&Meetings achieves AIM Secure status from the Meetings Industry Association

&Meetings is exceptionally proud to have been recognised as AIM Secure by mia, the Meetings Industry Association. The accreditation recognises our professional approach to the meetings and events business, highlighting our dedication to offering an environment that is healthy and hygienic, as well as our commitment to do the very best for both our customers and our staff.

AIM Secure measures:

• The quality of our meeting and events facilities
• Our commitment to delivering a healthy and hygienic environment
• Our service delivery
• Our compliance with legislation
• Our commitment towards diversity and inclusion

The accreditation considers our entire meetings and events offering and is only awarded to those who can verify they are following the stringent protocols set out by the standard.

What Have Done to Make our Venues COVID-Secure?

Deep cleaning schedules

Our primary focus is to sanitise our venues and prevent any potential risk of infection from surfaces. We have implemented a vigorous deep cleaning programme with particular focus on communal areas with the highest footfall. We have invested in acquiring industrial standard deep cleaning equipment and are working with specialist suppliers to ensure we take every precaution possible.

Fogging service

We have deployed high-end fogging machines throughout our venues which spray an ionised solution into the air that settles covering surfaces and crevices, coating the area comprehensively, resulting in a sterilized environment for up to 30 days. The workspace is completely safe for use one hour after application, and we are repeating this treatment once per month. This treatment replicates what is being used by government bodies, the NHS and TfL.

Focus on key touchpoints

One of the benefits of having had an in-house cleaning company for many years is that we have an unrivalled understanding of what are the heaviest use areas and thus what requires the most attention. As part of the continual cleaning programme we will focus on the key touch-points including door handles, coffee machines, toilets and kitchen facilities.

Easy-wipe coverings for lift buttons

We have enclosed all our lift buttons with a plastic cover to enable an easier and far more effective wipe clean scenario. With regular cleaning attention this will shield clients from one of the most frequently used touch-points.

Displayed cleaning schedules

We want to be totally transparent about our cleaning schedules and are proud of being unique in our sector for having both daytime and night-time cleaners. To further this, we are installing boards in our communal areas stating the last clean and when the next clean is due, similar to the screens in our toilets. Our cleaning supervisor team are strictly adhering to our agreed cleaning protocols.

Thermal Imagery at Reception

We have installed heat mapping technology at all centres so we can alert people if they are showing increased residual temperature and maybe at risk of COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone showing abnormal readings will be asked to retake the test and will be refrained from entering the building until they no longer show symptomatic temperatures.

Reception areas

We are providing our teams with the equipment and sanitising surface cleaners to enable them to work safely. To protect our front of house teams and to limit the spread of germs we are installing sneeze screens on our reception desks.

Hand sanitiser gel dispensers

Commercial hand sanitiser gel dispensers have been installed in communal areas and receptions, all with a minimum of 70% alcohol-based gel. We will continue to adhere to government guidelines as a minimum for our level of cleanliness, and look to go well beyond, striving for the highest standards.

Desk guard screens

We offer professional guard screens for clients to hire in their meeting rooms. These transparent screens provide a physical barrier between desks, reducing exposure to airborne transmission, whilst still allowing eye contact and visual communication between teams.

People flow

We are recommending people walk on the left-hand side of corridors, stairwells and rotate around break-out areas in clockwise fashion. A maximum amount of two people in each lift carriage will allow recipients to adhere to social distancing, although we would recommend using the stairs where possible. Please also stand behind the marked two metre lines at the lift entrance.

Empty ‘every other’ chair policy

In our communal break-out areas we are implementing use of every other chair to allow a natural buffer of space from the empty chair. These areas will remain open and will be intensively cleaned on a regular basis.

Automatic Free Upgrades

We are automatically upgrading bookings to a larger room so clients can practice social distancing with more ease.