December 2008
WAY FORWARD 2008
THE WAY FORWARD FOR COVENT GARDEN PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
The annual business meeting, the Way Forward for Covent Garden, will be held this month at Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street and is set to be the most successful one yet. It is the best opportunity Covent Gardeners have to interact with one of the largest gatherings of people who influence life in and around Covent Garden. More than 300 delegates are already on the guest list. Attendance at this meeting is imperative for anyone who works, lives, owns a business or has an interest in the area to come together to discuss issues of interest and concern. Make sure you are fully briefed on all matters affecting you and your area. Attendance is by invitation only and those hoping to attend should apply for their invitation today.
SPEAKERS AND DELEGATES
With Covent Garden at a crossroads, the theme this year is Covent Garden: Past, Present and Future. Keynote speaker, Ray Green, pictured near right, Chairman of Jubilee Market Hall, was instrumental in championing much of what we now take for granted in Covent Garden. He will be speaking on this year’s theme as will Debbie Moore, pictured centre right, Founder and Chairman of Pineapple Dance Studios, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.
Adding their thoughts will be the top table guests: Cllr Colin Barrow, Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of the London Borough of Camden and Richard Parry, Director of Strategy & Service Development,
London Underground. The guest of honour presiding over the event will be the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Louise Hyams, pictured near left. These top table guests will be on hand at the open forum and afterwards at the networking reception to answer your questions. As well as these top table guests, many other significant stakeholders will be in attendance. These include principal landowners, Councillors and officers from Westminster and Camden, the Metropolitan Police, directors of businesses, senior representatives from important organisations which directly affect Covent Garden including Thames Water, Covent Garden Area Trust and Covent Garden Community Association.
AGENDA AND TOPICS OF INTEREST
17.00 Event opens View exhibits from a number of key organisations in the area including Thames Water, City Lit, London Underground and more. Delegates can meet the Police and enjoy a private view of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry.
18.00 Formal meeting in the Grand Temple with speeches, open forum with roving microphones and presentation of awards for contributions to the success of Covent Garden.
19.30 Drinks and canapés reception Opportunity for networking and to view the exhibits.
21.30 Meeting closes
The Way Forward meeting enables delegates to raise issues of interest or concern to them as stakeholders. Topics include (but are by no means limited to):
Thames Water The disruptive yet necessary Victorian mains replacement works have already had a significant impact on Covent Garden and are set
to continue until 2010. Although we cannot stop it, by engaging with Thames Water, we can hopefully minimise disruption to our businesses and community as much as possible.
Crime and policing Issues such as drugs, rowdy behaviour, rough-sleeping, begging and countering terrorism are of paramount importance to Covent Garden and will be likely topics of concern raised by delegates.
The economy It is impossible to be ignorant of the current economic downturn, however, by coming together to promote Covent Garden as a world-class destination, we can ensure that local businesses thrive by attracting Londoners, domestic and international tourists to the area.
Local government services As Covent Garden straddles the borders of Camden and Westminster, communication between the two authorities and their constituents is essential and the fact that so many council representatives are at the event is testament to that.
DRINKS AND CANAPÉS RECEPTION
After the formal meeting, delegates can enjoy drinks and canapés provided by In and Around Covent Garden member restaurants including Belushi's,
Browns Bar & Brasserie, Chez Gérard Restaurant,
Covent Garden London, Hercules Pillars, Mela, Mon Plaisir, Simpson’s in-the-Strand, The Terrace in the Fields. This is an opportunity to network with over 300 Covent Garden stakeholders and business people whilst enjoying the hospitality of some of Covent Garden’s best restaurants.
Hallgarten
Druitt will once again be supplying the wine from their varied and trophy-winning selection. Hallgarten Druitt supply more than 850 wines from over 100 producers. Representatives will be on hand to speak to delegates and those in the hospitality industry about their requirements. The wine to sample at the event will be the Malbec and Torrontes from the Michel Torino Coleccion.
Michel Torino is well recognised on the international market and is renowned for its excellent wine quality. For more information about the wine at this year’s event click here.
Several other businesses will also contribute towards the event including Border Line Arts,
Covent Garden London, Freemasons’ Hall, Hatty Blue, Kall Kwik Centre Point, Westminster City Council. and our host sponsors Freemasons’ Hall. If you would like to find out how you can contribute, support or get more involved, please contact Helen Phillippo.
Every business which supports the IAACG/Covent Garden Business Forum initiative, residents, essential service providers and other stakeholders are welcome and we encourage you to apply for an invitation.
Attendance is by invitation only. Contact Helen Phillippo or Lynn Young on 020 7240 9731.
To view this year's guest list click here.
To read about the success of last year’s Way Forward click here.