Birmingham or Nottingham

Please excuse me here I am just logging information here between the 2 towns in which to hold this tournament. 

I have a few leads and will be posting links as well as information which I get off the phone from each place.

Please be aware this is very early stages of my investgations.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/About/Facilities/Conferencesandevents.aspx

http://www.nottinghamconferences.co.uk/

http://www.nottinghamconferences.co.uk/jubilee-campus/ <----- this one I think provides accomodation as well ... will get this confirmed as well as prices. 

http://www.nottinghamconferences.co.uk/emcc/

http://www.nottinghamconferences.co.uk/university-park/

Hi Donna,

Sutton Bonington is a no (too far out of town) - the main university campus is much nicer than Jubilee campus, which is a bit sterile. But Jubilee campus would be more likely accommodation-wise.

Wow yes thank you for that I hadn't noticed that as I was just logging info down. 

Yep, just making your sorting job easier later :)

lol bill, who's wanna go to your house...hang on...bbq...BBQ!!!!!!!!!

Donna, you might want to consider a hotel venue.

If UK-based players attend, then they'll need somewhere to stay overnight. You might be able to play the tournament in the hotel, while all the players stay in the hotel overnight. This system is already employed by the 4NCL and SPECTRUM chess. I'm playing in a SPECTRUM event in Dudley in January, and that is held in a hotel.

I did suggest this from Graham but it was refused outright. 

Fair enough.

But with further discussions ... once I have found out the prices of the local conference halls in both places I will get prices as well for local establishments which would be able to house this comfortably

OK I have spoke to a lady called Sam Wallace at Nottingham and I told her we would be probably looking at around April time next year. She was really helpful in that she said she could not quote anything over the phone but has agreed to email me all the details for the conference rooms!!

She did say that if we wanted accommodation then it is only6 available in non term times hence April. She is also going to send me prices for accommodation as well. 

Will keep you informed as I get any info. 

(My personal address was here and omitted for obvious reasons) 

Dear Donna

Following our telephone conversation this week please find attached information with regards to meeting facilities available at the University of Nottingham.

Located on the edge of the vibrant city of Nottingham, the University is well serviced by air, rail and road, making it an extremely accessible destination.

East Midlands Conference Centre

The East Midlands Conference Centre (EMCC) is a purpose-built conference facility set in the heart of 330 acres of beautiful parkland on The University of Nottingham, University Park. The EMCC is designed to give you the ultimate in choice and flexibility to plan and run your event.

Tiered Conference Theatre

An impressive wood panelled conference theatre with tiered retractable seating for 200 to 550. The Theatre is fully equipped with sound, lighting and stage.

Banqueting Suite – Meeting Room

Adjacent to the theatre is the Banqueting Suite, offering 676 sqm of catering and exhibition space with views of the landscaped gardens from the floor to ceiling windows.

Alternatively this flexible suite splits into two with one half seating a maximum of 200 theatre style and the other available for all your catering requirements.

Banqueting Suite – Formal Dinners

The Banqueting Suite comfortably seats 200 guests and more if required, with a large dance floor and stage for a band/disco.

Please note, the booking of the Banqueting Suite for a dinner is based on a minimum of 200 guests with a minimum menu cost of £23.50 plus VAT per person. (Doubt this will be necessary)

Conference Suites

For smaller meetings and workshops, we can offer four Conference Suites that will each sub-divide into a maximum of eleven smaller rooms in total.

Atrium

Adjacent to the Conference Theatre the Atrium offers a stunning venue for catering and exhibition.

EMCC Tariff

Prices vary depending upon numbers and rooms required so I have just detailed below a few examples and what the day delegate rate includes. If you would like to discuss prices in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me on my direct number.

Prices vary depending on numbers and rooms required:

£42.00 + VAT minimum of 20 delegates – the Conference Suites or the Gallery

£57.00 + VAT minimum of 150 delegates – the Banqueting Suite and Atrium

£62.50 + VAT minimum of 450 delegates – the whole centre

The day delegate rate includes the following:

Room hire (depending on the package chosen)

Registration tea/coffee with chefs selection

Mid morning tea/coffee with biscuits

Two course finger or fork buffet lunch

Afternoon tea/coffee with chefs selection

In house audio visual package (depending on package and rooms booked)

Technician

The EMCC Hotel Reservations Services Department

If you would like accommodation in the city of Nottingham, HRS can negotiate that booking on your behalf, securing preferential rates and handling the administrative process. For further information please call Beverly Cunningham on 0115 951 3640.

University of Nottingham

Day Meetings

Within the UNCC brand we have a selection of meeting rooms within our Halls of Residence set in the heart of 330 acres of beautiful parkland. These have all their own individual characteristics and we offer buffet lunch and refreshments within the Hall.

Day Delegate Rate £25.00 + VAT

To include;

 Room hire

 2 servings of tea/coffee and biscuits

 Working buffet lunch

 A dedicated Event Co-ordinator

Residential Meetings (Vacation time)

Our current twenty-four hour package rate of £62.00 plus VAT per person per night includes:

Bed in a single study bedroom with shared bathroom facilities

Full English breakfast

Morning coffee/tea and biscuits

Lunch

Afternoon tea/coffee and biscuits

Dinner

Welcome pack with bathroom toiletries

Coffee and tea supplies in pantries

Additional accommodation or meals will be charged separately at our current rates:

Bed and Breakfast £28.70 plus VAT

En-suite supplement £15.00 plus VAT

Lunch £14.00 plus VAT

Coffee/Tea and Biscuits £1.40 plus VAT

Dinner £16.50 plus VAT

Jubilee Campus

Jubilee Campus has won a major national award for its environmental excellence from the Royal Institution of British Architects, beating off competition from high profile rivals the Eden Project and Portcullis House. This award now joins the growing collection of honours Jubilee Campus has already gained which include the Millennium Marque for Environmental Excellence and the Best Building Award 2000.

Our current twenty-four hour package rate of £77.00 plus VAT per person per night includes:

Bed in a single study bedroom with en-suite bathroom facilities

Full English breakfast

Morning coffee/tea and biscuits

Lunch

Afternoon tea/coffee and biscuits

Dinner

Welcome pack with bathroom toiletries

Coffee and tea supplies in pantries/bedrooms

Vacation Dates

Our vacation dates for the forthcoming year are as follows:

Christmas 2009: Saturday 12th December 2009 – Sunday 10th January 2010

Easter 2010: Friday 2nd April 2010 – Monday 3rd May 2010

Summer 2010: Saturday 19 June 2010 – Saturday 18 September 2010

Local Attractions

Attractions in the city of Nottingham include the Galleries of Justice, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham caves, the Ice Arena, 2 large shopping centres. We are also just a short drive away from Sherwood Forest. There are numerous bars and restaurants located in the city centre which is just a short distance from the University.

Accessibility

3 miles from city centre and train station

4 miles from Junction 25 off the M1

10 miles from East Midlands Airport

I very much hope you choose the East Midlands Conference Centre/University of Nottingham Conference Centres as the venue for future conferences and if there is anything I can do to assist you in the decision please do not hesitate to call.

I look forward to talking with you in the very near future.

Best wishes

Sam Wallace

Sales Executive

Donna, the University of Nottingham venue is 4 miles from my house.  Couldn't you find anywhere closer for me? lol