SOS Meetings

Why Go To A Venue For Team Building?

2012-01-30T00:39:00.000-08:00

Team building exercises have become an essential part of working life, with employers always looking for new ways to keep their employees fresh, inspired and motivated. When planning such an important event for businesses, consideration given to the venue is deservedly huge; such activities require focus and concentration, and so finding the right venue to host any team building event is paramount to the success of the team. Sundial Options and Solutions is part of the celebrated Sundial Group, and has been sourcing venues for outdoor and indoor team building events since 1999. In the decade since the free service began, SOS has built up an enviable portfolio of meeting and conference venues, with a wide range of locations which specialise in team building also on their books.

As a result of their sister programme which specialises in team building, Sundial Teamscapes, Sundial Options and Solutions venue finding team fully understand the requirements of those looking to book a venue for team development. The venue needs to be easily accessible, with good transport links and possibly residential accommodation either on-site or nearby. Some companies may want to host their event in a rural area with the possibility of outdoor team building activities, where there are no distractions and concentration will not be disturbed. Others may prefer to take their team to a thriving metropolis, perhaps to provide extra inspiration and motivate the group with indoor team building exercises. Facilities are crucial, with specialist team building equipment or dedicated rooms always a bonus; many venues will provide a generic conference room for team building, but the ones which provide their own bespoke activities are the ones which will inevitably result in the best outcome.

Sundial Options and Solutions UK venue finding service is second to none with consultancy and strategic support offered throughout the booking process. The experienced team at SOS listen to every specification provided by the clients and then offer up their entire wealth of knowledge when it comes to choosing the venue that will best fit each individual group. No two packages will be the same, just as no two teams will function in the same way. There is no fixed rule as to which venues will suit each group, and it is the task of the venue finding agents at SOS to help determine which will best fit the needs of each client.

For more information about the new Sundial Options & Solutions mobile website or for help finding a venue for a meeting or event, visit http://www.sundialoptionsandsolutions.com or call 01604 731 731.

Venue searches during the Olympics with Sundial Options & Solutions

2012-01-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

This summer will see London host the 2012 Olympic Games, taking place from the 27^th July to 12^th August. Thousands of spectators have already paid vast amounts of money to watch the events, with tickets for key competitions such as the men’s 100 metres final being priced at several hundred pounds. However, it’s not just spectators at the Olympics who can expect to pay over the odds. The whole of the London area will be affected too, with some venues set to double their prices both before and during the event.

Fortunately, Sundial Options and Solutions (SOS), an expert venue finding agency based in the UK, are on hand to help source and book central London venues during this busy period without breaking the bank. Part of the 2012 Number One Value For Money Venue group, Sundial Group, the venue finding agency is pledging to put this cost-saving savvy to good use during the summer, with buying power leveraged for those needing a world-class venue without a world-class price tag.

Although many firms are expected to take advantage of the buzz in the capital and the opportunity to meet with overseas colleagues, Sundial Options & Solutions recommend looking outside of London when venue finding for even better value for money during the Olympics themselves. With competition already high for most venues in London and tariffs reflecting this once in a lifetime demand, it’s worth considering meeting rooms and conference centres in surrounding regions, combining convenience with cost-saving.

Sundial's own country house venues (Woodside in Warwickshire, Barnett Hill in Surrey and Highgate House in Northamptonshire), all offer specialist facilities for those looking for conference venues during the summer period.

For more information about Sundial Options & Solutions or for help finding a venue for a meeting or event, visit http://www.sundialoptionsandsolutions.com or call 01604 731 731.

Venue Finding and Booking Ahead with Sundial Options & Solutions

2012-01-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

It is often remarked that one of the biggest difficulties people encounter in the planning of an event is finding and booking the appropriate venue. It is also said that the key to hosting a great event, be it a conference, a meeting or an informal gathering, is forward planning and preparation. There are many advantages attached to booking in advance and Sundial Options and Solutions, an expert venue finding agency based in the UK, can help coordinators enjoy these advantages by locating and booking venues across the world. Their specialist team are experts in events management and they understand perfectly the need for forward planning when arranging any sort of event.

Of course, one of the most beneficial advantages of booking a venue in advance is the better rates that are offered. Many venues negotiate special 'early bird' rates for those who wish to get a head start on their competitors with an early booking, and Sundial Options and Solutions will take these discounts into consideration when assisting in the venue finding process. In a time of such economic trouble and austerity, saving money where possible is an important issue and the staff at Sundial will be sure to pursue the most cost-effective avenues on your behalf.

Forward planning also offers the coordinators much more flexibility as there is less chance that the venue will have already been booked. This gives the planners of the event free rein to choose whichever facilities they believe will suit their event best, as opposed to having to make do with one of the only rooms left should they resort to a later booking. To use Sundial's own three venues as an example (Barnett Hill in Surrey, Highgate House in Northamptonshire and Woodside in Warwickshire), each of the beautiful country house venues has a variety of specialist conference facilities, and the earlier the booking, the more chance there is being able to book the largest or the most appropriate room, as well as being able to book bedrooms should an overnight stay be required.

Another big advantage of using a venue finding agent such as Sundial Options and Solutions to book a venue early, is the extra time it affords the coordinators for organisation and further planning. Once the location is booked and set in stone, work can begin on the content of the conference or the theme for the informal gathering. Travel logistics can be discussed and food menus finalised with the help of the Sundial team, who are available to manage and assist every step of the way.

Find The Ideal Team Building Venue With Sundial Options And Solutions

2011-12-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

Find The Ideal Team Building Venue With Sundial Options And Solutions

Finding the perfect venue for a teambuilding exercise is vital; activities require concentration and focus and so getting the venue right is an important but often tricky task. Sundial Options and Solutions (SOS) is a branch of the celebrated Sundial Group, and have specialised in finding both international and UK meeting venues for fifteen years. The service began in 1999 as a free meeting procurement option for those who were unable to make a booking with one of the three specialised Sundial venues. Since then, SOS have built up a considerable portfolio of meeting venues with their free service, and have on their books a wide range of team-building locations perfect to hone the skills of any group.

The consultancy and strategic support offered by SOS is second to none, and the team offer up their entire wealth of experience, knowledge and advice when it comes to finding the right venue. Team building exercises require certain environments, be it a tranquil country house to allow the right levels of concentration, or a conveniently located city centre hotel which all team members will be able to access easily.

For experiential learning, there are specialised outdoor and indoor team building activities designed specifically to help with such skills as time management, problem solving and encouraging creativity. There are many venues across the UK where these courses can be delivered and the main service offered by SOS means that the very best prices can be negotiated with the venues and the course providers. For groups who want to enjoy a fun bonding experience with the other members of their team, SOS can source events such as James Bond night, Moulin Rouge night, a Murder Mystery evening or a day at the races.

One of the main strengths of SOS is their ability to understand the individual needs of each client. There are no two packages the same, just as no two teams are the same. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to which type of venue each group will require and the experienced venue finding agency take the time to understand the objectives of the meeting or event before commencing localised searches and delivering detailed proposals for the final decision.

Value For Money Venue Finding Set To Take Centre Stage in 2012

2011-12-11T05:10:00.000-08:00

Many UK businesses will be breathing a sigh of relief as 2011 draws to a close after a year plagued with the spectre of recession and budget cuts. Research carried out by Sundial Group has found that this more budget-conscious environment will have clear repercussions in 2012, with value for money set to be the biggest deciding factor when sourcing a meeting or event venue.

Almost half of the 4000 meeting professionals surveyed by Sundial Group cited value for money as their number one priority ahead of confirming a venue. With such a focus on the bottom line, discovering a capable venue finding agency is a crucial task ahead of the New Year.

Part of the award-winning Sundial Group, Sundial Options & Solutions are hospitality experts with proven negotiating skills. Each department is primed to use this budget-busting nous to the fullest in 2012, giving even better value for money to clients using the UK venue finding and international venue finding services.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options & Solutions General Manager said, “We understand that value for money is a top priority, in all aspects of event planning. We specialise in creating suitable proposals for our clients, tailored to their budget and their needs. Using SOS’ free venue finding service is proven to save time and money for our clients and that is why they continue to use us.”

Sundial Options & Solutions places an approximate £5 million of meetings and event business annually with UK and overseas venues, giving it a much higher negotiating power than individual businesses acting alone when reserving a meeting, conference or event space. The venue finding service is completely free for clients, giving further peace of mind that the best possible deal has been sought at the lowest possible cost.

For more information about Sundial Options & Solutions or for help finding a venue for a meeting or event, visit http://www.sundialoptionsandsolutions.com or call 01604 731 731.

