19 January 2009
pro-ven secures agency agreement with BCDM&I
BCD Meetings & Incentives has appointed leading venue finding specialist pro-ven as its UK fulfilment centre for Venue Search and Strategic Sourcing activities in the UK. The branded services will be provided by a dedicated team based at pro-ven's offices in Hemel Hempstead, and will be recognised by the strapline "BCD Meetings & Incentives, powered by pro-ven".
Shaun Casey, MD of BCDM&I says, "pro-ven have demonstrated their expertise and systems to deliver the high quality service BCD Meetings & Incentive clients require".
26 November 2008
Unilever contract pro-ven
Despite the prevailing economic climate, a strong end to the year for pro-ven has been sealed with one of it's key clients extending the scope of their agreement. The global manufacturing giant, Unilever, has contracted pro-ven to manage their UK generated venue spend on a sole supplier basis. Julian Laxon of pro-ven says "Whilst the move will see an increased level of business for us, which is very positive, it is part of an ongoing MICE project that will allow Unilever to consolidate its spend across Europe, and to secure enhanced deals with a selected group of preferred MICE venues. Key to this project is the process excellence and detailed management information that pro-ven delivers to our major clients".
17 September 2008
Major legal firm selects pro-ven
One of the UKs leading legal firms with more than 5500 staff and 500 partners has selected pro-ven to manage its venue finding requirements. Working closely with their in house Events Team, the appointment is for an intial 3 year term, and sees pro-ven further strengthen it's portfolio with another leading City based client. The relationship will be managed by Associate Account Director, Jo Coram-Wright.
10 October 2008
Client feedback statistics
Since the start of 2008, each client booking their meeting or event through pro-ven has been invited to complete a very brief online feedback form. Collating feedback from more than 2000 bookings has provided some very positive statistics:
pro-ven Service:
98.6% excellent or very good 0.1% average or poor
Venue Service:
83.8% excellent or very good 4.6% average or poor
Venue Facilities:
86.2% excellent or very good 2.0% average or poor
25 June 2008
pro-ven wins prestigious IHG award
pro-ven has won the InterContinental Hotels Group award for Agency Booking Team of the Year, recognising the achievements of the dedicated team that supports one of their major accounts, NATS. "This is a great award to win" says Julian Laxon, MD of pro-ven. "We understand the importance of strong relationships with our hotel and venue colleagues, and the positive impact such relationships have on how well we are able to service the needs of our clients. IHG is one of the worlds leading hotel groups, and to get such recognition from them is very exciting". The other shortlisted agents in the category were Zibrant and NYS Corporate.
28 January 2008
"pro-active" extranet launched
As well as providing bespoke intranet portals and on-line venue booking solutions for some of their leading clients, pro-ven has also developed and launched it's "pro-active" extranet. This service will initally handle client feedback, and communicate information to hotels and venues - scoring each on facilities and service standards. Further developments in 2008 will see the "pro-active" extranet being used to provide secure on-line management information and access to client's work in progress files.
31 August 2007
Kodak appoints pro-ven
pro-ven has been appointed as an approved venue finder for Kodak UK, handling a range of domestic and international conference and event requirements for the UK arm of their business. Kodak is also benefiting from pro-ven's secure payment processing solution as part of the agreement.
12 February 2007
Continued growth at pro-ven
Having recently completed its second full year of trading as pro-ven, the leading venue finder has reported strong growth with a year on year increase in business placed of over 43%. Commercial Director, Jason Yiasoumi says "pro-ven's development has been excellent, and we are committed to sustained growth based on a strong and scalable business model. As we win more major clients who require pro-ven's outsourced and highly focused venue finding services, we will continue to lead the field in terms of service, process excellence, management information systems and financial solutions".
4 September 2006
pro-ven wins Virgin Group account
pro-ven is delighted to announce that they have been appointed as the venue finding service provider to the Virgin Group of companies. Julian Laxon, Managing Director of pro-ven, says "We are very excited to be given this opportunity to look after the venue finding needs of such a dynamic and diverse organisation as Virgin. Our dedicated team is looking forward to providing creative venue solutions, and helping Virgin to consolidate its spend and requirements".
