From a light bulb moment to a successful website

When it all started

You know when you get that light bulb moment and your mind goes crazy with loads of ideas, you start planning and then realisation and doubts set in, well that is exactly what happened back in 2001 when I felt there was a gap in the market, not just for me as a business, but to promote Christmas Parties online.

Up until then my business was venue finding and event management for dinners, awards and conferences, many of which did not take place over the cold wintery months. Several venues were starting to realise the popularity of Christmas parties and the financial benefits, so if there was a way I could help them promote these, we could all benefit.

First website

A website was development and I'm embarrassed to say was not a success that first year. I thought well, I've given it a try but never mind - then out of nowhere in 2002 the website started generating party enquiries and venues were calling to see how they could be involved in wanting to be on the site!

After a thorough rethink of the opportunities available, the question was how we could promote the site, what support services we'd need and what to do to achieve this - and what on earth was Search Engine Optimisation!

As a result of numerous meetings and calls, we found a website developer we felt confident could create the style of site we needed, with the backend administration, accounting and reporting facilities necessary to support this. The new website was launched in early 2003 and that was when the website took flight. Google loved us and we were getting an increasing number of enquiries, the phone constantly was ringing, venues were wanting to meet with us asking how they could get involved.

It started to grow - fast

Our team increased from three to fourteen people within 12 months, we moved to proper office premises from working from home, and we felt we'd made it. But that was just the beginning. What did we need to do to maintain these levels of interest, what additional support was necessary, did we have the knowledge and experience in running a successful website. Luckily, we found the right people to provide this and give advice.

Joining Imagine

The major change was in 2014 when Christmas Parties Unlimited joined with Imagine Presentations and through mutual business skills and experience we've grown substantially, much helped by David Cowlard, our Managing Director, who is truly an entrepreneur.

We've never been a business to sit back and think we know it all. Each year we've reviewed our business model to see if it still works and what needs updating and changing. Our decisions so far have proven to be the right ones and the website has grown year on year with ever-increasing enquiry levels and there's always more venues wanting to work with us.

When I say work with us, I mean that genuinely as our levels of customer service and interaction with both our venues and the people submitting enquiries is extremely important to us. We believe we are well respected in the events industry, and we want that to remain.

Looking ahead

During the 22 years of the site, it has had six revamps, with the latest this year when we've brought on board our “articles” page, plus more information about us as a business. The content for each party listing has expanded in style and enquirers can now add their details to receive our regular newsletter - and we will continue to improve the site, and I feel certain there will be many more light bulb moments!

imagine events is based close to Milton Keynes and we are perfectly situated to plan, manage and deliver events across the UK. You can contact us by calling 01908 582367 or send an email to info@imaginepresentations.co.uk to start planning your next event.

Linda Mansfield
Director