Bienvenido a Madrid, this is what stood out to me, as I left the airport terminal, reminding me, whilst I’ve travelled around the globe it was both mine and the company’s first time in Madrid. As you can imagine being chosen to run an event for the first time in a new country, provides a decent amount of pressure, then add to the fact this is the Spanish capital, so I would say nerves and excitement definitely shared a space within me at that moment.

After settling at my accommodation, it was time to scope the area. Being my first time in Madrid, I realised I was staying a short walk away from the renowned ‘Plaza Del Callao’ off the main strip of Gran Via, which featured the venue for our event.

Walking up to the square & down Gran Via, I noticed the similar allure of the hustle & bustle of London’s Oxford St, but with a clear Spanish flair! Locals all over the strip, a variety of tapas restaurants, bars and shops dotted all the way along.

Arriving at our venue, I met with the team, got to understand BRACH, it’s rooms and share an exceptional view off to the Schweppes Tower at the top of Gran Via, on the terrace for private for our event!

We’ve always gone for some very quirky rooms at our events, I’ve always thought when doing venue viewings, do I feel like I am in the location, and I have to say with wicker chairs, and the single aisle rectangular table, giving you that intimate close setting for the room, I certainly could picture being in a big Spanish family for dinner with Tapas & Cerveza!

I got the opportunity to meet with the team hosting the event, given them all the details, and trying to hone some of my very broken and limited Spanish, but the trip didn’t stop there as we had some of the most phenomenal food I have seen.

Whether it was the steak or the octopus from the evening’s meal, the venues food was absolutely fantastic! But the trip didn’t just stop at this event, one of my long-term clients confirmed he was actually back home in Madrid, not travelling on events himself for once. Now understand this, I’ve worked with this individual for more than 2 years on a variety of events and someone I have grown to know very well, but yet never met face to face!

The very next day, to celebrate our meeting we met for…. you guessed it Tapas & Cerveza, in true Spanish fashion.

I had the opportunity to try truly local Jamón Ibérico, Patatas bravas and exquisite croquettes. It was an absolutely brilliant event and trip to Madrid, and one I will never forget, especially ending on such a high note!

Jaden Carter
Head of Global DemandGeneration
CxO Helix