Not to mention, this may be the first party that many new employees will be witnessing, so you’d want it to be a good one. 

However, there are so many things that need to be considered - right from the budget to the time, effort, and manpower required to plan and execute a great holiday party. That’s why most companies hire a professional event planner. 

These individuals are trained and come with years of experience in planning, coordinating, and executing huge parties for companies, even if it means doing it at the last minute. What’s more, you may even end up saving more money through an event planner than you would if you were to do it yourself. 

We’re going to walk you through all these reasons throughout the rest of the blog, so keep reading!

1 - They are resourceful

An event is going to need a lot of resources and vendors - right from the seating to the food, gifts, and decor - it can be a lot to handle. If you’re going to do this yourself, you’re likely going to have to shell out a lot of money to individual vendors as you try to find the best quality products and services in a limited amount of time. 

However, an event planner comes with all these resources in check, since they likely have been working with various vendors all year round for the different events they plan. 

For this reason, they may even have a deal with some vendors and will be able to get you better prices for everything you order. This way, you’ll end up saving way more by going through an event planner than by approaching individual vendors yourself. This way, you’ve saved yourself a ton of money and time by not having to hunt down vendors yourself. 

2 - They’re flexible and good at problem-solving

If there’s one thing about planning events is that you always need to have a “Plan B” and “C” ready, just in case Plan A fails. This is true for every single aspect of the event - starting with the venue, the lighting, the decor, the flowers, the seating arrangements, and everything else. 

The good thing about having a planner handle this is that they can be trained to think ahead and have different plans as backup plans in case the initial plan doesn’t work out at the last minute. 

Say there’s a sudden change in weather or a shortage of food - they’ll be able to execute the next plan with minimal confusion since they’re trained to think ahead and solve problems before they get out of hand. 

3 - You can’t beat them at organizing and planning

The best part of having an event planner is that you can completely trust them to take care of the entire event - not just certain parts of it. This applies to everything - starting with the invites, the venue selection, the seating, the food, the speakers, the special programs, the stage setting, and whatnot. 

They also have the right tools to help them do a better job at storing all this information in one place and also collaborating with other organizers and keeping everyone in a loop - so there’s no confusion. There are numerous apps in the market for this niche, but only a few of them stand out. 

If you’re wondering about which to go for, this article about Planning Pod vs Caterease talks about the main differences between the top-most competitors in the market and will help you narrow down the best. 

BE AT THE CENTRE OF THE FINTECH REVOLUTION

Now in its 8th year, FinTech Connect returns virtually in December 2021. Join us online for two content packed days where you can hear from and meet global leaders in digital transformation, payments, blockchain and regtech who are driving the global financial technology industry forwards.

FinTech connect is the premier event for the FinTech industry and has been welcoming some of the biggest names each year for nearly a decade.  Finance Monthly is delighted to be partnering with FinTech Connect this year and we're excited to be a part of this inspiring event.

Whether it be a challenger bank, innovative merchant, central bank, tier one financial institution or cutting-edge tech player, come and join them at FinTech Connect 2021.
These industry leaders will be talking about their challenges and successes in AI, Open Banking, CBDCs, DeFi, Embedded Finance, Fraud, AML and digital transformation and more!

Featuring speakers from some of the most forward thinking financial institutions globally including:

• HSBC
• Santander
• Morgan Stanley
• World Economic Forum
• Swift
• Ford Motor Company
• Fintech Alliance

And many more.

Sign up for free here: https://bit.ly/3GKtYSj

The Business Show, which is sponsored by Yell, Dell & American Express is Europe’s largest B2B exhibition. The show attracts over 20,000 visitors from all over the world who are looking for new & innovative products and services, which will help them to maintain, grow & develop as a business.

The Business Show will be taking place on the 27th & 28th of November at The London ExCeL. They have 400 exhibitors from the likes of Cranfield School of Management, Intellectual Property Office and Your Business Community Ltd. As well as this, we have a great list of masterclasses one of which is hosted by Barclaycard this year.

This November will see over 200 seminar sessions and our best keynote line-up to date take the stage for 2 days. Make sure you don’t miss out on this world-class event and register here for your free tickets today.

Constant turmoil surrounding Brexit, Trump and populist movements across the world make for a very volatile trading landscape.

Here are Samuel Leach’s top trends and events that will cause currency fluctuations in 2019.

Brexit

No Deal 

Parliament is saying that there’s no chance of a no-deal Brexit; however, May's deal has little hope of being passed in parliament.

