Despite difficult trading conditions in today’s economy, Norfolk events manager, Sarah Softley, is bucking market trends by expanding and growing her business, Softley Events.

Established in 2004, the company started as a part-time venture from Sarah’s office at home. Two years later, Sarah gave up her part-time job at Leathes Prior to focus solely on her event management business. Today the company continues to go from strength to strength, boasting an impressive client list, including Dragon Hall, Kimberley Hall and Winsor Bishop.

Sarah prides herself on the company’s innovative approach, outstanding quality and customer service. Earlier this year, the company was shortlisted for an EDP Business Award for Customer Service and for regular listeners to Radio Norfolk, Sarah can often be heard on Ladies Who Lunch.

In spite of the recession, Softley Events is busier than ever and with another successful summer packed with weddings and parties now over, Sarah and her team have relocated to new offices in South Green Park, a state-of-the-art business complex in Mattishall, outside Norwich.

Sarah Softley said :

“We have grown so much over the past four years and with work continuing to flow in, we were desperate for the extra space. Whilst it was fantastic working from home, I am thrilled to have found these offices, as they are right in the heart of the countryside, with stunning views across Norfolk, but are conveniently only 15 minutes from Norwich.”.
 
In addition to acquiring offices, Sarah has also recently re-launched her website, www.softleyevents.co.uk. As well as being dramatically updated in her new corporate colours, black and gold, it offers new interactive features for members of her exclusive networking club, The Dining Room. The new website is now more user friendly and reflects how Softley Events has evolved in the last few years.

Sarah Softley said :

“As Softley Events expanded and the range of services we offer continued to diversify, we quickly outgrew our website. Re-building the site has been an exciting challenge. As we have a much stronger brand identity than we did four years ago, we were conscious that we wanted to ensure that our message “excellence in event management” shone through. In the end, we put it on every page!”.

Despite this success and a dramatic boom in certain areas of her business such as venue management contracts, weddings and private parties, Sarah admits the recession has affected other areas of trade.

Sarah Softley said :

“The recession has definitely seen a down-turn in large corporate events. I believe this to be a result not only of difficult trading conditions, but a backlash from the ongoing negative revelations surrounding bankers’ bonuses and politicians’ expenses. It seems to have left industries understandably cautious when it comes to spending on entertainment.”.

Nevertheless, Sarah sees a bright future ahead and continues her programme of investment into her company. She is currently recruiting a new member of staff to assist her with the day-to-day running of Softley Events, working alongside her existing team of event managers, pr consultant and design & marketing agency.  In addition to this, she has recently confirmed that she will be chairing the committee for the fourth bi-annual Think Pink Ball will take place in 2010. Although reluctant to reveal any details at this time, Sarah has promised that next year’s event will be bigger and better than ever!