Blog
Spotlight: Lesley Tyler
In a new feature in which we highlight the experience of our team, first up is Lesley – the Head of Events Operations at the Gray Dawes Group. With over 30 years in the industry she has a wealth of experience and knowledge, having worked on a range of high-profile events including the Wimbledon Championships and the British Grand Prix.
New Venue Management Power
We are super excited to announce that we’ve signed an agreement with venuedirectory.com for its end-to-end venue finding software, GRATIS. This new deal will not only enhance the efficiency of our venue finding services, but it bring fantastic new features, advantages and benefits to our customers.
Strategic Meetings Management
Strategic Meetings Management (or SMM) is the event planner’s smart way to co-ordinate meetings at key/preferred venues on a regular basis, often guaranteeing discounted rates, added extras, and having priority to meeting spaces over other companies who may not be quite as organised as you!
Delegate Management
An event management solution which is so much more than a device to help you keep track of your delegate numbers, it’s also a strategic tool, to increase visibility and compliance and as a result provide costs savings.
Reward & Recognition Programmes
Reward and recognition programmes are a fantastic way to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts and achievements of your team. They can help raise morale, increase employee engagement and improve team culture.
Transitioning Back to Normal Events
While things may not go back to normal overnight, we’re ready to start the transition. We’re looking at how this will work and what we can offer to help make our clients feel safe and build up the confidence to meeting in person again. Here’s our top 3 tips to think about with returning to in-person events…
Zoom Fatigue
Zoom fatigue is the latest phrase we’ve added to our vocabulary since the pandemic forced offices up and down the country to shut. Find out how Zoom fatigue has become something people are increasingly aware and victims of.
Experience is Everything
In this article, Lesley Tyler, Head of Events Operations at Gray Dawes Group, reflects on the past 12 months, what corporate events will look like in a post-Covid world and how Gray Dawes Events can help your organisation create a memorable experience for your next event.
Etiquette Faux Pas to Avoid in Virtual Meetings
From showing up late to appearing too casual, we offer some tips on how to avoid these faux pas and improve your meeting etiquette, in preparation for returning to the office.
What England’s Roadmap Out of Lockdown Means for Live Events
After months of virtual meetings, classes, conferences, and happy hours, it has been announced that large business events can resume with the recently released proposed roadmap out of lockdown for England. We discuss what that means for Gray Dawes Events with very own Meetings Management Team Leader, Danielle Grubb.
The Future of Live Events
According to C&IT’s Global Agency Outlook survey the majority of event planners expect large-scale events to return in the third or fourth quarter of 2021.
Pent-Up Demand for Small Meetings is Heating Up
It just may be the small-meetings business that could help the beleaguered hotel industry overcome challenges presented by a raging pandemic, economic downturn and, in the United States at least, even civil unrest.
The Best Standing Desks for Your Home Office That Will Rise to The Occasion
Sitting at a desk all day can cause aches, pains and long-term damage. One of the quickest and easiest ways of alleviating these issues is switching from a conventional desk to one that allows you to stand up while you work. We’ve compiled some of our favourites here…
How to Return to Face-to-face Events
It has been announced that large business events of up to 4,000 can go ahead from 2nd December 2020. If you’re considering going back to face-to-face events, or if you’re wondering what to expect when that time comes, here are some tips on how to make the transition safely.
Why the Live Events Industry Will Come Back Stronger Than Ever
With the COVID-19 pandemic going on longer than many of us could ever have imagined, we have seen the events industry concentrate on the need to diversify our offering. While we see virtual events as an excellent interim solution, we believe that the live events industry will come back stronger than ever. Here’s why…
Face to Face Meetings
The COVID-19 pandemic has got us all rethinking the way we do business. From no longer needing expensive office space (replaced by the home office) to conducting important business meetings via video conferencing technology. So… do we still need to face meetings?
Air Bridges – a simple guide
There’s been plenty of talk about air bridges between countries that may help to reduce disruption. But what exactly are air bridges, how will they work and which countries are considering an air bridge with the UK?
Hotel COVID-19 Update
We’ve compiled the latest information and measures Hotels and Serviced Apartments are taking to prevent and minimise the risk of the Coronavirus spreading during this difficult time.
Car Hire and Rail COVID-19 Update
We’ve compiled the latest information and measures Car Hire and Rail companies are taking to prevent and minimise the risk of the Coronavirus spreading during this difficult time.
Looking After Children and Yourself while working from home
Working from home and looking after children at the same time can be pretty tricky. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we reached out to our friends at Mental Health UK for some great advice.
Using Hostage Survival Techniques
Our friends at Maiden Voyage offer some alternative, expert advice for coping with the COVID-19 lockdown. Sue Williams QPM, Hostage Responder and Associate Fellow Saïd Business School, University of Oxford shares lockdown tips based on her specialist experience as a hostage responder.
The Best Communication Software When Working from Home
For those who are yet to embrace working from home, we’ve curated a list of our top 5 favourite pieces of software to allow productivity to continue to flow…
Will the Coronavirus Change Working from Home Forever?
The Coronavirus has undoubtably led to more people working remotely. As a precautionary, measure the population of the UK was asked to work from home indefinitely, but we ask in the long term is it suitable for everyone and will it become the norm?
How You Can Help Tackle the Coronavirus Pandemic
Are you wondering what you can do to help the individuals and communities affected by COVID-19? We’ve highlighted five ways you can help tackle the pandemic…
Airline Updates
The majority of airlines have all but grounded their entire fleets. However, some are still operating and here we publish the latest route plans and schedules information from those carriers.
Virtual Experiences
As lockdown measures in the UK are extended, staying in may be starting to become something of a pain. Thankfully, we’re experiencing these necessary restrictions in a time where many of us have access to incredible technology in our homes.I
See the World From Your Sofa
As you can imagine, working for a event management company means that we all have a passion for getting out there and seeing the world. We’re an inquisitive bunch at Gray Dawes, wanting to explore different cultures, see exciting places and meet new people.
COVID-19 Exit Strategies
As countries begin to re-open their economies and lift restrictions, market research agency, Cicero Group, has published a really useful overview report which details the latest COVID-19 national exit strategies.
The Key to a Good Work Life Balance When Working From Home
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is greater flexibility. In this post, we’ll offer some tips for maintaining work-life balance, so you don’t suffer from burnout.
5 Smart Home Devices That Make Working From Home Easier
Smart home devices are designed to make your life easier. When working from home it can be easy to let your work schedule take over, we’ve compiled 5 of the latest technologies for your home that will keep you on track and your productivity flowing.
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