Frock Exchange

A networking night with style

It was handbags at sundown on Monday 23^rd March as 80 BNC  members met at London’s Savoy Place to take part in a Frock Exchange,  writes Melissa Ruel.

Taking inspiration from Twiggy’s televised ‘Frock Exchange’ the events team at Savoy Place invited BNC ladies to bring along any unwanted items and take home the same amount of brand ‘new to them’ outfits.

But Twiggy’s version of the rising frock-swap-phenomenon was a far more calm and less competitive affair than ours’. The BNC’s Frock Exchange involved event organisers searching, sorting and swiping the garments from their networking pals. There was no time for browsing or negotiations. When Manager of Venues and Facilities Anna Clover said ‘GO!’ it was survival of the stylish as each ran and grabbed the clothes of their choice.

And not just any old rags were brought in for swapping. Event organisers, renowned for their style and flair, proffered pieces from Karen Millen, Hobbs, Joules, Monsoon, Phase 8 and items made from pure linen, silk and one- off garments such as ball gowns and cocktail dresses.

Whilst browsing the rails and taking in the awesome views from Savoy Place’s Riverside Room, the frock-swappers were treated to d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s  bowl food such as risotto, warm tuna salad and crumble and ice cream plus our glasses were kept bubbling over with drink of the moment ‘Prosecco’.  And of course there was the usual networking going on, with a healthy mixture of event suppliers there for the mix such as Everything Corporate, Plus Fore Golf, the Dutch Tourist Board and Macintosh’s caterers.

Club member Vicki wrote in the next day with her thanks and to say that she and her colleagues “had a pleasant evening chatting and bagging some new clothes in the bargain!” another Club member called Gail brought along her colleague, Denise. She says:

“I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for the event at Savoy Place.  It was a fun evening, great wine and food and the 'Frock Exchange' was a brilliant idea. I was happy to take home some really nice dresses!

“Denise has already used one of the contacts she met and it just goes to show how useful these networking meetings are.”

Our thanks go to Savoy Place for hosting another great BNC networking night and to Lynsey and Harri of the B.I.G Badge Company for coming along and doing fantastic name badges for us.

The venue: IET, Savoy Place

Savoy Place has recently rebranded itself and is now attracting more attention than ever.  Manager of Venues and Facilities Anna Clover reports that this year’s visit to International Confex was their best year yet with an increase in inquiries and bookings. Savoy Place, with its enviable location and choice of 18 varied sized rooms for conferences, events and meetings is definitely one of the places to check out this year.  For more information go to:

Sarah McQueen, Sales & Development Manager, Savoy Place
2 Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL
Tel: 020 7344 5708
E-mail: smcqueen@theiet.org
Website: www.savoyplace.co.uk

STOP PRESS!

We never, ever get any complaints about BNC events but this time we did: the guys (who turned out in their droves that evening we must point out!) were disappointed that the ‘exchange’ part of the networking evening didn’t include them and so next time we will be holding a ‘Tie Exchange’ (but we might throw in a few handbags as well, so that everyone can join in!) But not all the chaps were disappointed, as James points out: “Thanks for a fun, and useful evening. I met some great club members but more importantly ate and drank well!! I hope there will be other opportunities to attend in future!”