BEING INFORMED GIVES YOU OPTIONS, CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPTIONS GIVES YOU RESULTS!
In these tough economic times every savvy company looks at ways to reduce costs and make efficiency savings.
If you book hotels, meetings and arrange business travel, when was the last time you reviewed your travel & accommodation policy (that’s if you even have one)? Can you tell in an instant where all your staff are staying and what they are spending?
If you are responsible for costs control and tasked to make efficiency savings, then you you’d be mad not to just take a quick look at what we do here and what’s really going on in
Our parent company Planet Venues will not only review or help implement your policy, we will consolidate your bookings into one manageable online space, control your expenditure, offer support out of hours, monitor staff whereabouts (now a legal requirement) and give you financial reports, so you can see just how efficient you have become.
So how much would you expect to to paying for a quality service like this and to make savings? Potentially how about NOTHING! If your company spend over 100K a year on travel, meetings and hotels, being informed gives you options!
Interested or know a colleague who might be, then pass us on.
To find out more visit http://www.planetvenues.com/
Or contact us direct +441793 772999
How do you reward a successful team?
With turnover up 23% on last year and to celebrate its recent summer success, Swindon based event company Planet Pursuits rewarded its team to a team away day . But just what does an event company choose to do for its staff? “That’s a really tricky question” remarked Director, Simon Maddison, “my team run so many events I don’t really don’t want to repeat any.” So this year the company voted for sky diving, well almost! They opted for indoor sky diving, the next best experience. “I really don’t think I could convince my team to do a real jump, so flying in a vertical wind tunnel seemed as exciting and a little more practical”, added Simon. The team went to Airkix in Basingstoke for their flight experience. Judging by the beaming smiles on the photos, the event was heralded as a great success and a break from the day to day of office life. “My team works really hard, in a very competitive market, so I see away days as a reward, a chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company. On events you see a real difference in corporate culture between those who invest regularly in their people and those who don’t and want a quick fix. Personally I think its money well spent and maintains my teams performance levels,” added Simon.
Planet Pursuits are no strangers to organising team events, conducting over 250 events a year across a wide range of event disciplines. Despite a difficult five years and recessionary impacts on event expenditure, the company has diversified and gained a market hold in venue finding and hotel booking consolidation, which has allowed continued steady growth. The company has seen a year on year average growth of 12% since 2009 with a massive 23% jump in year ending 2012 – 2013. “We have a cautiously optimistic outlook on the future” remarked Simon. “The business is there, you just have to work harder for it and deliver outstanding levels of service and value for money. Good companies recognise the need to reward effective teams and maintain performance ”. Well that’s good news on the economic outlook for one Swindon based company.
Planet Venues – Helping You Get The Best Rates In The Market
In this ever turbulent economic client, sister company Planet Venues is constantly being faced with an ongoing challenge from its procurement and travel managers – How can you achieve us the best available rates whilst fulfilling all of our travel needs? The answer isn’t necessarily a simple one but combines a mix of established and trusted relationships with hundreds of hotel chains, negotiating skills and analysis on travel spend and advising on the best way our clients are going to play this far from level playing field.
The reason hotels are having to vary prices so drastically from day to day is all due to something called dynamic pricing. With the country going through such a tough time financially it is understandable that the industry is resorting to this strategy so as to gain the highest possible yield from each room as they can per night, and with advancing technology being used by revenue managers it is becoming easier for them to do so.
Whilst we do our best to reduce our clients average room rates, we do not control the market. Therefore it is our job to understand the market fully and be able to relay all of this experience and knowledge to our clients helping them to drive room rates down.
For more information on Planet Venues and what we can do for your company’s travel needs please contact the team today on 01793 772999 or venues@planetpursuits.com
Gin at the Feathers and Champange at the Manor
Having recently joined the team at Planet Venues, I was delighted to be invited along on my first weekend trip away to The Feathers Hotel in Woodstock. Being part of the Hotel and Venues Administration Support team, it is beneficial for me to see venues from a first-hand experience, so that we can advise our clients on the best properties that fit their requirements.
Located in the heart of The Cotswolds, The Feathers hotel is very well known for holding the Guinness world record for the largest selection of Gins. As part of our visit to the hotel we kicked off the weekend with a refreshing gin tasting session hosted by head waiter, Ben. After having a variety of gins presented to us from all around the world, we then moved along to the hotel’s restaurant where we were all seated for a sumptuous 5 course meal including Cotswold lamb, yellow fin tuna and banana mousse.
Whilst in the Cotswolds market town of Woodstock, we were advised to visit Blenheim Palace, which is situated just at the edge of town. Due to the venue being closed for 2 months of the year, we were unable to enter the building, however we did manage to get a good idea of what the Palace has to offer due to its grand appearance and the well maintained grounds. The Palace is not short on wow-factor and offers a stunning backdrop to host an array of events.
