You may have heard about it already (we’ve been quite excited about this so hard to keep quiet!) but we are absolutely delighted to confirm we are now working with AV specialists Bryght to deliver a dedicated live streaming studio at thestudio Birmingham.
The “Bryght Studio at thestudio” is now being offered to all of our clients as a seamless city centre production solution.
This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with a tech specialist who share our values to ensure we meet the needs of those guests who are looking for a safe and seamless event solution in these extraordinary times. There is still an opportunity to expand the offer, our relationship with Bryght is set to grow and we are looking forward to offering the Bryght Studio at thestudio across all our locations over the forthcoming months.
We caught up briefly with Bryght director Nick Ricketts who told us “It’s been our ambition to offer a city centre production facility for some time and during the last few months we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for this offer. We wanted to partner with an equally dynamic organisation and our relationship with thestudio enables us to provide the latest in high technology equipment with the support of an experienced event team in one of the city’s most established and creative event venues”
We have been working hard to build a flexible package suited to the needs of all clients including virtual and hybrid options. We understand that for some clients this will be their first experience in hosting virtual or hybrid events and we want everyone to feel confident that they have our full support throughout every step of the process. The Bryght Studio at thestudio compliments our existing services and we’re now proud to be able to offer a full hybrid and virtual event offer, no matter what your budget.
We will catch up with Nick next week to dive a little deeper into what the Bryght Studio at thestudio can offer you for your next hybrid or virtual event. To find out more click here.
As our industry starts to see the green shoots of recovery we are delighted to report an 88% increase in confirmed business since the Prime Ministers roadmap out of lockdown announcement in February.
We’ve been working hard over the past few months to ensure we have solutions available to allow our clients to take the bold step back into events and we’re pleased that confidence is growing and confirmed bookings are falling into our diary.
“We have been pleased to be open to support with critical training throughout this latest lockdown, however as enquiry levels grow and a return to regular events comes into view, the news of an increase in confirmed business signals the next step in a long-awaited recovery, which is exciting not just for us, but for the industry as a whole” says our Commercial Director Julian Kettleborough
“We have been working hard to build our offer and continue to increase the flexibility we are able to give our clients including virtual and hybrid options. We want everyone to feel confident that they have our full support when making the bold step back into holding their events. We are really pleased that this work, coupled with a positive announcement from the Government, has meant we are experiencing an increase in enquiries and more importantly firm commitments from our clients.”
“Whilst the end is sight we still have a lot of work to do both as a business and as part of the industry and we certainly don’t want to sit still. We will continue to work closely with our clients, listening and being flexible to their needs to ensure they have the confidence to book their events for the coming months.”
Whether you are looking for a totally live event, hybrid or virtual options, if you want to Boldy GO speak to us today or have a take a look at how we can support you here.
We know it’s been a while but if you are ready to meet, then we’re ready to welcome you with safe and seamless meeting and event spaces in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow.
If you need extra room then we’ve got so much space you can ‘boldy go’ where other guests fear to tread.
And don’t worry if it’s a giant leap too far. For bookings up to September 2021 we’ll offer a flexible booking guarantee which will allow you to cancel or amend your booking as little as 7 days prior with no questions asked.
To book please call 0800 028 6694 or email us on events@thestudio.co.uk
“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.”
-Alice Walker
It’s no secret that us Brits love a cuppa. Whether it’s a quick brew before heading out the door or enjoyed with a myriad of cakes and bite sized sandwiches, tea drinking is an undeniably huge part of our culture. So important in fact that we’ve got some big news to share with you…
BIGGER, Better tea selection…
If you ask us what year it is, we’ll say it’s Twentea twentea! That’s because we’ve introduced a new variety of Birchall teas across all our venues. Whether it’s a caffeine boosting English Breakfast, refreshing and distinct Earl Grey or a stomach settling ginger and lemon, we’ve got you covered. In this turning over a new leaf, there’s even red berries, green tea, chamomile and peppermint to choose from.
Why Birchall?
With 5 generations of tea expertise’s in its basket, its no wonder Birchall has won so many great taste awards. Aside from the spectacular flavour, Birchall has a strong sense of sustainability and environmental responsibility.Their tea bags are compost friendly, better still they’re MICRO PLASTIC FREE! The importance they place on innovative ways to reduce impact really resonates with thestudio’s core values. We’re always looking at ways to add something a little special to your customer journey with us.
