We were delighted to be selected to organise an important awards ceremony for one of our larger clients. Being a top 250 company, there were very high expectations and our creative and delivery channels were happy to rise to the challenge. With a London venue selected from several recommendations, we set about designing and arranging an amazing glitzy event that would fit the occasion of rewarding their top performers. With complex AV solutions and a famous host - Patrick Keilty - the award show was an amazing success and the guests partied into the wee hours.

Following on from the success of our hospitality offering at Twickenham, we decided that it was time to spread our wings and try out our proven formula in Wales. And we’re pleased to report that our two fixtures were a blinding success. Starting out with the English game was a sure bet and we were delighted to secure Gareth Llewellyn as our guest speaker. Gareth is one of Wales’ most capped players and he shared some great anecdotes about his playing days as well as an honest insight into what the England fixtures mean to most welshmen.

Please note that we have moved to a new office. Our new address is 10 Apsley Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2SP. We had outgrown our old place and our expansion plans meant that we needed to find bigger and better offices to make sure that we could continue to grow. It’s very nice here and we’re very happy with our new spacious surroundings. Why don’t you drop by and say hi sometime.

The Riot Events team.

We are delighted to say that we are featured in Vogue Magazine this month. As part of their ‘party in style’  feature they have recommended Riot Events as the best organiser in the . It’s only a couple of paragraphs but we’re happy enough with that. Party on!

We we’re pleased to be involved with the launch party of ‘Bristol’s Top 100‘ which coincided with Bristol Media’s monthly gathering, Media Tuesday. We arranged for the party to be held on Harmony II which is a refurbished 1950’s super yacht berthed in Bristol’s harbour. The 180 guests registered and paid online via our on Guestminder system. The great-and-the-good of Bristol enjoyed one or two drinks on the aft deck and were fed beautiful canapés from the ever wonderful Papa Deli. A great night for all involved.

Recently we helped out a number of Royal Marines who were doing the age old cycle ride between John A groats and Lands End. But, being Marines, they just had to do things differently.  In every major town they abseiled down something big. They even did Blackpool Tower twice because it was so much fun. When they arrived in Bristol they abseiled down the Avon Gorge with their bikes on their backs. And our Catering Manager Debi was at the bottom preparing a stonking fry-up before they headed off for the day. We don’t think she’ll be the same after seeing so many Marines in Lycra!

Earlier in the year we launched The Premier Club. We didn’t make a song and dance about it. We wanted to refine our services before we started banging on about it. The idea is that we will provide quality hospitality at many of the sporting events around the country under the Premier Club brand and blueprint. We have been busy putting together packages that offer value for money, ROI and most of all, a great time. We aim to make these event relaxed but slick. You won’t find strawberries dipped in chocolate but you will find like minded people enjoy the simple quality offerings. By cutting out the poncy extras we are able to offer full hospitality at a fraction of the usual price. Please have a look at The Premier Club website for more information. After a successful partnership with Fullers Brewery we have now expanded our venue with the addition of the super yacht Harmony II in Bristol and currently working on a Dublin site for rugby internationals.

We have recently launched our very own, custom built online guestlist manger. It’s taken far too much time and money to get where we are but it’s been worth every bit of it.  It was devised out of working on live events and the feedback from clients that the invitation and guest management of an event takes far too much of their time. Well now Guestminder does it all for them. We set up the event on the system and produce a unique customised webpage containing your event images and logo. The system then sends out an email inviting your guest on your behalf. They click on the link, check out your conference, party, dinner, (or whatever it is you’re promoting) and decide if they want to come. All the relevent information is there for guest to view plus you can even upload pdfs or word files containing support material. Guests can register for the event (including any payments) and their information is gathered into a spreadsheet to report back to the client. It will even send reminders during the run up to the event and ask for feedback aftewards. We may be able to offer a free first trial of the system so that you can fully understand it’s true capabilities. We know that once you use it once you never look back.

The Grand Thistle in Bristol played host to some of the greatest rugby players from New Zealand to celebrate the career of Andrew Blowers. Riot helped organise the dinner for almost 400 people. Guest speaker Tana Umaga paid tribute to Andrew who he described as one of the most important individuals that has played for the All Blacks in recent years. Some unusual auction items such as Dan Carter’s underwear and the chance for Mark Regan to come to your house a cook your dinner helped raise money for Andrew’s chosen charity. Pictures available on our Flickr account here.

We are pleased to announce that ex Bristol Rugby Commercial Manager Jonny Ellis has joined Riot Events as Sales and Marketing Director. Jonny brings with him a wealth of experience in international hospitality and client entertaining from his time in Premiership rugby with Bristol and Harlequins. You can contact Jonny directly on 07971 155 109 or jonny@riotevents.co.uk