Portfolio

New staff for 2008

Affinity is delighted to welcome three new members of staff this year – two event managers and a delegate services manager.

Anna Potts is the most recent addition to the team, joining the company this month. Becca Ennis started with us in July and was a key part of our busy summer programme. Fiona Davis has provided crucial office, delegate and event administrative support for eight months.

These new appointments represent an exciting stage in the company’s life, allowing us to develop and grow in new ways.

Anna has worked in events management, PR and journalism, most recently as Assistant Lambeth Conference Manager. She was previously Coventry Cathedral’s Events Manager and Press Officer - a large, busy venue and a Christian environment. Anna’s journalism training makes her a valuable asset in terms of communications and PR.

Becca is with Affinity for one year of her degree in Event Management. Having grown up with events, Becca has worked in various contexts including production, stage and venue management. In her spare time, Becca works as event manager for a local not-for-profit music organisation.

Fiona oversees delegate services, event and office administration. Before joining Affinity, she arranged and ran curriculum meetings and workshops around the world for an international education organisation. She gained experience of marketing and conference planning with a publishing company and has been a teacher in the UK, Argentina and Sri Lanka.

All three have already become vital parts of the Affinity Events team and they look forward to meeting you.

Posted in Company News & General News

Walsingham youth pilgrimage 2008

Affinity was delighted to manage the  2008 Youth Event at Walsingham for the second year running. Our team of event and production managers worked with the organisers for several months, creating an infrastructure, planning the layout of the campsite, obtaining technical equipment and liaising with volunteer teams.

Unfortunately, the 2007 sun did not show its face. Instead, heavy rain and hail caused flash flooding. A 6-inch river ran through the Big Top and piles of ice appeared around site. Affinity’s event and steward managers worked successfully on traffic, site and venue plans to overcome this, enabling the final event to take place in a dried-out Big Top. Departures went ahead without a hitch.

A new addition for 2008 was an ecumenical service. We are already looking forward to next year!

“Thank you for managing with such consummate professionalism. Already the Youth Pilgrimage is unimaginable without Affinity Events.  Creating safe space is vital in enabling it to happen.

“I was especially impressed with the way departure from the site was managed. Pass on my thanks to the team - they were absolutely first rate.” 

Father Philip North

Posted in Charity & Event Campsites & Not For Profit & Testimonials & Youth Events

Lambeth Conference

Following our appointment as the Lambeth Conference event manager, Affinity started an 18-month planning process with the conference organisers. Regular meetings took place with various teams including: emergency services; infrastructure suppliers; venue managers; stewards; technical suppliers; local authorities in Canterbury and London; catering co-ordinators.

This communication between groups of interested people led to the compilation of a complex operating plan for the conference, supplying everyone with relevant information to ensure the effective delivery of the conference.

The planning process culminated in the conference build starting 10 days before the arrival of the delegates, with the main venue being specifically designed and built for the Lambeth Conference.

The Conference lasted for three weeks with delegates taking part in plenary and group sessions. Affinity set up an exhibition area for 45 exhibitors . A full, three-week programme for the bishops’ spouses and over 60 fringe events became an integral part of the overall programme. Affinity Events managed the Walk of Witness, one of London’s biggest faith demonstrations supporting the delivery of the Millenium Goals, as part of the conference activity.

Affinity is proud to have been associated with this momentous event.

“I would like to underline my gratitude to you and all your colleagues at Affinity Events for all that you contributed. I am under no illusions about the complexity of the logistics for which you were responsible, both in Canterbury and on the London day”

 

Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams

Posted in Conferences & Exhibitions & Meetings & Seminars & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Technical Production & Testimonials

Picnic Rocks

At fairly short notice Affinity were given the contract by Action Against Hunger for Picnic rocks, a social action event to be held on Clapham Common sponsored by Subway®.

Affinity were responsible for all infrastructure, technical support, Local Authority liason and emergency services support.

Picnic Rocks proved to be a highly memorable event focused around Clapham Common Bandstand and surrounding park lands with over 2000 people attending. All of whom were supplied with an excellent Subway® picnic.

As the first event of its kind all parties were happy with the outcome of this worthwhile event.

Posted in Charity & Concerts & General News & Social Action & Technical Production

UKEMS, NordEMS, MEG & IGG 2008 International Joint Congress

After the success of the 2007 conference, we have completed a second conference with UKEMS.  Every year the event has a different local organiser, so UKEMS have found using Affinity particularly useful in terms of guaranteeing quality, professionalism and ensuring that continuity is maintained.  In order to enable UKEMS to save on the budget this year, it provided a number of volunteers to work in the Affinity team, reducing the onsite staffing requirement and overall cost.

The four-day event involved 130 delegates, an exhibition, poster display and conference dinner.  Affinity handled all logistics including registration, abstract management, technical, printing, accommodation, transport, venue liaison and on the day management.

“Thanks for everything you and your staff did for the conference.  I believe it was a huge success and most of that was down to Affinity”

Christine Mason, Treasurer UKEMS

“Just a quick email to say thank you (again), the meeting wouldn’t have happened without you Affinity and your excellent organisational skills meant everything ran wonderfully at the meeting.”

Prof Caroline Austin, Newcastle University

Posted in Academic & Conferences & Delegate Services & Exhibitions & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Testimonials

Picnic Rocks Contract Win

Affinity Events has been appointed to oversee a new London festival taking place this summer. With just 12 weeks notice, we have been tasked with providing all event and production management for this 3,500 capacity event. We are working with promoters Action Against Hunger and main sponsors Subway® to make the event one to remember.

There is a great line-up and some special surprises for all event goers - and you can win tickets by listening to XFM and watching XFM TV. For more information and tickets, visit the Picnic Rocks website.

Posted in General News

Association for Coaching Conference Spring 2008

The Association for Coaching is a long-standing client of Affinity Events and we were delighted to be involved in its expanded UK conference again this year.  We provided delegate registration, onsite delegate services and onsite management. We also provided a specialist in technical services who supported the 30+ speakers in their PowerPoint and video presentations, resulting in a smooth and stress-free conference for the speakers and conference organisers

“Just to say thanks so much for the brilliant job you and your team did for us.  It was great having you there and your professionalism shone through.”

Sheree Owen, Conference Director, Association for Coaching

Posted in Conferences & Corporate & Delegate Services & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Testimonials

New Website

We’ve given our website a bit of an update - with a new look and an updated portfolio section.  Please have a look around and let us know what you think.

Posted in Website Updates

New director for Affinity Events

Ben Warlow was appointed to Affinity’s board of directors this month.

Ben has become our Director of Operations. He will be working alongside existing directors Alan & Liz Wallace.

After starting with Affinity as an Event Manager in 2004, Ben quickly became an invaluable part of the team. Many of you will have worked with him on your events and projects. During the past three years he has gained a wide range of experience and become proficient in all areas of Affinity’s portfolio.

As a director, Ben will retain the majority of his account management and event responsibilities. He will also take an overview of the staffing and operation of all Affinity’s event and delegate registration work.

We are excited about the new opportunities this appointment will create for Affinity Events.

Posted in Company News & General News & Uncategorized

Lambeth Conference Contract Win

Affinity were appointed by the Lambeth Conference Organisers to look after all the Infrastructure at the University of Kent in Canterbury and to provide on going event management support to the Lambeth Secretariat as the build to the conference starts now and then will roll out during July and August 2008.

Posted in Company News