Center Parcs Conferences & Events is gearing up for the much-anticipated re-launch of Sherwood Forest with three strategic appointments: David Willmin and Mike Ross, Corporate Events Managers at Woburn Forest and Sherwood Forest respectively, and Vikki Beardsley, Regional Sales Manager.
Bringing 50 years of experience collectively, each appointment strengthens Center Parcs’ corporate events team with extensive knowledge, ambitious goals and fresh perspectives.
2024 will mark the first time since before the pandemic that Center Parcs’ two dedicated corporate events venues have been open simultaneously, which, combined with a healthy appetite for in-person corporate events this year, has made the onboarding of valuable resources a welcome development for the existing team.
Woburn Forest’s hugely successful first year since its refurbishment has seen growing inbound enquiries and demand for corporate events at Center Parcs, including strong interest in its second events venue at Sherwood Forest, due to re-launch in early 2024.
Holding parallel roles in the operations teams at Woburn and Sherwood respectively, David and Mike’s collaboration will ensure consistency of the enchanting and immersive event delivery across both venues.
After two decades in the events industry, David Willmin Corporate Events Manager at Woburn forest, speaks about what drew him to working at Center Parcs Conferences & Events: “What excited me about this role was the chance to work somewhere unique, with space to influence and make a difference. My objective in this role is to look at all the different touch points throughout the delegate customer journey, from arriving at security to leaving the car park, and ensure we’re introducing as many wow-factor moments as possible. We want to make sure our corporate guests feel just as important as the leisure guests on village and that starts with a warm welcome.”
Having worked at Center Parcs for nearly nine years, Mike Ross, Corporate Events Manager at Sherwood Forest remarks on the journey that led him to his new role working in the nature-rich destination’s events arm: “When I first heard about the transformation of The Venue, I knew this was the next move for me. Having worked across various departments, I had already forged strong relationships around the village and across divisions, meaning a smoother transition as we re-open The Venue later this year”.
Vikki takes on a new position for Center Parcs Conference & Events as Regional Sales Manager in the central sales team. Boasting over 20 years’ experience in hospitality including nine years at QHotels Collection, Vikki Beardsley, Regional Sales Manager expresses her passion for building meaningful business relationships: “When I saw the role pop up on my LinkedIn, I thought ‘My word – this sounds amazing!’ The position matched my experience perfectly, and the people have been incredibly welcoming since starting last month.
“There’s so much opportunity in this new role for the business, and I’m genuinely passionate about the product and what Center Parcs Conference & Events has to offer. My main motivation is to build lasting relationships with companies that share the same values with us, and continue to surprise them with new experiences year after year, underpinned by the value found in feeling tranquil in the forest.”
The team at Center Parcs Conferences & Events specialises in creating nature-rich experiences to suit to the needs of all types of corporate events, including conferences, team building and away days, product launches and galas, and can be contacted for enquiries here.