This is causing huge uncertainty in the market and we could see GBP fall against its pairs along with weakness in FTSE. Evidence to the current uncertainty has been strengthened by the government emergency testing at Dover. A pile-up of lorries would be expected at customs if no deal is the outcome. There are stocks that could benefit from a weak pound due to most of its income coming from exports.

Deal

Although this is increasingly unlikely, if a deal is passed, I would expect the pound to strengthen against its pairs due to more certainty in the market. All indices have been in a bear market in the final quarter of 2018, so predicting the FTSE to go against the trend of its peers is unlikely. If we see other indices turn bullish there is no doubt that FTSE will follow.

Second Referendum

May reiterates that under no circumstance is this an option, however, it must be contemplated. If this does occur, a pop in GBP will be expected in the short term, and only when a result is concluded would a long-term trend be evaluated. If the public voted to leave again, we could see GBP/USD back to its low of 1.1/1.2. On the other hand, if the UK were to stay in the EU, there is no reason GBP/USD won't return to its pre-referendum price of 1.4.

If China does start to go into a recession as many expect, this is likely to travel around the world and other economies will follow.

US/China Trade relations

The US Dollar has been strong throughout 2018, however during the last few months of the year, we saw it starting to weaken. Bad trade relations have started to put pressure on both economies, with tariffs of up to 40% on exports like Soybeans from some US exporters, which has led to farmers becoming reliant on a $12billion bailout.

Even Apple has blamed its recent slowdown in iPhone sales on a weak Chinese economy. If China does start to go into a recession as many expect, this is likely to travel around the world and other economies will follow. China’s central bank has even cut the amount of cash it requires banks to hold in reserve for the 5th time in a year which has freed up $116biliion in cash for lending.

How this effects the dollar against the Yuan depends on which economy has the upper hand if more tariffs are implemented once the trade deal deadline passes. Trump has already increased import tax of $200billion on Chinese imports and is threatening with another $300billion, which would be crippling for the Chinese economy. In this case, I would expect to see the Yuan fall.

The Chinese government has made a statement saying it won't let the Yuan sustainably fall below 7 against the dollar. Many analysts suggest that the government has plenty of ways of stopping the Yuan from depreciating, and as The People’s Bank of China has successfully intervened in the past, there is no reason for them not to do it again if things were to worsen.

We should all be watching US interest rate hikes very closely over the next year.

Emerging economies to watch

Many analysts believe Indonesia is expected to be a leader in the emerging market within 2019. The country has low inflation compared to other emerging markets with high stability. Most analysts don’t see this trend slowing down in the region. If the US becomes more dovish with its rate hikes, this is expected to be beneficial to emerging markets and give a boost to emerging economies.

The area experienced a slight slowdown towards the end of 2018, which prompted the Bank of Indonesia to raise interest rates by 125 basis points since May and intervene in both the currency and bond market in the attempt to curb any losses. However, this economy is in a good place to benefit from any bounce in global economies.

US Interest rates

We should all be watching US interest rate hikes very closely over the next year, as this has a strong correlation to all US indices and the dollar index. The Fed is looking to be more dovish on its interest rates, however, two hikes are expected in 2019.

2019 will be characterised by uncertainty, and several geopolitical events will impact the foreign exchange markets. As with every form of trading, keeping on top of political events will be key for FX traders; the above are particular areas to stay on top of.

Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa is the perfect place for a weekend of relaxation away from the office. The main hotel building is all about classic interiors - as soon as you enter the snug and the reception area, you’re greeted by plush fabrics, elegant wallpapers, moulded Lincrusta wall coverings, oak panelling and antique furnishings. Once checked in, cosy up there, next to the flickering log fire, and flick through the day’s papers while sipping on a nice cup of tea. All of the hotel’s 59 rooms are atmospheric and beautifully styled and come in five categories. For a real taste of luxury, stay at one of the suites or better yet – book one of the two 2-storey lodges which are set just off the Courtyard.

The short walk between the hotel and the spa takes you to a very different setting. Opened in 2017, the multi-million pound spa feels like it belongs in a resort somewhere in the Alps and not in a traditionally English inn. And with its truly impressive collection of experiences to try, it guarantees to make your shoulders ease as soon as you arrive.

