Venue Vendor - Michael Aldridge

The GM for the events arm of Tussauds Group tells us more about his flagship venue

• My name is Michael Aldridge.
• I am the general manager for Tussauds Group events.
• I have worked for this group for 10 years, with a two-year gap in between.
• I’m here because Madame Tussauds is the most dynamic venue in London. It’s constantly changing and there are always a lot of new opportunities to develop and grow in my job.
• They call me lots of things, but Mickey Blue Eyes is the one I like best.
• I’ve been in the events industry for 15 years.
• One of my first events was the birthday party of one of Bernard Matthews’ daughters in a marquee in Norfolk. At the time, he was a bit of a celebrity, and there was no budget for the event, which was quite unusual.
• I’ll always remember Margaret Thatcher and Nancy Reagan arriving at an event at the Imagination Gallery arm in arm. I wish I had a picture of it.
• The most valuable lesson I have learnt so far is under-promise, over-deliver.
• My venue works best because it is flexible, contemporary and topical, and so much of the theming and production is already in place.
• People always comment on how the venue is constantly evolving and how good the team is.
• I particularly like the space Blush because it’s almost as if it has frozen a moment in time at an A-list celebrity party. I love seeing people’s reaction when they enter – they don’t expect it to be so up-to-date or to get as close to the waxworks as they do.
• I’d use it for networking events, because the wax figures act as an ice-breaker and give people something to talk about. The space has got a clubby feel to it, so it also works really well for smaller parties.
• If I could change anything about this place, I’d double the size of the World Stage and open up a roof terrace that overlooks Regent’s Park.
• You may be surprised to hear that we’ve just been sold. The Tussauds Group is merging with Merlin Entertainments Group to become the second-largest operator of attractions in the world.
• Recently, we have relaunched Madame Tussauds after a multi-million-pound refit. We’ve also just unveiled Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss, with more new figures to come throughout the summer season.
• My favourite lunch spot around here is The Orrery. It has fantastic service and is a great place to take clients and team members.
• The best bar nearby is in the Restaurant, Bar & Grill at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel on Baker Street.
• After an event, you’ll find me queuing at the Blackwall Tunnel to get home. I was queuing for two hours last night.
• When I need inspiration, I turn to my team and Peter Kerwood, our marketing consultant. I also try to visit new venues to keep up with the latest trends.
• Later this year, I’m looking forward to celebrating the 100th event at Thorpe Park.
• In 10 years I hope I’ll still be creating events.
• I still want to move Madame Tussauds to the South Bank – it’s where it’s all happening at the moment.
• My famous last words will be ‘Is that it?’

CONTACTS & CAPACITIES
Madame Tussauds Marylebone Road,
tel: 0870 141 3077, squaremeal.co.uk/mt
Function Rooms: 7
Meeting Capacity: 300
Dinner Capacity: 380
Reception Capacity: 1,000

The Tussauds Group also operates Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle

This article first appeared in Square Meal Venues & Events magazine, Summer 2007.