venuesworld.com 2018 Kick-Off Meeting – Marbella

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“You can’t have happy customers without having happy employees”

What is better than some sun just as winter arrives? Easy, some sun in the South of Spain in the beautiful city and resort area of Marbella. With a backdrop of the Sierra Blanca Mountains and 27km of sandy Mediterranean beaches, it was the perfect destination for our company incentive trip.

Marbella

the VenuesWorld team recently headed off to the stunning South of Spain, to the 5-star Hotel Don Carlos, for our recent Kick-Off Meeting for FY18. This trip was both an incentive for the team and a thank you for their stellar performance throughout FY17. The team went above and beyond helping our clients find the best venues and to help them operate some fantastic events across the globe.

With the expert advice of Barbara and the team in venuesspain.com, the Hotel Don Carlos was chosen as the luxury destination for the 3-day trip. Upon arrival the hotel provided an exceptional 5-star service and a wonderful lunch at their poolside restaurant. An afternoon meeting to recap on the previous year’s performance and a look towards the objectives for FY18, then it was time to refresh and head for a beautiful dinner in the Old Town in Marbella.

One of the best things about working with a local team, who have expert knowledge of the region in which they work, is that you get to experience restaurants, hotels and areas of destination that you otherwise would not have found. In the case of the team dinner on the first evening the team in venuesspain.com recommended the beautiful Paco Jimenez restaurant. This restaurant was found in the historic Old Town in Marbella in the beautiful Orange Square. With a Duck confit or crusted rack of lamb that would impress even the fussiest food critic, the restaurant was a popular choice with all the team.

The second day continued in the same theme as the first. The team in venuesspain.com helped to organise an amazing team tour of the Old Town in Marbella, but this was a tour with a twist. Rather than simply have a guide take the team around the Old Town, venuesspain.com worked with a local partner to design an iPad Gastronomy Treasure hunt. This treasure hunt allowed the teams to work together to find specific locations around the Old Town, to find clues and discover hidden gems of Marbella we would not have seen otherwise. The beautiful wine, cheese and olive oils along the way really helped.

Our final night was spent in the beautiful Bibo by Dani Garcia in the stunning Puente Romano Resort. Again this was recommended by the team in venuesspain.com. A highly recommended Michelin Star restaurant that delivered amazing food, with a great atmosphere. The team thoroughly enjoyed the fabulous restaurant that is overlooked by a 2000-year-old Roman bridge. It was truly a wonderful experience in an amazing venue with whimsical and colourful decoration. Here is to a successful 2018 for all of our teams and clients.

Top 5 Spooktacular Destinations in Europe

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With records stretching back as far as 4th Century B.C., many places in Europe have recorded incidences with the paranormal. Some places, even to this day, still claim to encounter paranormal activities. Whether you are a believer in the paranormal or a complete sceptic, it can be fascinating to learn about these, not only spooky, but simply amazing stories.

venuesworld.com has compiled this list, provided by our local experts in different countries, in time for Halloween of our “Top 5 Spooktacular Destinations in Europe”. From the crypts of Edinburgh to the Catacombs of Paris, each of these destinations offers a number fascinating stories.

1.Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle Halloween

Many consider Edinburgh to be the most haunted city in Europe. With a long history of blood-thirsty monarchs, plagues and sorrow before you even mention political upheaval, it is easy to understand why Edinburgh is deserving of the title of the most haunted city in Europe. A number of ghost tours take place year-round in Edinburgh.

The Scots take Halloween very seriously. With a chill in the air, the people of Edinburgh take part in ancient traditions such as the Samhuinn Fire Festival or relatively new traditions such as “Condemned” in The Real Mary King’s Close. Edinburgh is the perfect historic destination to experience a “Spooktacular Destination” while being surrounded by a wealth of attractions, amazing venues and every convenience a modern city has to offer. Find out more about Edinburgh and Scotland here.

