Marketing Event articles from March 2005

Marketing Event archives from March 2005

From the editor.(Editorial)
March 8, 2005... Event industry's red carpet puts Olympic bid in reach London's 2012 Olympic Bid has crept up behind that of its rival Paris and tapped it on the shoulder. Following the four-day visit to the capital last month by 13 International Olympic...

Sledge creates toon attraction for Chessington.(Marketing industry)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Agency Sledge is to launch a Toon Hero Academy experience at Chessington World of Adventures as part of a 15-day event over Easter. Aimed at under-12s, the attraction will allow children to meet characters from the Cartoon Network including...

Motor Show heading for London and Excel.(Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders gave motor show contract)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has awarded the 2006 Motor Show contract to the London-based consortium comprising Single Market Events, London EventCo and Excel. The bid beat off competition from two other consortia -...

Clarion to the fore in bid for NEC contract.(Clarion Events)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Clarion Events has emerged as the front-runner to win the contract to manage the NEC's in-house organising arm Centre Exhibitions. Clarion - the former in-house organiser of Earls Court and Olympia Group (ECO) - confirmed that it is in...

Opex asks for commitment to shell prices.(Opex Exhibition Services)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Opex group managing director Andy Gibb has responded to fears that a price war over shell scheme stocks could spiral out of control if the cost of basic stand units keeps falling. Gibb presented eight new shell scheme designs to the...

Telegraph audits show spend.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The headline sponsorship for almost 20 events is under threat following a decision by The Daily Telegraph to review its annual marketing strategy, worth pounds 5m. The newspaper brand currently invests in a host of high profile consumer...

MCC chooses to field new team for Lords events.(Marylebone Cricket Club )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The MCC, which owns Lord's cricket ground, has set up an in-house catering and events division after its contract with Sodexho Prestige expired in January. MCC deputy chief executive David Batts, who was previously managing director of...

ECO brings in Rodol to head new division.(Earls Court & Olympia Group)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Earls Court and Olympia (ECO) Group has set up a division to launch entertainment-based events at the three West London venues. Former Ministry of Sound chief executive Mark Rodol is heading up the new Trend and Culture division, working...

London jubilant as IOC tours 2012 bid venues.(International Olympic Committee)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Venues and event companies involved in last month's visit to the capital by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should be proud of their achievement in staging a four-day event to showcase London's 2012 Olympic Bid, described by...

Expo's debut show put back after tsunami.(Expo International)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... South African-based organiser Expo International has postponed the UK launch of its International Awesome Food and Drink Show. Show director Glenn Hawes attributed the decision to the impact of the Boxing Day tsunami, which forced a number...

Corporate AV bulks up with Aztec buyout.(Aztec Communications Group Inc.)(Corporate Audio Visual Plc)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Audio-visual supplier Corporate AV has acquired Aztec Communications Group for an undisclosed sum. Aztec has been supplying data display services to the exhibition industry since 1996 and also has an event management division, which will...

Ex-Lime trio set up Sense.(Nick Adams, Bruce Gardner and Richard Adams join to launch Sense a marketing firm)
March 8, 2005... Three founding partners of brand experience agency Lime have left to launch new company Sense. Nick Adams, former managing director at Lime, has joined forces with business partners Bruce Gardner and Richard Adams to form the central...

Reshuffle at ID as pursuit of growth hots up.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Brand experience agency ID has strengthened its senior management team as it attempts to boost turnover by 25% through 2005. Deborah Broadbent has joined as financial director from Omnicom-owned communications agency Claydon Heeley Jones...

Cole takes retirement after 30 years at NEC.(John Cole)(NEC Group)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... John Cole, the NEC's corporate development director, has taken early retirement after more than 30 years at the Birmingham venue. Cole, 57, has been involved with the NEC since before its opening during the late 1960s. Cole later joined...

Uni forum hosts employers.(University of Greenwich )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The University of Greenwich staged an Employers Forum this month to discuss the future of the UK events industry and its training requirements. The event took place at the south London University on 7 March and attracted employers from...

Theatre techs look forward to bigger ABTT.(Association of British Theatre Technicians)
March 8, 2005... The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) Theatre Show has confirmed 105 exhibitors for its 27th outing, which this year takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, from 15-16 June. The show will launch a number of new...

That's the spirit.(KLP Entertainment )(Smirnoff)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Agency KLP Entertainment has teamed up with Smirnoff to run the Smirnoff Experience global club tour campaign for a second year. The UK leg of four events, which run through the year, began in Birmingham in January and last month visited New...