'Green' Venue Finding With SOS

2011-12-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

Sundial Options & Solutions, the venue finding agency from Sundial Group, is underlining its green credentials with renewed emphasis on event locations catering for the eco-conscious coupled with a series of sustainability measures. While Sundial Group has incorporated sustainability into its business practises, this new confirmation of environmentally-friendly venue finding solutions has been timed to coincide with National Tree Week, which is now in its 36^th year.

With environmental issues having a bigger impact on both businesses and individuals than ever before, Sundial Options & Solutions is uniquely placed to understand the emphasis which is placed on being 'green'. With this in mind, the meeting procurement and venue finding agency is underlining its ability to source event locations which cater for the eco-conscious.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options & Solutions General Manager said, “Environmental sustainability is important for all businesses in this day and age, whether it's through simple recycling or helping to reduce emissions with carbon offsetting. Whether a client is searching for a specialist conference centre or a novelty location to host an event, Sundial's event placement agency ensures that the client is aware of the eco-friendly practices carried out by the venue so that they can be better informed about the way in which their booking will help the environment.”

Lucy McGibbon, Sundial’s Learning and Development Director said, “Social and environmental responsibility is something which has always been close to our hearts at Sundial and we believe in leading by example. We have recently donated a parcel of land at one of our own meeting venues (Highgate House) for the creation of three new woods and the planting of 200 trees.”

Sundial's own venues (Barnett Hill, Woodside and Highgate House) are all eco-friendly and try to consider the environment wherever possible. Each uses locally sourced and seasonal foods in their kitchens and ensure that their suppliers are sustainable whilst never compromising on value. Other conference venues on Sundial's books have many ways of contributing to the protection of the environment, whether it's charging a small contribution per delegate as a carbon offsetting fee, or simply providing recycled paper for a meeting.

Whatever the event, Sundial Options & Solutions can ensure that it will not only run flawlessly, but will also be as 'green' as possible, committing to environmentally-friendly practices which will stand any business or company in good stead for a future where sustainability will be key.

For more information about Sundial Options & Solutions or for help finding a venue for a meeting or event, visit http://www.sundialoptionsandsolutions.com or call 01604 731 731.

New Mobile Site From Venue Finding Agents

2011-11-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

A new mobile website from Sundial Options and Solutions will launch later this year it has been announced. The venue finding agent is going mobile in order to make it easier than ever for clients to outsource their venue finding requirements and event management requests whilst on the move.

Sundial Options and Solutions is a free service and offers domestic and international venue finding. The new mobile website will offer the full complement of Sundial expertise, including meetings procurement and immediate access to specialist venue finding agents in the SOS team, but will be designed for optimum use on a mobile device such as a phone, iPad or similar.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options & Solutions General Manager said, “We are thrilled to announce our upcoming mobile site to the public. This new site is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to making life simpler for our clients, whether that is through saving them time and money with venue finding or through improving their browsing experience of our website, whilst on the go.”

The new site for Sundial Options & Solutions is the second of Sundial Group’s mobile ventures and follows an announcement last week that the company’s venues will also be going mobile later this year. Mobile.Sundialgroup.com is expected to launch in December, with the aim of making meeting and conference room bookings at each of its three UK conference hotels quick and easy.

Mrs Carter added, “Recent studies by the Office of National Statistics estimate that almost half of all UK internet users now log on via a mobile phone, with 45% of those asked saying they surf the web while out and about. With such prolific usage, a mobile ready website, tailored to the smaller screens and lower data handling capabilities of today’s smart phones makes a mobile website an invaluable tool.”

Find The Right Location For Your Meeting or Event For Free

2011-11-21T10:20:00.001-08:00

The start of Global Entrepreneurship Week highlights more than ever the fact that many businesses will need to go global to succeed. Whether that means finding innovative new suppliers overseas or carving out a niche in a foreign market, location, location, location is the battle cry of the ambitious.

Sundial Options & Solutions, the venue finding agency by Sundial Group, has added a number of second language speakers to its team in recent months, making it easier than ever to find the perfect overseas location for a meeting, conference or seminar.

The meetings procurement service is completely free and in just 24 hours promises to provide a host of options suited to the size of the event as well as meeting budgetary requirements. As anyone who has booked a hotel overseas on a whim will know, getting the perfect destination in a foreign land can be hit and miss. While it’s possible to work around disappointments like no sea view on holiday, getting to a foreign conference venue to find the Wi-Fi hasn’t been booked, there’s no parking facilities and food isn’t provided can be costly both in terms of revenue and reputation. But, with Sundial Options & Solutions native speakers and local knowledge working to source the best deal in the best location, planning an overseas event needn’t take place in Double Dutch.

Delivered in a completely transparent way, Sundial Options & Solutions international venue finding and meetings procurement gives clients the benefit of a much simplified booking process as well as preferential rates. Managers can track spending and expenditure in minute detail, ensuring the absolute most is made of the budget and location both in the lead up and during the event itself.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options & Solutions General Manager said, “We are dedicated to providing our clients with first-class service and are very proud to offer multi-lingual capabilities to ensure that no matter where in the world you want an event, our team will make your life easier by saving you time and money.”

To get started finding a suitable venue whether here in the UK or overseas, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com or call 01604 731 731.

It’s Not Too Late To Find A Suitable Christmas Party Venue

2011-11-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

It’s not too late to find a suitable venue for the office Christmas party according to venue finding agents, Sundial Options & Solutions. Although some UK businesses start planning their annual festivities as early as July or August, the team of skilled venue finders at the Sundial-owned service still have a few aces up their sleeve.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options & Solutions General Manager said, “We always get some really unique venue requests at this time of year such as parties in an authentic circus Big Top, complete with performers or trips to a petting zoo with animal encounters. It’s by no means too late to arrange something equally adventurous for the staff Christmas party but as the clock is ticking it’s vital to get organised and draft in some professional help.”

Sundial Options & Solutions offers both international and UK venue finding. The service is completely free for those seeking a suitable location for a conference, meeting, event, party or other corporate occasion and clients receive a number of expert suggestions.

As well as helping find a suitable location for a party, the venue finding agent can also help plan the festivities. From private functions to finding ‘join a parties’, the emphasis is on securing a suitable location and arranging an event efficiently, to a pre-determined budget.

After the hard work of sourcing a suitably-sized location with availability and all required facilities is complete, Sundial Options & Solutions will use their meetings management expertise to help ensure all preparations run smoothly.

Ms Carter added, “The Sundial Options & Solutions service is totally free for any company who needs a helping hand finding a suitable venue for the staff Christmas party. Because we can also help with tracking who will and won’t be attending, negotiating the fee with the venue and deal with any last minute organizational needs, we can save both time and money – two very valuable commodities at any time of the year but particularly as Christmas approaches.”

To get started finding a suitable venue for your office Christmas party, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com or call 01604 731 731.

Sundial Options And Solutions Launches Healthy Mind and Body Month With Free Help Finding Meeting Venues With Fitness Facilities

2011-11-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

A new study by the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index has found that British businesses are footing the bill for unhealthy employees to an estimated cost of £21 billion per year in lost productivity. Workers who are overweight or obese and have other health conditions miss a massive 103 million additional days per year compared with their fitter colleagues.

The survey found that 20.6% of full time workers are overweight or obese in the UK, making it likely that at least one or two members of staff in every medium to large company are struggling to stay healthy and productive. With this in mind, Sundial Options and Solutions, the free venue finding agency by Sundial Group has named November ‘Healthy Mind and Body Month’ and is offering all of its clients free, expert help (as ever) in finding venues with keep fit facilities such as fitness centres, tennis courts and swimming pools.

With both cash and productivity at stake, meeting and conference venues offering delegates gyms and pools help those businesses wishing to promote an aura of vitality and freshness at their meeting. Even the inclusion of lots of open outdoor spaces at a venue can make a difference- it’s been proven that fresh air and exercise can release endorphins in the brain, the feel-good chemicals that are sure to make attendees feel more motivated, engaged and productive.

Some venues boast golf courses and other such outdoor activities which can help delegates to bond and promote a great sense of wellbeing at an event. Having somewhere for delegates to relax and unwind after a hard day can make all the difference to the productivity and motivation of the group.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options and Solutions General Manager said, “With so much at stake, it’s vital that UK businesses begin to encourage a healthy mind, healthy living attitude in their employees. This can start at the meetings management stage and continue through the entire event. One of the easiest ways to do this is to ensure that the conference venue or meeting rooms have fitness facilities and strive to offer healthy, nutritious meals to delegates. We’re very excited about our ‘Healthy Mind and Body month’ and hope to be able to suggest a real range of venues that meet event requirements whilst also offering gyms, outdoor space and other amenities to encourage the whole team to get moving.

