Conference Cambridge
Big Meeting? Just mix & match venues – we can make it easy!
 The variety of venues on offer, combined with the compactness of Cambridge (you can walk from one side to the other in under 30 minutes!) is making the City a first choice for organisers of large events – when one venue isn’t big enough we simply combine several venues, which means delegates can enjoy a unique mix of both traditional and contemporary settings.
To make this even easier we now offer organisers a free of charge, multi-site administration service. We assign you a personal multi-site administrator giving you a single point of enquiry right from receipt of the enquiry through to the day itself. Your administrator will check availability at the various venues, work out the best options with regard to locality and present you with a proposal. All you have to do is decide which venues you’d like and your administrator will arrange site visits, accompany you on any visits and assist with contracts and booking procedures.
The latest event to confirm and make use of our new service is the high profile Eurocrypt Conference; 500 delegates scheduled to come to Cambridge in 2012. The organiser, Professor Nigel Smart, chose Cambridge from a shortlist of other locations; reflecting the flexibility of our venues in meeting a number of important criteria.
He said: ‘Holding an event like Eurocrypt in the UK has always been thought to be a difficult task due to the various simultaneous requirements re venues; no one venue seems to have all the facilities one wants. The Cambridge multi-site office was able to help us find two suitable venues within a short walking distance of each other. In addition we have the added value of holding a conference in the city of Cambridge, which is likely to help attract a larger audience than holding the conference in other less historical cities of the UK.
 Eurocrypt is the world’s largest cryptography conference, and the IACR is delighted to be able to hold this in Cambridge in 2012. This is particularly fitting since 2012 will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Turing; who not only famously worked in cryptography in World War II, he also was an alumni of Cambridge University.’
Other recent events which have benefited from our multi-site service have been the 450-strong event organised by JANET(UK), the UK’s education and research network which decided to bring its Networkshop 37 event to the City for the first time in 31 years. The three-day event was held in seven different venues.
Wendy Salmon from JANET(UK) said:'Our delegates loved the locations. We could not have set this up without the help and support of Conference Cambridge.'
Fordham Law also benefited from using different venues for its International Conference this year, which included a major dinner at King’s College, a reception at the Fitzwilliam Museum and even a video-conference with New York, which was very successful, thanks to the excellent AV technology on offer, even with the five hour time difference!
The pictures show Fordham Law delegates enjoying lunch at Robinson College and drinks on the lawn before dinner at King’s College
Opendoors – Take Time Out for a Tour & Afternoon Tea
 With lots of venues to choose from it can sometimes be difficult to make a decision, so why not take the opportunity to sign up on one of our complimentary venue tours?
Meet our conference teams, take a walk through our various function rooms, auditoriums and dining halls and get a feel for our fantastic facilities. When the viewing is over we’ll treat you to afternoon tea, so you can sample our world-renowned hospitality too!
The tours are limited to 12 guests and last just a couple of hours, because we know that you’re not going to be able to sneak away from the office for too long, so we’d advise early booking to avoid disappointment.
You’ll have an opportunity to discuss any events you have planned with the conference manager and we’ll be there too, so if you need to know more about Conference Cambridge we’ll have the answers!
If you’re an event organiser, just take a look to see which dates suit you, complete our RSVP and we’ll be in touch to confirm your place.
DATES:
19th January 2010, 2.00-4.30pm - Corpus Christi College & Queens’ College
17th March 2010, times tbc - Fitzwilliam College & The Møller Centre
21st April 2010, 2.00-4.30pm - Trinity Hall & Gonville & Caius College
May 2010, date & time tbc - Downing College
Opendoors event will continue to run throughout the coming year; we’ll post new dates on our web site as they are confirmed.
RSVP: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=YLRVBS1mPaFDt4FQYZmfTQ_3d
Local Secrets Members enjoy a VIP visit to Cambridge
 Those of you local to Cambridge will know what a fantastic resource the Local Secrets web site is and we’re delighted to be involved. Two Local Secrets members, Doreen and Peter King, won our competition and joined us at the 800th Anniversary University of Cambridge Culinary Competition on 5 November for a VIP viewing of the dishes at the Guildhall and a VIP lunch reception at St Catharine’s College.
