ABSTRACT
The ‘meal experience’ actually incorporates much more than food. It includes the welcome, the standard of service, the level of lighting in the restaurant, the volume of background music, the entertainment, air conditioning, the cleanliness of the toilets and even the comfort of the chair. All this impacts the guest’s experience of the meal. Press attendance is exciting – and is vital for the profile of the event and the venue. So, the press should be welcomed, just like all guests. But, they do need managing, just like all guests. A private room with complimentary drinks and a buffet should be provided for exclusive use by members of the press. This is another reason for anticipating their numbers in advance. If the event is press-worthy, which may simply be down to celebrity or VIP attendance, a press release should be issued by the client. The de-rig comes towards the end of the event when all the guests have left.