The main entrance leads you through the kind of lounge you want to luxuriate in, with its contemporary design, cosy fireplace and velvet armchairs. Once in the spa itself, you’re welcomed by a sublime pool that runs both inside and out and comes with in-built relaxing loungers  and various hydrotherapy features. By the outdoor side of the pool, you’ll find three cosy Alpine lodges with fire pits where you can cuddle up and relax. Don’t spend too much time there though because the real fun is inside. Make sure you try the stone bath and the two saunas, which offer different heat options and experiences and go straight to the shower walk after you’re done. Its settings include waters of varying temperatures and sounds which recreate the experience of a warm tropical rain and summer storm, a cold Alpine rain or a mist and end with a cold bucket shower. If the bucket shower sounds too scary to you but you still want to have a cold shower after a sweat session, try the snowstorm experience. Ye Olde Bell spa also offers a herbal steam room, infused with herbs from their very own herb garden and a Salt Inhalation Room where you can have a relaxing nap.

When all that relaxing gets too much, move to the spa restaurant for a beautiful three-course meal (and try their gnocchi salad with rocket, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts). And if you want to leave feeling truly revitalised and rejuvenated, top off your spa day by indulging in a Turkish massage or an aromatherapy facial in one of Ye Olde Bell Spa’s six treatment rooms. Let me warn you though: with glasses of prosecco constantly flowing (brought to you by very helpful spa butlers) and the abundance of things to try, leaving the spa to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner could be a very difficult task.

Dinner (and lunch) is served in Restaurant Bar 1650 and St Leger Bistro-by-the-Bar, both of which have been awarded an AA Rosette. Menus feature classics such as steaks, pan seared sea bass and venison loin, all celebrating creative cooking and modern British cuisine. The guests of Ye Olde Bell are also invited to join them for a traditional afternoon tea with a contemporary twist (served on beautiful vintage china) or a mouth-watering Sunday roast. With its impressive six banquet suites, Ye Olde Bell is also renowned for its wedding, banqueting and corporate events – and we’re struggling to think of a better place that will cater for your event if you’re in the area!

A stay at Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa, which includes spa time, starts from £149.50 per person.

For more information or to make a booking visit www.yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk or call 01777 705121.

The UK’s festival season is getting underway and although Glastonbury is absent from the scene this year, music fans still have plenty to choose from. Festivals have become big business, with ticket prices ranging from under £60 to hundreds of pounds, depending on the level of luxury. Equifax outlines ticket and travel costs for festival goers to help people know how much to budget.

According to a latest survey, the average UK festivalgoer spends £354.54. Equifax’s own research shows that it’s easy to spend hundreds on a festival, before even considering food and drink for the weekend. However, despite the cost, 82% of festival goers think it is good value for money.

For instance, hard rock and heavy metal festival Download offers a weekend arena-only ticket for £175 or £200, including three nights of camping. Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight Festival offers a weekend adult ticket for £209, whilst the student ticket is £175. However, festival goers have to factor in an extra £31 per person for the ferry. On top of the ticket, music fans need to budget for travel – coaches to various locations can range from £37 to £97, depending on the distance. Train costs are usually higher.

Alternatively, music fans can cut costs if they live near a city and choose one of the city park festivals, such as Manchester’s Parklife or TRNSMT in Glasgow. Parklife offers day tickets for £65 or a weekend pass for £109.50. TRNSMT is £59.50 for a day pass or £155 for three days.

More and more festivals are now offering luxury and VIP or experience ticket options, which really push the price up. For those who don’t like roughing it, ‘glamping’ options include more luxurious bell tents, which are already erected and include lavish furnishings, such as sheepskins and even plugs and hair straighteners. The prices range from a pre-pitched tent at £13.63 per night at Bestival, up to £481.50 per night for their bell tents and tipi experiences.

In addition, families have more choice of kid-friendly festivals. However, it’s worth considering that teens get a reduced rate, and children get in for free at some festivals, whilst others charge for kids as young as four, so it’s worth doing some research.

Lisa Hardstaff, credit information expert at Equifax, comments, “Music festivals have become a big part of the British summer, with new ones cropping up often. The prices of tickets go up every year. The cost of the entry ticket is just the start, with travel and extras such as parking or camping access all adding to the total cost.

“Once people are at a festival, they need to consider the costs of food and drink, which add a considerable amount to what they end up spending. The average main meal could cost around £10 from a festival catering venue – this can add up over three or four days. We suggest setting a budget and estimating the overall costs, including travel and daily spending on food, drink and optional extras – such as glitter face paint, clothes or souvenirs. With a bit of planning, people can look back on a festival of happy memories, rather than counting the cost weeks or even months later.”

(Source: Equifax)