Exhibitions to start off 2010

2009 has been another interesting year with some excellent exhibitions across the UK, Europe and worldwide and covering a wide range of subjects and for both the public and trade. 2010 kicks off just as strongly with some big Exhibitions. Below 3 big Exhibitions starting us off in 2010.

1. The France Show - returns again for 2010 and the continued interest in everything French means that this show always attracts a large number of exhibitors and visitors. Expect to see exhibits covering French property, food business and products. Taking place at Earls Court, London on the 8th, 9th and 10th January, this event has some very good seminars and workshops.

2. London Boat Show - A 10 day marathon event which takes place at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London. The centre is perfect for the boat show, with its pier and ability to have boats right up alongside the exhibition venue. Apart from Southampton Boat Show, this is considered the main boat show of the year and every major player in the industry normally tries to make it to this event: 8th - 17th January 2010 are the dates for your calendar.

3. Autosport International Show - A show taking place in the NEC in Birmingham 14th - 17th January, 2010, the first 2 days are for Trade only and the last 2 days open to the public. This is a major show for the automobile and racing industry and expect to see several Motor Racing stars at the event (particularly with the F1 season in its off-season).

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UK Exhibition Listings.

Exhibitions in Devon, England: Giving and Living

Trade and Public Exhibitions in Devon and Cornwall tend to be few and far between, with the main events held in London, Manchester and Birmingham. From time to time though some events are held in the Riveria Convention Centre, Torquay and Exeter's Westpoint Centre. Student Fairs in colleges and locations such as Exeter University and Plymouth University also act as further marketing opportunities in Devon and Cornwall.

One new show coming to Devon to tell you about is the show which used to be known as the 'Torquay Fair'. It has now been changed into the 'Giving and Living' Exhibition and has moved from Torquay to Exeter's Westpoint Centre.

This show is aimed at the Gifts, Home and Tourism industry and is a mix of all three. The combination may seem not to fit together but collectively the concept is to market business and trade for Devon and the local areas. This is a trade only event and one which brings together several hundred companies who including manufacturers, wholesalers and buyers.

• Show Dates: 17th to 20th January 2010.
• Location: Westpoint Centre.
• Show Name: Giving and Living.

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Organising an Exhibition in the UK & Abroad

As well as attending trade and public exhibitions in the UK and abroad, many of you often ask about how to go about organising an exhibition and where to get started.

One good way to get started is to touch base as soon as possible with the Exhibition Venue/s you are considering using and getting immediate feedback on facilities and costs. Many exhibition venues often have specialised staff for coordinating exhibitions management with clients and the ExCel Centre in London for example has a dedicated area on their site for Exhibition Organisers.

It can also be worth getting exhibition tips and advice and one specific consideration for organising an exhibition is time. The number of things you will need to consider will be many and the earlier you can start the planning the better. No amount of time can be too much.

If you are organising to exhibit at an exhibition, rather than organising the exhibition itself, then that is much easier but still needs careful planning. Some companies offer exhibition stands management and can often take care of all aspects of your stand needs including design, graphics and construction.
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Top Gear Live 2009 at the RDS

The Motor Show Exhibition will be one fascinating part of the 2009 Top Gear Live event at the RDS Exhibition Centre, Dublin. Taking place from today (3rd through to the 6th December) expect to see some excellent displays from the Top gear team and some very interesting workshops and exhibits.

This show and exhibition are part of the Top Gear Live world tour. The main presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will all be attending and one of the highlights of the show will the the Theatre Show which will include some good stunts and quite amazing cars.

In terms of exhibitors, there will be a number of zones and these will include:

• Classic Cars
• The 4x4 Driving experience
• Mad Motors
• Car Accessories

This really is a marvellous show for not only fans of the TV show but also of cars in general. Expect to see the very latest in car technology accessories and models. More about Top Gear 2009 online.

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - Travel and Tourism Exhibitions listings.

2 Weeks to go - Clothes Show Live 2009

The fact that the Clothes Show Live event takes place over 6 days, rather than the normal length of 3 or 4 days of many exhibitions, shows the popularity and value put on the event by its organisers and visitors. This is a major exhibition and one of the worlds top Fashion and clothes shows worldwide.

