London Convention Centre E-Newsletter | Fall 2008
AND I QUOTE

I am happy to report, after 5 years of planning, the event was a huge success.
One reason for the success was the facility; being able to have multiple air conditioned dance halls, in close proximity to each other, was a big plus. Another reason, was the friendly and courteous staff. We had occasion to work with quite a number of your people; all were cheerful, and accommodating. Our many requests were acted upon immediately; some of their suggestions even resulted in a better end product. Each one was a pleasure to work with.

...If we ever decide to host another convention, this would definitely be the facility to use.

Dan & Rhetha Roy, General Chair
Canadian National Square and Round Dance Convention

SALES

Kent Mascotto, Sales ManagerThe LCC is pleased  to welcome Kent Mascotto who is joining us for a three month term during Sandy Polson's absence.

Kent brings years of hospitality experience and a wealth of knowledge in the area of hotel and convention sales. Welcome Kent!

  SPOTLIGHT 

Check out our website additions.
 
We recently implemented a series of updates to our website including Client 'Testimonials', 'Think Green' and 'Videos' (that includes videos from Ambassador London and the LCC). 
 
Please click on the image above to visit our website or the button below to check out the new London Convention Centre video.
 
 

TIPS N' TRICKS   

Be sure to include the following questions on your to-do list when planning your next meeting:

  • Does the facility have a contract with a particular supplier?
  • What are the union jurisdictions?
  • Are there charges for set-up and move-out days?
  • If a 24-hour hold is made on a room, is there an extra charge?
  • Who locks and unlocks rooms? When? Is there full-time security?
  • In there an Engineer on staff, or is engineering contracted? If so, what hours?
  • When are the rooms normally set-up?
  • Is there an accessible dock and elevator for contractors bringing in equipment and staging? How big are they?
  • Is there a secure storage area for audio visual equipment?
  • What is normally provided by the facility as part of the room? (lecterns, microphones, flipcharts, etc.)

FINE PRINT

Turn Unhappy Customers into
Repeat Customers

Despite our best efforts, we're all faced with a dissatisfied customer from time to time. Here are some tips for correcting the situation and gaining repeat business:
  1. Listen - Allow the customer to explain the problem.
  2. Acknowledge their frustration - let them know you understand.
  3. Take responsibility - whether or not you are at fault, don't make excuses. Let them know you want to correct the situation.
  4. Ask how the customer would like the situation resolved - let them know their opinion is important to you.
  5. Offer a solution - if they do not like your solution ask them what they think would be fair and try to compromise.
  6. Follow through - once you agree on a solution make sure you take personal responsibility for making it happen.
THINKING 'GREEN' AT THE OFFICE
Here are five simple and easy tips to help you
save energy and waste less at the office:

  1. Paper Work
    Use your better judgement to decide what really needs to be printed. Break the habit of printing important emails and files just to have them on paper. Saving things in a separate file on your computer, or backing them up onto CDs, DVDs, or an external hard drive will make sure you have a copy of them to refer to in the future, without wasting any paper.

  2. Re-hydrate the Smart Way
    Drinking enough water is essential to your health; but make sure that getting your eight glasses a day isn't causing you to produce waste uselessly. We won't even mention how wasteful it is to use disposable paper cups; why not get a high-quality sports bottle and fill it up when you need to instead?

  3. Computers
    Don't forget to turn off your screen. It goes without saying that you should switch it off at the end of the day, but also make an effort to shut it off before you go to lunch, attend a meeting, or event take a short break. Turning your computer screen on and off is instantaneous, so you won't be wasting any time, but you will be saving energy.

  4. Lights Out
    This may seem like a very basic tip, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't bother turning off their office lights before they leave at the end of the day. You wouldn't leave all the lights on at home, so don't assume someone else will shut them off for you at work    !

TIPS ON MAKING YOUR CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
  1. Plan Early. You should set a date and place for a large conference a year in advance. Reserve blocks of hotel rooms for those travelling from out of town.
  2. Plan a variety of events. People learn in different ways. Participants will get more out of the conference if they can tailor the experience to their own needs. Plan lecture sessions, as well as group activities and panel discussions. Set up workshops and social events. Be sure to allow time to visit the vendors and time to relax.
  3. Encourage participation by handing out schedules early. A few weeks before the conference, mail out activity schedules to participants.
  4. Ensure that all of your technical equipment is ready to go. You will want to do an audio and visual run through the night before the conference. Make sure that all of the microphones, computers and other devices are functioning. Have backup systems available. There should be technical support people on site to repair any problems.
  5. Always start and end the conference on a high note. Your first session is important. It should get the crowd motivated for what is to come. This is the time for you to be creative. The final session is also important.
  6. After the conference, follow up with the participants. Encourage the participants to sign up for future conferences. Ask for feedback as to how you can improve for next time.
  7. Always have a backup plan. Prepare for the worst. Know what to do in the case of inclement weather, problems at your venue site, or illness. Having a backup plan in place is essential to a successful conference.
 
The London Convention Centre is committed to protecting our environment and is continuously looking to improve our waste management and energy programs. Currently efforts are directed to reducing water and energy use and recycling and reusing as many items as possible while continuing to offer a safe environment for guests and staff. Purchasing policies include a "Green" emphasis for all of our suppliers. The following is an overview of our efforts:
Lighting
In 2007, light bulbs in the Reception Area, Administrative Area, and the north corridor on both the 1st and 2nd Floor were changed from 100 watt bulbs to 20 watt energy saving bulbs resulting in 80% less hydro required per fixture. In 2006 these same improvements occurred in salons A & B.
In 2007, 79.8% of our total waste was recycled up from 55.8% in 2006.
In 2006 there was a total of 182,125 pounds of waste. In 2007, there was 119,995 pounds of waste. Of this waste, the following was recycled in 2007:
  1. Corrugated Cardboard (clean, non-contaminated cardboard) - 23,340lbs
  2. Co-mingled material (glass, plastic, aluminum) - 5,025lbs
  3. Paper & Newsprint - 8,170lbs
  4. Compost (all decomposable wet waste, coffee grounds, veggie and meat trimmings, table scrapes) - 58,905lbs
  5. Waste / Garbage - 24,220lbs (12.11 Ton) 
  6. Grease - 360lbs
100% of all purchased paper products are made from recycled materials.
This includes: paper towel, toilet tissue, serviettes, flipchart paper and garbage bags.
Left over food items.
Any food items determined by the Executive Chef or Sous Chef to be of good quality are packaged by the LCC and sent to the Men's Mission of London or the Salvation Army. In 2007, the following was sent:
  1. Protein Products - 334.8 kg
  2. Baked Goods / Sandwiches - 5993 pieces
  3. Starch - 732.10 kg
  4. Fruits & Vegetables - 222.80 kg
In 2007, the LCC returned:
11,016 beer bottles, 1,453 liquor bottles under 630 ml, and 3,919 liquor bottle over 630 ml

Schedule coordination of meeting room setup and HVAC systems.
Departments coordinate the set up of meeting rooms to reduce energy requirements. The LCC HVAC system is programmed to provide cooled air 1.5 hours prior to guest arrival in the ballroom and 1 hour prior to guest arrival for smaller rooms. Temperature throughout the LCC is controlled and monitored to reduce energy. The event services and technical teams set up the meeting rooms together to ensure minimum use of hydro. Offices are equipped with light sensors and lighting throughout is reduced during off peak times.
 
Visit The London Convention Centre Online