“Even for those who hate the thought of working out after a busy day of seminars or presentations, spas are increasingly popular meeting and conference venues in both city centre and countryside locations. They provide the ultimate in relaxation as well as health-related treatments intended to cleanse and de-stress.”

Sundial Options and Solutions’ venue finding services also include an international venue finding team. The company’s Healthy Mind and Body month runs from 1^st November – 30 November.

To find out more about Sundial Options and Solutions, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com or call 01604 731 731.

Overseas Events and Conference Arrangements Made Easy

2011-09-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

The expert venue finding agency Sundial Options and Solutions can now help businesses in the UK set up conferences, seminars and events overseas. Europe is home to some of the world's fastest growing economies but of course, the UK is already one of its key markets. As more and more firms start to trade abroad, it's clear that overseas trading can't be overlooked.

Within the European Union, the UK is the third biggest trade market and so the ability to communicate effectively with key trade partners in the EU is essential. Sundials Options and Solutions services can help you to sort out the basic components of your trip, including meeting procurement and finding relevant venues, so that you can focus on preparing for the actual meetings.

Rebecca Carter, General Manager at the firm which specialises in international venue finding and meetings management, said, “Our team has been preparing to support firms in arranging business events overseas. Our booking service is renowned for providing cost effective solutions in booking venues and accommodation.”

The team at Sundial Options and Solutions, which prides itself on providing all-round customer service experience, can offer knowledge, advice and support at all stages of your event, helping to keep your workflow smooth and efficient. The team works with clients to determine exact requirements, taking into account factors such as facilities and budgets, to find appropriate venues abroad. These are usually found in one working day.

To find out more about Sundial Options and Solutions’ booking services for venues abroad visit http://www.sosmeetings.com or call 01604 731 731.

Save Money On Group Accommodation Booking With Sundial Options and Solutions

2011-08-09T02:34:00.000-07:00

The news that the UK economy has failed to post any tangible measure of growth in the last few months will not be a surprise to many business owners. But, even if the latest data from the Office of National Statistics makes for depressing reading, striving to make the most of every possible promotional opportunity becomes ever more important.

Conferences, seminars and events are one such way to eke out a competitive advantage but can also incur a lot of additional expense if not done properly. Sundial Options and Solutions, the meetings management agency from Sundial Group now offers a specialist group accommodation booking service, designed to make corporate hotel bookings as cost effective as possible no matter how large or small the group concerned.

The expert venue finding agency was created to save both time and money for organisations large and small when arranging an event, meeting, seminar or conference when each of the three Sundial Group properties were fully booked. Since then, it has evolved into an invaluable meetings management and venue finding service, placing £5million of meeting’s business at venues in the UK and overseas annually.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options and Solutions General Manager said, “Using Sundial Options & Solutions’ booking service can be the most cost effective solution to booking accommodation as opposed to booking on an individual basis due to our buying power from working with such a large number of hotels.”

Sundial Options and Solutions works with a large selection of hotels around Great Britain and throughout the rest of the world, giving it a huge scope to carefully match the organisation and individual requirements with a property that delivers all required amenities, in the desired area and to the desired budget.

Bookings can be managed via an online group booking request service, which is designed to speed up the booking process by pre-completing key forms for bookers. Jointly branded for a seamless partnership, the interface allows for management information and report downloads and boasts a rapid response facility.

To find out more about Sundial Options and Solutions’ group accommodation booking services visit http://www.sosmeetings.com or call 01604 731 731.

Expert meetings & events procurement available from Sundial- one less thing for you to worry about

2011-07-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

There is a range of reasons why a company may wish to hold a meeting or event in an external venue, whether in the UK, Europe and internationally. Sundial Options and Solutions, the specialist meetings and events procurement arm of the award-winning Sundial Group, offers free UK venue finding services for firms wishing to take advantage of its more than 12 years in the hospitality industry.

Sundial Options & Solutions can find a wide range of UK meeting and conference venues for any size and style of meeting or event. It does this by working closely with clients in order to determine their exact requirements from a particular meeting venue, including such factors as facilities and budget. In addition to UK and international venue finding, Sundial Options and Solutions also offer consultancy, strategic support, event planning and meetings management.

An extensive selection of possible venues including sports stadia, hotels and dedicated conference hotels makes it easy to settle on the one location guaranteed to make a great impression.

Rebecca Carter, Sundial Options and Solutions General Manager said, “Taking advantage of our strategic procurement services helps companies perhaps not used to organizing events dial into our supplier base, obtain preferential contract terms and rates with selected venue suppliers and leverage costs by optimising use of venue locations. Other advantages of the SOS Meetings Management Service include the ability that it gives to firms to simplify online or offline booking processes and to make the most of a dedicated and skilled team of international and UK venue finding consultants.”

In addition, the completely transparent way in which SOS's Hotel Accommodation Booking and Meetings Management Services are delivered makes it possible for procurement heads and purchasing managers to keep track of savings and expenditure. The extended amount of time that Sundial Options & Solutions spends with each client means that it can ensure the best quality venues at the most exceptional prices.

Rebecca Carter added, “Demonstrable total savings of over 25% are not unusual, whilst for a single event, as much as a 45% savings have been achieved.”

To find out more, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com

Sundial Options and Solutions To Attend IMEX ’11 In Frankfurt

2011-05-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

Sundial Options & Solutions, the award winning Sundial Group’s venue finding agent, has announced that it will be sending team members to the IMEX ’11 exhibition in Frankfurt at the end of May.

IMEX ’11, which is the show at which the global meetings industry makes connections and does business, will be held in the German city on 24-26 May, and representatives of Sundial Options & Solutions will attend with the aim of building relationships with large hotel groups across Europe, in addition to further broadening the company’s existing vast hotel knowledge.

Sundial Options & Solutions began in May 1999, when it offered a free service to customers who had been turned away from the three UK conference centres operated by the Sundial Group. The company has continued to grow since that date, and today continues to offer its high level of industry expertise and knowledge to a wide range of clients that are in need of conference venues and hotels.

Sundial Options & Solutions concentrates on creating positive customer experiences by offering such services to clients as UK venue finding, international venue finding and event planning, with its attendance at IMEX ’11 being the latest indicator of its commitment to continually expanding its range of contacts and expertise in the hotel industry.

Mark Cooper, Sundial’s Sales Director stated: “In more than a decade of operation, we have always taken seriously our duty to our clients to offer the very best venue finding and event planning services, informed by extensive experience, contacts and expertise. By announcing our attendance at IMEX ’11 in Frankfurt, the Worldwide Exhibition for meetings and events, we have further demonstrated our commitment to continually expanding our industry-relevant knowledge.”

IMEX ’11 will bring together more than 3,500 exhibitors from over 150 countries for three days of business under the roof of Hall 8 of Messe Frankfurt, the world’s largest trade fair organiser. This year’s event will consist of over 70 sessions of education and will feature a wide range of European hotel groups amongst its exhibitors. Team members from Sundial Options & Solutions intend to make the most of their appearance at the show to network with prospective partners, with the ultimate aim of forming longer-term partnerships that will be highly beneficial to its extensive client base.

Sundial Options & Solutions books hotel bedroom space across the world, making the most of its existing relationships with hotel groups to provide the most suitable group accommodation for clients’ individual needs. As a hotel booking agency, the company frequently attends a wide range of industry events and shows as part of its continual improvement of the quality of service that it provides.

For more information about hotel bookings from Sundial Options & Solutions and to discuss your needs in more detail, please contact Becky Carter. Email: Rebecca.carter@sundialgroup.com or call 01604 731731. Alternatively, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com

Sundial Options and Solutions Announces Improved Event Management Service

2011-05-09T01:50:00.000-07:00

Sundial Options and Solutions, the venue finding arm of the award winning Sundial Group, has enhanced its event management service. The new, full event management offering makes it easier than ever for clients to deliver the most effective product launches, conferences and all kinds of other events.

When the time comes to organise and manage an event, few companies have the necessary in-house resources to ensure that the event is a success on its own. The event management service from Sundial Options and Solutions, however, gives clients access to a bespoke suite of tools and know how, making it quick and easy to organise speakers, locate high quality suppliers, find the best venue and generally manage the expectations of delegates – whether there are 50 or 1000.

Mark Cooper, Sales Director at Sundial Options and Solutions said, “Sundial’s specialist service is enhanced by our many years expert of experience in the events industry.” He explained, “Sundial’s new service will become a natural extension to our clients’ organizing team”.