Some quick facts for 2009:

• Dates: 4th - 9th December 2009
• Venue: NEC Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
• Official Site: http://www.clothesshowlive.com/

There are a number of areas which will be set up to entertain visitors and not all are directly related to clothes. In between enjoying the latest clothing designs, fashion and catwalk shows, you can also visit the 'Wellbeing Zone'. This area is designed to help you relax in between the show and features include massage, spa treatments and health drinks and food.

The Catwalk will again be central to the event, with a number of well known models showing off the latest 2010 styles. Collections from designers including John Galliano, Giles Deacon and Christopher Kane. Tickets are available online now!
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Eco Exhbitions and Fairs: - 3 worth attending in 2010

The recession has perhaps slowed down the interest in Green and Eco products as many people have focused a lot more on reducing costs in the last year. As Europe and the world begin to come out of recession now though, interest again is returning. Below a look at 3 Eco Exhibitions of interest for 2010.

1. Ecorismo 2010 - Takes place in Nantes, France this 13th and 14th January, 2010. This is a key event in Europe for the Eco movement and it focuses largely on eco-products and solutions, but with the travel and tourism industries the main focus. You will see some quite unique, futuristic and creative ideas at this event.

2. Eco World 2010, Singapore - Taking place in April 2010, this show in the 'Marina Bay Sands' in Singapore City focuses on Green Solutions, Eco Business and social involvement. This Expo attracts a truly international audience and is a large event in the Eco calendar.

3. China Eco Expo - This Beijing, China exhibition comes in June 2010 at the in the Beijing International Conference Center in the form of the Construction and Urban Services Show. China Eco Expo will organise this show, highlighting green construction and the need to combine air, water and building factors into development in China. For companies looking to get into the Chinese Eco market, this is a key show worth attending and a trade only event.
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Good Food Time at the NEC

November is a month which for several years has meant that it is time for the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham and 2009 is no different. Food is always an important issue to us all but with the Festive Season edging closer and closer, good food is something many people might be thinking about even more. Christmas turkey, food hampers, chocolates and Christmas cakes come to mind.

The BBC Good Food Show takes place three times a year with the Summer show in June in Birmingham, with the Scottish version at the end of October and also with the 25th - 29th November Food Show in Birmingham's NEC.

A lot of the regular exhibitors will again be in attendance for the show in 2 weeks time, companies including the likes of Avanti Kitchens, Sainsbury's, Revolution Tea and Westons Cider. There are literally a couple of hundred exhibitors and in addition to many regulars, a number of new exhibitors will be present.

The popularity of this event is always complimented with the 'Masterchef Experience' where visitors can meet celebrity chefs and also see a number of workshops and demonstrations. (Separate tickets are needed for these). Some authors also use the event to promote their books and this is a great chance for the public to meet Tom Kitchin, Martin Wishart and James Martin at this year's event.

General admission this year costs £19. There are a number of possible addons though i.e. for the drinks theatre, Tasting Beers Live and the Invention Test exhibits.
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Life at the World Travel Market in London

It's been a wonderful day at the World Travel Market and it's been both interesting and fun today. Several celebrities have been down here including people such as Dwight Yorke, the ex-Man Utd player who is acting as an ambassador to promote Tobago. Andy Townsend, Jon Gaunt and Jimmy Choo are other famous people others have said they've seen down here.

Despite the Travel Market being on weekdays, this does not seem to affect the popularity and if anything it perhaps makes it easier for people to attend as part of their work time. As usual there are many freebies at this event and I have enough free pens left to last me for another 12 months.

I attended the 'Sports Tourism Takes Pole Position' presentation and it was a fascinating and insightful look at many aspects of tourism and sport. Tourism takes on many forms whether it be travel for food and drink, sports, work or for business and this was a reminder of how important niche tourism products can be.