Peter said: ‘Thank you all for making us feel so welcome, for your generosity (we’ve never had a goody bag before!) and for such a good lunch. We had no real idea what to expect and were delighted to be able to meet and talk with so many interesting people about one of our favourite things – food!’
Venues
It's all happening at St John's!
The conference and catering teams at St John’s College never rest on their laurels and continue to strive for perfection in customer service and in their catering operation. Training and development amongst staff is paramount to the success of this fantastic venue. In his travels (usually whilst he’s on holiday!) Catering and Conference Manager, Bill Brogan finds himself in some great foodie locations…
Diets are a-changing!
The Mediterranean diet has been hailed as the most popular for the last 20 years, with the Asian Market beginning to have influence over the last two to three years. Now the buzz word is Scandinavian, with reviewers claiming the Scandinavian diet to be the best and healthiest. On a mission to uncover the facts, Bill Brogan, Catering and Conference manager went to Noma in Copenhagen to meet Rene Redzepi, Head Chef and owner whose restaurant has just been voted the world’s best and holds 2 Michelin stars.
Bill said: ‘The food was spectacular, his philosophy interesting and innovative, he has truly turned Nordic cuisine on its head whilst insisting on using local and seasonal ingredients.’
Japanese Visit
Catering managers from 10 universities across the UK recently visited Japan on a study trip sponsored by Oriental Merchants. The visit included a visit to Tokyo University, a Sushi demonstration and a meeting with chefs from the Conrad Hotel, which houses the famous China Blue restaurant and a Gordon Ramsay restaurant. The visit ended with a stop at the world famous fish market to watch the fish auction. The group also took time out to meet with industry leaders, which enabled them to promote the fantastic meeting and conferencing facilities on offer in UK universities to international delegates.
St John’s College spans both sides of the river Cam and can accommodate groups for conferences, meetings and private dining, as well as weddings and other celebrations. One of the dining rooms on offer is the Wordsworth Room, where William Wordsworth lived when he was an undergraduate at the College; the room is mentioned in his autobiographical poem The Prelude.
West Road Concert Hall is a Hit with the BBC
On Friday 30th October 2009, the people of Cambridge were invited to put their 'burning questions' to a panel of 4 politicians from differing parties, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby. The panellists were shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Shirley Williams, UKIP MEP Marta Andreasen and the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer.
The topical debate show, Any Questions? was broadcast live, on BBC Radio 4, from West Road Concert Hall.
Earlier this year, West Road Concert Hall also hosted the televised version of Any Questions?, Question Time, chaired by David Dimbleby. You can listen again to the broadcast here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nh1cm#synopsis
West Road Concert Hall is one of Cambridge’s premiere music venues. Ideally situated only a minute walk from the famous Cambridge Backs and King’s College, it is renowned for its superb acoustical qualities and is a popular conference venue, it has the advantage of being housed within the University’s Faculty of Music, providing a variety of flexible meeting rooms and a spacious, light and versatile foyer area, as well as the concert hall, which can seat up to 499 delegates.
New Meeting Rooms, a Civil Licence and Christmas Celebrations Corpus Christi Style
 Corpus Christi College will be seeing a few changes to its surroundings over the next 12 months with works starting on a new, ground floor disabled flat in the heart of New Court. The Parker Library will also see the addition of some new reading rooms to view the manuscripts. Then in July 2010, two new large function rooms will be opened in New Court, in the old student library. The new seminar rooms will offer the College much needed space for meetings and classrooms, with ground floor access, a break out room, integrated audio visual equipment and beautiful views over New Court lawns – as you can imagine they are eagerly awaited!
Corpus Christi College has just been granted a civil licence this month and can offer civil marriages and partnerships from December 2009.
For Christmas 2009, the College is holding a shared Christmas party night where guests can enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink in the Pelican Bar, a three course dinner in the Hall and dancing in the Pelican Bar until late. Stephen Barker, Bar Manager will be tempting guests with his new cocktail menu, which is available for all events at the College.
Michaelmas term began with a new appointment to the catering and conference team; Chris Le-Vien joins the team as Catering Manager, replacing Kathryn Pell-Walpole who has moved to a new job and pastures new. A new chef, Michael Thorley has also joined the Corpus brigade.
