The Chamber

Staybridge Suites, the first major hotel brand to focus on the extended stay business guest in the UK, opens a new hotel in Liverpool in June 2008 Kings Waterfront / Albert Dock area immediately next to the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool. And you can be the first to book your “home from home” in Liverpool at www.staybridge.co.uk

There are 132 fully equipped and spacious one bedroom and studio suites, with modern interior design to create a residential ‘home from home’ environment for extended stay business travellers – those who usually stay five or more nights.

Rooms will include a fully equipped kitchen area while public spaces include a cosy hub kitchen and living room with open fire, the pantry, a 24/7 mini convenience store and an outdoor terrace with barbecue.
IHG commissioned research shows that business travellers on long-term assignments want to stay in something distinctly different from a regular hotel room and the brand has already proved highly successful in the US, with nearly 100 Staybridge Suites currently in operation.

John Wagner, Vice President of Staybridge Suites EMEA, commented: “I am delighted that we have signed the third contract in the UK to bring the Staybridge Suites concept to Liverpool. The city is an economic hub with a diversity of local and international business and industry, so we are confident that long-term business travellers will be attracted by accommodation specifically designed for their needs – the comforts of a home with the convenience of a hotel.”

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has been lobbying the Carbon Trust to provide better advice and assistance to SMEs who wish to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.

As part of this initiative the BCC have set up a small business toolkit in collaboration with the CT to direct SMEs to the services which are most relevant to them such as the interest free loans available and the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme.

Visit the BCC Carbon Reduction Toolkit here.

Wednesday 2 April 2008

11am - 1pm

ICDC and Partnership for Learning have combined with three leading website specialists do deliver a masterclass on attracting more consumers to your website and converting them to customers.

This free event could help boos your profits and lead to considerable savings in the future for your company’s training needs.

Who should attend?

Any business that wants to maximise the benefits from their website by:

• increasing traffic by raising your site’s visibility
• retaining web visitors
• improving the site’s visual impact
• making it easier to access and navigate
• getting expert advise on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
• learning how to make the most of Google Adwords

The masterclass will be provided by:

• Hitsearch
• sdesign1
• E-Blueprint

To book, please contact ICDC on ICDCEvents@ljmu.ac.uk or 0151 231 4704.

ICDC Lecture Theatre
Liverpool Innovation Park
Faraday House
Edge Lane
Liverpool

Registration is at 10.45am.

Masterclass begins at 11am with a buffet lunch for in time for attendees to leave by 1pm.

Free parking is available at the venue.

Thursday 3 April 2008 from 2.30 -3.30pm.

Four short presentations to assist with the appreciation of collecting contemporary handmade glass.

Speakers will include:

• Karl Harron, Irish glass artist
• Amanda Notarianni, North West based glass artist
• Teleri Lloyd-Jones, Editiorial Assistant Crafts magazine
• Peter Woods, Collector & Merseyside Representative for the Art Fund

To reserve your free place, please contact the Bluecoat via the email addresses or telephone number below.

Bluecoat Display Centre Two
54 Hanover Street
Liverpool L1 4AF
Tel : 0151 7091555
crafts@bluecoatdisplaycentre.com
www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com

The Liverpool Daily Post Regional Property Awards in association with The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) sails into its fourth year on Friday 11th April 2008. The event will be taking place in the brand new BT Convention Centre, Monarchs Quay, Liverpool, and is set to be a memorable evening.

Quentin Wilson, motoring aficionado, television presenter and reporter, will play host to 500 leading business people at the black tie gala dinner and guests will also be addressed by Michael Parker, the recently appointed chairman of the new Liverpool Vision.  The evening will provide the opportunity to not only network and entertain clients but also to relax, enjoy yourselves as you celebrate some remarkable achievements.

These are exciting times for Merseyside, as the regeneration we have needed for so long accelerates at an unprecedented rate. If becoming European Capital of Culture was the catalyst for so much of this process, then there is no question that it is the property sector that has been it’s driving force.  Whether it is massive projects like Liverpool One and the city’s new Arena and Convention Centre, or innovative and attractive new apartment developments and building refurbishments, the level of activity is breathtaking, particularly in and around the city centre.

In just four years the Liverpool Daily Post Regional Property Awards have established themselves as the premier event in Liverpool’s property industry, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism that is transforming our city region.

If you would like to be a part of this superb evening, saluting the achievement we see all around us, please contact the events department on 0151 330 4974.  Tickets are £90 each.