Tomorrow - Tuesday 10th November if you are down here at the World Travel Market, two talks you might especially find interesting are 'Advances in Travel Philanthropy' and 'Institute of Travel and Tourism Question Time'. You can buy tickets on the door if you have not yet bought them and the event goes on until 5pm Thursday.
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Travel Exhibitions week in London

In addition to the World Travel Market which I covered in the last blog (Travel Market), this week is a real big week for Travel Exhibitions with the Luxury Travel Fair also on right now here in London.

The Luxury Travel Fair got underway yesterday and so far it has been busy and should pick up even more over the weekend. I have met a lot of interesting people here yesterday and have greatly enjoyed walking around the exhibits: There is always something new to see every year.

The travel industry like every other, has been affected by the recession and British Airways huge loss which was announced this morning, has been largely accredited to the downturn in flights to long-haul destinations (many of which are considered by many to be luxury travel destinations). Being at this show though one is inspired and going by some of the great exhibits I have seen down here, the future looks very positive for the luxury travel industry.

If you have not already bought tickets you can certainly still visit the show later today or over the weekend. Entrance starts from 10am each morning through to and including Sunday 8th November. This is a relaxed show to walk around and a great atmosphere so why not pop down to the Olympia Exhibition Centre this weekend?
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Only a few days to go....World Travel Market 2009

We are only 6 days away now from the 2009 World Travel Market, one of the best UK based Travel Exhibitions in the annual events calendar. The event is in fact arguably also one of the best in Europe for the travel industry and companies worldwide ensure they have representation at this popular trade and public event.

2009 workshops and seminars: One of the popular parts of this show for many visitors each year are the selection of presentations which take place. For 2009 some of the highlights will include:

• Innovative Travel Marketing in a recession
• The Medical Tourism Market and trends
• Mobile Technology in Travel
• Travel and Tourism Emerging Markets

There are in fact almost 100 presentations, talks and workshops and this is a great opportunity to catch up on all aspects of the industry including the health, business and technology side of travel.

The ExCel Exhibition Centre is once again the venue for this event, with the show in previous years often having taken place in Earls Court. (More information is available online regards the ExCel Centre facilities and parking).

For visitos, excellent news in that you can attend this show for free by simply completing the online registration from the official World Travel Market website.
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Books for Exhibitions and Events people

With postal strikes a present issue within the UK, many people are thinking forward already to making online orders for Christmas gifts, to avoid any issues with delivery. So with more potentially postal strikes in mind, below a look at some books you might want to get onto your Wish List as others ask what you want as a Christmas gift.

1. What is Exhibition Design - Jan Lorenc et al
A book we suggested last year but are recommending again because it is a very good book. The book is written such that it is good both for those looking to learn about the industry as well as those of you already experts in the exhibitions field.

2. Exhibition Design - by David Dernie
A relatively new book on the market and one which is aimed more so at Art exhibitions rather than trade exhibitions. Still though an excellent book and worth reading.

3. Exhibition Stands - by Arian Mostaedi
Although written originally in 2003, with so few books available directly to do with Exhibition Stands, this is one of the best books which discusses and highlights this subject. Stand design is changing as we speak but this is still a relevant and interesting book and students in particular will find this a very handy book

See some of the latest Exhibition Stands designs online.

Exhibitions in Ireland update

It has been a while since I have updated you on the latest exhibitions in Dublin, Ireland and there are some good ones coming up in the coming months. Below 3 I hope to attend and which I recommend highly.

1. Toys 4 Big Boys - This annual event is very popular with men who are interested in new gadgets, toys and electronics and also partners looking to get their boyfriend of husband something different. With this event taking place in Dublin's RDS Exhibition Centre on the 5th - 8th November 2009, this is timed perfectly with Christmas in mind. This is a fun event for everyone to be honest, regardless of the shows title.

2. Showcase Ireland - is one of the busiest shows in the RDS exhibition calendar and a consumer goods event which attracts people of all ages. In effect this is an arts, crafts and with almost 500 exhibitors, this event normally attracts many of the top designers in Ireland and from across Europe. The next Showcase Ireland show takes place in January on the 24th to 27th, 2009.

3. Hospitality Show 2010 - as a Bi-annual show, the Hospitality Show returns again for 2010 on the 9th and 10th February. This is an important show for people involved in the Irish hospitality industry and many major companies always attend this show.

