Focus on quality pays off for The Event Show

Exhibitors at The Event Show have declared the 2008 exhibition a resounding success with almost all mentioning the very high quality of visitors as the defining factor.

With the exhibition industry often on the verge of obsession with visitor figures, The Event Show team is delighted that the figures have shown similar numbers to last year, welcoming over 4,000 people through the doors of Olympia over the two days.

Michelle Tayton, manager of The Event Show, explained: "So often we hear claims of significant increases in visitor numbers year-on-year to exhibitions, but this really is irrelevant if those people are not serious buyers.

"There are only so many people working in the industry and our visitor list reads like a who's who in events and these people have actually placed orders during and straight after the exhibition.

"We have fulfilled one of our main objectives to deliver revenue straight into our exhibitors' pockets, which has resulted in a 20 per cent increase on re-bookings for next year's Show".

Ben Irvin, an exhibitor at The Event Show and director of Irvin Amusements, said: "Whilst there is often volume of visitors at some exhibitions, this is without doubt the best exhibition for quality of leads and all the people are nice to work with".

Shaun Westerman, marketing manager for Themes Inc, added his endorsement: "Brilliant - a very, very good show; this is our 11th or 12th year at The Event Show and it is definitely quality and quantity.

"The first day was excellent and the second day didn't dip - we have already re-booked for next year".

The now much acclaimed Access Sessions were once again well received with predictably packed audiences for the presentation by Barry Baker, the Health and Safety Executive's Head of Entertainment and Leisure Section.

Meanwhile, the focus on quality continued on the LIVEstage managed by Showbizworks.com, which claimed a major exhibition first with named artistes performing live for event organisers.

These included X Factor finalist Rowetta, Damon Scott from Britain's Got Talent and System 1 Management presented The Drifters and Alexander O'Neal, which resulted in hundreds of visitors clamouring for clear sightlines to video performances on their mobile phones.

In line with The Event Show's commitment to be the first to bring new products and services to visitors, this year saw no less than 25 new launches at the exhibition.

For the first time ever the show's organisers launched a competition to find the most innovative product.

Surrey-based Magnet Schultz was awarded the prize which included free space at the exhibition.

The company has created the Electro Kabuki, judged to be the product to make the biggest impact on the events industry through the intelligent use of technology.

Developed following extensive consultation with the theatre and events industries, the Electro Kabuki has been designed to reliably release weights of up to 50kg and is suitable for applications where the requirement is to discharge or drop drapes, dummies or cables on cue for the perfect reveal.

So with exhibitors already having secured orders from companies such as Mercedes McLaren, The Event Show continues to retain its position as the exhibition that delivers the movers and shakers to exhibitors.

Next year The Event Show will take place on 21 and 22 January 2009 at Olympia.

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