LACA MAIN EVENT 2021 DELEGATE INFORMATION

LACA Show Guide 2021Venue

The LACA Main Event will take place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1PP - view map

All bedrooms include the following facilities: en suite bathroom; TV; international direct-dial telephone; writing desk; hospitality tray and hairdryer.

Unfortunately the Living Well health and gymnasium facilities will be closed for refurbishment for the duration of the event.

Covid Safety Measures

There are a number of measures in place to reassure guests and maintain safety against Covid-19. We are asking that all attendees provide proof of double vaccination on arrival, either on the NHS app, sight of your vaccination card or letter/certificate which can be obtained from your GP. Alternatively, proof of a negative lateral flow test within 24hours of arrival logged on the NHS app. Full details available here.

The hotel have a CleanStay policy in place and have advised the following regarding housekeeping:

“For your comfort, we want your stay to be as undisturbed as possible, so we will only provide housekeeping upon your request. To schedule housekeeping service or to request additional amenities, please call the front desk and they will be happy to help.”

If you are a Hilton Honors member, you can call the hotel with your membership number prior to arrival, and download a digital key from the Honors app which will cut down queues for check in. Please use phone number 0121 780 4242 or email hbmcommunications@hilton.com with name and honors number.

Car Parking

Delegates should park on car park North 5 for the duration of the event. There is a 15 minute drop off in the hotel car park to unload small items or luggage. Vehicles should then be moved to the N5 car park, there is a shuttle bus service running at the following times between the car park and the hotel:

Tuesday 12th October 08.00 – 18.00
Wednesday 13th October 08.00 – 17.00
Thursday 14th October 08.00 – 14.00

Limited parking is available in the hotel car park although this would incur a charge which will NOT be funded by LACA as a free parking option is available as outlined above. Current car park charges are outlined below:

Residents: Overnight Parking (1pm on day of arrival to 1pm on day of departure): £12 Early Arrival: £5 Supplement Late Departure (until 4pm): £5 Supplement Late Departure (until midnight): £10 Supplement

Non Residents:
0-15 minutes: FREE 15 Minutes
3 Hours - £10.00
3-8 Hours - £15.00
8-24 Hours - £22.00

The hotel car park operates an Automatic Number Plate Recognition System – no ticket will be issued on arrival, your car registration will be logged at the time of entry. On departure, please visit the car park machines in the hotel foyer, next to the concierge desk, to pay any parking due before exiting the car park.

Accommodation

If your booking includes accommodation, this has been booked at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. This would have been confirmed to you at the time of booking. Please note; no refunds can be given on cancellations although substitutions will be allowed up to the date of the event. Any name changes should be made in writing. Guests are personally responsible for settling accounts for telephone calls, newspapers and other personal expenses before leaving the hotel.

Hotel Check–in

Check-in time is 16.00. Luggage may be stored with the concierge until you can occupy your room.

Hotel Check-Out

Check-out time is 11.00. Luggage may be stored with the concierge until you leave the hotel.

Please make sure you pay for any extras incurred prior to this time. You can use the hotel’s Express Check-Out service if required - this will entail authorising your account for extras to be taken from your credit/charge card on arrival. A copy bill will be put through your door in the early hours of the morning.

Delegate Registration

The Delegate Registration Desk in the main hotel foyer will be open from 08.30 on both Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th October

Forum Sessions

All sessions will be held in the Kings Suite. The dress code is relaxed business dress. Click the link below to view the programme – please note, only Forum delegates who have booked a place can attend the closed sessions, delegates and visitors can attend the open sessions.  View programme

LACA School Food Show

The School Food Show will be held in the Palace and Monarch Suites. The exhibition opening times are:

Tuesday 12th October 09.30-17.00
Wednesday 13th October 08.30-16.30

Please take time to visit as many stands as possible to acknowledge the generous support these companies have given to the LACA Main Event 2021.
Please note: there is no exhibition viewing time on Thursday 14th October.

Exhibition Prize Draw

Delegates have the opportunity to win one of five £100 Gift Vouchers by visiting and collecting stickers from the Partner with LACA stands. Full details will be inside the Prize Draw Entry Form, which will be given to you on arrival. The draw will take place in the Kings Suite on Thursday – with the exception of day delegates you must be in the Kings Suite to be eligible to win.

Finishing Touches

This year’s Finishing Touches competition includes the following static display classes:

50% Fruit Dessert Decorated Novelty Cake
Biscuits Filled and/or covered sponge, gateau or cake
Cake Suitable for Special Diet Floral Sugarcraft Display Piece
Cheesecake Individual Fruit Tarts
Chocolate Truffles Sculpted or carved cake
Cup Cakes Macaroons
Decorated Celebration Cake Tray Bake

Classes are open for viewing from 11.30 to 16.00 on Tuesday and from 10.00 to 14.00 on Wednesday in the Arden Suite.

Best in Class certificates will be announced and awarded in the Arden Suite on Wednesday at 14.00. Any Best in Class winners who are present will be asked to attend the presentation on Wednesday at 14.30 in the Kings Suite where the Best in Show winner will be announced.

Breakfast and Lunch – Tuesday and Wednesday

Lunch for delegates will be served in the Balmoral Suite over two sittings on each day:

Tuesday – Lunch Group A at 13.00; Lunch Group B at 13.45
Wednesday – Lunch Group B at 12.15; Lunch Group A at 13.00

Your delegate badge will denote which sitting you have been allocated. You will be allocated two lunch cards when you register – one to be used on each day, to be handed to the staff on the door when you go in for lunch.

The main hotel restaurant is currently closed due to refurbishment so breakfast on all days will be in the Balmoral Suite.

Informal Ice-Breaker Dinner - Tuesday

If you have booked accommodation with us for Tuesday 12th October you will automatically have a place at the Informal Ice Breaker Evening, which will take place in the Kings Suite, starting at 19.30.

This year’s ice-breaker evening has a Mamma Mia/Greek theme – find out more.

The hotel has agreed a discount of 10% off the bar tariff for drinks purchased within the function room. This will not apply at the main hotel bar.

LACA Awards for Excellence

The LACA Awards for Excellence will take place in the Kings Suite on Wednesday 13th October. The evening will commence at 19.00 with pre-dinner drinks in the Library Suite, followed by dinner in the Kings Suite, dinner will be called at 19.30 to start at 19.45. Dress code is black tie for men, cocktail or evening dresses for ladies. Again, the hotel has agreed a discount of 10% off the bar tariff for drinks purchased within the function room. This will not apply at the main hotel bar.

The LACA School Chef of the Year winner and LACA Awards for Excellence will be presented during the Gala Dinner. Delegates are politely reminded to refrain from talking during this time. The cash bar service will be closed during the awards presentations.

Chair’s Charity and Raffle

The LACA Chairs’ charity this year is the If U Care, Share Foundation.

During the Awards Dinner there will be a charity raffle for a top prize of £500 worth of Amazon Vouchers, along with a selection of other prizes donated by the LACA Exhibitors. Tickets are priced at £5 each and payment can be made on the night by cash. An ATM is available in the hotel lobby. There will be an option to leave an IOU to settle on Thursday morning with a credit card.

A full list of prizes and winners will be available at the LACA Information Desk, located in the main hotel corridor between the Palace and Kings Suites, on Thursday morning so please check if you are a winner and claim your prize before you leave on Thursday.