Author: Ben Debski

Executive decision

Posted on by Ben Debski

Located in the heart of the Garden City in Port Harcourt – which serves as the capital of Rivers state, Hotel Presidential is one of the most renowned five-star hotels in Nigeria. As soon as one enters the premises, it becomes apparent that the management and its service-minded staff are adamant to nurture the hotel’s standing, and continue to develop the concept to maintain its characteristics that have been carefully cultivated since the hotel was established. To do just that, the level of service is superior, complimenting the eclectic décor throughout the many room types available.

Conveniently located, the hotel can be reached in less than an hour’s drive from the local airport. Despite its close proximity to the airport, it is by no means situated at the remote outskirts; tourist attractions, business hubs and shopping areas are all within easy reach by taxi or the good quality public transport facilities available, which makes it a suitable option for business travellers and leisure seekers alike.

A significant spot, Port Harcourt serves as the epicentre of the country’s hydro-carbon industry and the topography associated with the destination is flat plains featuring a beautiful network of rivers and tributaries. A string of towns are studded along the rivers, including New Calabar, Orashi, Bonny, Sombrerio, St.Bartholomeo and Santa Barbara – this is a diverse destination offering plenty of opportunities for the would-be explorer. Adding further to the appeal of the locale in which the hotel is located, it boasts a fine climate all year round, marked by hot and sunny weather.

Suits worthy of kings
Aside from the advantageous location itself, the hotel certainly lives up to its five-star status and the quality of the hotel is reflected throughout the property and via every facet of amenity and service offered.

Featuring a well-rounded and carefully selected section of rooms and suites, the number of options totals 300. All rooms and suites are divided across the two wings of the hotel; with 200 on one wing and the remainder on the other. True to every type of accommodation – be it of the standard variety or a royal suit – is a selection of facilities and that include air conditioning system, television with satellite channels, fridge and telephone with IDD access, as well as a bathroom with shower over the bath and a full size wardrobe in the entrance hall with full length mirror. In addition, each room is equipped with a balcony, some of which offer views that stretch across the cityscape.

In terms of accommodation options tailored specifically to the business traveller, the premier executive rooms have all been newly refurbished, adhering to a dark and luscious colour scheme, and featuring balconies offering views across the cityscape. The rooms comprise of one bedroom fitted with a king-size-bed and a fully equipped bathroom.

The executive suite, meanwhile, features two bedrooms – one of which is equipped with a king size bed and the second with a single bed. The two bedrooms are naturally divided by an airy living room with views overlooking the city.  More spacious yet, the premier suite consists of three rooms, including a master bedroom with a king-sized bed and bathroom, a sitting room decorated in opulent style, as well as a dining room furnished with a table to seat four people.

The most regal option of the crop is the aptly called royal suite. This luxurious form of accommodation has recently been treated to a makeover of the highest order, resulting in an aesthetic expression that bridges the gap between luxury and modern simplicity. Highlights include a bathroom designed using marble and a spacious parlour complete with a dining table to set four people.

A diverse kitchen and a mind for business
While most suites have been formatted to offer guests the opportunity to dine within the comfort of their own private spaces, Hotel Presidential also serves up a wide plethora of restaurants offering a diverse cross-section of cuisine from many corners of the world. African dishes and Asian cuisine are both on the menu, while guests with a taste for Lebanese cuisine are also catered for. In addition, the Hotel Presidential concept also encompasses an extensive drinks list at its carefully designed bars that have been laid out to allow for privacy and tranquillity in order to allow for the entertainment of business clients.

Ramping up the business quotient further, the hotel features extensive facilities for corporate guests that span four conference spaces perfectly suited for any manner of event – be it a seminar, a conference, or a workshop. The Royal Banquet hall is a grand option indeed, while the most spacious alternative is the Atlantic Hall with capacity to seat over 500 people. Moreover, the hotel boasts an open-air environment called “field of music” – an outdoor milieu for spectacular show promotions.

Additional services include concierge, 24 hour room service, laundry services and a car park that comfortably accommodates over 200 cars. For business men and women who like to spend time in between meetings getting fit and healthy, the hotel also offers a plethora of sporting facilities including a gym, a tennis court and an outdoor swimming pool.

For more information please visit: www.hotel-presidential.com

Business in Cancun

Posted on by Ben Debski

With more than 30 years of history, Cancun is the best-known tourist brand of Mexico. Its beautiful beaches, first class tourist services and natural beauty together with a wealth of culture and history, and the warmth of the Mexican people, have made Cancun a world leader in the hospitality industry.

Cancun is a successful sun and beach tourist destination, and it has positioned itself as the ideal site to host large national and international events. It is also now the new face of Mexico – a destination renewed – from its white sand beaches, to its choice of hotels, restaurants and services, at prices for all budgets. All this is delivered via its strategic location in the Yucatán peninsula and direct connections to the main cities of Mexico and the world

Cancun is a destination with a truly multi-cultural ambience, where visitors and residents each year come from all parts of the world, making this the best showcase for all that Mexico has to offer: its people, its traditions, its hospitality.

Air connectivity
Cancun is the perfect multi-purpose destination with its strategic location in the Caribbean and direct flights to many cities in the world, as well as international connectivity from the major airport hubs in the United States, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The modern international airport of Cancun is the number one in Mexico for receiving international passengers and flights, and second only to Mexico City airport for air traffic.

Cancun Airport handles approximately 12 million passengers per year, thanks to its two runways, one of which opened recently, and its three commercial terminals for charter, domestic and international flights.

Hotel infrastructure
The infrastructure of Cancun is one of the largest in Mexico and the Caribbean.

With over 170 hotels and 34 thousand rooms, Cancun offers the most varied range of accommodation for more than six million visitors, from those seeking the Gran Turismo category to more modest but comfortable choices in the city centre.

Eighty percent of the accommodation available in Cancún is five-star or above. With more than 7,000 rooms of Gran Turismo category, Cancun is placed as the main beach multi-destination, with the most luxurious hotels in Mexico, many of which have been awarded the “Five Diamond Award” from the AAA, and other recognitions granted by Virtuoso, The World Travel Awards, Trip Advisor and The Leading Hotels of the World. Four and five-star hotels offer newly renovated facilities, world class quality facilities as well as a warm and unparalleled service.

