The Olympic Games drew to a close last night, marking the end of 17 fantastic days of sporting events in the capital. Prestige Ticketing, the official provider of the London 2012 Hospitality corporate hospitality packages, is also celebrating its success.

Tony Barnard, marketing director for Prestige Ticketing said the company provided a total of  80,000 hospitality covers during the Games. Prior to the opening ceremony,  Prestige had sold around 90 per cent of its tickets, but once the Olympics were open for business, interest hit its peak.

“We were selling steadily before the Games – but once the hype started, the phones didn’t stop. We had less than 10 per cent left at the time. At that late stage it was mainly UK calls,” he said.

Barnard added the service and standards were a top priority for Prestige: “The response from clients has been incredible – we set ourselves to build a new standard for hospitality – a new class.

“At no time were we willing to compromise so we made sure we put a lot of time and effort into training 4,000 accredited staff across the venues for the duration of the Games.”

Finally, if you're feeling a sense of emptiness today, fear not, the Paralympics begin on 29 August! 

***10 August 2012***

Good news! New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Kiwi House has ‘risen from the ashes’ and reopened after Wednesday night’s barbecue fire.

The house, which is based at 1 Granary Square near King’s Cross, was closed for less than 24 hours following two gas canisters exploding in an outdoor barbecue area. Last night (Thursday), Olympic fans were back at the venue and enjoying the party atmosphere.

On Twitter, Kiwi House said: “You didn’t think a little fire would close us up for good now, did you? We’re BACK!”

Rumours that Australia House, not to be outdone, was set to blow up its venue 'even better' are still unfounded...

***9 August 2012***

Greek Olympic officials have certainly raised the ire of the national media by hiring the Carlton Club in St James’s as the venue for the House of Hellenes - at a cost of £150k. The Greek Embassy has defended its pricey choice, claiming it was the only venue available at short notice after last month’s general election (in all of London?). Private firms are apparently stumping up half the hire cost, with the bulk of the rest coming from lottery cash. Organiser the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce aims to use the house to attract foreign investment in the ailing economy.

If you believe the rumours, however, the Greek Olympic Committee has implemented some austerity measures at the Games – demanding €150 (£119) back from any of the country’s athletes leaving the Olympic Village early.

*** 3 August 2012 ***

It was a close call, but the team from the VisitScotland Business Tourism Unit managed to convince the bugle boys from the Army and Navy Club on Pall Mall to allow a bagpiper to play during its event for corporate and agency buyers at Scotland House yesterday.

One of the visiting Scots was less successful, however, at getting a coffee shop in the Olympic Village to accept payment with a Scottish note. “We only accept English money,” the cashier said. Team GB, indeed!

A total of 55 events are taking place over the duration of the Games at Scotland House, from fashion shows to press events and trade meetings, highlighting business opportunities in Scotland. More than £2bn has been invested in business tourism product around Scotland, from new hotels (including a Waldorf Astoria planned for Edinburgh), The Hydro arena in Glasgow and the new Trump International Golf Links course in Aberdeen.

The Scots are also busy taking notes on London’s hosting role, preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

***

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has said that the Olympics has ‘totally disrupted normal booking patterns’ for hotels and that August occupancy levels could even be lower than this time last year.

The BHA’s research has found that while many hotels are seeing occupancy levels of 82 per cent on average, there is considerable concern now about the last two weeks of August and during the Paralympics in September.

In a statement, the BHA also said: “There is very little corporate demand and demand by leisure travellers to London, outside the Olympic Games, is very weak.”

***

The Swiss, not known for staying indoors, have extended beyond their National Olympic Committee House in Glaziers Hall to build an outside screen for Olympics coverage and stage for entertainment with bar – plus a rope climbing park. Those brave enough to finish the course (about 100 a day on average so far) go in the draw to win a trip to Switzerland.

The House of Switzerland, run by the Department of Foreign Affairs, is being used as a platform showcasing Switzerland’s cultural, economic and tourism sectors. While host to a media centre and VIP Lounge for athletes, the House will also host events every evening targeting key clients and industries. Last night was the turn of the travel trade, with 140 guests meeting up with 50 Swiss partners. 

Those peckish afterwards could enjoy food by Mosimann’s at the Bernese Chalet (complete with fondue and raclette booth), or the on-site Lindt chocolate shop. The House runs until August 12.

*** 2 August 2012 ***

Want to get your hands on some Emporio Armani Olympic sportswear? Well, head to the Italian National Olympic Committee’s (CONI) 'Casa Italia' at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster.

The Italian delegation have taken over the purpose-built venue for the duration of the Games and up in the Pickwick Suite there is a merchandise store selling replica kit worn by the athletes. Do remember your credit card though; a ladies sports jacket is priced at a cool £250.

