Promotional Marketing Exhibition Preview
It's that time of year again; some call it Spring, but in the promotional marketing industry, we call it showtime! Or to be more correct, exhibition time. Now in its third year and firmly established in the marketing community's calendar, the Promotional Marketing Exhibition will be taking place again at Olympia from 15 – 17 April.
"'What's in it for me?'" you may ask. This industry, like many others, displays its wares very successfully on this site and on the Internet generally, so why visit an exhibition too?
FACE-TO-FACE DISCUSSIONS WITH EXPERT SUPPLIERS
Visiting the Promotional Marketing Exhibition gives you the opportunity to see, touch and feel the latest promotional products. As the UK's largest event in the promotional marketing sector, the exhibition brings together 200 specialist suppliers of promotional products, plus incentive and motivational solutions. Visiting the show affords you the opportunity to discuss your future promotional and motivational requirements, face-to-face, with the industry's leading suppliers. At the same time, you can gain valuable inside-information from companies who possess a wealth of experience in designing, manufacturing/creating, sourcing and delivering products and services for this fast-moving market.
These experts include established exhibitors such as:
Debenhams, Russ Berrie, Prodir, Filofax, Marks and Spencer, Keepme, Procurement International, Oldeani, Podium Rewards, p&mm, Sony, Wing Lee Sourcing and Parker
Plus new exhibitors including:
One4All Gift Vouchers, Tomato Source, John Lewis, Bosch Power Tools, Promo2U, Purple Turtle and ASDA Business Gifts
EXPERT ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY GURUS …..
As someone who subscribes to Promo e-News, or visits our e-News pages, you obviously appreciate the importance of being in the forefront of industry knowledge so don't miss The Industry Forum where industry gurus, brand managers, promoters, suppliers and you, the visitor, can debate topics of the day. Panellists include executives from major brands such as EDF Energy, Coors and Spar UK and experts from Lawmark Marketing Services, major testing house, SGS and The Advertising Association. Click here for the Forum timetable. There's no need to book, but I'd suggest you arrive a few minutes early to make sure you get a good seat.
….. AND IMPORTANT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
Once again the industry's important organisations, The BPMA (British Promotional Merchandise Association), ISP (Institute of Sales Promotion) and The Va (Voucher Assocation) have endorsed the Promotional Marketing Exhibition and representatives will be present at the show to offer advice and information. The BPMA and ISP have their own stands at the show, but all three associations will also have a presence on the Marketing Association Alliance stand (219) where this year, for the first time, there will also be representatives of associations from the wider-marketing community, namely the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI), and the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA).
So you've got an overview of the exhibition, now let's take a close look at some of the exhibitors:
BIG BRAND NAMES
Returning to the exhibition for the 2nd year, Sony will be displaying a selection of products ranging from digital still cameras, to audio/visual equipment and camcorders, many of which will only just have been released onto the retail market. Sony will also been featuring Blu-ray High Definition Technology.
For the first time Sony's sister company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment will also be exhibiting, highlighting how music can be a very lucrative/successful tool within the promotions sector. Sony BMG will be running a competition to win your height in CD's. To enter this free competition, simply visit the Sony stand 711. www.sony.co.uk
Newell Corporate Gifts & Promotional Products will be showcasing all its famous brands: Parker®, Waterman®, Papermate®, Sharpie®, Berol®, CardScan®, Dymo®.
At this year's Promotional Marketing Exhibition, they are launching the new Parker Espirit, the new Parker Urban, the new Parker Slinger, the new Waterman Expert Shiny Black and the new Sharpie Mini. In addition to these, they have also enhanced their exclusive 2inFive Paper Mate service.
Visit Newell on stand 719 and claim your FREE sample. You could also be in with a chance to WIN a Parker® Duofold Fountain Pen & Ball Pen set worth £433.00.
www.newellcocgpp.com
John Lewis Solutions for Business (stand 906) is launching its new spring/summer brochure at the show. The company offers a complete portfolio of gifting solutions for the B2B marketplace including multi-channel gift vouchers, readymade and bespoke seasonal hampers, a choice of over 1,200 wines, spirits and champagnes from the Waitrose Wine Direct range, an extensive gifts range and an extensive range of flowers and plants. Plus they will be giving away a hamper at the end of the show. www.johnlewis.com/solutionsforbusiness
GOING GREEN
It will be a case of 'recycling meets technology' when the eco-friendly business promotions company, Eco Incentives unveils its latest 'green range' of hi-tech gadgets on stand 322.
The range includes the USB memory pen, USB flashdrive – incorporating recycled plastic in its design, wireless optical mouse – benefiting from a casing made from recycled plastic
and a solar powered charger.
