Product category:
Exhibitions
News Release from: Touchstone Exhibitions | Subject: National Incentive Show
Edited by the Marketingservicestalk Editorial
Team on 09 October 2007
National Incentive Show is successful
showcase
The 12th annual National Incentive Show saw an increase in the number of buyers attending and the launch of countless products and services from many leading suppliers.
Under the new ownership of Touchstone Conferences and Exhibitions, the event achieved its stated objective of improving the quality and quantity of visitors and was attended by over 4,370 people (subject to ABC audit), which represents a 14 per cent increase on 2006 During the three-day event John Greenway MP, the parliamentary representative for the sales promotion and incentive industry, also toured the show
This article was originally published on Marketingservicestalk on 25 Apr 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Change of ownership for National Incentive Show
The National Incentive Show, the event for incentive, motivational and promotional marketing products and services, has been taken over by Touchstone Exhibitions and Conferences.
National Incentive Show gears up for business
The National Incentive Show in September, the UK's most established event for incentive, motivational and promotional marketing products and services, will be bursting with new ideas.
David Jones, Chairman of Touchstone Exhibitions and Conferences, said: "We delivered on our objective of increasing the quantity and quality of the buying audience.
"Feedback from exhibitors and visitors has been exceptional; exhibitors met a broad range of high level decision makers, visitors came from far and wide and found their visit very worthwhile.
"We are looking forward to next year's show and the years to come".
Further reading
National Incentive Show calls for seminar papers
The highly popular National Incentive Show seminar programme is being extended for 2007 and the deadline for all those submitting presentation ideas is 25 June 2007.
New chief takes helm at National Incentive Show
Simon Mayle has joined Touchstone Exhibitions and Conferences as marketing manager with responsibility for the National Incentive Show 2007, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, in September.
Incentive show seminars to tackle key issues
Promotional ideas, successful incentive schemes, leading motivated teams and the latest green incentives are some of the key issues to be addressed at the National Incentive Show in September.
Among the high-quality visitors who came to the NEC specifically to brief potential suppliers and to source and buy products and solutions for their latest promotion or incentive scheme were personnel responsible for marketing and human resources from blue-chip companies and large multinationals, as well as buyers from sales promotion and direct marketing agencies.
The exhibition was chosen by many companies as the place to launch their latest product, service, company or brand including: Filmology, which selected the event to launch itself to the Midlands and Northern market; House of Sarunds, which was making its debut in the corporate and incentive market; Crazee Thingz, the sister company to the well-known Bedlam Puzzles; and Stabletable, as seen on BBC Dragons' Den.
On the product side, environmental and ethical items had a strong presence, including an innovative range of bamboo products from Eco Incentives and ethical Advent calendars from Sweet Temptations.
Further new products making their first appearance included: a new initiative to create custom-made branded books; fresh food hampers; a multipurpose laptop platform that can be branded with company details and logo; free flight vouchers and hotel accommodation vouchers.
The outstanding seminar programme, which for the first time featured four seminar theatres packed with high-profile industry experts and leading case study speakers, proved to be highly popular with most sessions drawing large crowds.
Visitors benefited from the valuable advice and expertise provided by leading associations including the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP), the Va, the Institute of Direct Marketing and Point of Purchase Advertising Industry (POPAI).
Another focal point was the BPMA's Hot Product Zone, which showcased the 21 most innovative products in the industry today.
Director-General Gordon Glenister also highlighted these spectacular products in his daily seminar session on great promotional ideas for businesses.
David Lebond, Chairman of the BPMA, said: "It is important for our industry that we market ourselves professionally - we owe a debt of gratitude to David Jones of Touchstone and his team for allowing us to showcase our product in such a professional way.
"I do believe David has raised the bar, the visitor numbers and the quality was better than it has been for years.
"The feedback from our members has been very positive.
"Well done and I look forward with eagerness to the National Incentive Show 2008".
Feedback from visitors was exceptional: Carla Moran, Promotions Executive, Evening Standard, said: "I came up to NIS to get new ideas for promotions; I found new and different ideas and also attended the seminar on planning an award-winning campaign, which I had not planned to do, and which was even better than I thought it would be.
"It caught my eye and the speakers were independent, senior agency personnel, who spoke candidly and the host asked good questions.
"It was an extremely worthwhile day out of the office and I would definitely come back next year".
Kelly Freeman, Call Centre Supervisor, Mortgage Brain, said: "I came purposefully to Call Centre Expo to update myself on the latest technology and visited NIS for new ideas for in-house and external promotions and incentives.
"It's a great idea to co-locate the shows as it saves time and energy and is a good mix of serious information and the more fun side of the incentive industry".
David Barker, Director, VCL, said: "This is my first visit to the National Incentive Show; I came looking for new ideas for promotions and have found several".
Exhibitors were equally positive about the event: Danny Bamping, Managing Director of Bedlam Puzzles and winner of the 2006 BPMA Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, said: "The National Incentive Show this year has been nothing short of fantastic; The Bedlam Puzzle company has had enormous interest from some very large and high-profile clients, including many high street banks and insurance companies.
"The organisation of NIS has been superb and we look forward to a bigger and better show next year".
Gary Parkinson, from House of Sarunds, commented: "We used NIS to launch House of Sarunds into the corporate and incentive market and have been impressed with the wide variety of businesses that have come onto our stand, from universities and government organisations right through to large corporates.
"The positive responses and genuine interest in our products have given us a real boost and understanding of what is required.
"The show has left us in no doubt that we can succeed in this market and we will definitely return to NIS".
Graham Howarth, Director, Sales Promotion at pandmm, said: "Although the overall size of the show was initially smaller, the increased level of quality footfall in comparison to previous years has been substantial and led to us gaining quality contacts and conversations, which will hopefully result in further business".
Richard Milliken-Smith, Proprietor of Print Run, remarked: "This show has been better than any of the previous three years; Touchstone have made it very slick, with a personal touch with exhibitors.
"They are always available on the show floor, but without interfering.
"This year has seen a dramatic change in the quality of visitors with lots of blue chips and large organisations.
"The co-location with the National Venue Show has worked well with 25 per cent of our interested visitors coming across".
David Pearson, Director at Filmology, agreed: "We attended the National Incentive Show to launch Filmology to the Midlands and Northern market and have seen a fantastic response and great leads from both agencies and corporate buyers.
"There has been a positive interest in screenings and events in cinemas and over the course of the three days we have met good quality contacts across a wide range of industries, including potential clients who came up especially from London to look for new promotions".
Sylvana Malachias, Show Director of the National Incentive Show, said: "The hall was buzzing with people exchanging ideas and information and the show lived up to its longstanding reputation as the place where business gets done.
"The feedback from both exhibitors and visitors shows that it has been an invaluable experience for all".
The National Incentive Show will take place in 2008, returning to the NEC, Birmingham from 16-18 September 2008, where it will once again be co-located with the National Venue Show.
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