2. Dublin, Ireland

Halloween Dublin

Dublin is a city steeped in a haunted history. From the ancient Celts to Viking invasions, to bloody rebellions, the city has seen it all through the years. It is rumoured to be full of ancient spirits, some of which are said to haunt visitors even to this day. Top hotels such as the Shelbourne Hotel have had recent ghost sightings with actress Lily Collins swearing to have been haunted by the ghost of a seven-year-old girl while staying in Dublin.At Halloween, the city is abuzz with activity.

The Irish take Halloween seriously, with many dressing as different macabre characters and various parties taking place across the city. Given that Halloween originated as the Celtic Tradition of Samhain, a pagan festival, it is no wonder the Irish do the festival rather well. There are various ghost tours that explore Dublin’s macabre past, but plenty more to do in this modern metropolitan conference city. Find out more about Dublin here.

3. Paris, France

Père Lachaise CemeteryParis is more commonly known as the “City of Love”. Between the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum people are spoiled for choice with wonderfully romantic Parisian landmarks. Beneath the romantic exterior though lies one of Europe’s most haunted destinations. Within a stones through of some of Paris’s top venues lie the Père Lachaise Cemetery and the Paris Catacombs.

Visitors to Paris are both entranced and horrified by the city of love. The Père Lachaise Cemetery offers miles and miles of tombstones and when night falls offers an eerie atmosphere. Here you can discover the graves of Edith Piaf, Chopin and Oscar Wilde. Beneath these lie the Paris Catacombs which house the remains of millions of Parisians who were uprooted from their graves in the 17th century. With a wealth of history and much more to offer than this Paris is an intriguing and fascinating destination. Learn more about Paris here.

4.Rome, Italy

Rome CryptTraditionally Italians do not celebrate Halloween, with few of the inhabitants of the city dressing up for the occasion. This does not mean that the city is any less of a Spooktacular destination when compared to its Celtic cousins to the north. There are plenty of attractions right across the city for those in the Spooky Spirit. With a history stretching back to the Romans, the city offers so much to see and do both at Halloween and year-round.

Visitors can explore the Crypt of the Capuchin Monks, one of the top spooky crypts in Europe. Here you will find light fixtures made from spinal cords and floors made from femurs. For those looking for a less creepy and equally interesting attraction to explore they can head to the Santo Stefano Rotondo and see the 16th-century frescoes that depict some of the most grotesque frescoes that Charles Dickens ever saw. There is a lot that Rome has to offer. Discover more about Rome here.

5. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Spooktacular DestinationsThe final spooktacular destination on our list is Barcelona, the capital of the Catalan region of Spain. Barcelona is a city full of secrets and mysteries, with legends and tales to be found in many corners of the city. All year round you can take tours through the small streets of the Catalan capital city, but at Halloween, this is a particularly Spooktacular destination.

In Barcelona, you will find streets that locals swear they see ghosts at certain times of the year, to historic Opera Houses that are reputedly built on the site of Middle-Age execution site and even fountains that are haunted by ghosts that scared people from gathering water at it. From the Plaça Del Comerç to the Casa Del Ave María (now known as the Palau Güell) Barcelona is full of the most amazing buildings and stunning surroundings that are full of stories of hauntings through the ages. To find out more about Barcelona, contact our team in Spain today.

Our local experts know the top Spooktacular destinations, but they also always know the best things to do in each of their countries. They know the best stories, the best hotels, where to visit and where to avoid. The best thing is they provide this advice for free and will help you find your next conference or meeting venue completely for free. Click here to contact them.

 

 

 

 

Top Conference Venues Dublin

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Oscar Wilde once said:

 “Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result”

Ireland is a little country with a lot to offer, with a renowned history of hospitality. This small country has all the conditions necessary to ensure the success of any conference. Over the last 10 years, Ireland has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading business locations. Many Fortune 500 companies have their European Headquarters here such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft to name but a few. Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, is home to 9 of the world’s top 10 ICT companies.

Dublin is a small city in comparison with many of its other European counterparts but is listed as one of the Top 20 cities worldwide for hosting conferences. With the combination of excellent air access, fantastic conference venues and a world renowned hospitality culture, Dublin is the ideal conference destination.

