BLOOMBERG ARCADE TO BRING ALL-STAR RESTAURANT LINE-UP TO THE CITY OF LONDON

BLOOMBERG ARCADE TO BRING ALL-STAR RESTAURANT LINE-UP TO THE CITY OF LONDON

JKS Restaurants, the team behind Gymkhana and Hoppers, among leading restaurateurs to take residency in the new dining arcade
September 2017: Bloomberg announces the independent restaurants to occupy Bloomberg Arcade, bringing some of London’s biggest names in food to the City of London. Opening this autumn, Bloomberg Arcade will create a culinary and cultural destination in the heart of the Square Mile.

Running through the site of Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, the covered pedestrian arcade will comprise 10 independent restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and dining styles, seven days a week.
Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg L.P. and 108th Mayor of New York City, says: “Bloomberg Arcade reflects London’s incredible diversity and our commitment both to our employees and the City. It will be a culinary destination unlike any other in the City, and it will bring new jobs and life to the area.”

Curated by Bloomberg’s Chief food critic Richard Vines in consultation with fellow critic and restaurant adviser Nicholas Lander, the Arcade’s diverse restaurant line-up includes Brigadiers – a new concept by JKS Restaurants, the team behind Trishna, Gymkhana, Hoppers and Motu Indian Kitchen – serving classic Indian barbecue cuisine in a space inspired by a traditional Indian Army mess.
Brigadiers is joined by large-scale new sites for Caravan, Homeslice and Vinoteca, as well as Tokyo-style noodle café Koya and new permanent locations for Bleecker Burger and Hawaiian poké specialist Ahi Poké. Three further restaurants will be announced in the coming weeks.
Richard Vines, Restaurant Curator, Bloomberg Arcade, says, “In selecting restaurants for Bloomberg Arcade we wanted to do two things: First, we wanted people doing something creative. We didn’t want another sandwich shop, another coffee bar; we wanted something original, people with new ideas and fresh approaches to food. Second, we wanted diversity: Cuisines from different parts of the world and different styles of service. Choosing the restaurants was like playing a food version of fantasy football and we’ve got some of the biggest names in the business.”

Designed in collaboration with Foster + Partners, Bloomberg’s new European headquarters occupies 3.2 acres between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England and will provide approximately 1.1 million square feet of office and retail space. Two nine-storey buildings clad in sandstone are divided by Bloomberg Arcade and flanked by public squares featuring artworks that pay homage to the river Walbrook.
Situated on one of the UK’s most significant archaeological sites, the new Bloomberg development will also be home to London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE. This anticipated cultural hub will restore the ancient Temple of Mithras to the site of its discovery, showcase a selection of the remarkable Roman artefacts discovered during excavation, and display a series of contemporary art commissions responding to the site’s history.

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#BloombergArcade #CityofLondon #BloombergNews #TourismNews #RestaurantNews #MICEnews

300 events professionals discuss the Event of the Future at Croke Park

300 events professionals discuss the Event of the Future at Croke Park

Events in the future will be immersive, engaging and technologically driven. Yet face to face is going nowhere and the more sophisticated our tech, the more we’ll crave the tactical reassurance of real people, real places, real time.

These were the key messages about the Event of the Future heard by over 300 corporate, association and agency events professionals gathered at Croke Park on Thursday 20 July to explore the power of live events and how they’re evolving in the future.

Held two days before U2’s triumphant homecoming concert, attendees also enjoyed a privileged “behind-the- scenes” look at the band’s technical set and sampled the events team’s newly launched “Stadium Street Party”, an innovative take on the more traditional summer barbecue.

Debuted in New York City in February and conceptualised by Sli.do, a cloud-based platform that facilitates audience engagement during live events, The Event of the Future (EOTF) introduces meetings and events professionals from associations, corporations and agencies to insights, ideas and inspirations from best-in- class global practice in meetings and events. The Croke Park Meetings & Events team along with agency-partner SoolNua expanded the original concept into a half day conference.

Speakers included Kevin Jackson, “the most influential person in the UK events industry”, PJ Kenny, General Manager at The Hoxton and Paula Reynolds, Project Manager – Jameson Brand Homes | Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard. The event was moderated by Pádraic Gilligan Managing Partner at specialist agency SoolNua while David Meade, one of Europe’s most sought after keynote speakers closed the conference with a high-octane, energetic presentation.