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Building a Subscribers database

Whether you are an exhibition organiser or an exhibitor, having a long list of subscribers who have shown an interest in your product or service, can be invaluable.

As an exhibitor for example, it means the chance to email several hundred or even thousands of high level interest contacts. An an exhibitor it means the chance to let your clients and potential customers know what shows you will be attending, what stand number you at an event and if you are offering any special deals or offers.

If you are limited by time and budget, there are many excellent programs for sending email newsletters these days, with one popular sample being MailChimp. Setting up a subscribers area on your website also need not take much time for a programmer and does not need to take up much space on your website. Many websites use just an email field as shown in the graphic to the left (from the activehotels.com website).

In terms of online marketing, capturing high level leads with people voluntarily signing up, is an extremely cheap and very productive way to go. These leads in effect can play a vital role in marketing your exhibition or exhibition stand presence through online marketing techniques.
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

9 weeks until Xmas - Christmas Fairs 2010

In a few parts of the UK you would have been able to see Christmas decorations up as early as August: Far to early for most of us to even contemplate the festive season. With November now upon us though and with it being best to book Xmas Shopping trips in advance for better discounts, a look below at 3 of the best Xmas fairs worth considering.

1. Prague Christmas Market - My personal favourite and one which I hope to get to again this year. Prague is a great place to be during the winter months anyway, with the romantic type winter atmosphere. Hot wine, Goulash and a steaming hot sauna for relaxation. Prague Christmas market though makes it even more cost effective with some excellent bargains and things to buy. Every day in December, the markets take place in a few locations although the area between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square is the main place.

2. Bath Christmas Market - In the UK, the small and classic town of Bath is home to a very popular Xmas market. Starting from the 26th November 2009, through to 6th December, the market takes place in the city centre and involves over 100 stalls in various side streets. The market starts from 10am each morning.

3. Brussels Christmas Market - Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a lovely compact city and it offers itself also to a very good Xmas market each December. Bruges also offers a market and many visitors to Belgium during the festive season choose to combine seeing Bruges and Brussels Xmas markets on the same trip.
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More Christmas events online.

Exhibitions in South Korea: Country Spotlight

South Korea has risen dramatically in the last 20 years from one of the poorest Asian economies to now being one of the Top 5. This dramatic rise economically has also resulted in an increase in international events and exhibitions in the capital Seoul on an annual basis.

Seoul has a choice of venues for international exhibitions and all have excellent facilities and are easy to access via local transportation (The local metro system is excellent and taxi cabs plentiful). Exhibition organisers have a choice of 3 main venues and these are:

• COEX Korea Exhibition Center
• KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center)
• Seoul Trade Exhibition Center (Setec)

All 3 are good venues and as an exhibition visitor or as someone exhibiting, you will find that Korean people tend to very often have a strong wish to help foreign visitors. Add onto this hospitality the very social way in which business is completed in Korea and this can be a fascinating and quite different country in which to do business and to build contacts.

A very important part of Korean business culture involves Korean companies usually expecting potential new business partners to drink and eat together before doing deals. The idea is that when you drink together you both let down barriers and this gives you the chance to get to know new business partners in a more genuine and honest way. Beware though because many Korean companies hire professional drinkers specifically for meeting new clients. You can learn more about South Korean business online.

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Coming real soon...the Luxury Travel Fair 2009

Time seems to pass by fast as it seems like only yesterday I was heading to the 2008 Luxury Travel Fair and now in just over 3 weeks time its the 2009 show. The 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th of November are the dates set aside this year at the Olympia Exhibition Centre.

I love this show and will once again be in London for this event in November. If you love travel and the idea of doing so in luxury way, then this is a show which will give you far too many good ideas for trips for 2010.

One of the great things about this show is the different areas within the exhibition and in past events I have particularly enjoyed the theatre area where some of the top travel experts do presentations. For 2009 some of the talks lined up include Simon King (Talking about his travel and wildlife film making) and (Theo Randall - the esteemed Italian chef and expert on world cuisine).

