PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: 20 October 2008

 

FESTIVE CONVIVIALITY AT IMarEST’s ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE AND DANCE

It’s fun, festive, raises money for an extremely worthy cause, provides a marvellous maritime sector networking opportunity, and the ideal opportunity for entertaining clients and members of an organisation’s team. The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Annual Conversazione and Dance has played a vital pre-Christmas role on the IMarEST calendar for nearly 120 years. This year’s Conversazione is being held on Friday 19 December.

“The very first Conversazione was held in December 1889 at the Town Hall, Stratford in East London, attracted ‘about 300 ladies and gentlemen’, and was judged ‘an unqualified success’,” explains IMarEST’s Chief Executive, Keith Read CBE. “The name remains the same, so too does its reputation, but the numbers have swelled to over 400 and the traditional venue long ago changed to The Grosvenor House in London’s Park Lane. We’re looking forward to a highly enjoyable evening again this year.”

The Annual Conversazione sees IMarEST members, partners, families and leaders of the maritime sector gather together to celebrate the festive season, bringing with them valued clients, members of their own teams and families. Entertainment during the evening includes carols sung by St Paul’s School Chamber Choir under the direction of Peter Gritton; a marching display by the Band of the Coldstream Guards; and guests can dance the night away to the live toe-tapping music of The Joe Loss Ambassadors.

The St Paul’s School Chamber Choiris a group of about 30 committed singers which sings weekly in Friday Communion, as well as concerts, assemblies and special Chapel events including the Carol Service, Apposition Matins within a normal term. The choir also sings evensong in St Paul's Cathedral in January along with one or two evensongs in other chapels or cathedrals each Spring. Recent trips have been to Queen's College Chapel, Oxford, and Emmanuel College Chapel, Cambridge. 

Money raised from the raffle and tombola held during the pre-dinner reception benefit the work of the Guild of Benevolence, a charity granting assistance to deserving marine engineers and scientists and their dependents.

Tables can be booked for 8-10 guests; a small number of tables seating 12 are also available; and individual bookings are warmly welcomed. Full information and online booking is at www.imarest.org/events/conversazione/2008 or from the IMarEST Events team on +44 (0)20 7382 2636, email events@imarest.org.

Further press information from:
Judith Patten @ JPPR
34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8241 1912; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8940 6211
Email: judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk