Billy BostonBilly Boston's Forum Posts
Reply to “Venues & Events newsletter” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread June 2010I have just received my latest copy of emeal, worth signing up to and I will definitely enter the IET Spa day competition! More
Reply to “Incentive Trip” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread April 2010Thanks for all the suggestions, lots to choose from, cannot wait to get out into the Country. More
Reply to “Petanque” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread April 2010Another option outside London is Fawsley Hall, beautiful country house hotel in Northamptonshire fawsleyhall.com, picturesque croquet. More
Reply to “Team building” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread April 2010I seen some interesting teambuilding event at Snozone which include a Build a Sledge Challenge followed by a race on the slope! You may not learn a new skill but it sounds like fun! More
Reply to “Royal Ascot” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread April 2010I haven't experienced the Royal Enclosure but I can thoroughly recommend hospitality in the Bessborough Restaurant. We had a wonderful day last year, still a good opportunity to get dressed up and perhaps a litte less intimidating if it is your first visit to Ascot. More
Thread “Incentive Trip” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread April 2010We normally take a small group of our top sales team away on a long weekend to Europe. In light of the current situation planning a trip to the UK instead. Any suggestions? Our top ten sales performers and their partners, somewhere easy to get to with the Wow factor, May/June preferably not a big wedding venue! More
Thread “Corporate Hospitality This Summer” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread March 2010I am looking to host between 25 – 50 guests at a prestigious event this summer but looking for something outside London. Any suggestions, something new? More
Reply to “What makes a good team building event?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread January 2010I am afraid I don't think team building should be about pampering, save that for after work or give someone a reward for achievment like a weekend away. A good teambuilding event should make the team think, inspire, and energise. Get people to see their colleagues differently, learn something, identify how to work together better, and one anothers strengths and weaknesses. Be creative, team building doesn't have to be expensive. Cookery day could be good but I still like the great outdoors, most people spend much of their lives in and office a change of scenery is good. My advice, bring in an expert there are lots of great teambuilding companies to choose from and a small investment could save your company a fortune in the long term. More
Thread “Official figures out on 26th January expected to show we…” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread January 2010The Chancellor says that he expects official figures out on 26 January to show that the economy grew in the fourth quarter of 2009, and we are officially out of recession! I am cautious about these things, but is it just me or are there encouraging signs in the venues & events industry that things are a little more positive?Are we right to be optimistic? It will be interesting to see what people our saying at Confex next month. I would be interested to hear other people's experiences. More
Reply to “Top London Venues” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread January 2010Simon I found your list and the subsequent comments really useful. I don't know how often you work outside London but I would love to know your list of Top 10 Venues accross the UK. More
Reply to “I'm all out of FREE” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread January 2010Good for you, I couldn't agree more! We all want value for money in this current economic climate but we are only trying to earn an honest living offering a professional service that needs to be paid for. More
Reply to “Karaoke Bars” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread December 2009Avoid K Box (not to be confused with Karaoke Box) I thought the venue was shabby and the service very poor. More
Reply to “Would you book Jedward?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread November 2009I was wrong I gather they perfomed in Kingston on Saturday! I agree Charlie but obviously others don't! It still doesn't answer the question how much they cost, does anyone know? More
Reply to “Would you book Jedward?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread November 2009I bet they are locked in until after the X-Factor tour and by next year they will be history. More
Thread “New Opening Rockliffe Hall” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread November 2009I have just seen on this website that Rockliffe Hall near Durham is now open. Has anyone been? I am looking for a great venue in the North of England for an event next Summer. The pictures and website look stunning but I would like a presonal recommendation. More
Thread “£150 to spend on Lunch or Dinner.” (in Recommend me a restaurant or a bar)
Read the thread November 2009If you only had a budget of £150, but wanted to take someone special for either lunch or dinner, with a little WOW factor. Where would you go? Help required, this is the total budget for food & wine! More
Reply to “Jugs of tap water, make them obligatory!” (in Restaurant & bar talk)
Read the thread November 2009Restaurants please take note; it's not rocket science! More
Reply to “Xmas party deals on ebay?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread November 2009Am I the only person not to have ever bought something on ebay? If I am reluctant to buy a single gift I certainly wouldn't book my company Christmas Party. That said; it did capture my imagination and I followed the link! I think I would probably pick up the phone to Impulse Events rather than bid on ebay, but it is an interesting idea. I will certainly follow the bidding process to see if it sells. More
Reply to “Service in 5 star hotels” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread October 2009Hi Sally
I have stayed at Whatley Manor and Chewton Glen this year and both are worthy of their five star status; the facilities were magnificent but it was the service that made them five star. Having worked in hotels it is normally the General Manager that makes the difference. A good three star hotel can feel five star with a good GM at the helm. I agree you can tell the minute you walk into a hotel whether it is loved or not and Whatley Manor & Chewton Manor are two five star hotels worthy of a visit Sally. More
Reply to “Creative flowers on a budget?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread August 2009I've seen live goldfish as a centre piece at a wedding; it doesn't go down well with guests and you only need one drunk idiot at the end of the night to spoil things; I would steer clear, I too like the sound of Thai herbs! More
Thread “Restaurant near Shaftesbury Theatre” (in Recommend me a restaurant or a bar)
Read the thread July 2009Looking for a pre-theatre dinner near Shaftesbury Theatre; not too expensive with atmosphere and suitable to take teenagers! More
Reply to “Is ‘hotel dining dead’ – surely not?!” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009I recently ate at Whatley Manor excellent; but sometimes you fined yourself trying to have an intimate dinner in a dining room full of large tables; obviously guests staying at the hotel for a conference or tables for one! More
Reply to “Team Building” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009Thanks but I am looking for something which can be facilitated at different venues and with different group sizes; tired of the same old team building activities offered at every venue. Particularly interested to hear from people who recently participated in an activity that worked!!! More
Thread “Team Building” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009Has anyone participated in any new team building activities recently? Something people won't have done before; suitable for a mixed group of participants. More
Reply to “Hospitality dress code” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009I attended the Air Tattoo on Sunday and the dress code was smart casual and clearly stated no jeans. However it was pouring with rain most of the day and we were often outside watching the impressive air displays. Many people myself included opted for linen trousers and flat shoes; only to find some guests on other tables in smart jeans. To be honest, they looked far better at the end of the day and jeans were far more in keeping with the event and our ‘British weather’. More
Thread “Manchester or Leeds?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009Looking to host a conference in the North for 200 delegates; considering Leeds or Manchester. Want to get good value for money but also need to motivate a sales team. Any suggestions? More
Reply to “Scotland hotels” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009Travel and hour from Edinburgh and stay at the Old Course Hotel; spectacular scenery and a beautiful hotel, well worth the extra 30 minutes drive! More
Thread “Boardroom Retreat” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009Looking for a boardroom retreat for 16 Directors; happy to travel 2 hours from London any suggestions? More
Reply to “Should we still be spending money on events?” (in Venues & Events talk )
Read the thread July 2009I agree, if employers want loyal and productive employees they need to feel recognised and rewarded. A great event to include a Christmas party does just that and makes people feel part of a team. In the long term it may help a company through a tough recession. At the same time event organisers need to be creative and use their events budget wisely! More