Conference Cambridge
Celebrate Christmas at a Cambridge College
Although it’s only July many of the Colleges are already taking bookings for the Christmas period. If you’re looking for an unusual venue for your Christmas get-together, whether it be a lunch, a drinks reception, a Christmas meal or a dinner dance take a look at what the Colleges are offering this year. From the splendour and majesty of oak-panelled halls to intimate parlours and contemporary dining rooms, the Colleges offer an outstanding range of settings for your celebrations.
Large groups can celebrate the festive season in style, with fine cuisine and excellent wines at a private party. Or, if your numbers are smaller, why not join other groups and book a table or two at one of the specially arranged Christmas party nights or lunches? Colleges offering this are, amongst others, St Catharine’s College, Fitzwilliam College and New Hall.
Dates are going fast, so if you’ve been tasked with organising your Christmas bash then give Conference Cambridge a call on 01223 740578 with the details and we’ll check availability for you. Alternatively send us an email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com.
Tell us about your event and be entered into our quarterly prize draw!
We’re developing our event portfolio so that new clients can see the full variety of events that our venues can host – and we need your help!
If you could spare a few minutes, once your event is over, to pen a few words about your experience – whether it be about the booking procedure; brochures, menus or written correspondence you received from the venue or meeting rooms, accommodation, catering or service. Feel free to mention any particular highlights or people you’ve come into contact with, in fact we’d like to read any comments you would like to make. Pictures would be good too – if you have any photos of your event that we could publish we’d love to receive them.
We’ll obtain your approval of the entry before it is published and you will be welcome to chose not to have it published or make any necessary amendments at that time.
New Event Management Service
Conference Cambridge, the official venue-finding service of Cambridge University, has teamed up with Suzy Howes & Associates to offer a bespoke event management service, as a natural extension to our current activities. This new flexible service is designed to meet the needs of individual clients, offering specific support for each event.
‘The support will be invaluable for many clients; not least those interested in multi-site conferencing, where two or more of the venues from our portfolio are hired and delegate numbers are over 300. We hope the offer of professional conference management will make Cambridge more attractive, as a destination, to those planning larger events,’ Kelly Walsh, Manager, Conference Cambridge.
The team comprises Suzy Howes (principal) and several Associates, each bringing extensive expertise in their respective disciplines. Established since 2000, the company has gone from strength to strength, with an enviable client list including The Royal Society, East of England Development Agency, the London Development Agency and many others.
Suzy Howes herself has experience of working in both public and private sector organisations: in IT and communications, education, high technology, investor relations, charities etc. and for six years, Suzy was the events officer at leading technology consultancy, Cambridge Consultants Ltd (CCL).
‘The benefits of a knowledgeable local support network to those remotely planning events in Cambridge are very clear, but we can also provide a professional event management service for Cambridge-based academics, and corporate clients, who wish to host events in Cambridge,’ Suzy Howes, Principal, Suzy Howes & Associates.
Support is available right from the initial contact by the client, where we ascertain the availability of suitable venues and co-ordinate site visits. The team can then tailor their service to include anything from supplier sourcing and liaison, to providing information about Cambridge, organising social activities, accommodation booking and transport arrangements. From event administration, pre-registering, collecting fees to post-event evaluation questionnaires and marketing communications activities, to front-of-house management at the event; the skills of the Associates will facilitate the smooth running of any large event.
Amongst others, the team includes, Alison Cooke, who has an impressive background in marketing communications, event production and specialises in speaker liaison and supplier management; Debbie Patchett, who focuses on event logistics, exhibition planning and layout and Tania Dunstan, with expertise in front-of-house and delegate relationship management.
If you are interested in hosting an event at one of the venues in our extensive portfolio, we would be pleased to hear from you. For more information visit www.conferencecambridge.com, email enquiries@conferencecambridge.com, or call 01223 740578.
