B
From: Spero, Alexander <alex@bwl.co.za>
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Subject: RE: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
To: Bernelle Verster <bernellev@gmail.com>
Cc: "Goddard, Ryan" <rgoddard@gsb.uct.ac.za>
Good Day Bernelle
I trust you are well and had a good weekend.
This seems like quite an important event and we would be honored to be able to host it at our facilities, should they be appropriate to your requirements. I’ve discussed our rates with the revenue manager and I am able to provide a further 10% discount to the accommodation rates which I quoted originally. Let me know if you would like me to ammend the previous invoice with the discounted rates.
Kind regards,
Alex Spero
Events Coordinator
Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge
P.O. Box 50683, Waterfront, 8002
Switchboard: +27 21 406 1911
Direct: +27 21 406 1305
F: +27 86 589 1966
E:
alexander.spero@bwl.co.za
W: www.proteahotels.com/breakwaterlodge
GDS Codes : Amadeus: CPTBRE Galileo: 51396 Sabre: 57968 Worldspan: CBREA
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From: Bernelle Verster [mailto:bernellev@gmail.com]
Sent: 13 November 2014 10:01 AM
To: Spero, Alexander
Cc: Goddard, Ryan; Webb, Kate
Subject: Re: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
Many thanks Alex.
The conference has much application to UCT's academic work, in particular electrical engineering and related research groups. I also want to introduce the bridging of biology, particularly bioprocess engineering and these information systems (to develop the
bioprocess industry, which is very much business related), but it will be a push to find real business relevance in the immediate focus of the conference, I have to admit. We do have a lot of international sponsors though - see here:
http://debconf13.debconf.org/sponsors.xhtml
Some well known names like Mark Shuttleworth (Ubuntu foundation) and Linus Torwalds (Linux operating system) are sometimes seen around.
As an aside, and now I am really going out on a limb here, I would like to explore the business/enterprise development aspect again, with regards to open source systems, and biology. It would have a strong social focus, so the Bertha centre might be a route forward. I would like to host a business concept competition similar to a UN National Water Day competition 'Moola for Amanzi' I did in 2012... So there may be a link for the GSB there? These are all still very much only ideas, pending the successful bid and interest from supporting parties... Let me know if you want to flesh this out further.
best regards
Bernelle
On Thu, Nov 13, 2014 at 9:46 AM, Spero, Alexander <alex@bwl.co.za> wrote:
Hi Bernelle
I will discuss the rates with the hotel Revenue Manager in a meeting with him later, and negotiate possible reduced rates. I will revert back to you soonest with feedback.
I trust the above is in order. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Alex Spero
Events Coordinator
Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge
P.O. Box 50683, Waterfront, 8002
Switchboard:
+27 21 406 1911
Direct:
+27 21 406 1305
F: +27 86 589 1966
E:
alexander.spero@bwl.co.za
W: www.proteahotels.com/breakwaterlodge
GDS Codes : Amadeus: CPTBRE Galileo: 51396 Sabre: 57968 Worldspan: CBREA
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From: Bernelle
Verster [mailto:bernellev@gmail.com]
Sent: 13 November 2014 09:06 AM
To: Spero, Alexander
Subject: Re: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
Hi Alex
Let me just check with the team, if we can't get the discounted rates it may be a deal-breaker, I'm afraid. Then it's not worth doing a site visit.
regards
B
On Thu, Nov 13, 2014 at 8:59 AM, Spero, Alexander <alex@bwl.co.za> wrote:
Good Morning Bernelle
Thank you for the feedback. We only offer discounted rates to UCT GSB events which are funded through their internal accounts department.
I am available on Friday afternoon until 4pm, if this time is good for you? Unfortunately many venues are booked, but you are welcome to view the rest of the faacilities that the hotel has to offer.
Kind regards,
Alex Spero
Events Coordinator
Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge
P.O. Box 50683, Waterfront, 8002
Switchboard:
+27 21 406 1911
Direct:
+27 21 406 1305
F: +27 86 589 1966
E:
alexander.spero@bwl.co.za
W: www.proteahotels.com/breakwaterlodge
GDS Codes : Amadeus: CPTBRE Galileo: 51396 Sabre: 57968 Worldspan: CBREA
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From: Bernelle
Verster [mailto:bernellev@gmail.com]
Sent: 12 November 2014 10:27 PM
To: Spero, Alexander
Subject: Re: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
Hi Alex
Many thanks for this.