In previous years exhibitors have covered countries worldwide and also a wide number of sectors within Luxury Travel. Travel sectors including those related to food and wine, wellness and spa, 1st Class Travel and Island retreats are included. Expect to see exhibitors including some well known companies such as:

• Conde Nast Traveller
• Cox & Kings Travel
• Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
• Royal Geographical Society

Tickets are on sale through the official site at http://www.luxurytravelfair.com/ and cost £12 if booked in advance for adults and £6 for 13-16 year olds.

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - Modular Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Exhibition Exhibiting: Using the net to promote your presence

When exhibiting at an exhibition, as well as the visitor numbers generated from the marketing which the event and venue organisers help to attract, there is nothing to also stop you from doing your own marketing. You can utilise tools such as the Internet and start building your own list of intended stand visitors.

1. Using Social Bookmarking - If you have an online presence on sites such as Twitter and Facebook you can post information about the event/s you are attending. On Facebook you might have a company Fans Page or Group page and this is a good place to add in events.

2. Blog - If you have a company blog or personal blog, you might want to write about the event you are attending, giving useful, unique and handy information for visitors to the event. You can detail also information for your visitors including the stand number and location where your site will be.

3. Database - If you collect a list of subscribers via your website then letting everyone on your list know about the exhibitions you will be present at, can be a great way to get word out. Be sure though to give people enough time to plan ahead for getting to the event.

BABY & CHILD 2009 at the NEC

An excellent show coming up this weekend between the 11th and 13th October is the annual Baby & Child show (at Birmingham's NEC). As one of the leading Baby and Child Exhibitions in UK and Europe, this is a great chance for would be parents, companies in the industry (including those connected to children's education) to come together over the course of 3 days to promote the industry.

This is an excellent event certainly for parents and soon to be parents with for example, so many products and competing companies all available to you in one place at the same time. If you plan to buy a new pushchair, you can compare and test the different brands and models before buying, in addition to getting advice and tips from the suppliers.

Some companies you can expect to see in attendance include:

• Cuddle Duck
• Babywise Mattress Factory
• HipHipBaby!
• Mountain Buggy
• Splash n Bump

There are + 200 exhibitors and covering every subject to do with babies and children. As an exhibitor it is a little late to sign up but it is still possible. Information on exhibiting at the event can be found on the official site via www.babyandchildfair.co.uk/

Another excellent Baby Show takes place at the ExCel Centre in London on the 16-18th October. Named the 'Baby Show London' this show also attracts an impressive number of exhibitors and is a good option if you cannot make it to Birmingham.

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Exhibitions in the Unites Arab Emirates: Country Spotlight

As a location which is very prominent for the Oil and Gas industry, major international exhibitions in the Gulf and a key country for major sports and leisure events, the United Arab Emirates is fast gaining popularity.

The UAE has two world class exhibition centre's with the:

• Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
• Dubai International Exhibition Centre

and caters well for international visitors. With two world class exhibition and conference centre's, two international and well facilitated airports with Dubai International and Abu Dhabi International and a climate which is generally very good all year round, one can see the attraction.

Geographically the UAE is almost a cross roads for visitors from Africa and Asia and also a fairly reasonable direct flight from many main European cities. The UAE has a lot to offer.

One thing about attending or exhibiting at a UAE exhibition is that the facilities in the venues always tend to be very well organised, clean and efficient. The infrastructure in a city such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also very good and feels very safe and provided you are accepting of the local culture, you should have an excellent time in the UAE during an exhibition. If you get the chance to attend an exhibition, conference or Fair in the UAE, I would recommend it taking the chance to visit what is a fascinating country.
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - Exhibition Stands for the UAE.

3 Exhibitions to watch out for for October 2009

After the summer holidays and with many of us back into the routine of things at work, there are some good trade and also public exhibitions and events coming up for October. Below the editors choice of 3 UK exhibitions for October 2009.

1. The National Wedding Show - Taking place in London (2nd-4th October) and then Birmingham (9th-11th October), this show attracts a lot of the key players in the wedding business. These shows are well worth attending and exhibiting at if you have a business related to weddings. If you are getting married in the coming year, this is an event provides you with all services you are likely to need under one roof, for planning your wedding.

