News & Articles

This year sees the launch of the International Outdoor Event Expo (IOEX); an exciting new event dedicated to live event production and technology.  Co-located with the established and successful International Confex event, IOEX takes place on 6-8 March at ExCeL in London.

Visitors to the event will be able to meet exhibitors covering a range of products and services such as structures, technology, facilities, ride & drive, social media and security.  Joining this line-up and helping to kick-off the event this year will be two-way radio communication and CCTV experts: 2CL Communications Ltd.

2CL will be showcasing its Hire products and services at the event with a range of popular Motorola Radios and a JVC CCTV camera on display.  CCTV footage will be also screened, demonstrating the camera’s high-quality recording capabilities.

Visitors to the stand (number: N5) will be able to enter a competition to win £100 off their first/next hire order placed with 2CL.

Promising to be a great event, IOEX will also feature:

·         Innovator Incubator - an area dedicated to the latest products/services with the creators presenting them on stage

·         FMBE Creative Award

·         Landowner 'speed-networking' event - bringing landowners and event agencies together to source new and unusual venues

·         Networking Bar - where industry peers and professionals can do business.

Mark Gordon, IOEX Sales Director, said: “We’re delighted to have 2CL on board for the inaugural IOEX.  Our research has shown that our audience is keen to discover innovative solutions to every-day live event issues.”

2CL’s presence at the event comes after the Event Production Show in February where the company exhibited for the second year running.

Natasha Miller, 2CL Sales & Marketing Executive, said: “We are very pleased with how the Event Production Show went for us as exhibitors.  We received a number of enquiries during the Show, benefited from networking opportunities and have even received some orders already.

“We hope our presence at IOEX will prove as successful, if not more so, and look forward to meeting some new faces there.  Mike and Nicola from the Hire Team will be on-hand at the event to answer visitors’ questions and provide advice on communications equipment.”

For more information, please visit: www.2cl.co.uk, www.ioex.co.uk.

The big names of the small screen turned out for this year’s glittering National Television Awards – with furniture supplier Thorns Group on hand during both the event and its stunning after-show party.

The hire specialist was among the evening’s sponsors and also provided a range of stylish seating to the ceremony, which was staged in style at London’s O2 Arena... and was billed by organisers as the “biggest, most spectacular National Television Awards ever”.

The dazzling event saw more than 50 nominees battling for 14 prestigious honours, with gongs handed out in categories including best talent show, drama, comedy panel show, talk show, factual programme and situation comedy. There was also the traditional battle of the soaps, with Coronation Street once again securing the coveted title of best serial drama.

In keeping with previous years, the National Television Awards – staged on Wednesday January 25 – attracted a glittering array of stars, with guests celebrating victories for Downton Abbey, X Factor, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr and Dr Who’s Matt Smith.

Thorns supplied a selection of black banqueting chairs for performers taking part in the awards ceremony and also sponsored a section of the star-studded after-show party – calling for the use of the group’s sophisticated and functional Chic and Boss ranges of stools.

Thorns Group Sales Administrator Laura Russell said: “It was great to be back at the National Television Awards. We’ve been a regular at this star-studded event for a number of years so were delighted to be able to help out yet again with a range of stylish seating.”

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

Thorns’ Group has made a commitment to offering apprenticeships across all departments in a bid to attract the workers of the future.

Clair Whitecross, Thorns’ Group Head of Sales, says: “We have had real success with apprentices and are committed to extending our apprenticeship scheme throughout the company across sales, operations and administration. Yasmin Anastasiou who has just completed an apprenticeship with us is a great example. Our clients already know Yasmin is a delight to deal with but now she has the qualifications to prove it.”

 Yasmin (18) has passed her Customer Services apprenticeship after a 12 month course involving regular days at college, an exam, end of year assessment and coursework. Yasmin , who joined Thorns at the Tottenham HQ in September 2010 says; “I feel I have settled in really well. The events industry is a very exciting environment.”

Clair adds: “We pride ourselves in having a great team who support each other under pressure. Yasmin has fitted in fantastically. We have already taken on a new apprentice Jessie Bell and are intending to offer more apprenticeships in the future. The apprentice gets the chance to gain much needed work experience as well as a valuable insight into this fantastic industry while continuing to gain qualifications at college. “

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

December 13 2011

Note to journalists: For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909; email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

Thorns Group has delivered a tasty range of furniture to an elegant London restaurant at the heart of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland spectacular.

The furniture and catering equipment hire specialist has supplied poseur tables, dining tables, banqueting chairs and registration units to The Spiegel Saloon renowned for its hearty meals and live music.

This stunning retreat, set in the heart of the Winter Wonderland attraction, caters to up to 500 festive revellers at a time. Serving classic pub fare, the venue hosts cabaret performances and will have a variety of live acts performing throughout the Christmas season.

Thorns Group Sales Executive Leona Byrne said: “Our stylish range of tables and banqueting chairs fit in perfectly with Spiegel Saloon’s elegance. I am certain this year’s Winter Wonderland will be a great success for everyone involved.”

The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park runs from 18 November to 3^rd January 2012.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

December 13 2011

Note to journalists: For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909; email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

2CL Communications Ltd has been shortlisted for the Event Production Awards’ Communications Company of the Year.

The Awards are said to be the ‘BAFTAs’ of the Events Industry; recognising the excellence and innovation in today’s industry.  2CL has been selected for its hire services at Glastonbury Festival which has involved supplying radio equipment and support to the event since 1989!

The company’s notable achievements at the Festival include introducing a Stock Control System which has helped lower Glastonbury’s overheads and asset-manage the substantial value of the radio installation needed for this prestigious event.  2011’s Festival required the largest amount of equipment 2CL has supplied for use at a singular event to-date with over 2,000 hand-portable radios/accessories, 100 desktop base stations and site-wide infrastructure.

The Event Production Awards have been created to honour the very best suppliers within the events industry, bringing the spotlight on to companies whose crucial work often goes unnoticed.

Nic Howden, editor of Access All Areas, said: “The quality of our shortlisted suppliers is outstanding, a welcome reminder of the excellence and professionalism that exists within the event Industry.  We’re delighted that 2CL Communications has been recognised for its pursuit of excellence, particularly given the tough competition in its field.”

Natasha Miller, 2CL’s Sales & Marketing Executive, said: “It is a great honour to be shortlisted for these awards.  We are really pleased and excited.

“When things go smoothly and to plan, suppliers’ work is often unnoticed so these Awards are an excellent way for suppliers to be recognised.  The staff at 2CL work tirelessly to ensure clients receive a full and thorough service, and I am delighted they have been recognised with such a prestigious award.”

Mike Baker, 2CL’s Hire Business Manager, will be attending the Awards Ceremony which takes place in London on 1^st February 2012.  As Manager to the Hire Team, Mike has been responsible for the radio supply to Glastonbury Festival and not only oversees the different areas of support being provided but is often found ‘in the thick of it’, working hard and putting his technical expertise to good use.

Tony Daniel, Glastonbury Festival’s Communications Manager, said of 2CL: “The level of service and understanding of our needs helps me to deliver a comprehensive communications solution which meets the need of the festival.  2CL take away the hassle of frequency management for the event and have always delivered as promised.”

The Event Production Awards sponsors include Agility Fairs and Events, Createvents and Event Industry News.

For more information about 2CL Communications, please visit: www.2cl.co.uk.

2CL Communications Ltd has been shortlisted for the Event Production Awards’ Communications Company of the Year.

The Awards are said to be the ‘BAFTAs’ of the Events Industry; recognising the excellence and innovation in today’s industry.  2CL has been selected for its hire services at Glastonbury Festival which has involved supplying radio equipment and support to the event since 1989!

The company’s notable achievements at the Festival include introducing a Stock Control System which has helped lower Glastonbury’s overheads and asset-manage the substantial value of the radio installation needed for this prestigious event.  2011’s Festival required the largest amount of equipment 2CL has supplied for use at a singular event to-date with over 2,000 hand-portable radios/accessories, 100 desktop base stations and site-wide infrastructure.

The Event Production Awards have been created to honour the very best suppliers within the events industry, bringing the spotlight on to companies whose crucial work often goes unnoticed.

Nic Howden, editor of Access All Areas, said: “The quality of our shortlisted suppliers is outstanding, a welcome reminder of the excellence and professionalism that exists within the event Industry.  We’re delighted that 2CL Communications has been recognised for its pursuit of excellence, particularly given the tough competition in its field.”

Natasha Miller, 2CL’s Sales & Marketing Executive, said: “It is a great honour to be shortlisted for these awards.  We are really pleased and excited.

“When things go smoothly and to plan, suppliers’ work is often unnoticed so these Awards are an excellent way for suppliers to be recognised.  The staff at 2CL work tirelessly to ensure clients receive a full and thorough service, and I am delighted they have been recognised with such a prestigious award.”

Mike Baker, 2CL’s Hire Business Manager, will be attending the Awards Ceremony which takes place in London on 1^st February 2012.  As Manager to the Hire Team, Mike has been responsible for the radio supply to Glastonbury Festival and not only oversees the different areas of support being provided but is often found ‘in the thick of it’, working hard and putting his technical expertise to good use.

Tony Daniel, Glastonbury Festival’s Communications Manager, said of 2CL: “The level of service and understanding of our needs helps me to deliver a comprehensive communications solution which meets the need of the festival.  2CL take away the hassle of frequency management for the event and have always delivered as promised.”

The Event Production Awards sponsors include Agility Fairs and Events, Createvents and Event Industry News.

For more information about 2CL Communications, please visit: www.2cl.co.uk.

2CL Communications Ltd has been shortlisted for the Event Production Awards’ Communications Company of the Year.

The Awards are said to be the ‘BAFTAs’ of the Events Industry; recognising the excellence and innovation in today’s industry.  2CL has been selected for its hire services at Glastonbury Festival which has involved supplying radio equipment and support to the event since 1989!

The company’s notable achievements at the Festival include introducing a Stock Control System which has helped lower Glastonbury’s overheads and asset-manage the substantial value of the radio installation needed for this prestigious event.  2011’s Festival required the largest amount of equipment 2CL has supplied for use at a singular event to-date with over 2,000 hand-portable radios/accessories, 100 desktop base stations and site-wide infrastructure.

The Event Production Awards have been created to honour the very best suppliers within the events industry, bringing the spotlight on to companies whose crucial work often goes unnoticed.

Nic Howden, editor of Access All Areas, said: “The quality of our shortlisted suppliers is outstanding, a welcome reminder of the excellence and professionalism that exists within the event Industry.  We’re delighted that 2CL Communications has been recognised for its pursuit of excellence, particularly given the tough competition in its field.”

Natasha Miller, 2CL’s Sales & Marketing Executive, said: “It is a great honour to be shortlisted for these awards.  We are really pleased and excited.

“When things go smoothly and to plan, suppliers’ work is often unnoticed so these Awards are an excellent way for suppliers to be recognised.  The staff at 2CL work tirelessly to ensure clients receive a full and thorough service, and I am delighted they have been recognised with such a prestigious award.”

Mike Baker, 2CL’s Hire Business Manager, will be attending the Awards Ceremony which takes place in London on 1^st February 2012.  As Manager to the Hire Team, Mike has been responsible for the radio supply to Glastonbury Festival and not only oversees the different areas of support being provided but is often found ‘in the thick of it’, working hard and putting his technical expertise to good use.

Tony Daniel, Glastonbury Festival’s Communications Manager, said of 2CL: “The level of service and understanding of our needs helps me to deliver a comprehensive communications solution which meets the need of the festival.  2CL take away the hassle of frequency management for the event and have always delivered as promised.”

The Event Production Awards sponsors include Agility Fairs and Events, Createvents and Event Industry News.

For more information about 2CL Communications, please visit: www.2cl.co.uk.

2CL Communications has appointed two new members of staff, at its Eastleigh-based Head Quarters, following its best year on record in 2010 and a great 2011 to-date. 

The company, which predominately specialises in two-way radio systems, has employed the staff to ensure its clients continue to receive the best service possible.

The new employees join 2CL’s Sales and Hire Departments.  The Sales Team, which is managed by Stuart Young, sees the addition of Ben Searle who will be supporting the existing Account Managers with their Quotations and Sales Orders during his training period.  Having previously worked for 2CL on a temporary basis and whilst studying for his Degree, Ben brings with him a good understanding of hand-portable radios and accessories.  His previous experience also includes working as a Sound and Lighting Technician which, consequently, has allowed him to quickly turn his hand to two-way radio technology.

Nicola Mitchell has joined 2CL’s Hire Events Team where she will be working for Mike Baker.  Nicola has recently completed a BA (Hons) Degree in Events Management & Hospitality and brings with her experience within the events industry having been involved in the Dubai and Paris Air Shows, and a number of hotel and restaurant events.

