So how have delegate needs
changed?
Angela Hodson, head of sales
at Emirates Old Trafford notes:
“During the past five years, there
has been a huge shift in
wellbeing, which has become
increasingly important to our
clients. We introduced new,
healthy and delicious lunch
menus, to fuel the body and the
mind, and stimulate delegates’
senses. This built on the
introduction of our #EOTWellbeing
campaign, designed to inspire
and raise awareness about
wellbeing at business events.
“Another trend is the need for
quality AV equipment to support
events and fast Wi-Fi, which is
why we are introducing stadium
wide Wi-Fi, to increase the speed
and capability when there are
thousands of visitors at the venue
attending events and cricket.
Additionally, we partner with MCL
Create, an AV company, so clients
can be assured that they receive
the best technical capabilities
and on-hand support throughout
their event with an on-site
technician. This provides
organisers with the opportunity to
ask any questions and receive
expert advice on delivering AV for
their event and helps to ensure
that all technology ideas can
become a reality.
“Clients are also expecting
more for their money and their
expectations have increased,
partly due to the level of
competition in Manchester,
meaning venues are offering
more to entice bookings.
Organisers expect an
all-encompassing and convenient
venue, where all their needs can
be accommodated. What makes
Emirates Old Trafford so unique is
the multi-purpose space we can
offer, plus an on-site four-star
Hilton Garden Inn hotel which
boasts 150 bedrooms, and free
on-site parking. We are perfect for
residential and multi-day
conferences and events.”
43
CASE STUDY
n August 2018, Manchester
Central played host to the
annual Eddie Stobart Summer
Ball, an evening full of glitz
and glamour which raised over
£250,000 for children’s charity
When You Wish Upon A Star.
Attended by some of
Manchester’s best-known faces,
including stars from Coronation
Street, the night was held in the
venue’s iconic Central Hall, which
was spectacularly transformed
into a circus by event organisers
Brown Bear Events. DJs,
aerialists, jugglers and clowns all
entertained the 650 guests
during the evening which was
hosted by Paddy McGuiness with
Vernon Kay as DJ.
One of the biggest challenges
faced was finding a way to deliver
the client’s request that VIP
tables, positioned on Eddie
Stobart trailers, were raised up
and down throughout the evening.
Whilst this was something the
team at Manchester Central had
not done before, they were keen
to make it work, and liaised with
Brown Bear Events who designed
and produced a spectacle that
was talked about long after the
event had finished.
Manchester
“The fun
circus brief
was clear
throughout,
from
bubble-gum
cocktails to
homemade
popcorn
and candy
floss as
midnight
snacks.”
www.conference-news.co.uk
Handrails were fitted onto the
sides of the trucks, custom treads
were built for guests and staff to
safely access the tables, and
health and safety teams were
consulted at all times.
In keeping with the circus
theme, Manchester Central’s
in-house kitchen team were
tasked with bringing the ‘wow
factor’ into the menu. After a
consultation (and tasting session)
with both Brown Bear Events and
the client, the chefs set about
devising bespoke dishes for the
event. The fun circus brief was
clear throughout, from
bubble-gum cocktails to
homemade popcorn and candy
floss as midnight snacks.
Gina Brown, account director at
Brown Bear Events, said: “There
were high standards to be met
with high profile clientele
attending the event and
Manchester Central exceeded
them! Everyone who came to the
ball thoroughly enjoyed
themselves and complimented
the venue and space - in
particular, we’ve had tremendous
feedback regarding the food and
service on the evening, it really
was excellent.”