Marketing Event articles from March 2007

Marketing Event archives from March 2007

From the Editor: The overseas interests just waiting for a chance to buy.(Editorial)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The break-up of the Evenser Group indicates that the UK event supplier sector is entering a period of consolidation that will change the landscape forever. The sale of Melville Exhibition and Event Services to US giant GES ends rumours of...

Attendances rise by 4% at Pure London.(Emap Fashion's trade shows)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Emap Fashion's Pure London show at Olympia attracted 4% more visitors than last year, with an attendance of 11,163 from 11-13 February. The womenswear show had more than 800 brands exhibiting. Sandra Porto, of debut exhibitor Eucalyptus,...

Poor support kills Premium Travel show.
March 7, 2007... Premium Travel, the Haymarket Media Group event planned for the Royal Albert Hall in May, has been scrapped because of a lack of support from the luxury travel sector. Event director Dominique Gill said the two-day show had the highest...

Arena bosses attract UK investors for deal.
March 7, 2007... The break-up of the Evenser portfolio of companies saw event services supplier the Arena Group sold last month for a sum 'significantly higher' than the pounds 20m asking price. Arena chief executive David Walley, managing directors Grahame...

US firm buys Melville and CTS.(GES Exposition Services Inc. acquires Melville Exhibition and Corporate Technical Services)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Melville Exhibition and Event Services and Corporate Technical Services (CTS) will each retain their brand identities and maintain 'business as usual' following their acquisition by US contractor GES Exposition Services, according to the...

Belgians win lucrative Live Nation work.(StageCo)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Live Nation has awarded the first in a series of supplier contracts for the 2007 Hyde Park concerts to Belgian supplier StageCo in a deal believed to be worth five figures. The staging contract sees an end to Star Events Group's relationship...

Westminster supporters launch guide.(Conference news)
March 7, 2007... The Westminster Collection (TWC) held its third annual venue showcase at the Royal Horticultural Halls on 15 February with 175 guests. Westminster Council's cabinet member for economic development and transport, Councillor Danny Chalkley,...

Producers of Brits trust in top suppliers.(MJK Productions uses theatre equipment from reknowned suppliers)(Kinesys automation Inc.)(XL Video UK Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... MJK Productions relied on stalwart suppliers for the live TV broadcast of the Brit Awards at Earls Court on 14 February. Draping and rigging firm Blackout built sets for artistes while Outback rigged the main stage. A Kinesys automation...

EIA chief calls for links with government.(Events Industry Alliance chief Trevor Foley)(Conference news)
March 7, 2007... The events industry took a step closer to government last month as the Events Industry Alliance and Lord Tom King of Bridgwater held a reception at the House of Commons, attended by MPs and tourism officials. In a keynote speech, EIA chief...

Ex-NBS boss advises Earls Court Boat Show.
March 7, 2007... James Brooke, organiser of the planned Earls Court Boat Show, has revealed a pounds 3m investment from its headline sponsor and has unmasked former National Boat Shows (NBS) managing director Paul Streeter as head of operations for the rival...

Sky saves Bafta reception.
March 7, 2007... Sky Broadcasting came to the rescue last month after the inaugural Bafta Nominees Reception planned for the Natural History Museum (NHM) looked doomed. A crisis arose when headline investor sponsor Burberry pulled out, fearing there might...

Buyout at RTH brings about new agency.(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Agency RTH Group's global development director, Claire Menzies, has completed a management buyout of part of the business and set up an agency called Ignition with seven former RTH staff. The sale agreement with RTH Group has seen Menzies...

V&A is turned pink for Kylie extravaganza.(Victoria and Albert museum)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Victoria and Albert museum was bathed in pink for the opening of Kylie: the Exhibition last month, courtesy of Fisher Productions. The event, hosted by the star, saw the interior and exterior lit and the Dome event space draped in...

Stars unveil new England football kit.(RPM and Three-pipe launched Umbro's 2007-08 England kit)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Agencies RPM and Three-pipe staged the launch of Umbro's 2007-08 England kit to the media on 5 February at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. The event also launched Umbro's X Boot Destroyer, X Boot III and the official England...