Nicola’s role sees her become Hire Account Manager to a number of 2CL’s existing clients whom she has already begun meeting.  Mike Baker, Hire Business Manager, commented: “Nicola is very friendly and I am sure she will become a very valuable and popular member of the Hire Team.”

Of the expanding business and new employees, Richard Searle, 2CL's Managing Director, said: “As the business grows, we need to ensure our Clients continue to benefit from the highest levels of support.  Nicola and Ben have both worked extremely hard through their education and I am very pleased to give them the opportunity to utilise and develop their skills.”

The Edible Garden Show has been voted Most Popular Garden Event of the Year ahead of established fixtures such as The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Gardeners World Live.

More than 15,800 members of the public voted in the annual Horticultural Channel Awards and selected our launch show as the UK’s most popular gardening event.

The Edible Garden Show’s Events Director Bev Channell said:  “It is fantastic to win this award ahead of such major shows such as The RHS Chelsea Flower Show which is famous around the world.  The Edible Garden Show was created to give the millions of grow your own enthusiasts their own dedicated national event and it has really caught the imagination of the public.

“We had nearly 11,000 visitors to our inaugural show in March and we expect an even bigger audience for 2012.  We have extended the show into a second exhibition hall at Stoneleigh Park next year to cope with the demand from exhibitors.  Our ticket sales are also going really well and our advice to exhibitors and visitors alike is to book early to avoid disappointment.”

The Edible Garden Show brings together key experts and innovative exhibitors from the worlds of gardening, home produce and food in a one-stop shop for those wanting a slice of the ‘Good Life’.  There will be advice in spades from celebrity gardeners, chefs, growers and livestock experts. From bees, chickens, goats and pigs to seeds, sheds, wellies and wormeries – there is something for everyone.The 2012 show will boast an additional exhibition hall, larger animal marquee and food areas with a wide range of gardening and cookery demonstrations and interactive displays.   

BBC TV’s award-winning presenter James Wong is on a mission to tempt gardeners into becoming more adventurous by growing ‘exotic edibles’. The renowned gardener and botanist, who will be giving daily talks, says grow your own doesn’t have to be all about cabbages and cauliflowers. James, who writes an exclusive monthly column with gardening tips and recipes for the show’s popular website, urges gardeners to explore the vast range of exotic fruit and vegetables that can germinate and flourish in the UK climate.

Broadcaster and writer Pippa Greenwood, celebrity chef Rachel Green and The Edible Garden Show’s own ‘Grow Your Own’ guru Paul Peacock will all be on hand to give invaluable tips and advice.

For more show information or to buy tickets visit: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk  or telephone 0844 338 8001

Following a very successful year, H Percival Electrical Services Ltd has undergone a complete re-branding and change of name; we are now HPES Technical Solutions Ltd.

The change represents our expansion beyond electrical contracting and a substantial growth in business particularly within the live event and sporting market.

With an impressive client list and a great deal of experience within the entertainment, event and sporting sector you can be assured you are in safe hands.

Whether it is mains distribution for temporary supplies during a global sporting competition or the certification of a generator supplied system for a one day event, we can help.

We have spent the last twelve months developing our electrical certification software to ensure that large scale events can be tested as quickly and as safely as possible with as little inconvenience to the client but always ensuring compliance with BS7909:2008.

We have a busy year ahead with this summer looking like our busiest so far.

We are always keen to hear from electricians and electrical testers, particularly those with experience in the entertainment industry – Email: enquiries@electrical-services.net

The Frieze Art Fair is a temporary exhibition held within a remarkable 15,700sqm of temporary structures in Hyde Park over three days. This is the fairs 9^th year and features art from over 170 galleries around the world.

The temporary structures are supplied by leading temporary structure supplier GL events Owen Brown who work on site for two weeks to install the temporary structures and other supporting event infrastructure.

Owen Brown supplies a multitude of structures to be used at the event including Giant Pavilions for the main halls as well as smaller pavilions to be used for sponsors areas, restaurant facilities, washrooms and even storage. Owen Brown also creates a lounge area for the events sponsor, Deutche Bank.

Alex Robertson, Managing Director at GL events Owen Brown comments: “Each year the event grows and the exhibitors raise the bar with unique and innovative displays. We are thrilled to be involved with such a professional and distinctive art event and hope to be involved with it for many years to come.”

2CL Communications Ltd supplies and hires Two-Way Radios and CCTV systems to the Events industry. The company is well-established with 39 years’ of experience and provides comprehensive support to its customers. Thanks to its product and service quality, 2CL has been witness to growth year upon year.

2CL’s Hire department is at its busiest in the summer period when the event season really kicks off. However, despite the high levels of activity, the company always strives to maintain its quality of customer service. In example, this summer 2CL has stepped in to help a number of companies with their last-minute requirements, some of which had been let down by their existing suppliers.

Advanced Security Protection, an existing client, called 2CL requesting an urgent delivery of earpieces for one of their major clients who had been let down by another supplier at the last-minute. Kelly Searle, in 2CL’s Hire team, jumped on the request, quickly arranging for 2CL’s Acoustic tube-style earpieces with tie-clip combined PTT mics to be sent out to the client, same-day delivery.

John Twells from Advanced Security Protection said, “2CL was a real life saver! A client of ours contacted us saying they needed earpieces urgently and, to be honest, I didn’t think we’d be able to help them. However, I called 2CL and - miraculously – they managed to send out all of the required earpieces, direct to the client, on that same day! I don’t think it’s possible to improve on that sort of service!”

For more information about 2CL Communications and its products and services, please visit www.2cl.co.uk or call 0800 389 2278.

The Event Production Show, Europe’s pre-eminent showcase for the live event sector, has experienced a surge in interest from suppliers set to take advantage of an industry boom in 2012.

Taking place at London Olympia’s Grand Hall (Wednesday 1^st and Thursday 2^nd February), the Event Production Show will exhibit the new products, innovations and concepts that will characterise the live event sector through an Olympic year which also includes the Diamond Jubilee.

With less than six months to go until the Event Production Show, exhibitor bookings are up 15% year-on-year and a visitor increase of 25% has been forecasted by organisers. The increase has been attributed to a boost in buying power ahead of the UK’s next ‘Decade of Events’, which also includes the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2015 Rugby World Cup and numerous thriving national outdoor festivals.

Confirmed debut exhibitors at the 2012 show include HSL Group and Big TV. Organisers have tracked a particularly high level of interest from bookers involved in festivals and product launches.

Exhibitors rebooking represent the wide scope of specialists behind Britain’s live event boom, including stage solutions provider Steeldeck Rentals, AA Signs, Production AV and event branding experts Sunbaba.

A new sister exhibition, the inaugural UK Venue Show, will be held alongside the 2012 Event Production Show in Olympia’s West Hall, making the most of the global spotlight on London and the clamour for unique venues that accompanies it.

The Access Sessions, an unrivalled thought leadership programme, will feature Chris Vaughan, who led the production team on Take That’s mammoth Progress Live Tour and Stuart Cornish, head of the Metropolitan Police Olympic and Paralympic Venues Planning Team. Last year’s sessions presented leading lights such as Wayne Hemingway, founder the Red or Dead fashion label and Glorious Goodwood Festival, legendary promoter Harvey Goldsmith and Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts.

Dedicated entertainment area, Live at the Grand, will return in a more intimate format, starring the UK’s finest live artists available for hire at corporate and public events.

Sarah Brownlee, Event Manager of the Event Production Show said: “As we stand on the cusp of the most significant year in recent memory, the 2012 show comes at a terrifically exciting time for the UK’s live event industry. We estimated that last year’s visitors possessed a buying power of over half a billion pounds and all the evidence suggests this figure will rise in 2012 meaning ample business opportunities for our exhibitors. Attendees can expect an unparalleled level of interaction through our seminars and forums, as well as a preview of the emerging technologies which will shape the sector over the coming decade.”

This year’s show will also be the backdrop for the inaugural Event Production Awards.  The new awards programme will recognise event industry suppliers and individuals who have excelled in their field. Twenty categories are presented including; Supplier of the Year, Special Effects Company of the Year, AV Equipment Supplier of the Year, Seating Supplier of the year, Employee of the Year and Event Innovation of the Year.

Registration to attend the Event Production Show goes live beginning of October.

GL events Owen Brown is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of marquees and temporary structures for event and commercial applications.  Bought by Europe's largest event service supplier, GL events, in 2002.

Owen Brown remains firmly loyal to their UK client base, however over recent years through their parent company they have had the opportunity to be involved with leading world events including ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, Beijing Olympics 2008, FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and more recently the London Olympics test events.

Clients that GL events Owen Brown serve in the UK include: Royal Ascot, the Royal Horticultural Society, Epsom Racecourse, Somerset House, BBC, PGA…to name a few.

Experienced Account Managers now have a fantastic opportunity to apply for vacancies within Owen Brown’s commercial department.

Senior Account Manager

It is essential that the candidate has expertise in marquees and temporary structures, preferably in supplying or specifying them. Experience of being involved with major events would also be ideal.

They must have a track record of account management, client retention and generation of new business.

This role will report into the Commercial Director and you will be expected to take over the running of key clients accounts as well as generating new business enquiries.

Location: Derbyshire (remote working permitted, however attendance at Derby office will be frequently required).

Account Manager

This role does not require someone with a background in temporary structures or indeed events, however the role does require an established sales professional with great account management skills who is able to demonstrate the transferability of their skills into the  temporary structure market and events industry.

To apply pleTase submit your CV with a covering letter detailing your current salary and your salary expectations to :  accountmanagerjob@owen-brown.co.uk

Furniture and catering equipment hire specialist Thorns Group will be back in action at London's Old Billingsgate later this month as it joins the action at Square Meal's Venues & Events.

The group, which operates out of offices in London, Manchester and Birmingham, will be kept busy as official furniture contractor to the award-winning gathering, being staged on September 21 and 22.

Thorns will also be hosting its own exhibition stand... and sponsoring the highly popular Canapé Cup, which sees top caterers battling to prove their canapés are the pick of the bunch.

Thorns' Group Sales Director Clair Whitecross said: “With all eyes on Venues & Events, Thorns is looking forward to being at the heart of the action as both a supplier and sponsor. Venues & Events has established itself as a major date in the diary so it will offer a great opportunity for us to meet up with existing and potential customers.”

Visitors to Thorns' stand will have the chance to check out the very latest ranges of furniture and catering equipment ... and will be able to chat to the group's team about what's hot in the marketplace this season.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK's premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

Manchester is famous for its party atmosphere but there was an even bigger buzz than usual at the city's coolest entertainment hotspot when hundreds of Norwegians hit town.

Over 700 staff from a supermarket chain in Norway descended on The Printworks, the vibrant, state-of-the-art entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre for the first event of its kind – a massive sit-down dinner at the hub of the iconic venue.

Helping to make the event a success was Thorns Group, the UK's premier independent supplier of furniture and catering equipment to the events industry.

Created from the shell of a building that once produced a major national newspaper, The Printworks was completely refurbished to provide what has been described as Europe's first major urban leisure and entertainment complex. There are over 350,000 square feet of floor space containing more than 20 cafés, bars and restaurants, a health and fitness centre and a 20-screen IMAX cinema.

For the first time ever the cobbled walkways of the neon-lit, atmospheric central concourse, which is reminiscent of an old Victorian street, were sectioned off to the public on September 9 as a huge dinner was set up for the international visitors. The centre area was enclosed by Victorian drapes ensuring privacy for the guests.

Clair Whitecross, Thorns' Group Sales Director, said: “This was a very exciting job as it has never been attempted before and the timescales were really tight. We were asked to provide more than 100 tables, 700 chairs and thousands of items of cutlery and china as well as to provide other kitchen equipment.

“After the meal, which was produced by a number of the restaurants in the complex, we had to pack up and remove everything within an hour and a half so that the area could be opened to the public again.”

Clair added: “We are used to working under pressure to precise deadlines and the Thorns team was up to the challenge.”

Mr Fred Booth, Centre Director, said: “It was a spectacular event showcasing the best of Manchester and the best of The Printworks. Norway was very happy that night. The Thorns team did brilliantly.”

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

Furniture and catering equipment hire specialist Thorns Group has completed an impressive aviation double after supplying to two of the summer's most spectacular airshows.

The company provided large quantities of kit as the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) celebrated its 40^th anniversary in style at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and was also in action at the RAF Waddington International Air Show, staged near Lincoln.

The assignments have added to a hectic season for Thorns, which operates across the UK from bases in London, Manchester and Birmingham. The group's clients can select from more than a million items of hire equipment including garden furniture, banqueting and lounge furniture, bar equipment, glassware, linens, cutlery, china and kitchen equipment.

Clair Whitecross, Thorns' Group Sales Director, said: “With combined visitor numbers exceeding a quarter of a million people, the airshows have established themselves as two of the summer's must-visit attractions. All eyes might have been on the skies – or the many other exhibits and attractions – but Thorns was among the suppliers keeping their feet firmly on the ground to ensure everything ran smoothly across the hospitality and public areas.”

