Other topics explored this year include:

• Employee engagement with workshops on both employment law and engaging the new, fresh event talent coming into the industry
• Technology  – this year Eventia are introducing a new format offering two parallel sessions – the Learning Lounge and the Learning Clinic.  The former will offer a series of short presentations from technology providers and the latter gives delegates the opportunity to get hands-on with some of the existing and emerging tools.
• Networking, TOMS, sustainability and, of course, the Olympic Legacy. 

 The programme is still evolving so for an up-to-date version please see the Eventia website  and click through to The Summer Eventia. 

The event takes place on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 April at King’s Place in London.  Registration is open on-line and can be accessed through the Eventia website.  For event buyers, there is the opportunity to be a hosted guest through the budget buster package – email events@eventia.org.uk for more information.

Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has confirmed a cash boost of £2.3 million for the capital’s creative industries. The announcement, made on the eve of London Fashion Week, will see the investment channelled into the British Fashion Council, Film London and the London Design Festival.

London’s creative industries are estimated to be worth around £19 billion to the economy and employ more than 380,000 people.

Meanwhile, Global professional services group Harvey Nash has agreed this week to retain its headquarters in London, following a review which saw the firm consider New York, Dublin, Zurich and Hong Kong as potential new bases.

Mayor Boris Johnson said the decision points to growing business confidence in the UK capital. It follows the news that US insurance giant Aon is moving its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London.

Harvey Nash, which employs 200 people in London and 6,000 more in 40 offices worldwide, will move its headquarters from Mayfair to larger premises at the Heron Tower in the City. The firm plans to hire a further 100 staff over the next two years.

Johnson, said: “Despite difficult economic times London is attracting investment from across the world and remains a formidable force in an ever competitive global marketplace. It is clear that business confidence in our city and its economy is strong at all levels and as we look towards the most momentous year in living memory we must do all we can to capitalise on this. This summer, when we welcome the world for the 2012 Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, I believe we have the perfect opportunity to cement our reputation at home and abroad as the number one place to do business.”

Looking for an elegant setting in central London for your next event?

The Melia White House, facing Regents Park and within walking distance of Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, offers a fully equipped meeting space. The hotel features the AA Rosette award winning Spanish restaurant L’Albufera, newly refurbished international show cooking restaurant The Place, a piano lounge bar, business centre and various meeting and event venues as well as 581 guestrooms mixing classical and contemporary elements.

The 9 conference and banqueting rooms can hold events for up to 180 people, all rooms include Wi-Fi and the venue can cater for anything from boardroom meetings to business working lunches to weddings and celebrations.

To find out more about hosting your next event at Melia White House, contact Event Solutions.

Following a thorough selection process, four suppliers – Chillisauce, Accomplished Events, Blue Hat, and ESC Events – have been appointed as the official team building specialists for events at Lord’s.

The extensive range of venues and facilities within the world-famous cricket ground will provide a unique setting for the delivery of the wide variety of team building packages offered by the four suppliers. In particular, access to the newly refurbished MCC Cricket Academy (pictured) will allow companies to enjoy indoor cricket net sessions in a world-class training environment, as used by international players such as Andrew Strauss, Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.

Nick Kenton, Meetings & Events Sales Manager at Lord’s, said: “Lord’s Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in sport, and over the years some of the best teams in the world have played on the hallowed turf. The Ground therefore provides an ideal venue for team building events, combining an inspiring history alongside access to world-class facilities.  I am delighted with the four new suppliers that have been appointed to help us take team building to the forefront of our business in 2012.”

Lord’s Cricket Ground has further appointed agency Smyle as a preferred supplier of creative technical production for events.

“It is no secret that multiple award winning agency Smyle is one of the leading lights in the events industry and I am delighted they are now official suppliers at Lord’s,” said Kenton.

Smyle, Fisher Productions and Aztec Event Services have also been added to the venue’s audio-visual supplier list.

“With Eclipse Presentations continuing to offer in-house support, clients now have more choice and flexibility for AV solutions, which allows us to provide a world class service from the best in the business,” Kenton concluded.

Each of the rooms has a unique character and a touch of eccentricity, making Mews an elegant and unforgettable destination for private events, whether you want to dine, drink or dance.

The Chef’s Private Dining Room, reminiscent of imperial Britain, features stunning antique maps, original beams, a majestic chandelier and prime views of the kitchen. It’s ideal for seated lunch or dinners for up to 28 guests, canapé parties of up to 40, as well as meetings and presentations, with surround sound, wireless internet and a hidden 50” screen.

For a light lunch, an informal business dinner or a private dinner for up to 65 guests, eating at Mews Restaurant is an intimate dining experience, with modern cuisine in a chic and timeless environment. Located next door to Mews, the Art Gallery is the perfect space for receptions, press events or to showcase artwork. The Gallery can accommodate up to 45 guests and is ideal during the summer months. Finally, adajcent to the Art Gallery is La Cave, both a wine boutique and a private dining room seating up to 16 guests for lunch and dinner, or 25 for wine tasting.

