Major conference puts sustainability first
4th October 2018
Excellence in service and sustainability was expected when The Deep partnered with the University of Hull to welcome a major conference – and all the feedback indicated a pass with flying colours!
Members of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) selected the University for its 2018 conference and brought more than 400 delegates including representatives from universities across the UK and some of their key suppliers.
The highest standards were set from the start, with delegates reporting an exceptional opening night of the conference, and with a line-up which included Sky News Sunrise presenter Stephen Dixon as host and familiar face Alan Johnson, former Home Secretary and MP for Hull West and Hessle and now a successful author, as one of the speakers.
Delegates praised all aspects of the event with Matthew White, Chair of TUCO, writing in the organisation’s magazine: “We topped the barometer at the University of Hull and I think we smashed the barometer for having the best TUCO Conference to date too.
“From a rewind back to the 80s for our opening evening event to an enlightening programme of conference speakers, a brilliant exhibition featuring so many of our suppliers, and finishing with the best food we could have asked for at the gala dinner, the conference has been a huge success.”
The team at The Deep were trusted with hosting a social evening as a result of the close links with the University.
Mike Haslin, Chief Executive Officer of TUCO, said: “At TUCO, we aim to embed sustainability within all functions of the business. After visiting The Deep, we were delighted to find a venue that supports our sustainability agenda. It was the perfect opportunity to host one of our evenings there during our annual TUCO Conference 2018.
“Following through with our sustainability visions and values, we decided to have on the evening menu a classic fish and chips, requesting to have only MSC certified fish and plant-based protein served. During that evening, the food was served promptly and was of a high standard. Even the packaging that the food was served in was carefully considered to meet our sustainability requirements.
“The team at The Deep were very supportive with our menu requests and gave us ample alternatives to taste before creating the final menu. All staff were very helpful in preparing and executing the event. As a result of this, we have received some very positive feedback from the attendees.”
Mark Mullaney, Assistant Director, Campus and Accommodation Services at the University, said: “We have held a number of events at The Deep since it opened and we work very closely with them and try to promote each other. The people who attended are very senior – director, assistant director or executive from universities all over the UK as well as suppliers who are highly experienced in their fields of work. Their expectations are first class food and beverages.”
“It was key that we were able to deliver a first-class service, and we received excellent feedback. The Deep was the sort of alternative venue that they haven’t had before. To look at The Deep as an attraction is one thing but to actually have an event there is something else!”
Freya Cross, Business and Corporate Manager at The Deep, said: “It was a bespoke menu and we discussed the food in detail even down to trying five different types of chip! What was really good about the whole event was that it was totally in line with our own environmental agenda.
“It was great working so closely with the University of Hull, amalgamating our teams to work side by side, working closely with their chefs and drawing in the extensive expertise of TUCO to deliver a sustainable event.”
The film of the conference can be viewed here: