Many exhibitors used this year’s Meetings Show as an opportunity to present their new offerings to the corporate market. We’ve put together a selection of our favourites
Belfast Waterfront (pictured)
Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built conference centre gave visitors a closer look at the £25.9 million expansion that was announced earlier this year. Set to open in 2016, the facilities will provide a further 4,000m of event space. In addition, the whole property will be fitted with state-of-the-art technology to give business visitors everything they need to hold a successful meeting. waterfront.co.uk
Celtic Manor
The resort has confirmed plans for the new Wales International Convention Centre, which will be the largest facility of its kind in Wales and the Southwest of England. The venue is set to feature an auditorium, exhibition hall and meeting rooms, with an overall maximum capacity of 4,000 delegates. The venue is located near Newport and within 90 minutes of London Heathrow. celtic-manor.com
Edinburgh Rewards
In what is thought to be a world first, Scotland’s capital has introduced a reward scheme for delegates visiting Edinburgh. The card and its supporting mobile app entitles business visitors to a huge variety of special offers and exclusive discounts across a range of restaurants, bars, shops and attractions, including Harvey Nichols and The Witchery by the Castle. conventionedinburgh.com/ EdinburghRewards.html
Friends House
The Light is a 1,000-capacity, stand-alone venue, which recently opened for coprorate events, as part of the redevelopment of Friends House. The auditorium features an impressive skylight, along with energy-efficient lighting, wall insulation and heat exchange systems, making it one of London’s greenest venues to date. The versatile space can hold a variety of events from seminars and conferences to exhibitions and launches. thelightateuston.org.uk
Live Group
The unique new Locator Function from Live Group transforms a delegate’s smart phone or tablet into a dynamic track-and-trace device. The app uses iBeacon technology to locate users on an indoor map of their event, so business people can find others with similar interests, as well as be notified when they are passing a stand that may be useful to them, based on profiling. livegroup.co.uk
Micebook
This innovative search tool enables event organisers and buyers to add notes to supplier profiles. Rather than keeping contact details and comments in separate locations, Micebook files everything on one database, so PAs can access the information from any computer that is connected to the internet. Best of all, free buyer membership means it’s kind on the budget. micebook.com
Queen Elizabeth II Centre
The QEII Centre in London announced an extensive refurbishment programme aimed at re-establishing the venue’s “wow factor”. The work resulted in aesthetic improvements and enhanced facilities for corporate events to create a modern and stylish environment. After closing in late July to carry out the work, the venue re-opened in September. qeiicentre.london
RefTech
WebBadging is a new, cost-effective cloud-based service that allows event organisers to create and print professional-looking badges from anywhere in the world. Registration data is stored online, so it can be accessed from any device that is connected to the internet. The system can also be used to create and track tickets and wristbands for exhibitions and conferences. reftech.co.uk
Vox Conference Centre
The ICC Birmingham is set to open the new Vox Conference Centre by mid-2015. The venue will feature innovative and stylish event facilities and is located within a property that contains a huge choice of restaurants, bars, shops, a hotel, cinema and casino. Located close to Birmingham airport, it aims to be a cost-effective choice for event organisers across the UK. thevoxcentre.co.uk
Wyboston Lakes
Bedfordshire-based conference venue Wyboston Lakes is boosting its scope of team-building activities and corporate away days by launching a portfolio of thrill-park events. The new programme makes the most of the property’s lakes and off-road driving opportunities, with options including wakeboarding, water jetpacking and powerboating, and can host teams of up to 100. wybostonlakes.co.uk
