Hotmail - University of Kent · Open 2011 After 8 years one of the world’s greatest golfing events returned to Sandwich, Kent from 14-17 July. Royal St George’s Golf Club hosted

Spring 2012

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www.kentconferences.com www.kentgroups.com www.kenthols.com

For the fourth year running the Conference team has scooped the trophy for ‘Best UniversityAccommodation for Groups’.

Back row from left: Karen Keen, Rosanna Callow, Michele Gill, RachelWalmesley. Front row from left: Kevin Stuckey, Simon Calder (Group Travelwriter and broadcaster), Louisa Grillo, Paul Lionakis and Patrick Bradley

Bringing you news and updates from the Conference team at the University of Kent

Fourth award for campus accommodation

Quakers YearlyGathering 2011The University of Kent in Canterbury hosted its largest event of 2011 with 1,500 Quakersgathering for their Yearly Meeting at theUniversity from 30 July to 6 August. The themeof the Gathering was: ‘Growing in the Spirit:changing the way we live to sustain the world we live in’.

Sheena Butterworth, Executive Conference Officer at the University commented:

‘The Quakers found the University of Kent to be the ideal location for their YearlyMeeting. Our spacious 450 acre campus is ideal – they arranged for a specialbig top in Rutherford car park for their main worship sessions and severaladditional marquees were provided for the social programme. Some 270 youngpeople attended with their families and found our self-catering accommodationat Park Wood Village ideal as their base for the week. It is fantastic that weattracted this major event to Kent for the second time.’

© Mike Pinches 2011 for Quakers’

Readers of the Group Travel Organisermagazine vote for the awards and Kent wascompeting with six other universities, includingthe London School of Economics and theUniversities of Exeter, Durham, Nottingham,Portsmouth and Reading. Speaking after theceremony, Residences and ConferenceManager, Kevin Stuckey, said: ‘It is fantastic towin this award again, particularly as it was ourcustomers who voted for us, but we could nothave done it without the hard work and dedication of all Kent Hospitality staff’.

Our on-going refurbishment programmeensured that our accommodation was re-accredited with 3/4 star rating in 2011

2 Kent Hospitality Hotmail

In brief


When delegates registered forthe TUCO Conference in July2011 they were asked if they‘dared to be different’ – withoutbeing told what they might haveto do! Names were drawn out on the last day of theconference and delegates whowere daring enough weretreated to a helicopter trip overcampus and the local area.

The Conference is an annual event at whichmembers of The University Caterers’ Organisationand exhibitors have the chance to get together.

Jean Christophe Novelli’s tales of previousemployment under famous chefs, toying with acareer as a porn star and obtaining respectedhonours in the world of food, held an enlightenedaudience satisfyingly captive.

The BritishOpen 2011After 8 years one of the world’sgreatest golfing events returnedto Sandwich, Kent from 14-17July. Royal St George’s GolfClub hosted ‘The Open’ for the14th time.

The University accommodation is within easyreach of Sandwich and proved very popular withboth golfers and event staff, resulting in over 2,500people staying on campus. These included thecaterers ‘Sodexho’, the security staff at G4S, TheBritish and International Greenkeepers Association(BIGGA) and BBC Outside Broadcasters.

We definitely dared to be different!

University of Kent 3


PR and Marketing ConsultantJoyce Cawthorpe is delighted to have beenworking with Kent Hospitality since 2009, whenshe launched her own freelance Marketing/PRconsultancy. The University of Kent is one of herkey clients.

Prior to 2009, Joyce worked for VisitBritain, the national tourist board, for over 20 years in a variety of roles. Latterly she acted as key account managerresponsible for the organisation's global partnerships with key nationalaccommodation operators including Venuemasters and national hotel groups.Prior to that she specialised in marketing the UK in key near-European marketsincluding Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland.

A fluent German speaker with extensive tour operator and media contacts inthese European markets, Joyce is able to help the University initiate and buildup strong partnerships with key European tour operators.

In 2012 Joyce will be representing the University on the VisitBritain stand at theworld’s largest tourism exhibition, ITB – an excellent platform to promote theUniversity to key European tour operators. Joyce will also continue to representthe University on the VisitKent stand at RDA, the annual German coach touroperators’ workshop in Cologne.

Joyce is also responsible for raising Kent Hospitality’s profile in her press work,issuing regular press releases and providing editorial for relevant publications.Kent Hospitality also benefits from her strong contacts throughout the UKtourism industry, and in particular her excellent relationship with the VisitKentteam who she keeps in close contact with to ensure we take advantage of themany marketing and PR opportunities they offer.

Joyce works from home in Maidenhead, Berkshire but visits us regularly oncampus and will be putting her German language skills to good use in earlyApril when she helps us host 200 German teachers visiting the University aspart of their familiarisation visit to Kent organized by one of our key Germanclients, CTS.

