Month: February 2026
A Black Country Design Agency, a New Risk Division, and a Website Worth Talking About
Some projects are just jobs. And then there are the ones that remind you why partnerships matter. When MoRServ launched its brand new Risk Division, they knew the digital side of things had to do more than just look the part. It needed to communicate clearly, build confidence quickly, and help businesses understand exactly how MoRServ could save them time, worry and money. That’s quite a brief to land.
They brought it to us here at Eighty3, and honestly, it’s the kind of work we love. MoRServ’s Risk Division offers support packages that take real pressure off businesses, and it was our job to make sure that value came through the moment someone landed on the site. No jargon, no faff. Just a clean, intuitive experience that lets the services speak for themselves.
What came out the other side is a website we’re genuinely proud of. Clear layouts, engaging content, and a user journey that guides visitors naturally from curiosity to confidence. The kind of thing that looks effortless but takes proper craft to get right.
There’s something worth celebrating here beyond the work itself, though. Both Eighty3 and MoRServ are members of The Platinum Group, part of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and this project is a brilliant example of what that community can produce. Two local businesses, a shared vision, and a result that’s better for both. That’s not networking. That’s a Black Country design agency doing what it does best.
Why Your Content Marketing Strategy Is Failing (And It’s Not Why You Think)
We Exhibited at the Black Country Chamber Expo and Barely Came Up for Air
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce Expo came back with a bang in February, and Eighty3 was right in the thick of it. Held at Wolverhampton Racecourse and Conference Centre, the event pulled in over 650 visitors from across the Midlands for a day of proper networking, great conversations, and businesses doing what businesses do best: connecting with each other.
We had an absolute belter of a day. From the moment we set up, it was non-stop. Hundreds of conversations with business owners, chamber members, new faces and familiar ones. We met the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, and even crossed paths with Wolves legend Steve Bull, who was there in his role as a business ambassador. Not a bad Tuesday, all things considered.
The atmosphere was exactly what you want from an event like this. Warm, buzzy, and full of people who genuinely care about what they do and where they do it. The Black Country has always had that community spirit, and the expo had it in abundance.
But here is where we have to be honest with you. The real headline act was not us. It was our giant inflatable cat. It caused an absolute sensation. People stopped, stared, laughed, and immediately wanted to talk to us. Whether it was a stroke of marketing genius or just a very good idea that got out of hand, we will leave that for you to decide. Either way, the cat delivered.
Events like the Black Country Chamber Expo are a reminder of why showing up in person still matters. You cannot replicate that kind of energy behind a screen. The connections made, the conversations started, the leads sparked, all of it comes from being in the room. We are already looking forward to the next one. And yes, the cat will almost certainly be making a return appearance.
Black Country Business Networking: Our Day at the Chamber Expo
Thursday saw us packing up the Jeep with brochures, treats, and plenty of optimism, heading over to Wolverhampton Racecourse for the Black Country Chamber Expo. It was the first one since 2023, and honestly, it was brilliant.
Over 650 people turned up throughout the day. Business owners, directors, marketing managers, start-up founders. All brilliant Black Country business networking at its finest, looking to connect, learn, and see what’s happening across the region. The energy in the room was spot on from the moment doors opened at 10am.
Dan, Rebecca, and the team spent the day on our stand, chatting to everyone from brand new start-ups to established names that have been trading for decades. We had proper conversations. Not the surface-level “here’s my card” stuff, but genuine discussions about what businesses are trying to achieve, where they’re struggling, and what they actually need rather than what they think they should want. That’s the beauty of face-to-face networking. You get to properly understand people.
The expo was packed with seminars, workshops, and structured networking sessions running throughout the day. We met some fantastic people, handed out a fair few brochures, and had some genuinely exciting conversations about upcoming projects. Website redesigns that have been put off for too long. Rebrands that businesses know they need but haven’t quite committed to yet. Marketing strategies that need a fresh perspective. The kind of work we absolutely love getting stuck into.
That mix of fresh energy and hard-won experience is what makes the Black Country business community so strong. Everyone’s willing to share knowledge, make introductions, and genuinely help each other succeed.
Sarah Moorhouse, chief executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, summed it up perfectly when she said the energy and enthusiasm from exhibitors and delegates was fantastic. She’s absolutely right. When you get the best businesses in the region together in one place, something special happens. Connections get made, ideas spark, collaborations form, and businesses grow. It’s exactly why events like this matter.
The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, was there too, which shows the level of support for the business community across the region. It’s not often you get local government, business legends, brand new entrepreneurs, and established companies all in the same room, but that’s what makes these expos so valuable.
We heard brilliant feedback from other exhibitors too. First-timers were buzzing about new leads and connections. Established exhibitors were pleased with the turnout and quality of conversations. Everyone seemed to leave with something useful, whether that was new contacts, fresh ideas, or just renewed energy for their business.
We’re already looking forward to the next one. If you couldn’t make it this time, you missed a good day. If you spotted us but didn’t get chance to chat properly, drop us a line. We’re always up for a conversation about websites that actually work, brands that stand out, or just what’s possible for your business. And if you did pop by our stand, thanks for coming over!
8000 Birthday Cards for Amelia: Why Eighty3 Dropped Everything to Help
8000 birthday cards. That was Amelia’s wish. And honestly, it’s one of the most brilliant things we’ve ever heard.
Amelia Kolpa has been fighting neuroblastoma since she was two years old. For her eighth birthday on the 3rd of March, she had one wish: 8000 birthday cards. Not toys. Not a party. Just cards. Thousands of them. Something to make a birthday that might have to be spent in hospital feel truly extraordinary. When we saw Matt’s Facebook video shared by a couple of our clients, we didn’t think twice. We reached out straight away.
Within hours, we’d designed and delivered three roller banners for Matt at Lockside Steakhouse in Wollaston. Design done Wednesday night. Banners delivered Thursday morning. That’s the bit we love about what we do here in Brierley Hill. When something matters, you find a way to make it happen quickly and you make it good. It’s a small contribution in the grand scheme of things, but small contributions add up. And the response to Amelia’s campaign has been nothing short of incredible. The target looks set to be well and truly smashed.
If you’d like to be part of it, you can drop a birthday card off at Lockside Steakhouse, Enville Street, Wollaston, Stourbridge. Matt and the team are collecting them now ahead of the big delivery to Amelia. Every single card counts.
Here at Eighty3, we’re proud of where we come from and we’re proud of the community around us. The Black Country looks after its own. Days like this remind us exactly why we love what we do.
Happy birthday, Amelia. You are, quite frankly, an inspiration. 🧡
