A free business seminar and networking session for event organisers is offered by academic venue consortium Venuemasters.

This will be held at Conference Aston, Birmingham on Wednesday October 7, from 11.00am to 2.00pm and features coffee, lunch, an exhibition of seven of the 70+ Venuemasters venues, an optional show-round Conference Aston and a 45-minute talk on social media and technology at events, “Stay Ahead of the Game” by Jackie Mulligan, Vice-President for Innovation at Meetings Professionals International (MPI)

web: venuemasters.com

Also in Birmingham for event organisers is the open day at venuebirmingham, held on Friday October 9 in the Great Hall at the University of Edgbaston.

This runs from 12.00 midday to 2.00pm and features lunch, an exhibition of suppliers to venuebirmingham and a talk about the food industry in the 21st century by food critic, journalist and broadcaster Jay Rayner.

email: [email protected]

A range of eleven Christmas Party nights in November and December have been announced by The Dalmeny Resort Hotel, situated overlooking a beach and the pier at Lytham St Annes, Lancs.

These are held in the hotel’s newly refurbished Atrium Suite and comprise a three-course meal with three choices per course, a range of live entertainments including bands and tribute acts and a DJ Prices are from £30 per person and optional add-ons include prosecco and pre-dinner canapes. Party guests can stay on the night from £30 per person bed and breakfast. Continue reading →

Tobacco Dock, in Wapping has a total capacity for up to 10,000 standing, making it a suitable hire for large parties, and the party nights put on by the venue.

For other events 300-1,200 guests can sit on rounds, there are 30 meeting spaces and combinations for 8-1,500 and exhibitions of up to 70,000 square feet, or 6,500 square metres.

web: thedocklondon.com

The 900 year-old Cathedral in Norwich now offers two modern spaces for event organisers in peaceful surroundings.

The Weston Room has high oak ceilings, lots of glass and natural light and can hold up to 150 theatre-style. AV equipment and free Wi-Fi are provided, and a licenced bar is available The hourly hire rate is £127.50.The half-day and evening rate is £496 for sessions running 8.30am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 5.00pm or 6.30pm – 11.00pm, and the day-rate for 8.30am – 5.00pm is £827.

The Refectory restaurant (see September issue for food review) which also has free Wi-Fi and abundant natural light, can accommodate up to 150 for a reception, 100 for banqueting or 30 in boardroom style. It is available for early morning sessions from 7.00am – 9.00am on an hourly rate of £95, or evening sessions from 6.30pm – 11.00pm for £350.

web: cathedral.org.uk

One interesting and unusual East-London venue just 100 yards from the 2012 Olympic Stadium, and with views over to it from a rooftop terrace, is Forman’s Fish Island, the quirkily pink coloured factory and head office of salmon smokers Forman and Son, near Hackney Wick and shaped like a darne (steak) of salmon.

Substantial spaces for parties and other corporate events are offered, including a large second-floor area with multi-coloured party lighting and holding 900-1,000 for a standing reception, depending on how cosy you want them. Around 400 theatre or cabaret style can also be accommodated in the 635 square metre space The roof terrace, with the inspiring views for sports fans holds 300 for a reception, 100 for a theatre-style layout and 80 cabaret style, and can be used for energising al fresco beverage breaks and lunches. There are four additional spaces for events for 14 to 150, including the restaurant for 20 – 30 seated and 40 standing

web: formans.co.uk

Those wanting an overnight stay very close to Lisbon Airport, or to hold an event there, can check out the impressive new Tryp Lisboa Aeroporto Hotel, where we enjoyed a one-night stay earlier this year.

This is a bright and modern place, an easy 200 metre walk from Terminal One and around 3-4 kilometres from Lisbon city centre, and offers 167 contemporary and comfortable bedrooms with full bathrooms, most of which include a very welcome bathtub to stretch out and relax in. There is a 32 inch LCD TV, individually controlled heating/air conditioning, a safe, desk area, minibar and free WiFi internet. Facilities for guests wanting to make their own tea and coffee (we did) are supplied on request. There is also a complimentary transfer service for guests departing from the temporary Terminal Two (we did) a short drive away. Continue reading →

A recent trip to Sarasota, Florida earlier this year turned up a number of impressive attractions for organisers seeking interesting non-residential venues for their events. Most allow complimentary tours for delegates using the facility. Continue reading →

A film song entitled “From My Head to My Toes I’m All About Love” sung by a Maria Magdalena von Losch sitting on a barrel in a lowlife German nightclub doesn’t sound like the stuff of legend, until you know that the lady was Marlene Dietrich and the song was “Falling in Love Again” in the English language version of The Blue Angel, lost for many years.

The 1930 black and white talkie film was the first of a handful of memorable films featuring the then 28 year-old Dietrich, under the hard guiding hand of talented director Joseph von Sternberg. This one however actually starred Emil Jannings as the tragically romantic mid-life school professor Immanuel Rath who tracks his young male charges to the seedy Blau Engel club after confiscating, and being pleasantly disturbed by saucy photos of coquettish and teasing cabaret act Lola-Lola, (Dietrich) only to fall madly in lust with her on-stage flauntings in a jaunty white top hat, inadequate skirts, stockings and suspenders. Continue reading →