Venues
St Edmund's College
St Edmund’s College, which was founded in 1896, will be opening its doors to Conference guests from July 2007. The College, situated a pleasant 5 minute stroll from the city centre, is currently adding the finishing touches its new on-site development; a residential building and a new facilities building. The College is creating 70 new study bedrooms all with full en suite, as well as a new building dedicated to meeting space. This will house a large, spacious, fully air-conditioned assembly room with state of the art AV technology. The building will have the capacity to accommodate up to 200 delegates or 120 delegates for a lecture or presentation. An adjacent Garden Room will offer the perfect space for registration and refreshment areas.
To compliment its new facilities the College will also be offering the use of one of its existing rooms to Conferences. The Okinaga Room has the added kudos of being the highest meeting room in all of the Cambridge Colleges. Perched atop an octagonal entrance tower, this room offers spectacular vistas across the entire city, out to the countryside and the hills beyond. Fully air-conditioned, this venue would be suitable for small workshop style meetings of up to 25 guests or for board meetings of up to 15.
Dr Simon Mitton, Treasurer of St Edmund’s College said, ‘These new facilities will enable the College to offer excellent residential and lecture facilities for educational or academic meetings.’
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online form, or contact us via email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com quoting ref CC1306.
Homerton College
Homerton’s new facilities opened this spring enabling the College to host meetings throughout the year for day delegates. The Conference Suite consists of five new meeting rooms, a Conference Reception and free car parking.
The Paston Brown room, an original Victorian college room, has been refurbished to provide an ideal venue for meetings of up to 100 delegates. The Leah Manning Room, a large modern space which retains the charm of its original Victorian function, can accommodate up to 80 guests in cabaret style. On the ground floor, facilities include: the Horobin Room, newly built, bright and airy it can accommodate up to 80 people with theatre style seating and the twin rooms of Skillicorn and Bamford, which can be combined to provide adequate space for up to 40 visitors or separated with sound-proofed sliding walls to create two separate areas for smaller groups of up to 18 people in a classroom style setting.
Delegates can meet and mingle in the spacious Conference Reception, which overlooks the college grounds. This versatile area also lends its self to exhibitions and informal buffets for up to 80.
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online form, or contact us via email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com quoting ref CC806.
Gonville & Caius College
Gonville & Caius College is in the process of building a new facility on West Road, allowing the College to offer improved conference facilities. The Cavonius Centre, a state of the art development will complement the traditional meeting and dining rooms of the old courts on Trinity Street.
Due to open in autumn 2006, the building will house students during term time and provide delegates with first class accommodation during the vacation periods. The facility will consist of 74 superior en suite bedrooms and the Cavonius Centre, which offers four conference rooms, three syndicate rooms, a breakout area and a conference office, all set around stunning landscaped gardens.
Equipped with the latest in audio-visual technology and WiFi broadband, the centre is already attracting conference bookings from local, national and international companies. A new promotional brochure, detailing the exciting new developments in the conferencing and events business at Gonville & Caius, has recently been launched.
Downing College
On June 22nd, Downing College celebrated the completion of Phase One of its West Range development with the official opening of a new kitchen and hot and cold servery.
Since October 2005, the catering team at the College have been working from temporary kitchens, whilst managing the day to day running of the operation during the refurbishment programme.
The new kitchen incorporates state of the art food production equipment, enabling the catering team to produce quality menus for a variety of functions on any given day; typically a Formal Hall Dinner for 150, a cafeteria lunch for 100 alongside catering for external functions and conference business.
One of the highlights of the redevelopment is the ‘Chef’s Theatre’ where customers can see their chosen dish being prepared as they wait. Alternatively, customers can browse the salad counter and help themselves from the display of fresh produce, or if they prefer more traditional fayre, the range also includes a selection of freshly prepared meat and fish dishes together with vegetarian options.
Wherever possible, the chefs use fresh, seasonal, locally sourced produce, which along with contemporary cooking styles have put Downing at the forefront of conference and function catering.
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online enquiry form, or contact us via email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com quoting ref CC1406.
Emmanuel College
Meetings Regency Style
Emmanuel College has recently refurbished its two meeting rooms in Camden House, an elegant Regency period dwelling, which overlooks Parker’s Piece in the centre of Cambridge.