To find out more about holding your next event at Mews of Mayfair, contact Event Solutions.

Held to coincide with Motivation Month, inspirational guest speakers at this event include social media strategist, trainer and international speaker Tiffany St James, who will be talking about creating lasting digital footprints for events using social media.

The organisers have employed the help of art students who will be using the venue’s huge windows to doodle all of the Olympic venues as well as the locations of social savvy businesses in London including Twitter and Facebook. They will be taking doodle requests from guests on the night to draw locations such as their offices.

Designed for event industry professionals who want to learn more and join the social media conversation, these Tweetups bring together like-minded people in a face-to-face environment who are already sharing information and conversing online.

TweetUp organiser Peter Kerwood said: “Social Media week is a fantastic way to explore new forms of global communication. The opportunities of social media are endless and the week celebrates innovative new ideas in the field. It is vital the events industry keeps up with this ever changing social media landscape.  These Event Industry TweetUp events will help anyone interested to do just that.”

To attend this free event please RSVP here  http://bit.ly/360tweetup2012

Previous London TweetUps have been hosted at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, The Brewery, the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds.

Congratulations to London City Airport for winning the prestigious ’Top UK Airport’ award at the Wanderlust Magazine Travel Awards last week, held at the Destinations Show in Earls Court.

The accolade, voted for by Wanderlust Magazine readers, recognises the airport’s commitment to customer service excellence. The award, presented by the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Lyn Hughes, marks the sixth time City Airport has received this honour, which it won five years in a row from 2006 to 2010. Wanderlust claims this award has exceeded all their previous airport awards, in relation to the number of votes received by its readers.

A delighted Richard Gooding OBE, Chief Executive of London City Airport said: “We are excited to receive this esteemed award and the recognition from this group of discerning travel experts.  Winning this accolade is significant to the airport as it is dependent upon the readers’ votes and is truly impartial.”

The launch of more new leisure destinations from London City Airport for the summer season means Wanderlust travellers will have even more reason to use the airport this year.

The ceremony was staged in the 2,000-capacity Great Hall, with the winners chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Novak Djokovic received the top prize of ‘World Sportsman of the Year’, just days after he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open. The 24-year-old from Belgrade finished his 2011 season with 70 wins and just six loses.

The title ‘World Sportswoman of the Year’ went to the 28-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot from Kenya for her double victory over 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the 2011 World Athletics Championship in Daegu.

There was a touching moment in the ceremony as the legendary Manchester United and England footballer Sir Bobby Charlton was awarded with the ‘Laureus Lifetime Achievement’ in recognition of his remarkable career.

The ‘Team of the Year’ trophy went to Barcelona FC, the ‘Comeback of the Year’ trophy went to Northern Irish golfer Darren Clarke; another golfer, Rory McIlroy, picked up the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ award. The four-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was honoured with the ‘Laureus Disability Award’ and the ‘World Action Sportsperson of the Year’ trophy went to American surfer Kelly Slater.

Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster said: ‘’I am proud that Central Hall Westminster was associated with the Laureus World Sports Awards. It was very humbling to see so many World Champions and Olympic medal winners in one room to support such a good cause. The event itself was a monumental success and I am pleased that we were able to show that we have such a flexible, World Class venue to deliver this event.”

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London.

Organised by Gary Barlow, the concert will take place on 4 June, on a circular stage built around the huge memorial to Queen Victoria that stands in front of the Buckingham Palace gates.

Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Elton John and Annie Lennox are among the veteran rock and pop stars who will take to the stage, while English tenor Alfie Boe and Chinese pianist Lang Lang will bring a classical touch.

Shirley Bassey will represent the older generation along with Sir Cliff Richard. Among the younger acts will be Jessie J, who scored her second UK number one hit with the song ‘Domino’ last month, and boy band JLS, who rose to fame by competing in The X Factor.

A lucky 10,000 guests from across the United Kingdom, chosen at random through an online and postal ballot, will receive free tickets for the concert which they will enjoy from a circular arena built around the stage.

Before the concert, ticket-holders will be invited to a jubilee picnic in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

Applications for tickets can be made through the website www.bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee from today until 2 March.

Enjoy a scheduled lunch, dinner or afternoon tea cruise on board The Symphony, a Parisian boat with elegant appearance; bringing a hint of sophistication while on the river Thames. The Symphony is London’s largest restaurant cruise vessel with an all-glass structure, enabling guests to enjoy the magnificent views of London without any interruption.

Bateaux London’s more traditional vessel the Naticia, featuring a luxurious royal blue and light wood interior, maintains classic charm and creates the perfect atmosphere for guests to indulge and relax whilst experiencing some of the best views of London’s skyline. Bateaux London is the perfect venue and offers a truly magical experience and memorable event.

To find out more about hosting your next event on the Symphony or Naticia, contact Event Solutions.