Event Review: SLA Europe Summer Soiree: Innholders Hall, 18th July 2018
Our thanks to Leanne Common of Slaughter and May for reviewing this event. Leanne is a knowledge and information officer at Slaughter & May. Thanks also to Seema & Marie for the photos.
The historic Innholders Hall, in the heart of the City, was a grand setting for the 2018 SLA Europe Summer Soiree, held on 18 July. The Great Hall, with original oak cladding dating from 1670 and a beautiful stained glass window, provided cool respite from the heatwave outside.
We were greeted with a choice of prosecco or sparkling elderflower reception drinks, followed by speeches from 2018 SLA Europe President Katharine Schopflin and our sponsors Springer Nature and BMI Research.
A well-stocked bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks from Cawston Press accompanied canapes from three times Michelin star winner, chef Herbert Berger. The chipolatas with mustard mash and the saffron risotto were instant winners, serving staff being chased across the room on several occasions! The delicious ice cream lollypops ended off the food offer very well.
There were fantastic networking opportunities as usual, with attendees from the business, education and government sectors. The variety of working roles of SLA members makes conversation topics very diverse but new technologies emerged as a distinct theme of the evening. I think everyone enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting lots of new ones. Although the event was sold out, at no stage did it feel over-full.
The event continued well past the official end time, a testament to the welcome we received from the Worshipful Company of Innholders.
Thanks are due to BMI Research and Springer Nature for their generous sponsorship, to the SLA Events Committee for organising a lovely evening and to the Innholders Hall for their wonderful hospitality and attentive service.