Apart from the Cancun Center and the Cancunmesse, this destination has around 23 hotels with the Gran Turismo category and five-stars, with the ability to capture groups and conventions, as well as 600 thousand visitors which generates in excess of US $600m annually.

Among the major competitive advantages that Cancun has above other destinations are the extensive infrastructure to organise large congresses and conventions, and its extraordinary national and international air connectivity.

The parity of the peso-dollar is also attractive, as is the zero-rate of Added Value Tax (11 percent) offered when carrying out conferences, conventions, exhibitions and fairs, to be held by foreign event organisers.

Alternative venues for social events
Cancun offers many alternative venues for any kind of social event. Its great tourist infrastructure makes it possible to host multiple events. These can be run at the same time as any conference or convention because there is the choice between hotels, Mexican haciendas, nature parks, boats, water parks and nightclubs.

Cancun hotels offer a variety of ballrooms and terraces for theme parties, cocktail and innovative social events with high standards of quality and service. Some alternatives  for receptions are: traditional tourist cruises, such as the Captain Hook, Caribbean Carnival and Cancun Lovers Cruise, which  sail along the Nichupte Lagoon or  to Isla Mujeres,  elegant dinners in the gardens  of  a renowned  Golf Course,  Mexican fiestas in Haciendas or cultural traditions in our eco parks such as Xcaret and Xel Ha.

Nightclubs and discotheques are other venues available for social events, with a capacity of up to 5 thousand people, modern technology of light and sound, as well as shows that have made Cancun the destination with the best night life in Mexico.

Activities and tourist services
Eco and Adventure activities in Cancun are perfect for those seeking unique unexplored places. Cancun has a huge range of options for family excursions that are filled with unforgettable adventures as you commune with nature.

Water Sports are an integral part of Cancun’s beach scene.  Besides having a lot of fun, contact with nature is a great way to learn, relax and appreciate the world’s natural wonders.

The area’s natural beauty has also become a source of inspiration for culinary artists. Cancun offers a huge variety of flavours and aromas in its more than 200 restaurants: from the casual beachside coffee shop to the most luxurious and exclusive gourmet dining experience.

Cancun’s nightlife is a real adventure, where you’ll find famous nightclubs with sophisticated light and sound equipment, different shows every night, world renowned DJ’s and live performances. For golf enthusiasts, Cancun has become one of the main destinations for golf in Mexico. There are 13 golf courses of international stature. Cancun is the doorway to the Mayan World and an excellent point of departure for the main Mayan ceremonial centers such as Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba and Ek Balam  among many other.

As one of the world’s premier tourist destinations the shopping in Cancun is as impressive as one would imagine. You will find everything from ultra-chic designer stores and famous brand names, to flea markets and souvenir shops selling Mexican local handcrafts. Cancun has become a prime destination for those looking for relaxation, well being, and renewal through Spa treatments that lighten the spirit and pamper the body.

For more information please visit: cancun.travel/en/

Dublin’s appeal

Posted on by Ben Debski

Recent investments in Dublin’s infrastructure have strengthened the Irish capital’s reputation as a world class business tourism destination. The recent openings of the Convention Centre Dublin and Aviva Stadium have greatly enhanced Dublin’s skyline and already impressive portfolio of venues.

The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) combines a central location with magnificent views of the city, bay and mountains, offering state of the art facilities and an unrivalled service for delegations of up to 8,000.

Citywest Hotel & Convention Centre is a unique resort destination with 774 bedrooms, leisure centre and golf course all on site. Citywest can accommodate up to 4,000 delegates with exhibition space of 10,500sq m and 32 break-out rooms.

The Royal Dublin Society (The RDS) can accommodate up to 6,000 delegates with 22,000sq m of floor space on a 42 acre (17 hectares) estate in Dublin’s prime embassy belt. Croke Park Stadium & Conference Centre and Aviva Stadium offer unique conference settings with capacity for up to 1,000 delegates.

Dublin also has a range of unique and unusual venues. Ancient castles, hospitals, underground vaults, international breweries and colleges can make a conference or incentive trip stand out from the crowd. Venues such as the Guinness Storehouse, the Old Jameson Distillery, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Trinity College Dublin and The Church have a distinctive wow factor.

Accommodation
Dublin boasts a first class hotel infrastructure with more than 20,000 hotel rooms ranging from five star luxury to traditional Dublin guest-houses. And there’s great value for money: a recent hotels.com price index found Dublin hotels to be the cheapest in Western Europe.

Access
Ireland is ideally located on the edge of Europe, less than an hour from London, less than two hours from Paris or Brussels and just six hours from the east coast of the US by air. Thirty-one airlines fly to Dublin from over 150 destinations, including direct scheduled daily flights from North America, mainland Europe, Britain and regular flights from the Middle East. The opening of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, and the recent addition of direct access by Emirates make Dublin more accessible than ever for the business traveller.

Dublin Airport is conveniently located 10km north of Dublin city centre, with excellent links to the city centre. Within the city there’s a very advanced range of transport opportunities, including LUAS, its advanced tram system, and the DART railway network. It’s also very useful to visitors of all kinds that Dublin is a very compact city, with many major venues and the city’s main attractions literally within walking distance.

Down time in Dublin
Dublin’s unrivalled destination appeal means increased delegate sign up. Everyone wants to do business in the city that inspired four Nobel prize-winning writers and poets not to mention a plethora of musicians from traditional to rock.

Dublin’s rich history and culture means there is plenty to see and do for pre and post tour options, social and partner programmes. Its location between the mountains and the sea means activities such as golf, horse riding, hiking, teambuilding, sailing, windsurfing and canoeing to name but a few, are at your delegates’ fingertips. A lively night life with over 1,000 pubs, a thriving culinary scene and entertainment options from traditional music and dance to literary themed pub crawls will ensure your delegates enjoy their down time in Dublin!

Dublin Convention Bureau
The Dublin Convention Bureau is an essential point of contact for any international conference or meeting planner who is considering the City for their future business. It provides expert advice, updates on new developments, a free venue finding service, and assistance with site inspections and organization of familiarization trips. It also supports liaison with local service providers, provides assistance with bids for international meetings, helps sourcing of endorsement and local support, has a conference ambassador programme, and can help to build delegate attendance at conferences. DCB does not charge any fee or commission on any service and is, in essence, your one stop shop for Dublin.