2. E2 Energy Solutions Expo - Energy solutions for preserving energy and for creating cleaner energies is taken far more seriously by companies these days and this Expo reflects the shift in attitudes. This is a relatively new show but one which attracts a lot of interest from a variety of sectors and is a very interesting show if you can make it to London's Olympia Exhibition Centre on the 7th or 8th October.

3. The Metro Ski & Snowboard Show - is a 5 day show at the Olympia Exhibition Centre (21st - 25th October) which is a real good show to attend, both from the viewpoint of exhibitors and the general public. For companies, this is a key ski and snowboarding event in the European and world exhibitions calendar. For the general public, there are many fun things to try out including small ski slopes, the very latest equipment and presentations from some top skiers and snowboarders. This is a great event to attend if you can make it to London at the end of October.

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Exhibitions in Miami - City Spotlight

Travelling around the UK, Europe and worldwide to exhibitions and conferences, I have been to some fascinating and some not so fascinating locations; some very central and some out of the way venues; and venues or all shapes, sizes and facilities.

Miami is one of those locations which I enjoy going to. With a decent exhibition venue, a location I can enjoy if I have an extra spare day and a location which is well served with Miami International airport, it ticks many of the boxes.

Miami Beach Convention Center holds a large number of shows each year including popular ones such as the:

• Miami International Wine Fair
• Health and Fitness Expo
• Miami International Boat Show
• International Beauty & Barber Show

With the main convention centre in the South Beach area, there are several hotels to choose from and overall this is a good city for attending or visiting an exhibition. Getting to Miami is also very possible by water and events such as the boat show mean that this is a form of transport for many exhibitors to the show.

Outside of Exhibition and conference hours and if you are not too tired, Miami Seaquarium is worth seeing. Key Biscayne provides an excellent day trip location and the Everglades are a beautiful national park if you have to chance to see it.
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

3 Exhibitions and Events with a difference

There are literally hundreds of Exhibitions and Events which take place across UK and thousands across Europe each year. There are many which cover property, food, fashion, the oil and gas industry, travel and business. There are also though some more unusual but worthwhile events to attend. Below 3 of events with a difference:

1. Autosport International Show - next taking place in 2010 (14th - 17th January at the NEC, Birmingham) the Autosport show is a very large event for both the general pubic and trade (with 2 days for each). This is a show which attracts people from around the world including many of the large manufacturers. If you love cars, you will love this event.

2. World Belly Dance Congress - Coming up much sooner (25th-27th September 2009) the event this year takes place at the 'Lakeside Leisure Complex' in Surrey, England. As well as workshops and a number of events, there will displays and product sales taking place. This is an event which attracts women from across Europe and worldwide.

3. London Book Fair - Next taking place between the 19th and the 21st April, 2010, this is a very relaxed and enjoyable fair to attend. The choice and range of books available means that there is literally something to entertain every visitor. Expect also to see some rare and also unusual books. (Takes place at the Earls Cour Exhibition Centre).

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Things to consider for Exhibition Stands (Part 2)

Continuing on from Part 1 of Things to consider for Exhibition Stands, some more considerations and tips below:

4. Consider storage - You may need to consider storage for your exhibition stand/s and equipment. You may for example need to store stands before and after an exhibition or conference. There are various options and a good Exhibition Stands Company will be able to advise you on storage options.

5. Exhibition Graphics - Another aspect of Exhibition Stands design which can easily be initially overlooked in the haste to get everything prepared on time for an exhibition or conference, is Exhibition graphics. Make sure to consider issues such as if the graphics will be used outdoors for example, because this can affect the materials used.

6. Exhibition Stand transportation - potentially can be another issue and is one which should be considered ahead of time. Depending on if you are working with a professional exhibition stands supplier, they will often be able to help with transportation, in addition to the aforementioned storage issue. If you plan to transport everything yourself, do not forget to consider that you may need lifting equipment.
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Exhibitions in Thailand:Country Spotlight

The latest in our series of country spotlights, this time sees us look at Thailand. An exotic location for international visitors, this means a great chance to experience a fascinating culture whilst going about business in Asia.

