13/12/10 - Conference Services office with a view

Conference Services recently moved to the top floor of Union House.  The view across Swansea Bay is something special, particularly when the sun is rising on a winter morning. The team will be back on the ground floor of Fulton House in time for the start of the Easter vacation, to ensure organisers and delegates have easy contact.

02/12/10 - Rockwool’s UK Conference held at Swansea University

When the Rockwool Group http://www.rockwool.co.uk/, a global manufacturer of mineral wool insulation, decided to instigate cultural change across its businesses, it held a series of gatherings, choosing locations that were different from the usual "business conference" venue to demonstrate that a different approach would typify the implementation of the new stratetgy.  The cost effectiveness of the venue was also a factor during a period of downturn in the building industry.  So the UK management team chose Swansea University, rather than using a recognised hotel chain or commercial conference centre.

Everyone was pleasantly surprised by the quality of service, especially the buffet meals and the availability of meeting space including up to date av equipment.  Their busy programme meant the frills of a hotel bedroom were not missed and the session with Sing and Inspire, http://singandinspire.com/, a Cardiff based company that motivate and develop people in business through song, brought the evening of day one to a rousing conclusion.  Participants rose to the challenge of performing a Queen’s “Don't Stop Me Now” to a standard that they will be proud to keep in the form of a specially recorded CD.  The object of the exercise was to demonstrate what could be achieved in a short period when working with passionate people, and helped to build tremendous cohesion in the engagement team, selected to communicate the strategy to the wider organisation.  The good mood continued when everyone met in the bar later to discuss the messages from the day.
Wayne Gwilym, Rockwool’s Director of HR in the UK, chose Swansea University because he wanted a venue that conveyed a different atmosphere for a typical conference venue, and felt the University’s offer represented the best value for money he could find in South Wales.  He was also confident the expected quality would be delivered and he was pleased to be contributing to the increasingly important need to generate income within education.

One delegate commented: "The university setting instantly unlocked the group as they appreciated they were in a place of learning and were there to grow."

26/11/10 2 conferences choose Event Experts

Two conferences have opted to use Conference Services' comprehensive organising service.  The River Science Network decided the most effective way of managing their Advances in River Science Conference was to use the expertise of the Conference Services team which has many years experience in running events for 50 to over 1000.  

When the College of Arts and Humanities within the University decided to run The Learners and Networks Conference, it was realised that the College lacked the resources to administer the Conference.  Passed experience of several events managed successfully by Conference Services meant passing the event over to Conference Services was an easy decision, giving the College peace of mind that everything from registration design to budget control will be overseen with care.

19/11/10 - The 2011 BG Challenge will be based on Swansea University's campus in July.  The great location, close to areas ideal for the outward bound style challenges the BG teams will face, helped IMG decide on Swansea.  Areas being considered are the Brecon Beacons where the armed forces train, the stunning wooded Neath Valley where many scenic waterfalls can be found and the Gower Peninsula with its wild downs, dramatic beaches and cliff walks.