Knowledge capital
Experienced professionals, world-class researchers, multi-national organisations and innovative start-ups have all made Dublin their home. Over 1,200 overseas companies have chosen Ireland as their European base and are involved in a wide range of activities in sectors as diverse as e-Business, ICT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, financial and international services. Half the world’s top fifty banks have operations in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in central Dublin. In total, there are almost four hundred and thirty international institutions directly operating from Dublin with a further seven hundred managed entities carrying on business under the IFSC programme.

For more information please visit: www.dublinconventionbureau.com

Why Dublin?
Captivating experience
Dublin is a breath of fresh air, a truly unique capital that’s steeped in tradition yet young at heart. In the historic, compact city centre there are lots to do and see, and visitors will love the rich selection of galleries, museums, restaurants, pubs and shops, not to mention the traditionally warm welcome from Dubliners.

Traditionally high visitor turnout
World-renowned for their warm welcome and genuine sense of fun, the Irish people’s enviable passion for life promises to entice colleagues and peers from around the globe, guaranteeing high attendance at any international event.

Easy access
Ireland is ideally located on the edge of Europe, is less than an hour from London, less than two hours from Paris or Brussels and just six hours from the east coast of the US by air. Dublin Airport is Ireland’s busiest airport, with over 98 airlines flying to over 185 destinations, including direct scheduled daily flights from North America, mainland Europe, Britain and regular flights from the Middle East.

A proven track record
A proven track record in Handling Major International events Dublin hosted the 2003 Special Olympics (the first time it was held outside the US), the 2006 The Ryder Cup (at the K Club in Kildare, just outside Dublin) and the early stages of the 1998 Tour de France, the world’s best known bicycle race.

Activities
City, sea and countryside all within easy reach means activities such as golf, horse riding, hiking, 4×4 offroad driving, teambuilding, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, hot air ballooning, car racing to name but a few are at your fingertips.

Price/value relationship
Dublin offers wonderful hotels, unique venues and fantastic food, all at competitive prices. Add to this breathtaking scenery, lively cosy pubs, friendly locals and foot tapping, hand clapping traditional music and you have unbeatable value for money.

Return to credit

Posted on by Ben Debski

So what possessed us to take on so much debt? Did we really think that the good times would last forever and that we could have it all at somebody else’s expense? It seems like it.

Warren Buffet has a saying, “when the tide goes out you find out who isn’t wearing a swimming costume”. I think this sums up the current economic situation here in the western world nicely. The tide is well and truly out and the number of people without a swimming costume is reminiscent of a busy nudist beach in Spain, where the sun and sea are warm, rather than a nudist beach in Brighton, which is only for a very few brave bathers. And most of the swimmers are suffering acute sunburn, especially in parts the sun doesn’t often reach!

It also surprises me that more time isn’t spent in school teaching the effect that compound interest has on debt. It doesn’t take long for a debt to double if interest rates are ten percent and the interest isn’t being paid off. And how many people work out how much interest they would pay over the life time of a 25-year property mortgage? If they do it becomes quite chastening.

So why is, or was, debt so popular? Two main reasons: the ability to buy or pay for something earlier than you could have done without using debt and/or the ability to increase the value of your purchase by using the cash flow from your purchase to pay back the debt over time. When economic conditions are good it all seems to work. However, when the economy hits the buffers, debt can destroy what was considered to be a healthy business as falling profits make interest payments and debt repayments unsustainable out of cash flow.

Governments also like to borrow as it allows them to pay for services in excess of those that would be possible just out of tax revenue. The last Labour government under the auspices of Gordon Brown were the masters of finding ways to borrow ever more money. Gordon Brown was convinced he had developed a new economic Shangri-La where boom and bust were a thing of the past. Perhaps he thought it was for the greater good but it seems to have been alchemy at best. Or perhaps he just wanted to ensure that the voters loved Labour. It is always difficult for politicians when trying to make a dispassionate decision if it could lose you votes in the process.

With the government change here in the UK we saw a complete change in government policy. There was a realisation that things could not go on as they had been. Austerity measures came to the fore and interest rates were slashed. Action had been taken which the markets appreciated and the credit status for UK government debt maintained its AAA rating. The benefit of this credit rating is very significant as it means that the interest that the UK government pays on its debt is low and much lower than some of our European neighbours. In fact, it has meant that we are paying much less in interest than the government originally budgeted.

But what of the eurozone? The southern states of the eurozone – Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal – have very significant debt problems as their credit status has been downgraded. This means that they are having to pay record levels of interest which they can’t afford to do as their economies are in or very close to recession, which means that their tax receipts are down and their other expenditure, such as unemployment payments, are up. The view is that if the interest rate they have to pay on their debt exceeds seven percent then their debt becomes unsustainable.

And what of the banks? In every debt transaction there has to be lender as well as a borrower, and when the debt goes pear shaped the lender, normally a bank, loses out. And with so much concern about government and business debt, the value of the banks’ loans are viewed as being very suspect.

The net result of this is that the banks’ balance sheets are weak, which has the knock-on effect of reducing the ability of the bank to lend more money. And this seems to be a significant factor in allowing the western world economies to grow at a reasonable rate.

So given this, the conclusion seems to be that debt is an important factor in helping the western world to grow and allow ever improving living standards. The danger arises when the borrowers [and the lenders] don’t adhere to prudent levels of debt and/or make realistic assumptions as to future cash flows. Human nature being what it is combined with the lack of common sense possessed by our politicians, this seems very unlikely.

Charles Purdy is Managing Director of Smart Currency Exchange, tel: 0207 898 0541
www.SmartCurrencyBusiness.com

An ode to Pan Am

Posted on by Ben Debski

If they can get the multi-million dollar Hollywood-style TV treatment with a series starring Christina Ricci, mocked up airline fuselages, corseted-stewardesses and all that faux fifties/sixties fashion glamour, plus a hagiographic documentary narrated by aging former Bond girl Honor Blackman, they can feel the Wrath of Toad.

It’s not a general rant because airlines have my sympathy. It’s a swine of a trade to be in and just being safe, on time and courteous will not save you if there’s too much red ink on the balance sheet.

And over the years I’ve flown with TWA, Dan Air, British Caledonian, Laker, British Eagle, Braniff, Air Florida – and a host of other airlines now gone to that great-sky-above-the- bit-of-sky-they-used-to-fly-in, so I’m not blaming them just for going out of business.