The new event management service joins the wide range of existing services for event planners offered by Sundial Options and Solutions, including its UK and international venue finding service and expanding hotel booking service which are already popular with a range of major UK brands. Informed by Sundial’s extensive experience in all aspects of event planning, the new specialist event management service helps to bring together all of an event’s stakeholders, including suppliers. It is the perfect complement to the efforts of a client’s own team at every stage of an event, from planning and delivery to the post-event phase.

The flexible event management services offered by Sundial Options and Solutions include free initial event advice and diagnostics; online delegate registration managed in multiple languages; a branded event website; marketing and promotion; design and print; exhibition design, build and management; sponsorship management; venue sourcing and negotiating; group accommodation and dinner management; audio visual and stage production; inspirational and motivational speakers and entertainers; financial budgets and reconciliations, on the day delivery team, delegate management and logistics; and post conference communications, monitoring and evaluations.

To find out more and to discuss your needs in more detail contact Becky Carter. Email: Rebecca.carter@sundialgroup.com or call 01604 731731. Alternatively, visit http:// www.sosmeetings.com

Venue Finding Agent Sundial Options & Solutions Reveals Top Five International Cities for Business

2011-04-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Business travel expenses are often a large burden for British business with increasing flight and accommodation expenses plus fluctuating foreign exchange rates all representing additional financial challenges. With so many factors to take into consideration, choosing a venue finding agent capable of getting the most from any international conference or meeting room booking is one way to claw back a competitive edge.

Costs aside, arranging an event overseas comes with its own unique set of challenges. Sundial Options and Solutions, the venue finding agent from the award-winning Sundial Group is offering its experienced international venue finding team free of charge to British firms planning an international event. The team has an in-depth understanding of a number of global locations, including destinations in Europe and the United States of America.

Demonstrating its international venue finding service savvy, the international event management experts have this week released their top five international cities to do business in. This list is a starting point for anyone charged with planning or managing an international event for their company but unsure of the most appropriate, engaging and exciting destination in which to hold it.

1. London

Cool Britannia is a leader of the business pack when it comes to smooth event management and delegate enjoyment. Regularly named one of the world’s top business hubs, London has a plethora of conference venues and meeting rooms, with styles, budgets and facilities to suit everyone from the smallest company up to the largest global conglomerate. With buzzing technology, fashion and finance communities, London is an excellent choice for your next event.

2. Shanghai

For long haul luxury, look no further than Shanghai. The shopping, eating and accommodation choices are second to none and world class conference venues make doing business a breeze. A great choice for brands with businesses dotted around the globe, Shanghai enjoys excellent transport links so is easy to get to and from with the minimum of fuss. An exhilarating metropolis and one of the fastest growing cities in the world, Shanghai is sure to inspire delegates to push boundaries.

3. Paris

Just a short Eurostar trip from London or a quick international flight, the eternally stylish city has a number of large hotel and conference venues as well as hotels with meeting rooms for smaller events.

4. New York

If you have a lot to get through, ask your venue finding agent about conference and meeting rooms in the city that never sleeps. With industries of every kind, companies of every size, specialist and language all calling New York home, few places are as geared up for business success as the Big Apple. With an almost limitless supply of venues and a favourable pound to dollar exchange rate, NYC is a popular choice. Excellent transport links and a number of daily flights direct from London and other UK regional airports make the city a convenient international choice.

5. Brussels

The administrative centre of the European Union, you’re guaranteed to be in illustrious company when holding an event in Brussels. The capital of Belgium, the city is cosmopolitan and spacious with a huge choice of venues all within a few hours of the UK.

For more information about Sundial Options and Solutions’ international venue finding service and to request assistance managing your next overseas meeting or event, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

Meet in a Greener Way with Sundial Options and Solutions

2011-03-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Whatever your speciality, you can now do business in a greener way thanks to event management specialists, Sundial Options and Solutions. Part of the award-winning Sundial Group, Sundial Options and Solutions online meetings management tools are the environmentally friendly way to find, plan and manage your next conference or event.

The online meetings management tools from the venue finding agent are the result of years of meetings and event planning expertise. The suite of services includes everything needed to plan, manage and execute a successful event, whether that event is a small gathering of just a handful of people or a large conference of hundreds.

The software package provides real time information, plus all the tools and functionality needed to carry out essential tasks including event marketing and the creation of branded web pages. You can also manage online delegate registration, seminar and session bookings online, making it possible to carry out planning and marketing from any location. This feature is particularly helpful for those who are charged with other responsibilities or are required to travel a lot for work purposes as you don’t need to be in the same office based location to access critical event data.

From being able to handle online accommodation booking (in local languages of course) and managing confirmations online, the Sundial Options and Solutions event management tools let you do it all, making for less paperwork, fewer phone calls and far less hassle. With real-time, 24/7 reporting, whether you’re a sole trader or a large multinational corporation juggling a number of imminent events, there is a choice of standard report templates or bespoke Word, Excel or XML sheets.

Mark Cooper, Sundial Group’s Sales Director explained, “Sundial Options and Solutions’ specialist online meetings management tools have been specifically designed with Meeting Planners in mind.” He continued, “At SOS we appreciate that time is money so we are pleased to be able to provide a quick and simple method for you to submit information to us, from wherever in the world you may be; whether this is in conjunction with accommodation for hundreds or dietary requirements for two, our team will be pleased to respond to you within just a number of hours.”

For more information, or for help with finding conference venues, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

Sundial Group Unveil a Brand New Event Management Service

2011-03-16T03:57:00.001-07:00

Sundial Options and Solutions is now offering our clients a full event management service, designed to help you to deliver high-impact conferences, product launches and other events.

We recognise that clients do not have all the in-house resources needed to manage the expectations of 50-1,000 delegates, organise speakers, secure high quality suppliers and, of course, find the best venue.

Sundial Options and Solutions event management service will complement its UK and International venue finding service as well as its growing hotel booking service, already provided to a number of major UK brands.

Mark Cooper, Sales Director of Sundial Group comments “Sundial is now providing a specialist service enhanced by our experience in bringing together all event stakeholders, including suppliers.” He explained, “Sundial’s new service will become a natural extension to our clients’ organising team in the planning, delivery and post-event phases”.

Event management services offered by Sundial Options and Solutions’ are flexible and include:

Free Initial Event Advice and Diagnostics
Online Delegate Registration (managed in multiple languages)
Branded Event Website
Marketing and promotion
Design and Print
Exhibition design, build and management
Sponsorship Management
Venue Sourcing and Negotiating
Accommodation and dinner management
Audio Visual and Stage Production
Inspirational and Motivational Speakers and Entertainers
Financial Budgets and Reconciliations
On the Day Delivery Team, Delegate Management and Logistics
Post Conference Communications, Monitoring and Evaluations.

To discuss your needs, please contact Becky Carter at Rebecca.carter@sundialgroup.com or call 01604 731731.

Sundial Options and Solutions Present Their Top Tips for Planning and Hosting a Productive Meeting

2011-03-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Planning a memorable, efficient and effective meeting can be difficult. With so many phone calls to make, conference venues to view and book, and, of course, inviting all the delegates, getting everything done in time and then hosting a productive meeting can be a big ask.

Sundial Options and Solutions, part of the award winning Sundial Group, have a devised a handy cheat sheet for successful event management. Follow these ten steps to success…

Putting the Meeting Together

1) Plan your meeting

This may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many businesses try to put together a meeting at the last minute. Choose your venue finding agent or conference venues well in advance. You’ll also need to draw up a guest list and meeting agenda, and set a budget for everything at least three months in advance if it’s a big conference, or a month in advance if it’s a small one. This will ensure all the big tasks are completed before you start to tackle the smaller things.

2) Food and drink

Collate all dietary requirements and send them to the caterer within the time specified by them. If they have not given you a time frame, always ask. You don’t want to end up in a day long meeting or conference without food and drink.

3) Give your team members plenty of notice

You wouldn’t want to be told about a meeting at the last minute so offer your colleagues the same courtesy. If you have everything planned in advance, it will be easier to inform your colleagues so they can arrange their plans accordingly.

4) Venue and accommodation

Ensuring your delegates have a comfortable venue will go a long way towards ensuring the meeting is productive and worthwhile. Sundial Options and Solutions are a specialist venue finding agent and can get you great deals on local, national and international venues, and if needed, book in the local language. They also arrange group accommodation for your guests if the conference is scheduled to take place over a number of days.

5) Manage delegate confirmations

Keeping track of who is attending and who can’t make it is essential. A venue finding agent can help you manage all confirmations from your attendees which in turn helps with venue, accommodation and catering requirements. If you plan to manage the meeting yourself, keep an up to date spreadsheet of confirmations and non-attendees.

