The Executive Hire Show event team recently held its annual exhibitor ‘Kick off’ meeting which took place at the Shows’ established home at the Ricoh Arena Coventry – in the heart of the Midlands. Hosted by Show Director, Craig Donovan, the event was well attended by many of the EHS’s exhibitors both old and new.
Craig Donovan announced that the Show (7th & 8th February 2018, Ricoh Arena Coventry) was well ahead of schedule in terms of sales than at this point in previous years with an impressive 156 exhibitors already signed up for the 2018 Show within the Main Hall & Atrium. Mr Donovan said, “We now have only six stands left in the Atrium and we expect these to be sold within the next couple of weeks.”
At the 2017 Executive Hire Show a new area was launched – the ‘Hire Show Hall’ – over 93% of all visitors to the event went into this new area and the feedback from visitors was how well connected it was to the Main Hall.” Mr Donovan said, “With such positive feedback we had no hesitation in including this area for the 2018 Show and we are now taking bookings. We have renamed the area Hall 2.”
The show is already 93% sold out – with just over four months to go until the show opens
Mr Donovan added, “To date, we already have 13 stands sold in Hall 2, so added to the rest of the Show’s confirmed bookings we now have 169 exhibitors already signed up for the 2018 Show – which means we are 93% sold out across all exhibition areas, smashing any previous held record in the history of the Show. So, as you can see the stand sales at the Show are going from strength to strength.”
Mobilising visitors to the show
The task of mobilising and exciting hirers to leave their depots and travel hundreds of miles to Coventry has always been a challenge, however, this is something that the EHS team have been passionate about since the Show’s conception.
The EHS team has already begun its 2018 National Visitor Campaign, working for the fifth year in partnership with Hire Supply Co, utilising the expertise of Steve McKenzie, who will be travelling the country visiting Hire Depots to mobilise and excite hirers to attend the 12th annual event. EHS will also be working with Altrad Belle for the 3rd year running. The Altrad Belle team will also be visiting hire depots country wide to drum up visitor support for the show.
Mr Donovan said, “For the 2017 event the teams travelled over 26,000 miles in their efforts to attract relevant hire visitors to the Show. This incredible mileage led us to visit over 700 hire depots throughout the UK & Ireland.
The teams will start their visits within the next couple of days! Daniel Pinder and the Belle team will be covering London & South East, the South West and North-East areas. Steve McKenzie from The Hire Supply Company shall be covering the Midlands, North West and Northern & Southern Ireland.”
Introducing the Innovation Trail Live!
Back by popular demand is the Innovation Trail, first launched in 2013, as innovation continues to be an integral part of the Show. Al-Ko, a manufacturer of chassis systems has already confirmed that the company will be sponsoring the trail once again.
The innovation trail concept is simple, ahead of the Show, all exhibitors are given the opportunity to submit details of a new, innovative product that they will be showcasing at the Show, where ten would be selected by a third-party judging panel including independent hirers, and the EHS will highlight these products with a floor tile outside their stands so visitors can actively follow on their visit.
For the 2018 event the EHS team will introduce ‘The Innovation Trail – Live!’ where selected Innovation Trail products which Judges consider to be particularly outstanding will be exhibited on a specially branded stage area in Hall 2.
Executive Hire Show’s Alan Guthrie explained the concept, he said, “Each chosen ‘Innovation Trail – Live!’ suppliers will be given a dedicated 10-minute slot to present and explain their product, and talk to the audience through the products innovative qualities. These individual sessions will take place on the hour from 11am to 3pm during the two days of the Show.
Paul Hutton, a radio, podcast and YouTube channel presenter, has agreed to host “Innovation Trail – Live!” He’ll interview each company’s representative live on the stage.”
Mr Guthrie concluded, “We have decided not to announce an Innovation Trail Winner for 2018, since the products are so varied and often aimed at different hire markets. However, we will ask our special guest Paul Hutton to present each “Innovation Trail –Live!” candidate with a commemorative trophy to mark their achievement.”
Regional Road Shows set to continue
As part of the Show’s visitor campaign the EHS Regional Road Shows initiative, which began over three years ago, will continue. The Road Shows are designed as a ‘taster events’ leading up the main show. The EHS will be hosting three Road Shows between now and Christmas, covering the London & SE area, the North West and the West & Wales areas – more details can be found on the EHS website. Mr Donovan said, “This Road Show initiative together with the personal visits ensure we continue to drive quality hirers to attend the Show in February.”
New look Website
The user hits on the EHS website have increased exponentially over the past few years and now over 50% access it through tablets or smart phones. Over the summer period the EHS have now successfully completely redesigned the whole Show website to make it more compatible with smart phone and tablet browsing.
The new look 2018 EHS website is where visitors and exhibitors will find the latest news about the Show which will be updated on a regular basis between now and the February event.
Visit www.executivehireshow.co.uk. Put the 7th and 8th February 2018 in your diary – it’s one Show in the 2018 exhibition calendar a hirer can’t afford to miss!
