VerticalAir Events

VerticalAir design and deliver unique, memorable, outstanding and relevant Events for Businesses. The learning experiences that we create are compelling and fun, and facilitate developments that immediately transfer directly into the work context. We work closely with each individual client to create the right Event to meet precise and specific required outcomes. We have a long and successful history of delivery with a wide range of clients and companies from all industry sectors, and a proven track record of results working at all levels from senior managment teams and company directors through to shop floor staff, graduates and apprentices.

We run Events at our dedicated venue based at The Castle Green Hotel in The Lake District (www.castlegreen.co.uk), and also at any suitable identified venue throughout the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.

Our delivery team is comprised of highly qualified and experienced professionals, thereby ensuring that each and every Event is enjoyable, run to exemplary standards, safe and successful.

The following pages offer outline descriptions of some of the key themes and methods that we frequently utilise. This is not an exhaustive list and we are happy to create new Events to match your particular specifications.

Our clients include: BBC, Carlsberg, EMC, HBOS, Kellogg's, Kroll, Nationwide, NDA, O2 and Travis Perkins

Cascade

purpose

To bring the team together with one common aim. To highlight the need for inter-departmental teamwork. To provide a dynamic conclusion to a conference. To experience a memorable fun, shared experience for ongoing future reference

methodology

The overall team task is to open the treasure chest, using high levels of interpersonal skills and water. Specific teamwork skills developed include: planning and strategic innovation, delegation and task allocation; working under pressure to meet a deadline, and remembering that water does not flow up hill!

Strategy Orienteering

purpose

To explore issues of cooperation and competition within and between teams. As a catalyst to bring teams together. To look at strategy planning and implementation.

methodology

An activity based on Orienteering, providing a range of challenges including Map reading and Navigation, Photography, Problem Solving, and Creative Drama. Teams can compete or cooperate to gain the greatest return for their efforts. This challenge can be run in urban or rural environments.

Samba!

purpose

As a high energy, all inclusive conference finale. To bring diverse teams working and interacting successfully together through an exciting and unique shared experience. To highlight how teams can work together to achieve an outstanding result.

methodology

A dynamic team event, perfect for conferences, team away days and team building programmes. Team members unite to form a Samba Band, swaying to Brazilian Rhythms in a matter of minutes. Each individual can make a unique contribution, totally irrespective of musical background. The interplay between different groups with different instruments and rhythms results in a memorable and pulsating performance. Experienced drumming trainers guide the group through the whole event.

Bitesized

purpose

As an Icebreaker to a Conference, Team Away Day or Team building Event. To highlight and successfully develop team working and problem solving. To energise, motivate and encourage team participation to an unparalleled level. As an integral and essential part of a larger and more complex event.

methodology

A series of short physical, mental, creative and practical challenges. These are designed to explore different aspects of effective teamwork and are focussed on the key learning objectives for your event eg problem solving, communication, decision making. They can also best be used in conjunction with Team Role Questionnaires (based upon Belbins highly influential system) to encourage teams to best fulfil their potential. The challenges are engaging, inclusive and great fun!

Community Projects

purpose

To engage people in a powerful and compelling team activity with a real outcome. To engage with and contribute back to the community and environment. To engage employees with Corporate Social Responsibility. To raise the positive profile of the business in the community.

methodology

VerticalAir Corporate Projects connect Team Building, Corporate Social Responsibility and make a real difference in the community. Such Events necessitate that we work closely with you from start to finish. Through close liaison in the planning process we enable you to identify the right project or projects for your team in the right location with the right theme; eg. A garden makeover for a pensioner, laying paths and coppicing for the National Trust, sponsored outdoor activity days and dinners raising money for 3rd world projects. We run such Events for groups of between 10 and 150 people. All Corporate projects are meticulously risk assessed as a vital facet of the planning and programming process. We provide experienced and adept staff on Action Day/s to supervise everyone’s safety, and to ensure a successful, rewarding and memorable outcome for all parties.

Ropes Course

purpose

To develop leadership, team working, innovation and interpersonal skills with direct relevance and immediate transferability to the workplace To increase team commitment, vital bonding and motivation. To explore decision making and risk taking. To develop practical problem solving abilities and enable people to take on new and unfamiliar challenges adeptly To develop team communication, support and trust networks within Companies.

methodology

VerticalAir Ropes Course is a dedicated Training Facility in the grounds of The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on the edge of the Lake District. Situated in 2 acres of beautiful beech woodland, it comprises a wide range of Ropes Course elements to challenge and develop both teams and individuals. The Ropes Course includes low level confidence building challenges and high level more demanding challenges in the tree tops. To find out about the events click here to visit the ropes course page.

We can accommodate from 5 to 100 people at a time, with trained and qualified instruction and safety supervision. Any aspects of the Ropes Course can be can be superbly combined with one of our other Events or any traditional outdoor activities to create an amazing, memorable and relevant experience for all Company based participants.