Fancy a cuppa?
Win a box of Birchalls tea by following @studiovenues on twitter and RETWEET to enter! (Only till 4pm 6th Feb)
Mug to glug…
Nothing short of a hug in a mug, not much beats a good cuppa. We want your tea tasting opinions, tweet us @thestudio. If you’d like to find out more about Birchall tea click here… And remember, you’re always welcome to pop in and join us for a brew!
Some people say it’s mystical, a magic potion that ignites your mornings with promise and opportunity… We call it coffee! There’s no denying a great cup of morning pick me up really can make you feel invincible.
The way you start your day really matters to us, that’s why we’ve joined forces with Redber coffee roasters and upgraded all the coffee and machines in our venues, ensuring you start your day off perfectly!
We have introduced new bean to cup Esprecious machines as well as new filter Aurora machines across all locations. Whether your daily grind calls for a latte, mocha, or a simple unadulterated cup of the pure stuff, we have it all brewing for you …
Our new blend…
Coffee beans grown in the nutrient dense volcanic soils of Honduras and the high altitude of the Cachoeira farm combine to make our delicious “studio blend”. This offers a smooth, aromatic taste experience with chocolatey/nutty undertones.
Redber buy directly from source, starting with a delicate green bean which is then roasted to order for us and delivered the next day. This means you’ll always have a fresh coffee experience.
We cannot tell you how excited we are to be offering such a great product with a fantastic new coffee partner. The buzz around the venues (not only from the caffeine!) is just wonderful. Great taste, ethical sourcing, happy customers… what more could we ask for?!
Fun fact…
Did you know coffee is a fruit? The bean which we use grows inside a coffee cherry! Though we wouldn’t go as far to say it counts towards one of your five a day.
Something for everyone….
Not a coffee drinker? Watch this space, we’ll soon be introducing a new range of teas… They are eco-friendly and biodegradable! Find out more about Birchall teas by clicking the link below:
We’re excited for all the developments 2020 will bring and from everyone @thestudio, we wish you your best year yet!
Ever notice how people who are admired, radiate a positive and friendly aura? Whether you’re looking to secure agreements, network or become someone’s go to person, body language has a meaningful impact on the connections we attempt to create. We are frequently told “actions speak louder than words”, so join us as we delve into the world of body language!
What is this body language you speak of?
Body language in a nutshell is how we consciously and unconsciously hold ourselves. It’s a form of nonverbal communication which gives clues into our frame of mind or attitude. From posture to a welcoming handshake, every gesture we make is subconsciously noted in the minds of our audiences. It has the power to convey how we really feel, without even saying a word! “Research says that our communication consists of 35% verbal communication and 65% non-verbal communication.”
Positivity is infectious!
First time presenting or have an important client catch up? A positive body language can help captivate, influence and draw in your audience/guests to the pivotal message of your meeting. We’ve done some digging and here are a few ways you’ll give off the best impression:
1. Chillin’ is winning – having a relaxed posture, breathing and open arms/palms are all signs of a calm demeanour. Making you seem approachable, friendly and pleasant.
2. It’s all in the eyes – eye contact is important; it shows that you are confident and comfortable in a given situation/environment. It’s said that eye contact when teaching improves learning, attention and makes the audience feel more engaged. It even expresses interest…just remember not to stare!
3. Nodding helps to emphasise key points and makes them more memorable.
4. Show off your pearly whites – smiling and using humour encourages people to feel more at ease and makes it easier to develop a warm personal relationship.
Everything in moderation…
Positive body language should be used sparingly, it’s a fine line as consistent exaggerated gestures can come off more negative than positive!
After thought…
Body language can be consciously applied to any given situation, so we hope that you’ve found this insightful. Why not give it a whirl and try out our positive body language tips!
Written by: Jyoti Banga
It’s finally here, the British summer has decided to make an appearance halfway through the year. Better late than never we say! Before we strut our stuff in shorts and add cocktail umbrellas to all our cold drinks, there is one hurdle to jump…
We spend a good portion of our lives dedicated to our careers which usually means business attire! Whilst presentation is everything, being suited and booted often leads us to feeling hot under the collar. Despite retiring your blazer to your chair back, heat can be a problem.
