INTERNET conference firm RMR plans to set up a US office as it continues its meteoric expansion, writes David Duffy.

The company, which moved to Eynsham last year, was initially set up as a web design and development company.

But it moved into the online conference and exhibition market three years ago following a meeting between company founder Philip Marcella and online conference pioneer Dr Mark Smith.

In January, 1999, it had a staff of ten. Now that figure has passed 140 with many more staff being taken on to service the sponsorship, sales and client service functions of each event.

To finance expansion, RMR floated in April this year, raising 11.8m. A US office is set to open in Austin, Texas, this month, both to co-ordinate activity with existing American customers, and to develop links with new clients, sponsors and exhibitors and develop a production unit to build US-based events.

Two events, on DNA and health and fitness, are already in the pipeline.

This month the company won the Best Project category in the Charteris and Institute of Directors-backed Electronic Business Transformation Awards.

The award recognised the contribution of the firm's events in promoting e-business and transforming an industry sector.

Last November, Prime Minister Tony Blair gave the keynote speech at the opening of a major international online conference on autism hosted by the company. The conference attracted delegates from around the world.

RMR's marketing director John Duffy said: "The ambition is to make this site the first port of call for anyone who wants to know anything about autism."

He said RMR was the only company in the world known to be developing online conferences. Conferences are now scheduled until May, 2001, with the next event being run in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Creative and production director Dr Smith said: "It's a whole new technology and it's a whole new market."