The rooms, which can each accommodate 15 to 20 delegates, are fully equipped with a range of audio-visual technology including an interactive whiteboard in the Drawing Room. Camden House is now available for hire all year round and is an ideal venue for training sessions, corporate away days or board meetings.
Mike Wilson, Conference manager at Emmanuel commented, ‘We have long recognised the potential of Camden House as a tranquil venue in the heart of Cambridge and this refurbishment combines elegance, charm and pragmatism.’
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online form or contact us via email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com. Alternatively, for bookings at Emmanuel, contact their Conference Office on 01223 762099 or email conference@emma.cam.ac.uk quoting ref CC706.
Special offers
King’s College Summer Accommodation Promotion
Looking for additional accommodation for your Conference guests this summer?
Why not stay at one of the most magnificent settings in Cambridge? King’s College.
Superb, affordable bedrooms with en suite facilities are available for minimum bookings of 10 bedrooms per night throughout July, August and September 2006.
To take advantage of this special summer promotion, simply quote ref CC1106 when booking and you will enjoy a discounted tariff of £38.50 ex VAT for a single standard room with breakfast or £45.50 ex VAT for a single en suite room with breakfast.
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online enquiry form or contact us via email at www.conferencecambridge.com. Alternatively, for this offer, contact the Accommodation Manager at King’s on 01223 331421.
Free Iced Coffee, Smoothies & Danish – The ‘Coolest’ of Welcomes from Churchill College!
Churchill College are offering all delegates complimentary refreshments with delicious Danish pastries on arrival, for new bookings in July 2006.
Set in 42 acres of open parkland in the north-west corner of the city, Churchill College combines a convenient location, close to the M11 and A14, with some of the most iconic 1960s collegiate architecture in Cambridge.
The College’s excellent conference and meeting facilities include Wolfson Hall, a modern air-conditioned lecture theatre, which seats 300 people. With a dedicated AV team, broadband and wireless internet access, the theatre is popular for event web casts and formal presentations. For smaller groups the College also offers several boardrooms, which combined with the parkland setting, are ideal for brainstorming sessions of around 20 delegates.
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online enquiry form or contact us via email at www.conferencecambridge.com. Alternatively, for this offer, contact the Conference Office at Churchill on 01223 336233 quoting offer ref: CC1006
Robinson College Summer Sale
Looking for a venue for a summer conference this year? Robinson College are offering discounted 24-hour delegate rates starting from £99 + VAT (usually £123 + VAT) on all business with a value of £10,000 or more. In addition, the College are offering commission of 15% plus VAT on their VAT inclusive rate. Both deals are available for all new conference and event bookings held before 27th September 2006.
The residential delegate rate includes a plenary conference room and breakout rooms; all complete with AV equipment, the services of a technician and a dedicated Event Manager. Delegates can savour some of the outstanding cuisine at Robinson, with a cooked breakfast, buffet lunch and 3-course evening meal, as well as all refreshments, included in the tariff. Accommodation is in single rooms, which all offer internet access.
The College is situated a within a short walk of the city centre and is easily accessible from both the M11 and A14. Car parking can be arranged close by.
To book an event in a Cambridge College, please use our online form or contact us via email at enquiries@conferencecambridge.com. Alternatively, for this offer, you can contact Robinson College on 01223 332859 or email conference@robinson.cam.ac.uk quoting offer ref: CC1206
Events
MRC Dinner
I contacted Conference Cambridge in November 2005 to help me find a venue for our Conference Dinner in April 2006. This was particularly difficult as the dinner was during term time and would be for up to 150 delegates. Conference Cambridge very quickly came back to me with the contact information of the colleges that would be able to hold such a function at this time.
We chose Queens’ College for several reasons: 1) their Conference office staff were professional and organised and were able to help and advise us, 2) the rooms available were newly renovated and beautiful and more importantly 3) there was a good choice of food and wine at a competitive price. The Conference staff were very approachable and helpful at all times during the run up to the dinner date. We were provided with all the information we needed and written confirmation of all our requirements.