But to see them now mythologised as the three-Martini dream of the age when flying was supposedly at its zenith and the staff fawned and simpered over the passengers, makes my gorge rise. They should have called the documentary Come Lie With Me, not Fly With Me.

Most of my experiences of Pan-Am were bad ones, and I flew them first in the very early Seventies when it was still relatively rare for the average person to cross the Atlantic.

So may I proudly present a Toad Pictures Production: Pan-Am: An Everyday Horror Story of Rudeness and Inefficiency.

Fade in: Scene one: I’m flying back from New York on a Pan-Am jet clipper in 1978. It was one of those shortened 747s, remember those? They were like long limos with the long bit taken out, and for Jumbo aficionados it was disorientating. I got up after a nap and walked forward to go to the lavatory. Suddenly a Pan-Am stewardess resembling Rosa Kleb rather than Christina Ricci stepped forward, jabbed me in the chest with her finger – no, seriously – long-sharp- nailed finger in the chest, and barked, “You – thataway.”

Scene Two: A quarter-full Pan-Am 747 flight Tokyo-Hong Kong-Singapore, leaves Kaitak four and a half hours late. After the safety briefing the flight attendants vanish.

This was the Marie Celeste of planes, not a crew member in sight. Galleys empty. Then I spotted a flight attendant coming out of the crew sleeping area. She tried to elude me but I caught up with her and begged for something to eat and drink.

When I refused to be dismissed she looked both ways, like she was about to sell me heroin, and hissed, “Come with me.” In the darkened galley she slid open a drawer, handed me a ham roll and a biscuit, stuffed two miniatures of red wine into my pocket and whispered, “Don’t let the other passengers see you’ve got food.”

Scene Three: LAX 1988. I’m with my business travel agent girlfriend who was then selling about £75,000 worth of Pan-Am tickets – a week! As a reward she’d got some Super Platinum Pam-Am Elite Seller card, and two free tickets to Los Angeles.

We checked in our luggage for the flight back to Heathrow, and told we might get an upgrade and thus to pick up our boarding cards at the gate. Big fat lie! At the gate they told us, “The plane’s full.” We spluttered with outrage that our baggage was already loaded. “Pick it up in left-luggage at Heathrow in four days or it will be destroyed.”

Lisa produced her trump card, the Pan- Am Thanks-For-Selling-a-Big-Bundle-of-Our Tickets bit of platinum. Gate girl shrugged, “Means nothing.” And it didn’t.We then had to pay for an airport hotel and two fresh tickets
back to London.

Those Pan-Am freebee reward incentive tickets cost us about £1,200 in twenty three years ago money. We came back Northwest to Gatwick via Minneapolis, got home a day late, then had to drive to Heathrow for the bags. So when Pan-Am said after Lockerbie that they never flew unaccompanied baggage they were being very economical with la verite. The idiots managed to offend not just a
regular business flyer (me) but someone on whom the airline’s very livelihood depended, and thus Pan-Am went to the bottom of a certain travel agent’s recommended airlines list.

I was at Miami International, a Pan-Am hub, the day it was announced they’d gone out of business. I shed no tears and I didn’t have to wonder why. Their motto should have become: I’m useless, don’t fly me. Fade out.

Ottoman elegance

Posted on by Ben Debski

Situated along the shores of the Bosphorus in the quaint seaside neighbourhood of Ortaköy, The Marmara Esma Sultan carries the footprints of history with a stunning view, exquisite green gardens, ravishing interior décor, and unrivalled service quality, along with The Marmara’s signature flavours and tastes. This is where the city’s prestigious events and gatherings find their home.

The Esma Sultan Mansion’s rich historic fabric was preserved and brought back to life at the hands of The Marmara Collection. Recipient of the tourism industry’s prestigious Five Star Diamond Award, The Marmara Esma Sultan has been the exclusive venue for the city’s most reputable events, concerts, business dinners, meetings and weddings since 2001.

History
Taking its name after Esma Sultan, the daughter of the 32nd Ottoman ruler, Sultan Abdülaziz, the historic mansion has bore witness to a number of historic events and figures over time.

Sultan Abdülaziz’s daughter Esma Sultan was born at the Dolmabahçe Palace in 1873. When she was three years old, her father was forced to step down from the throne, and Esma Sultan was sent to the Harem in Abdülhamit’s Yıldız Palace. At the age of 16, she was married to Circassian Mehmet Paşa, an important political figure of the time, in the Ortaköy Mosque situated beside the mansion. The mansion was given to Esma Sultan as a wedding present.

When Esma Sultan died in 1899, Abdülhamit II passed the mansion on to his other daughter Cemile Sultan, and upon Cemile Sultan’s passing, it was imparted to her daughter Fatma Hanım Sultan. Finally, in 1915, the mansion was claimed from the Ottoman Empire, and in succession, was used as a Greek school in 1918, a tobacco depot in 1922; changing hands in the 1950s, it was used as a storage facility and carpenter’s workshop until it suffered a fire in 1975.

The Marmara Collection purchased the Esma Sultan Mansion in the early 90s. The building’s original character and floor plan was preserved, as it adopted a new cultural identity. In 2001, Philip Robert’s project saw the building undergo renovations from within, gaining a sturdy, yet classy iron and glass interior. This renovation allowed for the mansion to remain open all year-round.

Meeting and greeting at the Marmara Esma Sultan
The Marmara Esma Sultan brings the privileges of hosting a meeting or event in a historic building together with The Marmara’s renowned professionalism and high quality of service under one roof.

Flaunting its original charming exterior with pride, The Marmara Esma Sultan is renowned for hosting the city’s most extravagant events of the year within its four interior glass walls and its beautiful gardens.

The Marmara Catering Service’s professional staff designs some of the most creative menus for each unique reception, as The Marmara’s award-winning chefs whip up a delightful array of dishes.

For more information please visit: www.themarmarahotels.com

Quick London transfers

Posted on by Ben Debski

Heathrow Express connects business and leisure travellers to Heathrow Airport and central London in just fifteen minutes. Offering a premium experience with 150 services a day, Heathrow Express is on average half an hour quicker than travelling by tube and forty minutes quicker than travelling by taxi.

