The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre’s (QEIICC) impeccable handling of the Iraq Inquiry has brought its capabilities to the attention of a worldwide audience. The hearing, the first event to be held in the Centre’s recently-opened inquiry suite, has provoked widespread interest in the outstanding facilities offered by The QEIICC, an executive agency of the Department For Communities and Local Government.
Already established as the leading venue for government and public sector events, The QEIICC is one of the most prestigious purpose-built centres of its kind, situated in the heart of Westminster amid the spectacular scenery of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.
Meeting, conference and event planners are not just attracted to the Centre’s location but also its flexibility, modern comforts, highly professional staff and technological support such as wireless internet access and in-house audio-visual services.
The self-contained inquiry suite comprises an inquiry room that can seat up to 100 theatre-style and a media room suitable for 50 journalists, as well as a witness lounge and two offices.
Sue Etherington, acting commercial director at The QEIICC comments: -Thanks to our unrivalled facilities, outstanding security, central location, leading technology and the experience and professionalism of our staff – including our discretion with regards to high profile events – The QEIICC is perfectly placed to be the venue of choice for inquiry events.
In total, The QEIICC has four main auditoria, seven conference rooms and over 20 smaller meeting rooms across seven floors. Capable of hosting 2-2,500 delegates, the conference rooms and smaller meeting rooms can be used in a variety of combinations to meet the needs of each specific event.
The award-winning in-house catering team, Leith’s at the Centre, offer an original and bespoke service with the desired elegance and style that comes with experience.
It recently unveiled a range of new menus for 2010. Executive head chef Gary Parsons and his team have devised a creative set of sustainable, Fairtrade and seasonal menus, offering QEIICC clients a balanced and nutritional selection of food and drink for the duration of their event.
In line with The QEIICC’s continued commitment to providing value for money to its clients, Leith’s at the Centre has also taken the decision to freeze its menu prices for the coming year.
Richard Davis, deputy general manager with Leith’s at The QEIICC comments: -Our new menus consider the importance of sustainability and healthy balanced choice, whilst offering interesting and delicious food to all delegates. Leith’s also understands that events are price sensitive in this uncertain economic climate and so has kept the tariff static.
Ernest Vincent, chief executive at The QEIICC, adds: -Whatever the size of the event, QEIICC clients can enjoy a range of fresh, uncomplicated and contemporary food and drink tailored to their requirements. From breakfasts or light refreshments to fork buffets, canaps, a la carte or cocktail party collections, Leith’s provide the ultimate dining experience for any event.
Following investment of £1.2milion over recent years, The QEIICC is one of the most IT intelligent buildings in the UK, with a built-in wireless network, an in-house audio-visual service including live broadcast and webcasting, plus a resident IT team and an online conference service.
The Centre’s dedicated in-house audio-visual service, Interface AV, is able to offer suggestions, develop themes and guide clients to make best use of the technology.
It has installed a digital signage system to provide digital displays throughout the Centre for way-finding, conference updates, travel, weather and news. Additionally, digital signage can broadcast advertising specific and directly relevant to your conference.
The impact of stunning visuals, captivating presentations, international links and audio enhancements make your messages memorable and endorse the value of the conference. To really captivate delegates’ attention and capture their opinions, audience participation technology adds a new and fun element where delegates’ feedback comment into hand-held terminals.
Meanwhile, live links, web casts and video recordings enable you to communicate beyond The QEIICC to delegates not able to physically attend.
The increasing role of technology in events and conferences is highlighted in Convention 2020, an ongoing international research project of which The QEIICC is a platinum sponsor.
Phase one of the study, founded by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), industry trade show IMEX and Fast Future Research, has already been completed and the results were announced at The QEIICC in March.
It showed that a large majority of industry professionals expect live video streaming to remote participants, social networks and the downloading of event content to mobile phones to become common over the next decade.
The QEIICC’s forward-thinking adoption of these and many other technologies will ensure it stays at the forefront of the conference industry for a long time to come.
The QEIICC offers a specially-reduced day delegate rate for government organisations. For more information, call the Sales Team on 020 7798 4426 or email info@qeiicc.co.uk
Visit the QEIICC website at www.qeiicc.co.uk
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