For the Eco-Conscious…

Buy The Kilo

These days we’re all looking for ways to UP our sustainability game, so start your sustainable shopping habits, and fill up on your Christmas groceries at Buy The Kilo in Tynemouth. With local art, and reusable cups on sale you might even tick another gift off the list.

For the Stylish Homemaker…

The Biscuit Factory

Find a gift that supports independent artists and makers this season – we particularly like their Maker’s Parcels, carefully curated design pieces, books and other trinkets all wrapped up beautifully

For those who like to drink their presents…

Brinkburn St Brewery

For the person who’s hard to buy for, there is always beer.

For the one and all…

If you are planning to go visit Ratty, Badger and Toad, all holed up within the windows of Fenwick, not sure if ‘For the difficult one’ is a hangover from the previous gift idea? Why not head to another North East stalwart? Some ungrateful gift recipients have strange taste, are notoriously picky and will be quick to openly mock a ‘wrong’ gift but here’s how to win their approval: a Gregg’s Gift Voucher. Always a crowd-pleaser (and is unanimously well-received as a Secret Santa gift). I don’t wish to disclose the tally of Festive Bakes consumed by the BeaconHouse office in only the first week of December, but perhaps we might need to gift each other a fresh fruit and veg delivery box.

 

Shopping Online?

If you are not ready to brace the cold, queues, or bright lights of the high street, our friends at NewcastleGateshead Initiative have launched the Virtual Christmas Market to bring together all our quality regional gift options.

Our favourite picks are;

Sage Gateshead Vouchers – the gift for music lovers.

Sponsor a Bee at Ouseburn Farm – a bee-utiful gift for nature fans

 

Luxury Afternoon Tea at Jesmond Dene House, need I say more.

Put their name centre stage with a named seat at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House for eternity.

Local Heroes Food Market, a box FULL of goodies.

One for the January diet perhaps – MEAT:STACK Gift Cards 

However your Christmas is shaping up this year, we wish you glad tidings, festive feelings and encourage you to shop local where you can. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

BeaconHouse Events has been taking positive action to reduce emissions since our inception in 2014, however working with The Planet Mark for their events we’ve been continuously improving across our portfolio of events with meaningful actions. Our increased focus on reducing our carbon footprint and adopting sustainable working practices has been hugely beneficial to our clients and delegates, and with the rise in virtual, online only events, we’re confident we’ll be reducing our emissions significantly this coming year.

The Planet Mark is also partnered with the Eden Project, the educational charity and award-winning international visitor destination, and centre for education in sustainability and innovation. Every business awarded the certification contributes 5 per cent of the fee to the Eden Project.

Last, but not least, with every new business certification, the Planet Mark protects an acre of rainforest through Cool Earth, the award-winning charity that works alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction.

Find out more about Planet Mark here. 

New CGI videos and imagery released today show that the UK’s newest international conference and exhibition centre will be capable of hosting up to 5,000 delegates with a high level of flexibility across a suite of dedicated spaces.

The centre will include a 6,300 sqm pillar free exhibition hall, which has the capability to be divided into three smaller halls. Alongside this, there will be a 1,620 sqm conference hall, 990 sqm of stunning meeting and events spaces with views of the spectacular NewcastleGateshead quayside and its iconic bridges, and a dedicated 1,350 sqm outdoor events space.

Hailed as one of the country’s most exciting developments, the £260m project on Gateshead Quays will also include a 12,500-capacity arena, two hotels with 290 bedrooms, bars, restaurants, and other public spaces.

Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The Quays development confirms the region’s reputation for world-class events. Gateshead Quays will capitilise on a conferencing demand that the region has been unable to meet and showcase the North East’s strengths to a global audience. The new images show just how unique and special the waterfront site is. An events setting like no other in the UK.”

Kerrin MacPhie, Head of Business Events at VisitBritain, said: “The Gateshead Quays development will create a huge opportunity for NewcastleGateshead, increasing its global reach to attract large-scale events from all over the world. This development is great for the business events industry in the UK and shows confidence within the market.