So how would you keep your guests from falling asleep in your events? Read on for our top tips for keeping your team cool and engaged this summer!
1 – Feel that breeze! Let’s be honest, no one wants to be confined to an office space for the whole day. Not much has changed from those long hot schooldays spent peering out the window wishing you were outside. That’s why it’s important to have the best of both worlds. Choose an event venue that offers an outdoor area where guests can stretch their legs and get that all important dose of vitamin D. It’ll make a huge difference to their outlook and concentration.
2 – Avoid stuffy rooms… Open the windows! General ventilation is a blessing in hot weather conditions. Making sure there is a flow of air will have a significant effect on your guests’ comfort. How to make sure the venue offers exactly what you need? Getting a first-hand perspective of what you’ve booked really helps, book in to visit the event space you’ve booked!
3 – Ice cream! Everyone loves surprises, especially ones involving food. Refresh your guests by treating them to ice cream. It’s a great trick that’ll offer some refuge from the heat and a much-needed sugar boost! Rest assured ice cream isn’t the only option, how about: cool fruit kebabs, individual pots of sorbet, smoothies, jugs of iced tea or even hire in a Slushie machine! The possibilities are endless… Check with your events space what they could offer.
4 – Engage your guests… Visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic, keeping different types of learners engaged in the baking heat is a challenge to say the least! Our solution? Try having ice breaker style activities dotted throughout your event. Three short 5 minute activities will help refocus your guests. Using lightly competitive games, quizzes or puzzles alongside your event topic will make the information more memorable. Alternatively, you could book an external company through your venue who offer fun team building exercises!
5 – Hydration breaks… We all respond to heat differently, some of us relish in the inferno whilst others recoil at the thought of being hot. One sure fire way to douse that flame is to incorporate hydration breaks into your event. These little breathers will help the day keep pace and allows each individual to regulate their own body temperature. After-all, water is the elixir of life!
We hope our summer suggestions will help you in your events. Tweet us your cool ideas @studiovenues.
Written by: Jyoti Banga
It feels as though the long-awaited British summer has abandoned us and now businesses are already advertising for Christmas?! We understand the injustice, it might seem unthinkably soon to entertain the thought, so here’s a few reasons why it’s a brilliant idea to get cracking on the planning…
Get bookin’ good lookin’…
“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain. Thankfully you don’t have to make frog eating part of your morning routine, instead, banish procrastination by doing your least loved task first. Booking a Christmas party venue might be at the top of this list! So… get cracking, tick it off and sit back and enjoy that summer we are all waiting for!
Thoughtful questions…
As you can imagine, there’s a whole heap of aspects to take into consideration when looking at potential venues. What your team needs and what the venue offers should be paramount. Here’s a few questions for consideration to help guide your thought processes:
– Getting there… Does the chosen venue offer a variety of transport links to suit all budgets?
– Classic or quirky? The style of your chosen venue says a lot about your brand and your team, does your choice tick all the boxes?
– Do you want to be part of a joiner party night or would you like exclusive use of the venue?
– What other events are going on in the venue on the same date, will it impact your party?
– Will the venue offer event security for peace of mind?
– Food for thought… It’s really important to take into consideration the catering of the event. People come in all different shapes and sizes, and so do diets! Allergies, religious or preference… can the venue support all these requirements?
– Check out the bar prices in advance so the drinks are affordable and in line with what your guests would expect as high street prices
– Does the venue have all the appropriate licences; liquor, entertainment, music, etc
– Does your package include merrymaking essentials like DJ and decorations?
– Storage… Would you need to store items before or after the party?
– Weigh up if you’d implement a “drink voucher” system so everyone gets their fair share. It comes in handy when you’re budget conscious!
– Is the venue fully accessible and able to welcome all of your guests?
– Will some of the team need accommodation? Is there a good range of options nearby?
Party time…
Let’s be honest, it’s always great to have something to look forward to, and what better than a party pencilled in for December. Remember your end of year festivities are in celebration of all your achievements. You may not be counting down the days just yet but before you’ll know it, it’ll be time to go out with a bang!
The run down…
In a nutshell, there are perks of arranging your Christmas shin dig now: avoid both stress and fully booked venues with something to look forward to. Hopefully we’ve inspired you to take hold of the sleigh reins and start jotting some ideas down.