Almost exclusively, all major exhibitions in Thailand take place in the capital Bangkok, a city with several world class venues for holding exhibitions and conferences. The Bangkok venues include the:

• Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC)
• Impact Exhibition & Convention Center (IECC)
• Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
• Royal Paragon Exhibition & Convention Centre

All 4 venues can hold sizeable shows and have excellent facilities. It is BITEC and IECC which seem to attract the most major shows and both these venues seem to have events on almost a weekly basis. The BITEC annually holds shows which include the International Logistics Fair, Beauty, Spa and Health show and the Wedding Fair. The BITEC official site provides a full schedule.

Bangkok, Thailand as a location is a wonderful place in which to find oneself. As a business person in Bangkok you will find an abundance of high quality and affordable hotels, excellent restaurants and a diverse and enjoyable nightlife. For business travellers though looking to relax in the evenings in their hotel, most of the hotels offer Wi-Fi and business facilities.

Arriving into the city, Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport is a very nice airport and one which is relatively easy to get to, from the centre of Bangkok.

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Read more about World Exhibition venues.

Things to consider for Exhibition Stands (Part 1)

If you are new to organising an exhibit at a event it can be overwhelming and there are many things which are easy to forget the first or second time around. In case you are new to the Exhibition and Events industry and you will have to in the future organise your company's presence at an exhibition, some considerations below:

1. Indoor or Outdoor - Make sure to be clear on if you will be exhibiting indoors or outdoors. Some events have both indoor and outdoor space. The type of exhibition stand you require might well differ according to whether you will exhibit in or outdoors. There are stands and banners designed for outdoor use and which may be more suitable than some other stands. These are for example more weather resistant. (See samples of Outdoor Banner Stands).

2. Staff Training - Who will manage your stand on exhibition day and are they trained in sales and will they be supplied with any literature they will need. Will they or you also have a way of monitoring sales or leads. You may want to analyse the cost to sales leads afterwards for example to have a better idea in the future of the most efficient show, for your particular business.

3. Travel and Accommodation - With so much to organise ahead of an exhibition, there can be a temptation to book accommodation and travel at the last minute. The problem with booking accommodation late is that you will be booking for a location and time when hundreds of other exhibitors will also be booking for. The best advice is to book the accommodation as soon as possible.

(More tip and ideas in Part 2 next week...)
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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

Accommodation for Exhibitions in London, UK

We get a lot of enquiries from Exhibition and Conference attendees who are travelling to London for an event. Choosing accommodation whilst staying in London for an exhibition can sometimes be overwhelming given the wide choice of options. Below a look at accommodation for those of you visiting the Olympia, ExCel and Earls Court exhibition venues.

ExCel Centre, Docklands - ExCel has several hotels located within walking distance and these include the Crown Plaza and a Novotel. If you are at an exhibition for several days in the Docklands then a hotel nearby is your best option. There are not really any B&Bs or Guest-houses near to the venue and staying near to the venue will save you what can sometimes be a hectic journey from the centre of London each day.

Earls Court and Olympia venues - These 2 venues are within a mile of each other and both are in built up and very central locations. The choice of accommodation is much wider with hotels, B&BS and short-term holiday apartments all viable options. Earls Court is a particularly nice area, with an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and shops. Both locations also have nearby subway stations.

• Hotels: 'Park International' in nearby Kensington is great for luxury, whilst Hotel Ibis Earls Court offers a good budget option.


• B&Bs: Many of you will prefer a hotel but a number of visitors do prefer the more personal experience of a B&B. There are numerous B&Bs in Earls Court and a search of a site such as booking.com wil provide many options.


• Short-term rental apartments: This is a fairly new but very popular option. This often means more space, Wi-Fi set up and your own kitchen. If you are staying for several days or a week, this can be a great way to stay in the area. For London apartments, Holiday-Velvet.com are worth checking.

More about London Exhibitions and Venues.