Alliance plan teams GTMS with Logistik.(Logistik partners GTMS)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Logistik and GTMS Event Solutions have created an alliance to work together on future projects. GTMS supplies branding and display equipment and Logistik provides event management. They will still operate as standalone companies but use...

SME signs five-year Fashion Council deal.
March 7, 2007... Single Market Events (SME) has marked its 17th year as organiser of London Fashion Week (LFW) by signing a five-year deal with the British Fashion Council (BFC). The contract, which will see SME organise 10 seasonal outings for the...

MD granted bail in Poland.
March 7, 2007... A pressure group made up of friends and family of Bruce Robinson was celebrating a small victory last month as the Expomedia Group managing director, detained in a Polish jail without trial for more than a year, was finally granted bail. ...

Awards night names best freelancer.
March 7, 2007... The Xchangeteam Freelancer of the Year Awards have recognised Sarah Nix as the recruitment agency's Event Freelancer of the Year. The awards, now in their third year, took place at London members' club Adam Street on 31 January. Nix was...

True stalwart bids farewell to Haymarket.(Grahame Jones, resigns from Haymarket Exhibitions)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Haymarket Exhibitions group operations director Grahame Jones has left the company after 38 years. He joined Haymarket as a data input operator and was one of Haymarket Exhibitions' first employees when Peter Osborne founded the division...

Name change turns Loewybe into Because.(Because will help business grow in experiential marketing)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Loewybe has rebranded to become Because Experiential Marketing in a move designed to position the agency away from its former links to the communications giant the Loewy Group. Marketing and business development director Joss Davidge said:...

London events soar by 22% in 12 months.(event venues reports profits)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The capital's event venues reported a 22% rise in the number of events staged during the third quarter of 2006 compared with the same period in 2005, according to Visit London's Business Tourism Monitor. The data, provided by 40 meeting...

Pro-Ex takes Kia's Cee'd on tour of malls.
March 7, 2007... Agency Pro-Ex took the Cee'd - the new family car from Kia Motors - to 10 shopping centres last month. Visitors could win a car by guessing which manufacturer produced a de-badged vehicle shown covered in question marks. The roadshow...

Delight at plans for Manchester casino.
March 7, 2007... The events industry in Manchester has reacted with delight to the news that the UK's first supercasino is to be built there. MICC chief executive Lesley Tomlinson said: 'The decision will have a direct impact on the venue as an increasing...

AEV prepares for the worst.(Association of Event Venues)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Association of Event Venues is launching a Business Recovery Day for venues on Friday 13 April. The one-day event at Olympia, open to venues, suppliers and organisers in the events and exhibitions industry, will be chaired by Excel...

Climate crisis inspires Live Earth concert.
March 7, 2007... Save Our Selves (SOS), the worldwide campaign for a climate in crisis, has launched a 24-hour concert called Live Earth, to take place on 7 July across all seven continents. The UK venue is yet to be confirmed but initial reports suggest...

Car crazy.
March 7, 2007... Imagination and agency Sidhu and Simon celebrated 30 years of Ford of Britain at the Light Bar, Shoreditch. Photographer Rankin displayed 30 photos he had hand-picked from Ford's archives. The in-house team provided food for 300 guests....

In Brief: Bateaux London's Symphony relaunched.(Symphony enhanced)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Bateaux London's refurbished restaurant cruise vessel the Symphony relaunched on 9 February. The vessel had its audio and lighting systems upgraded, as well as a newly laid floor in the bar area and enhancements to the climate control systems....

In Brief: Tussauds Group signs agreement with IHG.(InterContinental Hotels Group PLC contracts with The Tussauds Group)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Tussauds Group has signed a pounds 15m agreement with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) to operate its planned Holiday Inn hotel at the Chessington World of Adventure theme park. The four-star 150-room hotel is scheduled to open in June....

In Brief: Mulberry Grove moves from Wallasey to city centre.
March 7, 2007... Mulberry Grove has moved from its Wallasey offices to Liverpool city centre. The lighting and production company's director, Paul Arvidson (pictured with wife Cheryl, also a director), said: 'This is the perfect solution for us. Our move to the...