Other products from Eco Incentives which will be on display include environmentally-friendly bags from jute bags to non-woven alternatives being made of recycled polypropylene, and trees and plants which make the ultimate 'green' statement to any promotional campaign. www.ecoincentives.com
Pace Network will also be showing its green credentials at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition. The company, a global transport provider with a specialisation in the field of sales promotion, has announced some compelling reasons for using its services, especially in campaigns for brands whose CSR policy has that 'green element'.
All vehicles in Pace Network's extensive fleet are either
Euro III or have Reduced Pollution Certificates, as a result of the company's extremely efficient maintenance programme. This means that whether your campaign utilises one of Pace's Sprinter vans, a 7.5 tonne or a 26 tonne vehicle, its emissions will be well below the levels set for transport in London ensuring that Pace Network's fleet will not incur any additional charges when delivering within the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) in the capital. This is just as well, as Pace Network is the official freight provider for the Promotional Marketing Exhibition, and will be delivering and collecting product samples, brochures, POS and other stand components to London's Olympia for the event.
Looking to the future, Pace will shortly be taking delivery of three new vehicles, which comply to Euro V standard, not just the Euro IV currently required.
As well as providing freight services to the Promotional Marketing Exhibition, Olympia 15 – 17 April, Pace Network will also have a stand at the event (no. 410) where Pace Network will be able to advise you on the complete range of its services.
On a lighter, or should I say 'sweeter' note, Pace will have a carton of chocolates on the stand for people to size up and guess how many of these cartons will fit into a 40ft container. The winner will receive a tasty prize. In the event of a tie the winning entries will be put into a draw - the runners-up will receive a sweetener as well.
Staying with the green theme, new exhibitor, Tomato Source will be showcasing its BioPoncho™ (previously featured in Promo e-news) and GreenSeat™. The company also supplies unusual and everyday promotional products and will be giving away a Slinky® to the first 500 visitors to stand no. 728.
The Slinky® is the original walking spring – an iconic product that has been with us for over 60 years, which is currently enjoying a revival.
MORE GIVE-AWAYS, PRIZE DRAWS AND SCRATCH CARDS
Corporate Gifts Co. (stand 811) a leading specialist in engraved corporate gifts, corporate jewellery and branded computer peripherals, is showcasing the latest additions to its leather and silverware collections.
Visit the stand to receive a personalised, chrome plated business card holder.
New products being highlighted on the stand include the stylish, contemporary Brescia soft leather briefcase/laptop bags, available in a range of colours including powder pink and baby blue, providing a refreshing change from the traditional black so often seen in the corporate sector. The bags can be embossed with a corporate logo and are presented in a luxurious gift box to create that extra special impression. www.corporate-gifts-co.com
Once you've collected a few samples from the show, you'll be glad of your non-woven eco PP bag – which will be distributed to all visitors on entry to the show.
The bags, supplied by Keepme Bags, are lightweight, but strong, 100% recyclable and 100% reusable.
Keepme Bags will also be exhibiting at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition. They will be located on stand number 715, where they will be happy to answer all your enquiries. www.keepmebags.com
You'll find all sorts of useful information inside your Keepme bag, including a show catalogue and an intriguing envelope. Established promotional product supplier Print Run (stand 300) is placing its catalogue (packed with promotional product that can be branded) into a silver envelope into every visitor bag to be given away at the show. Each day there will be one GOLDEN envelope and the lucky winner will be entitled to claim a night for two people at an Hotel du Vin of their choice.
A prize draw each day on the stand of Procurement International (stand 615) will mean a prize of either an mp3 player, games console or digital camera for the lucky winner each day. Procurement supplies aspirational brands for promotional and motivation programmes and is now the largest dedicated supplier of product and fulfilment for the promotions and reward sector outside of North America.
Fotorama is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year and will be showcasing its fixed fee promotion services at the exhibition. The company will be offering every visitor an exciting opportunity to win £100,000 as part of a scratch card promotion at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition, Olympia, London, 15-17 April 2008. Pick up a scratch card from the Fotorama stand number 520. www.fotorama.co.uk
The exhibition organisers are also offering a personal incentive to visitors who pre-register for, and attend, the show. They will receive a validated voucher for 2 return flights to one of 6 European cities when they visit the show. So if you haven't done so already, pre-register now and make sure you also receive your badge, giving you fast track entry to this exciting event.
Of course, the team from promotional-merchandise.org.uk will be at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition on stand 328 and Paul Sung and the team look forward to meeting you there.
Carole Bull
Editor
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