We appreciate finding the perfect match is a challenge, we appreciate a helping hand never goes a miss… With that in mind, here are our best tips for finding your dream venue.
The bare necessities…
Before we go off on a delightful tangent and start singing The Jungle Books’ classic song, let’s think about what you need from your venue. It could be anything from super-fast Wi-Fi connection, an outdoor environment or a stylised exhibition space. Jotting down a few key things about your event needs really helps to hone in your search results!
Are we there yet …?
Whether you’re dreaming about a coastline view, a cityscape or somewhere out in the sticks, location is everything when it comes to planning. A few thoughtful questions to help steer you in the right direction: how easy is the prospective venue to find? Will the bulk of your guest be travelling by car or using public transport? Is there accommodation at the venue or nearby? All these aspects will have a profound affect in your pursuit for your perfect match!
Show me the money…
Whether you’re tightening the purse strings or letting loose with your spending, budget plays a massive role in organising your event. If you’re conscious about splurging, arranging your event to fall on Monday, Friday or school holidays might help you save a pretty penny.
Free venue finding services…
New to the meetings and events game? Don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere! Luckily, there’s an abundance of lovely people who’ll be happy to help you on your mission. Free venue finding services are a way to go, they provide you support, search for and offer a variety of viable options. With a list of all your specs and event info, they’ll do all they leg work. Sounds like a dream doesn’t it?
Go with your gut…
Always visit the venue! Even though you’ll have copious amounts of images, detailed specifications and virtual tours of the location, nothing will speak louder than your first impression. You’ll be able to get a feel for the service, the team and most importantly the environment. Trust your intuition. Also check out all the venues social media pages, this will give you a great insight into their business personality and also it acts as a great way to see what other customer’s might be twittering on about!
That’s a wrap…
All in all, finding your perfect match is a doddle! We hope that our tips served you well in your search and if you ever need anything meetings and events, we’ll always be happy to help 😊
Written by: Jyoti Banga
Here at thestudio, we aim to keep all of our fascinating facts and exciting changes at the forefront for our customers to stay in the loop with us!
We are beginning to install our Good to Know About chalkboards in our refreshment areas in all of our venues across to inform and keep you up to date about our latest fun facts, and all the important work we do behind the scenes every step of the way.
Here are some of our eight must know facts…
1. Around the world in 19 ways…
thestudio team between them speak an incredible 19 different languages! They all travel as far across the world from German, Polish and Yoruba, right up to Farsi, Japanese and Zulu – to name just a few!
2. thestudio and the city…
We have four fantastic and bright and bubbly venues throughout UK in vibrant major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds, plans are afoot for further expansion … where would you like to see the next studio?
3. Food glorious food…
Did you know that our customers can also join in some of our delicious food taster days and this summer we will be hosting a food innovation day with all of our location chefs, join our studiofamily database to receive your invite. Also good to know that in Birmingham our largest location any food wastage is donated daily to Lets Feed Brum to support with food stations and shelters for those in need.
4. Finding the right BALANCE…
We have our very own not for profit cookbook with all of our favourite recipes called BALANCE. It caters to specialised diets from vegan to gluten free; we even provide nutritional information from energy to protein.
5. Keeping it in the family…
thestudio is an independent and privately owned by a board of four directors who all still work in the business as its continued to expand throughout the UK.
6. Let them eat cake…
For every Foodinate cake added to your event, you can provide a warm and nutritious meal for a person in the local community. Take a look at www.foodinate.co.uk.
7. Coffee for two…
All of our coffee throughout thestudio venues is supplied by Groundhouse Coffee. They not only source their ingredients from co-operatively owned and sustainable plantations, but they also continue to give back to their local communities as a result.
8. It all starts in the Classroom…
For every booking that takes places in the Classroom thestudio donate £10.00 to the Wood Street Mission. They are children’s charity helping families living on low incomes in Manchester and Salford. Through their SmartStart initiative, this helps struggling families have access to non-branded school uniforms, coats, shoes, sports kit and stationery throughout the school year.
We’d love for you to stay in thestudio loop with us so give us a follow on Twitter, or tweet @studiovenues for any burning questions about our must-know facts to find out more.
Written by: Leah Mahon
Edited by: Emma Jennings