Combinations

purpose

To create an event with a theme over a longer duration with a clear conclusion or finish. To provide a more complex multi-faceted event. To provide variety for larger groups. To build and consolidate learning from introductory to advanced complex problem solving in an intense and short space of time. To enable disparate teams or staff peers from dispersed locations to develop powerful networking, peer support and corporate development strategies.

methodology

We can use a combination of any of our events to acheive your desired outcomes and combinations are often used when a group is very diverse in terms of their needs and abilities so that there is something in the day to suit everyone, they are also suitable when you have a very defined time window, say during a conference, an unusual venue, or a tight budget combined with ambitious objectives!

examples:

We regularly integrate Ropes Course and Strategy Orienteering into a seamless one day event which has Samba as a dynamic and memorable finale.

Bitesized challenges can be combined with Cascade, working with small teams in Bitesized and then bringing the whole group together with one objective in cascade, success in Bitesized providing the equipment for Cascade.

For an event which appeals to the more active and adventurous and also looks closely at specific teamwork capabilities, we can combine clearly focused use of a traditional outdoor activity with Bitesized and conclude by tying in a Treasure Chest reward as a conclusion to a varied and challenging day.

Whatever Else

purpose

You name it and we have probably done it or know someone who has! We are able to provide a memorable event somewhere unusual and to satisfy a need for a creative and different experience. We can utilise our multi faceted skills and expertise in generating a truly unique learning programme and experience for your precise business purposes.

methodology

We are well traveled and experienced in designing and delivering our existing events throughout Europe and the rest of the world. We also provide our creative and technical expertise to support our clients with completely novel experiences and challenges, we would love to hear about what you have in mind and regularly rise to the challenge of "making things happen"!

Recently we have delivered events in: France, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand. We have supported our clients with Sponsored Events in London, the Midlands and the Lake District

The Great Outdoors

Traditional outdoor activities in the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales Current activities include:

• Caving & Gorge Walking
• Canoeing & Kayaking
• Rock Climbing & Abseiling
• Mountaineering & Scrambling
• Orienteering & Guided Walks
• Mountain Biking

Our instructors and guides are highly qualified under National Governing Bodies for the activities they run. In all activity sessions we operate to strict Health and Safety standards endorsed by the National Governing Bodies. Our instructors have extensive experience in running events which are tailor made to suit the specific requirements of the participants. The unique combination of expertise, experience, enthusiasm and humour which our staff team brings, helps to ensure that the activities we offer are suitably challenging, enjoyable, rewarding and memorable.

Traditional Outdoor Activities are both highly suitable and immensely powerful learning media within Business development programmes. Inputs in any of the above activities can be delivered throughout the business year, and all programmes are devised and delivered in strict accordance with identified Company objectives and desired learning outcomes. We have a proven track record which illustrates that learning accrued from participation in a traditional outdoor activity can be immediately replicated within the workplace with immense benefits for both employees and the Company.

Group self managed abseils and self managed caving trips have proved very popular amongst Business Clients so far, all overseen by our instructors and guides.

Adventure Days

Adventure days are suitable as organise activities for: Families and friends, Social groups (stag and hen parties), schools, colleges and student groups, youth organisations, staff teams and individuals who would like to develop a particular skill in their chosen activity.

We run Adventure Days throughout the year and can provide activities from half day inputs to multi day programmes.

caving & gorge walking

An opportunity to experience the rich and diverse underground world, to sort out the stalactites from the stalagmites and get your feet wet. Or try gorge scrambling - tackle the rivers and gorges of the Lake District an energetic way of ascending or descending waterfalls and water filled gorges and lots of fun, like caving with no roof!

canoeing & kayaking

Experience Canadian canoeing on the lakes and rivers of the Lake District. Learn the basic skills to take to the water safely or make a journey through the beautiful Lakeland scenery. Acquire the skills to paddle your own boat, kayaking can be on rivers or lakes and we can visit some of the most beautiful areas of the Lake District. Or experience the thrills of white water.

rock climbing & abseiling

The wealth of outdoor climbing crags and indoor climbing walls in the Lakes and Dales ensures that opportunities are plentiful for people of all ages and abilities to directly experience the thrill of rock climbing. What goes up must come down! Experience the exhilaration of descending rock faces using ropes and progress from gentler slopes to vertical and overhanging walls whilst controlling the speed of your own decent.

mountaineering & scrambling

For those wanting the thrill of tackling more challenging peaks and paths. To progress to graded scrambles with the safe use of ropes and helmets.

orienteering & guided walks

A combination of map reading and running to find hidden locations and challenge yourself or team against the clock. Safely challenge the rolling fells or along the narrow ridges and on the famous mountains of the Lake District. Walk with a guide to enjoy the landscape at its best.

mountain biking

Guided rides or trails around the Lakes and Dales make for a challenging day out.