Since its launch in 1998 Heathrow Express has demonstrated improved business and service performance, reinforcing its position as a market leader. In 2009 Heathrow Express made Paddington station the first UK railway station to offer Flight Information Display Screens and Airline Self Service Check-In. Free onboard Wi-Fi was added in 2009 and in 2011 the company launched a booking iphone app which allows customers to book and receive tickets directly on their phone.

Heathrow Express trains are designed to offer customers a calm, considered on-board experience. Features include climate control, doors at platform level and generous luggage areas. Onboard televisions keep customers up to date with international news and weather and First Class customers receive complimentary copies of the FT as well as quicker access to the airport terminals.

In a climate where many TMCs and PAs are tasked with driving down costs and securing value, Heathrow Express offers significant savings against taxi services to and from the airport or central London. This, coupled with the fact that the services are frequent and journey time is standard, means travellers can be assured of their arrival time at the airport, making for a cost effective, stress free journey. For the ever increasing amounts of businesses and individuals with their eye on the green agenda Heathrow Express can help fulfil CSR targets and reduce the carbon footprint.

Heathrow Express continues to grow market share and passenger numbers. This growth is matched by ongoing exemplary performance delivered by the Heathrow Express team every day. The company participates in the BAA Quality of Service Monitor (QSM) to measure customer feedback. Key performance indicators continue to be exceptional, with 96 percent of customers intending to repeat travel and 94 percent stating they would recommend the service to friends and colleagues.

Heathrow Express’ key brand values are speed, frequency and certainty; research has shown that these are the service benefits most required by customers. Internal values centre on professionalism, customer focus, personal and operational integrity. Company policy is supported with everyone in the business benefiting from internal structures built to uphold their award-winning standards of customer service.

Beyond these internal measures Heathrow Express has consistently sustained an excellent Public Performance Measure (the UK rail industry standard for reliability and punctuality) currently at 97.46 percent. Likewise the service has repeatedly achieved top scores in the independent National Passenger Survey – a 50,000 passenger questionnaire conducted by Passenger Focus twice a year. Results include consistently achieving a top three position for customer satisfaction as well as excellence in measures such as availability and helpfulness of staff, value for money, and train cleanliness.

Heathrow Express is the only non-franchised mainline railway service operating in the UK owning the land, rail tracks and trains it uses. This unique position allows an ongoing programme of investment and innovation to maintain its position of leadership in the industry.

The future
Now in its 15th year of operation, 2012 will be a memorable year in the history of the organisation. Recently appointed Managing Director Keith Greenfield is keen to capitalise on the success of the service and to lead the business into a new era of operation. “I have always admired the attention to detail, customer service and reliability that I have experienced at Heathrow Express as a customer; I look forward to taking Heathrow Express into a new era in 2012.” In an important year for London, Heathrow Express will unveil a new corporate identity and operating systems to update and differentiate the service further.

For further information please contact Sarah Johnson or Jules Ugo on:
Tel: 020 7953 7470; Email: firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk

Conferences in Kuala Lumpur

Posted on by Ben Debski

In June 2005, Malaysia’s most technologically-advanced, purpose-built facility for international conventions, tradeshows, public exhibitions, entertainment and private functions and located at the city’s iconic landmark destination, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, opened for business. From inception, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) put its vision into action, “to turn heads by making a difference with a team of dedicated, connected professionals, striving for perfection and excellence to become the global market’s preferred choice where all things are possible”.

Six plus years down the road, it is today the premier convention centre in the country.

Purpose built, world-class
Spread over 7.3 acres and spanning five levels, the facility boasts 20,059sq m of flexible function space that includes 9,710sq m of column-free exhibition space, a 3,000 capacity Plenary Hall, 500-seat Plenary Theatre, a Grand Ballroom for 2,000 diners, Banquet Hall which can seat up to 800 people theatre style and 600 for a banquet, Conference Hall for 1,800, 20 meeting rooms and ancillary facilities, plus all the latest in wireless, 3G telecommunications and digital audio-visual services. The Centre also prides itself on having a professional team to deliver world-class services and top-notch culinary offerings; the latter served up by a 51-strong culinary brigade.

To date, the Centre has played host to 5,203 events attended by over 12.08m delegates and visitors since opening in June 2005. This in turn has contributed approximately RM3.6bn (£740m), in economic impact to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia.

Malaysia’s ‘business tourism ambassador’
Along the way, the Centre has played, and continues to play, a key role in the growth of the local business tourism industry and to promote Malaysia as the preferred business tourism destination for regional and international meetings.

An example of the former is the Centre’s Ambassador Programme which aims to educate, train and effectively grow a pool of talent whilst addressing a manpower shortage faced by the industry. The programme also provides opportunities for Malaysians keen to expand their skills set and forge a career in the hospitality industry.  And in an on-going commitment to promote Malaysia as the preferred business tourism destination for regional and international meetings, the Centre’s annual Association Seminar provides local associations with a broader understanding of what is involved when it comes to bidding for international and regional business tourism events.

As for international visitors attending regional and international conferences at its venue, the Centre ensures they are exposed to Malaysia’s thriving cultural roots with a complimentary cultural showcase of henna-painting batik-painting, wood carving, pewter-smithing, basket-weaving, calligraphy and songket-weaving, with the soothing sounds of the gamelan (traditional Malay orchestra) in the background. This also provides a fresh and exciting cultural experience on the delegates’ conference programme.

Growing with Kuala Lumpur
In late-2010, the Malaysian government endorsed business tourism as part of an Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) that aims to transform the nation into a high income economy by 2020. Under the ETP is a plan to transform Kuala Lumpur into the only metropolis in Asia to achieve both a top 20 economic growth rate and become one the world’s top 20 most liveable cities, also by 2020.

In tandem with all this is the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur Development and Economic Transformation Programme’ (Greater KL) that includes the planned development of an overhead pedestrian walkway to link major places of interests and hotels around Kuala Lumpur city, to provided added convenience and flexibility for visitors to get to and from hotels or shopping destinations and other strategic locations.

All of which bodes well for the Centre. With all the development plans now a work-in-progress, the Centre’s attraction as the ideal venue for regional and international events will be greatly enhanced. Already, it will benefit from the upcoming 450-room Grand Hyatt Hotel and Impiana KLCC Hotel Phase 2 expansion project of 180 additional rooms to the existing 322 units and an overhead bridge that links Impiana Hotel directly.