Thorns provided the Royal International Air Tattoo with a vast range of items including teak garden furniture, banqueting tables, utility tables, folding chairs, china, cutlery and glassware. The group's furniture and catering equipment was used in areas that included exhibitors' chalets, hospitality chalets and kitchens.

The event at RAF Fairford is billed as one of the UK's top outdoor family events, thanks to attractions that include stunning air displays, vehicle displays, funfair, musical performances and more than two miles of static aircraft, interactive activities and ground exhibitions. This year's airshow, once again staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, boasted more than 200 aircraft and around 140,000 visitors.

Meanwhile the contract at RAF Waddington involved Thorns providing organisers with equipment across the show site including in key hospitality suites and public dining areas. Items supplied by the group ranged from garden furniture to catering equipment.

The Waddington event has established huge support over the years and now routinely attracts in excess of 130,000 visitors annually. The many attractions for 2011 included flying displays, static aircraft stands, pleasure flights, classic car exhibitions, a trade fair, music performances, defence exhibition and a funfair.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK's premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

August 16, 2011

Note to journalists: For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909; email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

http://webapps-wpbc.dorsetforyou.com/apps/finance/ContractOpps.asp

Contact: rolandgreen@weymouth.gov.uk

GL events Owen Brown is proud to have worked with Planit Events to supply a 12m x 40m Absolute Double Decker Pavilion to the Open Golf hosted by Royal St George's, Sandwich Kent. The structure acted as an extension to Club house for the Members and their guests. A bar was open inside all day and Members were able to book tables for lunch to entertain guests, friends and family. A further 12m x 15m Absolute Pavilion was supplied to bolster the ground floor capacity.

William Bailey of Planit Events commented “The double decker was admired by all of our guests. GL events Owen Brown paid the highest attention to detail throughout the job and the finish both inside and out was fantastic, in particular the internal linings.”

Spaniard Fernando Alonso wasn't the only one celebrating a triumphant F1 British Grand Prix on Sunday – Thorns Group also put in a winning performance after securing a new contract to supply catering equipment to the event.

As Alonso's all-conquering Ferrari saw off the challenge of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, furniture and catering equipment hire specialist Thorns was busy behind the scenes at a packed Silverstone circuit.

Through a new contract with Aspire Hospitality, the group supplied front-of-house items across the world-famous location, including to the Brabham, Stewart and Gonzales restaurants.

Thorns provided Aspire with many thousands of individual items, from ranges that included its distinctive Mercury cutlery, its stylish Perception glassware and its elegant Sonata china.

Meanwhile the group was also in demand as it continued a long-standing arrangement at Silverstone to provide the Grand Prix with extensive ranges of furniture. Items for 2011 included Thorns' leather Vancouver settees, round tables, chairs, utility tables, garden furniture, chrome posts and dining furniture. Areas served included hospitality suites, kitchens, offices, staff areas and the heliports run by aviation specialists Heli Air.

The Grand Prix assignment marked another great victory for Thorns, which has become a regular at many of the UK's headline-grabbing sporting fixtures, from international rugby and cricket to tennis and darts. The group was also in action recently as it supplied equipment to Royal Ascot.

Clair Whitecross, Thorns' Group Sales Director, said: “All eyes might have been on the tussles on the track at Silverstone but Thorns was among a host of companies ensuring things were rather calmer behind the scenes! We've been a long-time supplier of furniture to the British Grand Prix so, with a new contract to supply Aspire with catering equipment, it was great to be busier than ever at one of the summer's undeniable sporting highlights.”

While the race provided Alonso and Ferrari with plenty of reasons to celebrate, there were mixed fortunes for British hopefuls Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Hamilton's McLaren had to contend with fourth position while a disappointed Button had to retire his McLaren after 39 laps following a problem at his final pit-stop.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK's premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909; email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

The Arena Group is the UK's largest event services temporary/overlay company. Arena helps to create the environment for the most prestigious events each and every year. We operate in the UK, Europe, Middle and Far East. We provide a complete service offering for our customers comprising of temporary and permanent structures and grandstand seating, event scaffolding, interior design and furniture.

At Arena Seating, Membury, Hungerford, Berkshire we have an opportunity for a Project Manager to plan and deliver new and existing events. The successful candidate shall be a commercially aware individual, with excellent organisational and communication skills who must be able to form and develop strong relationships with their client. Knowledge of the events industry will be an advantage however we are most interested in recruiting someone with the skill set highlighted and who can work well in a team environment.

Please reply to Jill Mowat (jmowat@arenaseating.com) with your CV and salary expectations.

www.arenagroup.com

Today (4 July 2011), People 1^st and GoSkills formally merge to create a strong unified sector skills council that meets the combined needs of the hospitality, passenger transport, and travel industries.

This follows extensive consultations over the past few months with businesses across the hospitality, leisure, passenger transport, travel and tourism sectors. The consultation has resulted in overwhelming support from the whole industry and formal approval by the council of members of People 1^st, the industry boards of GoSkills, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

The new structure of the sector skills council will comprise two members' councils each with leading employer representation – one focused on passenger transport, travel and tourism, and the other focused on hospitality and leisure.

Over the coming months, People 1^st and GoSkills will work closely to integrate the two organisations and assess joint needs and priorities. A strategic plan will be developed during the integration period and will also be informed by the outcome of People 1^st's submission for government funds for future plans.

“I believe that this is the right direction for both organisations in order to best serve the interests of these vibrant and growing sectors. This is an exciting time for the industry and we will ensure its voice is heard and provide the leadership it deserves. The new body is, for the first time, uniquely placed to deliver a whole and combined sector skills approach to passenger transport, travel and tourism that is closely aligned to hospitality and leisure,” said Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1^st.

He added: “Bringing together two large customer-facing bodies in the tourist journey creates an opportunity to really upgrade UK PLC's customer service and integrated travel experience in advance of the Olympics in 2012 and the string of world-class events that will keep the spotlight on the UK through to the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup in 2015.”

Andrew Chivers, chair of GoSkills, added: “This is a time of transition and change for both organisations. I believe the future is exciting – combined we are a strong and confident organisation ready for the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.”

Media queries:

People 1^st (www.people1st.co.uk) is the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, focusing on transforming skills through the development of world class qualifications in management and leadership, customer service and craft skills. It represents the following industries:

GoSkills (www.goskills.org) is the sector skills council for passenger transport and is the voice of the sector on skills and productivity. GoSkills works with employers UK wide to improve the skills that make a difference to performance in passenger transport. It represents the following industries:

Newark Showground has formed a strategic partnership with Shining Earth™, the sustainability division of Lincoln based Delta-Simons Environmental Consultants, to improve the Showground’s environmental performance and showcase sustainability initiatives to the visiting public.

Shining Earth™ has already undertaken a full audit of the Showground’s 11 purpose built buildings on the site and identified a series of exciting opportunities to improve environmental performance and resource efficiencies, from no cost/low cost initiatives through to longer term master planning considerations.  In addition, a wide range of habitat and ecological opportunities have been identified which could make the most of the 120 acres of land at the site for local wildlife. 

Newark Showground hosts over 550 events, conferences, wedding receptions, fairs, parties and business seminars every year including; the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Show, Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show and the International Antique and Collectors Fair, and attracts over one million visitors through its gates each year. 

Gareth Pickles, Managing Director at Shining Earth™ said; ‘It’s fabulous that we will be working at such a well-visited venue to showcase what can be done to enhance the stewardship of the environment and save money to boot.  We hope the partnership will help the Showground attract custom from organisations who prefer to work with more sustainable venues and we hope the visiting public will also take ideas for improving their own environmental performance home with them.’

Adrian Johnston, Chief Executive of Newark Showground said:

‘We are committed to improving our environmental performance and enhancing the environmental credentials of the showground facilities, forming this partnership with Shining Earth™ will allow us to achieve realistic and achievable objectives over the coming months and year. We are fortunate to have a leading environmental consultant on our doorstep and are confident Shining Earth™ will deliver excellent results for us, enhancing the profile of the Showground facilities and differentiating ourselves in the marketplace.’

-END-

Notes to editors:

For enquiries contact:

Alex Gray

Marketing and Events Manager

alex.gray@deltasimons.com

01522 8824564

Delta Simons Shining Earth™

Delta-Simons Shining Earth™ delivers a range of services which enable businesses to develop and deliver their corporate responsibility and sustainability objectives whilst maintaining focus on enhancing profits and creating opportunity to market improved environmental credentials.  Shining Earth™ provides practical solutions to businesses ranging from local SME's to leading international corporations.  In all cases a common principle applies - enhanced corporate environmental performance isn't just good business, it's good for business too. 

For more information visit www.shiningearth.co.uk

Newark Showground

The Newark Showground offers one of the most sought after venues in the country providing a convenient venue for a multiple of uses. Set in over 120 acres of fully serviced flat fenced land crossed by metalled roads and serviced by mains electricity and water. With seven acres of covered space, in 11 separate halls, we are able to cater for most occasions, from small business meetings, weddings, conferences and product launches to large outdoor fairs and exhibitions. The Showground is also unique in having a dedicated in-house catering department which sources and serves locally produced food.

For further information visit www.newarkshowground.com

Images attached; The Showground on Show day, Cedric Ford Pavilion, George Stephenson Building

Response Security Solutions Ltd based in Kent, recently volunteered a number of their experienced security staff to participate in Project Griffin, a nationwide police initiative to protect our cities and communities from the threat of terrorism. It brings together and coordinates the resources of the police, emergency services, local authorities, business and the private sector security industry.

Twenty members of Response Security Solutions team attended the training, which taught them how to recognise terrorist activity and hostile reconnaissance, as well as preparing them to manage the scene of a terrorist attack, until the emergency services are able to take over should the unthinkable happen.

Response Security Solutions Ltd provide a number of security services including security dogs, crowd management and event security in Kentto festivals, family fun days and air shows in the South of England.

Senior Security Consultant, Andy Hollinson; said “we are often contracted to look after the security and safety at large outdoor events, some exceeding 30,000 people a day, it is therefore vital that our team are trained highly, and work to assist the emergency services in preventing terrorist attacks

At many outdoor events the police are no longer present due to the additional cost faced by organisers or the need to meet their core duties, our team need to be able to provide a safe enjoyable experience for our client’s customers, and therefore continuous professional development training such as this is essential”

The senior management team at Response Security Solutions Ltd, also attended one of the first trial sessions for Project Argus (events) a similar scheme aimed at organisers of mass events.

Project Argus also a NACTSO initiative, explores ways to aid in preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack. It achieves this by taking event organisers through a simulated terrorist attack. The simulation identifies the measures to take for preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack.

Response Security Solutions Ltd proactively protecting the public.

www.responsesecuritygroup.co.uk

People 1^st is working with LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) to develop its WorldHost customer service training programme for London 2012 and has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark, which recognises the programme’s objective in supporting the legacy themes of the Games.  

WorldHost training will be offered to tens of thousands of employees and contractors’ staff who will be working at the Olympic and Paralympic venues. 

Rob Clarke, head of reward & policy at LOCOG, commented:  “We are delighted to be working with People 1^st to develop WorldHost customer service training to support the delivery of a great Games in 2012.  The award of our Inspire mark reflects the significant contribution that we think this programme can make to the successful staging of the Games next year and also the legacy benefits for skills and employment.”

WorldHost has already been used successfully at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, where it was used to train 39,000 volunteers and tourism staff last year, and has been developed for the UK by People 1^st, with the support of VisitEngland.

Recent research from YouGov* showed that 73% of the general public agrees that Britain needs to improve customer service ahead of the Olympics and just 14% think British hospitality, and how we welcome guests, is the aspect that will most ensure we are a good host to international visitors during London 2012.

This is reflected in research undertaken by People 1^st.  Nearly 40% of London hospitality and tourism businesses are concerned about their ability to match customer expectations during the Olympics, while 65% have identified customer service as their top training need over the next 12 months. 

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1^st, said: “We are thrilled to be working with LOCOG through WorldHost to support the training needs of staff working at the Olympic and Paralympic venues.  We are also campaigning to train 200,000 front-line staff ahead of the Olympics throughout the wider visitor economy, so that we can effect a cultural change in the perception of the warmth of the UK welcome, which currently lags far behind other countries.  It’s essential we improve on this if we are to reap the long-term benefits of a successful Games. “

People 1^st has also been awarded LOCOG’s Inspire mark for its Employment 1st programme, a pre-employment training package for individuals considering a career within hospitality.  Employment 1^st will be used to train up to 2,000 people living locally to the main Olympic park in London to help them secure jobs at the 2012 Games, and to further their opportunities for a career within the hospitality and tourism sector.  This is a key part of LOCOG’s legacy programme to ensure that local communities benefit in the long-term from the economic opportunities from hosting the Games.