The majority of large conference venues in Ireland are based around Dublin and the surrounding commuter areas, including Wicklow and Kildare. Here are some of our Top Conference Venues Dublin, and the surrounding areas, have to offer:

Top conference venues dublin kildareCarton House, Maynooth

Carton House is the perfect mix of historical elegance mixed with contemporary chic. It is easily one of the best 4-star hotels that Ireland has to offer. Located in Kildare, the historic mansion has been carefully and creatively restored to its existing condition.

Located only 25 minutes from Dublin city, Carton House offers a 1,100-acre private parkland along with a purpose-built Events Centre. The Events Centre offers state of the art conference facilities that can cater for up to 500 people. Click here to find out more about Carton House.

Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, WicklowTop conference venues dublin wicklow

Located in the famous Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa offers breath-taking views, tucked away in the woodlands of County Wicklow. The Palladian design forms a majestic crescent on the side of one of Ireland’s most celebrated valleys. The layout of the seven-storey hotel gives a lot of the rooms and suites views of the remarkable Sugar Loaf Mountain. The hotel is located only 30 minutes from Dublin city centre and 40 minutes from Dublin Airport.”

Powerscourt Hotel offers your delegates a unique and unforgettable experience in a stunning countryside location. With a variety of different meeting spaces, the hotel can offer conference facilities for up to 500 people and 194 bedrooms, 93 of which are suites. Click here to find out more about Powerscourt Hotel and Spa. 

 

The Intercontinental Dublin, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4Top conference venues dublin the intercontinental

The Intercontinental Dublin is a Five Star Luxury hotel, only a 15-minute drive from Dublin city centre. The hotel is located in Ballsbridge, one of Dublin’s most exclusive areas. Set in 2 acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel is a tranquil luxury destination within minutes drive of Dublin city centre.

The hotel was built in 2001 and has been extensively refurbished in recent years. The Intercontinental offers over 15,000 sq. ft. of purpose built conference space. This is located in a private wing of the hotel that can cater for up to 550 people with 197 bedrooms. Click here to find out more about The Intercontinental Dublin. 

 

Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin 4the top conference venues dublin clayton hotel burlington road

The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road is one of Ireland’s largest conference hotel. They have hosted all kinds of events from the Irish Film and Television Awards to some of the biggest Gala dinners. The hotel is ideally located, being only a stone’s throw from St. Stephens Green.

Built in 1972 and refurbished in 2014, the hotel can accommodate up to 1200 people with nearly 500 bedrooms. With its excellent staff and state of the art conference facilities the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, is an ideal venue for any large conference. Click here to find out more about the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road.

 

The Westin Dublin top conference venues dublin the westin

The Westin is a global brand renowned for luxury and highest standards in customer service. The hotel is located on the doorstep of Trinity College, in an historic building that dates from the 1800s and has been occupied by a variety of proprietors from Robe suppliers for Trinity College to financial institutions.

In its present-day form, The Westin is one of the most luxurious hotels in Dublin and is easily one of the top conference venues in Dublin. It caters for conferences of up to 250 people, with 163 bedrooms. Impress your delegates with The Banking Hall, which has a history that stretches back to 1863, when William G. Murray designed this amazing space for the headquarters of the Provincial Bank. Click here to find out more about The Westin Dublin

At venuesireland.com we pride ourselves on our local knowledge and excellent supplier relationships with the top conference venues in Dublin. With this knowledge and experience, we can always find the perfect conference venue for your event. No matter the requirement, we will strive to deliver you the best venues for the best rate guaranteed.

Interested in finding out more? Click here to request a Free Proposal or email [email protected].

chocolate Tourism

Chocolate Tourism in Europe – Happy Easter from venuesworld.com

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The rise in popularity of Chocolate Tourism in Europe

venuesworld.com would like to wish you a Happy Easter!