Following our trip to Blenheim Palace, we then made our way across to Upper Slaughter where we arrived at The Lord Manor House, the sister hotel of The Feathers. This wonderful venue has a stunning setting, meeting areas and bedrooms of an impeccable standard. Here we enjoyed a champagne lunch, consisting of a variety of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and cakes.
One thing that particularly stood out to me about both hotels was the service provided by the staff, which immediately welcomed us into their properties and instantly took care of all our needs – nothing was too much trouble. Apart from a venues facilities and space, service is one particular factor that we look for when conducting site visits and fam trips. We need to be assured when our clients stay at a hotel they will be looked after to the best possible standard.
I am very much looking forward to receiving enquiries so that our team can recommend these spectacular venues. For further information on our services that we provide, please click the link. http://www.planetvenues.com/book-a-hotel.html
Stunning Druids Glenn Fam Trip
I was recently invited to Druids Glen in Wicklow Ireland for a FAM trip.
Whilst the hotel which is currently undergoing a refurbishment, I was extremely impressed with the size of the rooms and how well appointed they were.
The conference facilities are excellent with 2 smaller boardrooms and a larger room for conferences. There’s first class spa and leisure facilities and two championships gold courses. The hotel also boasts an impressive ballroom which would be suitable for gala dinners, weddings or product launches.
Johnnie Foxes pub is well worth a visit, boasting to be the highest pub in Ireland with excellent food and traditional Irish entertainment. A swift tour of the Guinness store house completed my trip and a longing to return to Ireland very soon.
If you would like details of Druids Glen or other venues in UK and Ireland, call our venues team who will conduct a no obligation free search. T 01793 7772999 http://www.planetvenues.com
Planet Venues are always happy to inform you of the best special offers that are available in the market place.
The Mercure Hotel Village and Spa, Bolton – Day Delegate rate for only £25 or 24 Hour rate for only £89!!
Devere Village Urban Resorts – 2 night B&B breaks from £25.75 per person, per night including dinner on the first night.
Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hal Hotel and Spa – Day Delegate rate for only £25 per delegate inc VAT or 24 hour delegate package from £110 per delegate inc VAT!!
The Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel – Day Delegate Rate inc VAT for £35 or 24 hour rate, inc VAT for £130!! This offer is available when booking for a minimum of 20 delegates on a Day Delegate package OR a minimum of 30 delegates for a 24 hour package.
The Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa – Day Delegate rate from £33 per person or 24 hour rate for £110!! Offer applicable for bookings taking place in January,
February and March 2013 with a minimum number of 10 attendees.
Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel – Dinner, Breakfast and Bed for 2 people for £150!!!
Dewsell Court, Herfordshire – Day Delegate Rates at £120 per person inc VAT or a Corporate Rate of £290 per person, per night inc VAT (minimum of 8 people)
Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham – B&B offer in a Classic or Superior room for £87.50 plus VAT per person or a 24 hour rate for £125 plus VAT per person available Sunday to Thursday until end of March 2013 and subject to availability.
Mallory Court, Warwick/Royal Leamington Spa – B&B offer for £99 per person, available on Fridays and Sundays or Day Delegate packages for £35.00 per person and 24 hour Delegate packages for £169.00 per person.
Mount Somerset Hotel & Spa – Stay and Spa offer from just £117.50 per person per night, available through Sunday to Thursday or 24 hour Delegate package for £165.00 per person for meetings booked in January and February 2013
Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel – Buckland’s popular romantic escape deal for only £399 for the two of you! Includes a 2 night stay, a bottle of champagne and chocolates on arrival and a 2 course dinner on both nights. Not valid Fridays and Saturdays from March –
October, Christmas/New Year or Valentines. Or a 24 hour Delegate rate for £155 per person.
Stoke Rochford Hall – Day Delegate Rates now £24 per person or 24 hour residential rates are now £99 per person.
Cheltenham Park Hotel – 24 hour rate for £130 inc VAT or Day Delegate Rates for £30 inc VAT.
To take advantage of one of these deals today, please contact one of our team members on 01793 772999.
Theme Party Montage
Here’s a small selection of our theme party events.
007 Experience
Tim and Simon from Planet Pursuits with the 007 experience cars
http://www.planetpursuits.com/press-releases_007_experience_day.php
Can 007 save the day?
Just what does an event company do for its own team building event? This was the daunting task set for the director of an event company by his staff – it was unanimous, the boss should plan this event!
“It was challenging,” remarked Simon Maddison of UK based event management company Planet Pursuits. “It’s a bit like organising a day for someone who has had everything – been there and done that. The problem is we have arranged pretty much every kind of event for every type of client!”