Other sponsors of the Italian team include Fiat, Banco Intesa and Kinder (yes, there was some free Nutella floating about, too), and all have their own areas in Casa Italia.

QEIICC’s marketing manager Fiona Duffin said the centre was expecting around up to 800 members of public through the doors every day, and around 400 for private events.

Invited guests and corporate clients are being hosted in either the Italian restaurant on the third floor or the discotheque up on the sixth floor. We’re wondering if the QEIICC will keep the disco for future events?

**1 August 2012***

Qatar Tourism Authority has transformed IET Venues' Savoy Place. The whole venue has been taken over by the destination, and the build for Qatar House, or 'Bayt Qatar' as it is known, took just one month.

It features a roof garden with views across the Thames, a restaurant serving food by Harrods, an interactive exhibition on Qatar's history and future, a sports lounge, and even a mock-up of Doha's Souk Waqif, where guests can drink tea, coffee and have henna tattoos done.

Qatar only has six athletes competing in the Games, but the house will be used mainly by the royal family and other VIP members for hospitality and to host diplomats and guests. There is a theatre which is also being used for concerts and fashion shows.

The QTA has announced that from today (Wednesday) it will open up the ground floor of the house to the public from 3pm until 3am.

***

Germany was pleased it had won some medals last night, avoiding any potential bragging matches when members of the British tourism industry arrived for an event at the German House. Based at the Museum of London Docklands in Canary Wharf, alongside the Deutsches Haus Fan Fest, the venue is predominantly hospitality-based, with around 1,000 visitors expected every day. Partners will be taking turns to host events amongst the exhibits on the second level, with the German National Tourist Office taking its turn last night.

Attendees went home with both a ‘gold’ medal plus a goodie bag including a bottle of German Riesling. Beats those dodgy bridesmaid posies the athletes get…

***

The Austrian Alps have arrived in London! Trinity House near Tower Hill has been transformed into Austria House Tirol.

The historic nautical venue features an Austrian cafe serving up dishes such as sauerkraut and apfelstrudel and is decked out with screens to watch live action from the Games. There is even some winter sports gear available, should the British weather turn!

*** 31 July 2012 ***

Security firm G4S has put a stop to its corporate hospitality after failing to provide enough security guards for the Games. The company, which is a sponsor of the Olympics, has taken the decision to cancel its corporate entertainment programme following the security fiasco.

G4S hit the headlines pre-Olympics after the Government was forced to step in and provide military personnel to cover the security guard roles that G4S failed to fill. G4S has since raised questions about its ability to fill seats, too. As a sponsor it has a corporate allocation of tickets, but national media reports say pressure on its resources mean its staff are not able to use them. Again the military have been called up to fill the gaps...

*** 30 July 2012 ***

You’d be hard-pressed for time (and probably need a liver of steel) to make the most of the hospitality at all the National Olympic Committee (NOC) houses around the capital. There are 42 official Olympic Houses taking place around London, and 15 unofficial government or tourism-led ones currently.

And it is not just fun and games going on inside. While some focus squarely on hospitality for key clients and visiting dignitaries, others are using the opportunity to showcase their country for travel and trade and investment opportunities.

And, it’s big business for London, too. Zanine Adams, head of event solutions & UK sales at London & Partners said L&P had helped secure the venues for around 20 of the NOC Houses, which had brought in “£90m of economic benefit to the city”. “We worked with LOCOG to encourage the use of local talent and suppliers so they get the benefit,” she added.

What can the NOC knock-on effect be? Well look to the granddaddy of all Houses, Heineken (Holland) House at Alexandra Palace. It has its own TV and radio stations, merchandise shops, hospitality, spaces for athletes, spaces for the Royal Family…

On Saturday it hosted 6,500 people alone. It hit a record 108,000 in Vancouver and Freek de Wette, global sponsorship manager at Heineken, think it could hit 120,000 in London.

“It’s a great platform to bring your brand alive. London is a great stage for international events and we want to be part of the conversation.”

***

Like your Olympic live site action a little more VIP? Smaller queues, better loos? meetpie.com was lucky enough to experience the VIP hospitality areas created by Smyle at the BT London Live Hyde Park Opening Ceremony concert.

Around 800 people, including Smyle clients BT and Citroen, enjoyed the private entrance, screens, bars, barbecue and catering in the beach-themed private area (sand included).

Guests then received VIP grandstand seating for the gigs. The giant screen (the UK’s largest) showcased the action live from the Olympic Stadium, before splitting apart for full stage sets by Paolo Nutini, Duran Duran, Stereophonics and Snow Patrol.

The VIP experience at the BT London Live Hyde Park will be available every evening of the Olympics for groups and individuals, until the Closing Ceremony concert on August 12.