In brief: Imagination creates the Samsung Experience.(Samsung America Inc. conducts trade show event for consumers)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Imagination has created the Samsung Experience, an 'experiential destination' where consumers can interact with the range of Samsung products. The permanent venue is situated in the Time Warner Centre in New York and is staffed by Samsung...

In brief: TSC wins contract.(Trade show management services )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... TSC, the newly-formed exhibition contractor headed up by former Opex Exhibition Services director Laura Tythcott, has won a contract to provide shell scheme, electrics and floor-covering for Clarion Events' HALI Carpets Fair, which takes place...

In brief: Closer, changes name to The Lounge.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Closer, the brand experience agency set up by former Virgin d3 bosses James Layfield and Sara Gil (Event, February), has changed its name to The Lounge.

In brief: Bash Bars adds new bar to its portfolio.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Bash Bars has added a new bar to its portfolio of event furniture. The Roundbar is 4m in diameter with an illuminated exterior. Bash Bars managing director David Hendry said: 'The new system has built-in, commercial refrigeration and essential...

In brief: Careers and Jobs Live to take place at Excel.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Careers and Jobs Live is set to take place at Excel for the fifth consecutive year. The Jarvis Exhibitions-owned event will take place from 10-11 April and will include features such as the Thames Gateway Learning and Jobs Zone, which will...

In brief: McKenzie Group to rebrand as Academy Music Group.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... McKenzie Group, which owns live music venues and clubs including Carling Academy Brixton and Shepherd's Bush Empire, is to rebrand as Academy Music Group (AMG) following its management buyout in August 2004. It plans to make further site...

Rockers break catering record at awards bash.(ShockWaves NME Awards)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Shockwave NME Awards staged at Hammersmith Palais last month has been hailed as the west London venue's largest catered-for event during the venue's 86-year history. Richmond Catering and staffing agency Esprit teamed up to serve food...

Etchells launches wine show thanks to clause.(Tim Etchells of Single Market Events)
March 8, 2005... Single Market Events (SME) managing director Tim Etchells has launched a London-based consumer wine event to compete with The Festive BBC Good Food Show - the exhibition SME jointly organised with Haymarket Exhibitions. The Wine Show...

A Place in the Sun Live set to launch at Excel.(Brooklands Exhibitions)(Real estate industry trade show)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Brooklands Exhibitions makes its debut next month with the launch of 'A Place in the Sun Live'. The show runs from 1-3 April at Excel and will translate the Channel 4 overseas property programme into a show. The 4,500sq m event will...

Key organisers renew contracts with supplier PSL.
March 8, 2005... Service supplier PSL Exhibitions has renewed contracts with three key exhibition organisers. CMP Information (CMPi), Emap Communications and Reed Exhibitions have re-appointed PSL to provide audio-visual and IT services to more than 30...

Cleverdon joins commission.(Barry Cleverdon joins London International Convention Centre Mayoral Commission)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Barry Cleverdon, former chief executive of the NEC, has joined the London International Convention Centre Mayoral Commission. Cleverdon joins the existing six-member commission, headed by chairman Gerry Acher. 'Barry has exceptional...

MPI's Platinum speakers set for Venue Expo.(Meeting Professionals International)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Meeting Professionals International (MPI UK) is to run a series of seminars at the inaugural London Venue Expo, to be held at Excel from 29-30 June. The UK chapter of MPI has teamed up with organiser Exposure Event Creations to provide a...

In my view: Online communities find new value at offline events.
March 8, 2005... Last June, 10,000 eBay users gathered in the US for the third eBay Live users conference. The three-day event gave eBay users the chance to attend classes, swap ideas, hear presentations from company executives and buy products and services...

Wembley's Pavilion opens for business.(Arena Group)
March 8, 2005... Arena Group has completed work on its pounds 4m Wembley Arena Pavilion. The 10,000-capacity venue will host concerts and events at Wembley throughout 2005 while Wembley Arena undergoes a pounds 32m redevelopment. The Pavilion has been...

Inspired offers stately homes.(Inspired Events)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... An event management firm has been launched to target organisers in search of exclusive venues. Inspired Events has been founded by Bob Tolley, Alan Bayley and Roger Linley, who previously worked at agency Imagination. It plans to offer a...

TV show to launch live design event.
March 8, 2005... Publisher Media 10 and television production agency Talkback Thames have joined forces to launch Grand Designs Live. The exhibition, to be held at Excel between 10-12 June, is an extension of the Channel Four television programme of the...

