Last updated: 27th August 2008 11:32 AM
Preview – The National Incentive Show 2008
Scene from NIS 2007
The next major event in the promotions and incentives calendar is the National Incentive Show, which will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 16 – 18 September.
Touchstone, organisers of the Show, have added a number of new and exciting features to the 2008 event and have again developed a high-level seminar programme for industry inspiration.
Voucher Association Pavilion
Exhibitors offering vouchers have been a little thin on the ground at NIS for the past few years, but the launch of the Voucher Association Pavilion for the 2008 event seems to have enticed them to make the journey north of the Watford Gap. The VA Pavilion will feature some of the UK’s leading brands including B&Q, Comet, Debenhams, John Lewis and Woolworths.
www.the-va.co.uk
Bernard Grant of Debenhams (stand number V7) says, “This is the first time we have taken space at NIS and are hoping it will provide a completely new arena of corporate business. The reputation of the show amongst the Voucher Association members and Touchstone’s initiatives combine to give confidence in the results.”
www.debenhams.com
Networking Lounge & Bar
Networking at NIS
This year’s show will offer visitors the chance to network with industry peers (pic shows your editor in b/w jacket networking at last years show) and make contacts from other related industries. The Main Bar will host a happy hour drinks reception on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 evening for the perfect excuse to enjoy a drink with fellow visitors and exhibitors.
Exhibitors – the important element
This year’s show welcomes many new companies as exhibitors, including ASDA Business Rewards, Brand Addition, Debenhams, Grass Roots, Samsung, SONY, Tomato Source and BPMA’s Entrepreneur of the Industry 2007 winner, Clippykit.
The show also welcomes back last year’s exhibitors including: AT Cross, Abstract Bottle Company, Bedlam Puzzles, BPMA, Carta Mundi, Coles Pen Company, Crazy Horses, CRE8: Multimedia, Eco Incentives, Filmology, Groovy Chocolate, Hamptons (Stow), House of Sarunds, John Lewis, Just What You Want, Madison Commercial, Monk Marketing, Ocean Pearl UK, P&MM Travel & Leisure Solutions, Partridge Peartree Promotions, Roantree Incentive Marketing, Sweet Temptations, Sweet Thoughts, The Coaster Company, VCG The PromoRisk People and Wallace Cameron Group.
There will also be a Seminar Programme at NIS (details later in this piece), but I believe the most important element of an exhibition is … the exhibitors, so let’s look at what a selection of them are putting on show to entice you to visit.
Clippykit (stand number F11)
Clippykit offers a range of bags that can be customised to promote any brand. Pockets in the bags also make the range ideal for small samples and gifts. The company has supplied companies such as L’Oreal and Avon, and also rather unexpectedly, Aga who filled the pockets with recipes and cinnamon sticks.
Calypso Rose, MD of Clippykit, told Promo e-News, “I love to see how different companies use the products to such effect. Their customers love them too, and are often seen carrying them around long after the actual event – I was very proud to see the author Jacqueline Wilson on the ‘South Bank Show’ clutching her book prize bag. I am hugely looking forward to the National Incentive Show, and meeting up with new clients to see what ideas they will bring to our products.”
www.clippykitlondon.co.uk
Groovy Chocolate (stand number H21) will display a new range of fair-trade advent calendars and organic Christmas items and other sustainable and organic products. Plus new MP3 Mint tins.
www.groovychocolate.com
ID&C (stand number G31)
ID&C will be previewing new products including fridge magnets, thundersticks, luggage tags and wristbands. (Ed - I don't know what thundersticks are, so you can be sure I'll be visiting that stand to find out!)
www.idcband.co.uk
House of Sarunds (stand number C21)
House of Sarunds has established itself as one of the key players in the luxury chocolate sector and offers a range of English and continental chocolate. The company is the exclusive distributor of a number of high-quality brands including Kimberley’s English handmade chocolates and truffles and Van Coillie handmade Belgian chocolates.
On show at NIS will be a wide range of chocolate gifts, including bars and boxes that are all available for personalisation to create that extra special impression.
Chocolate Potting Kit
Personally, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this House of Sarunds’ milk chocolate potting kit (but not for long in case it melts). The kit comes complete with trowel, plant pot and two rose buds made from quality Belgian milk chocolate by Gwynedd Confectioners. The 22.5cm by 16.5cm kit can be tailored with messages and logos, as well as personalised ribbon and stickers, to create a truly memorable promotional gift.
For a more everyday gift, House of Sarunds now offers 85g Gwynedd Personalised Chocolate Bars.
The packaging of the Gwynedd Confectioners’ solid milk chocolate bar can be personalised specifically for any occasion.
Also on display will be further products from House of Sarunds’ extensive range of loose and pre-packed chocolates, fudge, liquorice, marzipan, marshmallow and nougat.
www.sarunds.co.uk
P&MM (stand number C11)
P&MM Sales Promotion will be revealing an attractive incentive that can be redeemed by all those pre-registering for the National Incentive Show. The company’s stand will feature its travel and leisure division and will be showcasing its extensive range of products which includes Escape VIP travel rewards, free hotel accommodation vouchers, free wine vouchers and free flight passes.
www.p-mm.co.uk
Sony (stand number B11)
As a ‘first time’ exhibitor at the National Incentive Show, SONY will focus on the answer to the question
‘What can SONY do to help your business?’
SONY Stand
The corporation’s exhibit will encompass three elements:
SONY United Kingdom Ltd - focusing on high quality audio visual products for use in the home or office, showcasing brands such as Bravia, Cybershot, Walkman and Vaio,
SONY – highlighting how SONY’s music products can be used in promotions,
and the SONY Playstation – which needs no introduction or explanation.