Queens' College Special Offer & Seasonal Recipe
 Shaun Cook, Head Chef at Queens’ College had a seasonal pumpkin recipe featured in Cambridge Style Magazine last month. Shaun’s mouth watering pumpkin recipies are now available on the Queens’ web site http://www.queensconferences.com/default.asp?MIS=163
The recipe is ideal for using root vegetables during the autumn and winter months. Shaun explains: ‘Pumpkins are very versatile in their uses for cooking as most of the pumpkin is edible, from their fleshy shell to the seeds and even their flowers. They are a healthy alternative to potatoes and a great ingredient for making wholesome comfort food during the autumn and winter months.’
Queens’ College is currently offering a special promotion for day meetings and conferences booked for 2010 and 2011. Just book a 2010/2011 event before 31 December 2009 and pay 2009 prices.
Queens' College offers a versatile range of conference facilities, from a lecture theatre to small informal meeting rooms offering multiple layouts suitable for corporate seminars, lectures, group sessions and discussions for delegate numbers from 20 to 245.
The 8 Hour Day Delegate Rate per person is £40.00 + VAT and includes:
• Main meeting room hire
• Tea & Coffee on arrival
• Mid Morning Tea, Coffee & Biscuits
• Buffet Luncheon
• Afternoon Tea, Coffee & Biscuits
• Standard A/V Equipment for the main meeting room (to include data projector, screen, flipchart and OHP)
• Pads, pencils and water
• Service
This offer is available for new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and does not include alcoholic beverages.
To take advantage of this offer please contact the Catering and Conference Office at Queens’ College on 01223 335592 or email info@queensconferences.com. Please quote ‘2010 Offer’.
More En Suite Bedrooms at Magdalene
Work is underway at Cripps Court, Magdalene College to provide another 16 en suite bedrooms to the current facilities on offer.
Cripps Court is an award winning conference centre that provides a year round venue for day meetings and space for residential conferences during vacation periods. It is a striking build that has successfully mixed old with new and it deserves its reputation for being a first class conference venue in the centre of Cambridge.
The new bedrooms are due for completion by October 2010 bringing the total number of en suite rooms at Magdalene to 63.
New Meeting Rooms with Quintessential Classic College Style at Emmanuel College
 Emmanuel College has added two newly refurbished meeting rooms to its conference facilities. The rooms, previously used by the College Development office, provide flexible spaces for smaller meetings and buffets. The two rooms are adjoining, the first decorated in a classic Cambridge College style, lined with books, offers boardroom style seating for up to 14 guests, while the second ante-room is a perfect space for buffet lunches, or dinners.
Christmas by the River at the University Centre
Whatever your plans, whether it’s a party night out, a private dinner party, a department, faculty or office Christmas lunch, or a quiet Christmas Dinner for two, the University Centre has something to offer you. Christmas menus start at just £7.50 for a members’ Christmas lunch to £25 for a Christmas dinner dance. To book contact the University Centre direct on 01223 337766/52. More details and menu options can be found on the University Centre’s web site www.unicen.cam.ac.uk
Simply Networking Does Dining & Contemporary Christmas Celebrations at the Møller Centre
 To mark the success of Simply Networking which launched in May 2009 – the Møller Centre have announced that Simply Networking & Dining will be taking place on Monday 14th December. This will be a celebration of the opportunities gained through networking and a chance to spend the evening in good company with excellent food. Guests will be asked to create a "wish list" of diners they would like at their table - chosen from the pre-registered guest list.
The menu will be a "simply" mouth-watering feast, with locally sourced produce, created by our Executive Head Chef, Alex Bigot.
18.45 - Mulled wine, spicy nibbles and networking in The Tower Lounge Bar
19.30 - Three course dinner and wine served in the Restaurant followed by coffee and Aachen Printen (a type of biscuit!)
Simply Dining and Networking is £40 inc VAT per person. To register please contact Melanie Mann on 01223 465555, or email melanie.mann@chu.cam.ac.uk or register here
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vHf81aea6IUgLWaixYhv2A_3d_3d
Payment will be due on confirmation.
