Author Archives: Goldfish Communications

Royal Palm’s Top 5 Conference Tips

Arranging a company conference can be a somewhat daunting task, as you seek the perfect venue, activities to suit all tastes, and then of course ensuring that this all fits into your budget. Make your next conference hassle free by booking it with the team at the Royal Palm Hotel.

We sat down with Royal Palm General Manager, Simon Bailey, and asked him what his top 5 tips would be when arranging a conference.

Tip 1: Plan early

As obvious as this sounds, conferences take time to arrange as there are a number of elements that need to be arranged and sources, so the sooner you plan, the less stressful the process becomes. Bailey suggests that you start the process at least 8 – 9 months in advance if you’re still looking at venue options as this gives you time to assess all the relevant areas.

Tip 2: Determine the type of conference you want

When speaking to venues, have an idea of what it is you want to do, and how you see the conference being run. Most venues will assist you with some ideas and implementation, but you need to have a clear idea of the number of delegates and a basic programme. Some venues may be removed from your potential list based purely on capacity.

Tip 3: Know your budget

Conferences expenses can escalate quickly, so you need to determine your budget before you start the process and express this to your chosen venue, or miscommunication creeps into your event. Granny Mouse Country House & Spa prides themselves in tailor marking packages dependent on the needs and budgets of clients.

Tip 4: Do your homework

Ask the venue what types of conferences they have hosted before, and even go so far as asking who some of their past conference clients have been. This will give you a good indication of what you can expect from the venue and the calibre of venue you are selecting. It is also common that potential clients ask for the contact details for reference purposes. Don’t be afraid to ask for this information; any decent venue will brag about their previous amazing conferences.

Tip 5: Ask for advice

Many venues have dedicated teams who are more than happy to assist you with ideas and concepts, as they do this job for a living. They can often provide you with ideas that they have executed for other conferences that may fit well with your conference ideas. Your chosen venue may also be in close proximity to other activities which could form part of your conference.

Bailey’s finals words of wisdom in conference planning, is to enjoy the process and keep the lines of communications open with your on-site banqueting team, as they are there to help you every step of the way.

Tips for creating the wedding of your dreams

When it comes to your wedding you may want to splash in order to make your day as amazing as possible, but for some brides who have been through the process before, creating a budget and sticking to it, is much more rewarding as it allows for less stress on and after, your big day.

The View Boutique Hotel & Spa have some advice for bride’s needing to create the wedding they have always dreamed of, but one that they can afford in the long run.

Tammy Bogusch, the General Manager and banqueting specialist at The View Boutique Hotel & Spa in Doonside, on the KZN South Coast, gives some tips taken from her experience in dealing with an array of weddings, both large and small.

  1. Wedding Dress

When it comes to your dress, it is always exciting to start early, and it may be more beneficial as you would have ticked this item off the wedding checklist and if it is over budget, you could always pay a deposit and opt for a monthly repayment, should the store allow this.

  1. Wedding Invites

With the move into digital media it is easier for bride’s to send out a digital invitation via email or create a personalised website featuring all the wedding details. This way, you are cutting the costs of the materials for the invitations and the petrol to drop them off. This money could be used elsewhere in your budget. Plus, using the digital method allows for a quicker turnaround time for RSVP’s and you can also send a reminder, just in case the invitation was lost in the post.

  1. Deciding on the guest list

Although you might be tempted to have everyone you know on your guest list, it doesn’t make financial sense, plus most venues cannot accommodate more than 120 people. Always remember that less guests also allow for a more intimate wedding and the best way to narrow the list, is to focus on family and close friends that you are certain will show up, and then you can add work colleagues and extended family if you have space. You may find that you are chopping your list quite a number of times, before a final number is determined.

  1. Going “in house” for various checklist items

If you are big on enlisting the help of talented guests for your wedding, then this could be a cost saver – especially if they are willing to help you out.

If you have a friend that is a photographer then why not ask them to do your photos as a wedding gift or perhaps there is a baker in the family; they too could assist with the wedding cake as a gift to you. This also makes it extremely personal, and you will not have to cater extra seats and catering for the added persons you would be paying to provide a service.

  1. Choose simple décor with minimalistic use of floral arrangements

Instead of spending boatloads of money on flowers that will die shortly after the reception, keep it simple but elegant — for instance, a single rose for each bridesmaid and a very small bouquet for the bride. If you know someone with a rose bush, you can actually make your own bouquets the day before the ceremony by cutting the roses yourself and trimming away the thorns.

To find out more about the affordable wedding packages on offer at The View Boutique Hotel email info@hoteltheview.com