6) Attendee tracking

The best way to manage delegate confirmations is to track each attendee. Sundial Options and Solutions collate all your guest lists and keep track of each attendee to help with catering and accommodation on the day.

At the Meeting

7) Registration and badges

Registration desks not only help with keeping a record of attendance for the day but the data gathered can also assist with planning future meetings. Knowing who came to the meeting will ensure you invite the right people to the next one.

8) Agenda

When working on your event management, it is imperative that you develop a varied agenda. Repetition can be boring and you can lose your delegates’ interest. Use PowerPoint presentations or graphs to add a splash of colour and keep everyone interested.

9) Audience response

Listening to your audience’s views and opinions will not only put you in a more respected position, it might give you different viewpoint on running your business.

10) Post-meeting feedback

Tracking your audience response is a great marketing strategy. Getting feedback means you can judge and plan your next meeting or conference, and make it better than the last. It gives you an idea of what to include and not to include in the next event. Sundial Options and Solutions can produce and manage all feedback from delegates to help you plan an even better event next time.

UK Venue Finding Agent Sundial Options & Solutions Announces Its Top 10 Cities For Work and Play!

2011-02-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Looking for the perfect place for work and play? Sundial Group’s specialist venue finding agent, Sundial Options & Solutions, has devised a handy list of the top 10 cities where you can work hard and play afterwards. As a part of the award winning Sundial group, Sundial Options & Solutions know what they are talking about when it comes to destinations and venues. Beginning in 1999 as a free service, Sundial Options & Solutions now places £5 million worth of business annually at conference venues around the UK. Its top 10 list is based on cultural and leisure offerings, bookings popularity and business facilities in situ.

10) Norwich

Located in Norfolk, Norwich is bathed in history. At one point playing second fiddle only to London, Norwich is today a popular tourist attraction and home to many must see sights such as Norwich Cathedral. The quaint cobbled streets are a testament to the history of the town but choosing a meeting venue in Norwich means you are a hop, skip and jump away from one of the country’s leading, and most modern shopping destinations, which includes one of the UK’s largest outdoor markets. And with the biggest Wi-Fi networks in the nation, it looks to be a city that wants to come out on top of the business world as well.

9) Northampton

A large market town, situated in the heart of the East Midlands, Northampton is home to some of the largest financial and distribution sectors in the country. Having established itself as a financial and distribution hotspot, a meeting venue in Northampton puts you in illustrious company amongst businesses such as Barclays and Carlsberg. If you’re the cultural type, Northampton also offers a wide range of activities including an array of museums and galleries, due to its rich history, that you can take advantage of.

8) Newcastle

Newcastle, located on the River Tyne, is perhaps one of the few cities in the UK to have a rich and varied identity. Once upon a time, it was a thriving port and is now a thriving centre for both business and culture. Boasting a booming nightlife and leisure scene, the city also has strong environmental credentials and has become the UK’s first carbon neutral town. If you want to relax after a long day of meetings, the city has restaurants, theatres, festivals and fairs, making it ideal for training and teambuilding venues in Newcastle.

7) Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland is also one of the largest and busiest in the UK. It is often cited as one of the most beautiful and scenic cities in the whole of Europe and so makes for the perfect meeting venue in Scotland. It is filled with gorgeous Georgian and Medieval architecture as well as is an educational hotspot with the prestigious Edinburgh University. It is well known for cultural activities such as the renowned Edinburgh Festival and the annual Military Tattoo. Conference venues in Edinburgh are guaranteed to open up a world of culture you never even knew existed.

6) Belfast

The capital and largest city of Northern Ireland comes in at number five because of its incredible history. Home to the Northern Ireland Assembly and being the economic heart of Ireland makes it worthy of this spot. Belfast has a diverse economy around industry, education and business and boasts two airports plus a major working seaport. Belfast City Hall and the Belfast Big Wheel are two of the hotspots the city is noted for, as well as its breathtaking architecture. It boasts fantastic business and pleasure facilities, so choosing a conference venues in Belfast will ensure you can work hard and play harder afterwards!

5) Leicester

Being right in the middle of the country and in the heart of the East Midlands, Leicester is one of the most diverse cities in the UK. With a particularly strong history in engineering, the city boasts of names such as Jones and Shipman, Richard’s Engineering, and Trelleborg. It is also home to the historic ‘Golden Mile’ where rows and rows of jewelers have settled from parts of Africa and India for decades. It also features countless Indian restaurants and takeaways. Major grocery brands such as Walkers Crisps (Gary Linekar is famously from Leicester) and major financial and banking firms such as NatWest, HSBC, RBS and Barclays also reside here. The Walker’s Stadium is one of the largest football stadiums in the UK and the Leicester Cathedral plus the chic Curve Theatre are just some of the attractions to see in the city. Conference venues in Leicester are a hop, skip and jump away from the bustling city centre and other hotspots around the city.

4) Nottingham

Coming in fourth place is the city of Nottingham. Located in the East Midlands, it is a traditional city and has seen significant urban developments in recent times. Famed for being the home of Robin Hood and Maid Marion, Nottingham is one of the few cities in the country that has a mystical air surrounding it. It is an ideal place to get your team’s creative juices flowing as the city’s biggest area of investment is in the creative industry. It is also home to world famous brands such as Boots, Siemens, Experian and EON. Conference venues in Nottingham will ensure you have a productive meeting and experience the culture afterwards.

3) Birmingham

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands and is Britain’s second largest city after London. It was once the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution and today, is a hotspot for business and trade. 2010 saw Birmingham being named the third best city in the country to locate a business and is one of the fastest growing commercial centres in the UK. It also features a fantastic nightlife with clubs and bars dotted around for a drink after a hard day’s work, or you can soak up the countryside that is incorporated around the borders of the city. Meeting venues in Birmingham are close to theatres such as the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), Symphony Hall and Hippodrome where you can enjoy a programme, as well as the lively city centre which can be explored to see Birmingham Town Hall and the city’s Library as well as other major retail brands.

2) Manchester

Often touted as the ‘capital of the north,’ Manchester is one of the UK’s most thriving cosmopolitan cities. It has one of the nation’s fastest growing economies and in 2010, was named the second best place in the UK to do business and the 12^th best in Europe. With a world class economy and a vibrant culture, you’d be mad not to make a visit! As well as cutting edge conference venues for business, it has a fantastic nightlife, coupled with lots of entertainment, so there is plenty to do even after work!

1) London

The capital of the country takes the top spot in Sundial Options & Solutions’ ideal meeting venues. Despite being one of the biggest business and cultural capitals of the world, London is steeped in history, from that of the Royal family who reside there, to the Houses of Parliament. The Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are just a few of the historical hotspots to visit after work. Meeting venues in London are designed for business and pleasure, so organising teambuilding and leisure activities should be a doddle! It’s nightlife is out of the world and culturally, it is at the forefront. West End shows, fabulous restaurants and hoards of entertainment, means there is something there for everyone. Conference venues in London are ideal for those looking for a location that is the heart of business and the heart of entertainment.

For more information about Sundial Options & Solutions’ venue finding service and to request assistance locating your next meeting or event venue visit http://www.sosmeetings.com

Are you getting the most from your venue finding agent?

2011-02-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

Corporate events, meetings and conferences are the lifeblood of commerce and if you have one planned for 2011, you’ll no doubt be looking to maximise every possible opportunity to ensure your event goes off with a bang. Successful event planning is a key component in ongoing business relationships, a factor in winning new business and crucial to inspiring, educating and motivating staff.

Using a venue finding agent (also known as an event management agency) can help propel your conference or meeting from humdrum to outstanding by understanding what makes an event memorable and pulling out all the stops to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Confirm you’re getting the most out of your event support team by following these guidelines from the award-winning Sundial Groups’ SOS Meetings Management team.

1. Ability to plan well in advance but capable of working to your schedule

It’s not always possible to foresee and plan for the future in a business environment and from time to time, a last minute event or conference will be called to session. While a good venue finding agent will relish the thought of planning an event a few months in advance, a great venue finding agent will make your vision a reality in the face of tight deadlines and even tighter last minute budgets.

2. Able to understand your vision

Understanding the type of event you plan to host is the single most important factor in creating a venue shortlist so a good event placement agency will be able to delve down to the nitty gritty of your occasion and carry out UK venue finding or international location searches accordingly.

3. Have an eye for detail

The best venue finding and recommendation agencies have an eye for detail that comes from years of event planning experience. Considering factors you may not have thought of such as will space be needed for presentations, do delegates have special dietary requirements, will evening entertainment be available and will there be room for dancing in the evening are all in a day’s work for a good venue agency. These considerations will shape not only the choice of venue but also the total final cost of the suggested locations.