Here, there and everywhere.(fundraising campaign of CancerResearch UK )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Cancer Research UK launched its latest fundraising campaign last month by teaming up with agency Event Force to project the images of faces on to Battersea Power Station. The faces each had the campaign's title 'I shouldn't be here' below their...

Palace boosts facilities with suite of rooms.(Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire invests to expand its space)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire has invested pounds 1.3m to expand its meeting and events space. The former estate office and kitchens have been transformed into a suite of four meeting rooms to be named the Campaign Rooms. 'Blenheim Palace...

Loewybe hatches pods campaign for Pampers.(Pampers)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Nappy brand Pampers has appointed agency Loewybe to create a retail-specific roadshow in the UK. The tour will compliment Pampers' World of Babies global marketing initiative, which is currently being toured around UK city centres by rival...

Moda brings new features into fashion.(Clothing industry trade show)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... A legal help desk and trend presentations were just two of the features making their debuts at the Moda UK and Moda Menswear fashion exhibitions, held at the NEC last month. Organiser ITE introduced a series of presentations delivered by...

ITMA looks at human capital for third forum.(Incentive Travel and Meetings Association)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Incentive Travel and Meetings Association (ITMA) held its third annual forum last month, entitled 'Recognising the Value of Human Capital'. The event took place at the English Heritage Lecture Theatre, London. The forum opened...

Confex opts to ease navigation problem.
March 8, 2005... Organiser CMP Information has announced that next year's International Confex will see the Exhibition and Conference Support Services and Corporate Entertainment sectors merge, in a bid to make the exhibition easier to navigate. The move...

Caterers asked to bid for NEC food business.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The NEC Birmingham is to review its catering offer after 30 years of in-house operation. NEC management has called for catering operators to pitch for the business, which will centre around outlets in the exhibition halls and on the public...

London signs up champions to aid tourism.(Visit London recruits business tourism champions )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Tourism and marketing body Visit London has recruited 24 London Business Tourism Champions to promote business tourism in the capital. The 'champions' are prominent members of the events industry who will use their profile to raise...

Quantum sells booze brands.(Quantum Business Media sells its licensed trade division to United Business Media PLC)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Publishing house Quantum Business Media has sold its licensed trade division to United Business Media (UBM), including both the Pub and Bar exhibition and trade magazine The Publican. The publishing and events assets of the division were...

P&MM builds up conference arm with acquisition.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Agency P&MM has acquired rival Archer Young for an undisclosed sum. Archer Young, which handles incentive travel and conference production for clients including O2, Argos, HSBC and GE Healthcare, has a turnover of pounds 8m. P&MM...

Pre-registrations strong for Monomax's Venues & Events.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Monomax, the publisher of restaurant guide Square Meal, has announced pre-registration levels of over 500 visitors for its Venues & Events show, seven months ahead of its first foray into exhibitions. The show, to be held at Old Billingsgate...

MJK teams up with Blackout for Brit Awards.(MJK Productions)(Trade show management services)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The 25th anniversary of the Brit Awards saw London-based agency MJK Productions team up with rigging and draping supplier Blackout to create the main stage and after-show party. Blackout deployed over 5,000sq m of black wool serge in the...

Ad:Tech show is swallowed up by DMG.(DMG World Media)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... DMG World Media has acquired interactive marketing exhibitions, Ad:Tech, from US-based JD Events for an undisclosed sum. The annual exhibitions currently take place in San Francisco, Chicago and New York with Shanghai and London-based shows...

LBEA ready to reveal research findings.(Live Brand Experience Association)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Live Brand Experience Association (LBEA) is to unveil the results of its initial research findings at an inaugural members meeting later this month. The LBEA, which launched three months ago (Event January) and has so far attracted 30...

Cunning helps improve kids' diets.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Guerrilla marketing agency Cunning took over London's Leicester Square on 16 February, staging a live brand experience to promote new Channel 4 programme Jamie's School Dinners. Celebrity chef and star of the show Jamie Oliver was on hand...

Internet is first for ROI reports GPJ.(Return on investment)(George P Johnson Company)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Internet is a top marketing priority for companies in 2005 according to a new study by event marketing agency, The George P Johnson (GPJ) Company. Over 75% of the 151 UK marketers surveyed stated they would maintain or expand their web...

