Head of Sales, Jenni Ford, has been listed as one of the top ten professionals in the UK's conference and exhibitions industry

A key member of the team at the Ricoh Arena has been listed as one of the top ten professionals in the UK’s conference and exhibitions industry after a record-breaking year.

The Head of Sales at the Ricoh Arena, Jenni Ford, has been recognised for her work in bringing a record number of events to the venue with a prestigious award win.

Jenni, who has worked at the Ricoh Arena since 2014, led a team that has sold event space for a record 793 different events across exhibitions, conferences, banqueting and weddings in the year leading up to August 2018.

As a result, she was shortlisted for a space on the MIAList at the Meeting Industry Association’s (MIA) awards and can now take her place amongst the top sales staff in the country after being chosen by judges as a winner.

Jenni’s success comes after the Ricoh Arena earlier this year won Best Venue Under 8,000 square metres at the Exhibition News Awards, and the Best Sporting Venue for Events at the National Venue Awards.  

Jenni said: “It is a real honour to have earned a place on this year’s MIAList.

“The awards are highly-respected and just to have been nominated was wonderful, but I am proud to have made the final list.

“We have a wonderful sales team at the Ricoh Arena, full of hard working and talented people, who have all played their part in bringing in a record number of events.

“Working for such a well-established, elite venue makes it possible to reach these heights and I would like to thank everyone at the Ricoh who has helped make sure that all of these events have run smoothly and left our visitors with a great experience of their time with us.”

Jenni also created a new revenue stream for the venue by setting up a short-lead sales desk after noticing an increase in event organisers requesting last-minute meeting space, leading to a 20 per cent increase in short lead sales in 2017.

On awards night, Jenni was listed in the top ten of 24 final applicants, who were whittled down from hundreds of applications and were noted as being ‘the cream of the crop’ by judges.

Stuart Cain, Managing Director at the Ricoh Arena, said:“Everyone at the venue is happy for Jenni and her team, they all deserve praise for their hard work and incredible results.

“Jenni’s role is vital in allowing us to leave event organisers happy with their experience and hopefully coming back in the future.

“Jenni’s initiative, passion and dedication is an inspiration and she thoroughly deserves this accolade.”