A STOURBRIDGE event management firm is celebrating after being named winners of a prestigious national industry award.

Wassell Grove Business Centre-based company Opening Doors & Venues, were given the title of ‘best agency conference organiser’ at the recent Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) Excellence Awards.

After a shortlist was drawn up by a team of industry experts, finalists shared a five minute presentation of their submission followed by peer voting to decide who would take home the trophy.

Rose Padmore, owner and manager of Opening Doors & Venues, gave a speech on Great Expectations 2015 – the first ever West Midlands school leaders annual conference, organised by the firm earlier this year – alongside colleague Madalina Marincas.

The event included elements such as delegates being taught a Haka, live voting with handsets, graphic recording and an animatronic dinosaur.

After being named the winners, Rose said: “We are really chuffed. Being voted winners by our fellow peers is a genuine acknowledgement of excellence, giving us, and hopefully our clients, a huge vote of confidence.”

The company has been trading since 2000, having received a start-up grant from Bromsgrove District Council in its early days.