What's New: Hospitality — July 2008

IoD Dinner With International Rugby Players

Put the 25 September in your diaries: this year's annual IoD black-tie dinner features the entertaining Rugby heroes Phil Vickery and David Campese as guest speakers. Enjoy their stories and friendly banter at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Click through for more details...

Polo on the Beach

Last year saw the successful launch of the first ever polo match played on a UK beach, at Watergate Bay in Cornwall. Spectators go free but if you want to make the most of this glamorous event (sponsored by Veuve Clicquot) on the 9 September, then book a hospitality package (tel: 01637 861239) starting with a champagne and canapé reception at The Hotel from 5.30pm. Guests will be able to enjoy the match from the hotel’s deck, and the package also includes a seafood barbeque on the pool terrace after the trophy presentation, and entry to the post-polo party in the Ocean Room.

Party in the Paddock with Boyzone

Hospitality tickets are still up for grabs at Newbury next Friday 11 July to watch UB40 performing live after the evening's races; and there are even a few left for Boyzone on Newbury's Ladies Day, Saturday 16 August. If you miss out, look out for other courses holding concerts this summer, such as Sandown Park and Lingfield Park.

BlackRock Line-Up Announced

The listings are now in for the much anticipated BlackRock Masters event at the Albert Hall in December. Sampras, Edberg, McEnroe, Ivanisevic, Cash, Leconte, Bahrami and Pioline are all confirmed in the hottest line-up in the event's history, with Sampras making his first return to London's courts since his last Wimbledon triumph in 2002. With a blend of crowd favourites & hardened pros competing in a variety of singles and doubles formats, coupled with excellent catering at the Royal Albert Hall, BlackRock makes for the ideal pre-Christmas hospitality excursion.

Get Into Gear at British Motor Show

So inspired were we by Lewis Hamilton's British Grand Prix win at the weekend, we're looking into hospitality options at this year's British International Motor Show (tel: 020 8233 5854) at ExCeL London. Running from 23 July to 4 August, there's an excellent VIP package which can include tickets to the accompanying music festival.

Post-Polo Party Line-Up Announced at Cartier

The Official Players' Marquee at the Cartier International Polo Tournament (27 July) is always the hippest place to hang out, and this year is no exception, with performances from Faithless and an All Stars DJ Set, the Guilty Pleasures gang and Gabriella Cilmi. Organised by Smyle (tel: 01992 535535) hospitality includes a picnic lunch, BBQ served throughout the day and of course, the evening party, where you will have ample opportunity to mingle with 250 celebrity guests and polo players. Packages range from £65 to £240 (incl.VAT).

Christmas Hospitality with Katherine Jenkins at RAH

A box at the Royal Albert Hall and Katherine Jenkins singing carols and popular arias: what better way to entertain your clients this festive season? Book up for IMG's hospitality on 9 December at this Christmas Concert (tel: 020 8233 5883), with prices starting at £2,600 plus VAT for an eight-seater Loggia Box with all the usual trimmings...

VIP Experience at London Fashion Weekend

Missed out on hospitality at London Fashion Week? Book the next best thing: a one-day membership to the Fashion Weekender Club Lounge (tel: 0871 230 1558), over the weekend of 27 September. You'll have your very own VIP experience, with front row runway seats, an exclusive lounge as a base with complimentary drinks and snacks all day, access to a stylist, and a private till point so you don't have to queue for all those clothes you are bound to buy! Tickets are £75 plus VAT per person.

Last Chance for Hospitality at Opera Holland Park

The open air opera season at Holland Park is nearly over (just as the weather starts hotting up - typical!)but Korn/Ferry still has hospitality available for La Gioconda and Tchaikovsky's Iolanta in the first week of August. The choices vary, from a reception to pre-opera supper to Champagne picnic. It's a wonderful way to spend a relaxed summer evening...

Book Ahead for B Square B

Cast your minds forward to 25 September, to the annual glam-fest that is the Berkeley Square Ball (tel: 020 7644 1420). 850 guests, including many celebs, will be entertained in a marquee, with cocktails courtesy of Nobu Berkeley and dinner created by Marco Pierre White. Entertainment is yet to be announced but expect something high calibre, with the likes of James Brown performing in the past. Tables of ten are £6,500 plus VAT or tickets are available at a cost of £700 plus VAT.