Marketing Event articles from May 2007

Marketing Event archives from May 2007

From the Editor: Show of unity at IMEX sets standard for the capital.(Editorial)
May 3, 2007... At last month's IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt, one stand in particular was a hive of activity. Visit London took stand partners to Germany that included DMCs, the Historic Royal Palaces, the Barbican, Excel London, the May Fair hotel and the...

IMEX strategy is a winner as numbers rise.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... An increase in hosted buyers at last month's IMEX saw visitor numbers top 8,000 during the three-day meetings and events show at Messe Frankfurt. According to IMEX chairman Ray Bloom, the rise from last year's 7,600 recorded visitors was...

Arena signals its intent with Stage It deal.
May 3, 2007... Arena Structures has bought pounds 250,000 worth of staging and scaffolding from supplier Stage It. This amounts to almost 1,000sqm of stage-decking systems and includes steps, handrails and staircases. Arena Group managing director...

Trade body merger receives green light.(British Association of Exhibition Organisers)(Association of Exhibition Contractors)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Rival trade bodies the British Association of Exhibition Organisers (BECA) and the Association of Exhibition Contractors (AEC) moved a step closer to becoming a single body last month when members of both organisations voted in favour of a...

Ad:Tech scandal put to bed.(Ad:Tech London )
May 3, 2007... DMG World Media and the ABC have finally put their houses in order after being left reeling from the Ad:Tech scandal that had engulfed them and caused industry-wide condemnation. A review of DMG procedures for supplying attendance data and...

Expo delayed as Easy Fairs raises the bar.(London Venue Expo)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The new owner of London Venue Expo has decided to shelve plans for this year's show and postpone it until 2008. Easy Fairs purchased the trade show from Exposure Event Creations in December. It had initially planned for the show to go...

Forum brings Russian style to the capital.(Event Concept)(Eventica)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Production firm Event Concept transformed Old Billingsgate into a decadent Russian palace for a Moscow Motion networking party, attended by almost 1,500 guests on the eve of the annual Russian Economic Forum. Russian socialites were in...

Show session aims to boost experiential.(Exposure Event Creations )(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Exposure Event Creations will stage a networking and creative thinking session called Food for Thought on the first evening of next month's Exhibiting Show. Joe Pine, co-author of The Experience Economy - Work is Theatre and Every Business...

Ex-Cake man Wilson heads to Momentum.(Gary Wilson)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Gary Wilson, formerly head of international events at Cake, has joined integrated agency Momentum as head of its events and experiential team. Wilson, who has 16 years' agency experience, worked on the European launch of Nintendogs and the...

Confex audit paves way for venue show.(National Venue Show)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... CMP Information is gearing up for its first National Venue Show (NVS) since acquiring the NEC-based event last year by committing to a 40% increase in marketing investment around the show. The extra funds will try and tempt more agency and...

Sony brings its vision to life.
May 3, 2007... Imagination served as lead agency on Sony's recent Media Experience event in Rhodes, which showcased the brand's 'Sony United' positioning to 400 press and 200 staff. Sony Media Experience (SME) 2007 took place from 27-29 March at the...

Initiative will push events in the capital.(Events for London)(London Development Agency)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Visit London, the London Development Agency and the Mayor's Office have teamed up to launch Events for London, a dedicated department to help stage events in the capital. The initiative was announced on 25 April at international sports...

Coming home is good move for Book Fair.(London Book Fair)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The London Book Fair's move from Excel London to its original home at Earls Court from 16-18 April was a success, with early indications of a 2% rise in visitors. Last year's Excel event attracted 23,719 people. This year's show had a 4%...

Line Up set to create launch for Volvo cars.
May 3, 2007... Live event and video production company Line Up has won a five-way pitch to manage the global launch of two vehicles for Volvo to 6,500 dealers in Stockholm. Events will be staged over a nine-week period from June to August, with delegates...

HP on the road to showcase product range.
May 3, 2007... Hewlett Packard (HP) has appointed agency TBA to organise its pan-European roadshow from May to July. The roadshow will first visit the Monaco Grand Prix from 24-27 May. It will then travel to the UK, Cologne, Lisbon, Sardinia, Prague,...