The Møller Centre are offering a Christmas Dining Experience for groups of between 10 – 88 guests, available as a buffet lunch or a Table d’hôte dinner during December. Larger groups can host a private dining experience which can include use of the Tower Lounge Bar, a disco or live music. With ample free car parking guests are being invited to take the worry out of getting home by staying the night with a special Christmas B&B rate. More details about how to book and menus can be found here:
http://www.mollercentre.co.uk/documents/en/Chr/Christmas_A4_web.pdf
Web Site Re-Vamp for the Pitt Building & Magnetic Walls for the New Room
The Pitt Building web site has recently been re-launched following a complete re-vamp.
The new site provides useful, relevant information for event organisers including dimensions and photographs of each room, sample menus and a Venue at a Glance page, which offers a quick summary of the facilities and services.
The website also provides elements of interactivity via feedback, email a friend and online enquiry forms, as well as an updated video presentation, which offers visitors a tour of the building and some good ideas as to how the rooms could work.
The Pitt Building is located in the heart of Cambridge city centre and has recently been refurbished to the highest modern standards to offer 7 well equipped meeting and training rooms for up to 250 people.
Work is currently underway refurbishing a new room for the Pitt Building portfolio. When complete, the room will be fully equipped with video-conferencing facilities, magnetic walls for displays as well as its own lounge area and coffee machine.
The team at the Pitt Building are justly proud to have been accredited by Conference Centres of Excellence, the only venue in central Cambridge to have achieved this accolade.
Westminster College offers Christmas Dining in Oak-Panelled Splendour
Westminster College is inviting guests to celebrate Christmas in their Oak-Panelled Dining Hall, part of the beautiful Grade II listed building, situated in the heart of Cambridge on Madingley Road. With stained glass windows, original 1899 light fittings and an elegant cupola ceiling, it makes the perfect setting for festive celebrations. Menus and prices can be found by clicking here: http://www.conferencecambridge.com/home/index.php?m=news&id=271
Downing’s Delight from the Dorchester & Special New Year Offer for the New Howard Theatre
 Stuart Conibear is the new Executive Head Chef at Downing College he joins the College from Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Culinary Arts in London where he worked as a Chef Teacher of classical French cuisine. His role involved the teaching of basic stocks and sauces to refined plated Michelin standard cuisine.
Le Cordon Bleu Academy has over 30 schools around the world, as well as a number of fine dining restaurants onboard Regent Seven Seas cruise liners. While working on the cruise ships Stuart was also given the opportunity to teach in many countries.
 Stuart is no stranger to Cambridge; he was Executive Head Chef at The Hotel Felix from the day of opening. During his career, Stuart has worked alongside many celebrated Chefs, as well as working in senior roles at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane and celebrity hang out, The Ivy in London.
At Downing College, Stuart will be putting a special emphasis on sourcing and using fresh, seasonal, quality, locally-produced ingredients when creating his dishes. Stuart is very much looking forward to working with the College’s new and existing clients.
To mark the opening of the new Howard Theatre at Downing College clients can take advantage of a special offer – anyone booking the Howard Theatre in January or February 2010 can take advantage of a 10% discount on the day delegate rate of £45 per head, subject to a minimum number of 80 guests. To qualify for the offer organisers must book before 22 December 2009.
Feeling Festive? Try Festive Fitz!
Fitzwilliam College are offering Festive Fitz Party nights this year. Priced at just £32.50 guests will enjoy:
• Drinks reception in a private room
• Three course waitress service dinner
• High quality festive table decorations
• Cash Bar and Bar extension until 23:30 hrs
• Midnight Shadow Disco
Menu and details of how to book can be found here:
http://www.conferencecambridge.com/home/index.php?m=venues&id=8&page=1
Fitzwilliam College lies between Huntingdon Road and Storey’s Way and has ample car parking. The College encapsulates a rare blend of history and innovation living up to its heraldic motto of providing ‘the best of the old and the new.’
Food Fit for a Queen at King's
 The catering team at King’s College, Cambridge successfully served a royal feast when HM The Queen visited the College yesterday.
As part of Cambridge University’s 800th anniversary celebrations, The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh experienced a mouth-watering lunch with long-serving members of the University including the Vice-Chancellor and the Lord Lieutenant.
