Biggest networking night yet at London's May Fair hotel

The second of The BNC’s regular Networking Evenings was held on 11th December at London’s newly refurbished and reopened Radisson Edwardian Mayfair Hotel.

Over 60 Club members, recommended suppliers, representatives of The BNC, BNC-recruitment and Radisson Edwardian ‘talked shop’ for more than two hours over cocktails, wine and large, satisfying canapés.

The theme of the night was to meet and network with other BNC members – both event organisers and suppliers – and to experience a highly recommended venue in the heart of the capital. Event Manager Candy Kirkland says that’s just what happened. “I met some people who I had previously met at the last meeting and made some new contacts yet again; it was good to chat to people about their experiences. The venue was superb and the staff made us extremely welcome.”

We were the first big group of meeting, marketing and event professionals to experience the stunning results of the 5-star May Fair’s complete £75 million makeover. Gone are the standard trademark features of a traditional, classical hotel and in its place are stylish and creative touches which catch the senses one by one. Comfort and luxury reach you in fascinating ways - sounds and smells are pumped through the hotel, antique day beds and shimmering, soft wall designs inspire the curious to explore and every space has something extraordinary to look at, such as the 350-pax Crystal Ballroom with its one-of-a-kind eye-popping million pound Baccarat chandelier.

Our networking room, The Atrium, is a split-level events space designed to lend plenty of drama to an evening do. Suitable for 118 people, it is complete with a bar, registration area and cloakroom. Marble floors and tall glass tables were speckled with candles and overhead the sky was on show through the windowed ceiling. Groups of threes, fours or more chatted heartily, many stepping back from networking to grab a few minutes with our favourite Life Coach and ‘Angel Intuitive’, Glenda Hope (see separate piece).

If the 400-bed May Fair has got it right with location and style and service, they’ve got it set for now and the future when it comes to audio-visual capabilities. Our tour of the nine floors, which included suites and standard rooms, some of the 12 meeting rooms and the Crystal Ballroom and Danziger Suite, ended with a mind blowing sneak preview of the hotel’s new THX certified, 201-seater private theatre.

Among the many, many screening, live, recorded, presentation, conference, product launch possibilities, the theatre (complete with premium quality 8x3.8m ‘across the stage’ cinema screen plus two 50” high definition plasma screen displays) can provide: video conferencing facilities; internet access via a wireless network; simultaneous translation facilities for up to four languages and personal delegate hearing system with earpiece or neck induction loop; full video recording of delegates and meeting proceedings via digital video camera system to a variety of media; audience response system – voting system for up to 201 delegates; audience response system microphones (one microphone for each delegate); automated camera positioning to capture audience response microphone user; relay to other rooms – video and sound relays to other rooms; custom designed luxury seating with fold-out desks and recessed audience response handsets; full computer control of systems with front-end speaker touch-screens.

Scott Bradley, the Audio Visual and Technical Service Manager, says with enthusiasm: “There is so much that the Theatre can do but during the networking evening we could only show BNC members roughly five per cent of the system’s capabilities.

“We’ve got the best facilities in the country and we ha

ve worked-in features so that we are future-proof for along way ahead. Our £75,000 projector is ready for a HD (high definition) player and we are ready and waiting to implement that and other future technologies.”

Kim Paulden, The BNC’s Managing Director was overwhelmed by the attendance of 11th December and thanks the hotel and all of the members attending for making it such a great night. “It’s one of the busiest weeks of the year with Christmas approaching and yet attendance was phenomenal. The room was buzzing constantly with people chatting and having a good time. There was a very natural flow to the evening and a very friendly atmosphere. A great night for The BNC.”

Living proof of the dedication to The BNC – even during a busy time of year - is Marilyn from CRU Conferences who dropped in before heading back to work for her Christmas do! She says: “As usual the atmosphere was great, excellent networking and I made many new friends. This is what the club is all about. Roll on the next event.”

Malta Tourist Office’s Marie Anne Barthet Brown also found the event beneficial and is looking forward to a future networking evening. She told Melissa Ruel: “What I love about The BNC’s events is that there is no hard selling by any of the suppliers – the buyers don’t expect it and so the suppliers know that and everyone just chats and has a good time.

It’s a great way to meet people and a great thing to be a part of.”

As for what the networkers talked about, well, that remains a secret that can only be revealed by attending the next BNC Networking Evening.

But, Sarah White, Events Manager for a firm of stockbrokers, sums it up when she says:

“I’m new to The BNC and I think it’s brilliant. You come here and you don’t know anyone but it is very relaxed and friendly. Being a member makes you feel good about the job that you do because you get reassurance. You might know about the choices you are going to make but through The BNC others support you and help you make the most out of each process. I’m glad my friend recommended me to join.”