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News
HBAA sets standards
The Hotel Booking Agents
Association (HBAA) is pushing
ahead with an industry-standard
hygiene and cleanliness
accreditation scheme for
venues.
The regulated accreditation is
awarded to hotels and venues
that meet or exceed minimum
set standards across a wide
range of factors, including
compliance with hygiene and
food safety regulations which
has become paramount
following the Covid-19 outbreak.
All properties submit their
standards and are then audited.
Visit www.hbaa.org.uk
Cheerful times for
agency trio
Former Unicorn Events MD
Hannah Luffman has joined
brand experience agency
Cheerful Twentyfirst as strategy
director, alongside two former
senior eventprofs also from
Unicorn Events, which closed in
March.
Cheerful Twentyfirst and the
former Unicorn Events have also
reached an agreement on the
use of Unicorn IP assets and
protected Unicorn clients with
the same procedures and
commitments to ensure
seamless integration.
Cvent reduces global workforce
by 10%, UK plans unconfirmed
Event tech giant Cvent, has which has grown exponentially in
recent years and which was acquired in 2016 by Vista Equity
Partners in a record US$1.65bn deal, has released the following
statement, 22 May, announcing a major programme of lay-offs
and furloughing of staff:
“Furloughs and lay-offs have greatly impacted professionals
across the meetings, events, and hospitality industries –
industries that we directly support.
“As the pandemic initially took hold, we aggressively pursued
multiple expense reduction measures. Unfortunately, today we
have had to follow others in taking the expense reduction of last
resort, reducing our headcount and furloughing some
employees, a decision we have not taken lightly.
“While decisions are not yet final for our UK workforce, in total,
10% of our global workforce is impacted by this reduction in
force. These Cventers were valued members of our team who
made great contributions to the business, and we will miss
them. They were more than just our colleagues and our hearts
go out to them and their families. This decision weighs heavily on
all of us.”
Cancellation guidance
launches
The Meetings Industry
Association (mia) has developed
new contract and cancellation
guidance to help mitigate the
impact of Covid-19 on future
bookings and ensure all parties
are protected.
Working with legal experts
Mishcon de Reya, the
step-by-step guide details all the
actions venues operators should
take to ensure they are totally
transparent, and their
cancellation policy is both fair
and reasonable in all cases.
Members can elect to use all or
just part of the
recommendations, but mia calls
for them to be “transparent, fair
and reasonable.” Visit www.
mia-uk.org
Large loans go live
The government has extended
the size of loans available to
larger businesses which have
been affected by Covid-19.
The Treasury has said
companies will now be able to
receive up to £200m from the
Coronavirus Large Business
Interruption Loan Scheme, which
previously had a maximum
pay-out of £50m.
The scheme was introduced
by chancellor of the exchequer to
support companies with sales of
between £45m and £250m.
#EventProfs Got Talent 2020 launches
Expocast and Mash Media are
delighted to announce #EventProfs
Got Talent 2020, which will launch on
3 June to mark Global Exhibitions Day.
Entries are now open to everyone
working in the events industry around
the world.
Those wanting to get involved will
need send in a video of them
performing their talent, and judges will
determine the finalists, who will then
have the chance to perform live at the
EN Awards, which will take place in
London when it is safe to do so. To
enter, email Natasha Layal on epgt@
expocast.co.uk
www.conference-news.co.uk