JO HEADS TO ROME, THE ETERNAL CITY | OCTOBER 2018 | Blog

Not a long event, the combination of two and a half days of speed-dating style supplier appointments and networking activities gives this event the industry reputation that attracts such quality participants.

This September, from Thursday 27^th until Saturday 29^th, I found myself on a very large BA plane (mostly taken over by The Meetings Space participants) heading to Rome, the Eternal City.

After being greeted at the airport by the ever-professional DMC Studio Iter, with whom Lime Blue have worked with for many years, we were transported to the Waldorf Cavalieri Hotel on the hilltop overlooking the beautiful city. Welcomed by the attentive staff at the hotel, we had a little time before meeting for the welcome reception on the top floor terrace, with simply breath-taking views across the city. Following a welcome speech by the Director of The Meetings Space and the General Manager of the Hotel, we enjoyed an evening of typical Italian buffet cuisine, interspersed with authentic activities such as pizza making (and dough flipping) and Italian scarf tying – whilst mingling and networking with industry colleagues.

Fuelled by a sumptuous breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, Friday morning commenced with a speed-dating style morning, meeting suppliers and exchanging business cards. The hotel really went all out with the coffee breaks, rolling out branded ice-cream carts, offering authentic Italian pastries and pizza – we really did not need any lunch! The afternoon continued with the networking meetings, followed by an interlude in the late-afternoon where we all chose activities – a trip to the Vatican, a trip to the Colosseum, a walking tour of Rome, or time at leisure. I chose the walking tour as had never been to Rome before. Although brief, as we only had 2 hours before needing to be back at the hotel for a quick change before the final dinner, it certainly wet my appetite to go back and spend longer in the city. We walked through the ancient gates, to the Spanish Steps, Trevi fountain, the Pantheon and then finally re-boarded the coach at the Piazza del Neptuno. A whistle-stop tour enjoyed by all.

Friday evening saw us travel by coach to the beautiful Church Palace Hotel, a place of refined elegance housed in the lush setting of Villa Carpegna, just a few steps from the Vatican. Upon arrival we were treated to Italian entertainers lining the entrance to the beautiful gardens, a drinks reception and then dinner. A live band and late-night pizza cart kept us all entertained until the early hours, when it was time to get back on the coach back to the hotel to re-charge for the following morning’s networking meetings.

Saturday morning started the same as Friday, with supplier meetings interspersed with welcome coffee and fresh air breaks. The event promptly finished on time as scheduled and we all enjoyed lunch in the hotel’s restaurant before embarking on our journey’s home.

Not only are invaluable business connections made, these events are great fun, well organised, and industry friendships are made at every opportunity – whether it’s during the meetings, networking events, or just having a drink in the bar in the evening. A thoroughly enjoyable few days for me, even though it was work!