Visit London Awards (Events)
Londoners
voted Sir Michael Caine "London’s Favourite Londoner" at the recent
2008 Visit London Awards, in recognition of Sir Michael’s outstanding
contribution to film and television. A string of businesses were voted
winners by a panel of cross-industry experts at host venue, the Royal
Albert Hall. Sat Bal spoke to some of the winners. (8 Dec'08)
The
Visit London Awards have now entered year five with this year's event
sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. Each year Visit London honours excellence
in London tourism and also rewards leaders in entertainment,
creativity and innovation. Accepting his accolade, Sir Michael said:
“London is the world’s best city and I am honoured to be receiving this
Award, voted for by Londoners themselves. I am a lifelong Londoner and
consider being born here as one of the greatest things to have happened
to me.”
The
awards ceremony was hosted by 95.8 Capital FM’s Breakfast Show duo
Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon and included a key address by the Mayor
of London, Boris Johnson. “I am delighted to be hosting the 2008 Visit
London Awards," said Vaughan. "London is
the greatest city on earth and these Awards are the ultimate
celebration of our capital.”
Mayor Boris Johnson addressed the guests who were entertained by Heather Small and blast from the past, Right Said Fred.
Science Museum : Visitor Attraction - Gold 
The
Science Museum's achievements include its
reinvented interactive gallery, Launchpad – which has attracted 1.2
million visitors in its first year.
The awards recognised the
Museum as a unique venue for hosting events.
(Above) Science Museum team accepts Gold
Its scenic
galleries and themed spaces mark it out from hotels and
venues with purpose built facilities and larger capacity.
Molly Jackson, Head of NMSI Trading, Science Museum : "We are utterly delighted to have won this
prestigious award. It is a testament to the hard work of all staff at
Science Museum and goes to show that the Science Museum is a brilliant
free day out in London and the greatest place to enjoy science in the
world."
Maritz : Business Event of the Year - Gold
Performance improvement company Maritz was awarded Gold for the organisation of Toyota’s
European Retailer Meeting (ERM), an event held at ExCel for almost
6,000 delegates from throughout Europe.
Maritz organised travel and
hotel bookings, delegate registration, ground transportation, catering
arrangements and a social programme for the event held in May this year.
The category was sponsored by leading event crewing company, Gallowglass.
Nick Bender, MD of Maritz/Director, Grass
Roots : "We are thrilled to bits to win this
prestigious award. We run many events worldwide, but London always has
a special place in our hearts. Toyota’s ERM was on an impressive scale
which enabled us to showcase the best of London’s amazing landmarks and
develop our relationship further with Excel."
Apex Hotels : Large Hotel of the Year - Gold
Apex Hotels collected a Gold in the Large Hotel of the Year
category for the
Apex
City of London hotel. Opened in 2005 with 130 bedrooms, it has recently
added a further 49 bedrooms to its contemporary and stylish setting. Building an enviable reputation among
leisure operators, Apex have remained a firm favorite for those staying
in the city.
Yousif Al-Wagga, General Manager , Apex City
of London Hotel :
“Winning this
award for Apex is a proud moment for me, the Apex City of London Hotel
has been transformed into one of London’s most highly acclaimed hotels
and I am privileged to work with such a dedicated and professional
team. The hotel was up against some tough
competition and Apex is delighted with the win."
Jumeirah Carlton Tower : Large Hotel - Silver 
The
Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s Silver accreditation was honoured in
recognition of its commitment to excellence through accommodation,
service and dining, and its consideration for investment in staff
development, environmental policies, disabled access and innovative
marketing.
Derek Picot, Regional
General Manager, Jumeirah :
“We are delighted to have received
this accreditation in recognition of our continued commitment to our
guests, both local and overseas, and of course our fabulous city. I’m
incredibly proud of my entire team who all deserve congratulations for
the part they have played in helping Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Stay
Different.”
Logistik : Business Event of the Year - Bronze
Leading
design and communications agency Logistik won the Bronze Award for the Lloyds TSB
Share Fair conference.