“The new centre will provide event planners with an exciting option in an already well-established destination within the business events industry and will have a positive impact on bringing more international associations and incentive groups to the area.”

A full planning application has been submitted for the 80,000 sq ft development, positioned between the BALTIC and Sage Gateshead, with a decision expected in Autumn.

If agreed at planning, Gateshead Quays will create approximately 2,000 jobs and inject a much needed £60m into the regional economy each year, as well as attracting an extra 300,000 visitors to North East England. As well as the direct impact, the development will support local businesses throughout the region – from hospitality operators to those in the events industry.

Those within the industry have welcomed the news, Catherine Coulter, Director of Newcastle-based event agency BeaconHouse Events, said: “We deliver over 100 events annually, with 85 per cent of those in Newcastle and the surrounding area, and we relish the chance to show off our region to international visitors bringing their events to North East England.

“New venue space is an exciting new asset that helps us attract business to the region, opening opportunities for us and our clients to create events that didn’t previously have a place here. Enticing new work to the quayside always brings the question – will our attendees be able to see the bridges? – having this impressive set up directly overlooking the Tyne and the iconic views is a fantastic attraction.

“In light of recent restrictions to mass gatherings; large, flexible event space that can handle alternate delivery considerations for ever-changing guidance on social distancing is essential. As much as we enjoy a challenge and responding to the new needs of our clients – developments like this on the horizon give us, our sector and the region something to look forward to for a brighter future for the events and hospitality industry in NewcastleGateshead.”

Paul Szomoru, Director of Business Events at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, added: “It’s fantastic to see these new details on what the International Conference and Exhibition Centre on Gateshead Quays will offer. To have 6,300 sqm of pillar free, flat floor space, along with other substantial spaces, with stunning views of the quayside is going to help us create iconic events. I am particularly excited by the outdoor events space, which I think in the current climate of social distancing will allow organisers to be very creative and original in their approach to networking, social events and even presentations.

“With it being set to open at the end of 2023, this is a bold confidence boost for Gateshead, Newcastle and North East England as we work towards economic recovery in a post-covid world. There’s no doubt that this is an impressive, world class investment, which will enable us to attract bigger national and international events in sectors that are strategically important for the region. Bringing such large-scale events allows us to showcase all North East England has to offer and gives us an opportunity to turn delegates into future leisure visitors, residents and investors.”

International venue and event management company ASM Global has already been confirmed as the operator.

Award-winning global architect, HOK, is designing the overall masterplan for the site, international conference and exhibition centre and the 12,500 capacity arena while AHR Architects are designing the state-of-the-art hotel which forms part of the masterplan. The project team also includes: Project Manager and Contract Administrator, Legends International; Lichfields, Planning Consultants; Gardiner and Theobald, QS; ARUP, structural engineers/ M&E and Vectos for transport planning.

For more information, full details on all the spaces and up to date news on Newcastle Gateshead Quays, visit www.meetNewcastleGateshead.com/gatesheadquays

Get your tech right

We’re always on the go, so it didn’t require any planning for us to unplug laptops, ipads and retreat to the home office (ahem, dining room). We operate from the infamous ‘cloud’ and use Basecamp so we’re always connected, we can heartily recommend Basecamp. ‘Zooming’ is now commonplace, although I’ve already written a strongly worded letter to Dell regarding the location of the camera on my model, it’s somehow angled to get all of my chin(s), and with the current proximity to my fridge I feel personally victimised.

Lists

Always a favourite for the clipboard wielding event planners. Ours are obviously digital now in Basecamp, but the odd post-it with the three most important things to achieve in a day doesn’t go amiss.

1) Don’t turn on Netflix
2) Don’t turn on Netflix or sit on the sofa
3) Don’t turn on Netflix or sit on the sofa and get the blankets

Capsule your workload

Hugely popular across the BHE office, we ‘batch’ our workload due to the number of projects we work on. So programme in the diary work on specific projects/tasks, and plan out your day. You’re more accountable when there is an Outlook reminder telling you you’ve really got to find out where to source that huge pineapple. With fewer interruptions and a focus, it’s easier to complete tasks one at a time.

