17 Jun C&IT International Forum Madrid
On 5th June 2019, forty-something event profs flew out to Madrid to C&IT’s, second international events forum, for some sun and sangria as well as great networking too. I was lucky enough to be chosen to join the trip and came back with a tonne of new industry friends!
We arrived at the brand new Pestana Plaza Mayor Hotel, to learn that it was just our group for the week, and were welcomed with a glass of champagne, splitting into teams for an iPad challenge. Despite our strong competitiveness, my team came 4thout of 8, but it did mean we could see some of Madrid – which is my favourite Spanish city.
Wednesday evening, we ended our challenge and had dinner at Platea restaurant, a beautiful venue where we sat around the balcony, overlooking the rest of the restaurant as well as the trapeze artists who would wow the guests every so often throughout the night.
Thursday was an action-packed day full of fantastic content sessions and 1-2-1 meetings, all of which got the group talking and debating on current event issues and the latest event news.evening.
With some free time on Saturday afternoon, a few of us took full advantage of being in Madrid, and went for a walk in the city, finishing at the Iberostar rooftop terrace overlooking Madrid with a glass of wine or two!
The following Thursday evening, we were given the chance to experience Ramses Restaurant, right next to Retiro Park, a restaurant designed by Phillip Stark. With a private room and fine dining concept, we enjoyed an amazing three-course meal, followed by drinks in the bar, and a night out in Madrid afterward, for those who were keen to continue the party!
With some sore heads in the morning, Friday morning was a little quiet but filled with more brilliant content sessions, and 1-2-1s. After a fantastic event, I was sad to leave and had to go straight to the airport to fly to Valencia for our next SevenEvents incentive.
But I look forward to finding out where next year’s C&IT International Forum will take place…!