To celebrate the Easter festivities, we have compiled some of our favourite chocolate producing destinations in Europe, which are also known for their stunning conference facilities and exhibitions spaces. Coincidence – or proof that chocolate and luxury are always interlinked!

Spain – Drinking Chocolate

Spain first introduced cocoa to Europe in the 15 hundreds after it was brought back from Mexico by Spanish conquistadors. Originally a bitter drink, it was the Spanish who first blended cocoa with cane sugar and cinnamon, producing the luxury sweet chocolate drink we know and love today.

Contact our local venuesspain.com team today a complimentary venue proposal.

Chocolate Spain - Conference Venues

Italy – Hazelnut

Solid chocolate is said to have been developed in Italy after Spanish drinking chocolate trends began to decline. Italian trader Carletti stumbled upon Spain’s chocolate secret while travelling in 1606, and brought the ingredients home to Italy. The Italians have since adopted the food trend into their beloved food culture so much so, that a hot chocolate coffee is a daily food staple in many households.

Contact our local venuesitaly.com team today for a complimentary venue proposal.

Italy Chocolate Hazelnut - Conference Venues

Belgium – Praline

Belgian chocolate culture dates back to the 16th century, but the raw cocoa was actually imported from the Belgian African colony, the Congo. It was through this Belgian chocolate culture that Praline was born. To this day, chocolate is a key factor in Belgian history, culture and tourism. In fact, thousands visit Belgium every year with the sole purpose of visiting one of the notorious chocolate museums, walking tours, factories and workshops.

Get in touch today for a Free Venue Proposal from our local teams.

Belgium Chocolate - Conference Venues

Switzerland – Milk ChocolateSwitzerland Milk Chocolate Switzerland Milk Chocolate - Conference Venues

The mayor of Zurich Heinrich Escher brought the news of chocolate production home from Belgium in the 16 hundreds. But it wasn’t until the 18 hundreds before Francois-Louis Caille opened the first Swiss chocolate factory near Vevey which ultimately brought us milk chocolate and Lindt chocolate in the following years of research and development.

 

Contact our local venuesswitzerland.com team today for a Free Venue Proposal.

 

Most offices across Europe close during the week of Easter, but the venuesworld.com team are here all week to assist you with your urgent RFPs. Global conference venue finding services are completely free of charge.

Get in touch for a Free Venue Proposal today! 

Delegate Registrations Services Fiona Kerr and Peter Williams team resized

Welcome Peter Williams – Delegate and Registrations Services

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We are delighted to welcome our newest recruit Peter Williams to our Delegate and Registrations Services Department. Peter previously worked in multiple events roles including but not limited to AV, production, catering and live event management support. His attention to detail and experience in client reporting services makes Peter the ideal addition to the busy registrations department here in the VenuesWorld HQ.

The  Delegate and Registrations Services Department at VenuesWorld offers state-of-the-art online and offline delegate management systems designed to record, communicate, confirm and receipt all aspects of your event. Managing accommodation allocations and logistics is a lot easier when delegate requirements are collected electronically. Proper system set-up from the beginning has proven far-reaching benefits through the life-cycle of the event. Peter would be more than happy to advise you on the best approach for your upcoming event.

Contact Peter Williams for further details at [email protected].

Delegate Registrations Services Fiona Kerr and Peter Williams team resized

Event Registrations Services:

  • On and Offline delegate registrations services
  • Personalised event invitations, landing pages and mobile device applications
  • Multi-currency payments options though a variety of secure online gateways
  • Multi-lingual delegate management system services
  • Customisable Cross Event Reports and Templates
  • Social event /activity event services
  • Congress & delegate abstract management services
  • Pre, during and post event change management services
  • Accommodation management
  • Flexibility and tailor made services to suit your event
  • Free venue finding

Send in your enquiry today for an introduction to our event registrations systems, or take advantage of our local experts in 30 countries and request a Free Venue Finding Proposal for your event.

