While waiting at the bus stop I watch the van delivering the Metro whizz past signaling that my morning read will be waiting for me at the station when I disembark, either the early bus of the dreaded later one. I can remember when the Metro first came out being a little reticent of being I think the term was “seen dead with it”. I have been a reformed man for a long time since well before the credit crunch once the reality economic intelligence had prevailed…. free is good, we like free. A fact which I discussed with one of the clients that we met for dinner on Wednesday evening, this and the now redundant but much loved London Lite and the London Paper how I miss them. Despite being free now, the Evening Standard is no longer the same read in the evening.

Though I shouldn’t admit it, I enjoy the pure unadulterated joyous trash that is the celebrity columns – who’s up, who’s down, been there, done what and so forth. It is tomorrow’s chip paper, frivolous un-taxing to the brain, fodder for the water-cooler or diet Coke break?

This morning the same routine……early bus despite a detour of actually catching it another story perhaps. Irish girl missing though, possibly she is still sitting at our bus stop and hasn’t seen the sign that the road is closed and there is a diversion in progress.

Got to Turnham Green station and picked up a crisp copy of the Metro alighted the District Line spoiled for choice for a seat at this hour in the morning and began to read.

Past the headlines a little way in I catch sight of a familiar face, two actually in town at the moment for a premiere with their son the star of said film. I mentioned I was at dinner with some of my work colleagues and some clients at the Dorchester on Tuesday Night. It was recommended by a colleague who did not attend as a good place to go as there was always an interesting mix of people there. On Tuesday night it was a bumper night. Pele, the current England Manager and Jemima Khan or is it Goldsmith again now. During the evening I went out to catch some air through the restaurants private entrance there to find a trio of photographers lying in wait, cameras at the ready. Being my mother’s son I approached them and asked who they were in wait for, they were non-committal on whom it was and so ensued some friendly banter.

They mentioned that there was a famous actor in town with his family and who were staying in the hotel. He asked if I was eating in the restaurant and to which I answered I was. I was then quizzed on whether they were in the restaurant to which I replied that I hadn’t seen them. He said was there anyone else famous inside, to which I smiled and said perhaps there was but I couldn’t divulge such information tongue firmly in cheek. The banter continued me being cryptic, him egging me on for details (Mrs. Doyle in my head with her go on, go on, go on, GO ON!). I took my leave and returned to the table which was now abuzz with the comings and goings of the celebs. Despite my best efforts I didn’t get a chance to impart who possibly may be making an appearance this was discovered prior to me being able to utter it from my mouth.

Hushed voices saying “he’s here”, frantic attempts to catch a glimpse from our table, trips en masse to the powder room, travelling at a snail’s pace and rather obvious peering and very slow, painfully obvious glances into the private booth. Reports on what had been seen and heard from these reconnaissance missions. The paparazzi had been correct so their wait had not been in vain.

We notice eagle eyed that Pele is ushered into the private booth, another meet and greet he having earlier acknowledged the presence of the current England Manager. 9 pairs of eyes continually scanning the room for fresh arrivals of celebrities. They seem to have decided to go elsewhere this evening or to have stayed in. More fresh air for me and further discussions with the awaiting photographers, I feel it only fair to affirm that their earlier piece of information is in fact true.

On my way back in, I turn the corner to take the stairs down to the restaurant and notice a number of guests leaving. I apologies as you do, for interrupting ascent of the stairs. To my surprise, I get a flash of pearly white teeth, a big smile and an extremely cheery “How are you Sir?” from a tall, slim t-shirt wearing young man. Smiling back I reply “ Great thanks , how about you?” It is Will Smith and his beautiful wife Jada, who I can see is eager to leave with their other guests, I clear the stairs and make my way back to the our table. I do note that their children Jaden and Willow are not with them perhaps Jaden is having some last minute “Waax on, Waaaax off” sessions with My. Miyagi prior to the premiere, or should that be with Jackie Chan.

Getting back to my table I impart the story of my encounter to which I get questioned with words such as he said “What he called you SIR?”, “Will Smith called you what?”. I explained that this is the norm for many Americans and is a form of politeness. It is not a confirmation of superiority nor would I expect it. Every day at the Hallam Conference Centre or indeed at any of our other venues I must say this upward of 100 times. It is etticate, being civil and polite and for the want of not knowing somebody’s given name the correct form of address. Do I feel that this undermines me, I don’t! What it does define is I am totally comfortable with myself, my role and indeed who I am.

My lasting impression of Tuesday evening apart from the great company at dinner is not that Will Smith addressed me as “Sir”, but that he has not lost sight of the fact that being polite and courteous costs nothing but always makes an extremely positive and lasting impression. It made my wait for the bus for 30 minutes at Shepherds Bush on Tuesday evening but a fleeting moment as I played back the evening in my mind and made up in part for my 4 hours sleep before starting my daily routine the next morning.

The Council Chamber, the heart  of our latest venue the Hallam Conference Centre has double height ceilings and floor to ceiling windows which allow the room to fill with light. It’s funny though, that when you run events one of the major “must have’s” is natural light, despite the fact that the plenary room at a conference needs to be cloaked in relative darkness for the audiovisual presentations.

When we took over the building, after the previous occupants the General Medical Council, these windows had rather unappealing yet functional roller blinds. In relation to the original fireplaces, beautiful wood panelling, Art Deco pendant lights and period cornicing they did little to add to the appeal. There the identity crisis then neither  being  a stately home nor wanting the appearance to be an anonymous space. Like the butter commercial it’s good to be in the middle. It was touch and go, but  finally we took the descision  making the change from blinds to curtains. Even when  we finally landed on a decision there were still  more choices to be made, the end result would be, as they say ”a bit of a Toyah Wilcox……. a mystery!”.

