Things Can Only Get Better for Conference Goers

Over 80% of business men and women are not motivated by business conferences and meetings with poor musical choices coming top at tuning people off reveals Best Western at the start of this years office professional week, 25-29 April.

Research by First Place, the free conference and venue finding service from Best Western, has revealed that tired and overused motivational songs, such as ‘Simply the Best’ by Tina Turner, are guaranteed to have an adverse affect on delegates.

Surveying British workers, First Place revealed that, ironically, two of Labour’s once lauded pre-victory anthems, Heather Small’s ‘Proud’ and top of the worst conference tunes list ‘Things can only get better’ by D:Ream, were overwhelmingly voted as two of the least motivational songs of all time.

However, for delegates who can’t get enough of ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra, First Place has also put together a chart of the best and worst motivational music as well as some simple top tips on its website www.firstplace.co.uk/toptips, offering live streaming of the tracks. So, ‘pop picking’ organisers can listen first hand to the official business conferencing chart to get their conference off on the right note. The results are as follows:

Top five most motivational songs:
1. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves
2. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow – Fleetwood Mac
3. No Limits – 2 Unlimited
4. Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
5. We are the champions – Queen

Top five least motivational/ overused conference songs:
1. Things can only get better – D:Ream
2. Simply the Best – Tina Turner
3. Proud - M People
4. Let me Entertain you – Robbie Williams
5. My Way – Frank Sinatra

The importance of well chosen music was further underlined when 40% highlighted that poorly chosen music had a negative effect on how they perceived a speaker. The study also looked into preferred speakers with almost one in three choosing a comedian, leaving ‘the boss’ in penultimate place, just above a politician.

The research further revealed that positively, one in three felt more knowledgeable after their last conference or meeting. However, 15% left feeling hung over having put more efforts into enjoying the free booze and entertainment…with a saucy 2% of hot-blooded delegates taking away a new love interest!

As a result of these findings, First Place, who search all big brand hotels to find you a venue in under 2 hours, has teamed up with GMTV’s motivational guru, Pete Cohen to give you expert hints and tips on creating the best conference to leave your delegates positively enthused. The web page www.firstplace.co.uk/toptips not only features the live streaming, but also Pete’s top tips, research findings and a comprehensive venue guide to hundreds of hotels across Great Britain.

Pete Cohen commented, “In all stages of business it is highly important that motivating colleagues and delegates is made a top priority. The research conducted by First Place has highlighted the significance of this key business ingredient which must be added alongside a perfect venue, ambiance, food, temperature, speakers, music and of course content to raise the perfect inspirational conference.”

Mikhaila Brentnall, PR Manager at Best Western commented: “The research findings came as a real surprise, with classics coming out top against the likes of Robbie Williams.”

“Obviously, as the ‘one stop shop’ for anyone looking to book a meeting whether its a small group or a conference for 300 or more, we wanted to share our top tips – leaving organisers free to concentrate on what to say!”

“First Place is the only service in the country to provide a free venue finding service for over 290 Best Western hotels as well as other top brand hotels within Great Britain to find the perfect place in under two hours.“

“We offer a strong team of experienced advisors at the end of a telephone, to advise on everything from hotels with award winning restaurants to activities post conference such as golf, spa facilities or even white water rafting.”

For more information about First Place, Best Western’s free conference and meeting booking service visit www.firstplace.co.uk or to speak with a First Place adviser call 08706 04 05 06