Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

Imperial Tobacco are the UK’s leading tobacco company and the 4th largest tobacco company in the world, employing over 30,000 staff in over 200 countries and are committed to delivering excellence to its internal and external customers

Event: Annual UK Sales ConferenceLocation: ManchesterVenue: The Palace HotelNo. of Delegates: 550

Date: 17th – 19th October 2012

Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

Brief:To share creative ideas and inspire the team to lead Imperial into the next 50 years of business. Browns Venues and Events were tasked with developing a 2 day program that incorporated the conference heading of “Seed to Customer” and the stages the product takes from beginning to end, this involved a production video being produced during a 3 day trip to Malawi where the tobacco leaf is cultivated.

Guest speakers were also invited for a 3 hour session on day one, during which time a hugely inspiring open team discussion was developed.

Browns role included full stage, production and audio visual, alongside design, print and artwork. On-site event management, delegate registration and travel logistics were also part of the role

A James Bond theme was chosen for dinner, with a 1 and a half hour turn around to what was a magnificent looking ballroom

Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

The Hotel:Manchester was chosen as the location, due to its very good central location and transport links. Following a detailed search, The Palace Hotel was decided as the venue that the conference would take place. Its huge ballroom and ability to case study events of a similar size were key reasons for the choice. Due to the numbers however, 2 further hotels in the form of the Radisson Edwardian and Midland Hotel were required for overnight accommodation and logistics were planned and delivered in relation to shipping guests between hotels at key times

Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

Travel: Airport Transfers and Coaches were booked for those travelling from various locations across the UK.

Onsite Event Management:Browns Venues and Events project team arrived on site 2 days before the conference to prepare and plan and oversee a set up involving very detailed video and production elements and very important logistical planning considering the size of the group and the different hotels involved. Detailed hour by hour schedules were in place, ensuring key delivery points were met. The planning involved ensuring 3 10 ton trucks and crew were catered for and access points and set up times were delivered.

Over the 3 days, Browns were the main point of contact for all elements, including luggage drops, registration, hotel liaison, delegate liaison, program scheduling, production delivery with the senior management team.

Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

Challenges:Last minute changes to the senior managements presentations, meant a late night for the production team in ensuring the running schedule was delivered perfectly. As the conference on day one was a late finish, the turnaround time to dinner was critical and we must give thanks to the Palace for their contribution in making this happen.

Solution / Execution:A project team was put in place 3 months leading up to the event, with project meetings with the client taking place every 2 weeks. Having Browns Venues and Events handle all aspects of the event, meant that we were able to control and manage the delivery of everyone involved and ensure time deadlines were met. The experience of our event management team was paramount in the smooth execution of the event and planning

Imperial Tobacco UK Sales Conference – Manchester 2012

caseYDUTS

Verdict – Feedback from the client100% of the delegates said this was the best sales conference they had ever attended, with the main reasons being that less power point was used and more interaction based communication and involvement meaning all delegates felt engaged

“Thank you to everyone involved, but especially to Browns Venues and Events, who are quickly establishing themselves as the best supplier Imperial Tobacco have in all areas. Always there, always with a smile on their face and becoming a part of the Imperial family”

Kieron Penrose – Coaching & Development Manager