As part of our #MeetTheTeam series, we will be taking you behind the scenes and getting to know the people who make Edgbaston Events tick.

This will give you, our clients, event organisers, delegates and partners, the opportunity to gain an insight into the lives and roles of the team that help create the fantastic events that we hold at Edgbaston.

You will be able to #MeetTheTeam throughout 2021 across the Edgbaston Events website and social media channels, highlighting our award-winning and dedicated team that help deliver unforgettable experiences.

Maria Jones, Head of C&E Sales, said: “At Edgbaston, we truly believe that it is our team that sets us apart. It is great testament to what our team can achieve that we have been able to host many high profile events over the years and create the success we have.

“We are lucky enough to have some fantastic clients and have been able to work with them to create some amazing events.

“With our expectation of events returning in 2021, our amazing team can’t wait to return to the stadium and once again host meetings, conferences, weddings, Christmas Parties, exhibitions and many other events, helping to continue to take Edgbaston from strength to strength.”

Maria Jones, Head of C&E Sales

Edgbaston Events is currently open to support essential business events only, but our team are still available and able to support on new, potential and existing bookings.

Our team can be contacted via our live chat on the Edgbaston Events website, by calling 0121 369 1994 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by emailling events@edgbaston.com.

#MeetTheTeam Series

#MeetTheTeam – Racheal Cosgrove

In our first edition of #MeetTheTeam, we will be getting to know Racheal Cosgrove, our Senior Events Coordinator, and finding out about her favourite events at Edgbaston and how she has been keeping entertained during lockdown.

How long have you worked at Edgbaston?

I’ve been at Edgbaston three and a half years now.


What are your favourite things about working at Edgbaston?

Apart from the fact I love what I do, I would have to say that it is the team at Edgbaston that is my favourite thing – they are like my extended family.

It is also great having the opportunity to work for a company that has such a great reputation for events and of course the cricketing history to go with that.


In your opinion, what makes Edgbaston different to other venues?

From the moment you arrive at Edgbaston you are sure to receive a warm welcome. Every member of staff is dedicated to their job and making sure our guests are looked after, which I believe really shows in the day to day running of our events.

Also, I know that the flexibility we offer our clients is second to none. Any request we get from our clients, no matter how unusual it is, if it is feasible then our great operational team will be able to deliver it.


What does you day-to-day role of Senior Events Coordinator entail?

As a Senior Event Coordinator, I am one of a few contacts for initial event enquiries, where I build relationships with my clients to discuss their event brief and provide a personalised proposal on the back of that.

I will coordinate the details from start to finish and communicate with the operational teams to ensure it is successfully executed.  No two days are the same in event coordination, which is one of the reasons why I enjoy my role so much.


Are there any events you have been involved with at Edgbaston that stand out, and why?

The great thing about my job is that I get to work across a variety of events. If I has to choose a favourite then it would have to be one of the charity fundraising events I have been involved with.

The dedication and imagination from event organisers that goes into creating those events is just amazing and I love being able to see the results on the day of the event.


What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained during lockdown?

During the first lockdown last year, I enjoyed making the most of the warm days we had by taking long walks and exercising as much as possible. Like many other people, I also starting doing some baking (well certainly trying to!).

With this latest lockdown being in Winter, I have certainly been outdoors less and have found myself binge watching TV and boxsets from the comfort of the sofa. I think it is safe to say that I am very much ready and looking forward to getting back to organising events.


What are your top three favourite destinations you have visited?

I love to travel as much as I possibly can and I have been lucky enough to travel to some amazing places, so picking just a top 3 is very difficult. I would have to say my favourites are:

  1. Las Vegas, USA
  2. Cancun, Mexico
  3. Toronto, Canada

#MeetTheTeam – Craig Abley

In our second edition of #MeetTheTeam, we will be getting to know Craig Abley, our Head of Catering, and discovering what his day-to-day role entails and what the best dishes he has tried at Edgbaston are.

How long have you worked at Edgbaston?

I’ve worked at Edgbaston for coming up eight years now.


What are your favourite things about working at Edgbaston?

Working at Edgbaston I have always found that in everything we do we are striving to be the best. This has always enabled me to discover not only my own potential but also that of my team.

Edgbaston has a very family-like atmosphere with many great people within that I have had the pleasure of getting to know.


In your opinion, what makes Edgbaston different to other venues?

As a team we always strive to create an all-inclusive atmosphere across everything we do at the stadium. From matchday visitors to event coordinators and stadium employees, our embracive culture is driven from the top board level down throughout the Bears Family.


What does you day-to-day role of Head of Catering entail?

As Head of Catering, my days can often be very varied. Anything from a pint of beer to fine dining, I sit across staff catering, conference and events, hospitality and match day concessionaries, with all sections reporting into myself.

I am responsible of ensuring we are delivery an excellent catering experience at Edgbaston and maintaining a good relationship with our external concessionaries.


Are there any events you have been involved with at Edgbaston that stand out, and why?

Without a doubt the Cricket World Cup in 2019 created a great atmosphere at Edgbaston throughout the summer and stood head and shoulders above most of the other large scale events we hold.

After being at Edgbaston for several years now I can also say that T20 Finals Day is another one I look forward to each year, regardless of the teams playing – there is no better atmosphere in live sport I have witnessed.


Are there any specific dishes you have had at Edgbaston that are memorable?

We strive to have a better food offering year on year and the imagination in our kitchen is endless – I always look forward to menu tasting day.

If I was to pick out a couple of dishes, our Butter Chicken & Lobster or Seabass served with Crispy Squid and a Red Pepper Cassoulet stand out as the best main courses I have tried. However, I do have a sweet tooth and can’t wait to eat our Cherry Eclair with Amaretti Crumb again.

Our food is some of the best I have had the pleasure of working with and I am very lucky to have a wealth experience within our kitchen. Looking further afield to our retail offering, you are simply spoilt for choice with anything from fish and chips to kebabs and even crepes. You certainly won’t go hungry at Edgbaston.


What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained during lockdown?

I rediscovered running! Fitness got me through it and gave me a focus, supported by our team of staff I didn’t have to tackle it alone.

I was also lucky enough to spend some quality time with my daughter and watched her take her first steps. Family walks got us out of the house and kept us active. Lockdown has been difficult across the board but hopefully we are now on the right track to regain some normality.

Speak with our events team today

Our events team continue to be available to discuss your events and will work with you to look at how Edgbaston can create an unforgettable experience.

Speak to us today to find out how Edgbaston can facilitate your next event.

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