20 Years of Exceeding Event Expectations

North Worcestershire conference organiser Opening Doors & Venues Limited, more familiarly known as ‘Team OD&V’, are excited to be celebrating 20 years of Exceeding Expectations in Conference and Event Management.

Founding Director, Rose Padmore, started the business at the turn of the millennium with invoice number 1 raised for Age Concern’s ‘Building Bridges Conference’ and her feet have hardly touched the ground since. Rose has continued to apply her exceptionally accurate and creative project management skills to more than 170 events locally, nationally and internationally.

“In the early years, I mainly worked on my own with part-time support and the help of a small network of freelancers”, says Rose, “but in 2011 I was introduced to a young student at University College Birmingham and have never looked back. Some 9 years later,

Madalina Marincas, with a BA Honours in Event Management and an MA in Marketing for Events, is a full time Project Manager, highly respected and valued by our clients.”

In 2018, the core team grew from a ‘dynamic duo’ to a ‘terrific trio’ when Sarah Brooks joined as Event and Marketing Support. Sarah had previously supported on an ad-hoc freelance basis and was thrilled to become permanent. This skilled team continues to call on a tried and tested network of diverse suppliers and experienced freelance event colleagues, so that OD&V can reliably manage, produce and deliver large scale conferences and awards events.

“We pride ourselves on an accurate project management service, with the only problem being that much of what we do pre-event can go unnoticed,” says Madalina. “However, we are incredibly proud of our established and trusted client relationships and it is particularly worth mentioning the longevity of some, including Worcestershire LEP Annual

Conference 2012 to 2018, Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2018 and 2019, and the National Lottery Funded Talent Match and Ageing Better Conferences and Awards 2016 to 2019, to name but a few.”

With 2020 set to be another busy year and 2021 already with some confirmed dates, the team are excited about delivering events regionally, nationally and internationally including Cambridge and Canada.

“Hopefully we will have some time to arrange our own 20th anniversary celebrations” explains Sarah. “It will make a lovely change to create an event for ourselves!”

Lygon Arms luxury for delegates

The Lygon Arms, a luxury Cotswolds coaching inn at Broadway, hosted a four-day pharmaceutical conference with 20 global delegates. Managed by Swindon-based Venues & Events International, the principal meeting took place in the spacious and bright Edinburgh Room with floor-to-ceiling windows, balcony and seating for 22 around a single table. Delegates made excellent use of the entire property with the welcome dinner served in the Lygon Cocktail Bar and another dinner served in the Italian Lygon Wine Bar. The Lygon Spa offered a retreat from the day’s meetings.

The group also enjoyed exploring Broadway, a Cotswolds beauty spot, visiting Trinity House Art Gallery for a private viewing with cocktails and canapés provided by The Lygon Arms and dinner at a local restaurant. The conference ended on a high with a barbecue on the Lygon Rooftop Deck, complete with blankets, heaters, music, lanterns and candles.

You couldn’t make it up at the Ricoh Arena

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena welcomed BAFTA and Oscar winners from some of the world’s biggest films and TV shows last November to showcase their visual talents at a major industry show.

Prosthetic make-up artists from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Star Wars visited the arena for The Prosthetics Event, which made its debut in Coventry to accommodate a sixth consecutive year of growth.

More than 200 prosthetic make-up artists, retailers and show staff welcomed 2,000 hobbyists and students to watch individuals being transformed into monsters and creatures, gaining an insight into the industry.

“We needed extra room to accommodate growth and the Ricoh Arena was perfect, as well as being at the heart of the UK,” said Lisa Gorton, from The Prosthetics Event.