This event formed part of the company’s bi-annual strategy to both reward its staff, but also to present an opportunity to explore some new event initiatives and experience some new venues. The weekend chosen in October coincided with the release of Bond movie Skyfall, so it seemed inevitable to Simon that this event should take on a 007 theme. “Of course that should involve some form of mission, driving fast cars, helicopters, guns and let’s not forget all set in some amazing locations,” remarked Simon. “Being in the industry certainly helps, but I was still presented with the same challenges we face day to day with our corporate clients.”
In total 10 guests (or ‘agents’) attended this exhilarating event, but it all started with a top level of office secrecy to build anticipation. Despite desperate attempts of staff to hack the boss’s mobile the event remained a complete mystery – suppliers were given code names when calling the office.
The day commenced with a mission briefing via the company’s popular internet based team game ‘Spy-Inc’. Teams were handed an iPad which activated a mission clock and outlined the objective for the day. Each objective would stop the mission clock and allow teams to progress through the mission. The first objective was for each agent to attend a spy school, during which necessary skills would be exercised, such as weapon handling, driving all terrain buggies and military drill.
The next objective was to code break the location of two 5 star venues that the staff had to infiltrate and conduct a 24 hour reconnaissance of. After two hours of training, the teams had worked out the objectives and the venues; all they needed now was the transport. Bring in the helicopters Bond style! A Vanquish Aviation helicopter landed on the lawns of the company’s headquarters in Wiltshire and whisked the team away to The Greenway – a luxury country house hotel near Cheltenham. Here the team enjoyed a private lunch in the oak panelled dining room. A short tour of the hotel facilities incorporated phase two of the mission ‘infiltration’, as teams had to gain valuable information about its host venue.
Next teams were asked to take part in an exercise of chance, as each team was given chips to attend a casino, the winners would choose the next mode of transport. The selection was obvious, an Aston Martin & Range Rover. The winners drove in style to the final destination, the stunning 5 star Ellenborough Park Hotel and Spa overlooking Cheltenham Racecourse. Here teams conducted a final ‘infiltration’, before settling down for some free time to enjoy the hotel’s excellent facilities. The evening ended with a fantastic ‘martini’ cocktail making class and surprise, surprise a black tie dinner and trip to see the Bond movie Skyfall.
So the question remains, did Mr Bond or Mr Maddison save the day?
The beginning of my placement at Planet Pursuits
My name’s Jazz and i’ve just started a 40 week internship at Planet Pursuits. As part of my course at university studying Events Management I am required to complete the placement in order to move on to my final year. I was immediately drawn to Planet Pursuits as a company for their fun and original approach to events management, and the use of their new venue finding system is something that I was interested in having worked in hotels as a part time job for several years.
After my first week here I have already learnt so much. On my first day I went out to a meeting with a potential client, which initial seemed daunting, however I really enjoyed it, and I realise that the best way to gain experience is to just get out there and do it! Having had the brief I have been working on some ideas, as well as learning more about the venue booking system and starting to come up with some more ideas about how the company’s exciting new project “i-treasure” can be expanded. At the moment we are looking at the expansion into National Trust sites and launching it in the student market, one which I understand well and therefore am excited to get involved in! For my monthly blog update, go to planetpursuitsintern.wordpress.com
Planet Pursuits May Update
May has been a very busy and exciting month for Planet Pursuits. Below I have listed our most recent news:
Kapow Comic Convention
Planet Pursuits were proud to become a recommend supplier to the Kapow Comic Convention held in London on the 19th – 21st May. Our Planet Venues online hotel booking system had a Kapow Comic Convention make over, with a separate portal linked to the Kapow Comic Convention website. The portal offered the 6500 daily visitors the opportunity to book accommodation close the The Business Design Centre in London at the most competitive price.
iTreasure Hunt App
Our iTreasure Hunt APP has gone from strength to strength since it’s launch in February 2012. The APP is now available on iTunes and Android. Public games are now available throughout the south west of England and in overseas. May saw the launch of the APP’s latest version, we have listened to the feedback and have added lots of new features to the APP. For information on how you can create your own game visit www.itreasure-hunt.com . We are so proud of how the APP has developed, how user friendly it is and of course how much fun can be had from creating and playing the hunts. We will keep updating our Facebook and Twitter pages with the developments, why not join in the excitiment and create your own iTreasure hunt private or public and upload the photos to either our Twitter or Facebook page.
Events
May has been a record breaking month for events. Some of our events in May were an Olympic Garden Party at a country house hotel in Oxford (picture on our Facebook page), numerous Spy Inc games in London, New Forest, Bath and Manchester. Country Pursuits in rain and sun and Hawaii 5 go and raft building on our lovely lake at Purton House. We also have been busy providing conference management and audio visual production to several large association conferences in Birmingham and London. Due to a team of creative and organised professionals we are able to juggle many hats and ensure all events and activities are run to the Planet Pursuits high standard.
Planet Pursuits 