We all know how difficult it can be to track down the perfect venue for your company events, so Conference Solutions by Expotel are here to help! In this regular feature, Conference Solutions by Expotel will be taking you around the UK, stopping off at different locations each month to look at some of the best venues the featured area has to offer.

This month, find out about the fascinating mix of historic and modern venues, that Edinburgh has to offer, including the conference facilities at Murrayfield stadium - the home of Scottish Rugby.

Plus, you can still check out last month's featured area, the West Midlands.

To check out the featured venues, click here.

We all know how much effort you put in throughout the year, so isn't it about time you were given a pat on the back for all that hard work?

Even if the boss isn't forthcoming with praise, you can still celebrate how fabulous you are on World Secretaries Day, thanks to the folks over at Imperial College London's Conference Office. They are inviting 100 of you along to an Evening Reception on 27th April, at 170 Queens Gate, London. You'll be able to catch up with colleagues, make new contacts, indulge in some delicious canapés and fizz, and generally get some much deserved recognition for all your efforts!

So, if you'd like to spend an evening celebrating you, in a premier hospitality and meetings venue, click here.

The introduction of the euro has definitely made life easier for those who travel regularly in Europe, and maybe even more so for those of you who are charged with tracking and recording travel expenses! But, as Graeme Payne explains, there are still a few tricks and need-to-knows that could make your life even easier. Here's a taster of his advice...

A company's travel policy should clearly indicate to all travellers and those arranging their trips the exact procedure for the procurement and recording of foreign currency usage. At the authorisation stage, the anticipated amount to be spent should be recorded and compared with the actual amount on the expense sheet at the end of the trip. Provision should be made for the collection of foreign cash or travellers cheques from the company cashier or bank.

When travelling, receipts should be retained and cash for personal purchases kept totally separate from that of the company. Confusing the two creates many problems and discrepancies rarely work out in the traveller's favour.

Those making regular trips to the USA or Eurozone may find it sensible to hold on to dollars and euros in readiness for the next trip. This saves time and expense by avoiding commission charges and variations between the bank buying and selling rates.

To read the rest of this article, click here

With the signing (or not) of the Kyoto treaty all over the news, and TV adverts urging us to do our bit to conserve energy, it's hard to ignore environmental issues at the moment. Sara Goodwins investigates how the average office can go a little greener. Here's a sneak peak at her article...

Did you know that each tonne of paper which is recycled saves 17 average-sized trees plus their habitat and wildlife? That government reports predict that we will run out of available landfill sites by the end of this decade? That waste typically costs companies 4.5% of their turnover? Using environmentally-friendly office products and recycling wherever possible not only saves natural resources but makes economic sense too.

Electronic communications have minimised paper memos, letters, manuals, etc. But about 70% of office waste still consists of paper. Recycled paper used to look like cardboard and act like blotting paper, but now you'd be pushed to distinguish it from un-recycled equivalents. Several companies including Green Spectrum (greenspectrum.co.uk), Paperback (paperback.coop) and Recycled Paper Supplies (rps.gn.apc.org) specialise in supplying recycled stationery. Most office suppliers also offer a small selection.

To read the rest of this article, click here

If you live in London, or you're thinking about a move to England's capital, this month's instalment of My Career, our essential career planning tool, is exactly what you need to get your working life moving in the right direction.

Find out everything you need to know about advancing your career in the city, including information on salaries and employment prospects, Business Link, Learning and Skills Councils, universities and networking groups.

Plus, this month the Evening Standard will be covering the feature and want to know what you think of it. If you've gone through My Career London, or any of the other interactive features, and would like to be interviewed, contact jane@deskdemon.com

To start advancing your career in London, or to use the interactive tools that will help you plan your career, no matter where you are based, click here

There are plenty of chances to pick up some great prizes on DeskDemon this month, and it's worth checking the site throughout the month, as new offers, give-aways and prizes will be added frequently! What about these for a taster of the fab prizes on offer...

Hurry, hurry, your chance to win a copy of Microsoft's OneNote software ends on Friday 11th March. We're about to launch an exciting new partnership with Microsoft, but first we'd like to know what you really think of your Microsoft products. Just answer three short questions, and you could win one of 26 copies of OneNote in our free prize draw. More...

It's hard to beat the thrill and spectacle of horse racing - especially if you're taking it in with 15 of your friends, from your own private balcony at one of the UK's best viewing courses! We've got together with London's Racecourses to offer you the opportunity to win a Private Box for a fantastic day out at Sandown Park. More...

How do you fancy getting away from it all at one of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels fantastic UK properties? We've got five weekend breaks to give away to DeskDemon users who sign up for MILLENNIUM rewards. More...

How would you like to follow in the footsteps of royalty for a day? We've teamed up with Historic Royal Palaces to give away five pairs of tickets to the palaces of Kensington, Hampton Court, the Tower of London or the Banqueting House in Whitehall. More...

Keep coming back to DD throughout March, or you could miss all of this:

Best Travel websites
When you've got a packed day ahead of you, you just don't have time to make numerous phone calls to arrange business travel. Sara Goodwins gives a helping hand by investigating where to find the answers your travel needs online

How to say NO!
With demands coming in from all angles, sometimes you have to stand your ground and explain that you just can't do everything at once. Lee Morrissey gives some helpful hints on the art of saying NO!

Handling conflict
So, you've just been promoted. All should be rosy in your career garden, but inevitably, that's not always the case. Sally Longson investigates how to handle the conflict that might arise after a promotion

Plus,
Find out who the winners were last month in our Microsoft OneNote competition, the Letters Page, and the Advice Page. Keep writing in with your hints and tips, and you could be the lucky winner of a Brother P-touch labelling machine!