Plans are afoot to install what will be London’s biggest-ever outdoor ice rink on Oxford Street this winter.

The mammoth 1,225sqm rink will take over blank canvas event space Parklife Oxford Street opposite Selfridges from 29 October through to 10 January, dwarfing other festive skating rinks in the capital.

It will accommodate up to 400 skaters an hour and will feature children’s training area and Ice Café.

The agency behind the space, Progressive Events, is also planning a celebration evening for the Christmas lights switch-on on 3 November and is working on ideas for the next traffic-free weekend on 5 and 6 December.

This year’s Cycle Show, organised by Upper Street Events, will feature talks aimed at female cyclists as 20,000 people decend on Earls Court this October.

 Exhibitors including Condor, Ridgeback, Scott, Cannondale and Specialized are already confirmed to appear at the show, which is aimed at cyclists of all proficiencies.

Talks at the event will include Woman’s Hour, a female-orientated discussion hosted by a panel of experts from sport, fashion and celebrities.

Elsewhere, a Cycle Area will host stunts and displays from the UK’s top BMX riders when the show kicks of from 9-11 October 2009.

The Cycle Show will also offer a Free Secure Bike Park, sponsored by Brompton, allowing two-wheeled commuters to park at the show.

Organisers will soon be able to evaluate and analyse the social and cultural impact of their events on local communities, thanks to a new online toolkit developed by Edinburgh Napier University.

A result of extensive research within the festival and event industry, the facility will seek a cross-section of views on issues such as transport problems and overcrowding, volunteering, local business involvement and community activities.

It is hoped this insight will help organisers ensure they cater to the needs of local people when they are planning events.

Meanwhile, organisations will be able to download questionnaires and receive instant results.

“Judging by the feedback we’ve had from festival directors across the UK, there is a real appetite for an effective way to measure the social and cultural impacts of events,” said project leader Dr Paul Barron.

“Once organisers can measure how their events affect their local communities, they will be able to make decisions to address any negative impacts or make the most of positive impacts. In the current economic environment, such information is invaluable, especially when liaising with venues, local authorities and other partners.

“There is an increasing need for accountability across the board. Festivals will be able to use the off-the-shelf online toolkit to highlight the opportunities and challenges they bring. It will enable organisers to show that, alongside the undoubted economic benefits brought by festivals, socio-cultural impacts can be used as a persuasive argument for their existence and continued support.”

The facility is set to be rolled-out later this year.

Edinburgh Napier University is home to the only Institute for Festival and Event Management in the UK.

EVENT MANAGER – BOUTIQUE EVENT AGENCY – £35k, Regan & Dean Recruitment Limited

• Employer: Regan & Dean Recruitment Limited
• Posted: 11 Aug 2009
• Reference: E2476
• Contact: Regan & Dean Recruitment Ltd
• Location: London
• Sector: Business To Business
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full Time
• Position: EVENT MANAGER – BOUTIQUE EVENT AGENCY – £35k
• Salary: £30000-£35000

Are you an experienced Event Manager, with excellent account handling skills, looking for a real opportunity to develop your career? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small but successful events agency, working with major corporate clients. You’ll be involved from pitch to delivery, fully utilising your excellent client liaison skills, as well as your strong event knowledge and experience as you put together and deliver flawless events. You’ll be given all the opportunities for reward and progression that working in a small agency can bring.

You’ll already be an experienced agency Event Manager, who has worked across a broad range of corporate events – able to handle large and small projects with equal confidence. But what will be particularly notable are your amazing client facing skills. The agency is looking for someone who can represent their brand and spirit, and can become a key part of their client offering. In return they’re looking to give you scope to develop your career and reward you well for your achievements.

So – if you have excellent agency event management experience, have delivered an extensive range of significant events in your career, are adept at working with prestigious clients, and have meticulous attention to detail – and that added sparkle that engages clients and colleagues alike – we’d like to hear from you now. European languages would be a bonus. Send your cv to gillycvs@regananddean.co.uk, or call Gilly on 0207 409 3244 .