In Brief: Montgomer Int'l and Inter Ads join forces.(Montgomery International and Inter Ads )(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Montgomery International and Indian organiser Inter Ads have joined forces to launch Inter Ads Montgomery India Pvt. The companies have worked together on three annual joint-venture exhibitions in the past five years. Montgomery International...

In Brief: BDC achieves star status.(Business Design Centre)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Business Design Centre (BDC) has achieved star status within the 'best companies' accreditation scheme, which acknowledges corporate excellence in the workplace. BDC development manager Samantha Hoskins said: 'We have worked hard to perfect...

In Brief: Trade Only to launch first exhibition in March.
March 7, 2007... Trade Only will launch its first exhibition, the Spring National Show, from 28-29 March at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The 6,000 sqm show features 150 exhibitors and X-Factor winner Shayne Ward (left) will be singing at the gala dinner on 28...

In Brief: 14th Vinexpo exhibition.
March 7, 2007... The 14th Vinexpo exhibition from 17-21 June in Bordeaux will launch a section called Marketers by Vinexpo that showcases the latest techniques for generating sales of wine and spirits. The 2,600 sqm show, organised by Vinexpo at the Bordeaux...

In Brief: For clarification.
March 7, 2007... The Nintendo Wii launch event at HMV's Oxford Street street store in December was organised by agency Cake. The pictures used in the Nintendo Wii case study (page 19, Event, February 2007) are taken from this event

World Scout Jamboree in sponsor plea.(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Scout Association is looking for sponsors to help it celebrate its centenary. The World Scout Jamboree, billed as the UK's biggest youth mass participation event until the 2012 Olympics, will attract almost 30,000 scouts, 12,000 scout...

IPA's report 'has left us in no-man's-land'.(Institute of Practitioners in Advertising's report failed to recognise live event sector on marketing spend)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Events Industry Alliance group chief executive Trevor Foley has hit out against the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) for failing to recognise the live event sector in its recent report on marketing spend. The IPA's...

Director takes Horticultural Halls into AEV.(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The Royal Horticultural Halls (RHH) and Conference Centre has returned to the trade association fold by signing up to the Association of Event Venues (AEV). Rene Dee, managing director of RHH, withdrew his support from the Exhibition...

Two events to share venue with Confex.
March 7, 2007... International Confex will co-locate with CMPi stablemate Technology for Marketing and Advertising (TFM&A) plus the VCM-owned Video Forum when it returns to Earl Court in 2008. The three-day Video Forum takes place at Earls Court 2 during...

ABTT Theatre Show sold out.
March 7, 2007... The Association of British Theatre Technicians has announced that its 29th ABTT Theatre Show has sold out five months before its summer dates. The Royal Horticultural Halls will host the audio-visual exhibition from 13-14 June. Last year,...

Figures show rise in visitors from abroad.(32 million tourists visited UK, 15.4 bn pounds revenue generated, data by the Office for National Statistics)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
March 7, 2007... More than 32 million international visits were made to the UK last year, generating pounds 15.4bn according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The data suggests a 7% increase in overseas visits compared with 2005...

Brilliant city.(Mondiale Publishing's lighting festival)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Mondiale Publishing's Switched on London lighting festival took place from 8-16 February in the Pool of London - part of the Thames bordered by Tower Bridge and London Bridge. It illuminated seven landmarks, including City Hall, pictured. Mayor...

Opinion: If you get on a roster, the hard work's just beginning.(customer relations of marketing agencies)
March 7, 2007... Over the past few years there has been an increasing trend towards clients developing rosters of preferred agencies. This trend, along with the greater involvement of procurement, has made the challenges for agencies greater than ever. But for...

Mercedes car venue hosts Tech Event 2.
March 7, 2007... Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge will host its first trade event on 17 April with the second Tech Event, organised by AV/IT distributors Maverick and PSCo. The one-day show will offer more than 20 technical seminars and workshops that...

World Events scoops ITM Platinum Award.(World Event Management (Woodland Park, England) gets award)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... The debut Eventia ITM Awards saw more than 800 guests witness global agency World Events win the Platinum Award last month. The agency, formerly World Event Management, won for a conference and incentive travel programme in South Africa to...

