At Millennium Point, every event is shaped by the people behind it. From caterers and technical partners to creative suppliers, our trusted partners play a vital role in delivering memorable experiences. In this new blog series, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the suppliers we work closely with, sharing their stories, values and what drives them to do what they do. We’re starting with AC Event Catering, our long‑standing catering partner, to learn more about the team, their work, and what makes their food such a key part of events at Millennium Point.
Can you tell us a bit about AC Event Catering and what drives the business?
AC Event Catering is a Midlands-based catering business built around a simple promise: good food, pure and simple. We focus on fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and friendly service, and we’ve been doing it for fourteen years.
We work across a wide range of events, from private parties and weddings through to corporate functions, sports events, and community gatherings. But it’s never really just about feeding guests. It’s about creating a relaxed, enjoyable experience where the food feels generous, well-prepared, and memorable.
What makes AC Event Catering different from other catering businesses?
We don’t overcomplicate things. We focus on doing the important things well: fresh, locally sourced ingredients, well-planned menus, punctual delivery, and clean presentation. Honest food done properly will always stand out.
The team matters too. Everyone here came through major event venues before joining the business, so there’s a depth of experience and a genuine care for the work that you can’t fake. We’re professional without being impersonal, and friendly without losing focus on standards.
What do you think people love most about working with you?
Beyond the food itself, clients tell us they appreciate how approachable and easy we are to work with. We listen, we communicate clearly, and we try to take as much stress out of the process as possible. People want to feel looked after, not just like another booking in a diary.
Consistency matters too. They know we’ll turn up prepared and ready to deliver. It’s often the smaller touches, in presentation, timing, and the warmth of the service, that leave the biggest impression.
Your partnership with Millennium Point goes back a long way. Can you tell us about that?
It does, in quite a personal way. I first applied for a coffee shop manager role there in 2005, having moved up from London, and twenty years later we’ve come full circle, providing all events catering through AC Event Catering. Working at Millennium Point is something we’re extremely proud of.
It’s also a brilliant fit. The venue brings together business, education, innovation, and community events, which means we get to work across a huge variety of occasions. Every event is different, and that variety allows us to show what we can really do.
Why do partnerships like this one matter to you?
Because catering doesn’t happen in isolation. When a venue and a catering team work closely together, the whole event runs more smoothly and feels more cohesive for guests. It’s built on reliability and trust, on both sides knowing that the other will consistently deliver.
There’s also a shared reputation to consider. When you partner with a respected venue like Millennium Point, you’re representing them as much as yourself. That’s a responsibility we take seriously, and it motivates us to maintain the highest standards every time.
What would you say to someone considering AC Event Catering for their next event at Millennium Point?
That every booking matters to us, whether it’s a small internal gathering or a large formal occasion. We know the venue well, we know how to make events run smoothly, and we genuinely care about the experience we help create. That combination of familiarity, quality, and a personal approach is what people keep coming back for.
Millennium Point has announced a new programme of film screenings, taking place throughout 2026 in its landmark Birmingham Auditorium, home to the largest screen in the region.
Films for all audiences
The series begins on 15 May with a screening of Christopher Nolan’s Inception, the 2010 sci-fi thriller that has kept audiences debating its ending ever since its initial release. Further screenings include The Dark Knight Trilogy on 8 August, Labyrinth on 30 October, and a festive double bill of The Polar Express with a Santa visit on 13 December.
Relive that moment from 2008 watching The Dark Knight at Millennium Point
The Batman Trilogy screening carries particular significance for Millennium Point. In 2008, the venue hosted one of Birmingham’s most talked-about cinema events when The Dark Knight screened on its IMAX, drawing audiences who still talk about it to this day! The August event is a chance to relive that, and to introduce it to a new generation of fans.
All screenings take place in the Millennium Point auditorium, which has all the scale and atmosphere of a serious cinema venue along with the flexibility to host something a little different.
JP Haslam, AV Technical Co-ordinator at Millennium Point, said: “The auditorium was built to make an impact. The screen size and the sound setup genuinely change how you experience a film, and that’s what these events are designed around. These are films that deserve that treatment.”