Ends

For interviews and further information please contact Rachel Phillips or Amy Murphy at CHA on 0207 580 7025 or rachel.phillips@chapr.co.uk / amy.murphy@chapr.co.uk

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken in April 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Notes to editors

About People 1^st

People 1^st is the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries focusing on transforming skills in the sector through the development of world class qualifications in management and leadership, customer service and craft skills. 

About WorldHost

WorldHost was developed by British Columbia tourism authorities and has a 20-year history. It was used for training nearly 40,000 staff and volunteers in time for the very successful 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

People 1^st with the support of VisitEngland, has developed the programme for the UK market including additional learning modules on serving customers with disabilities, service across cultures and the ambassador workshop, particularly aimed at organisations welcoming tourists to our country.

WorldHost is designed to become the national standard for customer service training at level 2 and level 3, and with the flexibility to provide solutions across a variety of industries.

For more information please go to: www.worldhost.uk.com

Stuart Young has been promoted to the position of Sales Team Manager at 2CL Communications Ltd in Eastleigh.

Young originally joined the company after a merger between 2CL and his business: SAY Radio Solutions Ltd. In his initial role as Business Development Manager, Young was responsible for increasing the sales and hire customer-bases.

Now Young’s promotion sees him heading up 2CL’s Sales Team across the Eastleigh and London branches. It brings increased responsibilities and new challenges with a goal to drive sales and maintain growth. Young will be relieving Richard Searle, the Managing Director, of this work so that he may focus on other areas of the expanding business.

ENDS

Editors Notes

1.       The business of 2CL was established in 1972 and has offices in Eastleigh and London.

2.       Product & Service portfolio: the sale, hire and maintenance of: Two Way Radio systems, CCTV systems, Point to Point Wireless Data links, Public Warning systems, Lone Worker systems.

3.       Brands include: Radio - Motorola’s, Hytera, Icom, Kenwood and Tait. Major Incident Alarms - Whelen. CCTV - JVC and Milestone. Point to Point Wireless Data - Motorola and Wavesight.

4.       2CL is a Top 3 distributor and systems integrator for Motorola UK. The UK is the biggest market for Motorola in the EMEA.

5.       2CL provides a range of services: coverage surveys, system design, and build, installation and maintenance contracts. The company also provides 24 hour support, 7 days a week, 365 days year. There is a dedicated Customer Service team.

6.       The company’s customer-base includes large corporations such as banks, oil refineries, authorities and container terminals.

7.       2CL also has a Hire Division. Events/clients include: Leeds, Reading & Glastonbury Festivals, Ascot Racecourse, Great North & South Runs, London Marathon, Richmond Event Management, Event Medicine Company. We have around 5000 radios in our Hire fleet.

8.       Customers are assured of quality; 2CL is BS EN ISO 9001:2008 accredited.

9.       Website: www.2cl.co.uk.

10.   For more information or images, please contact: Natasha Miller (email: natasha.miller@2cl.co.uk, telephone: 02380 336411).

2CL Communications Ltd is looking to recruit a Hire Account Manager. This full-time, permanent position will be based at the company’s Head Office in Eastleigh. 2CL hires communications equipment (predominately two-way radios) to the Events industry. As a major player in this sector, 2CL is recruiting due to its expanding events business.

The successful candidate will be a motivated individual who boasts experience of the Events industry and/or has a sales background. They will be allocated a number of accounts for which they will be responsible; overseeing every aspect from raising quotations and orders through to event manning on larger projects. The candidate will be expected to pro-actively develop this portfolio.

On-site work will be required for events across the UK; delivering radios, simple installation work and event manning. Due to the nature of the work, applicants should be flexible and prepared to work weekends with overnight stays. Statutory working hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:30.

Technical knowledge is not necessary as training will be given.

Salary: £25,000 plus overtime, bonuses and a company vehicle.

To apply, please send your CV with a Covering Letter to:

Mr R Searle

2CL Communications Ltd

Unit C Woodside Trade Centre

Parham Drive

Eastleigh

SO50 4NU

Email: richards@2cl.co.uk.

Closing date for applications: 31/07/11

www.2CL.co.uk

Brightly coloured chairs reflecting the style and glamour of the world’s most famous horticultural event were among the thousands of items supplied to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year by Thorns Group.

Thorns, the official furniture supplier to the internationally renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show, once again played a key role in providing a vast range of equipment behind the scenes as well as hundreds of stylish tables and thousands of chairs to the restaurants, hospitality facilities, open air eating terraces and the bandstand area.

Light green Dali chairs with white tables were supplied to Rock Bank Lounge while white Camelot chairs were provided for the prestigious Upper Garden Terrace for show sponsor M&G.

Thorns Group – one of the UK’s leading independent players within the events, conference, exhibitions and weddings sectors – provided furniture and equipment across the entire showground which was once again a sell-out attracting visitors from all over the world.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show has long been a favourite of the Queen who attended with other members of the Royal Family on Monday, May 23. Celebrities invited for the special preview included Gwyneth Paltrow, Dame Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, Alex Kingston and Barbara Windsor. 

Clair Whitecross, Thorns Group Sales Director, said; “Chelsea is one of the highlights of our summer season and proves to be a huge logistical challenge every year. We begin delivering equipment for behind-the-scenes offices, such as the show organisers and security staff, almost a month in advance. Then in the lead up to the show our daily deliveries increase with lorry loads of equipment being transported onto the site each day.”

Clair added: “Chelsea is an incredible sight to see with all the stunning show gardens and exhibits and it’s wonderful to look at our stock with such an incredible back drop. The restaurant areas are stylish and the bandstand has a typical English country feel. Our picnic tables, benches and chairs add cache to the outside eating spaces. We are very proud to be associated with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”

Thorns has been a long-time supplier to the famous horticultural event, which took place this year between May 23 and 28 at its long-standing home in the grounds of Chelsea’s Royal Hospital.

The company supplied banqueting tables and chairs, furniture for alfresco eating areas, parasols and benches across the showground.

Last weekend GL events Owen Brown provided temporary structures at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Investec Derby Festival which included Ladies Day and Derby Day.

Owen Brown worked on site from early May to erect and fit out 2,750sqm of temporary structures. The structures supplied were from their flagship Absolute and Ultimate range, designed and manufactured by Owen Brown in 2009.

Amongst others the structures were used for hospitality on the Tattenham Straight, Princes Lawn and at the Winning Post.

The Winning Post Marquee, a 70m x 12m Absolute, is used by photographers, annual members of Epsom Downs and this year was split into two and used for private hospitality for William Hill. The structure therefore was adorned with William Hill branding.

The Princes Lawn Marquee featured the branding of the events main sponsor Investec both of the roof skin and scaffold cladding.

Each of the hospitality structures were raised on scaffold to ensure optimum views over the course. In conjunction with Epsom‘s event team and DETAIL Ltd the structures were finished with quality furniture and fittings to provide each hospitality guest with an up market experience.

TV’s biggest stars headed to Manchester for the annual battle of the British Soap Awards – but with Thorns Group on hand to ensure a bit of comfort after the bruising encounter!

The furniture and catering equipment specialist provided a broad range of items behind the scenes as the big guns of EastEnders, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale competed for honours during the spectacular ceremony.

Thorns’ furniture – including sofas, armchairs, bar fittings and poseur tables – was put to good use in the plush hospitality areas after the group was hired by long-time client Bobby’s Props, run by professional set decorator Bob Warans.

Bob said: “We’ve been working with Thorns for many years and, once again, the group did a fantastic job. Yet again Thorns came up trumps for the big occasion.”

The star-studded British Soap Awards, which were hosted at Granada Studios in Manchester, marked just the latest of many assignments for which Bobby’s Props has hired Thorns. The two businesses have previously worked together on lavish occasions including the British Comedy Awards, the Galaxy National Book Awards and the BBC’s annual Children In Need fundraiser.

For the latest awards extravaganza Thorns’ Manchester offices provided a host of its highly popular ranges including Vancouver leather lounge furniture, Venus bars and Elena coffee tables.

Thorns Group Sales Executive Lois Furlow said: “Whether for soaps, comedy, movies or books, Thorns has become a regular at Britain’s top awards ceremonies. It was great to be working with Bobby’s Props again at such a high-profile occasion. With the stars glittering on stage we were happy to put on our own starring performance behind the scenes!”

This year’s British Soap Awards saw honours divided between television’s ‘big two’, with Coronation Street securing twice as many gongs as its southern rival – but EastEnders claiming the evening’s top accolade of Best British Soap.

Stars who adorned the red carpet included soap regulars Jessie Wallace, Shane Ritchie, Steve McFadden and Kym Marsh as well as other guests including girl group Sugababes.

Over 200 intrepid fundraising cyclists rode 140miles from Bournemouth to Brighton over 2 days to raise over £60,000 for Asthma UK in an event delivered by award-winning company Pennine Events.

The Beach2Beach Cycle Challenge event, now in its second year, saw entries more than double from 2010. Riders came from all over the UK plus a couple from the Netherlands and one rider from Vancouver who arranged his holiday specifically to take part. Judging by the comments posted by many of the participants on the event Facebook site it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone taking part. Steve Ashby from Bournemouth took up the challenge last year and came back again this year ‘140 miles on a very small saddle and two wheels using my own steam…fantastic. Yes, I felt a bit tired, but the euphoric feeling of achievement far outweighed the tiredness.’

Setting off from Bournemouth Promenade under clear blue skies, the cyclists soon passed into the beautiful New Forest riding alongside the famous free-running horses.  The hills of the Hampshire Downs held no fears and the sun shone on the brave.

Many of them even had the energy to play beach games and go on the bouncy castle at the overnight camp at Meon Springs.

Although the prospect of the final climb on the second day brought some anxiety, by the time the cyclists reached it they were in full flow and triumphantly conquered it and savoured a four-mile long descent to the finish on the beach.

Many of the participants had dedicated their efforts in support of loved ones with asthma and were joined by family and friends for celebrations in Brighton.

Leeann Wilmer, Events Manager at Asthma UK says: ‘This is the second year we have held The Beach to Beach Bike Ride and the response from cyclists has been amazing. It provides a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of asthma along the way while raising vital funds to support the charity’s work in an enjoyable and challenging way.’

Asthma UK were very pleased with the outcome of the event and have already set the date for next year – 19th-20th May 2012.

Ends.

Editor’s notes:

·         Beach2Beach Cycle Challenge took place over 14-15th May 2011

·         The event is organised by Pennine Events on behalf of Asthma UK

For more information on this event or others organised by Pennine Events please contact Leah on 01772 447979, email leah@pennineevents.co.uk or visit www.pennineevents.co.uk

Today the build starts on the temporary infrastructure for Royal Ascot 14^th – 18^th June.

The Owen Brown crew has started building the first of three Absolute Triple Deckers; they will be working to erect one a week over the coming three weeks. Detail Ltd’s interior design team will go in as each triple decker structure is completed to fit out the interiors with Ascot’s unique colour scheme and finish.

As well as the triple decker the build has also started on other locations around the site including the famous Royal Enclosure and Heath Village.

Slick Seating, recently acquired by Owen Browns parent company GL events, will build temporary grandstand seating at three locations on the Ascot Racecourse site including the Parade Ring where 3,300 seats will be provided to offer spectators unrivalled views of the horses before and after the races.

60,000 people are set to attend the five day event. All structures will be removed after this event with the exception of the Absolute triple decker which will stay up for the King George meet in July.

GL events Owen Brown is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the contract to supply temporary structures to another leading event on the horse racing calendar; The Epsom Derby.

This June, Owen Brown will supply 2,750sqm of temporary structures for the Tattenham Straight, Princes Lawn and Parade Ring at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

The structures will be supplied from Owen Brown’s flagship range of structures; Absolute.

Epsom recognised the quality of the Absolute range and the professionalism and dedication of their site team, and it was these elements that enabled Owen Brown to fight off stiff competition and win the contract at Epsom, who has been a client of theirs for over 10 years

Alex Robertson Managing Director comments “We are hugely proud of the Absolute, it was designed and manufactured by us in 2009 and I am without doubt that the numerous contract wins we have achieved over the past 3 years can be hugely attributed to the Absolute range.”

A dynamic new sales executive has joined the sales team at Thorns Group’s Manchester office and is set to score a hat-trick of personal goals.

Liverpool football fan Sally Fisher can’t wait to prove she’s in a league of her own when it comes to building great relationships with her clients, that she’s a winner who consistently achieves her sales targets and that she will be a valued member of any team.

Sally’s career has spanned 16 years in both sales and media during which time she has received numerous sales awards. Clair Whitecross, Thorns’ Group Sales Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sally to Thorns and look forward to seeing her at the top of her game. I think she will fit in really well with the team here and will prove to be a great asset.”

