International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham, a UK venue hosting 500 events per year, hired four account managers for its sales team
Added to the sales team are two senior account managers, Donna Cunningham and Janet Denning, and two account managers, Simon Read and Josie Byrne.
In her new role, Donna Cunningham will be responsible for corporate sales and targeting larger clients to secure conference bookings for between 500 and 1,500 delegates.
“We are pleased to welcome Donna to the ICC. Her focus will be on our larger corporate clients,” added James Elston, sales director, ICC Birmingham.
Prior to her appointment, Cunningham worked for one of the ICC’s sister venues, The NEC, where she was part of the commercial media team. She has also previously managed a team of 10 people as a sales manager for Global Radio.
“I am delighted to have joined the ICC sales team. I have always enjoyed working in a busy sales environment and am looking forward to setting up innovative, large-scale events for some fantastic clients, old and new,” said Cunningham.
Working her way up from a travel agent to UK sales manager for a national airline, Janet Denning has over 25 years of experience in sales and business development.
“In this new role, I will be concentrating on developing incremental business, growing market share and seeking out new opportunities for the ICC,” explained Denning.
Previously, she worked as a freelance sales consultant, helping businesses develop their sales strategies and increase revenue.
“It was important for me to join an organization with a ‘can-do’ attitude and the customer at the heart of the business. Providing the best customer service is important to me. After talking to General Manager Paul Rutherford and his vision for the future of the ICC, I felt my skills complemented the vision, and it was definitely something I wanted to be part of,” Denning added.
Simon Read previously worked at Tropicana Health and Fitness as a sales executive for three years. He has vast experience in relationship and account management, working with both trade and retail customers.
“I have already started building a portfolio of clients, including a national broadcast TV channel, who will be hosting one of their most popular music concerts with us later this year,” said Read. “I am keen explore and develop new business opportunities, particularly with those organizations who wouldn’t have thought to use the ICC in the past.”
The final addition, Josie Byrne previously worked at the NEC as exhibition media sales manager for five years.
“I was very familiar with the venue and the team that work here. I have always admired the pride and passion of ‘Team ICC’ and their absolute dedication, not simply to make events happen but to make them exceed the hopes and expectations of both organizers and visitors alike. I wanted to be a part of that,” said Byrne.
Having worked in sales for a number of years, she prides herself on listening to the needs and aspirations of her clients.