As the dinner was held in Spring we could not guarantee being able to hold the reception drinks in the open court, however, it turned out to be a lovely evening and within minutes we were able to change the drinks from being inside to outside. We had an extra guest arrive at the last minute, and the staff were quick and professional so that all the last minute changes were accommodated without any fuss. The food was of an excellent quality, full of flavour, good presentation and hot and the table service was good.
My colleagues and I would not hesitate in recommending Queens’ College.
Marion Ormandy
Administrator, MRC
| Event Details |
|
| Event Type |
Dinner |
| Client |
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit |
| Venue |
Queens' College |
| Date |
25th Apr 2006 |
| Number of Delegates |
150 |
County Council Meeting
I contacted Conference Cambridge when I was planning this event. I had several responses and the one I chose was Cripps Court, Magdalene College, Chesterton Road. This was a new venue and the information supplied from Paula Taylor at the College was very comprehensive with menus and price options.
We hired the auditorium for the main event and the facilities were exceptional. The lunch was held in the Gallery and Orangery which was very nice with additional seating outside, weather permitting. The food was very good and I received very good feedback from everybody who attended.
I have subsequently used the college a couple of times since then and they have always been very helpful. I would not hesitate to use them and Conference Cambridge again.
| Event Details |
|
| Event Type |
Half day meeting |
| Client |
Cambridgeshire County Council |
| Venue |
Magdalene College |
| Date |
9th Nov 2005 |
| Number of Delegates |
150 |
General Practice and Primary Care Research Unit Dinner
We had a very last minute booking to make for a small dinner party and Conference Cambridge were extremely helpful in offering available venues from which our choice was St Catharine's College.
The menus and service provided were excellent and the staff were very helpful, even though we were making changes right up to the morning of the dinner itself!
Our thanks to the staff at St Catharine's College and we would certainly consider them again for a future event.
Glynis Moore
PA to Professor AL Kinmonth
| Event Details |
|
| Event Type |
Dinner |
| Client |
General Practice and Primary Care Research Unit, A |
| Venue |
St Catharine's College |
| Date |
9th Feb 2006 |
| Number of Delegates |
8 |
Happy Clients
Just a few of our happy clients!
I would like to say thank you to you for your professional service – a rare experience throughout Europe.
David Boventer, Executive Director ESWC e.V.
We were put in touch with you through our son, who is at Peterhouse; I must say we took his advice with some trepidation and very low expectations from our experience of poor administration relating to accommodation etc. I have organised so many events in hotels too, where what is booked is a different world to what is delivered. Our booking was at short notice, but Colleges that had rooms answered the query quickly, so what appeared as a convoluted process proved efficient. We contacted Corpus Christi directly and Jenny Walsham was attentive on the phone, fast and efficient with no fuss, and delivered exactly what was agreed.
Our meeting was a success and the attendees were impressed with the service, they took it on board as a very useful and efficient place to use in the future – and its just so nice, in this day and age, to be wowed by customer service and expectations trounced.
Please pass our thanks onto Corpus Christi, Jenny and the porters.
Rosemary Campbell, e4power Ltd.
Thank you very much for your help – we were genuinely amazed and delighted at the speed at which you managed to find us a venue when we had literally been trying for weeks.
Ben Pellereau
The quality and quantity of the responses was excellent – timely, thorough, and for those that I spoke to, friendly with a desire to be helpful. We would use the system again for other events. Very helpful at each stage. I can’t think of anything significant to improve the service.
Alan Roger, Head of Science Programmes, British Antarctic Survey
Thank you very much for your assistance with finding a venue. I had a very good response – much sooner than I had expected, which was really helpful. The system was very easy to use and has saved me hours of telephone calls. Thank you.
Selene Webb, Eastern Early Music Forum
Your service was brilliant.
Andrea Marking, PA to Operations Manager General Surgery T&O
Clients
Prize draw winner
Laura Morgan of University of Cambridge's Development Office was very happy to be the winner of our most recent Prize Draw.
Each quarter, we hold a draw for those clients who have completed and returned a customer satisfaction questionnaire, so please do return your questionnaire when you update us on the outcome of your enquiry
T: 01223 740578