For the past three years Sally has been a sales executive at Lancashire and Lake District Life, the UK’s biggest-selling county magazine. She thrives on pressure and prides herself on delivering value for her customers.

Sally’s previous jobs have included working as a personal banking manager at Lloyds TSB and as an assistant sales manager at motoring magazine Auto Exchange. She took up her new post on May 3.

Brand Events has dished up an appetising three-year contract to furniture supplier Camden Exhibition Services for the prestigious Taste of London and Taste of Edinburgh events.

The hire specialist has been appointed sole furniture supplier to three of the world’s greatest restaurant festivals – Taste of London, Taste of Christmas and Taste of Edinburgh. Fifty thousand visitors are expected for the flagship Taste festival in London’s Regents Park from June 16-19. They can dine from 40 of the capital’s top restaurants, try then buy from 200 food and drink producers and watch some of the world’s greatest chefs demonstrate their skills on stage.

At Taste of Edinburgh around 25,000 visitors will attend Scotland’s greatest food festival which has moved to a new midsummer date at The Meadows from July 1-3.  Brand Events has also appointed Camden as sole supplier to Golf Live at London Golf Club from May 20-22 where amateur golfers can interact with stars such Colin Montgomerie, Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup Captain.

Camden Exhibition Services, which is a division of leading events and exhibitions supplier Thorns Group, will supply a huge array of mainly alfresco furniture to the Taste events. Adam Aston, Thorns’ Director of Exhibitions, said: “We have worked with Brand Events for a number of years and this three-year contract consolidates the fantastic relationship we have built up. They are an enthusiastic, forward-thinking company that stages brilliant events that we are proud to be associated with.

“The Taste festivals are understandably extremely popular both with exhibitors and visitors and it’s fantastic for us to be involved in these innovative and sophisticated occasions. It’s testimony to the range and quality of our stock that we have become sole furniture supplier.”

Adam added: “These are outdoor shows and we supply a variety of furniture, from alfresco dining sets to furniture for pretty marquees and an extensive modern, contemporary range. For Golf Live we are once again on the ball meeting all their furniture needs from our huge range of stock.”

Simon Flanagan, Operations Director at Brand Events, said: “We have worked with Camden for many years and this contract is an extension of the good working relationship we have built up. The team at Camden know our events very well and can anticipate the range of furniture needed to fit the image we wish to project.

“The Taste festivals have been fantastically successful and to maintain standards we need highly professional partners like Camden Exhibition Services who deliver what we need in exemplary style.”

Furniture supplier Camden Exhibition Services is delighted to have signed a two-year contract with one of the most exciting exhibition companies in the industry.

Media 10 added a clutch of prestigious industry gongs to its portfolio last year. These included three accolades at the industry’s highly regarded Event Awards – Best Consumer Exhibition for the Ideal Home Show and Organiser of the Year, followed by the coveted Grand Prix Award for the leading company among the night’s winners.

The company acquired the Ideal Home Show and created a staggering success last year with 250,000 visitors over 17 days. Media 10 is also responsible for the phenomenally successful Grand Designs Live shows.

Camden Exhibition Services, which is a division of leading events and exhibitions supplier Thorns Group, has become an official supplier to Media 10. Adam Aston, Thorns’ Director of Exhibitions, said: “We are extremely pleased to have signed a two-year deal with Media 10, one of the stand-out companies in the exhibition industry. We have built a superb relationship with the Media 10 team over the years and this contract drives that association forward.

“The company is a vibrant, innovative force to be reckoned with and the nature of its hugely successful stable of events very much fits with our portfolio at Camden Exhibition Services. This contract is the culmination of a long relationship with Media 10 which we hope will go from strength to strength.”

Adam added: “Thorns carries such a vast array of lifestyle furniture – both indoor and outdoor, traditional and modern – that we see ourselves as the perfect fit for Media 10. Our ranges sit perfectly in the client’s consumer shows.”

The hire specialist will supply a wide selection of furniture to Media 10 for the Ideal Home Show both in London and Scotland as well as the Ideal Home Show at Christmas at Earls Court, Grand Designs Live both in London and Birmingham, Britain’s Next Top Model Live and the Duke of Essex Polo.

Giles Perry, Event Manager at Media 10, said: “In less than a decade our company has become one of the leading players in the events industry. We are very proud of the results we deliver and the diversity of our hugely successful events. We expect high standards of our suppliers as well as an extremely professional attitude and we get both from Camden Exhibition Services. We are very pleased to welcome them as official supplier.”

th June With Sir Elton John in concert.

Pete Allison, MD of Event & Management Services said:

“This is a great piece of work for us, we’re well used to consulting on and managing the production and site

issues around large public venues, there have been some licensing and noise issues to address for the 2011

season, but things are on track and we’re looking forward to a busy and successful summer”

The opening show from Elton John sold out its s 8,000 tickets within hours of being on sale and the rest of the

season with a weekend of Scarborough Fair on 13

Pennine Events certainly caused a stir in Blackpool on Thursday night when they went to collect their award for Small Business of the Year at Lancashire Business View's Red Rose Awards 2011. So much so that the earth actually moved as an earthquake that recorded 2.2 on the Richter scale was registered at the time of the ceremony at the Winter Gardens.  

The inaugural awards ceremony saw many Lancashire businesses celebrate their achievements and success from 2010 and over 600 guests attended the award ceremony! This didn’t faze Pennine Events’ Graham Jagger however who willingly took to the mic to accept the award.

General Manager Alison Abbott was delighted with the achievement; "We are so pleased to receive the award, as it gives the whole team a chance to recognise that all the hard work put in to the events over the years really does pay off. It’s also a thank you to not only our internal staff but to everybody who helps on our events, from suppliers to the participants, they all help make our events the success they are"

Pennine Events has grown significantly within the last few years, some of the company's recent highlights include the Right to Play Edinburgh - London Cycle (100 riders completing 540 miles in 6 days raising approximately £90,000), Pedal for Scotland (over 9,000 riders raising over £150,000), 2007 Tour de France stage 1, and most recently the 2010 National
Road Race Championships.

Over the past twelve months, events organised by Pennine Events have raised in total over £1.2m for various charities. These charities include Claire House Hospice, Maggie's, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, The Christie Hospital, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Barnardos, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Right to Play.

"Pride of Pennine"

Pennine Events are more than proud of the award. MD Mark Sandamas had this to say, “the team are even more focused with the preparations of this year's events. With the 18th year anniversary of Liverpool Chester Liverpool Bike Ride on the 3^rd July and the re-brand of Pendle Pedal to cottages4you Pendle Predator Cycle Challenge on 7^th August, the year is set to be extremely busy and exciting for all involved.”

Whilst most in the UK lay in bed trying to regain an hour of sleep, the people of Chester took out their bikes and got involved with a fun, free cycle show and guided rides which took place at the New Scene Centre last Sunday.

Cycle Sunday (a West Cheshire and Chester Council initiative) provided cyclists with a chance to take on either a 4mile or 8mile guided ride – as well as experience some exciting exhibitions and displays. These included bike stunt displays by Team M.A.D, the UK’s number 1 mountain bike stunt and display team, a source of great entertainment and a few nerveracking moments, Circus Sensible with their circus skills roadshow which gave people of all ages the chance to have a go at juggling, plate spinning, stilt-walking, diablo and many other circus skills, whilst a cycle-powered smoothie bike kept participants refreshed.

The event, put on by Pennine Events on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, exceeded expectations of turnout and with the four guided rides reaching capacity with 300 riders. Leah Sandamas of Pennine Events says, “We never expected so many riders, up until Friday we only had one ride full so to fill all three other rides was fantastic. It is great sign of how much cycling has grown in the last few years within Chester and with many people complimenting the event delivery team on such a fabulous day.”

Throughout 2011 Pennine Events will be organising many more cycle related events both fun, challenging and all worth a go including the popular Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride. Kicking off the season with Cycle Sunday has filled everybody at Pennine Events with excitement at the forthcoming season.

The team now hope the rest of 2011 is just as much fun!

Event communications specialist, 2CL Communications Ltd, has been appointed as the Official Communications Partner for RSVP – London’s Event Showcase this year.

The company will be hiring a full two-way radio system to RSVP to ensure the event organisers and security staff can communicate with ease and act quickly should a problem or emergency arise during the course of the event.

RSVP, which takes place on 19-20 April at The Business Design Centre in Islington, is expected to attract 4,500 visitors this year so a well-organised, seamless event is of paramount importance.

Mike Baker, 2CL’s Hire Business Manager, said “We are delighted to be supporting RSVP as Official Communications Partner this year. The event is well-planned and growing in size year-on-year, we are proud to be a part of it.”

As well as two-way radio systems, 2CL supplies, hires and maintains CCTV systems, wireless data links, laptops, megaphones, voice recorders and more, to the events and hospitality industries.

For more information about 2CL, please visit www.2cl.co.uk. Further event information can be found at www.rsvpevent.co.uk.

GL events Owen Brown has appointed two new members to its Sales team. Eleanor Whitten joins as Account Executive she previously worked at Speedo as an Events Manager. Matt Ryland joins the team as an Account Manager; Matt has worked in the events industry for 8 years holdings appointments including Account Manager and Project Manager at Concerto Group and Zibrant.

Also this year two of Owen Brown’s Key Account Managers are celebrating 10 years service with the company. Ben Keast handles contracts including British Grand Prix and Royal Ascot and James Buckley heads up all RHS events and leading UK venues including Hampton Court Palace, Somerset House and Kensington Gardens.

This week GL events Owen Brown will commence the build of the 5,000sqm temporary venue for the BADA Fair held on the running track site at the Duke of York’s Headquarters, which runs alongside the prestigious Kings Road, Chelsea.

Last year Owen Brown’s temporary structure supply contract was extended with the BADA Fair off the back of an investment in the custom designed Panorama window, which gives the front of the temporary structure a shop front window for display areas.

The Panorama windows will be used again this year after the Fair saw a 12% rise in visitor numbers last year. Gillian Craig Show Director attributes this is partly to the Panorama windows. “Last year the impression the visitor had was of a top quality event, by the façade they saw, created by the Panorama windows, which helped us  to create 'shop windows' in one of London's most exclusive residential and commercial areas.”

The BADA Fair is run by the British Antique Dealers Association. Exhibition space is exclusive to members and the event is not run for profit but to give the members a trading platform in one of the most prestigious areas of London. An opportunity that many of the BADA members would simply not have otherwise.

The show will run from Wednesday 23^rd March  to Tuesday 29^th March. Opening times and ticket prices can be found at www.bada-antiques-fair.co.uk .

Mike continues:

“We are delighted with how Chill Tent has been received by the industry, and we have just been nominated for Event Innovation of the Year by The Event Services Association (TESA), so this is an incredibly exciting time for us. Support from highly respected industry bodies such as NOEA and TESA is a great testament to this unique, revolutionary product and we are pleased to be starting 2011 with such a bang!”

ENDS

Editors Information

The Chill Tent is a temporary, easily portable cold storage tent.

It can be erected within 30 minutes, is powered by a 13 amp plug and gives you 18m³ of chilled space which can be controlled at between +2⁰C and +15⁰C. Perfect for chilling down and keeping produce cold. And what's more, if you don't need cold storage at any particular time, the Chill Tent packs down small so you don't waste valuable real estate.

The Chill Tent can be set up almost anywhere having been used in the middle of fields, the middle of shopping centres, the top floor of a building and on the beach. It's also modular, so if you require more than 18m³ of cold storage, you can fit 2 or more Chill Tents together.

The Chill Tent is 95% recyclable, so it will help businesses achieve their sustainability targets.

The Chill Tent is a perfect cold storage solution for Caterers, Bars, Festivals, Hotels, Drinks manufacturers and Marketing agencies.

Please also take a look at our website and facebook page – http://www.chilltent.com/ and www.facebook.com/chilltent

NOEA

The National Outdoor Events Association is the UK's leading outdoor events trade association, dedicated to enhancing professionalism in the outdoor events industry.

The NOEA Awards recognise achievements in the outdoor events sector.

Chill Tent, the revolutionary temporary, portable cold storage room, has been shortlisted for the Event Innovation of the Year Award by the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA).

Chill Tent is a lightweight, environmentally friendly portable storage unit for food and drink. The unit can be erected within 30 minutes, is powered by a 13 amp plug and gives you 18m³ of chilled space which can be controlled at between +2⁰C and +15⁰C. 

Easy to pack away and transport, simple to erect and highly versatile, the product has proven it’s capabilities on successful experiential marketing campaigns, as well as with various catering and event professionals, in the six months since its launch.

Chill Tent’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Mike Moss said:

“This nomination is a real honour as we have only been up and running for a few months. It’s recognition of the fact that the Chill Tent genuinely does move things forward in terms of temporary cold food and drink storage. It is a truly cost effective, ‘green’ alternative to trailers, trucks and reefers. We think the Chill Tent is the future of temporary cold storage for many applications including festivals and events.