American NFL teams to play at Wembley.
March 7, 2007... The National Stadium at Wembley has been chosen to host a debut fixture of the USA's National Football League, expected to attract more than 10,000 Americans to the capital. The game between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins will take...

Analysis: Keep your eyes on the prize.
March 7, 2007... European Events sent 11 of its best agents on a trip to Tunisia It's all part of a growing incentives trend, as Mike Fletcher reports. The success of the Clearwinners agent incentive scheme - run by the Concerto Group of event management...

Campaign: Operation Renesis.(Mazda trains drivers as part of marketing plan)
March 7, 2007... Agency Closer trained would-be James Bonds how to drive like a spy and sent the best on a mission for M - that's Mazda, writes Lorraine Francisco. As Daniel Craig waited to hear if his portrayal of James Bond in Casino Royale had won him...

Showcase: The MCN London Motorcycle Show.
March 7, 2007... Emap faced more than a few headaches when it moved a popular show from Ally Pally to Excel, writes Lorraine Francisco. Moving the MCN (Motorcycle News) London Motorcycle Show from Alexandra Palace, its home of 20 years, to unchartered...

Profile: Simon Burton, Exposure Event Creations.(Interview)
March 7, 2007... Simon Burton has watched his Exhibiting Show go from strength to strength since it launched in 2004. Mike Fletcher discovers how a passion for events led to the former publishing trainee becoming one of the industry's most high-profile players....

Scotland: Events with a tartan tinge.(growth of Scotland tourism industry)
March 7, 2007... Three experts tell Abigail Wills how the industry north of the border has grown in size, talent and confidence in recent years. SCOTT ROBERTSON, MARKETING MANAGER, UK, VISIT SCOTLAND One of the main things we've noticed in the last few...

Summer Venues: London's great outdoors.(recommended venues for marketing events)
March 7, 2007... Lorraine Francisco seeks out venues in the capital that have lawns, gardens, orangeries - and in one case, zoo animals. In a cold snap like the one we've had recently, looking for the perfect summer party venue can provide a welcome escape...

Summer Venues - Case Study One - Up above the city streets.
March 7, 2007... A party to celebrate women's tennis, hosted by Sir Richard Branson, showed the appeal of Kensington Roof Gardens. Kensington Roof Gardens is one of many venues that perches on the edge of central London. From its position six floors above...

Unique Venues: Case Study Two - Green and pleasant land.(annual Summer Party at the Serpentine Gallery, social fundraising events of the year)
March 7, 2007... The annual Summer Party at the Serpentine Gallery has become one of the key social fundraising events of the year. Working in one of London's numerous event venues provides the perfect setting from which to observe client trends. Peter...

Staffing: Effective ways to recruit.
March 7, 2007... Picking the right promotional staff is of critical importance Claire Bond asks four of the top names in the industry how they go about it, from attracting talent to whittling down applicants at the interview stage. ALISON NOLAN, OPERATIONS...

Destination Report: England's healthy heart.
March 7, 2007... Ben Lerwill discovers how a buoyant event sector spells good news for the Midlands. If there were any doubts at all as to just how robust the Midlands event sector had become, then the KPMG economic study at the tail-end of last year would...

