banqueting

Paul Edwards, general manager of Life Conference and Banqueting, said: "It's inevitable that a complete ban on smoking in public places will come into effect by summer 2007 and our conference facility sits on a site that fosters groundbreaking research into creating a healthier future for the population.

Life Conference and Banqueting took the views of its customers and staff into account and followed research from Fresh, the campaign for a smoke-free North-East, which found support for smoke-free policies.

While most people are scheduling hot holidays, al fresco afternoons and World Cup barbecues into their diaries, Life Conference and Banqueting is injecting a sunny mood into conferences and meetings this summer.

The city centre conference facility is laying on plenty of light and cooling refreshments including strawberries and cream, choc ices and large jugs of iced drinks to keep conference goers alert when temperatures reach their peak.Paul Edwards, general manager at Life Conference and Banqueting, said: "Studies have shown that the average person's attention span is 20 minutes.

Her role as sales co-ordinator is to help the team promote the nine conference suites, as well as a 1,000-seat banqueting suite - which is the largest column-free conference and banqueting space in the Midlands.

"I have worked in the banqueting and conference industry for a few years now so I know what a unique facility the arena will offer the region and will be of interest to local, national and international companies."

Conference and banqueting director Paul Turner has joined the club to deliver a new and improved all-round service for those making use of their extensive facilities, be it for meetings, parties or even weddings.

Experienced sales manager Lesley Taylor has also joined the club, while bar manager David Taylor, head chef Gary Stidolph, business centre co-ordinator Laura Harrison and conference and banqueting co-ordinator Jane Drape also form an integral part of the new set-up.

Paul Turner said of the fresh team behind the scenes at the Falcons: "We are working in a magnificent venue in Kingston Park Stadium, and are now starting to realise its enormous potential as a top class conference and banqueting venue.

Now, following Kohl's election defeat, Gerhard Schroder will occupy an office suite, alongside those of his ministers, in an eyrie above 370 lesser offices (manned by 500 civil servants), two cabinet rooms, an EU conference room, banqueting hall, press facilities, library, security offices, 50 workshops including a print works, restaurant, fitness centre, bunker, car park and 13 glazed winter gardens.

Visitors are sifted through the perforated veil of the facade, up a sweeping staircase, past a press conference room, and on upwards to the meeting rooms, banqueting hall, or Chancellor's office.

On the sixth floor, the banqueting hall runs from east to west of the core block with access to the roof terrace.