Award-winning chef leads keynotes at Confex

Jean-Christophe Novelli, Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning chef, is to present a keynote speech at this year’s International Confex 2008, the events industry exhibition taking place at London’s Earl’s Court on 12-14 February. Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi and Fast Future leader Rohit Talwar will also feature as part of the keynote line up.

The first day of Confex will see events industry futurist and award-winning speaker Rohit Talwar highlight the critical challenges faced in the future of the meetings and events industry and present practical ideas on how to respond in innovative ways.

Jean-Christophe Novelli will speak on the second day, offering an inspirational view on how, in this increasingly competitive environment, catering and creativity can deliver success to an event.

Finally, on the third day Sahar Hashemi will give a fascinating insight into how she, along with her brother, founded Coffee Republic and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high-street brands.

Commenting on the speakers, Duncan Reid, event director at International Confex, said: “This is a great line up and it underlines the growing profile of business experts that are engaging with our industry. Each speaker has a different insight into our industry and we want both exhibitors and visitors to benefit from their knowledge. We look forward to welcoming them to the show.”

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Kerry Katona to be dropped from Iceland advertising

Kerry Katona, the former popstar now better known for her lifestyle excesses, has lost her contract as the spokeswoman for supermarket chain Iceland, which will not be renewed when it comes to an end in March.

The Daily Mirror reports that the former Atomic Kitten singer is being dropped because of repeated controversies and because the ads have been so widely criticised.

The Iceland campaign is built around the slogan: "That’s why mums go to Iceland". Katona, a one-time "mother of the year" was seen as an ideal representative for the brand following her success when she won "I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here" in 2004.

However, Katona has been criticised for smoking and drinking while she is pregnant, and has also been forced to deny claims that she takes class-A drugs. Tabloids recently ran stories about her fighting with her mother-in-law, and she made headlines following an interview on GMTV in which she seemed somewhat worse for wear.

The Iceland campaigns are made by Salford-based Tom Reddy Advertising. Other celebrities to have been roped in to join Katona in campaigns are Jason Donovan, who won "I’m a Celebrity" in 2006, and TV host Coleen Nolan.

Iceland’s ’I’m a Celebrity’ idents were named turkey of the week by Campaign magazine and the whole campaign made the magazine’s list of worst celebrity advertising.

Although the campaigns have been widely panned, research by Marketing magazine has shown that the ads have incredibly high recall.

One spot, where Katona promoted roasting joints that could be cooked from frozen, had the second-highest recall of any ad shown during a yearlong period.

Iceland marketing director Nick Canning told the Mirror: "It is clear we have been hiring different staff including Jason Donovan and Coleen Nolan over Christmas. I’m not sure what contract we will be able to offer."

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ABPCO announces 2008 conference programme

Planning for the Future is the theme of the 2008 Conference of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) which will take place at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead from 24-26 January.

“We are anticipating a record attendance at our 2008 conference,” commented Lesley Maltman, ABPCO Chair and managing director of MCI Belfast. “We believe the programme offers something of interest for all our members, whether independent or in-house PCOs. It’s deliberately designed to encourage active participation in the formal conference sessions, combined with a great social programme to maximise networking opportunities. Newcastle Gateshead has proved to be a very supportive and welcoming destination, and delegates will experience a number of its attractions over the three days.”

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Gyro International acquires healthcare PR agency

Integrated agency Gyro International has acquired specialist healthcare PR firm hsdcommunications for an undisclosed sum.

Hsdcommunications was formed in 1998 and represents companies in the complementary healthcare, over-the-counter and prescription medicine industry. It has an annual turnover of £2m and employs 20 people.

Gyro International, which handles client work for Sony, Oracle, American Express and Virgin Atlantic, said the acquisition would strengthen its presence in the healthcare sector.

Gyro also acquired healthcare marketing agency Woolley Pau for an undisclosed sum in November; biochemical industry marketing communications company Cicero in March; and brand communications specialists Dowell Stubbs in July.