September Exhibitions - Editors Top 5

I am not sure where the summer went to but we are into September already. This month there are some good shows coming up and below the editors choice of 5 for September exhibitions.

1. Autumn Fair Birmingham 2009 - The Autumn Fair at the NEC between the 6th and 9th September, is a fun event to attend and which highlights the best of Home and Gift products. Jewellery, toys, crafts and food are all promoted at what is quite a diverse and very interesting exhibition.

2. Offshore Europe 2009 - is an exhibition we have mentioned a few times on this blog, in the lead up to the 8th - 11th September show. This is a big show for the industry and will bring a lot of international visitors to the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre in Scotland.

3. Southampton Boat Show - will see tens of thousands head to the South coast, England over a 10 day period between the 11th and 20th September. If you have any interest at all in boats, this is a great event to attend.

4. French Property 2009 - In London, the Olympia Exhibition Centre hosts the annual French property show, 11 - 13th September. With the French economy out of recession and the property industry as a whole gradually beginning to grow again, interest may be high for this exhibition.

5. The British Bridal Exhibition takes place at the Harrogate Centre between the 13th-15th of this month and this is a great opportunity in the Harrogate and surrounding area to attend a well attended bridal show.

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Brought to you from Clip Ltd - UK Exhibition Stands Specialists.

UK Exhibition Courses update (museum and heritage)

As well as Trade and Business exhibitions, museums and heritage exhibitions are popular in the events industry. This is now reflected and acknowledged with a University Course directly aimed at the exhibitions industry and Museums and Heritage.

Course Title: Heritage Exhibition Design - MA/PgDip
Location: University of Salford, School of Art & Design

Level of course: MA/PgDip

The course focuses on practical elements in addition to studies in the classroom. The course involves a six week placement in a museum or heritage related venue. Ties with the industry are being forged with the University of Salford and this aims to help students gain invaluable experience.

The course covers all of the elements associated with exhibitions and events work including in :

• Exhibition Design and presenation
• Exhibition Management
• Communication skills

Many of the usual rules apply for application for this MA/PgDip, with related work experience or a reasonable degree pass needed. You can learn more about the course by completing the further information form online.

Exhibition News Updates

To round off the week ahead of this weekends Bank Holiday weekend, some Exhibition News updates:

Exhibition Stands Online Discounts - Online discounts are still available of up to 40% with the UK based Clip Ltd. Information available direct with Clip Ltd online.

Electricity Prices - Birmingham's NEC is set to incease the prices for the use of electricity in their venue from 2010.

Student Fairs marketing - Just in case you missed it a few weeks ago, do not forget to read our blog post about marketing your business at Student Fairs.

This weekend: Do not forget that the 'Homes and Interiors Scotland' exhibition is presently taking place and continues through until Sunday. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center is the venue.

International Exhibitions Guide: China (Part 2)

Following on from Part 1 of our guide to the main exhibition venues in China, a look at a few more of the main international venues in China below:

The Zhengzhou International Conference & Exhibition Centre is considered to be one of the finest exhibition and convention centres in China. The venue is an ideal centre for hosting exhibitions and has a refreshing new feel. The exhibition centre is situated in a newly developed business district in Zhengzhou and is conveniently located for Zhengzhou airport.

The exhibition centre is managed by VMZL and the centre offers two exhibition halls which cover 66,000 square metres of floor space. There is also an external exhibition area that offers an additional 38,000 square metres of ground area. The centre also has a Grand Hall that can seat over 3000 people and is complemented by a theatre that has seating for 1,090 people and two further theatres that can accommodate a smaller number of people. This is a superb velue and one which is ideal for exhibitions, events, conferences, hospitality functions and meetings.

Suzhou International Expo Center (SIEC) which is shortened to SuzhouExpo is situated by Lake Jinji and covers a stunning 320,000 square metres with the internal exhibition area covering 120,000 square metres and a separate conference facility offering 11,000 square metres.

SIEC is a popular exhibition and conference venue for domestic companies within China and also for international organisations doing business in China. Past shows at the Suzhou International Expo Center have included travel exhibitions and property shows and the centre has now established itself as a world class exhibition and conference centre.