Member Zone Releases

A Coventry hotel has introduced new innovative technology that will allow guests to turn their smartphone into a digital room key.

The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, based at the Ricoh Arena, will be the first Hilton to utilise the digital key feature in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Guests will need to download the Hilton Honors app to use the feature in the hotels and then download the key to their phone.

Once hotel guests check-in on the app, they will be notified that their room is ready and they can download their room key and  go straight to their room, bypassing the front desk, and press a virtual “unlock” button on their phone to open their bedroom door.

The new feature will make checking-in a simpler and more streamlined process.

Paul Michael, General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Ricoh Arena, said: “This is a very exciting new development at our hotel and will be a huge benefit to our guests.

“This is part of Hilton’s worldwide digital strategy and we are delighted to have been selected as the first in the region to implement this innovative new technology. 

“We have already seen how similar technology works in airports, with mobile boarding passes, and can make the process smoother for customers.

“Of course, we will still have our fantastic front of house team to assist with any needs and you can still check-in face-to-face. This new feature is just a different option for guests.

“We are always working to improve our service here at the Doubletree and we are certain this new feature will make every guest’s experience easier and contribute to an enjoyable stay.”

The Ricoh Arena has smashed its own record for the number of events and visitors it has hosted.

In the 12 months to June 2017, a total of 857 events were staged at the Ricoh Arena – an increase of over 10 per cent on the 777 events held for the previous 12 months. The latest yearly visitor numbers have also topped the 1.6 million mark, up from 1.2 million in 2015.

The Coventry venue has experienced the majority of this growth within the conference and meetings sector, taking 666 bookings in the last financial year compared to 583 bookings in the previous year.

It hosted an extra 11 exhibitions during the same period after attracting business from established media company the Mark Allen Group, as well as other trade shows such as Mechanex and Surfex.

The venue also encountered sporting success last year, hosting an additional 17 events in addition to 59 the year before. This was driven by a successful year for Wasps Rugby Club - who welcomed more than 300,000 fans through the turnstiles as they reached the Aviva Premiership play-off final.

The Ericsson Indoor Arena also hosted Wasps Netball for the first time, on top of memorable spectacles such as the Rugby League Four Nations tournament and Champion of Champions Snooker.

Over the past year, the Ricoh Arena also welcomed chart-topping music artists such as Robbie Williams, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Craig David.

Stuart Cain, Group Commercial Director for Wasps and Ricoh Arena, said: “These figures reflect the great deal of hard work and investment that has gone into making the Ricoh Arena one of the leading events venues in the UK.

“Conferences, meetings and exhibitions are performing well for us, driven by our location next to the M6 and on-site DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. We’ve also worked hard to increase the flexibility of space within the Ericsson Exhibition Hall and wider Ricoh Arena, supported by strong Event Management and Technical Support teams that make thigs happen in spectacular fashion.

 “Having a record year, the challenge is maintaining such a strong performance in the future so we’re investing in our facilities to keep them fresh and enhancing our digital capability.

“This includes the launch of CityFibre’s ultra-fast Wi-Fi throughout the venue and the partnership with taxi app Gett, making it easier for people to order a taxi from their phone.

“We’ve also opened the new Ricoh Business Lounge which showcases the latest in office technology creating one of the most advanced meeting spaces in Coventry.”

ENDS

The UK’s largest agricultural machinery show, LAMMA, will move to the NEC from January 2019.

The NEC is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Cole as Revenue Development Director.  

The NEC has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Amy King as Senior Account Manager. 

The Emergency Services Show returns to the NEC on Wednesday 20th and 21st September, and the venue will play host over 450 exhibiting companies and organisations showcasing the latest kit and solutions for the industry.

NCC Events (NCCE) has signed a five-year rolling contract with the NEC to keep the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show and the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the Birmingham based venue until 2021.

Let someone else take the strain of planning your exclusive Christmas party, with a dedicated event organiser who will assist you to plan your perfect evening.

Hammersmith based gym, State of Mind Fitness, has today announced that a special boxing event titled UNITY will be taking place at Olympia London on Friday 15th September. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to causes supporting the victims and community affected by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.