Nice work on the party throwing, Smyle! (jury’s out on your shape throwing, however…)

***

The catch-phrase of the Olympics may well be ‘Team GB’, but anyone hopeful for joined up Great Britain-wide promotion of our industry after business events were cut from VisitBritain’s remit may be left disappointed.

Speaking at an ‘event legacy’ panel at the London Media Centre today, John Penrose, MP for Tourism and Heritage, suggested that Whitehall saw regional and city destination promotion as the way forward.

“Everyone can learn lessons from London and make sure they’ve got their offer as lined up as they can, that hotels, transport, cultural institutions are singing from the same hymn sheet and that they are part of a package – that’s the kind of thing that impresses people. You’ve got to have the right offering in the first place. Unless you’ve got that it’s building bricks without straw.

“Cities are grabbing this and taking it forward and that’s much more powerful than me sitting at my desk thinking I know it all.”

He also drew on the work of the current GREAT campaign, which was enhancing the links between tourism, investment and education. “London & Partners has that mix and we’re seeing that develop in other cities now; it’s more of a local partnership with local government and local industry, led by local tourism.”

Doesn’t augur well for hopes for a national subvention fund, then…

Still, to his credit, Penrose has been present and vocal at several events-focused meets this year. He admitted at today’s event that some larger events needed local or national government help to win bids and agreed that should be forthcoming.

Moreover, he agreed that events had not got the recognition they deserved: “This is one of the areas of our tourism offer where we are not so strong – we are much more lowly ranked than we should be, so there’s a huge amount of potential there.”

Sounds like central government will be starting from the bench on business events and will rely on local talent to lead the play. Let’s hope when it does join the action, it gives a star performance.

*** 27 July 2012 ***

Friday night's opener was a triumph. It had a powerful sense of Britishness, through history, music and our unique quirky humour. It was great that Boyle didn't take us too seriously, because we don't. And the event received an unreserved ‘thumbs-up’ from event industry professionals from around the globe. Read them below and add your comments.

 “The atmosphere in the stadium was electric last night and there was a real sense of anticipation that this would be different. No double decker buses with Cliff, no Bert or chimney sweeps in sight, no cute children in glitzy costumes waving, this was a "new way" to show London to the world. It was honest and current and showed us Brits as an edgy lot with a great sense of humour. What he did with Rowan, Bond and the Queen's arrival was genius. Now let's all get behind team GB!”
Paul Miller, Spectra, London

“You should be very proud. The world was watching and it was brilliant.”
Claire Smith, Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada

“Brilliant show. One was watching (and expecting) the coverage on BBC but found that some obscure Middle East channel did a much better job”.
Trevor McCartney, Qatar Convention Centre, Doha

“What a wonderful start to a great event – it’s sport, sport, sport in our house and I am at Greenwich Monday!”
Sally Greenhill, The Right Solution, UK

“It was an amazing show! - you should all be very proud!

Rosemarie Sama, Luxperience, Australia

“It was brilliant!”
Patrick Delaney, Ovation MCI, Dublin

“Amazing opening ceremony! Congrats London...really well done!!!”
Susan Radojevic, Toronto, Canada

“Breathtaking.”
Bruce MacMillan

“What an incredible show. Congratulations London. You have rekindled the simple awesomeness of the Olympics. Bring on the athletes. Let the games begin!”
Rhett Lego, Conjoint Marketing Group, Frankfurt

“The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was inspired! So creative!”
Sue Potton, Freelance Event Organiser, Bournemouth

*** 26 July 2012 ***

Scotland House plans to bring a ‘wee bit of Scotland’ to 26-29 Pall Mall during the Olympic Games. The venue opens today and runs until 12 August, offering friends of Scotland a place to meet and do business during the 2012 Olympic Games, complete with Scottish sourced food and drink, entertainment and hospitality.

The VisitScotland Business Tourism Unit plans to fly the Saltire for the business events sector, hosting a networking dinner for corporate buyers, agents, and association buyers on 2 August. A number of spaces in the venue will also be available daily for business meetings, lunches and larger gatherings.

Lindsay Brown, UK marketing manager for the BTU, said: “Business tourism is a lucrative sector and consequently we are operating on a fiercely competitive global stage. In recent years we have seen renewed interest from not just Europe, but North America as well, while the domestic market remains committed to face-to-face meetings, corporate hospitality and team building – areas where Scotland can really step up to mark in terms of quality and value for money.” And they’re off – let’s hope for a podium finish.

***

Russian sports brand BOSCO is using {10-11} Carlton House Terrace as its base during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. BOSCO is the exclusive sponsor of the Russian Olympic and Paralympic teams and it is also the sportswear provider for the Ukrainian and Spanish Olympic teams.