It is understood that hsdcommunications will be fully integrated into Gyro International’s global marketing platform. The business will retain its current client list.

Gary Brine, chief executive officer of Gyro International, said: "Healthcare is a key market for Gyro, and this latest acquisition completes the picture for us in terms of the solution we can provide."

Banquets for 2008

The Pharaohs’ Palace, the exclusive hospitality facility at the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition, The O2.

Tutankhamun Hospitality has announced three new dates in 2008 for its popular shared evening, The Pharaohs’ Banquet. The Pharaohs’ Banquet will be hosted once a month in the beautiful Egyptian themed hospitality suite adjacent to the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition at The O2.

The new dates are Tuesday 19th February, Tuesday 11th March, and Tuesday 15th April.

The Pharaohs’ Banquet is a shared evening catering for those who wish to entertain smaller groups in the stunning Pharaohs’ Palace. The evening includes a champagne reception upon arrival, a sumptuous Egyptian themed buffet with beer and wine included and a private viewing of the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.

Bookings are available for groups of two or more, with private tables for those hosting a table of ten. Already interest is proving to be high for the new nights.

Prices for the Pharaohs’ Banquet start at £259 +VAT per head.

Simon Gillespie, CEO of Tutankhamun Hospitality attributes the popularity of the shared evenings to those clients who want to enjoy the hospitality experience at the Exhibition but with a smaller group of guests. “Many clients have commented on the stunning surrounds and enjoy being able to view the exhibition at leisure with a select group of clients or colleagues”.

After a successful launch in November, the first Pharaohs’ Banquet shared night for 2008 on January 16th is now sold out.

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Senior Account Manager – Events, Blue Skies

This Brand Experience Agency specialise in bringing brands to life, using the right medium to create experiences that enable their clients to engage consumers in deeper and more memorable ways.

They are one of the leading and longest established award winning live brand experience agencies in the UK and are regularly ranked in the Top 10 in league tables.

This is a new position working on a major account which, because of continued growth, needs additional support. The team comprises of one Account Director, to whom you will report, plus a Junior Account Manager in support.

The projects for this client are across the board – brand experiences, festivals, events and conferences.

They are looking for someone with strong Account Management experience, with great client-facing skills, who has a solid events background with a modern approach. You will need to show excellent budgetary skills (for jobs from £250k upwards) with experience in briefing clearly and managing a project and its related budget wholly from the creative stage through to completion. Although some jobs will require you to take on the role of producer, certainly with regards to content, most jobs will involve working alongside producer(s) and production manager(s).

You should have worked in the live events industry on a broad range of events, including small conferences, internal events, exhibitions through to larger parties and launches, taken complete responsibility for project managing an event working with freelance producers and production managers, looked after key clients, experienced taking briefs from clients, working through ideas and opportunities with them and have excellent at financial management.

Salary: £35k

Contact: Blue Skies recruitment, Linda Nott Richmond, London TW9 1HY

Functions Manager – Moving Venue Caterers Ltd

We are looking for a catering experienced professional to join our Operations team and be responsible for delivering exceptional service in high profile, and sometimes logistically challenging surroundings.

The role of the Function Manager is completely ‘hands-on’ encompassing the ordering of all beverage, staff and equipment to execute each event, pre and post costing and health & safety. In addition, the Function Manager is responsible for the loading and transportation of all products, stock and equipment to the venue and finally, the operational management of the event itself. A sound knowledge of event logistics and procedures is essential.