In short, SONY will showcase a range of incentive and reward products to suit all budgets, from entry level to top end.
There will also be two competitions for visitors to take part in. The first is open to any visitor and features two SONY Playstation pods, a racing game … and lots of fun. The 1st prize (for fastest lap during the show) is a Playstation 3, the 2nd prize being 100 Sony music CDs.
The second competition invites visitors to fill in their details on a flyer to enter a prize draw with the chance to win one of three brand new (launched early September) SONY Reader E Books, allowing you to store up to 100 books under one cover.
www.sony.co.uk
Special EFX (stand number J30) will be exhibiting modern works of art at NIS. Special EFX is known for creating innovative awards and promotional products. At NIS the company will be showing items reflecting iconic, offbeat images created by the American pop artist Andy Warhol, which decorate a new collection of hi-style limited edition personal accessories from Special EFX.
Andy Warhol keyring
Timed to coincide with a resurgence of interest in the artist's work, the collection includes keyrings, pocket mirrors and business card cases, each numbered and gift boxed in editions of 3000 pieces.
Already renowned for the diversity and creativity of its sculptural awards, Special EFX now adds even more variation to its portfolio with the launch of Conceptual Art, a contemporary collection of freeform resin and steel awards embodying a rich mix of emotive and commercial concepts.
www.awardefx.co.uk
Tomato Source (stand number D11)
Tomato Source Ltd is a sourcing company with a difference as well as amazing products, the company is able to offer in-depth knowledge of manufacturing, importing, insurance, duties, testing and freight forwarding.
Directors Emma Beeson and Sophie Howes will be making this wealth of experience available to visitors in a series of Sourcing Surgeries on the company’s stand at NIS. Emma Beeson says, “Bring us your campaign brief and we’ll give you professional, creative advice in a one-to-one situation and suggest innovative products that will complement with the brand’s identity and deliver the campaign’s objectives. Also bring us your sourcing, testing, transporting or other related problems – crisis management is another of our areas of expertise.”
Sourcing Surgeries will be held on their stand 11am – 12noon and 3pm – 4pm, or visitors can book a time slot to suit their schedule by calling 0117 370 0333 or e-mailing emma@tomato-source.co.uk
As well as advice and inspiration, the team at Tomato Source will also be handing out a Slinky to the first 500 delegates to visit the stand. The Slinky is an iconic 1970’s stair-walking novelty item and once you pick it up – you just can’t put it down!
www.tomato-source.co.uk
Seminar
The two seminar theatres will cover topical issues offering visitors practical solutions to their needs from leading industry speakers. Here’s an insight into just a few of the topics covered.
21 Great Ideas to Promote Your Business
Director General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association, Gordon Glenister, will be sharing some great ideas to promote your organisation. He will be profiling some of the newest and most exciting products on the market. Gordon has worked extensively in the promotional merchandise industry running his own agency for many years.
Ethical Sourcing from the Far East – Myth or Reality?
Far East manufacturing and Ethical Sourcing have never been the most comfortable of bedfellows, but there is no getting away from the fact that the region is supplying an increasingly large proportion of products into the UK promotions sector. Quality control, ethical sourcing, manufacturing quality and environmental and working practices are issues that in the past have been called into question where Far East manufacturing has been concerned. But have we sacrificed integrity in terms of cost saving and does the region deserve the reputation it has in certain quarters? Matt Franks of promotions specialists Eco Incentives and Fluid Branding analyses the massive role the Far East plays in the promotions industry.
The Web and its Impact on Brands and Marketers
This high level key note by Dan Cobley, Google’s Marketing Director UK, Ireland & Benelux, will give a unique insight into how the web is having an astounding impact on how people interact and communicate with brands and what this means for marketers.
Recognition – What can it Achieve for my Organisation
Julian Bazley of Maritz presents the business case for values-based recognition. When looking to improve overall business performance, don’t restrict your focus to the sales department. Recognition of employees across the whole organisation can have a powerful impact on morale, employee engagement and productivity.
In conclusion, Simon Mayle, Marketing Manager of the National Incentive Show said: “Research within the industry has resulted in us creating a programme that is highly topical and relevant to everyone involved in incentives, motivation and promotional marketing. Visitors want to come to the exhibition and take away ideas that they can implement back in the office the next day – this programme won’t disappoint.”
Co-located shows
For the first time the National Incentive Show will be co-located with Print for Business Exhibition, the UK’s only show dedicated to the trade providers of print related products and services. The show will again take place alongside
Event UK (previously National Venue Show), Call Centre Expo, Customer Expo and Leisure Industry Week.
Opening Times
Tuesday 16 September 10.00 - 17.00
Wednesday 17 September 10.00 - 17.00
Thursday 18 September 10.00 - 16.00
Entry
Both the seminar and show are free to attend and visitors can pre-register online at www.nationalincentiveshow.co.uk. Visitors who pre-register for the show will automatically be entered for the chance to win a Sony Cybershot camera and digital printer.
For those not familiar with the NEC, it’s very easy to access:
By Road
Birmingham is at the hub of the UK motorway network, enabling visitors to travel directly from the M42, M5, M6, M1 and M40. The NEC has over 22,000 car parking spaces specifically for people visiting, organising or exhibiting at The NEC.
By Rail
The NEC has its own station, Birmingham International Airport, which is linked directly to The NEC by a covered walkway. London is only 90 minutes away and trains also run direct to many regional towns and cities.
By Air
More than 20 international airlines serve Birmingham International Airport, which is conveniently situated a few minutes from The NEC.
Finally, both Paul Sung, Sales Director, and myself will be at the show and we’re looking forward to catching up with the industry’s movers and shakers on the stands, in the cafés … and at the parties!
Carole Bull
Editor