Sinéad Heneghan, Head of Sales at Croke Park Meetings & Events commented “The reaction to “The Event of the Future” from attendees has been phenomenal. With attendees from the diverse corporate, association and agency sectors, our challenge was to create an event relevant to all. From the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received I think it’s safe to say we achieved our objective”.

Patrick Delaney, Managing Partner at SoolNua commented “We’re so proud to have played our part in creating this extraordinary event. The reaction has been truly encouraging and we’re already being asked about #EOTF18. The entire Croke Park Meetings & Events team – Sales, Catering and AV – deserve huge praise. We’re also grateful for the support of registration partner Tito, audience engagement platform Sli.do and, of course, our great friends at SEA who provided entertainment for the Stadium Street Party”.

 

#SoolNua #CrokePark #MICEnews #MICEchannel

IACC Meeting Room of The Future

IACC Meeting Room of The Future Visionary Global Initiative Will Transform Meetings A dynamic new initiative from the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) is set to transform the meeting experience through a global collaboration of leaders in conference room design, audiovisual technology, hospitality, academia and conference management.  The project and initial global survey results are be unveiled at IACC-America’s Connect annual conference in New York City this April.  The IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ combines innovation and entrepreneurialism with the expertise of meeting industry professionals and planners. The program’s ambitious goal is to predict and showcase a clear vision of what is new for today and what solutions need to be sought for tomorrow’s meeting rooms, to deliver what clients want and need for maximum productivity. Collaboration, productivity and inspiration will be at the heart of the 2016 concept, with the plan to build on this annually. The initiative brings together the brightest minds and companies in the industry, to create both a physical and virtual meeting environment.  Contributors include leading universities in the US, Europe and Australia, several meetings and technology companies and leading designers of venue furnishings.  “As the only global organisation representing smaller meetings and venues, IACC is singularly-positioned to spearhead this initiative,” affirms IACC’s CEO Mark Cooper. Effective research is at the core of the initiative. IACC is surveying a broad spectrum of the industry to identify and understand needs, track current trends and innovations and determine the kinds of learning environments that foster collaboration, ideas exchange and relationship building. “These environments profoundly influence people, behaviours, companies, politics and ultimately economies.” Cooper notes. IACC will engage with planners, meeting hosts, delegates, operators and suppliers, and is partnering with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) on a survey involving 1000 of the association’s members. The project will address the most challenging issues facing the meetings  industry today while showcasing the most innovative and useful aspects of tomorrow’s meeting room.  Access to sufficient bandwidth is clearly a critical issue and one that demands thoughtful study and careful investment in equipment and training.  As the industry becomes even more global, conference venues must offer first-rate teleconference services. The rapidly expanding number of new mobile devices used by planners and attendees demands powerful, high-speed connectivity that can host any number of devices and any group or number of groups. “Connectivity affects every aspect of the meeting experience,” Mark Cooper asserts. “Super high-speed Wi-Fi is essential throughout the facility as part of security and privacy, critical communications within the meeting experience and with colleagues beyond, sustainability and guest services.” The results of the IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ survey will be published globally and at IACC-America’s Connect annual conference this April. Current contributors and research partners include Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Microsoft, Dianne Devitt.net, Corbin Ball Associates, Sli-do, Benchmark Hospitality International, MGSM Executive Hotel & Conference Centre and PSAV.

 

Sharing Ideas That Matter – IACC Americas Reinvents Its Annual Meeting

Sharing Ideas That Matter – IACC Americas Reinvents Its Annual Meeting

IACC-Americas Connect is First of Innovative Multi-Venue Conferences That Are Shorter, More Affordable and Designed to Drive Meaningful Change

New York, November 2015 – In its 35th year, the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) is reinventing its annual meeting with an array of new learning formats and a theme of “Sharing Ideas That Matter.” Renamed IACC-Americas Connect, the former IACC Americas Annual Meeting will be held in New York City from April 19-20, 2016. The event will feature multiple venues, top speakers, a shorter timeframe and a wide choice of lodging accommodations in the city. Networking events and highly focused workshops have been designed to attract new attendees, share global meetings experiences and address issues facing the industry. The event will be held at different New York City locations, including Convene Midtown East, Pier 60 and locations around Chelsea Market.