Our approach to catering is contemporary and customer focussed and we would expect these qualities to be evident in applicants. Other essential requirements of the Function Manager include:

- Experience of catering at high profile/large events

- Passionate about food, drinks and the events industry

- Positive, proactive and ‘can do’ attitude

- Effective communication skills with colleagues and clients alike

- Excellent health: strong, fit and lots of energy as this can be a physically demanding job

- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends

- Clean UK driving licence (7.5 tonne capability would be desireable)

- Eligible to work long term in the UK

Salary: Not disclosed

Contact: Please send your CV with a covering letter outlining the skills and experience you can bring to this role to Carole Cutler carolecutler@btconnect.com

Web: www.movingvenue.com

Location: SE London

Event Manager – London

If you are currently working in the events and catering industry and are seeking a new challenge then we want to hear from you. We have a number of top end London Catering Companies seeking experienced Event Managers. Our clients are known in the industry for being behind some of London’s most spectacular events at various well known venues.

The Event Manager is the person who plans and executes the event. Event Managers and their teams are often behind-the-scenes running the event. You may also be involved in more than just the planning and execution of the event, but also brand building, marketing and communication strategy. The Event Manager is an expert at the creative, technical and logistical elements that help an event succeed.

These positions are for immediate start and offer an attractive salary and benefits.

Person Specification

- To thrive in this role you will have a good understanding of what makes a successful event from taking a thorough brief from the client to sourcing all required equipment to running the event on the night.

- worked in the London Event Industry and possess good relationships within the industry.

- a good working knowledge of all major venues.

- You will also possess good relationships within the industry and have solid client relationships.

- Degree level or equivalent qualifications are also desirable but not essential.

- These roles offer great opportunities for existing Event Managers who enjoy working in event catering and are ready to take on a new challenge. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

Contact:Please email your CV to donna@offtowork.co.uk

Company: Off to Work www.offtowork.co.uk

Location: London

Exhibition Marketing Manager/Director – Events, Xchangeteam

An exciting position has arisen with my established exhibition company for an experienced Exhibition Marketing Manager with a view to become Marketing Director very quickly.

This expanding role is looking after two events; one B2C and one B2B and has all the hands on duties of a Marketing Manager but allows for the strategic element of a Marketing Director to be put in place. An excellent role for someone looking for the next step up in their event marketing career.

The successful candidate should have at least three year’s exhibition marketing experience at a Manager’s level and be confident in long-term strategic planning across b2b and b2c sectors. A proven attendance generator, you should also be commercial in your approach with excellent cost-cutting vision.

The company is established, respected and forward-thinking in the exhibition world. Offering an excellent salary, apply now.

Contact: Katherina Breen at Xchangeteam 02070254400

Salary: £35000-£40000

Senior Marketing Executive – Events

Your Profile
You are a Senior Marketing Executive with experience marketing B2B events such as exhibitions, conferences, seminars, awards etc. You will have a marketing focused degree and/or hold a professional marketing qualification. You have a confident and outgoing personality and are committed to a career in marketing. Strong communication skills are essential.

Contact: jodies@ofj.co.ukor call Jodie on 0870 048 9161/9160. Candidates must submit a clear and well structured CV to be considered for this role.

Salary: £27000 – £28000 per annum + £5K Bonus + International Travel

Location: London

Jan 1st – 28th – Harrods Winter Sale

Jan 4th – 13st – London Short Film Festival, Westminster,

Jan 6th – 27st – Puppeteering, Design Museum, London

Jan 8th – James Sherwood’s Slightly Passe Review of 2007, Etcetera Theatre

Jan 11th – Sway appears @ Fabriclive, Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street

Jan 12th – Doctor Who Book Signings, Forbidden Planet Megastore

Jan 13th – Russian Winter Festival, Trafalgar Square

Jan 14th – La Traviata opens, Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Jan 18th – The France Show 2008, Olympia, Hammersmith Road

Jan 19th – Big Brother 9 Auditions, Emirates Stadium

Jan 23rd – Boy George Live in Concert, Shaw Theatre

Jan 25th – Adventure Travel Show, Business Design Centre, Islington

Jan 28th – Linkin Park, The O2 (formerly The Millennium Dome),

Jan 31st – MCN London Motorcycle Show, ExCel London Exhibition Centre