For more information about SOS Meetings’ venue finding service and to request assistance locating your next meeting or event venue, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

Another day, another dollar, rand, pound, rupee, euro (etc. etc.) at EIBTM!

2010-12-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

This morning thousands of Meeting Planners converge again on the Barcelona Fira Exhibition Halls to seek out new exciting meeting destinations for their important events next year! Planners show true dedication today, considering many attended venue groups’ networking dinners across the city last night! My goal is to see what’s new for meetings in Paris and Brussels for one of our clients today!

Malaysia stands out this year and they are making a strong case for taking annual conferences and meetings to them, citing their unique attention to detail, diversity of skills and multicultural background as being key to them being prepared for anything a meeting requires!

Middle Eastern destinations are continuing to present strong new reasons to go, with examples such as the 2011 opening of the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, a wave shaped building (pictured), which will mark the debut of this iconic brand in the Middle East.

The UK meetings industry is at EIBTM in large doses this year, with our home country presenting cities such as Liverpool as a major International Conference destination to sit up there with the bigger players in Europe. The Sheraton Edinburgh announces a multi-million pound renovation to 270 guest rooms and the Spa.

For the international Meeting Planner, brands to continue to consider when planning should be Pullman and Nova Hotels, both of which understand the concept of providing good quality delegate packages and dedicated meeting environments.

So on day two, the major global brands are here and planning strategic meetings and conferences that will help them capitalise on new markets and grow as the economy rebounds! I hope that the ideas we bring back will be valuable when we work with you on your international events this year.

If you want me to check out a particular city or country today, please feel free to drop me a quick email at mark.cooper@sundialgroup.com!

PS - Don't miss the EIBTM 2010 Industry Trends and Market Share Report by Rob Davidson, available to download here

The outlook from Barcelona

2010-11-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

It’s an exciting time of the year for our clients who book meetings overseas as many of them travel to Barcelona for the annual EIBTM Global Meetings and Events Exhibition. I must admit to having wished my car good luck last Sunday at Luton Airport and wondering if I will need to dig it out later this week when I return! Should have packed a shovel!

Positively, the show is bigger than last year and the number of Meeting Planners registered to visit is also up, as people begin to look to where their meetings should take place in 2011. For our clients planning forthcoming meetings, there were some very interesting industry trends reported in this morning by EIBTM, some of which could affect how meetings are booked next year. Here are some of the highlights, fresh from the exhibition floor this morning, which I would like to share with you all!

Things are looking up!
The news from Western Europe is that all major industrial countries are seeing a steady and improving climb out of recession and meetings are improving in numbers and venues are getting busier. Some clients may still be booking at very short notice , to seek the best deal or minimise on cancellation fees, but the availability in capital cities such as Paris and Barcelona is getting more restrictive. So, in 2011, the best deal may not necessarily be the late deal!

Social Networking Helps Planners Decide
A large number of clients booking meetings are turning to sites such as Tripadvisor and LinkedIn to find out how venues really do look after clients. Let’s face it, a venue performing poorly with independent travellers; may well cause us to doubt how well they’ll look after our business delegates.

Meetings cannot be Replaced
It was reported this morning that fresh evidence exists to highlight that large group face-2-face meetings are by far the most effective option when an organisation needs to capture attention for a new or different strategy. Also social legacy activities, such as fund raising at meetings or community activities taking place locally, is a growing part of the meeting agenda and often a highlight for delegates.

Staying connected is essential
Meeting Planners are continually looking for basic Wi-Fi provision at venues not only to be free in 2010 but also to be fast, reliable and efficient. Unstable internet access at venues causes problems for delegates using smart phones with email functionality. As a direct result of this, I think that we at Sundial will start to look to ways of presenting internet access information on our client proposals next year.

Major Growth in Overseas Meetings
One leading events organiser reported overseas meetings growing from 20% in 2009 to 30% in 2010, a massive upturn in part driven by corporate clients extending their products into new countries.

Over the course of today, I hope to learn what global meeting hotels and conference centres are doing to encourage meetings next year. We are also proud to be featuring Sundial’s venues this year under the banner of the International Association of Conference Centres, as many of our venues are ideal homes for UK meetings with overseas delegates attending.

Adios from a rainy Barcelona and I hope any of our clients running meetings this week in the UK find a safe route to the venues and work around the big freeze this week!

Enjoy trouble free meetings and conferences, call in SOS Meetings to take care of your needs

2010-09-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

In these dark days of economic upheaval, even in the midst of a slow recovery, it can be exceedingly difficult for companies to stay ahead of the competition. Couple these operational considerations with having to dealer with far fewer resources and increased workloads and it’s essential that any assets set aside for a meeting or conference are used wisely.

A successful meeting or conference can make or break a business at the moment, so it’s best to call in the experts to help you with all aspects of the process, from the initial venue finding through meetings management and even corporate travel booking to ensure all delegates arrive stress-free and on time. Part of the award-winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings are your expert alter ego and can arrange everything from the exciting beginning to the successful conclusion.

Specialist meeting venues are located all over the UK, so wherever your company is based you can find the perfect place for the all-important event. Support from SOS Meetings will be on hand from day one, and they can liaise with you throughout the organisation period. As a venue finding agent, SOS Meetings helps companies large and small to get the most out of their meetings, conferences and events.

As an independent event management agency, SOS Meetings can find the perfect meeting place, novelty venue or international locale. There are so many places to choose from in the UK alone that venue finding can be a tricky and complicated process. SOS Meetings will take time to understand event requirements, taking a full brief, sourcing a choice of venues, negotiating cancellation terms and providing even feedback to the venue upon conclusion of the meeting or event.

Just as your approach to your product, service and industry differs from that of your competitors, so too can it be said that no two meeting venues are alike or even appropriate. Swish hotel suites in central London may suit some, while others find a closer match with an elegant country house, nestled in a peaceful and distraction free rural location.

If you’re seeking to eke even more value for money from your gathering of colleagues, why not consider combining a formal meeting with fun teambuilding activities? SOS Meetings consultants can advise and arrange a choice of team development packages, encouraging even greater return on investment from a single venue.

SOS Meetings are not only a top quality event placement agency, they are also experts in corporate travel management and can act as a hotel booking agency – freeing up the meeting manager’s time to deal with other essential pre-event tasks such as material preparation and agenda setting.

James Bland, marketing manager at SOS Meetings said, “For many companies, especially the larger ones, location of the venue is a matter of major importance. If they have delegates coming from all corners of the UK, for example, they may want to consider selecting a venue in the Midlands, which has excellent transport and road links from all over the country. And with the proliferation of multinational corporations in the business world these days, many will have delegates arriving from all over the globe. As your chosen event agency, SOS Meetings can book you a superb venue close to any one of Britain’s international airports.”

Find out more about the full service from SOS Meetings at http://www.sosmeetings.com

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Editor’s Note: SOS Meetings is represented by search engine optimisation agency, AppleJupp Media. Please direct all press queries to Rebecca Appleton. Email: rebecca@applejupp.com or call: 0800 094 9001.

The Origins of SOS Meetings

2010-09-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sundial Options and Solutions, SOS Meetings Management have been in the meetings management business for over a decade. Part of the Sundial Group, SOS Meetings specialises in venue finding for meetings, conferences, training sessions, teambuilding events and corporate hospitality.

SOS Meetings Management was initially set up as a service for those who found the three Sundial Venues fully booked for their conference or meeting. Rather than send meetings managers out on the hunt for other reputable venues alone, SOS Meetings was borne. The free venue finding and event management agency is as flexible as it is functional and can be used for ad-hoc events, a series of meetings, or under a partnership agreement for all activity over a fixed term.

A suite of online management tools make tasks such as event marketing and delegate registration quick and easy with sophisticated real time reports providing tangible data and analysis remotely, 24-hours a day.

Sundial’s vast amount of experience and expertise in the meetings business have naturally filtered through to SOS services, as have the company’s well respected standards of excellence in overall approach.

Consultancy

SOS Meetings Management has been developed to include a tailored, strategic overview of the individual business, bearing in mind conference or meeting objectives and expectations.

The support you receive goes far beyond simply assisting in the location of a meeting or event, beginning long before and continuing even after its conclusion.

Great value

As an experienced venue finding agent, SOS Meetings has developed tangible industry links and has the clout to negotiate excellent rates. Around £5 million worth of meetings are booked via SOS each year, giving the organisation a buying power which is passed on to clients.

Venues

The SOS Meetings event placement agency experts use insider knowledge of the venue market to recommend facilities domestically and overseas that may be a match in terms of location and service provision, style and ambience. In keeping with the strong ethics and values underpinning Sundial Group, the service is not offered to clients who have existing relationships with other venue-finding agencies.