McKenna looks forward to board role at Evenser.(Evenser Group)(Paul McKenna )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Melville Exhibition and Event Services finance director Paul McKenna has been promoted to the board of parent company Evenser as group finance director. A stalwart of the industry, McKenna has worked at Melville since 2001 and previously...

Nomadic to roll out CD at CMPi events.(Nomadic Display, compact discs)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Organiser CMP Information has signed a deal with supplier Nomadic Display that could help almost 8,000 exhibitors improve their return on investment (ROI) from exhibitions. Nomadic Display is to combine its exhibitor training CDs,...

Lovat Fraser retires from museum role.(Ian Lovat Fraser, Natural History Museum)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The Natural History Museum's general manager for conferences and events Ian Lovat Fraser is to retire at the end of the year. Lovat Fraser, who has worked at the Museum for the last 14 years, hopes to continue his involvement with the...

Curley calls it a day at Mice.(Mice Group)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Mice Group chairman Michael Curley is to retire from the board at the agency's annual general meeting later this month. The announcement follows the appointment of Brian Shepherd who took over the role of chief executive previously held by...

'Stars' name dropped over youth links.(London EventCo changed the name of the event)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... London EventCo has renamed its Game Stars Live computer games event, as Game Zone Live. 'Focus groups discovered that the term 'Stars' had strong links with youth and we aim to attract both a younger and older audience this year,' show...

AEO simplifies entry process for 2005 gongs.(Association of Exhibition Organisers)
March 8, 2005... The Association of Exhibition Organisers has introduced a new nomination scheme for its 2005 AEO Excellence Awards. The previous voting system has been scrapped and entrants will now be asked to submit entry forms with supporting material....

Hamlets guide puts London's east in focus.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Tower Hamlets Council has released the latest version of its Essential London Eastside Venue Guide, aimed at helping event organisers find suitable venues in the capital's east. The guide, produced in conjunction with Visit London, details...

Red Snapper goes on the road with sauces.(Red Snapper Events)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Red Snapper Events has joined forces with communications agency Revolver to deliver a sampling campaign for Sharwood's. The 'Wok the City' campaign, which coincided with this year's Chinese New Year, toured shopping centres in Manchester...

Telford centre announces its festive plans.(International Centre)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... The International Centre (TIC) Telford has launched its Christmas 2005 events programme. This year's Christmas Cavern theme will feature musical tributes to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks. 'In the past two years over 12,000...

Analysis: Generation game.(event management industry)
March 8, 2005... The issue of ageism has raised its head in the events industry. But some say the scales are now tipping the way of the older employee. Abigail Wills reports. In a letter published in Event's February 2005 edition, Jenny Cainer, founder and...

Analysis: NEC bid spins off track.
March 8, 2005... A consortium led by venue Excel is the surprise choice to stage the 2006 Motor Show, but the event has a chequered past in the capital. So where did it go wrong for the NEC? Mike Fletcher conducts the autopsy. The decision by The Society of...

Research file: Raising the event bar.
March 8, 2005... Fresh research from the AEO indicates an increasingly professional industry moving steadily into more niche sectors. Mike Fletcher assesses the trends. Exhibitions that offer seminars, associated conferences, learning and networking...

Preview: Students get hands on.(Internship programs)
March 8, 2005... Getting worthwhile experience while studying event management at university can prove difficult. But, says Mike Fletcher, an ISES initiative could change that. The International Special Events Society (ISES) has turned to a group of eight...

Spending power.
March 8, 2005... Procurement continues to be a thorn in the side of the events agencies. But a debate held at last month's International Confex aimed to take some of the pain out of the process. Claire Bond reports. The underlying sentiment in the world of...

Profile: Nigel Cooper.
March 8, 2005... Nigel Cooper believes in promising his clients the earth and then delivering on that promise. Maybe that's why the offices of event management agency P&MM are bristling with not just trophies, but trophy cabinets. Abigail Wills reports. ...

Showcase: Renault F1 Team Launch 2005.(Sprout Media Ltd )
March 8, 2005... Sprout's long-standing relationship with Renault saw it launch this year's F1 car at two events for separate audiences. For the last four Grand Prix seasons, production agency Sprout has worked with Renault F1 to launch its car and drivers...

Touring Events: Adding a competitive edge.
March 8, 2005... Touring events with competitions are a growing part of many brands' marketing strategies, says Abigail Wills. At the end of last year, communications agency Band and Brown was commissioned to devise an event that would build awareness of...