Certifications and awards
Further cementing its position as a world-class facility, the Centre continues to notch up numerous awards, certifications and accolades. Already accredited with several relevant international quality certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and OHSAS 18001, EarthCheck Bronze (environment) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), the international food safety system for international convention facilities and five-star hotels, it became the first convention centre in Malaysia to be awarded ISO 14001:2004 and the first in Asia; and one of only 12 International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) worldwide, to receive the AIPC Quality Standards certification, in 2011.
In addition, it continues to be acknowledged for its commitment to the delivery of quality products and services by its peers. 2011 saw six more awards added to an already burgeoning list. These were the Business Destinations Travel Awards 2011 for ‘Best Congress & Convention Centre, Asia’; TTG Travel Awards 2011 for ‘Best Convention & Exhibition Centre’; Meeting Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2011 for ‘Best Use of Budget (Bronze)’; Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) Awards 2011 for ‘Best MICE Venue’; the 2nd Malaysia Independence Award 1957 for ‘Malaysia’s Prominent Brand’; and one of five recipients of the BrandLaureate Country Branding Award 2010-2011.

Welcoming more in the new year
As the centre welcomes 2012, it looks forward to acquainting many more foreign visitors with the exciting sights and sounds Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia has to offer and more importantly, the world-class facility, service and product offerings that have made it the venue of choice for regional and international events in the region.

For further information visit: www.klccconventioncentre.com

Croatia’s national carrier

Posted on by Ben Debski

Croatia airlines is a medium-sized European airline in constant growth. this network carrier provides passenger travel services on short and mid-range flights in economy and Business classes. in more than twenty years of its existence it has connected Croatian cities with the most important European metropolises and thus with the entire world – the most represented markets are Germany (34 percent), Great Britain (10 percent), Austria (7 percent), Switzerland (7 percent), and France (7 percent).

Furthermore, the company operates flights within Croatia. the geographic-transit position of Croatia as a Mediterranean country at the air traffic intersection between southern, eastern, and central Europe benefits the plans of Croatia airlines which are focused towards meeting high market demands by maintaining all current destinations of regular travel and by expanding its flight grid toward southeastern European countries and strengthening of their position as the regional leader.

The product
the company is trying to maximally adjust its business to the demands of the market and its passengers by providing a quality service which is based on safety, punctual flights, knowing the market, and working together with established and well-known airline companies. In 2004 Croatia airlines joined star alliance – the leading global airline network. The fleet of Croatia airlines is very modern and consists of 13 aircraft: eight airbus (a319 and a320) and six Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.

Special attention is paid to aircraft maintenance, ensuring the highest safety standards, while strict adherence to flying procedures contributes to maximum environment protection, especially in terms of noise and pollution prevention.

In the flight cabin free food and beverages are offered and the in-flight service depends on the type of flight and time of day. Business Class passengers are offered a selection of domestic and foreign dailies and weeklies. For all the passengers Croatia Airlines publishes the in-flight magazine Croatia, where Croatian cultural and historical heritage is presented textually and with pictures. The magazine also features some of the destinations Croatia airlines flies to, as well as other interesting and entertaining topics.

The airbus aircraft are equipped with the most modern audiovisual systems which are used to inform passengers about the company and Croatia through informative movies. there are also movies promoting the need to protect special and endangered species. these include a film that promotes the dolphin project in the Cres and lošinj sea basin, a film about the lipizzaner stud farm in Đakovo, and film about the european stork village Cigoc.

For travel planning, the passengers have at their disposal the airline’s kind staff in Croatian offices, as well as foreign branch offices, and contact centre personnel (+385 1 6676 555). Furthermore, the Flyonline service offers online ticket purchase on the company’s web pages. Flyonline is constantly upgraded, with online reservation of tickets available in eight languages: Croatian, German, English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian and Italian. In order to simplify travel planning for passengers, they offer the Flight Planner service, enabling them to determine costs and browse destinations according to their individual preferences. the online service users have at their disposition the Flyonline Chat for all questions. Moreover, the website offers the possibility of web check-in, hotel accommodation and transfer reservation, the possibility of flight status check and ordering of duty free products that can be purchased aboard.

Since December 2004 Croatia airlines has been a star alliance member and participates in Miles&More –the greatest frequent flyer programme in Europe– offering its members numerous possibilities for collecting and redeeming miles, as well as many attractive privileges. Members collect miles by using the services of many partners in the programme. Miles are credited for flights of all star alliance members and other airline partners, but also for renting vehicles from partner car rentals or staying in participating hotels. After having collected a certain amount of miles, you can exchange them for numerous awards: award tickets, upgrades, various travel awards. Many privileges offered by the partners in the programme ensure the members travel as comfortably as possible.

Achievements
in over 20 years of existence Croatia airlines has won numerous certificates and awards. In October 2001, the company received the Jar 145 certificate from the German authorities – a licence of authorisation for aircraft base and line maintenance. in the middle of October 2004, the company was granted the EASA Part 145 permit, referring to standards that have to be fulfilled by an organisation authorised for aircraft and aircraft equipment maintenance. In December 2005, Croatia airlines again passed the highly demanding IOSA (Iata operational safety audit) flying safety testing for the second time and successfully renewed the IOSA certificate.

In February 2004 began the aircraft redesign, which was proclaimed one of 10 winners in the reBrand 100 award in May 2005 in Providence. In July 2007, Croatia airlines was awarded for the integration of online payment with the implementation of security standards verified by Visa and MasterCard secure code.

In May 2010 the company received another valuable recognition for the upgrade of business processes. The 2D BCBP certificate was given by the international air transport association and confirmed Croatia airlines’ platinum status in the introduction of the global Iata project named simplifying the Business (STB) for projects including the two- dimensional Bar Coded Boarding Pass. even before the designated deadline (end of 2010), Croatia airlines began issuing innovative two-dimensional bar-coded boarding passes for all destinations that have the necessary infrastructure. Furthermore, company employees regularly win the Croatian National Tourist Board Awards for the best employees in tourism in the air transport category.

For more information visit: www.croatiaairlines.com

Flexible business accomodation

Posted on by Ben Debski

The Apartment Service was started in 1981 and was one of the first companies to create a global network of corporate serviced apartments. Today we are the largest European booking agent for serviced apartments, offering solutions worldwide to clients requiring an efficient cost-effective alternative to their temporary accommodation requirements.