Then there were the delays. We have little luck with choosing fabric, our choices always seem to come with very large delays. The “Volcano” for our chairs at the Hallam…well, that’s another story.  Finally the day came, curtains – the death knoll for the blinds.

We are delighted with our selection and the company Cidmar Curtains and Blinds who unlike our former chair supplier went the extra mile and despite the delay ensured that we made good on promises to clients. They frame the windows beautifully, provide the necessary blackout when the big old sun makes an appearance and are in keeping with look and feel of the Council Chamber. The are a welcome addition to the ambience for the dinners and drinks receptions that are to be held there and for functionality they provide blackout that is far superior to the previous occupants. 

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If are familiar with these bulbs they may look attractive in light fittings but they are extremely temperamental and prone to blowing at a very early age and their penchant for tripping fuses. In a building like the Hallam that is over 6 floors this can frequently disrupting the always hoped for, gentle transition, from early morning autopilot to the bing! I’m wide awake and full of beans (espresso beans) ready to face the day.

The fuse boxes are littered throughout the building over the many floors and at times there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason as to where they are located in relation to what area they govern – part of the many joys of period properties. Having said that though, when I started at the Hallam I promised myself that I would use the stairs as often as possible so that I get as much exercise as I can. From time to time on a Friday following a very busy week I do feel like falling off this self imposed wagon. I resist the temptation though… behold the mantra my body is a temple.

Having extensively and lovingly refurbished the Hallam we now have more different types of bulbs than I have fingers, however, I am pleased to report that most are of the low energy and more environmentally friendly variety. The number of bad bulbs is dwindling. With the development of newer replacements that are more environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, we are undergoing a programme of replacement of these old bulbs. The benefits of which are less heat, longer life, lower energy and an altogether more temperate nature.

So even when at the start of the day there are not many hands it can now be light(er) work. Perhaps, I will be more awake from the restful sleep and I can have one less espresso now that the bad bulbs are gone.

If you are familiar with these bulbs you will know that while they may look attractive in light fittings, they are extremely temperamental and prone to blowing at a very early age and for their penchant of tripping fuses. In a building like the Hallam that is over 6 floors this can frequently disrupting the always hoped for, gentle transition, from early morning autopilot to the “bing!” –  I’m wide awake and full of beans (espresso beans) ready to face the day.

These tripping fuse boxes are littered throughout the building over the many floors and at times there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason as to where they are located in relation to what area they govern – part of the many joys of period properties. Having said that though, when I started at the Hallam I promised myself that I would use the stairs as often as possible so that I get as much exercise as I can. From time to time on a Friday following a very busy week I do feel like falling off this self imposed wagon. I resist the temptation though… behold the mantra my body is a temple.

Having extensively and lovingly refurbished the Hallam we now have more different types of bulbs than I have fingers, however, I am pleased to report that most are of the low energy and more environmentally friendly variety. The number of bad bulbs is dwindling. With the development of newer replacements that are more environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, we are undergoing a programme of replacement of these old bulbs. The benefits of which are less heat, longer life, lower energy and an altogether more temperate nature.

So even when at the start of the day there are not many hands it can now be light(er) work. Perhaps, I will be more awake from the restful sleep and I can have one less espresso now that the bad bulbs are gone.

PREPARATION METHOD
The day before set up so that everything has been properly prepared beforehand.
Make sure you have all the ingredients at hand and everything is ready before any
guest arrives.
Preheat the room to 21.
Combine all the ingredients and mix them well making sure any last minute changes are integrated smoothly.
At regular intervals add hot beverages and delicious nibbles.
In a few hours your memorable conference is being served.

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1. Use technology, encourage people to slouch at their desks rather than attend your event. Use webcasting etc. Combine with an absolute minimisation of all paper, i.e. delegate packs, signage etc.
2. Endeavour to know what your impact is, survey your delegates, how did they get to the event, where did they come from. Don’t forget 1984 is long past; this is the age of the virtual big brother.
3. Bully your suppliers ensure they follow your green and pleasant way, if not the chop.
4. Think creative, axe the rubber chicken. Get your venue to show on the venue detailed source notes for all  all ingredients, challenge them to source all nationally. Go in it’s a World Cup year they can do it.
5. Think waste, all waste. Well maybe a drop toilet is a step! Too far, but what is wrong with quantifing all waste streams, ensuring all is recycled, zero to landfill.
6. Educate, what’s the point of doing something if you can’t show off about it. Let you delegates know what you are doing, educate the customer bully the supplier.
7. Learn, lots and lots of people only go so far then they give up. This applies to all walks of life, not just the green path. Ask all around you, to paraphrase our greet leader Mr. Cameron, it’s not what society can do for you, it’s what you can do for society. So speaks an old etonian. (or as my spell-check puts it Estonian)
8. Try; if you don’t start you won’t get any greener.
9. Look at the Cavendish Conference Venues website www.cavendishconferencevenues.com for a smorgersboard of further green insights.  

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What do you do ? With the grisly spectacle of Gorgeous George Osborne and his deathly side kick Mr Cable wielding the death axe of cuts we certainly cannot afford to loose any clients. The gander has no fat, there is no margin we can eat into. As night follows day if we are to cut our costs we have to make savings somewhere, but where?

One of the lowest hanging fruit in our Garden of Eden is entitled Green Strategy. Going Green is expensive, to give an example, composting our food waste is 36% more expensive then sending it to landfill. Like rabbits in the headlights we don’t know what to do, for now the strategy for on high is fudge. A classic recipe involving beating up our suppliers and scrimping on the margins, (no more chocolate biscuits etc)