PEOPLE64 . www.conference-news.co.uk . May 2012May InterviewName - Philip CrowtherDate of Birth - 16/04/60Place of Work - Britannia HotelsJob Title - Group Conference Sales ManagerHow did you get into the meetings industry? I worked in a small country house hotel when I was 15 near to my home and loved the operational side of things; I was working in the kitchen at this stage and it went from there. I went to go on and complete an Ordinary National Diploma in Catering and Hospitality Management and then went into hotels as a trainee manager.What has been your most rewarding professional achievement to date?In 1998, while I was GM/Complex Sales Manager at Anfield (Liverpool Football Club), we were awarded Best Conference Venue in Merseyside in 1998. As our No 10, Michael Owen, won BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in the same year it was an ideal photo opportunity for a press release where Michael dressed in a suit and I wore the LFC kit with each of us holding the respective awards on the Anfield Turf.What changes in conferencing do you expect to see over the next few years? Video conferencing and the use of web-based seminars and meetings will take further developments as costs increase for travel and companies become even more aware of the green issues on a day-to-day basis.What single piece of new legislation would make your life easier at work?Cut VAT to five per cent in the hospitality industry. They do it in certain countries in Europe, and it would make us more competitive.The Lime Venue Portfolio has made a series of appointments across its UK venues. The Kia Oval has appointed Maria Scullion as Head of Conference and Events Sales; Jenna Bradley has joined the Edinburgh Zoo as its Sales Manager; and the Imperial War Museum North has promoted Liam Potter to Sales Manager, with Natalie Ewing taking over from him as Sales Co-ordinator. Jessica Holland has been promoted to Sales Manager at Liberty Stadium Swansea and Georgia Kellett joins the Museum of Science and Industry as Sales Co-ordinator. Also at the museum, Joanne Platt takes the role of Sales Manager and Lucy Cort has been appointed as Business Development Manager. Jenni Smith has started as Sales Manager at Manchester Art Gallery while Jo Maggs has joined the M Shed in Bristol. Daise Graça and Rachel Jackson have joined agency BCD M&I's EMEA team as Venue Sourcing Manager and Business Development Support Manager, respectively. London conference centre The Mermaid has appointed Pelham Warren as Head of Audio Visual Services. Paul Ratcliffe, the ex-owner of Talking Point, has joined event management agency Conference Contacts as Head of Business Develpment. Janet Brannigan has also joined as Venue Search Manager.Travel management agency Portman Travel has appointed two new staff: Mark Wheeler as Strategic Account Manager and Susie Palmer as Customer Focus Team Development Manager. Jo Loft has been appointed Senior Account Manager at Zibrant meetings and events agency. Jennifer Canto joines the Nottingham Conference Centre as Business Development and Sales Manager and Katie Hernandez joins the team a Sales Executive and Researcher. Geraldine Dolan joins De Vere Venues Colmore Gate as GM from De Vere Venues Uplands House. Top left: Canto; Top middle: Wheeler;Top right: Scullion;Bottom left: Ratcliffe; Bottom middle: Palmer; Bottom Right: WarrenOn The Move

The Perfect Conference Venue...If you would like to know more call us on +44 (0)20 7288 6225 Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QHwww.businessdesigncentre.co.ukJust An Extraordinary Conference Venue"The impressive setting never fails to produce a wonderful buzz at our shows and year after year impresses exhibitors and visitors alike. As organiser's we are always welcomed by an energetic and dedicated team. With a can-do attitude the team is consistent in producing outstanding venue & facilities management and truly fantastic hospitality"Lourda Derry, Head of Operations - easyFairs UK & Ireland