How we communicate, and the quality of those interactions, shapes our relationships – whether personal or professional (or both!) – and, at the same time, impacts what we want to achieve and how we go about it.
Meet Lizzie
Hi! I’m Lizzie Butler. I work as a freelance Business Development Manager with The Conference Works one day a week. I love being part of a family business that’s rooted in strong values and a genuine passion for helping others – people who always do their best, go out of their way to help, and create fantastic audiovisual experiences for their clients. In a competitive marketplace full of AV companies, what sets us apart is how much we care about our clients. That care shows in our high retention rate, and I’m proud to be part of such a supportive team.
Our approach: conversations over transactions
My role as a Business Development Manager is to attract new clients, build genuine relationships and sustain steady growth – and I do that through our greatest asset: conversations.
Working alongside Kat Johnson, our Senior Business Development Manager, we’ve learned that conversations are the foundation of strong relationships, whether with a brand-new contact or a client we’ve worked with for years.
Not every conversation leads to an opportunity, and that’s okay. Our focus is on identifying where we can add the most value, understanding the challenges our clients face, and aligning our AV services with what they actually need. We’re also mindful that influence naturally arises during these exchanges, so we make a conscious effort to ensure our influence aligns with our intentions.
How a chance conversation led us to Staffordshire Chambers
More than two years ago, Kat and I were representing The Conference Works at a business exhibition and speaker event. Whenever we’re at exhibitions, we take turns – one of us on the stand, the other walking the floor – so between us we can have more conversations.
It was my turn to walk the floor when I met Karena Pawlak, Head of New Business and Membership at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. I felt a genuine connection with her right from the start (that was her influence on me!), and she told me all about the benefits of joining the Chamber. That instant connection made me eager to keep the conversation going, and I later enjoyed a coffee chat with Karena and a tour of the Chamber.
One conversation led to another, and in March 2024, The Conference Works joined Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. We’ve been members ever since.
Delivering AV production for the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards
Through our conversations with the Chamber, we got to know Kelly Edwards, Head of Events and Facilities. Over time, that relationship led us to introduce our Technical Director, Pete Cook – we were thrilled at the chance to create and deliver the audio-visual and event production for their prestigious Business Awards at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
Kelly and the team are brilliant to work with. She knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it, and she’s the queen of multitasking! This year’s Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards was another huge success, with an after-party that saw members dancing until the early hours.
Kelly said:
“I love working with Pete and Lizzie at The Conference Works. Pete and the team always ensure everything runs smoothly, which is a huge help for me, as organising a Business Awards involves many moving parts. They listen to what I want to achieve and consistently communicate with me, so I always stay in the loop and can focus on other important details with peace of mind. Pete always comes up with something creative that fits in with our brand, and they’re also great fun to work with!”
Partnering with Uttoxeter Racecourse
Our conversations with the Chamber led to another one – this time with Business Coordinator Chloe Whiston at Uttoxeter Racecourse. Pete had already spoken with Chloe a few times while preparing for the Business Awards, so I got in touch to arrange a meet-up. When we met, Chloe warmly showed us around all the racecourse’s facilities.
Uttoxeter Racecourse has a reputation for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere – and that’s exactly what we experience every time we’re there! Chloe is brilliantly practical: if she can help with something, she’ll do it, and she always greets clients with a warm smile that makes everyone feel right at home.
Chloe said:
“I highly recommend The Conference Works because they make everything so smooth and hassle-free. Lizzie always keeps me in the loop at every step, so I can focus on my work without any worries – especially since there’s always more than one thing to juggle! Pete and the AV team are fantastic to work with; they know precisely what they’re doing and always deliver on time and with a friendly face – and they’re just down the road in Derby too, so whenever last-minute needs pop up, they’re ready to step in and help.”
The racecourse is a versatile private-hire venue in Staffordshire, perfect for hosting corporate events, conferences, weddings and exhibitions. One event coming up soon is the Let’s Do Business Expo on 8 October – we can’t wait!
Flexible AV support, tailored to the event
We love working with Chloe and the team at Uttoxeter Racecourse. They already have their own in-house audio-visual equipment, which works perfectly for some clients – though others need additional or different solutions to meet their needs, and that’s where we’re always happy to help.
Sometimes that means supplying and installing extra screens – a straightforward, plug-and-play setup. Other times, it’s a bespoke solution for a business awards ceremony, festival or keynote speaker, along with technical support on the day. Having that support on hand helps prevent surprises and means any problems get sorted quickly and smoothly, so everything runs seamlessly – especially useful when you’ve got an important message to share.
Every conversation counts
Conversations are at the heart of everything we do. They’re how we connect with more people, understand what they need, and – with the support of our talented technical AV team – deliver something special, designed to be on point and to create memorable moments.
We’re excited to be working with all of our clients, and we look forward to many more conversations ahead.
Want to start a conversation about your next event?
Get in touch with our team and let’s talk about how we can bring your AV production to life.