Services Helpline.
March 7, 2007... Having trouble finding a product or service? Phone the helpline team on 020 8267 4407 or email mike.fletcher@haymarket.com. KEY TO FEMININITY Q: I am organising a girls'-night-in themed event. Can you suggest any suppliers that provide...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Thorns Group.
March 7, 2007... Darren Jackson has joined supplier Thorns Group as sales executive He will work as part of the sales team for Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire. He previously served a four-year stint with the company as account manager until he left in May...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at ID.(Emma Ede, appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Emma Ede has been promoted to the role of managing director of experiential agency ID. Ede previously served as associate director of the agency's staffing division. The appointment follows founding partner Paul Ephremsen's decision to stand...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Momentum.
March 7, 2007... Daniel Hennessy has joined the London office of agency Momentum as executive creative director. Hennessy's role will see him responsible for increasing the quality and vision of Momentum's creative output, improving its thinking beyond the...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Manchester Central.(Paula Lorimer, appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Paula Lorimer, previously group exhibitions director with IIR Exhibitions, has been appointed sales director of venue Manchester Central. Her experience includes a successful 18-year career with RBI, swiftly followed by a position with United...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at RPM.(Yalda Richardson, appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Yalda Richardson has been made HR manager at agency RPM. She assumes responsibility for recruitment, resource planning, staff welfare and staff benefits. Prior to joining RPM, Richardson was HR manager at Lexis Public Relations for two years,...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Excel London.(Mandy Mather, appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Mandy Mather has joined venue Excel London as group head of customer services. The new role encompasses all the customer service elements already in place at the venue. Mather said: 'Excel London has a great reputation for its service delivery...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Reach.(Julia Collis, appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Julia Collis has joined agency Reach as new business controller Collis joins from Headcount Field Marketing where she previously served as sales and marketing director. Her new role at Reach sees her primarily responsible for field marketing...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at International Jewellery London.
March 7, 2007... Chris Hartley has been appointed event director of the Reed-owned International Jewellery London show. Most recently Hartley ran his own event management consultancy but boasts an exhibition career spanning nearly 20 years

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Opex Group.(Sarka Le'Mon, Fred Amofa, Lynn Stewart and Kathy Bryant appointed)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Sarka Le'mon, Fred Amofa (left), Lynn Stewart and Kathy Bryant have all joined the account management team at Opex Group. Group managing director Andy Gibb said: 'We place a great deal of importance on being able to field a strong and...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Archer Young.
March 7, 2007... Benjamin Hunt has joined agency Archer Young as business development manager. Natalie Gunson, director of Archer Young said: 'Ben's travel and events experience alongside his client relationships and business acumen will strengthen Archer...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at East of England Showground.
March 7, 2007... Ben George and Nicci Walker have joined the East of England Showground as general manager hospitality and conference co-ordinator respectively. George was previously in charge of catering for Digby Trout Restaurants at London's Science Museum....

Event Solutions: MIG signs mobile services deal for rebranded Dome.
March 7, 2007... Services provider Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) has signed a three-year deal with communications firm O2 to provide mobile services at its Greenwich venue. The O2, formerly the Millennium Dome, will feature mobile services developed by...

Event Solutions: Live Nation joins disability initiative.
March 7, 2007... Promoter Live Nation has joined forces with the Attitude Is Everything initiative to provide funding for improved disabled and deaf people's access at its 2007 summer festivals. Attitude Is Everything improves disabled access to live music...

Event Solutions: Agricultural show renews Thorns deal.
March 7, 2007... Thorns Group has won the contract to supply equipment to the Great Yorkshire Show for a third year. The show, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, runs from 10-12 July and will form Thorns' largest deal to date. The supplier...

Event Solutions: New directors bolster TPA's management.(Amanda Chance and Nick Summers appointed)(Trax Portable Access)(Brief article)
March 7, 2007... Supplier TPA has bolstered its management team by recruiting two new members of senior staff. Amanda Chance and Nick Summers have joined as business development director and senior operations director respectively. Chance joins the...

Event Solutions: Auris launch uses Musion 3-D projector.
March 7, 2007... Projection technology supplier Musion Systems installed its 3-D Eyeliner Holographic product at Bluewater Shopping Centre as part of the Toyota Auris launch. The projection featured within the Toyota retail theatre concept store for four...

Event Solutions: Let there be lighting.
March 7, 2007... Lighting Technology Projects (LTP) has created this semi-permanent light installation on Bristol's Harbourside development. The project, entitled Field of Play or The Lightwall, measures 576 sqm and reacts to the movement of people in the...

Event Solutions: Supplier showcase - Testing, one two three ..
March 7, 2007... Behind the glitz and glamour of the live music industry, there's an army of specialists providing necessities such as flooring, barriers, drapes, walkie-talkies, sound equipment and portaloos, as Ben Lerwill reports. IDENTILAM Easy...

Event Solutions: Focus on - The UK's live music industry.(Industry overview)
March 7, 2007... In the moneyspinning world of concerts, promoters can see nothing but good times ahead, writes Ben Lerwill. There was a time when live music events needed little more than a half-decent instrumentalist and some willing listeners, but these...