EDITOR'S NOTEMay 2012 . www.conference-news.co.uk . 7 At the time of writing there remain exactly 100 days until the start of London 2012.New hospitality research from PwC has revealed London can expect the Games to turn 2012 into a record year for the capital, with 2.8 per cent growth in hotel RevPAR. Hotels should see a positive impact on occupancy of almost 1.2 per cent in London and 0.9 per cent in the regions taking occupancy to almost 84 per cent in London and 72 per cent outside the capital, according PwC. If achieved it would be the highest annual occupancy seen in London since the 1970s and the highest ever in the regions. Without the boost to Q3 from the London 2012 Games, London hotels would have been looking at a poor year, however. We should not take for granted that the events motor of the Royal Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Games will mean an end to all recessionary pressures. CN's agency Spring Forum at Warwick Conferences clearly showed many agencies weren't holding their breath for big Olympics bookings in the Midlands. Maybe it is best to know, one way or another, however, and the call from our agency focus group was for unused room quota to be given back far less sporadically.Congratulations, meanwhile, to Gateshead for clinching £10m in Arts Council backing for its revised conference and events facility project. The proposed extension to the Sage Gateshead may need a further £20m to be realised and it is a much scaled back version of the full-blown convention centre fi rst mooted last year (and subsequently knocked back by the regional authorities). But it is, nevertheless, progress. Welcome also to the venue fold for Titanic Belfast, no doubt set to host many prestigious events over coming years and another venue hoping to seize the jubilee moment.Editor's NoteResearch from PwC reveals London 2012 can expect to be a record year for the capital, with a 2.8% growth in hotel RevPAR Managing Editor, Paul Colstonpcolston@mashmedia.netTwitter - @Conference_NewsEditorialPublishing Director: Paul DaviesManaging Editor: Paul ColstonDeputy Editor: Vikki CarleyStaff Writer:Sarah O'DonnellAdvertisingBusiness Development Manager:Kirk ThomasSenior Account Manager:Danny ReidAccount Manager:Scott Pascal-MurrayInternational Sales Executive:Walter JenningsSales Executive:Jack MarczewskiDigitalOnline Editor:Sarah O'DonnellProduction & DesignProduction Manager: Luke Spalding Senior Designer:Claudia CoutsidesProduction Controller: Julia Ball SubscriptionsCirculation Manager:Daniel VerrellsCirculation Executive:Tim PardingtonPublished by Mash Media, 4th Floor, Sterling House,6-10 St George's Road,LondonSW19 4DPTel: +44 (0)20 8971 8282One year's subscription cost is UK £95+VAT p/a, Europe £112+VAT, ROW £130+VAT.Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher.Printed by Pensord

NEWS8 . www.conference-news.co.uk . May 2012May The stuff of legendsTwo of the world's meetings and events industry's legendary characters' achievements were honoured at the sixth annual Exhibition News Awards, held at the new-look Olympia West Hall in London.Ray Bloom's IMEX America debut show in Las Vegas last year won Best International Launch and veteran entrepreneur Roger Shashoua picked up the EN Pioneer Award for achievements in expanding the exhibition industry, in particular for his work to develop his global exhibition company, ITE into new and emerging markets.There were 850 of the event community's fi nest in attendance for Conference News' sister publication's Awards.Other winners on the night included: Best Employer, Business Design Centre; Best International Venue, Amsterdam RAI; Best UK Venue Earls Court and Best Venue Marketer, Gemma Parkhouse, Excel London.Winners were announced in 20 award categories including 10 people awards. The Master of Ceremonies was Canadian quick-fi re comedian Stewart Francis.Pictured above: Roger Shashoua (left) and IMEX Chairman Ray Bloom.