A major fire, origin unknown, damaged the five-star 12-storey Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Knightsbridge, London earlier this month with 120 firefighters and 20 engines involved. The hotel was safely evacuated and no-one was hurt. The hotel had just completed a £185million refurbishment.

In 2009 a major blaze swept through the uncompleted 44-storey Bejing Television Cultural Center, due to house the new 241-room, 5 star Mandarin Oriental Hotel. More than 600 firefighters attended and one died at the scene from smoke inhalation, with seven others injured. The cause was a massive firework display staged on the last day of the Chinese New Year.

Figures for 2017 released by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) indicate that the USA has hosted the most events, and the highest number of delegates, while figures for cities indicate that Barcelona hosted the most meetings, and received the most delegates. Tables for the top ten countries and cities follow. Continue reading →

The Charities and Association event, Chase 25, takes place on Thursday July 5 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London on Thursday July 5.

Registration is free to all those from the non-profit sector and is from 08.15. The day comprises a programme of free seminars and presentations under the themes of innovation, culture, digital and leadership and concludes with a networking garden party from 17.15 to 21.00

email [email protected]

This takes place on July 4-5 at the Victoria Warehouse, Manchester.

The seminar programme promises that visitors attending can meet the future of events, today.

www.confexfuturefocus.com

Those who loved the 1969 film starring Maggie Smith in the Brodie title role, Celia Johnson as her sceptical headmistress, Robert Stephens as the randy art master, Gordon Jackson as the dependable music teacher and Pamela Franklin as the precocious schoolgirl nemesis who betrays her will enjoy the latest theatrical incarnation of the Muriel Spark novel. Continue reading →

In 1966 this genial French anti-war comedy-drama starring a younger-looking 32 year old  Alan Bates and featuring the beautiful 24 year-old Genevieve Bujold was launched without much critical or commercial success, but has since achieved cult status as a film that makes its serious points amusingly. Continue reading →

Well? Of course you do – they transport millions of people every year from A to B in perfect safety, don’t they?

Of course there are times it goes tragically wrong for some unlucky ones. Like the 100+ on the elderly Boeing 737, built in 1979, that crashed just after take-off from Cuba a few days ago, cause unknown. Continue reading →

The Royal Caledonian Ball, an exclusive £265 a ticket Scottish dancing event attracting 700 guests fell apart earlier this month as the dance floor at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Mayfair did likewise.

Reportedly after only two of the fifteen dances had been performed gaps opened up in the dance floor panels, which had been laid over carpet. After unsuccessful efforts to close the gaps, with a “massive hammer” the floor was declared unsafe for dancing on and the event was abandoned.

It is not known how many guests will be demanding their money back from organisers the Royal Caledonian Charities Trust, nor how this will affect the charities looking forward to pocketing some financial benefit from the night.

The London Boat Show, due to be held at Excel, 9-13 January 2019 has been cancelled.

Organisers British Marine say that there was little support for the format, venue and duration of the 2019 event. This was confirmed by research into the marine industry and the experience of British Marine sales staff trying to sell stands.

The show had recently been cut from ten to five days, and prices dropped accordingly.