“2011 should be a huge year for us, and being shortlisted by a highly respected industry body such as NOEA is a great way to start. We are already heavily booked for the UK festival season and are in advanced negotiations with distributors across the Middle East, Australia & New Zealand, and North and South America.”

ENDS

Editors Information

The Chill Tent is a temporary, easily portable cold storage tent.

It can be erected within 30 minutes, is powered by a 13 amp plug and gives you 18m³ of chilled space which can be controlled at between +2⁰C and +15⁰C.  Perfect for chilling down and keeping produce cold.  And what’s more, if you don’t need cold storage at any particular time, the Chill Tent packs down small so you don’t waste valuable real estate.

The Chill Tent can be set up almost anywhere having been used in the middle of fields, the middle of shopping centres, the top floor of a building and on the beach. It’s also modular, so if you require more than 18m³ of cold storage, you can fit 2 or more Chill Tents together.

The Chill Tent is 95% recyclable, so it will help businesses achieve their sustainability targets.

The Chill Tent is a perfect cold storage solution for Caterers, Bars, Festivals, Hotels, Drinks manufacturers and Marketing agencies.

Please also take a look at our website and facebook page – www.chilltent.com and www.facebook.com/chilltent

Furniture supplier Camden Exhibition Services has expanded into the defence and security sector after signing contracts for two of the market’s most prestigious trade events.

The hire specialist, which is a division of leading events and exhibitions supplier Thorns Group, is to work at Undersea Defence Technology (UDT), being staged on June 7-9, and at Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi), which takes place on September 13-16.

The two exhibitions – each being held at London’s ExCeL – also reinforce a long-standing relationship with organiser Clarion Events, the leading independent events company with which Camden already works at a host of live events across the UK.

Adam Aston, Thorns’ Director of Exhibitions, said: “We’ve established an excellent working relationship with Clarion Events, thanks to high-profile events aimed at sectors as diverse as travel, gaming and motoring. We’re really looking forward to expanding our role with the company at two major defence and security exhibitions.”

UDT, which is now in its 24^th year, is widely regarded as the leading global exhibition and conference for undersea security, underwater warfare and sub-surface platforms, detection and combat systems. The forthcoming event in June is due to include interactive conference sessions, product demonstrations and an Innovation Showcase. Camden will act as sole supplier of exhibition furniture.

Meanwhile DSEi is regarded as the world’s largest fully integrated defence and security exhibition. It is attended by 25,000 attendees from 98 countries and includes official delegations and national pavilions from across the globe.

Features planned for 2011 include electronics, naval and electronic warfare pavilions, security demonstrations and static vehicle displays. Camden will work as official supplier of exhibition furniture.

The latest contracts follow on from Camden’s previous successes in supplying to prestigious Clarion Events shows including ICE totally gaming, Home & Gift, London International Horse Show, The Luxury Travel Fair and prestige and performance motor show MPH.

GL events Owen Brown are pleased to announce that they have won a new 5 year contract to be the sole supplier of temporary structures and overlay for Royal Ascot this summer. 

This contract will see them supply temporary structures for every application from a huge triple decker hospitality pavilion and hospitality suites and lounges within the Royal Enclosure Gardens to wet weather bar cover. The triple decker hospitality pavilion will be from Owen Browns award winning Absolute range which will be laid out in a unique configuration with balconies on each level to maximize the racing experience for guests

Owen Brown will also supply structures for all bars, retail and catering outlets, tip up grandstand seating for 4,000 spectators and all furniture both for the indoor hospitality areas and outdoor areas.

They are partnering with DETAIL to supply the interior design and fit out for all of the structures.

60,000 people are set to attend the five day event in June. All structures will be removed after this event with the exception of the Absolute triple decker which will stay up for the King George meet in July. Build is due to start early May.

Scotland’s leading exhibition for the events industry is back – even bigger and better for its 4^th year. Showcasing the best of the events industry, The Main Event is the ultimate showcase for anyone organising an event – of any shape or size.

Anyone who plans meetings, conferences, corporate outings, team building, award ceremonies, product launches or Christmas parties will find the solutions, creativity, ideas, innovation and expertise from the crème de la crème of the industry that make their next event unforgettable.

The ideal networking occasion to gain valuable contacts, the award winning Main Event 2011 is exhibiting new and innovative ideas from some of the key names in events such as MCL, Elliot Event hire and Nimlock. From top notch catering, stunning venues and cutting edge lighting to funky entertainment, new products & technologies and industry first launches many exhibitors are also offering exclusive discounts and offers – only available on the day.

The Main Event 2011 theatre, sponsored by MCL is a must see. Hosted by Forth One’s Grant Stott free, topical and educational seminars will be run throughout the day allowing you to hear from the experts such as Johnny Roxburgh of The Admirable Crichton who have hosted private parties for over 20 years. Johnny’s catering expertise comes with a personal endorsement from Nigella Lawson and he has a client list featuring Dolce and Gabbana, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton.

Other speakers include Lena Björck of London based caterers and party designers Inn or Out, and Richard Foulkes, Director of Special Events & Productions who has more than 30 years' experience working with leading brands.

Keeping everyone up to date with social media is Mark Shaw, who has approx 12,750 followers & has been on radio, published in the media and given talks all throughout the UK in his capacity as a Twitter expert.

The Main Event 2011 will also host a new feature - the Innovation Zone – an exciting area dedicated to new concepts within the industry.  Within the Innovation zone will be the YrWall from new exhibitor AVC Media. As seen on Dragons’ Den, YrWall is a fun, creative and customisable digital graffiti wall.  Visitors will also get a look at impressive themed room sets by PMG Events and Cameron Presentations.

The Diamond Event Services Bar is the centre piece of the event where visitors can meet up with colleagues, potential clients and buyers.  Lunchtime will not only allow visitors the chance to enjoy something to eat at the Blooming Occasions restaurant, but they will also be able to chat and pick the brains of award winning event organiser, MD of QD Events, Fran McIntyre. Fran is Scotland’s leading events professional, picking up Event Professional of the Year at the 2010 Scottish Event Awards and this up and personal session is a chance to put queries and questions to the person behind events such as The Scottish Wedding Show and Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show.

Launching on the day is The Scottish Event Awards, the only annual awards scheme that rewards and celebrates all areas of the thriving events industry in Scotland.

www.themaineventscotland.com

The Main Event takes place at the SECC, Glasgow on Thursday 10^th March 2011 from 10.00am until 5.30pm. Tickets are £15. To register visit www.themaineventscotland.comor to exhibit, call Kirsty on tel: 0141 576 3237.

Stylish equipment from Thorns Group was beamed into the homes of millions of TV viewers thanks to two major star-studded awards ceremonies.

Thorns’ stunning furniture and glassware created the perfect setting for the celebrity audience at this year’s British Comedy Awards hosted by Jonathan Ross. Actress Goldie Hawn presented the Best TV Comedy Actor award to Thick Of It star Peter Capaldi, providing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the prestigious event at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday (January 22).

The ceremony, attended by a host of celebrity guests including former weather girl Ulrika Jonsson, comediennes Miranda Hart and Ronni Ancona, Spanish model Elen Rivas and Sex And The City 2 actress Alice Eve, was broadcast by Channel 4 live to millions giving them a glimpse of Thorns’ range of stylish circular tables, Mercury and Venus black bar units and exquisite Perception glassware.

Four days later (January 26), Thorns returned to the O2 Arena to supply purple linking conference chairs and rails for gowns and coats for guests at the National Television Awards 2011 ceremony hosted by X Factor star Dermot O’Leary.

Thorns Group, the UK’s premier independent supplier of bespoke events furniture and equipment, was hired by professional set decorator Bob Warans to provide a tailored package for the two glittering televised events.

Bob from Bobby’s Props Ltd said: “Thorns has been brilliant as usual. It provided an excellent service and the perfect package of furniture and equipment we needed for the British Comedy Awards. They even provided black chairs for the journalists in the Press marquee. The company also provided chairs and rails for the National Television Awards. I have used Thorns for years and will continue to use them.”

Thorns Group Sales Executive Lois Furlow said: “We are delighted to be of service to Bobby’s Props once again. Last year we supplied quality and comfortable furniture to BBC Children in Need and Strictly Come Dancing. To kick-start 2011 with two major televised awards ceremonies is great news for Thorns Group. It reinforces our credentials as the UK’s premier independent supplier of quality furniture and equipment.”

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

2CL Communications Ltd, leading supplier of Two-Way Radio and CCTV systems, will be exhibiting at the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) Convention on 23-24 February.

The company returns for its third year following its successful presence at the Conventions in 2009 and ‘10.

2CL’s stand will feature the latest in communications and event management equipment with Digital and Analogue Two-Way Radios on display, along with a CCTV camera. Live footage from the camera will be shown, enabling visitors to appreciate the high-quality coverage on offer from this latest addition (CCTV cameras and open-platform control software) to 2CL’s product range.

Mike Baker, who heads up the company’s Hire Team, will be present on the stand with colleague Stuart Young to answer visitors’ technical questions and discuss communication solutions for events, both large and small. Highly-experienced, they can advise people on possible communication issues which can arise as a result of event locations and terrains etc. and ways to overcome them.

Susan Tanner, NOEA General Secretary, said “We are very pleased 2CL Communications is exhibiting at the Convention. The range of products and services they offer is invaluable to the events industry.

“2CL is a friendly company that provides a personal service and offers its expertise to all; the type of company we are proud to have at the Convention and as a NOEA Member.”

For more information about 2CL, please visit www.2cl.co.uk. Event information is available at www.noea.org.uk/annual-convention.asp.

ENDS

Editors Notes

1.       The business of 2CL was established in 1972 and has offices in Eastleigh and London.

2.       Product & Service portfolio: the sale, hire and maintenance of: Two Way Radio systems, CCTV systems, Point to Point Wireless Data links, Public Warning systems, Lone Worker systems.

3.       Brands include: Radio - Motorola’s, Hytera, Icom, Kenwood and Tait. Major Incident Alarms - Whelen. CCTV - JVC and Milestone. Point to Point Wireless Data - Motorola and Wavesight.

4.       2CL is a Top 3 distributor and systems integrator for Motorola UK. The UK is the biggest market for Motorola in the EMEA.

5.       2CL provides a range of services: coverage surveys, system design, and build, installation and maintenance contracts. The company also provides 24 hour support, 7 days a week, 365 days year. There is a dedicated Customer Service team.

6.       The company’s customer-base includes large corporations such as banks, oil refineries, authorities and container terminals.

7.       2CL also has a Hire Division. Events/clients include: Leeds, Reading & Glastonbury Festivals, Ascot Racecourse, Great North & South Runs, London Marathon, Richmond Event Management, Event Medicine Company. We have around 5000 radios in our Hire fleet.

8.       Customers are assured of quality; 2CL is BS EN ISO 9001:2008 accredited.

9.       Website: www.2cl.co.uk.

10.   For more information or images, please contact: Natasha Miller (email: natasha.miller@2cl.co.uk, telephone: 02380 336411).

Furniture and catering equipment hire specialist Thorns Group has further boosted its operations by appointing Elly Shaabani to its London-based marketing team.

Elly, who has taken the role of Marketing Assistant, has previously worked for high-profile companies including Barclays International Banking, LA Fitness, Lansons Communications and retailer GAP.

She is a graduate of London Metropolitan University and went on to complete a Master of Arts degree at Brunel University. Her multilingual skills extend to a command of no fewer than six languages!

Clair Whitecross, Thorns’ Group Sales Director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Elly to the Thorns team. Her extensive marketing experience – gained through working with a succession of top-flight-companies – will add tremendous strength to the already highly successful marketing activities within our group.”

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

 For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909;

email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

This year’s Event Production Show is set to be the largest yet with a record-number of exhibitors booked. Joining the Show’s big line-up and adding to the anticipation, will be one of the UK’s leading radio communication companies: 2CL Communications Ltd.

2CL appointed two new members of staff in 2010; Stuart Young who joined the company as Business Development Manager and Natasha Miller whose title is Sales & Marketing Executive. Part of Miller’s role is to raise the company’s profile through event attendance and, as a result of this, 2CL will be exhibiting at the Event Production Show on 2-3^rd February for the first time.

Miller said, “We chose to have a stand at the Event Production Show because of its audience-base, large footfall and prestige. It is the first Show we’ll be exhibiting at this year and follows on from our presence at the Showman’s Show in October. Our stand there proved very successful; we received a lot of enquiries and orders, and anticipate receiving more from it when the event season kicks off again.”

The company plans to have a selection of new MOTOTRBO and Hytera Digital Two-Way Radios on display at the stand (number: NOEA2), along with popular Motorola Analogue models. Miller commented, “Visitors will be able to handle the radios to get a feel for the different radio weights and sizes available, and their features.”

