Event management space before

At this time of year the phones turn into hot cakes and we have companies from far and wide calling us (often in a blind panic) about their Christmas Party. The conversation generally runs along the lines of “Can you help me, I need to plan our company Christmas party but I think I might have left it to late” or “I need to plan a party but we are making a decision about it at the end of the week so I need you to send me some ideas by the end of the day please?” (no pressure!)

Firstly, on a positive note we have masses of ideas (I’m the OCD saddo that keeps a note pad next to my bed as I regularly wake up in the middle of the night with some creative and genius idea for our clients events!!) on top of which we also have a team that can turn around enquiries pretty quickly. Secondly, whilst many venues, suppliers and entertainment options are already booked in December we are always first to pull great things out of our sleeves! I can pretty much guarantee that there will always be an option that will work for you and we will be sure to pull out all the stops to make it happen.

Event management space after transformation

It isn’t always a venue that clients are after and the type of Christmas party enquiry that comes through varies dramatically. Some ask for an exclusive space within a venue, others want a joiner party or to be part of a larger shared Christmas party which as a smaller group can mean that you get the WOW factor of an event on a grander scale.

This year though we have been asked by a few companies to find an unusual venue or to transform their offices into something themed or magical. It’s all possible, here is a before and after picture of an old church we transformed for a client last year. It doesn’t have to break the bank and can often be a really imaginative and unusual option for companies that want to stay put and not ship everyone across the country. Why not contact us 0845 413 3030 and have a chat about what is possible at your office. We would need to see your office space and get an idea of your budget then we’ll work hard to put together a proposal that will blow your mind and make your Christmas party a success!

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I know this is going to sounds like marketing sales spiel but at DMC Brighton we’ve always been focused on our client relationships. We work with them closely, offering what they require for their events, but at the same time giving them the benefit of our years of experience – making suggestions on a strategic or logistical basis often, and assisting with marketing and PR too. We like to work WITH our clients, not just tick all their boxes

Last week in Meetpie News a study by the World’s Leading Conference Organisers (WLCO) found that associations and non-profit organisations such as the charity sector are increasingly wanting more support from their PCOs and conference organisers. They want a conference organiser that can roll up its sleeves and get properly involved.

We love this – it’s how we like to work. We’re PCO for a large non-profit conference coming to Brighton September 2011 and it’s been exciting to be involved at some of the key decision making points and strategic meetings. As conference organisers it helps us to build a close working relationship with our client, but also gives them real confidence in terms of their event content and the support we can offer.

The development of our online registration and conference IT development services mean that we can create bespoke online registration and submissions sites which give associations and conference groups a vital event portal, not only for communicating efficiently with their existing members, but by helping to increase that membership and promoting the client.

Conferencing methods are really changing, and we’re working well to stay ahead of the game. Contact us to see how we can help with your conference or event? If you’re looking for a PCO that can add significantly to your conference or event, or assist with advice on improving ROI, we could be exactly what you’re looking for

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When arranging events overseas, it’s vital to have a ground operator in the target destination to ensure you get the best for your event. A good DMC should have excellent relationships with venues and suppliers alike in their area, and be able to negotiate good rates on your behalf. Whilst the client or their tour operator may have experience of handling events, nothing beats local knowledge. The DMC should also be able to arrange exciting and unusual activities

Here at DMC Brighton we’ve been working on this, negotiating good rates and building good relationships for our clients. We strive to understand differing cultures and their needs in the UK, and can offer good local support from the South East coast line up to London, taking in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent on the way. We know all the transportation options, the best hotels for each group, some really exciting activities and all the things to avoid!

Working with a DMC can often ring alarm bells – what if it costs more to use an agency? What if the DMC charges high fees? We can understand that concern – after all, an overseas event is expensive enough! But our solid relationships with those we work with ensure that any costs are kept to a minimum.

From simple venue search to full itineraries, you’re better off asking the local experts…

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WHY BRIGHTON?

People often ask us why we recommend Brighton as a destination. What makes it so different from all the other cities in the UK? What is so ‘great’ about our seaside town? On a personal level I love the place, I think it has got just about everything you’d wish for in a UK location (all be it a little bit sun deprived at times, but hey, we can’t have it all all of the time!)

