Humans of Warwick - Emma Willis
Emma Willis
Business Development Manager, Warwick Conferences
“I could do what I’m doing here in a hotel, but it just wouldn’t be as interesting.”
“This is the closest I’ve ever been to being at University, I never had the opportunity when I was younger. It wasn’t seen as the place for the ‘likes of us’.
In some ways I do feel I missed out. But I’m here now and making up for lost time. The vibrancy of the campus, all year round make it a great place to work and I’ve never looked back.
I come from a hotel conference background and started here in sales 22 years ago, working up to the Business Development Manager role I’m in now. Not having been to university you can feel a bit vulnerable when you start working in one. It’s hard to come to a workplace where the mantra is get a degree, get an education, do your doctorate, research etc. when you didn’t have that experience.
You soon find your way though, and now the biggest part of my role is to collaborate with people from across the university. I have regular meetings with academics across all the faculties and bring international conferences to our amazing facilities.
Nothing beats the portfolio of spaces we have here on campus. We can be so creative with the venues we have and pretty much meet the needs of any potential client. When they come to the university environment, they expect to have a student experience but we’re able to offer such a high level of service and facilities. With the constant development that’s happening as well, we can find a solution to every request. The architecture of the buildings is a great selling point as well, the Oculus is just fantastic!
We hadn’t really brought academia and commercial together before, but it takes both sides to put in a successful bid and win a huge event. The power of the partnership and collaboration to do that is just outstanding. That event can elevate the profile of the university and showcase the research excellence taking place and we can’t do it without each other’s expertise. it’s hard work but brings me so much joy as well.
When I’m not here I like to try and get back to Yorkshire as often as I can to see family. I’m originally from Hull and there are some beautiful places to walk up there. We’re just about to welcome our first grandchild as well so I’m really looking forward to that, don’t call me Grandma though, I’m going to be a Glam-ma!”