Mike Baker, Hire Business Manager, and Young will be present on the stand to answer technical questions and offer advice about Two-Way Radio solutions, CCTV systems and the other communications/event management equipment supplied, hired and maintained by 2CL.

There will also be a competition for visitors to win £100 off their first or next hire order with 2CL. “They just need to drop their business cards into the lucky draw pot on our stand to enter the competition,” Miller said “we will then notify the winner after the Show in February.”

2CL supplies and hires a range of products - Two-Way Radios, CCTV systems, Wireless Data Links, Laptop Computers and more - to the events sector. The company’s employees are ‘fountains of knowledge’ within the Industry with its Engineers having over 100 years’ combined experience in Two-Way Radios! The vast product range and comprehensive array of services provided, means 2CL’s clients’ needs are met time-after-time and its customer-base has continued to grow despite the recession.

For more information about 2CL Communications Ltd, please visit www.2cl.co.uk. Further details about the Event Production Show can be found at: www.eventproductionshow.co.uk.

Staff from the School of Tourism will assess the importance of music as a driver of tourism in the UK in the project for the umbrella organisation, which represents the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry.

Adam Blake, Professor of Economics, said: “The importance that music plays in the visitor economy is not very well understood. By attracting visitors to festivals and concerts, as well as promoting the UK around the world, music not only provides revenues for event organisers but also brings income and jobs to much wider groups.

“This research project will provide us with evidence of how important music is to tourism and of the subsequent economic benefits that it brings to the UK.”

Academics from the School’s International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research will be joined by colleagues from the Centre for Event and Sport Research and Market Research Group to produce two reports by early 2011.

The two reports will be:

• Using existing data, an impact assessment of the importance of music as a driver of tourism in the UK
• A proposal detailing the additional data that would be required to inform more a more comprehensive music tourism strategy.

Both reports will aim to provide UK Music with evidence of the benefits to businesses as a result of ancillary spending on music and music events. 

Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive of UK Music said: “Music is one of the UK’s crown jewels. It is a significant and powerful magnet for both overseas and UK tourists – whether they’re attending one of our many music festivals, visiting our music heritage sites or simply drawn by our reputation as the world’s pre-eminent music-producing nation.
 
“However, we need to quantify our experiences – which is why this research is so important. With the Government looking to tourism as a driver of economic growth, it is vital that we can provide accurate data and look towards building a comprehensive music-tourism strategy.”

Professors Don Getz, David Alexander and Bruce Prideaux will hold the posts for the next three years.

Dr Keith Wilkes, Dean of the School, said: "The School is excited at the prospect of working with Bruce, David and Don over the next three years on a wide range of research activities. Early success has been achieved with their involvement in the award of the UNWTO project, entitled 'The Integration of Tourism into National Emergency Structures and Processes'."

Don Getz retired in July 2009 from his full-time academic position at the University of Calgary, Canada, where he remains Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor in the Haskayne School of Business. He is a Distinguished Fellow in the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, and has been a leading scholar in the fields of tourism and event studies.

He is currently a Guest Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and at Stavanger University in Norway. He holds a James Whyte Visiting Fellow position at the School of Tourism, University of Queensland.

As an internationally renowned scholar, Professor Getz's areas of expertise include destination and resort management and marketing, family business and entrepreneurship.

David Alexander is currently Professor of Disaster Management in the Centre for the Study of Risk Conditions and Civil Protection (CESPRO) at the University of Florence.

His previous posts include Professor of Disaster Management at Cranfield University, based at the Royal Military College of Science, where he directed the Cranfield Disaster Management Centre, and Professor and Head of the Disaster Management Subject Group at Coventry University.

Professor Alexander's published journal articles, reports and working papers include studies of seismic landslides, post-earthquake urban planning problems, logistical aspects of emergencies, the sociology of panic and the epidemiology of disasters. He is a member of the Editorial Boards of Geomorphology, Natural Hazards, Disaster Prevention and Management, the Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering and Environmental Management.

Bruce Prideaux is Professor of Marketing and Tourism Management at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. He is actively involved in a number of research projects including crisis management, marine tourism, rainforest tourism, climate change, tourism transport and ecotourism.

He has authored more than 200 journal articles, book chapters and conference papers in a range of issues related to tourism. Professor Prideaux has also authored or co-authored seven books, serves on the editorial boards of 12 academic journals and has guest edited special issues of journals on themes including cybertouirsm, drive tourism, crisis management, crisis recovery, war and tourism and more recently on climate change.

Professor Prideaux is Editor of Asia Pacific Journal of Transport and Book Review Editor for Australian Journal of Hospitality Management and has contributed to numerous edited texts.

One of UK’s biggest trade organisers Brintex Events is extending its relationship with Thorns Group, making the equipment hire specialist its supplier of choice for a clutch of major exhibitions in 2011.

Thorns will provide a range of support including bespoke furniture and equipment for seven exhibitions next year including Brintex’s flagship event the London International Wine Fair which annually attracts more than 20,000 people. 

The London International Wine Fair 2011 has been hailed as the single most important event in the international wine and spirits calendar attracting thousands of importers, merchants, producers, agents, restaurateurs and wholesalers from across the globe. It will be staged at ExCeL in London from 17-19 May.

Earlier in the year Thorns will supply equipment to Traffex, the international traffic management, road safety, highway infrastructure and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) exhibition.  The 2011 event, staged at the NEC, Birmingham from 29-31 March, marks the 25^th anniversary of Traffex and will showcase the most innovative traffic management and road safety products from more than 450 world-wide businesses.

For the joint IABSE (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering) and IASS (International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures) World Symposium 2011, the Thorns team will head to the heart of London to the QEII Conference Centre. The event, from 20-23 September, is aimed at engineers, architects, researchers and construction specialists.

Thorns is also providing specialist event furniture to London’s Business Design Centre in Islington for the annual BAPCO (British Association of Public Safety Communications Officers) conference and exhibition on 13-14 April 2011. The two-day event brings together professionals involved in disaster relief, civil contingency response, information management and business continuity.

Brintex Operations Director Amanda Mansergh said: “Brintex has had a long and successful association with Thorns’ exhibitions arm which is reflected by our decision to extend the relationship with this new arrangement. At Brintex, we are committed to providing our exhibitors with excellent standards of service and care.  I believe these core values are shared by Thorns whose team show similar commitments to customer service, ensuring exhibitors’ requirements are met at all times.”

Thorns Group’s Director of Exhibitions Adam Aston said: “We are delighted to be working with Brintex Events across even more high-profile events during 2011 which strengthens the already special relationship we have with one of the UK’s leading exhibitions organisers.”   More/2

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

Veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan and celebrity guests Take That will be treated to comfy leather sofas during BBC’s gruelling Children in Need appeal this weekend, thanks to the Thorns Group.

UK’s premier independent supplier is providing the stylish cream-coloured Vancouver armchair for TV’s Terry as he hosts the marathon telethon on Friday.

Thorns’ stunning Vancouver range will also grace the off-screen lounge area for celebrities including Cheryl Cole and Take That’s Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Jason Orange, as they wait to go on air to appeal for donations.

Viewers tuning into Children in Need will see further examples of Thorns’ superior range of furniture including black Jupiter stools and tables, small oak coffee tables and silver up-lighters grace the BBC Television Centre studios.

Professional set decorator Bob Warans (correct) approached Thorns to supply furniture and equipment for the corporation’s annual charity event after working closely with the company on a number of other BBC productions.

Thorns is currently providing comfort in the shape of silver chairs with purple pads to Strictly Come Dancing’s studio audience who have been glued to former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe’s less-than-polished dance routines. Thorns also supplied furniture for the Channel 4’s recent Galaxy National Book Awards.

Bob, who owns Bobby’s Props Ltd said: “I love Thorns Group. The company has an amazing range of furniture to choose from. I’ve worked with them for years and they’re the best.”

Thorns Group’s Sales Executive Lois Furlow said: “To be involved in high profile programmes like Children in Need and Strictly is great news for Thorns. Thanks to Bobby’s Props we have been given the chance to provide quality and comfortable furniture for TV’s top stars and audiences and showcase our stylish range on television.”

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

November 17, 2010

Note to journalists: For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909; email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

G4S Secure Solutions (UK) (‘G4S’), the UK’s leading security company, has launched a new dog handling service to meet the growing demand for this form of specialist security solution.  G4S Canine Security Services has teams of professional dog handlers, whose dogs offer both patrol and detection services to compliment G4S’ existing portfolio of security solutions. 

G4S’ search dog and handler teams specialise in the identification of explosives or narcotics as well as human detection and are ideally suited for deployment in the events, transport, critical national infrastructure, custody and immigration environments.

The new business will enable clients to cost-effectively mitigate the growing range of risks facing enterprises including the current threat from explosives such as Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), which was used in the failed ‘cartridge’ bombs.

The specialist dog handler teams of G4S Canine Services are trained and assessed to the industry recognised BS 8157-1:2009 standard for general purpose patrol dogs.  In addition to specialist drug or explosive detection skills, these dogs provide an additional deterrent to supplement uniformed security presence and are extremely cost effective. Likewise, the detection dog handlers are trained and assessed to BS 8157-2:2010 code of practice. 

John Whitwam, Managing Director of G4S Canine Security Services, comments: “The last few weeks have highlighted the continued threat that organisations face from terrorism, along with the multitude of other security concerns.  Our canine services teams provide an alternative and cost-effectives means of enhancing existing security measures.  We have teams trained in a range of specialist skills including detecting explosives such as PETN.

“Our existing clients have already expressed considerable interest in the new service, particularly those with organisations operating in environments at risk of terrorist activity or where there is a requirement to detect narcotics.  We believe that our highly trained and professional dog handlers, coupled with the impressive skills of the detection and protection dogs will make for a compelling proposition.”

G4S Canine Services trains its dogs and handlers at its newly developed training centre in Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire.  Training is delivered by highly experienced National Association of Security Dog Users (NASDU) approved dog trainers with industry-leading qualifications and extensive operational experience. 

G4S is also offering professional consultancy for clients investigating the feasibility of establishing their own domestic or international canine teams.

In a developing canine security market, G4S Canine Security Services is differentiated by the quality of its training and the professionalism of the dog handler teams.  It can also draw on resources from across G4S’ other business divisions to offer comprehensive, integrated security solutions.  

It is the most sought after part in a TV series. No lines to memorise but numerous close-ups and regularly in shot.

When viewers tuned into Channel 4’s popular Ramsay’s Best Restaurant series to see fiery celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay search for the perfect dining experience, they may have noticed the show’s glamorous ‘extras’ – stylish banqueting tables, chairs, cutlery and crockery courtesy of Thorns Group.

UK’s premier independent supplier served up a delectable range of furniture and tableware for the four restaurants shortlisted for the final cook-off.

Working closely with programme-makers, Thorns delivered a gold banqueting chair with a red pad, rice bowls and Sonata crockery to the Prashad, a family-run Indian restaurant in Bradford.

For family-run Casamia Italian restaurant in Bristol, the hire specialists provided Kings cutlery, brown leather Lorenzo chairs and 2ft square tables. Thorns showcased its Monteverdi cutlery, brown leather Lorenzo chairs, square and rectangular plates and 2ft square tables at the Spanish restaurant Fino.

And for The Milestone gastropub in Sheffield, the supplier provided a silver banqueting chair with a black pad, 4ft and 3ft round tables, Verona crockery and Monteverdi cutlery.

Thorns Group’s Sales Executive, Lois Furlow said: “It has been a privilege to have the Thorns range of catering products featured on the popular Ramsay’s Best Restaurant series. To get the chance to showcase our stylish furniture and tableware on primetime television programme has been amazing.”

Ramsay’s Best Restaurant saw the chef travel the length and breadth of Britain in search of restaurants that deliver gastronomic perfection and excellent customer service.

Restaurants nominated by the public were put to the test by the talented chef. Across eight heats, Ramsay pitted two restaurants representing different cuisines head-to-head with the winners from each heat competing in the semi-finals.

Casamia was crowned Ramsay’s Best Restaurant 2010 after beating Fino in the semi-finals and Prashad in the final on 9^th November.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through its Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services specialist divisions.

It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers plasma screens, electrical fittings and power supplies.

www.thorns.co.uk

November 17, 2010

Note to journalists: For further information please contact Paul Smith Associates, tel 01420 22532; fax 01420 520909;

email newsdesk@paulsmithassociates.co.uk

Firefly attended the Sussex Eco awards held at the Sussex County Cricket Club in Hove. There were eight winners in total selected from over 600 entries in categories ranging from green business and green school to foodie of the year and young environmentalist. The gala ceremony was hosted by sustainable designer Oliver Heath. The winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges featuring Thurstan Crocket, head of sustainability at Brighton and Hove City Council, Simon Bottrell, founder of 7 Creative sustainable communication agency, Nigel Flynn, head of education for the Sussex Wildlife Trust and Lisa Ruitherford, media campaigner for Oxfam.