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, said: “This is about giving people in Birmingham a reason to come together around film. We have one of the best screens in the region and we want people to use it. Whether you’re a lifelong film fan or just looking for a great night out, there’s something in this programme for you.”
Tickets for Inception on 15 May are £12, or £10 for students. The bar opens at 6:45pm and the film begins at 7:30pm with no adverts.
A major new creative campaign is calling on people across Birmingham to imagine what the city could look like in 2050, and it kicks off this month with a chance for the public to start submitting ideas straight away via an easy-to-use digital platform at birmingham2050.co.uk.
Birmingham 2050 launches as a city-wide call-to-action aimed at artists, designers, musicians, poets, schools, community groups, businesses and residents. The campaign invites submissions in any creative form, from traditional artwork and models to writing, music, digital design and video. It just needs to be something that can be uploaded to the digital portal.
On 24 and 25 March, a public booth will be set up at Millennium Point where residents can drop in to share their ideas about what they want Birmingham to be like in 2050. The two-day installation is designed to capture what people across the city are thinking and hoping for, with contributions feeding into the wider campaign.
The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for Birmingham. With major infrastructure projects underway, significant cultural momentum building and long-term development reshaping the city’s landscape, organisers say the campaign is designed to channel that energy into public imagination, particularly among young people who will inherit the city being built today.
Entries will remain open until just before schools break for summer holidays. And a curated selection of submissions will be showcased in a public exhibition and live event at Millennium Point in September, featuring music performances, a live mural artist and creative visions gathered from across the region.
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, said:
“Birmingham has always been a city of makers and thinkers. Right now, it is also a city on the rise. Birmingham 2050 is about giving people permission to imagine what comes next and to share that openly. We want young people in particular to feel that their ideas matter and that the future of this city belongs to them as much as anyone. That is at the heart of what we do at Millennium Point.”
She added: “People need hope and direction. This campaign is about optimism, creativity and community. It’s an open invitation to help picture the Birmingham we want to build together.”
The campaign is backed by Millennium Point, with submissions open now at birmingham2050.co.uk.
Millennium Point Trust has opened applications for a 2026 scholarship, inviting ambitious West Midlands students to apply for a fully funded undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University.
Delivered through the Millennium Point Charitable Trust, the scholarship removes tuition fees for one successful applicant, enabling them to focus fully on their studies and future career without the burden of student debt.
Now in its 12th year, the programme reflects a sustained partnership between Millennium Point Trust and Birmingham City University, designed to support students whose ideas, drive, and potential can make a lasting difference to the West Midlands.
The scholarship has previously supported students across disciplines including computer science, real estate, and engineering, with recipients going on to apply their learning to some of the region’s most pressing challenges, from digital skills gaps to housing and regeneration.
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, said:
“Each year, the scholarship reminds us just how much talent exists across the West Midlands. Our role is to remove barriers where we can, so that potential is not limited by circumstance. This programme is about backing people early and giving them the space to develop skills that will shape the region’s future.”
All commercial activity at Millennium Point feeds directly back into its charitable work, helping to fund scholarships, education initiatives, and support for organisations across the region. Over the last decade, this approach has helped direct more than £45 million back into the West Midlands through financial support, discounted rents, and long-term investment in learning and opportunity.
Applications for the 2026 Millennium Point Trust Scholarship are now open. Full eligibility criteria and application details can be found at: www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/scholarship
Millennium Point brought together 200 of Birmingham’s business leaders, previous scholarship winners, journalists and influencers on Thursday 6 November for a Christmas tree lighting party. Rock legend Dave Hill from Slade led the countdown and hit the button to light up the 39ft Christmas tree, one of Birmingham’s tallest, which features 23,000 energy saving LED lights.
He was joined by Abbie Vlahakis, the venue’s CEO, with His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham among the guests.
The evening showcased Millennium Point’s new onsite kitchen, with AC Catering designing a specially crafted festive menu for attendees, while also raising awareness for Help Harry Help Others (HHHO), a charity supporting children and young people facing adversity.
