Face-to-face at last at Chewton Glen
Last week, I attended my first face-to-face event in six months. And my, was it great to be back!
The venue for the day was the wonderful Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest. A real favourite with the Zanna Events team, it was so nice to be back here and meeting others face-to-face. Today, we were at The Kitchen, a purpose-built stand-alone space located at the entrance to the Chewton Glen estate, to enjoy and learn about food.
The event was a small gathering of just six people, with social distance the buzz word for the day. The event was jointly hosted by Ablemaxx, a UK-based sales and marketing agency for the global MICE industry, and Destination DC, a destination management company based in Washington, USA. Joining me at Chewton Glen was Maxine and Katrina from Ablemaxx, along with three other event agents. The team from Destination DC also joined us virtually, from their own kitchens in the US!
The day kicked off with a presentation from Destination DC, updating us on the Covid-19 situation in Washington, their approach and operating status. It was great to hear from the team and understand how the events world globally is adapting to the pandemic.
Then we all rolled up our sleeves and set-to the task for the day: making delicious homemade Biscotti – which means twice baked - and yummy Chocolate Eclairs, under the watchful guidance of The Kitchen’s Chef Tutor. The team from Destination DC also joined in, cooking from their own kitchens across the pond, which was wonderful.
Then we all rolled up our sleeves and set-to the task for the day: making delicious homemade Biscotti – which means twice baked - and yummy Chocolate Eclairs, under the watchful guidance of The Kitchen’s Chef Tutor. The team from Destination DC also joined in, cooking from their own kitchens across the pond, which was wonderful.
"It was wonderful to be able to meet face-to-face safely and responsibly, but in a fun environment.”
The Kitchen is an ideal location for such small events. We all had our own separate high-tech workstations so maintaining social distancing was not an issue. Strict Covid-19 precautions and procedures are in operation across the hotel and as expected of a five-star luxury hotel, the standards were exemplary, as always.
Nestled on the edge of the New Forest, the Chewton Glen Hotel is the perfect setting for small, intimate events and there are a number of safe spaces for hosting gatherings.
It was wonderful to be able to meet face-to-face safely and responsibly, but in a fun environment. It makes you realise just how important face-to-face social interactions and team building events like this are. Future Bake Off contestants we may not be, but we came away from the day with delicious treats to enjoy at home with our families and armed with new knowledge and practical experience for hosting small, Covid-19 safe events.
It’s safe to say this pandemic has been particularly tough on the events industry, but we are a tenacious bunch and we’ll adapt and come back out fighting, ready and willing to help our clients plan their next events.
Nestled on the edge of the New Forest, the Chewton Glen Hotel is the perfect setting for small, intimate events and there are a number of safe spaces for hosting gatherings.
It was wonderful to be able to meet face-to-face safely and responsibly, but in a fun environment. It makes you realise just how important face-to-face social interactions and team building events like this are. Future Bake Off contestants we may not be, but we came away from the day with delicious treats to enjoy at home with our families and armed with new knowledge and practical experience for hosting small, Covid-19 safe events.
It’s safe to say this pandemic has been particularly tough on the events industry, but we are a tenacious bunch and we’ll adapt and come back out fighting, ready and willing to help our clients plan their next events.