Firefly Solar were awarded Green Business of the Year at the awards. Here's what the judges had to say of Firefly:

"They've broken through and are having a major influence, well beyond Pride and the city. Ethically sound, inventive, technically brilliant, internationalist, passionate. The epitome of a Brighton business for the 21st century everyone in the city and beyond can be proud of."

Check out all the award winners and entrants at the eco awards website:
www.sussexecoawards.org.uk

2CL Communications Ltd, leading provider of wireless business solutions, has taken on additional sales and marketing staff at its Eastleigh headquarters.

 Due to continued growth in the global security markets, the company has been able to invest in new personnel to drive the business forward. The new team members, who arrive with a wealth of experience, are: Stuart Young - Business Development Manager, and Natasha Miller - Sales & Marketing Executive.

 As Business Development Manager, Stuart’s role at 2CL is to principally build upon the company’s already successful radio hire business, looking at the event and entertainment sectors. He joined following the merger of 2CL Communications and his company, SAY Radio Solutions Ltd. Having managed, installed and commissioned temporary two way radios systems in venues across the world, Stuart brought with him 17 years’ experience. His Clients include Goodwood Festival of Speed & Revival, MTV Europe Music Awards and the Brit Awards.

 Taking on the company’s marketing and public relations, Natasha’s role is to increase 2CL’s customer base and raise its profile through mailshots, events and the company websites etc. In her last job as a Marketing Manager, Natasha’s achievements included attracting the company’s biggest customer through direct marketing, increasing its website visitors to record numbers and raising the company’s profile to an award-winning level within the industry.

 Richard Searle, 2CL’s Managing Director, said, “I am very pleased to have both Natasha and Stuart on board as they bring a wealth of experience with them. Natasha will help raise our profile and ensure our existing and prospective clients know what we do and how well we do it. Stuart will be tackling new markets with the hire and sale of two way radio and CCTV equipment. I see this as the start of a new era for the company and look forward to further success in the months to come.”

 The recent introduction of Digital Two Way Radio has aided the company’s growth by bringing opportunities to upgrade clients’ systems. 2CL’s customers can now benefit from crystal clear audio and a range of applications, including: Lone Worker solutions, Personnel Tracking and the linking of two way radio systems to building alarms to allow for fast deployment of staff in emergencies.

Earlier this year, the company also increased its product portfolio with the addition of CCTV systems for both sale and hire. Direct partnerships with JVC Pro for camera equipment and Milestone for monitoring and recording software, has perfectly complimented the Company’s already comprehensive product range.

Richard commented, “We embrace change and always try to stay a step-ahead of the game. I believe this outlook, combined with our growing team of dedicated and highly-experienced individuals, is what helps us retain our position within the industry.”

For more information about 2CL, please visit www.2cl.co.uk.

The Showman’s Show, which celebrated its 25^th Anniversary this year, was the one event not to be missed in October.

The Outdoor Event Services Exhibition featured a colourful and exciting range of stands including a Wall of Death with motorbikes whizzing round, farm-yard animals, an adventure climbing frame, a vomiting statue and even a talking dog on a bicycle!

 Also in attendance at the Show this year, with a slightly more down-to-earth but none-the-less popular stand, was 2CL Communications Ltd. This prominent company, which hires out Two-Way-Radios and CCTV Systems, had its best-selling products on display along with live CCTV footage from the Event. In celebration of 2CL’s first time at the Show, there was also a competition for visitors to win a free pair of Motorola radios.

 The company’s stand drew a lot of interest from visitors to the Show with copious enquiries being taken by members of the 2CL Hire Team; Mike Baker and Stuart Young.

 Hire Business Manager, Mike Baker, said “We are very pleased with how the Show went for us. The stand looked great and attracted interest from leading companies within the industry. The Show also gave us the opportunity to touch-base and build relationships with a number of our current customers and suppliers.”

 2CL will also have a stand at the Event Production Show next year, in February, as part of the NOEA (National Outdoor Events Association) exhibit.

 “We look forward to following up our enquiries from the Showman’s Show over the next few days and hope our presence at the Event Production Show proves as successful” said Mike.

For more information about 2CL Communications, its products and services, please visit: www.2cl.co.uk.

Birmingham based Big Cat Group are combining forces with AMP Entertainment to form a European experiential marketing services company, Big Cat Europe, which will be based in Barcelona, Birmingham and Paris.

Big Cat Europe will combine the resources, skills and services of Big Cat Group and AMP Entertainment, bringing together complementary skill sets and knowledge of the French, Spanish and British markets.

Big Cat Europe will be a multi-faceted company specialising in experiential marketing offering international touring exhibitions and live entertainment consultancy support and production. Big Cat Europe will fill a niche in the European market with a vision to become a leading Marketing and Events company spanning Europe.

The partnership of equals will involve the skills of Birmingham based Big Cat Group which offers a full range of services including Events Management, Creative Design, Marketing and PR, alongside the knowledge and experience of AMP Entertainment, who have ample experience working on some of the worlds most recognised sporting events such as The French Open, The BNP Paris Masters and Rolland Garros Dans La Ville and specialise in experiential marketing and sports event management.

Mike Molloy, Creator of AMP Entertainment said: “We are thrilled to be completing a merger with a highly skilled centrally based British company, creating Big Cat Europe. With the combined skill sets and experience we share between the 3 offices we will be able to improve the first-class, innovative experiential marketing and live entertainment services for the European market that we currently provide.”

Nick Morgan, CEO of the Big Cat Group said: ‘Working with Mike and the team from AMP Entertainment to form Big Cat Europe has been an exciting process, with a number of new opportunities for the new team arising daily. Expanding our reach is something that we have been planning for the past 12 months and we are pleased to see it come to fruition with our first venture CSI: The Experience successfully launching earlier this month.’

Tired of catwalk red? Bored with bland neutrals? Fed up with full-on fuchsia? Look no further! PRIMA, the flooring and access solutions company is about to start a stiletto stampede to its Leicestershire depot as it launches what can only be described as the most glamorous carpet range ever!

Just in time for the Christmas party season, PRIMA Glitterarti is a range that will have party goers going “Wow!” as soon as they walk through the door. Colours like Gold Lamé and Silver Foil do exactly as the name suggests and drape the floor in a flash of metallic sparkliness. Other shades include Midnight Sparkle – black with silver lurex; Ice Queen – white with silver lurex and Pink Stardust – hot pink littered with glittery silver.

PRIMA’s Michelle Tayton says; “It takes something really different for someone in the event business to get excited about flooring, but this range is absolutely fabulous, it will add sparkle to any event and is a really cost effective way to liven things up. We’ve all had enough doom and gloom, if we can’t have fun at Christmas, when can we?”

PRIMA Glitterarti is manufactured to all the required safety standards and is available supply only or fully installed. For further information contact sales@primadirect.co.uk   

Lighting the Dragons

Firefly Solar has made its first move into the broadcast industry. The hit BBC show Dragon’s Den commissioned three Orion Solar Generators to power the set lighting for the new TV series shot at Pinewood Studios. Now described as a global television phenomenon, Dragon's Den seeks out the best of Britain's business hopefuls as selected by five multi-millionaire 'Dragons' who invest in the best entrepreneurial ideas.

Firefly’s Andy Mead says: “The Orion Solar Generators are ideal for location shoots. For example, an Orion Generator can be placed just out of shot rather than sited long distances away, since, unlike diesel generators it makes no noise. This reduces the need for long cable runs and the logistical and health and safety implications of this. Sensitive production equipment will also benefit from a completely pure power wave unhindered by mechanical harmonics or mains noise. Orion Solar Generators are also perfect for nature shoots where power is required but the sound and vibrations of an engine may scare animals. Another key advantage is that they can be used indoors again reducing cable runs into buildings with no permanent power supply. We very much look forward to working more with the broadcast industry in future years.”

G4S, the world's leading secure solutions group, will be providing an extensive range of services to the England team in Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which began on 3rd October.

Under the terms of the agreement G4S will provide a range of logistical and security solutions for Commonwealth Games England, (CGE) which comprises 580 athletes, coaches, medical staff and headquarters staff and VIPs. G4S will manage all the security requirements for the team's VIPs and receptions and will provide security on the shuttle between the Athletes Village and Games' venues, and at the Team Lodge.

Should any members of the organisation or England team need assistance during the Games, G4S, which has a permanent presence in Delhi, will be available to provide extra manpower at short notice to resolve issues or bolster security, as and when required.

G4S will operate a 24-hour crisis centre at the Games to support the England contingent in the event of an emergency. Other services provided include logistics management, the provision of a fully staffed Athletes' Lodge during the Games and transportation for VIP guests of Commonwealth Games England.

Ian Horseman Sewell, Director of G4S Major Events, said:“We are proud to be a supporter of the England team at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. There have been a lot of well-documented concerns about the organisation of this event, but we are here to ensure that for the England team the Games run as smoothly and safely as possible.

“We are providing an integrated security and logistical solution to meet CGE's needs outside of the Village and the venues, complementing the arrangements provided by the Games organisers. The local knowledge of our Delhi-based team will be extremely important in ensuring the Commonwealth Games England team and its guests are happy, secure and safe for the duration of the Games.”

Joanna Robinson, Development Director, Commonwealth Games England, said:“We are delighted that G4S is enabling a lodge facility for the England athletes out in Delhi, and providing Commonwealth Games England with some essential local services. Having a safe and secure environment where the team can relax out of the public eye and meet their family and friends is very important. The professional approach of G4S in supporting the team in India has been a significant asset to our operational delivery at the Games.”

Over the coming months they will be supplying the temporary venues for Lapada Art and Antiques Fair and Pavilion of Art and Design London in Berkeley Square as well as the Frieze Art Fair in Regents Park. Frieze Art Fair requires a colossal 23,400sqm of temporary structure to make up the exhibition venue.

www.owen-brown.co.uk

Last weekend GL events unveiled the temporary village they built for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in conjunction with LITMUS. GL events were also tasked with building the Time Cycling venue as well as 12 other smaller venues.

As well as supplying 56 temporary structures totalling 40,000sqm, some 2,000sqm of which supplied by their UK arm GL events Owen Brown, GL events also supplied 12 reefer containers, 56 dry store containers, 4,000m of fencing, 1,500 fridges, 1,800 TVs including 2 big screens as well as a vast array of ancillary items.

www.owen-brown.co.uk

The women's international hockey champions trophy was held on English soil for the first time ever thanks to help from Leicestershire-based flooring and access solutions company, PRIMA Hire Ltd.

Held at the Nottingham Highfields Sports Centre, home of Beeston Hockey Club, the championships saw six teams compete including England, Netherlands, Argentina, China, Germany and New Zealand. Whilst the club can hold 3000 spectators, the draw of an international event meant organisers needed to increase capacity by constructing a temporary grandstand on one of their artificial pitches.

To achieve this, PRIMA were contracted to supply and install their award-winning access solutions systems, PRIMA Gridmat and PRIMA Terra-Tech, to provide an instant floor for the main grandstand and construction of marquees, pedestrian walkways for spectators to walk around the ground and watch the action and for entrances to the food and merchandise marquees.

Jonathan Vaughan, managing director, PRIMA said: “Beeston Hockey Club needed a product that would protect the hockey pitch from heavy footfall damage, as the championships were running for a month. PRIMA's access solutions systems have strong eco-credentials, part of their design includes air holes to allow the surface underneath to breathe, and so offered the ideal temporary solution.

“As big sports fans, the team was pleased to be able to play such an integral role in not only allowing the event to be hosted ‘on our doorstep' but also in its overall success.” Vaughan concluded.

With the rain plagued Ryder Cup now over and victory going to Europe we are pleased to be able to issue the first photographs of our Absolute double deck hospitality suites, which were certainly needed during the downpours that Wales encountered that weekend.

We erected three Absolute double deck pavilions totalling over 5,000sqm on the Twenty Twenty Golf Course. The structures were used for The Kidwelly private hospitality suite located above the 16

A REPORT has been commissioned to assess the economic impact of the Reading Festival.
Promoter Festival Republic has brought on board Bristol based consultants Baker Associates to determine just how valuable the event is to the local economy.
 
The results will be used to ensure the benefits from the festival are capitalised upon in the future.

THE team behind a successful event in Wales have launched a new programme designed to maintain year round interest in the festival.
 
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been running for the past 62 years, attracting choirs and folk dance groups from around the world to compete.
 
To build on its success, organisers have now decided to introduce new events called LIMELife which will take place in autumn, winter and spring, culminating with the main event in July.
 
This will allow festival fans to take part in events throughout the year and also introduce new supporters to the festival by raising its profile.