Venues

Corporate Away Days at the Old Manor Hotel

Posted on February 22, 2014

Located in Bradford on Avon, just about two hours’ drive from London and about one hour from Bristol, I discovered this gem – The Old Manor Hotel. In June 2013, when the hotel was acquired by a hotel veteran Tudor Hopkins, it also opened its doors to host events, and among others, corporate away days.

Accommodation and facilities

Nothing encourages creativity and increases team building effectiveness as taking the employees somewhere away from the usual environment and the big city hassle. Located on the countryside just outside Bath, the 500 year old house was transformed into a hotel and is a perfect location for such getaways for small to medium size groups.

It has 21 rooms and event space that can accommodate up to 85 delegates in the three different event spaces:

1. Drawing Room: Theatre 15/ Boardroom 14

2. The Milking Parlour: Theatre 65/ Boardroom 25

3. Greenhouse Marquee: Theatre 85/ Boardroom 45

Of course, you can also have an exclusive hire of all the hotel facilities and event space.

Outdoor and indoor activities

There is also a two acre paddock belonging to the hotel which is perfect for outdoor team building activities. You have the convenience of combining outdoor and indoor activities without major logistical challenges (e.g. – lunch break, splitting the groups etc.). The range of outdoors programs include: Archery, Speed Shooting, Air Rifles Target Shooting, Laser Clays, Falconry and Axe Throwing. The hotel cooperates with a local incentive company Teampursuits and can assist you with designing the right corporate teambuilding or leisure events and support you on site.

You can use one of the three event spaces mentioned above for an indoor seminar, wine tasting, training or other team exercises. After a long day when you just want to chill and have a pint of local ale The Old Manor has an on-site bar with a large selection of drinks.

Gastronomy

The menu is designed by Matthew Briddon, one of the UK’s top Chefs. After working in renowned restaurants, Matthew Briddon took over The Old Manor’s kitchen and designed the menu based on local and seasonal ingredients from hotel’s own garden. In addition there is an on-site smokery and you will definitely find smoked salmon on the menu. I had the pleasure of tasting the fine dining 5- course degustation menu:

Amuse Bouche

Pickled beetroots, whipped goat’s cheese, roast nuts, brown bread and a garden herb crumb

Chefs Home cured hay smoked salmon, pea salad, herb crème

Butchers Block

Treacle Tarte

My power breakfast

If you choose to stay longer, there are also other activities to consider, such as visiting the near city of Bath Spa and Stonehenge. I would definitely recommend to hire a coach rather than using a public transport.

At the moment, the hotel develops additional food and beverage related projects, such as its own herb garden and flavored gin. Good reason to visit again!

Getting back to London and the London traffic reminded me how much I needed this getaway! With all the technology and social media, it’s good to take a break from it all and get closer to nature.

Note: The hotel offers its facilities also for other events, such as weddings (19 weddings are already booked for 2014!), birthdays and other celebrations. You can stay up to date by following The Old Manor on Facebook and Twitter.

A big thank you to The Old Manor Hotel who hosted me and showed me around. All opinions expressed above are mine. For prices, packages and availability please contact the hotel directly.

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Education

Event marketing that inspires

Posted on January 6, 2014

It´s Monday, and it´s the first working week of the New Year. So how about some inspiration in form of event marketing?

If you read one of my previous posts “St. Moritz Art Masters – World Class Event at Top Destination”, you may be already familiar with what I´m going to present you.

So what is it about?

Events promote a number of inspirational quotes. When you read them you don´t think about the event, you may not be even aware that such an event exists, until you look on the bottom right or left of the poster and you realise that this relates to the event. I don´t see it very often, this is only the second time I encounter such marketing strategy and I find it very interesting and interactive (and inspiring, of course). I wish to see more events doing it, it´s a sophisticated way to use print media (no need to move completely to digital) and it just proves in what diverse and original ways you can promote your event. Think out of the box.

Have you seen such marketing elsewhere?

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MICE Destinations

Heidelberg Christmas Market

Posted on December 25, 2013

I hope that everyone is enjoying their holiday season! I am spending Christmas in Germany and here we are enjoying quite a warm weather which allows spending lots of time outside and visiting Christmas Markets.

Germany is famous for its Christmas Markets. Almost in every city and village you can find one and try Glühwein (mulled wine), potato fritters, sweet or salty crêpes, buy small souvenirs such as woodcrafts, candles and much more. Personally I can’t resist all the tempting smells of flavoured teas and nicely packed sweets.

This year I had the chance to visit Heidelberg Christmas Market. Located in the old city on a historic ground, it offers a warm, unique and beautiful atmosphere due to all the wooden huts and Christmas decorations. I even tried a Feuerzangenbowle (red wine punch) for the first time, which was very delicious.

Christmas Markets are great occasions for get together team building events. Being officially planned with reserved seating area or spontaneous after work, they are the ultimate small incentive events.

Here are some impressions from the beautiful Heidelberg Christmas Market.