Alternative summer venues: Cloud busting.
March 8, 2005... Summer events can often fall foul of the British weather. But with proper planning every cloud really can have a silver lining. Jane Stanbridge reports. The inimitable Albert Einstein once said: 'One need only think of the weather, in...

Exhibition stands: Retention remains key.(2heads)(NTL)
March 8, 2005... Many exhibition stand specialists can lay claim to long-standing client relationships that have benefitted both parties. Claire Bond takes a look at four client-agency partnerships that have stood the test of time. AGENCY: Checkland...

European venues: Border crossings.
March 8, 2005... Some exhibitions like to stay at the same location. Others, however, take a more peripatetic stance, moving to a new location each time. But how do venues cope with this moveable feast? Stuart Derrick investigates. In-Cosmetics Reed...

Appointment at Fresh RM.
March 8, 2005... Toby Wand has been appointed exhibition director for Fresh RM's shows Hospitality, Hotelympia and Hostec. Wand joins from Quantum, where he was exhibition director. He had worked previously as group exhibition director at Emap for 11 years.

Appointment at De Boer Structures.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Tom Osborne and Jeremy Perkins have taken on new roles at De Boer Structures. Perkins will oversee key accounts in the event and exhibition market, while Osborne has been appointed sales manager to work on some of De Boer's largest contracts...

Appointment at Sandown Park Racecourse.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Russell Bowes has taken on the role of senior events manager at Sandown Park Racecourse. Bowes has worked at the venue for the last five years and was responsible for coordinating large consumer events such as MiniWorld and Triathlon Cycling...

Appointment at Evensis.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Kerry Harcombe has been appointed project manager at Liverpool-based events agency Evensis. She joins from international investment company Corspan, where she was an event organiser, and has previously worked for Gulf Air in Bahrain.

Appointment at IBR, Illico Events and McGarvey Russell.(International Business Relations Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Richard Boothroyd has taken on the role of financial director at the IBR, Illico Events and McGarvey Russell group of companies. Boothroyd will advise on the expansion of the IBR group and brings with him a wealth of experience from his time at...

Appointment at Moving Venue Management.(Frances Lutvey )(Karen Murray )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Frances Lutvey and Karen Murray have joined event management company Moving Venue Management (MVM). Lutvey has been appointed operations manager and Murray takes on the role of sales manager. Both will be responsible for growing new business...

Appointment at 100% Design.(Lucy Ryan)(Reed Exhibition Companies Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Syreeta Tranfield, Jill Merrilees and Lucy Ryan have taken on new roles at Reed Exhibitions-owned interiors show 100% Design. Tranfield (pictured) has been appointed marketing manager and will work across the London and Moscow events. Merrilees...

Appointment at European Events.(Linzi Young )(Kevin Ryan )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Linzi Young and Kevin Ryan have joined European Events. Young has a strong background in the events industry, including two years with The Ultimate Experience, while Ryan joins from the Science Museum. Both will be responsible for the existing...

Appointment at Gyro Group.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... David Chamberlain has taken on the role of head of the creative team at integrated brand communications agency Gyro Group. He will be based in the New York office. Chamberlain previously held roles at Imagination and worked on the Ford, Samsung...

Appointment at Opex.(Opex Exhibition Services appoints Damian Bush)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Damian Bush has joined exhibition services group Opex as account manager. Bush joins from Earls Court & Olympia where he was event manager. Prior to that he was event manager at Alexandra Palace. He will report directly to Opex managing...

Appointment at Reed Exhibition.(Darren Whitehead )(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Darren Whitehead has been appointed event director of Reed Exhibition's National Incentive Show. Whitehead is also responsible for the National Direct Marketing Show and the International Direct Marketing Fair. Prior to joining Reed in 2003...

Appointment at BBC Good Food Show.(Lucinda Hyde)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Lucinda Hyde has been promoted to senior marketing executive on the Haymarket-owned BBC Good Food Show.

Appointment at Kuala Lumpar Convention Centre.(Anette Palm)(Brief Article)
March 8, 2005... Anette Palm has been appointed European representative for the Kuala Lumpar Convention Centre, which is scheduled to open in June 2005. Palm has worked previously in event management in Australia and will continue to represent the Cairns...

Event Marketplace: Services Helpline.
March 8, 2005... Having trouble finding a product or service? Phone the helpline team on 020 8267 4407 or email them at mike.fletcher@haynet.com. Festival friends Q I'm planning a product launch scheduled to roll-out during the summer festival season....