Entertainment came from Mr & Mrs Grey, who performed Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’, and Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’, with both songs paying tribute to Ozzy following his recent passing and as a nod to his enduring legacy to Birmingham’s musical heritage. They also performed Slade’s ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’, while Dave Hill watched on.
The celebration capped off a full day at the venue, which had earlier hosted a STEM roundtable. Featuring leaders across STEM industries, primary and secondary education, further education, higher education and not-for-profits in the STEM Sectors, the event underlines Millennium Point’s commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education alongside its public event programming.
Rebecca Delmore, Commercial Director at Millennium Point, said: “This evening perfectly encapsulated what Millennium Point represents, a space where Birmingham’s past, present and future come together. From hosting crucial STEM conversations during the day to bringing our community together for celebration in the evening, we’re proud to be a venue that works as hard as the city itself.
“Seeing Dave Hill light up our Christmas tree, welcoming community leaders, supporting charities like HHHO, and showcasing what our new kitchen can deliver, reminds me why this venue matters. We’re not just hosting events, we’re creating moments that connect people across every sector of Birmingham life. That’s what drives us every single day.”
Millennium Point has unveiled a brand-new £700,000 commercial kitchen, built to cater for up to 1,000 guests per day and designed to elevate the venue’s event experience while driving forward its sustainability ambitions.
The kitchen, created in partnership with AC Event Catering and designed by DSA Consultants, means the award-winning city-centre venue is now able to deliver a seamless onsite catering service for conferences, exhibitions, banquets, and private events. By removing the need for external kitchens or temporary facilities, organisers will benefit from smoother logistics, reduced environmental impact, and greater flexibility in menu design and delivery.
A commitment to sustainability
The fully electric kitchen underlines Millennium Point’s commitment to sustainability. It eliminates the use of natural gas across the site and is future-proofed to integrate with renewable energy sources such as PV and carbon-neutral shippers as they come online. This move not only enhances green credentials but also reduces operational emissions for every event held at the venue.
For event organisers and delegates, the advantages are clear: faster service, fresher food, improved efficiency, and the assurance of sustainable practices at every stage. The investment represents a step-change for Millennium Point as it continues to cement its reputation as one of Birmingham’s leading event destinations.
Rebecca Delmore is the Millennium Point’s Commercial Director: “There are so many reasons the launch of a brand new, onsite kitchen at Millennium Point is a real investment in the future at Millennium Point. Of course, in the near future, it’s an excellent step forward for us, but the real value lies in it as a long-term commitment to the venue being more and more sustainable, and continuing to improve the experience for attendees at our wide range of events.
“Our events service an incredibly diverse range of interests and issues, and being able to provide organisers and guests with fresher, higher quality, locally sourced food — all prepared onsite — is a massive step forward and one that showcases our commitment to the community and the betterment of the venue and its work.”
Millennium Point welcomed fans from far and wide on Friday (4 July) for the world cinema premiere of The Nine Lives Of Ozzy Osbourne, a powerful and unflinching portrait of Birmingham’s most iconic rock legend. The event featured two packed screenings, with the later show followed by a special Q&A with Jack Osbourne in front of a sold-out audience.
The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne
The film, which traces Ozzy’s amazing journey from his working-class roots in Aston to international rock stardom, was shown on Birmingham’s biggest screen — a fitting venue for an evening celebrating perhaps the city’s most recognisable icon. With candid reflections on the ups-and-downs of what has been one hell of a career, and footage that captures the grit, chaos and brilliance of Ozzy’s life, the film leaves fans with something truly memorable.
Jack Osbourne, who appears throughout the documentary, joined the audience for a live discussion after the 6.30pm screening. His presence added a much-welcomed personal touch to the evening, and he gave some rare insight into the making of the film and his father’s legendary career.
He was joined on stage by the film’s director, Greg Johnston, who said that “Being able to share the theatrical debut of our film with fans who came from all corners of the world in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham was such an honor and privilege.”
A fantastic weekend in Birmingham, filled with Ozzy Osbourne fans
Playing host to this event was also important to the team at Millennium Point. Abbie Vlahakis is CEO at the venue: “Being a part of this monumental occasion for this incredibly creative and talented city was an honour for us at Millennium Point. Ozzy is a global superstar, no doubt. But here in Birmingham, he is a local legend and someone the city holds dear. We hope everyone that visited for the weekend’s events had an amazing time and comes back again soon.”