HJaving been built on the same core values of professionalism, experience, respect and quality inherent to the Sundial Group, SOS Meetings has fostered long term relationships with venues up and down the country and around the globe. As the company has developed, a hands-on approach has been forged which sees the SOS team visit and inspects their recommended venues at regular intervals. This helps the firm to guarantee an extremely high standard of meeting and accommodation services.

For more information on how SOS Meetings developed in to a premier venue finding agency, and to request assistance locating your next meeting or event, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award-winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Editor’s Note: SOS Meetings is represented by search engine optimisation agency, AppleJupp Media. Email seomanagement@applejupp.com or call: 0800 094 9001

Save Time and Money by Using SOS Meetings

2010-08-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Organising and managing a big meeting, conference or event can be a huge hassle. Leading meetings management firm SOS Meetings can help you plan and organise your event. Specialising in venue finding, SOS Meetings has an intimate knowledge of UK meeting venues and overseas conference destinations.

From suggesting venues to collecting and managing feedback at the end, the event management agent does everything to the highest standard and looks after everything for full peace of mind. Moreover, their service is completely free and taking advantage of their industry expertise will save you amount of time and money. Their methodical and consultative approach to understanding each individual customer’s needs and requirements means that they create positive experiences not only through their efficiency of service, but also throughout the event and beyond by virtue of having found the ideal location.

Planning and organising an event or meeting can be emotionally and physically draining and so the expert team at the venue finding agent offers its knowledge, support and advice every step of the way; so much so that they are never more than just a phone call away! They offered guaranteed enquiry response times for both UK and international venue search requirements, so that even if you have a short notice requirement, they will be able to help you organise superb events.

The other services they offer include consultancy, strategic support, event planning and management and meetings management, which can include organising suppliers of online delegate registration and integrating that into your event.

Extraordinary Meetings with SOS Event Support

2010-08-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ideal for events that need to be memorable, motivational and inspiring, unusual meeting venues provide the perfect environment for reward days, team bonding and more social events for a company. If the objective of an event does not require a focused working environment, then the wide range of unusual, novelty venues now available in the UK and worldwide means there is plenty of choice for the customer. Sometimes, though, the amount of choice can be overwhelming.

“Taking people away from the traditional environment means that every person is gaining a new experience together; which is something teams can share in the future” says Tim Chudley, Managing Director of Sundial Group, which operates event management specialist SOS Meetings. “However, we often encounter planners who just cannot decide where to begin looking for venues; Google searches often return millions of page results and people simply do not have the time to compare and assess venues.”

Venue finding agency SOS Meetings searches far and wide for the most practical yet unusual meeting venues on behalf of its clients. Taking time to first understand the customer’s objectives, SOS Meetings helps narrow that choice down to a selection of suitable locations. The final decision is always the customer’s, but SOS Meetings will carry out the leg work involved in researching venues so that the whole process becomes much more efficient and effective.

Unusual meeting venues that have become popular of late are sports stadia. More and more football clubs and cricket grounds are happy to play host to large conferences and meetings. Stadia are ideal for public exhibitions as they are often geared up to accept thousands of people arriving and leaving all at the same time. Museums, theatres, stately homes, and even bars, can sometimes be appropriate for a group or event.

Letting SOS handle your event management will not only allow you to relieve a certain amount of stress, but our contacts can ensure that whichever unusual conference venue you choose; your staff and guests will have a productive experience in line with your needs and requirements.

For more information, visit http://www.sosmeetings.com

Perfect Hotels from SOS Meetings

2010-07-26T08:59:00.001-07:00

SOS Meetings is one of the leading hotel finding agent in the UK and will find you the perfect hotel or conference centre for your meeting, conference or even banquet!
Operating a strict “one size does not fit all” policy, the company that specialises in UK venue finding, can help you to pick and find the ideal hotel or conference venue depending on your needs and requirements. You’ll want a hotel or venue that has great meeting facilities for functions or banquets, but you may be undecided whether to choose one set in the countryside, near an airport, or in a city-centre. Whatever your objectives, SOS Meetings can find you the venue to suit.
There will always be exceptions, but, generally speaking, the venue finding agent recommends city centre hotels and conference venues for local meetings and events if all your employees live in that particular city. Good for public transport, some of the large chains provide excellent meeting facilities and packages, but charge higher delegate rates, while other, smaller hotels, charge lower delegate rates but perhaps do not offer as much in their packages. Specialist conference venues tend to be somewhere in the middle, offering inclusive packages that represent excellent value. Because they’re specialists, they tend to include the things you’ll actually need too. On the flip side, those of your delegates who are driving may find it difficult not only to park, but also it may be a stressful drive into the city in question.
The meetings management company says that airport hotels are ideal if you have international delegates attending your event or meeting alongside UK colleagues. They provide meeting facilities and are great for the seasoned traveller. Being close to the airport means they do not have to travel far to get to and from the meeting venue and also are usually quite accessible for domestic delegates too, although parking charges may be higher than elsewhere.
Conference venues in the country, and country house hotels, are excellent for relaxed, informal meetings or conferences. Also popular with leisure travellers, they provide a tranquillity that city-based hotels just don’t. Privacy can be enhanced, as it is less likely that competitors or journalists will “just drop in for a coffee”, while they are often blessed with delightful outside spaces that can be used for activities, relaxation or reflection. Delightful in appearance and hospitality, they ensure all guests are made to feel welcome and can be very flexible in terms of what they offer. Parking is often convenient and nearby, and although they may seem remote, they can be just as easy to access as city centre locations in terms of journey time. The journey is often a lot more pleasant than one through a city centre too, so the overall meeting experience may well be enhanced. They are not just to be thought of as residential venues either – a day in the calm of the country is just as productive as a day in a noisy, bustling city, if not more so.
Of course, the ultimate decision has to be yours, but SOS Meetings will be there on hand to answer any questions and offer helpful advice. For more information, please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Plan the Perfect Christmas Party with SOS Meetings

2010-07-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

SOS Meetings, the UK’s premier event management and venue finding agent, can help you find and plan a perfect event for any occasion, be it a dinner and dance for charity or even a corporate Christmas party.

The company’s wealth of expertise and knowledge allows them to be able to suggest the perfect venues and plan the perfect event. With SOS Meetings around, you won’t need to worry about a thing as they support every step of the way to make sure everything runs smoothly.

They can place your Christmas party anywhere from boutique, chain and country house hotels, to sports stadia and other novelty venues around the country. Celebrate the festivities of Christmas with your colleagues with fantastic event planning and venue finding from SOS Meetings.

Claire Harper, from the organisation which also specialises in corporate travel management, said: “Our venue finding service is completely free and we can help you find venues for your Christmas party nationwide. We take the time out to understand your requirements and needs and base our findings on that. Christmas party venues are booked months in advance and if you leave it too late, your team could end up not having the fun party you imagined.”

The organisation’s vast experience means they can help you with all aspects of your Christmas event, from using industry contacts to find the best venues, negotiating conditions and cancellation terms and managing any feedback post-event. They also offer a free Strategic Support service, where you can benefit from accompanied showrounds and on-site assistance if required.

For more information on how SOS Meetings can help you find and organise the perfect Christmas party, please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Kick Off the Summer with Teambuilding Activities from SOS Meetings

2010-07-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

With it all set to be a glorious summer this year, why not book some motivating and morale boosting summer events for your employees? Leading event management agent, SOS Meetings, which is part of the award winning Sundial Group, can help you find the best venue for family fun days, summer barbecues or team building activities.

SOS Meetings works with a range of suppliers to source and manage teambuilding activities around the country. Whether you’re looking to develop your colleagues through experiential learning or just want a fun day out, SOS Meetings can help you set up and manage all kinds of activities.

Outdoor teambuilding activities are an ideal way to get your team members out of the traditional boardroom or meeting room and into the great outdoors! The extensive list of outdoor activities that SOS Meetings can source for you can be used to deliver serious learning or just a way to spend a fun afternoon together as almost a bonding session between team members. Whatever your objectives, SOS Meetings, the venue finding agent, can help you plan the perfect day out.

If you’re not convinced that this summer will be a scorcher, there are plenty of indoor team building activities that can be arranged. Taking place in the comfort of a large meeting or conference room, they are no less exciting and can form part of either an enjoyable day for colleagues and their families, or an activity to complement the agenda of an existing meeting or conference.

If you’d prefer something less interactive, SOS Meetings can help you source after-dinner, evening entertainment or even venues able to provide memorable themed dining experiences.

