The Promotional Marketing Exhibition 2009 – Preview

24 – 26 March,
Royal Horticultural Halls, London

Opening times
Tuesday 24th March 10am – 5.30pm
Wednesday 25th March 10am – 5.30pm
Thursday 26th March 10am – 4pm

With hundreds of innovative product ideas, a host of new suppliers from all over Europe and fascinating seminars on the industry’s key issues, the 2009 Promotional Marketing Exhibition at Central London’s Royal Horticultural Halls from 24 to 26 March will bring together a wealth of suppliers and resources under one roof.

The Promotional Marketing Exhibition 2009 is the leading London event dedicated to the promotions, incentives and motivation industry. It is an essential event for anyone looking to attract and retain customers, drive sales and reward employees and has a proven track record for being the place where business gets done.

Over the course of the three days thousands of visitors will descend on the Halls including sales and marketing professionals, human resource personnel, event managers and direct marketing managers from areas such as large multinational corporate suppliers, retailers, television corporations, pharmaceutical companies and the public sector, to name but a few.

Building on the continued success of previous years, which has seen a growing number of quality visitors attend, ABC audited figures for the 2008 exhibition confirmed that 55% of visitors attending had direct purchasing authority and 38% had a direct influence in purchasing. A high proportion of visitors (59 %) cited the need to source new promotions and motivation/incentive ideas as their reason for attending the show.

Visitors looking to source the latest promotional items, products and services will find them all under one roof at the exhibition. The event will be showcasing everything from business gift cards, loyalty schemes, technology programmes, online vouchers, sms texting, hampers, drinks, computers, business solutions, insurance and risk management, incentive schemes, promotional clothing and products, premium gifts and merchandise.

Previous exhibitors who promptly rebooked their stands for the 2009 exhibition after the success of 2008 include Marks & Spencer, Oldeani, Prodir and Newell Rubbermaid which owns Parker, Papermate and Waterman pens.

Neal George, Manager of Corporate Gift Vouchers at Marks & Spencer, commented, “We have gained many enquiries as a result of exhibiting at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition, so to book again for 2009 was an easy decision.”

Malcolm Fritschy, Managing Director at Oldeani Ltd further added, “With 21 years of experience in the promotions industry, I have always supported the industry’s exhibitions. Oldeani has taken part in The Promotional Marketing Exhibition since the beginning and we always succeed in making good contacts that lead to orders following the show and these customers, having met us face-to-face, tend to stay with us.”

Many European companies have also handpicked The Promotional Marketing Exhibition to launch their products or services. The companies include Katshu (French), Pim Tekstil (Turkish), Könitz, (German), NICI Gmbh (German), Lamiacravatta (Italian), Dixix (Dutch) and Sachsen Fahnen (German).

Other leading suppliers that will be exhibiting include Amusemints Europe, Aurora World, Bemrose Booth, Copytrax, Crazy Bags Ltd, Cre:8, Dartington Crystal, Denny Brothers, Eco Incentives, Glencairn Crystal, Hardens Ltd, Hexim SA, Ibizcard, ID & C Ltd, If Solutions, Ink Promotions, Instant Awnings, Just A Drop, Laplock, The Licensing Agency, Logax, Metabend, Metro Soft Toys, Mosaic, MRS Web, NICI GmbH, Pepagon, Potters, Procurement, Russ Berrie, See Tickets, The Silkscreen & Tampo Co Ltd, Sourcing Planet, Storm Graphics, Suttons, T King Associates Ltd, The Big Black Book, Tomato Source, Typhoon Housewares, VCG and Wentworth.

Joseph Wales, sales and marketing director for first time exhibitor ibizcard, commented, “This is ibizcard’s first major exhibition, and we chose the Promotional Marketing Exhibition for its great reputation. It is a challenging time for everyone at the moment, however our product is designed to help business save money and we feel that launching our Interactive Business Card at the exhibition is the best way to target our potential clients and get this message across. We are looking forward to the whole experience.”

Top Attractions
· The Licensing Agency (TLA) will be presenting its new online service, TheFirstClub.com, a dedicated entertainment download platform where end-users can access free music, PC games, mobile content - and soon movies.

· I Want One Of Those is to give visitors to this year’s Promotional Marketing Exhibition a veritable feast, as it showcases its range of gadgets and gizmos that are available to the world of corporate incentives.

IWOOT, as it has become known, offers an extensive range of ‘Stuff you don’t need, but you really, really want’ and has seen a rapidly growing demand for its products for incentives and rewards arena, as well as in their well established place in the consumer market.

· DIXIX will be presenting ultimate premiums or gifts ideal for use when travelling abroad, at home or on the road including the world’s smallest phone charger.

· Identilam will be offering its latest selection of new products including its HoodiBag and Ponchobag as well as a USB memory stick that is integrated into a detachable buckle and phone pouches.

· Sweet Temptations will be launching its new Photo Lolly, where any photographic image can be replicated onto a lolly.

· BabyTree’s extensive range of miniature trees for life as well as its Petite Rose selection.

· PimTekstil will be offering a wide selection of sports wear from cycling, football and rugby shirts. Customers can choose individual designs, colours, texts or logos.

· Procurement International Ltd will be launching its new web-based services platform.

· Könitz Porzellan GmbH are innovative mug makers that can customise ideas and concepts onto porcelain or ceramics offering expertise of high-quality, durable, scratch-proof and innovative prints.

· Print Asia Ltd is the service solution expert that recently sourced 30,000 pink sequin fairy wands for a car manufacturer and 40,000 foil printed Christmas Crackers for a restaurant chain, complete with bespoke jokes and branded hats.