Fruitstock rebrands in a pounds 1.5m makeover.(Innocent Village Fete)(Innocent Drinks )(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Innocent Drinks is rebranding its Fruitstock festival into a touring village fete as part of a pounds 1.5m experiential drive that was awarded to Sledge last month. The agency won the contract, which will run from June to August, in a...

Acts invited to garden show.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... BBC Haymarket Exhibitions has confirmed the line-up of artistes that will perform at its inaugural evening attraction during next month's Gardeners' World Live at the Birmingham NEC. Music & Gardens for a Summer Evening will debut as part...

New show will cover aspects of retirement.(Retirement Show by Pro Publications International)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The Retirement Show will launch from 13-14 July at Olympia, organised by Pro Publications International. The event will cover areas relating to retirement such as health, mobility, finance, property and hobbies. The Retirement Show director...

Graveney joins Visit London as its stock rises.
May 3, 2007... Visit London has appointed Becky Graveney as head of association sales as the city jumps two places to number 11 in the recently announced world ICCA rankings of preferred cities for associations to hold events. Graveney joins Visit London...

Games to start with Emirates Stadium event.
May 3, 2007... Arsenal's Emirates Stadium will host the opening ceremony of the 2007 London Corporate Games on 17 August. The Games, which are taking place from 17-19 August, include badminton, cricket, touch rugby, 10-pin bowling and basketball and will...

Orange camp enjoys impressive numbers.(Orange Partners Camp)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... UK event agency Acclaim welcomed more than 350 people to its second Orange Partners Camp, staged in Cape Canaveral, Florida last month. The organiser originally anticipated only 200 international attendees at the Radisson At The Port venue from...

Cobb sets up firm to help plan projects.(James Cobb, management company CA)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Former Sound Advice director James Cobb has set up a project management company called CA, which offers clients a central system so that event builds and supplier contracts can be managed more effectively. Cobb said: 'The system offers...

ACC Liverpool set for bumper debut year.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... ACC Liverpool, the new arena and convention centre scheduled to open on Merseyside in January 2008, has confirmed 83 events bookings for its inaugural year. The figure was announced at a topping-out ceremony on 25 April to mark the...

Concerto treats its clients.(Concerto Group )(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The Concerto Group took 38 agents and venues on a three-day trip to Marrakech last month as a reward for their business during the past 12 months. The third annual Clearwinners trip followed last year's excursion to Portofino (Event, May...

Industry dons its whites for Lord's charity.
May 3, 2007... An events industry cricket tournament to raise funds for the Lord's Taverners charity is seeking corporate sponsorship to help achieve its pounds 20,000 goal. The debut Sticky Wicket tournament will take place on 25 July in Regent's Park....

Live On air.
May 3, 2007... The British Airways London Eye capsules were transformed into radio station studios on 24 April as DJs from across the US presented London-themed shows for listeners back home. The event was part of a campaign by Visit London to inspire...

In brief: Crown Venue Catering wins contract.
May 3, 2007... Crown Venue Catering has been awarded a pounds 15m five-year contract to cater at Manchester Central, formerly G-Mex and Manchester International Convention Centre. Crown Group chief executive Charles Beer said: 'I am very excited that we are...

In brief: Site Services folded into TPA.
May 3, 2007... Site Services has been folded into portable roadways supplier TPA in a move that will see TPA offer signage, barriers, fencing and portable toilets. Both Site Services and TPA are owned by parent company VP. Site Services was formerly a...

In brief: SPS launches online shop.
May 3, 2007... Agency SPS has launched www.sps-expo.co.uk, an online shop for hiring its technical equipment. SPS managing director Robin Coles said: 'The site simplifies the process of hiring equipment for events such as exhibitions. Clients in this area...

In brief: Reeds Carpets to supply covering at air show.
May 3, 2007... Reeds Carpets will supply floor coverings at the International Paris Air Show from 18-24 June at Le Bourget airfield. Reeds commercial director Martin Cairns said: 'We will be working with about a dozen key clients, providing the floor...