The premiere at Millennium Point was part of a landmark weekend for Birmingham, taking place just one day before Ozzy’s final ever live show, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park on Saturday (5 July). The concert marked an emotional end to a groundbreaking career, and featured a historic reunion with original members of Black Sabbath. Other acts to appear on the day included some of rock and metal’s biggest names, in Pantera, Slayer, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.
Proceeds from the premiere are being donated equally to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice, adding a lasting legacy to an already unforgettable night.
Birmingham‑born Atiyyah Zafar has been awarded the 2025 Millennium Point scholarship, giving her a fully funded place on Birmingham City University’s Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence course, positioning her to join the UK’s next wave of ethical AI talent.
Employers have been warning that Britain could be 150,000 digital specialists short by 2030, so judges felt Atiyyah’s commitment to building AI tech is a sound investment in the future, emphasising why investing in local talent matters now more than ever.
The former Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College student is the 11th winner of the scholarship and intends to focus on AI tools that help close the digital skills gap in the West Midlands — an area that, apparently, the area is falling behind in. She said:
“Winning the scholarship made me feel really validated, and like all my efforts had been seen. It feels like this is the first time I’ve been able to actually voice my opinions about what’s going on in the West Midlands. A lack of digital skills has led to high unemployment, growing inequality, and increased online risks in the region. Many people struggle due to limited access to resources, fast-changing technology, and a lack of education.”
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, added: “Atiyyah is evidence of our belief that it’s important to back bright minds early. You’re not just changing a life, you’re strengthening the region’s future workforce. And with the potential for a digital skills crisis in the near future, it is this exact sort of thing we need to be backing.”
Last year’s recipient Patrick Mezzano is now studying Real Estate at BCU after impressing judges with his affordable‑housing ideas, underlining how the scholarship channels talent into sectors crying out for fresh thinking.
Over the last 10 years, the Millennium Point trust has supported organisations in the region with more than £45 million — including discounted rents, donations, scholarships and other support.
Award-winning venue and charity, Millennium Point, welcomed over 1,000 local school children to explore the world of engineering at its free SciENGINEERING Showcase on 10 June. The event offered students an exciting day of hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and inspiring talks from leaders in the engineering sector.
A host of leading organisations—including Thinktank, The Air League, Rolls Royce, British Army, Birmingham, BOM & BCU STEAMhouse —joined forces to deliver engaging activities and insights into careers in engineering. From structural design challenges to robotics and sustainable tech, students got a glimpse into the innovations shaping our future.
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, said:
“It is incredibly rewarding to open young minds to the possibilities within engineering. Events like SciENGINEERING are vital in showing students how they can shape the world through creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.”
The SciENGINEERING Showcase was part of Millennium Point’s annual Sci-series, designed to improve access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) careers for young people across the West Midlands. This year’s event spotlighted roles such as civil engineers, robotics technicians, and environmental engineers through fun, interactive experiences.
With over £45 million invested in STEM education across the region, Millennium Point continues to empower the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Delivering an impactful STEM event takes more than a great idea — it takes planning, experience and a dedicated team. At Millennium Point, we’ve spent years developing a programme of events that excites pupils and supports teachers.
Our events are built around real-world STEM concepts, from sustainable engineering to space science. Behind the scenes, our education and event teams work together to design interactive workshops, presentations and guided tours that fit school learning goals.
Every school is different, and our team helps tailor events in line with curriculum areas, age groups and SEN considerations, while also considering the changing shape of the job market. Our on-site staff handle set-up, safeguarding and technical logistics.
Visits often include a screening in our giant screen Auditorium, and hands-on sessions where pupils get to build, test or create. We also provide downloadable pre-visit and post-visit materials so teachers can extend the learning back in the classroom.
It’s not just about the day itself — it’s about the longer term impact. We want pupils to feel inspired and curious, and give teachers the support they need to make STEM education come alive. That’s what makes a Millennium Point event more than just a trip — it’s an experience designed to last.