11 August 2006
NATS signs agreement with pro-ven
pro-ven has won a major new account. NATS (formerly National Air Traffic Services) is a joint government and airline organisation and is the leading operator of air traffic control services in the UK. The appointment covers venue finding for conferences, meetings, training course, social events and group accommodation.
23 June 2006
HBAA for pro-ven
pro-ven is now a fully fledged member of the Hotel Booking Agents Association. The HBAA is the leading body for industry specialists for hotel and conference bookings, and provides a forum for professional agencies, venues and clients to share their ideas and develop best practice. The HBAA requires that its members work to a strict code of conduct and ethics, so you can be assured of the highest standard of service possible.
10 March 2006
pro-ven Hits £10m
In just over a year since the launch date, pro-ven has reached a major milestone in it's development - £10m conference and accommodation business confirmed! We have booked more than 75000 guest nights of accommodation, and confirmed 1500 meetings and events. Managing Director, Julian Laxon, says "We are very proud to have reached such an important milestone so quickly; it is a real testament to the skills and commitment of our team, and to the support we have received from our valued clients". If you would like to hear more, please contact our Business Development Team on 01442 835720/21/22.
2 February 2006
Client Update - Recruit Retail Services plc
In addition to providing a first class venue finding service, pro-ven delivers a focused and highly geared accommodation solution to some of the best names in industry and commerce. Recruit Retail Services plc provides management and resourcing solutions for Merchandising, Store Development, Reverse Logistics and Installation Services to many of the UK's leading retail organisations. During the last year they moved over 900 personnel around the country requiring over 60,000 bed nights! To achieve this they were supported by a dedicated pro-ven accommodation booking team. Recruit Retail's Managing Director, John Markwell, says "pro-ven is a key business supplier-partner for us. They provide us with a consistent, reliable and highly skilled out-sourced solution (for booking hotel accommodation), allowing us to focus on our key clients and services. As well as proving highly cost effective and efficient, their work is supported by excellent management information that is invaluable to our planning and budgeting process".
5 January 2006
Sainsbury's Sign Contract with pro-ven
Having developed our relationship with Sainsbury's over many years, pro-ven is delighted to announce our appointment as their sole venue finder. The appointment covers training, conferences, recognition events, meetings and related accommodation for Sainsbury's until the end of 2007.
21 December 2005
pro-ven Implemented by Unilever
Unilever has extended it's use of pro-ven's venue finding
solutions by appointing us to manage all external requirements generated
through their management training venue, Four Acres. This exciting news enhances pro-ven's relationship with Unilever, further developing the existing service handling all venue finding for the Unilever Corporate Centre Events Team.
15 August 2005
pro-ven Forges Ahead
Since the launch of pro-ven in February 2005, we have booked more than 25000 guest nights accommodation, and confirmed in excess of £3m conference business on behalf of some of the best known names in industry and commerce. If you would like to hear more, please contact our Business Development Team on 01442 835720/21/22.
21 March 2005
'pro-active' Implemented
pro-active, the software platform on which pro-ven runs, is now fully configured with more than 10,000 venues and suppliers contained within it. As well as facilitating the venue finding and accommodation booking process, pro-active allows us to provide detailed management information to our clients, giving total transparency in terms of spend patterns and savings.
1 February 2005
pro-ven Website Launched
The new pro-ven website offers advice and information as well as an access point for clients using our on-line system. Featuring our new corporate identity created by design agency rt facts, the website provides a starting point
for those who want to know more about pro-ven.
1 February 2005
pro-ven Launched
Julian Laxon announces the launch of Professional Venue Solutions Ltd, trading as pro-ven.
Julian, who's company has worked in the industry for
14 years, has an experienced account management and operations
team on board ready to deliver pro-ven's unparalleled
services and solutions.