E: [email protected]: 01628 628937M: 07590 123299

360 degree‘virtual’online toursKent Hospitality has just launched 360 degree‘virtual’ online tours of each area on the campus,enabling prospective clients to view the fullrange of its facilities – including individualbedrooms, kitchens, lounges, restaurants –which enables them to gain an immediate overallimpression of the 450 acre parkland campus.

The virtual tours can be found atwww.kent.ac.uk/conferences/virtualtour/index.html



Recognising that organising aconference can be a very timeconsuming project, especially ifyou do not have the resourcesavailable, our event managementservice has been set up to provideacademic departments or externalclients with a cost effectivesolution to arranging conferencesand events on (or off) campus.

Here at Kent we have a team of event specialistswho have a wealth of experience in organising a wide range of events, from cocktail parties andwedding receptions to day meetings andinternational conferences. Why not make us your“One stop shop” for your next conference?

Planning Your EventThe detailed initial planning of an event is crucialto its eventual success. We will work with you toplan the event down to the last detail including:

• Bid proposals • Clarifying the purpose and aims of the event • Generating unique and creative ideas • Agreeing time plans and schedules • Budget preparation

On/Off Line RegistrationKent Conferences’ aim is to make the registrationprocess as simple as possible using the latest web based technology

• Web based booking designed to yourspecification

• System can link with any website • Safe and secure and can only be accessed by authorised personnel

• Delegates enter their own information • Payment made on-line – all major forms of payment accepted

• Automated responses sent on completion of booking

• Delegates choose meeting sessions andaccommodation preferences

• Can contain links to location maps andprogrammes

• Various booking status reports available

Print, Design and ID Card/BadgesOur on-site print and ID card production units can help with:

• Programme printing • Invitation design • Design and print of promotional products andwelcome gifts

• ID card design and production incorporatingcompany logo etc

• Bar-coded budget cards for organisers anddelegates

• Menus and signage

Social ProgrammesWorking with a range of entertainment agenciesand local coach/travel operators we can help you arrange

• Partners programme • After dinner speakers • Bands, DJs, magicians and other entertainment • Themed events • Visits to local attractions • Day trips to France and Belgium • Dine-outs to local restaurants

Post Event AnalysisWe will provide a final report for the event whichwill include:

• Detailed attendee lists • No shows and late registrations• Delegate feedback form or on-line evaluationfeedback

• Final income and expenditure statements

Contact Louisa GrilloT: 01227 828000 F: 01227 828019 E: [email protected]

Event Management Services

£35.00 per delegate to include• Setting up an on-line registration/bookingservice

• Receipt and acknowledgement of individualregistration/ accommodation bookings

• Collection of registration andaccommodation fees

• Liaison with individual delegates• Preparation of delegate packs and badges • Sending out joining/arrival instructions • Manning the registration desk on arrival day• Preparation of final accounts anddisbursement of monies

• Collation of delegate feedback

Founded in 1998 Kinetic Solutions Ltd, aMicrosoft Certified Partner has developedleading edge conferencing and eventmanagement, student accommodation andcatering software. Over 100 UK HE Universityand Colleges use Kx software as well asdedicated conference centres and uniquevenues looking to maximise revenueopportunities and manage costs throughautomation of repetitive, manual processes.

KSL’s product and technology roadmap incollaboration with feedback from existing clientshas enabled KxRegistration to be added to thealready successful product suite. KxRegistrationbased on Microsoft’s .NET technology enablesdelegates to register for events selecting eitherby package or by the resource they want tobook e.g. dinner, lecture, bedroom etc.KxRegistration provides the flexibility to buildpackages, offering choices to delegates, theevents can be published online and targetedattendees encouraged to book as well asintegrating with core KxConferencingfunctionality. The application is perfect not only

for conferences but also for events likeGraduation, when bedrooms, gowns, lunchesetc. need to be managed. Attendees can book,register and pay for an event online to includetheir details and preferences.

KSL are delighted to welcome the University of Kent as one of the first purchasers ofKxRegistration to complement their alreadysuccessful Event Management Services. “Wehave successfully worked with UKC over manyyears and have always been impressed withtheir quality and visionary approach.KxRegistration will further streamline servicesand allow them to handle the most complex of events with ease.” said Anne-Marie Hunter,Sales and Marketing Director KSL

University of Kent purchases “Kx Registration” software


New andupgraded facilities


University of Kent expands with a £25 million investment in 2012The University of Kent’s £25 millionredevelopment of Keynes College, (completed Autumn 2011), has resulted in 500 new bedrooms on the Canterbury campus including, for the very first time,90 double en-suite rooms.

The redevelopment also included the refurbishment of 162 existingbedrooms and the extension of its popular flagship bistro, Dolche Vita. The increase in the number of bedrooms has directly resulted in thecreation of 20 new jobs in catering and housekeeping.

Kevin Stuckey, Residences & Conference Manager at the University,commented: ‘I am delighted that our students, staff and visitors havegiven the redevelopment of Keynes their unanimous approval. Theadditional 500 new bedrooms has given us a critical increase in our totalaccommodation capacity to over 4,000 bedrooms. This has enabled theUniversity to attract significant new overseas business during the Olympicand Paralympic Games in 2012; including the Nepal Olympic andParalympic teams and the German Table Tennis Association.’