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Events Executive, Ad Lib

• Employer: Ad Lib
• Posted: 18 Aug 2009
• Reference: B1418
• Contact: Carolyn Ayles
• Location: Bristol
• Sector: Public Sector
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full Time
• Position: Events Executive
• Salary: £22k + Benefits

An adaptable and highly organised Events Professional with conference and exhibition expertise is what’s needed for this great permanent opportunity in Bristol. If you know a thing or two about B2B event planning and organisation then this could be the perfect match!

This Major not for profit society organises and manages a wide range of events to generate revenue for research, education and support within their specialist industry and they’re in urgent need of an experienced events executive to join them.

Reporting directly to the Events Manager you’ll turn your immediate attention to delivering their major annual event taking place March 2010. You’ll also turn your hand to organising a wide range of events from training days and conferences to seminars and exhibitions varying in size from 12 to 2000 delegates.

Through detailed planning and budgeting you’ll be involved in the whole life cycle of the events. You’ll analyse and negotiate venues, organise marketing, publicity and sales and invite speakers as well as manage clients’ needs and expectations on-site when required.

Experience as an Events Assistant/ Executive is essential. You will have liaised directly with clients, sourced venues and planned and budgeted for a range of commercial events. They’re after a team player too, someone with excellent interpersonal skills who’s proactive in getting the job done, unflappable under pressure with a high attention to detail….not much then?!

In return you can expect a salary up to £22,000 and a good benefits package including a performance related bonus scheme and contributory pension scheme.

Please apply in the first instance with your CV.

We anticipate a high number of applications for this role therefore please bare with us whilst we work through this process internally, we will reply to all applicants in due course.

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Marketing Manager, Stopgap

• Employer: Stopgap
• Posted: 25 Aug 2009
• Reference: KER-068056
• Contact: Kristin Ruddick
• Location: London
• Sector: Financial Services
• Contract: Contract
• Hours: Full Time
• Position: Marketing Manager
• Salary: GBP35000-GBP40000

Marketing Manager, Finance, London, 6 months, £35 – £40k

If you’re in financial services and want to break the mould, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected retail brand and work on some dynamic new financial services products. If you’re a Marketing Manager with exceptional general insurance, online and offline marketing expertise, read on.

Headquartered in central London, our client is an iconic British retail brand with a proud history and a famous heritage. Joining this retailer’s marketing department, you’ll manage the marketing of new financial products in this diverse and rewarding role. As Marketing Manager, you’ll be required to:

* Develop and execute marketing plans for all financial products, including home, travel, pet, car and wedding insurance

* Manage media buying and creative agencies

* Ensure consistency and accuracy of message across all marketing channels

* Maintain an awareness of the financial market, competitor activity and key trends to ensure that new developments can be identified to exploit new opportunities

This excellent London-based role as Marketing Manager is a unique opportunity to work on some innovative financial products and market these within an exciting and competitive marketplace. In order to succeed in this position, it’s essential that you can demonstrate:

* Proven marketing experience gained working on general insurance products

* Strong online marketing experience, along with solid offline marketing skills

* A track record of managing successful B2C marketing campaigns

* Expertise in tracking and ROI

This job as Marketing Manager is an excellent opportunity to come in and make this role your own, with the support of a fantastic Marketing Team behind you. For further details and to apply, please contact us today.

Marketing Manager, Finance, London, 6 months, £35 – £40k

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Head of Group Events, Fitzroy Executive

• Employer: Fitzroy Executive
• Posted: 25 Aug 2009
• Reference: MWP-068309
• Contact: Moira Pierce
• Location: London
• Sector: Financial Services
• Contract: Contract
• Hours: Full Time
• Position: Head of Group Events
• Salary: GBP400-GBP450

Head of Group Events, Finance, London, until May 2010, £400 – £450 per day

Are you a high calibre events marketer with extensive international experience of the financial sector? Does the thought of running global events for an industry heavyweight appeal to your senses? Then this interim assignment as Head of Group Events is too good an opportunity to pass up.