In brief: Revelation produced award event.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Revelation produced William Reed Publishing's sixth World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards on 23 April. It is the second time Revelation has produced the event, which took place at the Science Museum. The reception was held in the Making the Modern...

In brief: RPM responsible for cheese environment.
May 3, 2007... RPM was responsible for an experiential environment for Grana Padano Italian Cheese, which exhibited for the second time at the International Food and Drink Exhibition from 18-21 March at Excel London. An F1 car simulator conveyed Grana...

In brief: Alton Towers creates dining experience.
May 3, 2007... Alton Towers has created a unique dining experience by seating 22 people 50 metres high on its Oblivion ride. Guests will be treated to a three-course dinner with a chef, waiter and entertainment. There is also a protective canopy that can be...

Out of the Blue sets up launch for hair brand.
May 3, 2007... Out of the Blue Communications organised a launch for Sunsilk hair products last month. The event was fronted by music group Girls Aloud and was held at nightclub 24 in London on 12 April. Alongside this activity, the agency has been...

Banks Sadler posts healthy 2006 figures.
May 3, 2007... London-based agency Banks Sadler's turnover for the year ending 31 October 2006 was pounds 23.5m, an increase of 35%, the company has announced. Chairman David Campbell said: 'In the year 2001/02 turnover stood at just less than pounds 10m...

Touchstone buys NIS to boost its portfolio.(Touchstone Exhibitions and Conferences)(National Incentive Show)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Touchstone Exhibitions and Conferences has bought the National Incentive Show (NIS) for an undisclosed sum from Reed Exhibitions. Touchstone managing director David Jones said: 'We wanted to expand our portfolio because in the past few...

Ocean acquires bridal events.
May 3, 2007... Ocean Media Group, formerly known as Inside Communications, has acquired the Sposatex and Modatex bridal trade exhibitions for an undisclosed sum. Sposatex takes place in Holland from 10-12 June while Modatex is based at Messe Essen in...

Hyperactive handed UEFA football work.
May 3, 2007... Vodafone has appointed agency Hyperactive to organise and execute its UEFA Champions League hospitality programme. Hyperactive will run events in the lead-up to the final on 23 May in Athens, including Vodafone's hospitality area in the...

Motorshow@ extends its UK presence.(Mobile Promotions )(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Mobile Promotions has confirmed four Motorshow@ events for shopping centres across the UK. Prince's Quay in Hull, The Trafford Centre in Manchester and Bluewater in Kent will debut the automotive event concept during June, October and...

Melville MD Clifford sets out on his own.
May 3, 2007... Leon Clifford, managing director of Melville Exhibition and Event Services, has parted company with the contractor to launch his own event-related firm. His sudden departure follows Melville's recent acquisition by US firm GES Worldwide...

Theatre celebrates 75 years.(Open Air Theatre Regent's Park)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The Open Air Theatre Regent's Park will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a commemorative gala performance on 12 July during its Open Air Theatre season, which begins this month. Details for the special one-off event are still being...

De Boer starts work on show space for RHS.(De Boer Structures, Royal Horticultural Society)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... The Royal Horticultural Society's 2007 Chelsea Flower Show, from 22-26 May, will feature an 11,000sqm centrepiece exhibition space. De Boer Structures has begun construction on the space for the Great Pavilion using two large Delta System...

Prime footfall.(Runner's World Personal Best Awards)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... MCM Productions organised the first Runner's World Personal Best Awards on 19 April at the Delfina gallery in London. The Awards were for running-related products, and MCM created an exhibition where each of the winners became art objects. For...

Sounding off: Stop the charlatans who secretly farm out work.
May 3, 2007... The practice of clandestine third-party referrals, brokering and marking up while claiming to be a one-stop shop should be exposed for the charlatan, purely profit-focused operation it is. Claims that production is done 'in-house' can mean...

