Review PME 2009

The fourth annual Promotional Marketing Exhibition took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Central London, 24th to 26th March 2009.

Simon Tilley, Managing Director of The Promotional Marketing Exhibition commented, "The exhibition generated a high level of quality attendees amongst the total 1469 visitors as well as a broad and impressive range of exhibitors from the UK and across Europe. Overall, many would agree that it has been an excellent show, for visitors and exhibitors alike, with many leads generated and orders taken on the stands.

Mike Monk, Managing Director from Monk Marketing was one of the first exhibitors to secure a contract with a visitor on stand. He commented, "You just do not take orders at trade shows – but we have! A brand new client came on to the stand; spoke to us; picked up one of our catalogues and came back two and a half hours later and placed an order. We have had some excellent leads – at least 80 per cent are of exceptional quality."Several UK exhibitors used the exhibition as a launch pad for new products and services including Adeye Mobile Limited, which launched its new mobile marketing platform BIIPBACK; Aurora World offered a new range of colourful Lolliez Animals; Clarion Golf Management & Marketing Ltd, which showcased its brand new range of top quality lambswool garments and Newell Rubbermaid who offered several new ranges and colours of pens.

On the technology side, ibizcard launched two new products including a printable MP3 player and a printable Flash Memory Card while The Licensing Agency launched its latest service - TheFirstClub.com, a dedicated entertainment site offering free music, PC games and mobile content downloads.

Promotional-merchandise.org.uk was also part of this important industry event with a stand in the centre of the show.

Paul Sung, Sales Director, promotional-merchandise.org.uk, said, "We found the show to be an excellent experience and had quality enquiries on our stand. In the current climate we were not sure how it would go, but overall it has been an enjoyable few days and we are looking forward to being here again next year."

Many European companies also chose The Promotional Marketing Exhibition as a launch pad into the UK market.

First time exhibitor DIXIX International, a new company from the Netherlands, had only focussed to date on the airport and duty-free shops. They came to target the UK promotions market with a new range of travel products including the world's smallest phone charger.

Maurice Lammers, Head of Sales at DIXIX International commented, "PME is a good exhibition to establish new contacts, generate new leads and to get noticed by UK promotion buyers. PME is the second exhibition we have exhibited at and we can proudly say that we have met a lot of decision makers and established many leads that will help to make our introduction into this market very successful."

The busy seminar programme featured high profile speakers and leaders from the industry and proved to be very popular. Visitors benefited from speaking to experts and being given advice, tips and thoughts on the best way to conduct business in the current economic climate.

Representing the leading industry associations were Philip Circus, Director of Legal Affairs of the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP) and Gordon Glenister, Director-General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) who both supplied authoritative presentations offering invaluable advice to delegates.

Feedback from visitors was very positive;
Kelly Brush, Promotions Manager, Scottish and Southern Energy said: "We have visited the exhibition over the last few years and always come with an open mind in search of inspiration. We have already spoken to some fantastic exhibitors."

Jennifer Stocks, Marketing Co-ordinator, Lancashire County Council, explained, "Like many others we have come here looking for ideas. We are especially interested in sourcing gifts for children and items that promote sustainable travel. There is such a diverse range of exhibitors that I'm sure we will find what we are looking for. We have spoken to a local company from Blackburn that we didn't even know existed which is excellent, as we like to support local businesses when we can."

The fifth annual Promotional Marketing Exhibition, a two day event will be taking place from 21 – 22 April 2010 at The Royal Horticultural Halls.

Promotional Marketing Exhibition

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