Our client is one of the UK’s biggest banking organisations; a brand that is untarnished by current events. Joining this financial company’s London headquarters, this interim role as Head of Group Events will see you provide strategic design, development and delivery of a programme of internal and external group events. You’ll:

* Ensure that all events communicate key business messages for domestic and international audiences

* Develop and implement an effective strategy for managing Group corporate hospitality memberships

* Provide a full event management service for the CEO, Chairman, Board and functions

* Lead and develop a team of events specialists

* Identify opportunities for generating ideas to use events as a communications tool

A high-profile and challenging position for the right professional, this is a superb opportunity to manage a significant events function for a global financial brand. In order to succeed in this London-based role as Head of Group Events, you must have:

* Exceptional vision / direction – forward-thinking / client focused

* Strong ability to develop creative solutions to satisfy client needs

* Strong industry and business understanding with experience of translating commercial dynamics into value-led business events

* Sound expertise in how production / agencies work

* Extensive agency management experience at the highest level

* International experience

If this intriguing role appeals to a professional of your impressive credentials, please don’t delay your application – get in touch with us today for further details.

Head of Group Events, Finance, London, until May 2010, £400 – £450 per day

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EVENT/SALES ROLES – EUROPE, J B Event Recruitment

• Employer: J B Event Recruitment
• Posted: 21 Aug 2009
• Contact: Helen
• Location: Germany, Italy, Spain
• Sector: Conferences, Event Management, Live Events
• Contract: Contract
• Hours: Full Time
• Position: EVENT/SALES ROLES – EUROPE
• Salary: Neg

With several of our key clients looking to expand their businesses into Europe, we need excellent candidates at all levels to help them achieve this.

We are currently looking for ‘European based’ candidates at all levels from Project Managers to Account Directors/Sales

Candidates MUST be business fluent in any of the following languages:- German, Spanish, French, Dutch or Italian, as well as a good command of Business English.
You will have a good ubnderstanding of the pharmaceutical industry. Also a proven track record of running complex events.

We are keen to hear from candidates with both logistics and sales event background.

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Energy Solutions Expo, the UK’s fastest growing energy management event, has consistently evolved since its inception to reflect the most important issues facing energy users. 2009 will continue this trend as the event introduces Sustainable Reality – a brand new series of complimentary seminars focussing on the practical delivery of sustainability and the implications for businesses and other organisations.

Taking place from 7-8 October 2009 at London Olympia, Energy Solutions Expo is supported by the National Energy Foundation and the Energy Institute. It forms part of Working Buildings which is comprised of three co-located events: Energy Solutions Expo; Total Workplace Management, the UK’s largest FM and estates event and M&E – The Building Services Event, the UK’s only dedicated building services event.

The Sustainable Reality Seminar Theatre, which is hosting the educational programme, will feature more than 12 hours of free seminars and 20 expert speakers who will provide insight, practical information and direction to help turn a company’s sustainability agenda into reality. The programme will be divided into eight streams:

1. The Future for a Sustainable Energy Economy
2. Energy Legislation & Regulation
3. Carbon Reduction
4. Energy in Education
5. Energy Training & Education
6. Monitoring & Management
7. Clean Energy
8. Energy Savings

Each stream will contain informative seminars looking at a variety of issues relating to sustainable energy solutions. Seminar topics include:

1. Tackling Climate Change during a Downturn
2. Gearing up for Carbon Reduction Commitment
3. Low Carb Refurb Makes Business Sense
4. Energy Use in Schools
5. Carbon Monitoring: Lessons for Footprinting
6. Developing an Energy Saving Blueprint

The 20 top-level speakers will represent a comprehensive cross-section of the industry. Speakers include:

1. Anna Halcro-Johnston, The Carbon Trust
2. Craig Simmons, Technical Director, Best Foot Forward (BFF)
3. Jacqueline Balian, CIBSE
4. Professor Jim Skea, UKERC
5. David Penfold, Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Sainsburys
6. Kate Dunk, Energy Institute
7. Dr Michael Gell, Xanfeon
8. Richard Brailsford, Project Director, AECOM

In addition, Energy Solutions Expo 2009 will host a further complimentary seminar programme in The Public & Private Sector Seminar Theatre. Featuring case studies from some of the industry’s leading companies, visitors will have the opportunity to gain insight into the latest developments from the likes of Mitsubishi Electric, Energy Institute, Earth Energy and powerPerfector.