IACC-Americas Connect is the first of a new breed of IACC conferences purpose-designed to drive real and meaningful change in the meetings industry, according to IACC CEO Mark Cooper. “IACC’s mission is to connect people, sharing meaningful ideas and enabling positive change,” Cooper says. “We have created an event that is educational, affordable and focused on the most innovative and effective trends in the industry.” IACC tested this model with great success at its European-members event in Milan, Italy, this past October.

“New York is the perfect place to launch this revolutionary project,” Cooper asserts. A goal of the event is to offer different venue experiences, as these are one of the most important take-aways for our members who attend. We are delighted to include Convene Midtown East in our venue line up.”

IACC Members have indicated a preference for shorter, more impactful conferences with good accessibility, affordable registration and dynamic collaborative learning opportunities. To make the conference effective and affordable, the time has been shortened to two days and IACC members can attend for one day or for the entire event.

In another break from tradition, members can stay at the accommodation of their choice. “There is no obligation to stay at recommended hotels.” TJ Fimmano, IACC-Americas president says. “New York offers a wide choice of accommodations and price points.” Pre-conference tours and culinary experiences in the Big Apple will also be part of the line-up.

IACC expects many delegates to combine IACC-Americas Connect with business meetings and client contacts, adding further value to their conference investment. “We want our members to make the most from their attendance next year, including coming together and exploring ways to shape the industry and deliver innovative meetings experiences,” says Jason MacEachen, chair of the planning committee, noting that IACC created this new paradigm to encourage junior managers to attend.

The introduction of new exciting meeting environments and embracing the changing way people want to meet is one of the main themes, which April’s event will carry. “Our members come together to address challenges and create opportunities in a very open way. The mantra, ‘Together we are Stronger’ describes IACC’s members perfectly!” Cooper points out. “Today’s conferences should not only deliver education but also encourage exchanges that produce real workable solutions.”

IACC will also continue its successful partnership with host-city universities. Working with NYU School of Professional Studies, Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, IACC will give scholarships that enable students to attend as well as contribute to the Conference Planning Committee.

“If you are passionate about meetings and want to be surrounded by the best in the meetings business, don’t miss this event!” says Alex Cabañas, recently-elected president of IACC and the CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International. “IACC-Americas Connect will break the mold this year introducing new concepts and innovations while remaining true to the benefits of networking and education which have been a part of IACC since inception. The industry is changing at a rapid pace – you must ask yourself, are you changing fast enough to stay relevant? At IACC, we are, so come join us!”

Die größte IMEX in Frankfurt, die es je gab

Die größte IMEX in Frankfurt, die es je gab
Nächsten Dienstag, den 19. Mai 2015 öffnet die IMEX ihre Pforten

Die diesjährige IMEX, die “worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events”, die vom 19. bis zum 21. Mai 2015 in Frankfurt statt findet, wird die größte IMEX seit Beginn der Messe 2003 sein.

Unter den 3.500 Ausstellern auf der IMEX sind auch 55 neue Messestände aus allen Kontinenten der Erde und aus jedem Bereich der Veranstaltungsbranche. 45 der wiederkehrenden Aussteller haben größere Stände gebucht, darunter Abu Dhabi, China, die Niederlande, Aserbaidschan, Peru und New York City.

Die Beliebtheit des Hosted Buyer Programmes wächst kontinuierlich, so dass dieses Angebot in diesem Jahr noch weiter vergrößert wurde und nun fast 4.000 Hosted Buyer umfasst. So werden mehrere hundert neue Hosted Buyer, viele darunter aus Ferndestinationen, in diesem Jahr in Frankfurt erwartet.

Das Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm findet ab diesem Jahr direkt im Messebereich am „Inspiration Hub“ statt und präsentiert 170 Sessions, darunter 30 deutschsprachige Einheiten, in zehn verschiedenen Themenbereichen. Neu in 2015 sind die Einheiten morgens zu den Themen „Business Networking“ und „Building Confidence“. Weitere neue Formate wurden für Nachwuchskräfte, die maximal drei Jahre Berufserfahrung haben, und Fachkräfte mit mindestens acht Jahren Berufserfahrung, entwickelt.

Neu ist auch der „Creative Thursday“ mit vielen interaktiven Einheiten zum Aufbau von geschäftlichen Beziehungen bis zu kreativem Event Design.

