Judging Panel - Stadium Experience

Amy Manton

Commercial Manager, The Delegate Wranglers

Amy has been in the hospitality industry since she was 18. Starting her career in agency reservations, she soon realised sales was where her heart is.

She worked in sales roles for large hotel chains such as IHG and Thistle hotels, as well as experience within smaller independent venues. Amy spent 5 years at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol promoting the £14 million stadium refurbishment.

Amy joined the Delegate Wranglers as their commercial manager in 2022, and is enjoying being on a different side of the table. One of Amy’s proudest achievements was winning salesperson of the year at the C&IT awards in March 2023.

Andrew Perolls

Founder & CEO, Greengage Solutions

Andrew Perolls is founder and CEO of Greengage Solutions. Uniquely positioned as an events and business travel expert as well as an environmental sustainability specialist. He set up the company to provide independent advice and support to businesses wanting to embrace a greener approach.

Andrew’s previous experience includes UK and international roles at Board level including BCD Meetings & Events, CTM and Business Travel Direct.

Shonali Devereaux

Chief Executive, MIA

Shonali Devereaux is a senior events industry leader with over 30 years’ experience designing, delivering and leading large-scale national and international events across the business, charity and public sectors. She is part-time Chief Executive of the Meetings Industry Association, where she champions professional standards, accreditation and industry development for the UK meetings and events sector.

Shonali has held executive and board-level roles, led teams of up to 40 staff, managed multi-million-pound budgets and delivered events generating significant social and economic impact. Alongside her leadership work, she is a trusted conference emcee, keynote speaker and university lecturer, known for her strategic insight, clarity and people-centred approach.

Simon Ramsbottom MIstRE

Project Manager, tobook & tobook recommends

Simon is a key figure at tobook and dedicated to helping corporate clients source the perfect venues for events. Simon oversees the management of the company’s bespoke accommodation booking system, which provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each client.

Recently, Simon has been actively involved in the successful re-launch of tobook recommends, tobook’s innovative online Venue Directory. This platform empowers users to easily source suitable venues and access contact details with a single search, revolutionising the way companies find and book venues.

Simon’s commitment to excellence, combined with his strategic approach to project management, continues to drive tobook’s growth and success.

Simon’s experience, from his previous career in the Royal Engineers for 24 years, reinforces tobook’s commitment to excellence. With his combined strategic approach to project management, Simon continues to drive tobook’s growth and success.

Louisa Watson

2025 Chair, beam

Louisa Watson was appointed Chair of beam—the industry association for business events, accommodation, and meetings—in February 2025, after serving as an active member and board director for many years. A seasoned and award winning marketing professional, Louisa has recently honed her expertise in sustainability and the circular economy, leading ESG initiatives for beam and its members. Her passion for collaboration across the hospitality industry, and dedication to fostering innovation and sustainability, has been a key part of her leadership.

As Marketing Director & Sustainability Lead at Wyboston Lakes Resort in Bedfordshire, Louisa has successfully merged her passion for marketing with sustainable practices, driving both brand growth and environmental responsibility. Her focus on collaboration and industry innovation continues to inspire progress across the sector.

Sam Cowdrill

Stadium Account Manager, venuedirectory.com

Sam is the Account and Renewal Manager at Venue Directory, overseeing a portfolio of over 1,500 venues and managing their renewal. With extensive experience collaborating with both venues and agents, he possesses a deep understanding of the Meetings and Events industry. Since joining Venue Directory in 2021, Sam has leveraged his expertise to strengthen relationships with various venues, develop and execute new strategies within the business and strategically manage and grow a portfolio of internal accounts.

He is excited to be selected as a judge for this year’s Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards panel.

Shirley Wynne-Jones

Event Director, SWJ Events

Shirley currently runs SWJ Events and is the Event Director, looking after her clients bespoke events working within the MICE industry. Also the Events Logistics Lead for business engagement organisation Business South Group and Treasurer to the Southampton & Region Hoteliers Association.

Previously Shirley was the membership secretary for Stadium Experience until 2015, and managed the organisation and these prestigious awards on behalf of the members for 14 years. Shirley joined the conference industry at just 21 as a conference co-ordinator at one of Country Club Hotels properties in Hampshire and has since enjoyed almost 30 years within this exciting sector.

Jacqui Kavanagh

Founder & CEO, Edge Venues

Jacqui Kavanagh is the Founder and CEO of EDGE Venues, leading the evolution of venue sourcing through technology-driven innovation and strategic vision. With a career that began in hotel management across Dublin, London and Germany, Jacqui went on to establish Trinity Event Solutions in 2006, growing it into a hugely successful event agency. She skilfully guided two companies through the challenges of Covid, leading one to a highly rewarding business exit.

Recognised as Business Woman of the Year and nominated for a Tech Innovation Award, Jacqui is known for her ability to identify opportunities, empower teams, and drive positive change. Passionate about ensuring hospitality retains its human touch and thrives in an increasingly digital world, she continues to inspire innovation, excellence, and opportunity across the events industry.

Sam McGrath

Director, Heard About Sam Ltd

Sam began her career at an International Events & Production company, before becoming the National Sales Manager at Tiger Tiger, and working on the prestigious ‘Volvo Ocean Race’ with ABN AMRO sailing.

In 2010, Sam launched Heard About Sam Ltd in Covent Garden, during London’s nightlife boom, helping major bar and restaurant chains to grow sales and enhance the customer experience, leading to a collaboration with Heineken during the 2012 Olympics.

Sam joined Southampton FC in 2013 to build a sales, marketing, and events department. Under her leadership, revenues soared from £800K to £3.2M, and she secured a key event hire contract at the cruise terminals, and also welcomed high-profile concerts. Sam also sat on the Stadium Experience Leadership Team during her 5 years at the club, and in 2024, she was a judge for the Inspirational Women Awards.

Kerrin MacPhie

Board Advisor, ICC Wales

With over two decades of experience in the business meetings and events sector, Kerrin has cultivated a reputation as a visionary leader and strategic innovator. Most recently, she served as CEO of the Meetings Industry Association (MIA), the UK’s leading association for the business meetings and events industry.

Previously she held senior leadership roles that honed her expertise in sales, marketing, and financial management. As Director of Sales at the ACC Liverpool Group, she drove revenue growth for international convention centres and exhibition halls. At VisitBritain, as Head of Global Business Events, she developed and executed strategies to attract high-value international events to the UK, contributing to economic growth and industry development.

Kerrin is passionate about the power of business events to drive innovation, build communities, and spark economic development.

MEET THE JUDGING PANEL