BOSCO House will act as a private members' club with expected guests to include Ukrainian and Spanish royalty, Russian dignitaries and diplomats, athletes and celebrities. BOSCO branded bikes will be available outside the venue which guests can use to cycle around the city. A fleet of branded Audi cars, taxis and buses will also be available to transport guests to and from the venue to the stadium. 

***

The Irish Olympic House gave a flavour of what’s to come to press last night as it showcased its offer at the Big Chill House in Kings Cross with a hip hop/Irish dancing mash up.

With a Jameson-infused bar (and a menu offering ‘full Irish’ breakfasts and potato bread toast) the focus will be on hospitality, with live entertainment from 10am to 2pm every day. Corporate hospitality tickets, providing priority admission, have been selling fast or day admission is available on the door.

Comedians Dara O'Briain and Ardal O'Hanlan will spearhead the activity, alongside XFM DJ Eoghan McDermott, with Irish sporting heroes including Olympian Sonia O'Sullivan and boxing legend Barry McGuigan making appearances at the House alongside sporting stars from Team Ireland after their events have been completed. Entertainment will come from ‘next big thing’ The Original Rude Boys and Mick Flannery. The venue also boasts a roof terrace and basement ‘Jack’s Bar’ which mirrors the set of the Father Ted TV series.

“London 2012 is like a home Games for Team Ireland and we are expecting record crowds at the Irish Olympic House to cheer on the team,” said Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland.

*** 25 July 2012 ***

Members of the International Special Events Society (ISES) will get a close-up look at ‘the greatest show on earth’ when they convene in London for the Olympic Games.

Event professionals from all over the world will gather at The Retreat, an exclusive members club at The Brewery, London, on August 8, to share their experiences. The evening bash is being hosted by the ISES UK Chapter, which expects hundreds of its members to attend the sporting festival, which officially starts on Friday.

Organisers are also anticipating a special guest experience from "a former Olympic medal winner" (no clues as to who).

“This is a major benefit for our members and a celebration of the part ISES plays in the lives of creative event professionals,” said Philip Atkins, president ISES UK Chapter. “We’re looking forward to welcoming our colleagues around the world in this historic time for our industry.”

The event will be free to members of ISES UK Chapter. Non-members are also welcome to attend with a 20 per cent discount on normal ticket prices. To book visit www.cvent.com/d/7cq262

***

Meanwhile, the Austrian National Olympic Committee has announced it will give guests a ‘true Tirol welcome’ as City venue Trinity House becomes Austria House during the London 2012 Olympics.

The landlocked nation will use the venue, headquarters of one of England’s most venerable maritime institutions, the General Lighthouse Authority, to host dignitaries and VIP guests, the media, athletes and private functions. A marquee will be erected in front of the house to host members of the public and provide a cultural experience for guests to enjoy the Games and ‘all things Austria’.

The Concerto Group were tasked by the Austrian Olympic Committee to find a suitable venue and Mike Kershaw, Chairman of The Concerto Group, said, “We are very proud to be working with the Austrian Olympic Committee and are delighted to have been able to secure this remarkable venue, steeped with maritime history.” Guess it’s a change of scenery from mountains…

*** 24 July 2012 ***

What do you do with half a million pounds worth of Olympic Games hospitality tickets to keep them safe? This was the problem facing Bill Prosser when he realised he was sitting on an appreciating asset with an already high face value. “And the stack of tickets was far too big to put in the bank,” he said. The answer? “I stashed them in my loft,” said the director of London destination management company, The Competitive Edge. A different kind of high level security?

Prosser has been sitting on tickets for clients coming from Mexico and Germany – with entirely different challenges for each. The Mexicans – from a mobile phone distributor – need closer attention, not least because their three groups numbering 150 require around 1,000 room gifts! “That’s a total of two room gifts per delegate per day,” said Prosser. “And it has its own challenges."

Presumably there is no recession Down Mexico Way? Prosser’s main concern for his Mexican groups is how to get them back from the O2 (it has a new name for The Games but since you won’t know it, I’ll ignore it) as there is no facility for coach pick-ups for groups. “They will have to use public transport,” Prosser said ruefully. “It means we need a lot of bright orange jerseys and big signs to keep them altogether and board them at Charlton Station to get them back to Holborn.”

Moving people around the capital is clearly going to be the big challenge, not least because, in Prosser’s view, London’s best buses have been snaffled by the ‘Olympic Family’. Solution? The Competitive Edge have brought some of Ellisons Travel's coaches into London from Manchester. “As it turns out,” said Prosser, “I think we got a better deal than we would have done from a London supplier."

But what will the drivers make of the ‘Olympic Lanes’, road closures and rephrased traffic lights? We’ll soon find out!