Soho venue is bringing sex to corporates.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... A visitor attraction focusing on sex and relationships has opened in the heart of London's Soho and is available for corporate hire. Amora is located at the London Trocadero centre and comprises seven interactive zones that take visitors...

Firoka Group closes in on Ally Pally lease.
May 3, 2007... The latest step in the most drawn-out of venue ownership sagas saw Government watchdog the Charity Commission finally agree last month to the issuing of an Order that should now pave the way for Alexandra Palace to fall into the hands of the...

EMS roadshow targeting the auto industry.
May 3, 2007... Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) is managing the logistics of a 26-day roadshow targeting the European automotive industry with supplier technologies. The Dream Marketing European Automotive Roadshow, which launched at the end of March, is...

Analysis: The new auditors on the block.
May 3, 2007... The ABC is facing tough competition now that a second auditor has been granted AEO approval. Mike Fletcher reports. In the aftermath of the scandal that ripped through DMG's Ad:Tech show team and unsettled the industry's faith in ABC...

Live issue: Experiential environments - Interaction on the move.
May 3, 2007... Choosing the best places to sample a product means understanding the demographics of passing trade. Ben Lerwill examines the logistics of staging experiential events in four radically different public spaces. Railway Stations For the...

Campaign: THINK! road safety.
May 3, 2007... Agency Capitalize targeted the British Superbike Championship to get the Government's safety message across to enthusiasts, writes Claire Bond. The UK Government aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 40% by the year 2010. Key...

Showcase: T-Mobile Street Gigs.
May 3, 2007... Music concerts help the mobile phone network's street cred and appeal to young people online, writes Lorraine Francisco. Science conventions are rarely considered very 'rock 'n' roll' but it was at such an event that Andy and Igor from...

Profile: Pete Davis, Get Me Media.
May 3, 2007... Pete Davis realised when he worked for Nestle that there was a demand for a campaign and marketing ideas generator on the internet. The resulting website, Get Me Media, is proving a hit with event industry luminaries, as Claire Bond discovered....

London venues: A good time to clear the air.
May 3, 2007... With the UK-wide ban on smoking in public premises about to come into effect, Lorraine Francisco speaks to venues across the capital about the measures already in place and how the ban could affect business. From 6am on 1 July, cigarettes...

London venues: A fantastic result all round.(Wembley Stadium)
May 3, 2007... After a frustrating seven-year wait, the new Wembley Stadium is opening its gates to an enthusiastic public and a flourishing events industry. Lorraine Francisco takes a look at what the pounds 1bn venue has to offer. The Corinthian Room...

Audio-visual: Definition across a decade.
May 3, 2007... The cheaper, more advanced technology of the past 10 years is changing the nature of events, writes Peter Lloyd. Back in 1997 the price of a 42-inch plasma screen was over pounds 8,000 and a low resolution (Video Graphics Array standard)...

International venues: Foreign alliances in action.
May 3, 2007... Critics accuse the Government of failing to get behind the UK events industry. Stuart Derrick looks at the political support offered to venues overseas. The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence, and the events industry...

Scotland: Glorious news for Glasgow.(Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre)
May 3, 2007... A new report by KPMG reveals the SECC's economic impact on its home city and on Scotland as a whole. The results will spur on the tourism sector and bolster the venue's redevelopment, as Claire Bond reports. In today's competitive market...

Temporary structures: Our industry's built to last.
May 3, 2007... Lorraine Francisco asks five experts about how the temporary structures market has developed in a decade and discovers it has become a year-round activity employing more people than ever. TONY BONSOR, director of business development, GL...

Services Helpline.
May 3, 2007... Having trouble finding a product or service? Phone the helpline team on 020 8267 4407 or email mike.fletcher@haymarket.com. SHED SOME LIGHT Q: I am looking for a company that provides unique table ideas for an upcoming event. Can you...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at RPM.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Alex Webb (pictured) has been appointed to the newly created position of specialist events director at agency RPM. She will head up a team catering for one-off events and conferences. Other appointments include Mel Scott-Taylor as new business...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Royal Horticultural Society's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.(appointment of Mandy Almond)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Mandy Almond has been appointed show manager for the Royal Horticultural Society's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Almond was previously a selector at Marks & Spencer, responsible for the development of food and horticulture, for 19 years....