Adrian Newton, Portfolio Director for Safety and Building Management at UBM Live, organisers of Energy Solutions Expo, said: “We have worked closely with the industry to develop this complimentary programme of seminars to ensure that we are covering all the key issues. With numerous top-level speakers presenting over the two days and intriguing case studies and debates, visitors will be able to address all their sustainability needs at Energy Solutions Expo 2009.”

Excel London is to host what is being billed as the first ever carbon neutral exhibition next month (September).

 The Haymarket Exhibitions event called The Carbon Show will offset carbon expended at the show using show sponsors Ecosecurities. Local tap water, food and beverages will be served and stand will operate a “no lighting policy”.

Recyclable USB sticks will be offered out at presentations, badges and lanyards will be recyclable and all registration is online.

Ecometrica will have four members of staff at the exhibition equipped helping visitors to participate in a live carbon footprinting exercise – ‘CarbonFootprintLive’. Throughout the day the results of the survey will be updated and displayed on a large screen.

The Carbon Show takes place from 29 to 30 September.

The Business Design Centre will feature a luxury spa, reception area, rooms and a bar when ‘Sleepotel’ is setup at the exhibition centre from 3-4 November.

 Architects and designers, including JOI Design, were encouraged to get involved in the project.

SpaVision will create a relaxation area with furniture and spa equipment.

Studio Archibella and Vallila Interiors will also create a room within Sleepotel using “energy efficient technology”.

A oversized Fiat 500C, five times the size of the original car, is to be built on London’s Oxford Street as part of the motoring brand’s latest campaign.

 The model will form part of Fiat’s Big Smile festival, taking place in Parklife Oxford Street from 28 August to 2 September, and will house an interactive visitor experience.

As part of the activity Parklife Oxford Street will be transformed into an inner-city park, complete with deckchairs, plants and snack stalls, as well as roaming entertainers and stilt walkers.

Life-size models of the Fiat 500, 500C and 500byDiesel will also be on display.

“We are taking The Big Smile to one of the busiest areas of London and I am looking forward to bringing our special brand of fun to this wonderful city,” said Fiat Group Automobiles UK marketing director, Elena Bernardelli.

“The huge Fiat 500C, and the whole event will create a great atmosphere and we’re anticipating six very happy days ahead.”

Free samples of the water-free hair-cleaning product, Batiste, will be distributed by staffing agency, Powergirls at this weekend’s (22-23 August) V Festival in both Staffordshire and Essex.

The festival is trumped as the “perfect place” for people to test the product, which is produced by the Vivalis brand.

The product has also established a Facebook site which features festival information and chances to win tickets to V Festival.

Financial services company Tibra avoided the temptation for a ‘normal’ corporate event theme by using Event Concept to produce a Heaven and Hell-styled party.

Some 300 guests attended the function at One Marylebone for cocktails and entertainment.

Firstly guests were taken to ‘heaven’, which featured stilt-walking angels, white seating and bar and Tom Dixon produced mirror balls.

In ‘hell’ guests were treated to an area that featured red lighting, a hexagonal bar, red cushions and black glossy tables. The Dj took residence on top of an ‘altar’ stage.

“As this was not your average corporate evening I was able to get really creative with the kinds of entertainment we provided. It’s not every day you get to have a stilt-walking horseman of the apocalypse leading guests around a deconsecrated church,” said Event Concept production designer Helen Smith.