not directly related to consumers cutting back.
24th June 2008 - AIM Accreditation 1 year on! Has it helped improve venue finding industry?
One year after the Meetings Industry Association (MIA) Commenced with the industry’s only national quality assurance scheme ‘Accredited In Meetings’ (AIM), how has the scheme been received and is it delivering the assurances clients require?.
The scheme, which offers assurance to Client that members will deliver their promise of exceptional standards, has had the impact the MIA hoped for and is fast becoming a universally recognised indicator of quality for meetings space and meeting industry suppliers. In the past few weeks the Association has processed AIM applications from over 30 organisations across the country and they receive more on a daily basis.
Presently only entry level status is available for Venue finding agencies, however Silver and Gold Standards should be available soon and indeed many venue finding agencies like us at the Venue Team will welcome the chance to show how good we are!
Jane Evans, MIA chief executive said 'It’s really very encouraging and indicates a strong desire within the industry to ensure delivery of the very highest levels of service. The scheme was designed to encourage best practice and exceptional service and clearly it is doing exactly that.’
'There is a clear indication that organisations want to obtain this unique industry standard with a rapid increase in membership applications.
In order to achieve AIM Entry level accreditation we must meet three distinct elements; legal compliance, adherence to the MIA CODE, meeting facilities grading. Accreditation is renewed annually with all members will have to produce the relevant information to ensure that they meet the required standard.
23 June 2008 - A New and much needed Venue for Canary Wharf
The 2nd June see the long awaited opening of the prestigious De Vere Venue in Canary Wharf. For years event organisers and PA’s have been praying that a dedicated venue would open up within the docklands area catering specifically for meetings and training. The location in the heart of Canary Wharf offers excellent transport links with central London via both the DLR and the Jubilee under ground station.
The purpose built venue benefits from fantastic natural daylight throughout, the very latest high tech services and facilities. The venue offers 12 meeting rooms and 7 syndicate rooms making the perfect venue for assessment centres and training.
As you would expect with all De Vere venues the communal and catering areas are excellent with the Steam, Bake and Grill restaurant ensuring that all delegates are well looked after. For those delegates who can never be away from the office the venue also offers FREE internet access throughout the whole venue.
18th June 2008 - Recommended Venues
Over the past week we have been inundated with recommended venue requests. This can only make the site bigger and better and we're all for it! Many of you ask such questions as how much does it cost me? The answer is that unless we get you a booking it's FREE!! All we ask of the venue is that they give us a 2% commission uplift (normally around 10%). It's really easy to join, we normally have your page up and running within 24 hours and respond almost immediately to any contact about Recommended Venues. Please click here to read more about our Recommended Venues scheme.
4th June 2008 - Website Updates
Over the next couple of days we will be updating many parts of our site. you will see many more newsletters become available online, more articles and more Special Offers!! We have been receiving many emails advertising special offers which we're sure you will be interested in so keep an eye on our website over the next few days.
15 May 2008 - Venue Team's Expanding!
We have 3 new starters coming this September with a view to one or two more also throughout the Summer. This can only be good news to anybody enquiring at the Venue Team because that bit of extra man power means we have more people to answer your calls and do your venue finding for you for FREE even faster than we do currently! For any enquiries please click here or call 08445 007 138.
13 May 2008 - New Look Newsletter!
The Venue Team sent out its brand new newsletter. The refreshed look will hopefully be easier for anybody to read and also gives a couple of the most popular venue finds that we are currently doing. We do still have a place for the recommended venues as this gives anybody who will be enquiring about a venue some initial thoughts or ideas. If you have a meeting, conference or any other venue finding task upcoming then please enquire online with us today for FREE and we'll find you 3-4 of the best options for your event. Click here to enquire. Also, if you haven't yet signed up to our newsletter please click here, type your email address in the newsletter signup form (found near the top right of the page) and you should receive our next newsletter. (This can take upto 30 days)
5 April 2008 - Venue Team proud members of the MIA
The Venue Team are proud members of the Meetings Industry Association. Known as the MIA, this organisation set strict guidelines that both a venue finding team and the venues have to follow. This can only be good news for our clients as the MIA watch what we do and how we go about our business. Click here to find out more about the MIA
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