Logistik created a large-scale three
day event for Lloyds TSB at Earls Court in London, to engage 1,000
delegates per day from Lloyds TSB’s Wholesale & International
Banking (W&IB) division with key business messages.
James
Wilkins, Group Director, Logistik : "The team at Logistik
delivered an exceptional conference for Lloyds TSB, and worked hard to
ensure the innovation and quality was of an award winning standard.
This is a great honour for both us and Lloyds TSB and we are all
delighted that this event has been recognised as one of the London
Business Events of 2008.”
What they said :
Visit London Interim CEO, Sally Chatterjee :
“The
Visit London Awards celebrate the people and places that help make
London the number one city destination in the world for international
travel. We extend our warmest congratulations to all our winners,
including Sir Michael Caine. Tourism is one of London’s most vital
industries and tonight we thank all those individuals and businesses
for the outstanding contribution they make to the world’s most amazing
city.”
Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Communications, Paul Charles : “These
Awards showcase the best of the best that London has to offer. Whether
you’re a tourist visiting for the first time or a true Londoner, like
Sir Michael Caine, there’s never been so much choice on offer when
deciding how to spend a day in the capital.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson :
“It’s
a pleasure to attend this year’s Visit London Awards, my first as
Mayor. Tourism is critical to our capital as the industry’s success
translates directly into jobs for London and Londoners. These Awards
show the range and excellence of what the capital has to offer the
visitor. I thank the tourism industry for its hard work and
congratulate Sir Michael and all the other winners on their
achievements.”
Winners' List
People’s Choice Awards
London’s Favourite Londoner Award - Sir Michael Caine
Evening Standard Best Retailer Award - Selfridges
Evening Standard Best Shopping Destination Award - Oxford Street
Evening Standard Best Market Award - Borough Market
95.8 Capital FM Best West End Show Award - Jersey Boys
95.8 Capital FM Best Music Venue Award - The O2
Toptable Best Restaurant Award - Babylon at The Roof Gardens
Kids Love London Best Family Fun Award sponsored by Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Natural HistoryMuseum
Industry Awards
Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD Science Museum SILVER Wellcome Collection BRONZE London Transport Museum
Best Tourism Experience
GOLD London Walks SILVER Vinopolis BRONZE Royal Observatory Greenwich
Best Celebration of Cultural Diversity
GOLD Pride London SILVER Discover for City of Stories BRONZE The Mayor’s Thames Festival
Best Visitor Information Initiative
GOLD Shaftesbury PLC for ‘Carnaby’ SILVER South Bank Employers Group
BRONZE City of London Information Centre
Outstanding Customer Service
GOLD Village East SILVER National Maritime Museum’s David Baxter
BRONZE BBC Tours Guiding Team
Sports Tourism Award
GOLD Flora London Marathon SILVER Wembley Stadium Tour BRONZE The O2
Business Event of the Year
GOLD
Maritz for Toyota ERM IV SILVER Science Museum for Siemens ‘Think
Customer’ Awards BRONZE Logistik for Share Fair Conference 2008
Business Venue of the Year
GOLD ExCel London SILVER The Barbican BRONZE Science Museum
Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD
Apex City of London Hotel SILVER Jumeirah Carlton
Tower BRONZE The Chesterfield Mayfair
Small Hotel/B&B of the Year
GOLD The Sumner Hotel SILVER The Bingham BRONZE The Capital
Budget Accommodation of the Year
GOLD
St Christopher’s Village SILVER Passfield Hall, London School of
Economics & Political Science BRONZE Palmers Lodge Boutique
Backpackers
Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD EC&O venues SILVER The O2 BRONZE The Royal Lancaster Hotel
Accessible Tourism Award
GOLD National Theatre SILVER The O2 BRONZE Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year
GOLD British Museum for The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army
SILVER
X2 Museum in Docklands for London, Sugar and Slavery SML Marketing
& Events AND Golin Harris for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the
Pharaohs
BRONZE London Borough of Newham for Be a Local Tourist
RK
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