The Apartment Service is able to offer its clients an extensive one stop accommodation service which is delivered through consultative questioning to ascertain clients’ specific accommodation requirements. These needs can range from one night stays, to corporate housing requirements more suited to relocation, projects and secondments; some of which may last for up to six months or more. This will lead to a bespoke proposal in response to clients’ specific accommodation requirements. After this we will hold regular review meetings to ensure satisfactory continuity.

Apartment options
The Apartment Service offers one night or more in properties called Extended Stay hotels and Aparthotels. Typically, these apartments will be in urban locations, range in standard from budget to deluxe and can offer hotel services such as 24hr reception desks. Serviced apartments in extended stay hotels are fully furnished with en suite bathrooms, kitchen facilities and lounge/dining area. Extra beds or sofa beds are also available in most.

And for one month or more a sector called ‘Corporate housing’ in residential apartments which are upgraded for shorter term rentals and come with services such as cleaning, utility charges, local taxes, telephone and TV for stays of 30 days or more.

Previous experience
The Apartment Service has more than 30 years of experience in the serviced apartment industry, and during that time has gained an outstanding reputation and length of service to clients to be proud of.

As a result of the long-term relationships built within the industry, The Apartment Service is able to offer exceptionally competitive rates with a long-stay discount structure and negotiated corporate rates, and the cost saving benefits that can be enjoyed through bespoke accommodation solutions.

Due to this long standing experience, The Apartment Service is well placed to offer extensive and valuable information on this growing sector.  In 2008, Managing Director since the beginning, Mr. Charles McCrow, took the initiative to publish the first report about the global serviced apartments and extended stay industry.

This first report for which data were obtained through a global survey amongst 20,000 serviced apartment operators, clients and agents, was very well received and the follow up was published in February 2010. The 2nd edition was prepared when the world was in the middle of a recession, but optimism remained amongst operators worldwide that the sector would come out stronger. The third instalment, which looks at the development of the sector in the wake of the global financial crisis from a regional perspective, was published in October 2011and also in this third report the sector expresses optimism about the development for the future.

The 2010 report can be read online on the company website. The 2011-12 report can also be downloaded from our site, or a hard copy can be ordered by sending an email to bardv@apartment.co.uk.

Do you have to stay away for longer periods of time from home for business? Are you fed up with staying in cramped hotel rooms? Is the cost of eating out getting to you? Now is the time to contact The Apartment Service so that we can show you how we can save you money on your temporary accommodation requirements and restore the balance between work and life.

5-6 Francis Grove, London SW19 4DT, UK
Phone: +44-(0)20-89441444
E-mail: res@apartment.co.uk
Web: www.apartmentservice.com

Castle conferences

Posted on by Ben Debski

From cosy nights brainstorming in front of the fire, to away days spent hiking the fabled bluestack mountains, businesses of all sizes and professions will enjoy discovering the hidden secrets of Donegal, with a stay at Lough Eske Castle – the perfect venue for a staff groupcation.

Whether you are looking for somewhere peaceful for the annual strategy conference, impeccable service to reward your staff for their hard work, or perhaps to host your next team building adventure; Lough Eske Castle ticks all the boxes.

The meticulously restored 17th Century Castle is ideal for delegates looking for a unique setting for their next away day or team briefing. It comes well equipped for modern day business leaders, combining state of the art conference and meeting facilities with some of the most unique indoor and outdoor activities in Ireland; from archery, weaving, team challenges, hiking, surfing, cycling and golf, to a pampering spa for a little R&R – there is something for everyone.

Larger companies who do not want to be interrupted may want to book the entire venue and enjoy the castle’s Exclusive Venue Hire Package. From November to March prices start from only €10,000 per night. This offer includes: Full or part use of all guestrooms (96 en-suite bedrooms including the two-bedroom identical Suite, eight Solis Junior Suites, seven Garden Suites, 65 Deluxe Guestrooms and 14 Courtyard Guestrooms), exclusive full use of all Meeting Room Space and exclusive full use of the swimming pool, fitness centre and 43 acres of forest woodland.

All groups will have their every need catered to, with a dedicated Meeting Services Manager to help them plan all their trip details from arranging transportation to the F&B, spa treatments, and activities i.e. fishing, hiking, golf, whale/dolphin watching, etc, a dedicated Banquet Captain assigned as your Meeting Concierge to coordinate any on-site Business Centre services, such as photocopying, shipping packages or any other last minute requests, sommelier to assist with selection of wines to best complement your menu, or order special wines of your choice for the occasion and finally, unrivalled, efficient service from a caring staff in full compliance with the Solís service philosophy.

Groups looking for more mental stimulation, can experience authentic Irish arts and crafts at the local heritage centre, learn to fish on the lake, or head out to sea for some seal and dolphin watching, off the coast which could provide the perfect team building opportunity. Later in the evening, relax with your colleagues while experiencing a taste of Ireland with the local ‘craic’ in any of the many friendly pubs in the region.

The more adventurous groups will enjoy a tour of Slieve League, Europe’s highest peak, which is less than an hours’ drive away; with spectacular views and walking routes for any ability. Just across the border, in County Fermanagh, lies the famed Belleek Pottery factory and St. Angelo’s airport which offers private flying lessons for your high-fliers as well as air-tours of the local region.

After a hard day of meetings, guests can also enjoy access to the hotel’s Spa: Spa Solis features eight treatment rooms and a thermal suite with hot benches, steam sauna, luxury showers and more.

There is also a fully equipped fitness centre and a 20m indoor swimming pool which will ensure your colleagues will be well rested and raring to go on Monday morning! Complimentary site inspections of Lough Eske Castle are also available for your event through the contacts below.

Sinead on +353 (0)7497 43130 or email: sinead.mcgowan@solishotels.com
Need more details about Solis Lough Eske Castle? Visit now the luxury castle hotel.

London: Capital of business

Posted on by Ben Debski

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Author Samuel Johnson’s observation in 1777 still resonates in London over 200 years later, and is one to which a certain other 21st century Mr Johnson will no doubt testify. But what is the secret to London’s allure that has spanned centuries and continues to excite visitors and residents alike? Whether a born and bred Cockney, an adopted advocate, a serial Londoner or a first-timer; London promises a unique experience with every visit. And that’s thanks to its relentless ability to reinvent itself generation after generation whilst remaining true to its spell-binding history: a fascinating juxtaposition of a city at the forefront of innovation and design yet still peppered with rich culture and heritage. With a recent injection of investment owing to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer in what is already the most visited city in the world, there really isn’t a better time to visit the capital of cool.