Jason Waterfield, Director of Catering, at King’s had been planning the royal menu over the past few weeks in conjunction with the Vice Chancellor’s office.
He said: 'This was a red-letter day for all of us and we were thrilled to have had the opportunity to cook for The Queen. We created dishes which included locally-sourced seasonal ingredients such as Cambridge Bleat (a Goat’s Cheese), Cambridge-Reared Red Poll Beef and local honey. It was also important that the food reflected the grandeur of the occasion.'
Following the royal seal of approval the menu chosen comprised of: Organic Salmon & Artichoke, followed by Cambridge-Reared Red Poll Beef and Fairtrade Coffee served with a selection of Hand-crafted Petits Fours. The vegetarian options were Cambridge Bleat Goat’s Cheese followed by Asparagus Risotto.
The Queen last visited King’s on 1st December 1991 when the menu included Salmon Mille Feuille and Fillet of Venison.
Christmas Parties at Murray Edwards College
Let Murray Edwards College take the worry out of your Christmas party and make it a night to remember!
For groups of 12 - 30 people you could share the Christmas spirit and join us on Friday 11th December for a fabulous party in a spectacular Grade II* listed venue.
After a sparkling wine reception and 3 course festive feast, let the house Disco set the scene for a magical evening of fun and dancing until the early hours!
For more information please visit our website at http://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/conferences/dining/christmasparty, or give our friendly Conference team a call on 01223 762267.
You can check availability now for all of our venues - just complete our online enquiry form or give us a call, it's our aim to find the perfect setting for your event!
www.conferencecambridge.com or 01223 768740
Events
The 800th Anniversary University of Cambridge Culinary Competition 2009
  
The University of Cambridge Culinary Competition 2009, which this year celebrated 800 years of excellence in hospitality, began in earnest with a live cook-off at Cambridge Regional College on 28 October. Chefs were challenged to produce 2 courses and 2 covers in an hour and a half. The pressure was well and truly on, but the chefs remained focused and composed producing some fantastic dishes for tasting by the judges. This is the first time a live cooking class has been part of the annual competition and for many of the chefs involved it was their first taste of live competitive cooking too. The live competition was sponsored by Major International Ltd, who kindly supplied the stocks for the chefs to use in their recipes.
Points from the live cooking class counted towards the main competition, which took place on 5 November at the Guildhall. Here 15 different kitchens from Colleges and other University institutions entered an amazing 72 chefs and front of house staff into 8 food presentation classes and 2 front of house classes. The stage was dominated by an impressive ice sculpture, specially commissioned for the 800th Anniversary of the University.
 
The dishes and the front of house competition were judged by a team of 16 judges headed by Peter Griffiths MBE, Director of Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres, Hotelympia and the results will be announced at a special Award Ceremony at Magdalene College on 26 November.
A trade exhibition, which attracted 20 industry suppliers showcasing everything from catering equipment to olives, ran alongside the competition and the public too were invited to join in the celebrations and view the dishes on display.
The competition highlighted the excellent quality, range and creativity of the food on offer in our venues, as well as demonstrating the skills of the front of house staff who have an important role to play in welcoming all our guests.
Photographs from the competition can be viewed on the competition’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/UniversityofCambridgeCulinaryCompetition and winners will be listed on our web site after the award ceremony on 26 November.
Watch our video of the event on 5 November here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEAJd23MxUY
  
Conference Cambridge hosted a VIP reception to celebrate our sponsorship of the Culinary Competition at St Catharine’s College; some of our guests are pictured here.
If you came along to the Culinary Competition on 5 November we’d love to know what you thought of the event, just click this link to give us your feedback.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PV_2bj_2brKcw7EBT6pTalTFSQ_3d_3d
When Oxford came to Cambridge...
 The traditionally-held view of Cambridge and Oxford being arch rivals did not hold true when Conference Organisers from Oxford made the journey east last month.
We extended an open invitation to come and see how we do things here in Cambridge and fifteen conference organisers along with our opposite numbers, the staff from Conference Oxford, took us up on the offer. The day began with a welcome and photo shoot at St John’s College then our guests met to exchange ideas with conference organisers from Cambridge in the Fisher Building where it quickly became evident that many of our daily challenges are faced by our colleagues in Oxford too!