The new-build sections of the redevelopment comprise a combination ofen-suite student flats and townhouses with large ground floor kitchens andbedrooms, with shared bathroom facilities on the floors above. In additionto the University’s specification of 13 square metre bedrooms (larger thanthe sector norm), there are 96 generously proportioned double bedrooms.

Dolche Vita Restaurant• An extension was built on the existing Dolche Vita creating space for an additional 80 diners

• New seating and tables have been installed outside Dolche Vitaoverlooking the duck pond creating a perfect area for a BBQ or drinks reception

Origins• Contemporary, more modern look with comfort and warmth improved• 2/3rds of seating now comfortable, including sofas and booths• 10 plasma screens for diverse use; marketing, multiple sports events• New state of the art sound system• Completely new menu embracing the popular old Origins favouritesand some new healthier options

• Enlarged kitchen to aid diversity and speed of production• Two new pool tables• New morning goods area for production of freshly made breakfastsandwiches (bacon, egg etc cooked before the customer) and coffees

Park Wood Village• 39 self-catering houses were completely refurbished• Carpets replaced• Lighting updated and redecoration throughout• New kitchen units, appliances and boiler• UPVC windows and soffits and lofts fully insulated



New andupgraded facilities

Colyer-FergussonMusic Building2012 will see the opening of the Colyer-Fergusson Music Building/Concert Hall

The University of Kent is currently constructing a new centre for musicperformance ‘The Colyer-Fergusson Music Centre’ which will boast amagnificent 600-seat auditorium. From summer 2013, visiting choirs will beable to stay on the campus and use the new centre both for music rehearsaland performances. Located next to the Gulbenkian Theatre & Cinema, it willcreate one of the most complete Arts centres in the South East.



Leisure time facilities at the University of KentThe University has excellent on-site sports facilities available which include 2 indoor sports halls, squash, sauna and multi-gymnasium as well as an all-weather multi-activity pitch, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, football,

rugby, cricket and hockey pitches. The University’s own on-site cinema – the Gulbenkian – can even arrange private film viewings for groups andconferences.

Leisure timefacilities

Kevin StuckeyResidences and ConferenceManager

Heads both the Accommodationand Conference Offices within Kent Hospitality.

Sheena ButterworthExecutive Conference Officer

Manages external residentialconferences. Also office managerand responsible for departmentaladvertising and marketing.

Patrick BradleyConference Officer

Manages UK, European andinternal language/summer schools.Also responsible for departmentalfinance and administration.

Louisa GrilloEvents Co-ordinator

Manages external day meetings,events and functions. Alsoresponsible for delivering ourEvent Management Services.

Rachel WalmesleyGroups Co-ordinator

Manages UK, European andinternational group bookingsand individual B&B/self-cateringbookings. Also responsible forinternal catering administration.

Caroline Dennis-HamesConference Services Co-ordinator

Liaises between the ConferenceOffice, our clients and our serviceproviders to ensure smoothrunning operational practices.Also responsible for departmentaladministration.

Meet the Conference Team

There’s no businesslike show business!Canterbury campus has a thriving arts scene, with theGulbenkian, an arts centre hosting drama, music, films,comedy and other events running throughout the year.

Holiday and conferencevisitors see the latestblockbuster, independentand foreign films for just £5!

Hire Us!With a 340 seat theatre withprofessional lighting, soundand projection facilities andfully equipped 300 seatdigital 3D cinema facility andonsite catering from ourCafé Bar we can put yourevent in the spotlight.

For more informationplease contact Liz Moranon 01227 823652 or [email protected].

Gulbenkian, University of KentTickets and information 01227 769075www.thegulbenkian.co.uk

Meetings Groups EventsUniversity of Kent

• Self-contained campus set in 450 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds• Overlooks the historic City of Canterbury and its famous Cathedral• Accommodation for up to 4250 in vacation periods: April/May and June toSeptember

• Conferences, groups and family holidays• Wide selection of restaurants and bars• Indoor and outdoor sports, ideal for training camps and tournaments• On-site shops and banking• Ideal base to visit London and the South East• Easy access to France for a more unusual day trip• On-line accommodation bookings and event management services available

For further information or a personal quotation please contact: T: +44 (0)1227 828000F: +44 (0)1227 828019 E: [email protected]

www.kentconferences.comwww.kentgroups.comwww.kenthols.com


Kent Hospitality, The UniversityCanterbury, Kent CT2 7LX, UK

T: 01227 828000 F: 01227 828019 E: [email protected] www.kent.ac.uk/conferences

DPC 112618

Documents

Hotmail - University of Kent · Open 2011 After 8 years one of the world’s greatest golfing events returned to Sandwich, Kent from 14-17 July. Royal St George’s Golf Club hosted