Kerridge Computer Company

Kerridge Computer Company is a leading supplier of advanced software solutions, computer services and business communications technology. Founded in 1977, the company has progressed to be one of Europe's largest independent software houses providing complete, fully-integrated IT solutions for a range of strategic vertical markets with a track record of success, sustained development and continuity.

Headquartered in the UK, it has over 1,300 staff in ten countries worldwide. Ensuring staff are fully educated on the latest technical changes and the future product developments of the company can be a mammoth task.

Steve Dimond, director of finance and corporate operations of Kerridge explains: "As well as world-class software, we offer systems consultancy and project management, hardware distribution and engineering, help-desk support system hosting and business continuity programmes, Internet and e-Business applications and networks and telecommunications! Our range of services is immense and therefore it is imperative that all staff are fully up-to-date on all aspects of the business.

"We hold regular conferences for our technical employees to discuss research and development, to update them on the latest developments of products, services, technology and how it all affects our business plan. These conferences are an opportunity for staff from all over the world to meet and network together."

Kerridge had traditionally held these technical conferences abroad but decided that this year it would be held in the UK, near the head office, with a social event, a ball, on the Saturday evening. The logistics of organising such an event over five days and co-ordinating this large amount of people meant it could not be done internally, Kerridge turned to Expotel to help out.

"This was quite a unique event in terms of both the amount of people and the amount of information to disseminate," said Veena Lidbetter, director of Expotel. "It was challenging."

The technical conference was held over five days with multiple sessions during each day. Each session had approximately 200 delegates in attendance.

Finding the venue was the first task. "It was decided to erect a marquee in Littlecote to ensure all the people attending the various seminars could be accommodated," says Veena. "This meant that everyone was housed under one 'roof' and there was no time wasting in transporting people to and from a multitude of venues. It also had the double advantage that we could use it for the ball on the Saturday night." The marquee was 'kitted out' for the presentations with seating, staging, AV equipment, microphones, computers and obviously power.

People arrived into the country via Stansted, Heathrow and Bristol airports and Expotel handled all the ground arrangements. All these attendees from overseas and from all around the UK required hotel accommodation. The number of people attending meant that it was necessary to use several hotels around the area. Expotel used the Ramada Jarvis Elcot Park, The Bear Ramada Jarvis in Hungerford, the De Vere, Marriott, Thistle, Holiday Inn, Corus Hotel and Hilton all in Swindon and the Hilton in Newbury.

Transportation was the next issue. A fleet of coaches was hired to ensure that people arrived where they were supposed to be on time. Local taxi firms were also used as were some private hire vehicles.

"The conferences were very successful," says Steve Dimond. "We can obviously do these seminars in-house and separately at our various offices but here at Kerridge we believe it is extremely important for people from the offices worldwide to meet on a regular basis to discuss ideas and what is happening in their own region. In one-to-one situations people share far more information fully with each other. We were therefore tremendously satisfied with the result."

The finale of the week was the social event – a ball held in the marquee on the Saturday night which was attended by 1,600 people. "It was a way of finishing off the conference and seminars," explains Steve. "As all the seminars were attended by different people at different times, it was quite a shock to everyone there just how many people are there are in the Kerridge team."

All the guests were bussed in and treated to a drinks reception where they were serenaded by the Hungerford Silver Band and dinner after which there was dancing to the Fat Chance band. "We worked with our preferred caterer suppliers and together came up with an interesting menu and some unusual features such as a chocolate fountain and a cheese bar," says Veena Lidbetter. "These proved very popular!"

"Perhaps one of the best touches to the evening was when everyone entered the marquee the pathway was lined either side with Expotel personnel greeting us all," says Steve. "It was a great way to start the evening.

"The feedback we have had from staff on the whole five days has been tremendous. We have been inundated with emails thanking us for a wonderful conference and a fun evening on the Saturday night. We will be doing our next conference in December 2005 and a possible summer event in June 2006/7 and I will definitely be calling Expotel again."