 

Welcome Back Louise Ryan – Event Director

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Louise Ryan - Event Director

VenuesWorld are delighted to welcome back an old friend and colleague, Louise Ryan. Louise is no stranger to our operations team, with a rich event operations history going back as far as 2010!Last month Louise has re-joined the VenuesWorld team in the capacity of Event Director, bringing with her a new wealth of experience with 9 years in the field, not to mention an up-beat and positive energy to the office. Welcome back Louise, you were missed! Get in touch today for a Free Venue Finding Proposal or contact Louise directly on [email protected]

Malta Conference Venues

Malta Conference Venues Fam Trip

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venuesmalta.com put together a venue packed familiarisation trip for event professionals in September 2015. A rich and diverse group of events professionals were selected to experience Malta conference venues and activities as a sample experience for their upcoming conferences, meetings and corporate events.

Malta Fam Trip Video

For a glimpse of the experience offered, take a look at our short video below to see some of the stunning Malta conference venues visited, and the fun activities on offer in the area.

Click here to learn more about the Malta Fam Trip, and how to attend our next trip.

 

For further information regarding images shown, please contact [email protected]

If you are interested in learning more about venues worldwide, feel free to contact us directly and we will be happy to prepare a venue finding proposal for you completely free! [email protected]

Malta Conference Venues

Hotel Site Inspection Check-list

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Site Inspection Check-list for Corporate Events

A step-by-step guide to a hotel site inspection for corporate events

The Travel Industry Dictionary defines a hotel site inspection as “a visit to a hotel property or other establishment for the purpose of evaluation”. The site inspection check-list can vary from venue-to-venue and will be inspired by standards and facilities required for your corporate event. It’s important to have a clear vision of what is needed for your site visit.

As Cornelius Fichtner said “Planning without action is futile, action without planning is fatal”.  We advise you to prepare a list of your ideal requirements along with your site inspection check-list, to record and grade the appropriateness of the venue. Below is a check-list often used for hotel site inspections.

General Site Inspection Check-List

  • Location: Distance between hotel and airport/city, and how accessible is it? What are the transport options, information (timetables, cost)?
  • Staff: Is it understaffed? Are they helpful and friendly? Can they speak the same language as the guests?
  • Bedrooms: What is the hotels capacity, type of rooms, and amount of rooms?
  • Meeting Space: Number of meeting spaces or areas available and their capacity? Is there breakout areas? Is there appropriate equipment and furniture for presentations, room layouts and exhibitions?
  • Food & Beverages: How is the service? What is quality of the food? Do they cater for specific dietary needs? Do they have group offering for meals, buffets and breaks?
  • Bank: What payment methods are accepted by the venue? Where is the nearest bank or ATM?
  • Facilities: Is there a fitness centre, pool, spa, or smoking area? Is there a restaurant or breakfast room? Is there a gift shop? What are the opening hours?
  • Details: What is the Wi-Fi speed? Are there many elevators? How is the lighting, air conditioning, heating, toilets, and signage?
  • Services: What services are provided? Is there laundry, room-service, a late bar, shuttle service, etc.?
  • Local Attraction & Restaurants: What attractions, activities and restaurants are in the area? Is there transport to and from? Cost?
  • Nearby Hotels: Are there more hotels nearby for guest on various budgets, or booking overflows?
  • Cancellation Policies:  Is there late check-out fees? What are the cancellation policies?
  • Added cost: Is there hidden costs, added taxes, or late fees?
  • Review Rating: Check the venues reviews online, such as Trip Advisor and Yelp. Are there any recurring complaints?
  • Safety & Security: Are the health and safety standards met?
  • Architecture & Decor: Is the hotel aesthetically pleasing? Is the hotel well maintained and recently refurbished? Are the outdoor areas well-maintained?
  • Event Flow:  What atmosphere surrounds the venue? Is there an easy flow from the welcome at the lobby, through networking areas, live presentations, and on to the main event? Do guests have to wonder between areas to experience the event?

It is important to remember that your client’s criteria should be noted before the site inspection. While your first site inspection can be a daunting task, venue-finding service providers like [venuesworld] offer supported site-inspection services with our local venue-finding experts. Click here to contact us today.