Cavendish Conference Centre in London, the venue for The National Scrabble Championships Final held on 5 October 2008, proved yet again to be a winning venue for the competition organisers. “The flexible and spacious layout combined with the attractive interior lends itself perfectly to staging the Scrabble Championship finals,” says Philip Nelkon of event organisers, Mattel UK.
The Championship, held at the Cavendish every year since the venue first opened, hit the headlines with national news coverage in The Times, Telegraph and on TV news programmes. The actual competition is in its 37th year but moved to the Cavendish in 2001 when it was one of the first events to be held in the venue.
The event at the Cavendish was the final of a series of regional first stage competitions where over 300 scrabble enthusiasts competed to become the National Scrabble Champion. The final comprised of just 2 players challenging each other to 7 games in one day with approximately 100 spectators in attendance.
Philip explains, “The National Scrabble Championships is organised in order to give publicity to the game so it is important that the venue creates the right impression and provides the correct backdrop. We have a long list of venue selection criteria for the final and the Cavendish meets them all. The central London location is ideal, the audio visual equipment is of the highest standard and its flexible room configurations accommodate a playing area, a spectator area and a press office all in close proximity. We know we can rely on the friendly team at Cavendish Conference Venues to provide good value, good service and cater for our every need.”
*EVENT SUMMARY*
*Event:* The National Scrabble Championships 2008
*Client:* Mattel UK
*Venue:* Cavendish Conference Centre, 22 Duchess Mews, London W1G 9DT
*Challenge:* The finals of a national competition held by Mattel UK to promote the game of Scrabble. Comprising 2 players, 100 spectators, sponsors and media - it is an all day competition commencing at 10 am. The players compete in a separate room to the audience with their scrabble moves being relayed on screen to the Auditorium. A former National Champion explains and comments on the moves to the audience as they occur. Audience members are free to make their own comments and ask any questions they like as the action unfolds. Catering requirements for the organisers, competitors, audience and media vary and traffic flow between the various event locations needs to be carefully managed.
*Solution:* The Whittington, Auditorium and Portland were all utilised to create the ideal environment and configuration. This is the fifth championship to be held at the Cavendish so the team, in consultation with the organisers, has perfected the best system for managing traffic flow and the type and timing of catering. Additional Cavendish staff were on stand by as audience numbers and the level of media interest varies from year to year.
*Client verdict:* “We know we can rely on the friendly team at Cavendish Conference Venues to provide good value, good service and cater for our every need.” Philip Nelkon, Mattel UK