Die Keynote Rede auf der IMEX Eröffnungszeremonie am Dienstag früh wird Bill McDermott, CEO von SAP, halten. Er ist ein passionierter Unterstützer der Veranstaltungsbranche und schätzt den Mehrwert, den Veranstaltungen als Innovations- und Wertetreiber im geschäftlichem Umfeld bieten.

Fachbesucher der Veranstaltungsbranche können sich vorab online registrieren oder sich direkt vor Ort kostenfrei anmelden.

Besucherregistrierung https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php
Ausstellerverzeichnis http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/business/whos-exhibiting/
Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/

IMEX in Frankfurt 2015 will be biggest ever

IMEX in Frankfurt 2015 will be biggest ever

Show opens on Tuesday 19 May
IMEX in Frankfurt 2015, the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, will be the biggest since its launch in 2003 when it opens its doors next week.

55 new stands from every continent and from every meetings market sector will be among the 3,500 exhibiting companies who represent over 150 countries at Messe Frankfurt from 19 to 21 May. 45 established exhibitors have booked larger stands from as far afield as Abu Dhabi to China, the Netherlands to Azerbaijan and Peru to New York City, making this year’s show the largest in its history.

With demand from hosted buyers continuing to strengthen year-on-year, hundreds of new hosted buyers, many of them from long haul destinations, will be arriving in Frankfurt as part of the almost 4,000 strong programme.

The IMEX educational programme, now based around the Inspiration Hub on the show floor, will offer 170 education sessions, with 30 of these in German, providing a comprehensive wide ranging choice. There will be new early morning sessions on Business Networking and Building Confidence. Two new session formats will be geared specifically towards Young Professionals – for anyone with up to 3 years industry experience – and Senior Professionals – for anyone with 8 years experience or more.

Also new this year within the education programme is Creative Thursday featuring engaging interactive sessions such as how to form effective partnerships with suppliers and advice on event design.

At the IMEX Opening Ceremony on Tuesday morning, the keynote speaker will be Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP, the world’s largest business software company who is a passionate advocate of the value and power of meetings in building business.

Trade visitors and buyers can still register for IMEX online in advance, or in person from at the show from May 19th – May 21st. Registration is fast and free.

To register to be a visitor https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php
To find out who is exhibiting http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/business/whos-exhibiting/
To find out more about educational events http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/

Another first for IMEX as staff delight at receiving Site’s Richard Ross Award

Another first for IMEX as staff delight at receiving Site’s Richard Ross Award

Staff from IMEX, led by Managing Director Paul Flackett, were delighted to receive the 2014 Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award during the Site Global Conference in Rotterdam recently. The presentation marked the first time the award has been presented to an organisation rather than an individual.

The Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award recognises outstanding service to the incentive travel industry. It was created in memory of SITE Past President and long-time member Richard Ross, who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City. The award also shines a spotlight on a recipient who has “furthered the vision, ideals and ethics of SITE”.
In making the presentation to Flackett and the IMEX team, Louise Hall Reider, CITE, Chair of the SITE Past Presidents Council said: “It was thrilling on behalf of all the Past Presidents of SITE to present the 2014 Richard Ross Award to IMEX – an organisation icon in our business, and the first-ever organisation to be recognised with this well-deserved honour. This distinction applauds their notable contributions and long-term service to the incentive travel industry, for which we are all exceedingly grateful!”
The Past Presidents of the SITE International Board of Directors agreed with the nominator remarks about IMEX, which described how “they changed the face of the meetings and incentive exhibition industry when they created and implemented the concept of the hosted buyer programme. This innovation changed the way business shows were organised and run…more importantly, they have achieved success with integrity, honesty and faith in others.”

Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group said, “It is a great honour for IMEX to receive the Richard Ross Award from Site. We are extremely grateful to be recognised in this way by the industry and it is first and foremost a great testament to the IMEX team.”

IMEX staff receive Site’s Richard Ross Award
Both organisations share a long history of working in partnership for the long-term development of the incentive travel industry. Flackett has been a Site member since 1988 and served as President of SITE International in 1995 and as SITE Foundation President in 2002. Bloom served on the Board of Trustees for the Site Foundation from 1993 – 1999 and, more recently, as Treasurer for the SITE Foundation. Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, is a current Trustee for the Site Foundation.

When the industry duo launched the IMEX trade show in Frankfurt, in 2002, Site was one of the first associations they turned to for industry feedback and support.