We received approval from UCT today to host this conference, I don't have the form yet but will send it through once I do. Does this qualify us for reduced prices?
Could I possibly come for another site visit and discuss things, and also more detail on some of the venues please?
This Friday afternoon, or next week sometime?
best regards
Bernelle
On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 4:03 PM, Spero, Alexander <alex@bwl.co.za> wrote:
Good Day Bernelle
I trust you are well. Thank you for your enquiry and interest in our facilities at Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge. Herewith attached the quotation, as requested.
I’ve included all of our available conference facilities along with all of our room types for your discretion. Our Stonebreakers Restaurant is unfortunately not large enough to accommodate the entire group for meals. I therefore suggest a marquee tent for dining. Please see the attached menus for catering requirements. We have a 10gigabit incoming fibre connection. Our linespeeds average 4megabits per second.
I trust the above is in order. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Alex Spero
Events Coordinator
Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge
P.O. Box 50683, Waterfront, 8002
Switchboard:
+27 21 406 1911
Direct:
+27 21 406 1305
F: +27 86 589 1966
E:
alexander.spero@bwl.co.za
W: www.proteahotels.com/breakwaterlodge
GDS Codes : Amadeus: CPTBRE Galileo: 51396 Sabre: 57968 Worldspan: CBREA
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From:
Bernelle Verster [mailto:bernellev@gmail.com]
Sent: 07 November 2014 03:34 PM
To: Breakwater Lodge - Events Enquiries
Subject: Fwd: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bernelle Verster <bernellev@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 4:58 PM
Subject: (Formatted) Query: Conference 2016, off-season (date tbd), 300pax, 10 days.
To: events@bwl.co.za
Cc: michelle@bwl.co.za
Dear Michelle
We are submitting a bid to host the annual, international Debian developers' conference in Cape Town in 2016 (more info and reports on past conferences here:
http://debconf.org). This is an early stage exploration of suitable venues, and the UCT GSB, Breakwater campus seems like an exciting opportunity. We popped in to have a look yesterday and really liked it. Would
it be possible to host this conference here at all? What is the procedure with regards to UCT? We do have UCT staff members on our team to comply with the UCT venue application requirements, I am just not sure how the Breakwater campus deals with this.
Could you please give quote estimates on the following (2013/2014 prices are fine for now, we will re-quote etc closer to the time):
Venue requirements:
- Available for 10-14 days; The dates will be off-season (please indicate when these are for you), and for 10 days, let's say 12 to 22 August 2016 (this includes set up and breakdown), pending mutual suitability closer to the time;
- The (non-exclusive) use of the whole venue.
- We would need to book the main big venue (Exhibition Hall);
- Two rooms capable of seating 150 - 200pax, and 100-150pax, respectively;
- 4-6 smaller rooms for groups of 8-20 people (please indicate how many you have available and the price of each);
- Workspaces with tables, chairs, plugpoints to accommodate a total of 100-150 people with laptops (probably 30 - 50 per room, please indicate what you have available);
- Space for social interaction (possibly including recreational activities);
- The option or facilities to cater for 300pax; 2-3 meals a day plus tea/coffee breaks.
Other requirements:
- Would it be possible to send us a floor plan of your venue?
-
We would really like at least some spaces available for the developers to socialise and work together throughout the night, generally until at least 4 am:
- Would there be spaces to allow for this, or do you have 'lock down' times?
- If this is available at an extra (e.g. security) charge, please indicate this as well. -
The developers are also keen to have drinks with them while they work.
- What is your alcohol policy in terms of consuming alcohol on the premises, say, outside the restaurant areas, and
- in terms of bringing in our own drinks?
- Are there additional costs e.g. security, breakage deposit or insurance fees involved? (Also in context with the late nights) - If possible, an idea around prices for daily catering for 300 people (per person, all meals, or indicate what the options are please);
Then, do you have specific arrangements regarding the following?
- Fast, reliable internet connection - please indicate what you have, specifically if fibre is available (this is not a deal breaker either way, we just need to know what to plan for);
- Wheelchair accessibility and child-friendly facilities;
- Easy to reach, close to transport hubs (please include a map if possible);
best regards
Bernelle Verster
bernellev@gmail.com
083 5454 993