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Iris Experience.
May 3, 2007... Cameron Day has been appointed new business development director at agency Iris Experience. Day was previously new business director at RPM He said: 'Beyond looking for new wins, I'll be looking to do more for the unquestionably strong brands...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at White Light.(appointment of Jack Thompson)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Jack Thompson, White Light senior lighting designer, has been appointed technical director of theatre for the Manchester International Festival, which takes place from 28 June to 15 July. He will oversee the technical production element of the...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Cheerful Scout.
May 3, 2007... Paul Braybrooke has been appointed head of events at agency Cheerful Scout. He was previously director of events for international corporate communications, news production, webcasting and event management company World Television Group

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Event Marketing Solutions.
May 3, 2007... Justin Isles has been appointed account director at marketing roadshow specialist Event Marketing Solutions (EMS). Isles has more than 18 years' industry experience. He said: 'Having worked across a wide range of industry sectors, I feel...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Avolites.(appointment of Dave Parry)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Dave Parry has joined supplier Avolites as technical sales engineer. Parry has previously worked on high-profile installations at Fabric, Ministry of Sound and the Wag Club in Paris. He said: 'Having been a freelancer for many years, it was a...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Stagecraft Theatre Services.
May 3, 2007... Jamie Maisey has been appointed project manager at supplier Stagecraft Theatre Services (STS). 'I have worked with touring theatre companies for many years and am looking forward to applying my staging skills and experience to projects in...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Photosound.
May 3, 2007... Martin Green has joined agency Photosound as senior exhibit designer. Other appointments include David Crease (pictured) as exhibit designer and Hannah Radley as junior exhibit designer. Promotions include Chris Litchfield from senior exhibit...

Movers & Shakers: Appointment at Excel London.(appointment of Kevin Murphy)(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Kevin Murphy, Excel London deputy chief executive and managing director, has been appointed Association of Event Venues (AEV) chairman Nigel Nathan, EC&O Venues group commercial director, has stepped down from the role. Murphy was previously...

Diary: Trade secrets.
May 3, 2007... The juiciest gossip from the events and exhibitions industry that some people would rather you didn't know... 1. Which show organiser has banned all entertainment acts from his show floor whilst his competitor expos try to be more...

Diary: Vital statistics.(Brief article)
May 3, 2007... Grinning and baring it in only a cowboy hat shows just how dedicated Hannah Pike is to her job. The show manager of DMG's The Vitality Show, which took place from 29 March to 1 April at Earls Court, bared (nearly) all for a Sunday Express...

Diary: Poker phase.
May 3, 2007... Texas Hold 'em poker's popularity is sweeping the world - and it's a trend that hasn't passed the events industry by. Exposure managing director Simon Burton organised its third poker tournament, sponsored by the Arena Group, on 30 March at...

Diary: Loos talk.
May 3, 2007... Any woman who's been stuck mid-shop in Oxford Street looking for a decent toilet will know that finding one is near-impossible unless you sprint to Selfridges and endure a lengthy queue. Enter WC1, London's first luxury ladies' loo and powder...

Diary: Women's liberties.
May 3, 2007... Do you want to know the easiest way to attract a massive crowd of excitable ladies? Do as Canary Wharf did for its third Girls' Night Out event on 29 March and offer freebies, champagne and shopping discounts. Our very own Lorraine...

Diary: Sith happens.
May 3, 2007... If seeing the Dark Lord at the airport before you board a plane isn't a bad enough omen, how about adding in a legion of stormtroopers too? This was the scene at London City Airport on 29 March, when Darth Vader and his entourage arrived to...

Diary: Gee-gee whizz.
May 3, 2007... What will people think when they find a time capsule with a lock of horse hair and horse racing memorabilia? Will they drop it in horror as they discover a photo of John McCririck? The capsule was buried at Doncaster Racecourse by Channel Four...