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MICE Destinations

Paris Gems

Posted on September 15, 2013

The amazing thing about Paris is that every time I travel there, I experience the city in a new way and see it in a new light. We were there just for the weekend and were lucky to have a great weather which allowed us to spend lots of time outside. This time, instead of spending time in the underground, we rented a bike and cycles through the city, stopping by the famous attractions such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the “Love Lock” bridge and the Louvre. We parked the bikes in one location and picked them up in another.

For a refreshment break we chose to go to the Angelina. Rumour says that that was the favourite place of Coco Chanel. They have an amazing signature drink, the hot chocolate and that was really delicious, I would definitely recommend! In addition we tried the signature dessert which was one of the best desserts I ever had!

That brings me to the next point, the food. I adore the cheeses in France. This time we just enjoyed having cheese and wine evenings and tried as many cheeses we possibly could.

Did you know that originally the Eiffel Tower was built for an exhibition, the Exposition Universelle? I prefer to climb it instead of taking the elevator, and preferably at night. That way, when you are on the top you have an amazing view over Paris by night (Very romantic as well! I’ve seen two marriage proposals!). Climbing up the tower can be also a great afternoon group activity and you can book a guided tour and even have a dinner there.

I am a big fan of hotel bars, mainly because I was working in hotels before and familiar with high standards of 5 star hotels and the good quality of products. Bar 8 at the Mandarin Oriental hotel is a great place for a small celebrations or an after work events. The bar has a beautiful set-up and exceptional and attentive service.

If you would like to explore Paris by foot, I can recommend you to start from Montmartre, maybe also have a breakfast of coffee there, and from there walk to Moulin Rouge and then to the Opera, finishing with shopping at the Galeries Lafayette.

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MICE Destinations

Heidelberg for Connaisseurs

Posted on August 28, 2013

I had the pleasure to join Susanne Fiek on one of the tours called “Culinary Ramble”. On the day it was a group of 20 young professionals from top consultancy firm who did the tour as an after work activity. The Culinary Ramble is a three hours experience, combining a city tour and a 3 course menu. The tour started at the Old Bridge where the “Ape” (more about it later in the inteview with Susanne) was waiting with chilled sparkling wine and snacks. While the guests were having their after work drink Susanne told about the history of Heidelberg and the castle, combining personal stories and making it entertaining. From there the tour followed into the old town, stopping by one building or another to tell the story, until we got to the first restaurant at the Hip hotel for the starter. Seated on three tables it gave the participants the opportunity for calm discussions and relaxation from the long day at work.

The tour continued to the Universitätsplatz where Susanne provided us with further interesting history facts and was attentive to answer all questions. Later the tour went along the beautiful narrow streets, accompanied with personal stories and recommendation for the time we want to come to Heidelberg again.

The tour ended at Marktplatz, just in front of the restaurant Roter Ochsen where we were to have the main course and dessert. Suddenly Susanne told us to look at the castle. At that moment the castle was lighted and that was one of the WOW moments to remember from Heidelberg.

I even couldn’t notice that the three hours were over. I don’t want to ruin you the experience, so I just say that there is an additional surprise on the way 😉

Interview with Susanne Fiek:

1. Can you tell about your company, how long it exists and

what brought you to start it?

I started out in 2002 when I have been a tour guide for two years. Every

guided tour, even when it was “just a regular” tour of the old town or the

castle should be special for the guests: an event, even small tour can be

one, so I named may company event & event..chen Heidelberg”– “event..chen”

for the fine and small ones… J Individual, informative and – most important:

it should not be a lecture but humorous and entertaining as well!

2. Why do you think Heidelberg is attractive for business travel

(e.g. incentives) and which of your tours would you recommend

for corporate groups?

Heidelberg is attractive for all kind of travels… ;-), but especially for

business travels because the city and its very close by surroundings offer

almost every possibility which make incentives good ones.

event..chen´s “highlight” is the “Culinary Ramble” through the Old Town of

Heidelberg. The idea came more than ten years ago when I met a group, guests

of one the big companies of the region, who had been working all day in a

seminar. They were scheduled for dinner in town but before the organizers

wanted to present them with a guided tour of the city. Even though

interested in Heidelberg they were first of all interested to relax the

first time after work. My idea was: greet them, welcome them and offer them

a drink – simple but just perfect. Water, a regional Secco, salty snacks

plus talk about regional food specialities, the fame of Heidelberg and

anecdotes. Choice of the courses take place along the way (we also account

for vegetarians, vegans and food intolerances!), further surprises follow

along the way.

3. First time I’ve seen your tour I noticed that a mini- van

accompanied the tour. Can you tell more about the concept?

The little van is an “Ape” from Piaggio (means bee in Italian). We

acquired it to more flexible on our tours: we have water, champagne, glasses

and all you need for a unique special surprise reception in the trunk.

Because the Ape is so small we can go almost everywhere and hold the

receptions where our guests want to be.

4. In your opinion, what are the two or three places someone must

visit when in Heidelberg on a short trip?

Definitely the castle!!! A must! A stroll through the old town and its

picturesque alleys. The historic “Studentenkarzer” and the Old University

Building as well as the University Library´s first floor exhibitions.

And: if you feel like taking a little hike: climb up to the Philosophers

Walk!

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Incentives