For more information, or to book any of the fantastic range of outdoor teambuilding activities in time for the summer, please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

SOS Meetings Explains Specialist Meetings Venues

2010-06-24T04:40:00.001-07:00

How many times have you heard a venue claim to have “dedicated meeting facilities” but in reality that meeting room occupies an area completely inappropriate for such use? UK venue finding specialists, SOS Meetings offer some handy hints and tips on how to source and recognise a genuinely dedicated meeting venue and get the best possible location for your company’s events.

The hotel booking agency recommends you look out for the following when choosing a meeting room, conference room or training room:

· Does it have good quality 8-hour furniture or uncomfortable stacking banqueting chairs?
· Does it have LCD television screens and a data projector included in the rate?
· Does it have high quality, heavy duty, ‘wobble-free’ tables?
· Does it have natural daylight?
· Does it have appropriate light fittings with adjustable levels?
· Are there sufficient power points?
· Are there any places that suffer from an obstructed view?

Keeping these points in mind will enable you to choose a better meetings venue than just a floor or section of a building or, worse still, a generic function suite with a shuttered bar, chandeliers and a dance floor in one corner.

Specialist meeting venues also offer extensive meeting packages that include extras that you shouldn’t have to pay for. They keep their own stock of this equipment and will be able to show you exactly how it works or answer any questions you may have about it. Hire of syndicate rooms is often included in the per-person rate, which represents real savings when compared with venues that charge for room hire.

Claire Harper, an experienced UK venue finding specialist from SOS Meetings, said: “It can be difficult to distinguish genuine meetings venues from ones that just claim to be but offer few services dedicated to meetings and conferences.”
“Sundial Group has three of its own residential conference venues so knows what to look for in a suitable venue. We use this knowledge and experience to ensure the recommendations we put forward are based completely on your needs and requirements, wherever you may need to find a venue.”

Finally the event management agency recommends looking at IACC (International Association of Conference Centres) locations. According to SOS Meetings, members of this organisation are perfect examples of authentic dedicated meetings venues. They provide a distraction-free environment so you can get on with your meeting or conference without any hassle in a focused, business-friendly setting.

For more information, please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.
About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Manage Your Meetings and Events with SOS Meetings

2010-06-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

If you have a huge event coming up and there just aren’t enough hours in the day to answer the phone calls, sort out the paperwork, get together all the different dietary requirements to send off to the venue and then compile various reports on the actual event, you need the Meetings Management Services provided by SOS Meetings, part of the highly acclaimed Sundial Group.
The event management agency’s services are tailor-made to suit your precise needs and requirements and they are sure to save you a wealth of time and money as well as getting you better quality information about every single meeting, conference, training session or event you decide to hold.

SOS Meetings also specialises in venue finding, (both in the UK and overseas) and can provide extensive meetings management services, including event marketing and branded webpages, online delegate registration, seminar and session bookings, online accommodation booking, online credit-card payment and a real-time 24/7 reporting facility. This service is easily configurable and works on a flexible basis; allowing you to manage small and large events, whether they are one-offs or part of a greater programme.

The hotel booking agent can also offer, upon request, delegate identity badges, online registration desks and audience response systems. Similarly, SOS Meetings can support you with the production, collation and analysis of post-event feedback surveys. The experienced team of events industry professionals can also advise you on methodologies used to measure and demonstrate the return on investment provided by an event or series of events.
For more information please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Book and Save with SOS Meetings

2010-06-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

If you are a purchasing manager or procurement head and are looking for a professional, transparent way to track your meetings management or hotel accommodation booking expenditure and savings, turn to leading corporate travel booking agency, SOS Meetings, part of the renowned Sundial Group.

SOS Meetings works closely with your management and booking teams to find out how much your company currently spends on group events. The hotel booking agency then works with you to research how your meetings or events are planned and whether your buying power is maximised through the use of preferred hotels and other venues. They offer a sensitive yet experienced style of handling the consolidation of venues on behalf of their clients, spending time with their event planners and regular hotel users to understanding everyone's venue requirements. Their expertise is centred on procuring sensibly but also on adopting best practices with compliance and full visibility

SOS Meetings specialises in corporate venue finding and operates to ensure you get a quality service and exceptional venues at even more exceptional prices! Their recommended venue partners know their approach; SOS Meetings believes in tailor-made services and so chooses venues that reflect this belief.

SOS Meetings guarantees to deliver exceptional savings and offers either commission-based or fixed-fee packages to work within your budget while meeting your requirements. They then create a list of the most suitable venues to make sure their clients achieve the best pricing and other contractual terms.

To find the best conference, training, accommodation, meeting and event meeting venues at the most competitive prices, please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

Build Your Team’s Morale with Teambuilding Activities from SOS Meetings

2010-05-21T03:31:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking to strengthen your workforce and build cohesion within your team, leading event management agency, SOS Meetings can help you choose from a wide range of team building activities across the UK and beyond. If you have been tasked with creating an away-day for a group of people and are not sure where to start, your first point of call should be SOS Meetings.

Team building activities can really raise morale and develop team members’ confidence in talking to each other and working together better as a team. This can, in both the long run and the short run, be extremely beneficial to the organisation. They can also simply be a fun way to get the team together for a great day or evening out.

SOS Meetings, which specialises in venue finding and hotel booking, not only helps you source the best and most appropriate team building activities, they can also help you to find the best venues to hold these activities in. They have a huge list of locations that are perfect for activities just like these. As part of Sundial Group, they also have experience and knowledge of Sundial Teamscapes, a range of team building activities that deliver transferable learning against key objectives for optimum results within your team.

The experts at SOS Meetings are well versed at what they do, and they can even help you find, book and manage appropriate team building activities anywhere in the world. So whether you want to take your team somewhere in the UK or abroad – perhaps to link up with an overseas division, SOS Meetings can help you do it. For more information please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.
About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

Find the Perfect Hotel for Your Company with SOS Meetings

2010-05-12T03:21:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for hotel rooms whether for yourself, your clients or employees, turn to leading hotel booking agent, SOS Meetings, part of the acclaimed Sundial Group.

The company is well-versed in finding hotel bedroom space for all their clients, having been doing it for over ten years. They find the most suitable hotels to cater to your organisation’s requirements as well as of your individual guests.

The hotel booking agency works with the biggest hotel brand names in the country to bring you and your organisation the most appropriate hotel. They look at several factors including exact locations and travelling issues, as well as your budget, so they can find the best hotel room for you.

Mark Cooper, Sales Director of the company that also helps with venue finding, said: “We know how difficult it can be to search, assess and find the right accommodation. We take this job on so you can focus on other, more productive business matters.”

As an additional service, SOS Meetings can work with you to create a bespoke, branded area of their website for your organisation. Through this portal you could submit a request for a quick and prompt response on their website 24 hours a day. The service provides easy access for all bookers, so wherever they are they can submit a request. The forms are pre-loaded with the booker’s personal details to allow for fast enquiry sending and a secure page for credit card details is also available.

Not only can you book accommodation and meetings with the on-line facility, there is also the option for managers to have the ability to download management information and agreed reports.

For more information about hotel finding services offered by the firm, or to submit a request please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.

If you are looking for a venue for a meeting placed at short notice or want to plan training events but are not sure as to where to have them, turn to

2010-04-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a venue for a meeting placed at short notice or want to plan training events but are not sure as to where to have them, turn to leading venue finding agents, SOS Meetings from the award winning Sundial Group.

Specialising in free venue finding services, SOS Meetings are experts at recommending the best conference centres, hotels, stadia and other innovative meeting venues in the UK. They not only recommend the best venues for your event, they take the time out to understand your needs and requirements to find the best location for you.

The UK venue finding agency has a wealth of experience working in the meetings, conference, events and training industry and has worked closely with many locations. Having inspected and checked venues thoroughly and possessing high expectations from them in terms of standards, they are able to recommend only the best from all around the UK.

They are also experts at event management. Whatever your event, they guarantee to offer helpful advice throughout all the different stages of your event planning. They do everything from start to finish, including negotiating contract terms and conditions beforehand and managing any feedback afterwards. If requested, they could also help on site on the day of the event, so you can be sure you have expert advice on hand whenever you need it.

The hotel booking agency has a committed and flexible approach to everything it does and promises to find the right venue for every event at the best prices and the best negotiations, available exclusively through the firm. They can, if required, also accompany you to the venue for a pre-event inspection so you can see for yourself what it is like.

For more information or to make use of these fantastic services please visit http://www.sosmeetings.com.

About SOS Meetings: Part of the award winning Sundial Group, SOS Meetings is an industry pioneer in finding the best and most appropriate venues for your event. Established in 1999, SOS Meetings aims to provide you with a bespoke event management service. Professionalism, experience, respect and quality are their core values and underpin everything they do.