CENTRAL'S MARKETING TEAM SCOOPS MAJOR EVENT AWARD
The in-house marketing department at Burton-based Central Telecom has beaten off the challenge from independent production companies across the UK to win a major award at the 2004 Corporate Event Association Awards.
The communications specialists, whose headquarters is The Maltings on Wetmore Road, was awarded the title of Best Use of a Budget at a star-studded awards ceremony held at London Zoo.
The department, which is headed by Marketing Director Julie White, were the only non-hospitality organisation and the only internal marketing division to be represented at this year's CEA Awards, which are organised by Event Magazine, the leading publication for the exhibition and live events industry.
Central beat industry leaders DNA Productions for their client Stella McCartney - 1 st Birthday of a Stella McCartney shop and TRO for their client Honda UK - Honda Corporate Events Programme.
Central Telecom scooped the award in recognition of its 2004 season of Roadshows and Technology Forums, which comprised of four UK Roadshows and two international Avaya Focus Groups in Italy and Lapland.
The events were organised wholly by Julie White and her in-house team and included an eclectic mix of presentations, workshops, seminars, meetings, round table discussions and focus groups.
The company's business partners were keen to have a presence at the event and as a result, the company received the full support of global names including Avaya, Nortel, BT and Microsoft.
"Over the past few years, Central has been recognised for both its financial performance and its technical expertise, but this is the first time that the marketing department has been singled out for an award in respect of the contribution that it makes to the company's continued growth," commented Marketing Director Julie White.
"Our live events help us to manage and retain existing customers and generate new business from targeted prospects by advising them of the latest technologies, products and services.
"To win the Best Use of a Budget Award demonstrates our creative abilities in the field of event design and organisation - to be the only in-house marketing department to be recognised at this year's awards is particularly gratifying," added Julie.
"For the third successive year we received a record number of entries for this year's awards and the standard of events continues to rise - both in terms of creativity and fulfillment," commented Simon Gillespie, Chairman of the judging panel.
"This demonstrates what a vibrant and exciting industry we work in, one where regardless of size, companies can win business through the strength of their imagination as much as their infrastructure," added Simon.
Other events recognised with awards at this year's ceremony include Renault F1, Royal Ascot, Christie's Auction House and the Blenheim Music Festival.
As well as being the only non-agency to be represented at the awards, Central Telecom was one of only a handful of companies to be shortlisted in more than one category. It also reached the final of the Best Incentive or Motivation Event for their Avaya Focus Groups, losing out to eventual winners Sinetri on behalf of their client Standard Life Direct.
The company recently scooped the Best Convergence Solution at this year's Channel Network Awards, the 'Oscars' of the telecommunications industry and for the third successive year, its final performance and contribution to the local economy has been recognised with a listing in the Deloitte Fast 50 Technology List. This year its rate of growth was 76% - an increase of 21% from the previous year.
Central's customer base has grown in value by more than 35% over the past 12 months, despite severe market competition and as a result, turnover has topped the £20 million mark for the first time in the company's history. Jobs have been created at all levels and across all of the company's operating bases and its recruitment programme is set to continue into 2005.
