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FCS Business Radio: First impressions count
It’s a brand new event for the UK business radio industry. A chance for delegates at the annual FCS Business Radio summit to get the maximum value for their day by simply extending it into a networking dinner. FCS event manager Louise Britchford and sales manager Laura Beard reveal what the industry can expect on the evening
will be in the circular panoramic restaurant at the very top of the venue. Te clue’s in the word ‘cir- cular’ -- all the tables will be the same (10 people) with similar views and acoustics for everyone. “Some sponsors have already booked tables of
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10. Others have said they would prefer to bring smaller numbers. Tat’s really good to know: we wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable about coming to the event, and we didn’t want anyone to be put off by the thought of having to buy a whole table to entertain a few friends. In practice, we expect around a third of the tables will be ‘mixed’. If guests just let us know how many seats they’d like, we’ll ensure they are not put on a table alongside one of their direct com- petitors. Unless, of course, they both ask to be!” Secondly, the dress code. “Tis is the only
event of its kind for the whole industry, and lots of people said they wanted to ‘do it properly’ and make it Black Tie,” says Laura. “Tat’s great, and we’re certainly encouraging guests who want to wear dinner jackets to do so. “But we do have to remember a number of
guests will have attended the Business Radio event during the day, and may not be planning to stay overnight. So to avoid any embarrassment, we’re stressing from the outset that ‘smart busi- ness attire’ will also be entirely acceptable”. Tird, the logistics. FCS will have a shuttle-
bus available between the Heritage Motor Centre and the Holiday Inn Express/Hilton Warwick, leaving once the BR13 event is finished, and re- turning in time for pre-dinner drinks. It will re- turn to the hotels at the end of the evening. Taxis are also freely available. “FCS has taken a block booking at the War-
wick Holiday Inn Express,” says Louise. “It’s a good quality, no-frills business hotel: clean, busi- nesslike and affordable. It has a late bar and free breakfast, too. On the other side of the road, the
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irstly, the layout. “We’re really lucky to have such a super venue in the Heritage Motor Centre,” says Laura. “Te dinner
Warwick Hilton offers a four-star experience. But we know the Hilton only has limited avail- ability for November 14, so we’re advising people to book early if they and their guests wish to stay there.” For delegates who do not wish to freshen up
between the Conference and the Dinner, or for guests who are not planning to stay overnight, the Heritage Motor Centre museum will be open exclusively for BR13 delegates between the close of the Business Radio 13 conference and the start of the Industry Dinner. “It’s a really great place to wander round”, says
Louise. “You don’t have to be a petrol-head to spend an enjoyable hour quite effortlessly. We are arranging drinks and canapés to encourage conversation, and to welcome dinner guests who may be arriving early under their own steam, or who may only have been able to join us for the evening.” Fourth, the dinner itself. FCS has opted for a
substantial three-course dinner, based around the chef’s signature rump of lamb. Vegetarian op- tions will, of course, be available subject to prior notice. “Tis is very much an industry dinner”, says
Laura. “Our aim is to encourage conversation. People need an atmosphere in which they can relax with customers and colleagues, and we’re working hard to ensure they get it. “Tere will be a short welcome speech from
our CEO, Chris Pateman, highlighting and summarizing some of the issues surrounding the business radio community. A harpist will play background music while we eat. And for our after-dinner speaker, we’re really pleased to have been able to secure David Gunson, a former air- traffic controller at Birmingham Airport. David’s very dry, and we all believe he’s the man to hit the right mixture of amusing anecdote and technical literacy for our audience.” Starting a major new event like this from scratch was something of an act of faith for
Laura Beard, Sales Manager
FCS, says Louise. Faith that people who said after last year’s sell-out event at the Birmingham Metropole that they’d like to have stayed longer actually meant what they said. But with the spon- sors and 60 guests already committed, and three months still to go, it looks like the industry is as good as its word. Te Business Radio Industry Dinner takes
place at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon (just off Junction 12 of the M40) on Tursday November 14. To secure your place, or to find out more about the options for entertaining cus- tomers and colleagues, call Laura on 020 8249 6363 or email
lbeard@fcs.org.uk
LAND mobile August 2013
Louise Britchford, Event Manager
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