So, I thought I’d share with you our reasons for ranking Brighton right on up there at the top. It’s one of the most colourful vibrant cosmopolitan cities in Europe, certainly in England. Full of atmosphere and oozing energy. Unique, electric, fun and packed full of history. Then there’s the culture, celebrated night life, the fabulous abundance of festivals, unique hotels of all descriptions, marvellous shopping areas to mooch around and not forgetting the award winning restaurants peppering the area – packed with style this city really is like no other. Not to mention its accessibility from across the world. Well, as long as there isn’t a volcano, that is

I’ve previously read an article stating the Government currently ranks Brighton & Hove as the UK’s most cultured city outside London which comes as no surprise to those of us that live here. But why not judge for yourself? Get yourself a fantastic venue in Brighton for your next event!

TOP 10 TIPS TO CHOOSING A VENUE

The right venue is crucial to the success of any event and what’s more without a venue you have no event. So we’ve put our thinking caps on and come up with our Top 10 Tips to choosing the right venue.

1. Firstly – use a venue finding service or better still call us! We’ll listen to your requirements and promise to find you some venue options that meet your brief and better still it won’t cost you a penny. Why spend time trawling the web when we have a dedicated team constantly researching the best deals for you.
2. Think about the size of your event and don’t leave it too late. To get the venue you want you will need to plan early as some of the leading venues are often booked well in advance.
3. Duration of the event – How long do you actually need to achieve your business? Can you cover it in a breakfast, lunch or evening seminar? Or maybe you have speakers and delegates that need overnight accommodation in which case it’s best to choose a venue with accommodation?
4. Types of event – Conference, Team building, Themed Event or Wedding. What ambience are you trying to achieve? What do you want to use the venue for?  There are all sorts of different venues on the circuit now. You might want something a bit special or oozing elegance so a boutique hotel might fit the bill nicely. Some of you out there are a bit more traditional so a long-established hotel would be more appropriate and others are simply looking for the convenience of daytime conference space or a venue within easy access.
5. Location Location Location! Any venue you chose should be in easy reach of public transport links (particularly train or tube links) or motorway. In short you don’t want your delegates to have to trek halfway to Timbuktu, the harder it is for your delegates to travel to a location the less likely they will bother to come, sad but true. If people might be travelling buy car is there a car park near by?
6. Format – have you thought about the layout of the room? Do you prefer people to be seated in rows (theatre style) or do you want people seated around tables (cabaret style) which will almost certainly halve the number of guests you can accommodate? Do you need any break out rooms? Do you require and staging and production (this can massively effect the size of room you require), do you need any catering and where might this take place (if it is in the same room you will need to factor this into your itinerary, equally should you be using a separate area for this then you may well be charged an additional fee.
7. Ease of Access – We suggest that any venue you choose should be fully accessible to people with disabilities or at the very least thought about. Does the venue offer lifts and ramps for wheelchair users?
8. Facilities – Depending on what type of event you are looking will determine what facilities your guests might need. Almost certainly these days’ people need wi-fi/interntet access and other business services.  You might be doing a team building event or family fun day that requires outdoor space or you could be using your venue for an incentive reward trip in which case spa and health facilities are always a bonus.
9. Catering – All venues work differently. Some have onsite caterers; others don’t which would mean you would need to look for an outside caterer that can fulfil your needs. We can help with that we have awesome food – check it out!
10. Post Event – we think it’s crucial to get feedback from all our post event likewise you might wish to do the same with your delegates. If something works well for you then we’ll happily fly the flag again. If a venue hasn’t worked for you then we think it’s important to understand why and cross it off your list for next time.

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Well, we’ve been feeling it for a few months now in the office here but it’s good to have it borne out by real research. The UK meetings and events industry is showing healthy signs of improvement, with bookings up, budgets up and confidence increasing overall, according to an online survey conducted by event industry publication M&IT Magazine.

We’ve noticed a general improvement in the market, with a more confident attitude to booking with longer lead times, and a return to better budgets. Inbound MICE business has seen an improvement too, with groups from France and the Netherlands finding their way into Brighton, London and the South East. Overall, the meeting and events industry in the UK seems to be showing a cautious, but definitive improvement all round

‘Phew!’ is all I can say! It’s been a difficult 12 months or so, and whilst we can’t expect a fast rise in the economy, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel is great for those in our industry, where corporate events and the meetings industry has definitely taken a knock. And the sun’s shining. Not a bad start to the day

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