St John’s very generously provided a delicious lunch in the Wordsworth Room and afterwards guests enjoyed tours of both Robinson College and Magdalene College before departing with a goody bag packed full of University goodies.
Kelly Vickers from Conference Cambridge said: ‘We were delighted to welcome the party from Conference Oxford and to be able to reciprocate the hospitality we had received on our visit to them earlier this year. Sharing ideas and examples of good practice is always useful. We hope this will become a regular forum for exchanging ideas.’
Conference Cambridge would like to thank all those that took the time to contribute to the day and make it such a fantastic success. Special mentions go to Bill Brogan and the team at St John’s, Nick Milne from Robinson College, Alan Fuller from Magdalene College and Tim Shorey from Queens’ College.
Madingley Hall Hosts Charity Ball
 Madingley Hall held a spectacular Ball in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice in the summer. A joint venture with the University’s Institute of Continuing Education, the Ball attracted 300 revellers who enjoyed a sumptuous dining experience, dancing to live music and a firework finale. The event raised £10,000 for the charity. Images from the Ball can be viewed online here:
http://www.cont-ed.cam.ac.uk/news-and-events/333-madingley-hall-charity-ball
Happy Clients
‘I have never enjoyed such remarkable customer service anywhere in the world and I have travelled considerably,’ Barbara Nicholson.
‘Many thanks it is such a good way of finding a venue in Cambridge,’ Sue Stewart, Resources Manager, RPS Group plc.
‘We had a number of excellent choices and I am very pleased with the service you offer,’ Tony Millington.
‘Thank you for your help in stream-lining the selection process. Conference Cambridge is an invaluable service and has helped to secure two excellent venues for our meeting,’ Dr Oliver Kayes, NHS.
‘Your service has been very prompt and very helpful – as indeed has been the response from the Colleges,’ Richard Harper.
‘Your service successfully helped us to secure bookings at Queens’ and Christ's Colleges for our Gala Dinners so many thanks. Conference Cambridge is the most efficient service I've come across in a long time - I won't hesitate to use your service again and recommend it to colleagues,’ Suzanne Williams, University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering.
Partners
The partners section of our web site is packed with details of all kinds of suppliers, so next time you need to find a musician, a designer for an exhibition stand, a photographer, or even a taxi you know where to look! Here are a couple of suppliers we’ve added in the last few weeks…
Vilensky Event Music
 Vilensky Event Music has over five years of experience in providing exceptional live music at weddings, corporate and other special events. We provide a variety of ensembles including the Vilensky String Quartet, StringTrio, various Duo Ensembles, Solo Harp and Piano. Vilensky Event Music has performed across the UK and at some of the best venues that London has to offer including the Savile Club, the Orangery at Holland Park and the Ritz. In the Cambridge area we have provided music at the Cambridge Garden House Hotel, Swynford Paddocks and are the preferred supplier of music at Longstowe Hall.
Our musicians are professional, reliable and impeccably presented. As graduates of the best music colleges in the world and successful freelance professional musicians, we can guarantee unsurpassable quality. Whether you are planning a wedding ceremony, a sophisticated drinks reception or you are looking for some background music to soften the atmosphere during dinner; our music can add a touch of class and warmth to complete the atmosphere of your event. Our music and presentation is exceptional.
Contact: Anna Davies
Telephone: 07770 998601
Email: vilensky@vilenskyeventmusic.co.uk
Website: www.vilenskyeventmusic.co.uk
Benchmark
 Benchmark is a graphic design consultancy with an honest and reliable reputation. We offer value for money and a professional, creative service. Our skills include, branding, design for print, website design and design for exhibition.
Contact: Melanie Mann
Telephone: 01353 668069
Mobile: 07793 030991
Email: info@benchmarkgraphics.co.uk
Website: www.benchmarkgraphics.co.uk
Please don't hesitate to contact Conference Cambridge with any questions or comments.
T: 01223 768740 | F: 01223 768741 | E: enquiries@conferencecambridge.com
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Issue 9, November 2009
