by Emma Liddiard, chairman of the Institute of Directors Kent branch, managing director and mum

When you become a member of the IoD you can go to events in any of the branches throughout the UK (and Bermuda).

It is worth remembering the extensive network of IoD premises we have for your business pleasure. There are 16 around the UK offering locations which are fully equipped to facilitate your needs.

Each venue is located near transport links and has wifi access, power points, areas for meetings with up to three guests and private hire rooms for larger meetings.

It’s particularly relevant to me this month as I have spent time in our own partner venue, the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel.

We have an IoD room dedicated to us, which is free to use. I have found it incredibly handy as a drop-in office when I am over that way.

Just pop in and ask at reception and you will have the use of warm and quiet office space – they even take orders for drinks. I drink coffee but hey, it’s a hotel – order what you like.

As I was saying, we spent a lot of time at the Mercure Maidstone interviewing for our branch manager, so I look forward to introducing you to our new recruit in the next few weeks.

Back to the diary – we welcomed Santander on board as a new friend and they worked with us on our first event at the Discovery Park, Sandwich.

Thank you to Paul Barber for hosting and offering us all a detailed tour of what is already an amazing site and constantly attracting new business to Kent. I am sure he will be happy to facilitate a visit to any IoD members who were unable to make it on the night.

We have also had two Partners for Progress events: one covering trading in international markets and the other negotiating the process of Pension Auto Enrolment. I hope we were able to offer a helping hand.

We held a breakfast for KEiBA, which had a huge turnout. We were hosted this year by the War and Peace Showground near Folkestone. That’s two events in east Kent I’ve written about so far in this column – come on the East!

Thank you so much to Rex Cadman for welcoming us to his 1940s-themed venue and the wonderful insight he gave us into what happens if you get addicted to buying war memorabilia.

Tomorrowology is the intriguing name of an event which looks at key trends which are starting to affect the way businesses are working now. It looks at challenges and, more importantly, the new opportunities they bring.

Coming up we have our Annual Charity Convention. If you are a charity, make sure you sign up for fresh ideas and renewed energy for the year ahead.

We also have a company visit to Hadlow College. I am digging out my wellies for a trip with Mark Lumsden Taylor.

Finally, we must say thank you to Wilkins Kennedy for all their support over the last four years and I look forward to introducing our exciting new marketing partnership next month.