Work and play
With its own unique city DNA, London is diversity encapsulated, weaving its thread of contrasts through the city like the meandering River Thames. This is a living, breathing city of contradictions that stand together side by side to form a perfect equilibrium. It’s this unparalleled quirkiness the capital exudes that whether visiting the city for business or pleasure, London ticks the box for all occasions.

With conference venues from the traditional and historical to the modern and funky; the corporate and ceremonious to the unique and quirky, London offers 500 inspirational settings including 16 major exhibition centres such as ICC London ExCeL and the Barbican, and unique spaces such as Wembley Stadium,

The O2 Arena and Historic Royal Palace the Tower of London.  As a city for incentive and business, London maintains its status as one of the top destinations in the world attracting more event delegates than any other city on the planet. Recent events such as Cisco Live at ICC London ExCeL attracted 40 percent more delegates when hosted in London than the previous year in Barcelona.

And that goes hand in hand with the city’s leisure offering – whether on a motivational trip or looking for a city that means business in the workplace as well as in the playground, London takes some beating. Boasting 55 Michelin-starred restaurants and more than 7,000 licensed restaurants, bars and cafés serving over 70 cuisines, London is at the top of its game on the dining scene. Complimented by over 4,000 pubs and clubs, the city really does offer everything you need for the ultimate night out.

Regeneration on a grand scale has taken place throughout London as we approach the Olympic Games this summer. Mass investment has been driven into the city as a result of the trust placed on its shoulders to deliver the greatest show on the planet. The city is seeing over £11bn worth of amelioration projects such as the regeneration of London’s East End; the enhancement of its transport infrastructure and the development of new hotels and attractions. London’s accommodation offering is one to be rivalled – by the summer; the city will offer 100,000 hotel rooms from the celebrated and traditional to the funky and cutting-edge. With the world’s spotlight on London this year, this is a forward-thinking city that is raising its game to not only make the most of this unique moment in its history, but also for securing a lasting legacy for London’s future.

On your marks
As the city prepares, the celebrations are already underway with a host of unique events and one-off experiences only available in London during 2012. Where else in the world could you wake up on a boat on top of an acclaimed riverside concert hall, spend the day white water rafting on an Olympic Canoe course, then while away an afternoon at a Shakespeare play being performed in 37 languages, and perhaps even squeeze in an Olympic test event such as swimming or cycling as one of the first to visit the Olympic Park? The Limited Edition London campaign from London & Partners – the Mayor of London’s official promotional organisation – reinforces this unique visitor offering that London delivers every time ensuring that no matter when you visit in 2012, it will be a-once-in-a-lifetime experience.  What’s more, visitors to London could return home with a World Record in their back pocket as they join in the capital’s efforts to be named as the city to break the most records in six months with a number of record-breaking attempt s right up until the Olympic Games!

Get set
Games time in London promises to create one of the most exciting atmospheres the city has ever seen: Olympic tickets or not, everyone will have the chance to be involved in the greatest show on earth. Live sites will pop up across the capital in some of London’s most renowned public spaces giving spectators the opportunity to create their own stadium-style atmosphere against the backdrop of iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge or in the green surroundings of Hyde Park and Victoria Park, right at the heart of the Olympics in London’s East End. Visitors can also be part of the action at the cycling or marathon road races that take place throughout the city.

However, if you’re yearning to be track or pool side, hospitality packages are still available from operators such as Thomas Cook which is offering Games Breaks including a four or five-star hotel stay along with a ticket to an Olympic event.

London is also the first Olympic host city to restrict pricing during the Games period through the creation of the London Visitor Charter promising fair pricing from a wealth of businesses across the city.

In addition to the host of sporting events taking place, The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad concludes in the capital following a four-year programme of unique initiatives around the UK. Culminating at the London 2012 Festival, the Cultural Olympiad will see events taking place across the capital throughout the year, from one-off celebrations such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to exclusive events including the World Shakespeare Festival and the BT River of Music along the banks of The Thames.

Keep going
Leaving a legacy for London that stretches far beyond the Games-time boundary, city dwellers and visitors alike will continue to feel the vast benefits brought about by the staging of the Olympics far into the future. Enhanced by the mass economic drive into the city, London will continue to be a leading city for business and a top destination for visitors the world over.

New and enriched venues such as the Olympic Park itself and Olympic venue the ExCeL Centre will provide unique locations for events complimented by state-of-the-art technology with considerable delegate capacity. The benefits from the immense upgrade to London’s transport with new underground lines and faster services will continue to be felt, providing super-fast connectivity that spreads right across London. Over the last few years, a building atmosphere has blossomed throughout the city to see a variety of grand hotel openings from the Gothic St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel to the Victorian “Belle Epoque” Corinthia Hotel London, and luxury boutique arrivals such as the Georgian Z Hotel in Soho.

As centre stage for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, London’s East End has already seen huge regeneration of what has historically always been the most underdeveloped corner of the city. With an already changing London landscape, there are yet further enhancements planned for East London with the Strand East project from LandProp, part of the Inter IKEA group, which plans to create an entirely new neighbourhood for the city close to the Olympic Park.

The halo effect from the Games will continue to ebb brightly beyond 2012 as the buzz is carried into 2013 with major events already lined up on the London sporting calendar such as the UEFA Champions League Final, the ITU World Championship Series Triathlon Grand Final and a brand new two-day fixture for London, Festival of Cycling – the first major event to be staged in the Olympic Park following the Olympic Games.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said; “There is no doubt that the Olympic Games have created a splendid sense of excitement and ambition not seen in London for generations. Even for a majestic city like London that rarely stands still, the number of new openings, refurbishments and regeneration projects are truly astounding – there really has never been a better time to bring your conference and business events into the UK’s capital.”

As a leading capital city on the cusp of staging the largest event in the world, London looks set to rise to the challenge and deliver.  In short, London is a city that means business.

For further information including free and impartial advice about planning an event in London, please go to the London & Partners Convention Bureau website at www.londonandpartners.com/convention-bureau/