A GOOD MONTH FOR ...

Selecting the right host for an awards ceremony comes with its own set of pitfalls, but when you do have one who fits the bill the entire event is given a massive boost. The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards got it spot-on by choosing comedian Rob Brydon as host. Not only was he funny, he also kept the crowd engaged throughout the ceremony.

Another gold star for the same awards ceremony must go to Beyond Media Services partner Adam Clark, who came up with the unique concept of having live songs played during each AEO winner's walk up to the stage. A band from agency Big Ocean played a three-minute tune for each winner, including classic songs by bands such as Oasis, The Kinks, the Rolling Stones and The Who.

On the entertainment front, equally impressive was The Joe Leader Collective, who wowed assembled guests at a showcase in West End venue Sound. Led by saxophonist Joe Leader, the 14-piece band played an impressive variety of musical styles. Violinist Serena Leader played a gypsy/classical set at the event.

Those planners looking for a purple theme could do a lot worse than hiring the talents of lighting company Utopium, who transformed a temporary structure in Berkeley Square into a purple haven for the Glamour Women of the Year awards, organised by Timebased Events.

One event space that caught the team's interest this month was the Barbican's Conservatory. Ideal for summer parties, its glass roof is complemented by more than 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees. We were also impressed by the venue's Cinema One, a private screening space that could be used for corporate messages or branding.

A BAD MONTH FOR ...

Something the team found a little hard to understand was why, at a members' launch party - to which both members and press were invited - at nightclub Maya, the venue felt it had to stop people from sitting on its two biggest seating areas. Surely a venue trying to introduce a new crowd to its facilities would have been more accommodating?