Exhibition Services from Thorns Group

As 6,500 people gathered in West Sussex for the annual celebration, which commenced on Friday, 20 October and ran through to Monday, 23 October, Thorns Group was busy working behind the scenes.

Thorns – a leading supplier of equipment and services to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors – provided the association with many thousands of items of furniture including banqueting chairs, tables, Chesterfield sofas, bars, poser tables, coat rails and dancefloor.

Staff worked throughout the night as rows of banqueting chairs used by the guests on the opening evening had to be removed and replaced with tables and chairs suitable for over 2,000 diners at an awards ceremony the next day.

Thorns has worked on the event for a number of years and once again the team had to adhere to strict security demands as well-known Scientology followers including Hollywood actors Anne Archer, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes joined the thousands of delegates.

The 22^nd anniversary conference was held at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead — the one-time home of L Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion. The event attracted visitors from more than 130 countries, representing nations as diverse as Australia, Russia, China, Taiwan and the US.

A wide range of activities were organised during the four-day gathering, including award ceremonies, formal dinners, seminars, meetings and a charity concert that raised £40,000 for local good causes such as East Grinstead Sports Academy, Crowborough Hospital Elderly Day Centre and Brighton-based disabled charity Whoopsy-Daisy.

Tatjana Keenan, Public Affairs Officer for Saint Hill, said she was once again delighted by Thorns’ work. She said: “Thorns are a great company. They are very flexible and offer everything that we need. Even at the last minute or over the weekend or late at night – they have been there, making sure that everything is in place. They pulled out all of the stops and were fantastic.”

As well as using the permanent buildings at Saint Hill, the organisers erected a number of temporary structures, including a giant marquee for use as the main seating and dining areas.

About Thorns Group:

Thorns Group is the UK’s premier independent supplier of equipment, services and expertise to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors. With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, the group acts as a single-source supplier through four specialist divisions – Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services, Camden Special Events and Classic Technical Services.
It can meet every furniture and catering equipment requirement, whether clients are seeking tables, chairs, office furniture and bespoke furnishings or the finest china, cutlery, silverware, glassware and linen. Thorns Group also offers designer floral arrangements, electrical fittings and power supplies, plasma screens, carpeting and specialist flooring.

November 6, 2006