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BRUNEL CONFERENCE SERVICES AIMS HIGHER

Brunel Conference Services were recently awarded Silver Accreditation by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA). Jane Evans, Chief Executive of their accreditation scheme visited Brunel to present the award.

We have now joined an elite group of six organisations in the UK who have managed to meet the standards of the silver level. The MIA is the largest and fastest growing association for the meetings industry in the UK and Ireland. Endorsed by VisitBritain, membership of the MIA and achievement of this award clearly demonstrates a commitment to deliver a high level standard of service and exceptional business principles.

Already members of the MIA, Brunel Conference Services decided to aim higher at the end of last year. Over a six month period evidence was gathered that demonstrated Brunel Conference Services carries out its day to day business in a way which is conducive with the exceptional standards of practise required of the Meetings Industry Association. Examples of areas covered included Business Planning, Researching Customers Needs and Creating the Customer Environment.

“I am so proud of the Conference Team as without their dedication and contribution we couldn’t achieve this. Awards like this really motivate the team and encourage us to strive further” says William Lindsay, Conference Operations Manager.

Caroline Barringer, Conference Marketing Manager comments “Awards like this are important to us to show customers that we are committed to our Customer Promise. According to respondents to the MIA’s latest Pathfinder Report, 80% of buyers in the Charity/Association/Not for Profit Corporate buyers sector are aware of AIM and 100% state that their decision to use a venue would be influenced by an accreditation scheme like AIM.

 

BORIS JOHNSON OPENS HILLINGDON POOL COMPLEX

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson officially opened Hillingdon’s new £31m sports and leisure complex on 23 March, featuring a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool and lido.

The pool and lido, both part of the new Sports and Leisure Complex on Gatting Way (just outside Uxbridge town centre), mean Brunel’s staff, students and visitors finally have world-class swimming facilities on their doorstep.

The 50m Olympic-standard pool is the first to built in the Greater London in 45 years and features with a fully adjustable floor to allow for recreation, training and competitions.

The 220ft, Grade II-listed lido complex will also be a big draw during the summer months. The lido has been restored to its former Art Deco splendour, including its 12-sided ‘star’ outdoor swimming pool, the only remaining example of its kind in the country. Other facilities on site include a 100-station gym, sports and dance studios, sauna and steam rooms, and a café.

See pictures of the pool and lido buildings on Flickr

See pictures from the opening ceremony with Boris Johnson on Flickr

At the opening ceremony, Boris Johnson said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the first Olympic-sized swimming pool in London for nearly half a century. This outstanding accessible sports complex is a real boost for everyone in the area whether you’re striving to be the next Mark Spitz or just trying to shift a few pounds and get healthier before the sun arrives.

“With such amazing facilities it’s sure to play a crucial role in the future success of the British swimming team and the fact that it’s open to everyone – young, old, abled and disabled – is something Hillingdon Council should rightly be proud of.”

As well as the recreational benefits to the community, the facilities could help lure major sporting talent to the region. The University and Hillingdon Council are working together to attract a major Olympic training team to the area for pre-games training before London 2012.

The addition of the pool complex, alongside the existing accommodation and world-class athletics facilities at the University, makes the area a very attractive prospect to national Olympic teams. A delegation from China, the biggest Olympic team in the world, has already visited Brunel and the pool complex to assess their training potential.

Brunel’s own community will also directly benefit from the University’s close relationship with the Council: the School of Sport and Education and the Students’ Union swimming clubs will be able to book lanes in the 50m pool for training and teaching purposes. In addition, NUS card-holding students can take advantage of special concession rates.

Hillingdon Council invested £26m in the complex, which was enhanced by funding of £2.025m from the London Development Agency, £1.5m of National Lottery funding from Sport England and £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Sports and Leisure Complex will be open to all from 24 March and the outdoor pool will be in use from May.

The U1 and U2 bus routes will go from the University to the leisure complex. Parking space is also available.

 

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

The Conference Office Team are raising money to help the Haiti Earthquake Appeal via the British Red Cross. If you would like to show your support please donate here online.

 

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY- THE ONLY 5* CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION IN THE UK

The Lancaster Suite as part of Brunel Conference Services has recently been awarded the highly sought after 5 Star rating by ‘Quality in Tourism’ in the Campus Accommodation category. This level of achievement is highlighted by the fact that Brunel can now claim to have the only 5 Star Campus accommodation in the UK.

The Lancaster Suite is open all year round, with the exception of the Christmas period, and gives a unique opportunity for visitors whether independent travellers or part of a conference to stay in high standard facilities for as little as £55 per night including breakfast and access to the increasingly popular Health Suite.

Matthew Ralph, General Manager of the Lancaster Suite, Lodge & Spa stated “We are extremely proud of this award which is the result of considerable work throughout the year from every member of our team. We listen carefully to our guests to ensure we are always striving to improve the reputation and awareness of the Lancaster Suite and Brunel within the local community.”

This level of quality was further reinforced recently when the department achieved Hospitality Assured customer service accreditation for the seventh year in a row. Brunel is one of the highest achieving Universities in the UK to gain this award.

Caroline Barringer, Conference Marketing Manager comments “External accreditations are important to assure customers that we have procedures and policies in place to ensure they receive the level of service they are promised.”

To book a room at the Lancaster Suite, Lodge & Spa please call the Reservations Team on (01895) 268001.

 

NEWS ARTICLE ARCHIVE

• Download Star Award Winners PDF
• Download Brunel Tops UK University Chart For Disabled Access PDF