AN events company is creating jobs and investing £250,000 in growing the business after winning a string of contracts across the country.
Spacecraft Events is growing its staff from 13 to 19 on the back of its expanding client base in the North East and beyond the region.
Jacqui Chapman, who founded the company at Tanfield Lea North Industrial Estate, near Stanley, said: “The jobs are new audio visual and technical people for presentations, and joiners for the set building.
“I also brought the audio visual in. Now everything is in house. That has been the difference.”
The company recently scored on the national stage after winning the contract to style the prestigious Great British Care Awards held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. In addition to the national final, the deal includes work on the event organiser’s regional awards ceremonies.
Chapman said: “That has been a massive boost for the business – that is 11 events in total with them.”
Other recent contract wins include a string of awards events in Sunderland, plus collaborating on projects with Sony, Close House, Sun FM and creators of some of the UK’s biggest selling video war games, Unreal.
Managing director Chapman said: “By themselves these contracts are very significant, taken together they are extremely impressive.
“They are vindication of our hard work and recognition of the superb blend of expertise we have.”
The business has invested around £250,000 in its audio visual and technical department, which includes creative managers, expert technical engineers, and set and exhibition designers. The team’s specialities include 3D rendering, installation and construction, project management and storage solutions.
Chapman said: “I’ve been going nearly eight years. I put in a massive investment when the recession hit, I took a big gamble.
“People have less budgets. I have made sure I adjust to that and what the clients’ needs are. If you only have a small budget, we adjust to that.
“Although the conferences usually have a lull in August, I also do exhibitions so have a constant stream of business.”
Originally a graphic designer, photographer and printer working in the events industry, Chapman set up on her own in 2006.
She said: “I felt I could do better, the opportunity came along and I had the right people around me.
“We have a great team here now, they are the core of Spacecraft. I’d be nothing without my team.”