Boundaries

We’re used to working onsite so can set up a workspace anywhere, from a tiny bird hide in Kielder Forest, to the House of Lords, we’ve remotely worked all across the country. Once you’ve set boundaries in terms of workspace, you must also stick to time boundaries. Yes, you are saving on the daily commute, but you can’t extend the day as this isn’t always good for our mental health. You’ll be more productive in your working hours, rather than experiencing burn out. For lunch (and always take a lunch), get out of your workspace, take a turn around the garden, get some fresh air or finally sort out that sock drawer you’ve been putting off (yes that is my plan for Thursday and what of it?).

Don’t Isolate

Digitally that is. We’re used to being around people, they are at the centre of the business, so we have made it a priority. We have regular team Zoom calls scheduled in, get regular pup-dates from team members on Whatsapp, and ping each other regularly to make sure nobody is feeling the negative effects of working at home. So Carol, what did you have for lunch today??

Just remember having Netflix on the background, NEVER works.

With the ongoing risk of COVID-19 worldwide, we are committed to hosting a safe and secure environment at each of our events for all delegates and guests.

Our team is now working from home, but continuing to support our clients to find solutions so we can postpone or go virtual and avoid cancelling events.

We are paying close attention to advice from the UK health authorities to play our part in helping look after the people in our team and around us.

16th March 2020, BeaconHouse Events

Myth: Event professionals get paid to go to parties

Reality: That would be awesome, but no. Like many event organisers, we don’t just organise parties, we organise conferences, meetings, corporate events and SOME of these events have parties attached. Although we’ll be seen at a party, we are working, making sure everything goes smoothly, dealing with last minute problems and letting the client relax. The actual event is just the tip of the iceberg, behind any event there are weeks, months, or even years of organising, decision making and planning.

Myth: Event planners like spending money

Reality: You may have seen the 1991 comedy classic ‘Father of the Bride’ and the iconic exchange.

George: Ok, everything. How much?
Howard: [cutting out] – dred and – ifty a -ead.
George: You’re breaking up. It sounded like you said 150 a head.
Howard: No, no!
George: Good. I was about to kill myself.
Howard: It’s 250 a head.

But in reality, we aim to maximise impact for an achievable budget, and are always upfront and clear about costings. Across many of our events we turn a profit or surplus for our clients…and we wouldn’t ever push anything unnecessary, like perhaps swans waddling around the tulip border.

Myth: Event management is glamourous

Reality: Sampling menus, shopping for decor, networking with celebrities is the summary of our profession according to pop culture – thanks to Jennifer Lopez in ‘The Wedding Planner’. In real life we are more like ‘Oceans Eleven’ only there are no heists. The majority of the time we are working with tight budgets, short timelines, last-minute cancellations, outdoor installs in the bitter cold, 15 hour days. The profession does offer the opportunity to travel and meet very interesting speakers, so it’s understandable why those in a desk job may be envious!

Myth: Anyone can be an event organiser

Reality: Non-event professionals can throw a small gathering, but hey Baby George and his posse of two-year olds don’t have high standards. ‘I planned my own wedding’ you say, sure, but would you not rather have relaxed in those special days and not freaked out when Aunt Brenda decided she was a Fruitarian (subset of veganism – eats: fruits, nuts and seeds). Perfect, thanks Aunt Brenda.  Event planning requires a range of skill sets, including creativity, accounting, and having a fantastic ‘Voice of God’ tone for cajoling your guests into different rooms (props to Director Catherine, who has a history of doing voice-over work, and can really command the room). Within the team, we’ve got a range of experience from venue management, association conferences, project management and we’d like to think that we’ve got some of the best in the business, the crème de la crème, from over 500,000+ event professionals working in the UK sector. See it is a real job; there are loads of us.

What we can summarise [WARNING: not-so-humble brag incoming] is that event organisers are some of the hardest working, efficient and skilled people in the whole world! While we might hang out in the green room with Steph McGovern, and have fun scoffing a few canapés during an event, we have a hard-working ethic, are meticulous planners and our clients benefit from our creative flair and commercial acumen.