RAI plc is delighted to become the largest Leeds based recipient of the coveted GOLD Accredited in Meetings (AIM) certification. This puts them firmly ahead of the game as they are the first conference facility of its size to gain this award ahead of Harrogate Conference Centre, London Excel, Manchester GMEX and the two main conference venues in Glasgow SECC and Edinburgh EICC. Congratulations have come swiftly from The Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire – Gary Verity and Nicola Lockwood. This prestigious award is a highly desirable testimony to the levels of quality service, the unique facilities and the passion that has made SAVILES Hall and the conference facilities within the Royal Armouries Museum a destination choice for conference organisers across the UK.

RAI plc Managing Director James V Vincent is thrilled with the accreditation and stated: ‘This is fantastic news that we have been awarded the Gold accreditation from the MIA for our conference, banqueting and exhibition facilities and in my opinion this has been a team effort and a 1st Class achievement for RAI plc which recognises the breadth and standard of our services, facilities and total dedication to customer satisfaction.’

Chief Executive of Welcome To Yorkshire Gary Verity said; “To achieve the Gold standard is a worthy accolade that recognises the high quality of SAVILES Hall and the conference facilities within the Royal Armouries Museum. It is also a clear indication of the hard work and professionalism maintained by the RAI plc team that makes this one of Yorkshire’s finest venues.”

Nicola Lockwood, Manager of Conference Leeds commented: ‘I am delighted that Royal Armouries (International) plc has become the second venue in Leeds to be awarded the GOLD accreditation. This further demonstrates the excellent quality conference buyers can expect when they host their events in the city of Leeds. RAI plc has been providing an excellent offering for all types of events from fine dining for a dozen people to magnificent gala dinners for 1,000 for a long time and this award recognises their commitment to quality at all levels of their operation’.

Simon Bullough, Membership Development Director from the MIA who awarded RAI plc with the gold accreditation said: ‘“When I first met Jim Vincent to introduce the concept of AIM, he expressed a determination to achieve Gold as soon as possible, and I’m delighted for him and his team that their hard work has now been duly recognised.

This Gold award underlines RAI plc team’s commitment to consistently deliver exceptional standards of customer service, in a first class conference and meetings environment, and my congratulations go to Jim and his team. This sends out a strong message to the meetings industry as a whole as to the quality of Leeds as a business tourism destination.”

Emma Cartmell from The Whyman Group who regularly uses the conference facilities at SAVILES Hall said of the venue: ‘SAVILES is a trusted venue and is ideal for our clients; they are perfectly situated just off the M621 and just 10 minutes walk from Leeds City Station. Their team always go that extra mile and provide a professional and seamless service for our clients which is an important aspect to our business as Whyman’s needs to feel they can trust the venue to deliver successful events. The facilities are less than 2 years old with state-of-the-art chilogens, Hi Tec AV and the latest of gadgetry to offer conference clients an environmentally friendly solution. Without exception SAVILES staff are very friendly and helpful and take a real pride in delivering the best customer focussed service. And of course it helps to have an excellent waterfront view, onsite hotel facilities and secure 24hour parking for 1650 cars”.

Jane Horner RAI’s Human Resource Advisor and main driver behind achieving the award-stated; “This wasn’t an easy process but was worth the effort and I am both relieved and excited to have heard the news we had achieved GOLD standard much of what we do is often hidden behind the scenes. Achieving standards like this sends out a strong message that we truly are the best in the business”.

For further information on the conference facilities available at SAVILES Hall, or to book a meeting or conference room, contact the Conference and Events team on 0113 220 1990 or visit www.rai-events.co.uk.

Ends; Further information
Chris Owen Marketing Director
Royal Armouries (International) plc
Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Tel 0113 220 1906 Mobile 07770 525 413
Email chris.owen@rai-events.co.uk

Notes to Journalist

It has been a successful 12months with Richard Tembo was awarded Unsung Hero at the Leeds Hoteliers Awards ceremony 09 and Marketing Leeds awarded RAI the ‘Leeds, Live it, Love it’ award 09. The chief executive of the Welcome to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, comments: “RAI plc has demonstrated, over a number of years, that Yorkshire is an ideal destination for a conference, exhibition or banquet with innovative marketing methods that deliver value for money”. All this comes less than a year after achieving ‘Investors In People’ status, Managing Director James V Vincent winning Personality of the Year 08, and two further Regional awards for customer service: Destan Hasani who won the top prize for Excellence in Customer Service whilst Delroy Scott received a Highly Commended award in the Rising Star category.

STATEMENT

ROYAL ARMOURIES (INTERNATIONAL) PLC (“RAI”)

RAI was incorporated in 1993 and is the sole and exclusive provider of corporate entertainment, event management and catering under concession at the ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Leeds

RAI has no other contractual relationship with the Board of Trustees of Royal Armouries, Royal Armouries or Royal Armouries Museum. Your event is neither the responsibility of, nor endorsed by the Board of Trustees of the Royal Armouries, Royal Armouries or Royal Armouries Museum