K College staff were very fortunate to be invited to the CIM centenary dinner at Windsor Castle. The CIM Centenary marks one hundred years of representing and developing the marketing and sales profession. founded in London in 1911 by a group of visionary businessmen, they have driven consistent progress in marketing by raising professional standards and ensuring marketing is recognised as the cornerstone of best business practice.

This rich heritage ensures they have the foundations on which to champion marketing excellence as the leading professional body across the world, striving to represent and develop marketing and sales practitioners, disseminate knowledge and insight, facilitate best practice and provide a voice for the profession.

"It was a privilege to be asked to attend this momentous occasion." said Mary White, Programme Leader in Business & Marketing. "The CIM patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh of long standing supports the CIM quest to promote the positive influence marketing has for organisations today and in the future. This wondrous event was celebrated at Windsor Castle, the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen, on Monday evening, 4 April 2011and was hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The dinner was held in the official state banqueting hall, preceded by a drinks reception where there were upwards of 300 Fellows of the Institute able to engage with each other before being seated at one of 31 tables in the banqueting hall.

"The highlights of the evening were HRH The Duke of Edinburgh speech, keynote speaker Tony Ball of Austin Mini fame back in the 1960s and a fine dining experience. It was particularly exciting, being seated at Table 2 (near the kitchens), as HRH The Duke of Edinburgh actually stopped to acknowledge and speak to my colleague and myself at Table 2 as he left the dinner! This was a once in a lifetime experience and will be remembered as such."