· MRS Web Solutions has created an innovative e-mailer system that allows businesses to send out targeted campaigns to customers and prospects.

· Pepagon will connect brands to customers with a new generation of brand thinking, offering a distinctive fusion of brand engagement tools including brand identity, creative design, product sourcing, bespoke solutions and logistics services.

· T King Associates will be showing its new recession-busting polo shirt that is 50/50 poly cotton 200gsm, offers crimped collars and cuffs for smartness and is available in 10 colours.

New for 2009 - Technology area
Sales Promotion magazine will be endorsing the first ever technology area at the 2009 exhibition.

The area will showcase exhibitors who offer products and services regularly used in the incentive, promotions and motivation industry to encourage end-user participation.

They include viral marketing, media replication, mobile interactivity, gadgets and mobile marketing as well as newer concepts such as SMS vouchers and barcodes for couponing.

Seminar Programme
There are nine seminar sessions scheduled for the three-day event, covering a wide range of topical and thought provoking issues. Each seminar has been carefully selected and reflects current industry trends and hot topics as well as recent research and findings and news updates. The action packed programme will offer delegates the opportunity to hear presentations and start discussions with the leading practitioners in the field.

Speakers and subjects covered for the 2009 seminar programme include:

· Is promotional merchandise up to the challenge? Gordon Glenister, Director-General of the BPMA will investigate the importance of promotional merchandise in advertising campaigns in the current economic climate, its use and impact.

· Successful entertainment focused digital sales promotions - Denis Hure, CEO at The Licensing Agency will explain how to best create sales promotions using digital content including the benefits of digital sales promotions, the different content and licenses available.

· Successful promotional marketing in Europe and navigating the restrictions - Philip Circus, Director of Legal Affairs at the ISP will focus on the different rules and regulations that affect promotional marketing in Europe.

· Best practice for ensuring quality, safety & compliance - Sophie Howes, Director, Tomato Source Ltd (pictured) will address compliance, safety and quality control as well as the ethics of buying and ensuring responsible purchasing.

· Turning Myth into Reality - Frank Treanor, Managing Director of Proprocure will review compliance reports, variance analysis, and management reports.

· How to drive sales at point of purchase using fixed fee expertise to manage the financial risk - Brian Gibb, Director of VCG offers an opportunity to see how promoters have the option of having any promotional activity underwritten by a fixed fee reinsured through the Lloyds market.

· New Techniques in Online Lead Generation - Luke Pursey, UK Managing Director of Clash Media will explain how proactive online lead generation works and how major organisations are now adopting the new techniques to great effect.

Simon Tilley, Managing Director of The Promotional Marketing Exhibition commented, “We have worked closely with leading experts and prepared a seminar programme that not only highlights and identifies current trends and topics, but will also help answer some difficult questions about the uncertainty the industry is facing in the current economic climate.

“Delegates attend panel discussions and presentations because they want to be educated about a topic and the ones scheduled will certainly do that.”

Industry backing
The Promotional Marketing Exhibition is fully supported by the industry’s key trade bodies. The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) and The Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP) will both be on hand offering guidance, assistance and advice to exhibitors and visitors alike.

The BPMA will be highlighting and pushing key initiatives and services it launched throughout the last 12 months, including the BPMA job board, an online source listing all industry vacancies for its members; BPMA TV, available on broadband television online allowing members to create and devise promotional videos demonstrating their services; and the BPMA Academy which offers the first official qualification for the promotional merchandise industry.

The ISP will once again be joining forces with its Sales Promotion magazine colleagues on a joint stand where visitors can obtain the latest information, advice and updates from representatives and experts in the industry.

The venue
Surrounded by leading landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tate Britain and Buckingham Palace, the Royal Horticultural Halls are in the centre of London and easily accessible by a wide range of public transport links.

Long standing Promotional Marketing Exhibition exhibitor Rod Duncan of Prodir commented on the new venue, “Having exhibited at Royal Horticultural Halls in the past I was impressed with it as a venue. The facilities are of a very high standard and The Lawrence Hall provides a really good balance between space and intimacy. With great transport links and visitor accessibility I have no doubt that the organisers at Volume Exhibitions have found a venue that will encourage the quality visitors we exhibitors look for.”

Background
Headed by renowned promotional marketing exhibition expert Simon Tilley, Managing Director of Volume Exhibitions, the show is now in its fourth year. The event is the only central London exhibition in the marketplace that is held during the springtime, a time when many new budgets are released. The show’s timings fit in perfectly with buyers who need to get in front of suppliers for the next purchasing period.

Simon Tilley commented: “Our main objective is to make The Promotional Marketing Exhibition the number one show in the promotions, incentive and motivation market.

“Over the last few years we have showcased this vibrant and growing market in a way that prominently highlights new ideas, products, themes and schemes in an exciting and invigorating manner.

“We know and understand that in business today everyone has busy work schedules and we were determined to offer value for money and a show to maximise time spent out of the office. We offer a ‘one stop shop’ for end-users with valuable seminars, workshops and industry networking opportunities.”

Of course, the team at promotional-merchandise.org.uk will be exhibiting at the show on stand D14. They will be giving demos of how the website at www.promotional-merchandise.org.uk can help generate leads and aid online marketing. So do pop along to the stand and meet the team.

Attendees can pre-register for
The Promotional Marketing Exhibition 2009
at www.promotionalmarketingexhibition.co.uk
or call on 44 1732 867 766

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