Events Management Courses - NEW from Plymouth University

A common question we get asked often is how you can get into the Exhibition and Events industry. In previous posts we have covered University courses in Birmingham and Leeds and we have looked at jobs sites for Exhibitions and events management. There is now another course and this time in Plymouth, the South-West, England.

Plymouth University have now introduced a BSc (Hons) Events Management degree course and this is one direction you can certainly consider, if you are interested in the exhibition and events industry. Another option for a career in the exhibition and events industry is to focus on one particular skill (such as graphic design) and then move into the industry.

If you are interested in studying a degree in the exhibitions and events field, then the Plymouth course is a good start and covers areas including:

• Events organisation and management
• Business and marketing management
• Exhibitions management and organisation
• A research project in the final year in which a more hands-on approach will be needed.

Even though the degree is not specific to the Exhibitions industry, the course covers a broad range of areas which will be very useful in Events or Exhibitions management. You can learn more about the course by downloading the Events Management course PDF and about travel to Plymouth.

Exhibitions in Devon: Exeter Westpoint Centre

Many of the UK exhibitions centres are based in the large and main cities including London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester. There are smaller venues though across the UK including venues such as the Harrogate Centre and also in Devon, venues such as Plymouth Pavilions and Exeter's Westpoint Exhibition Centre.

The Westpoint Centre is the largest South West exhibition centre and although the venue does not hold shows the size which the main London's venues can, there are a number of good exhibitions which do take place at Westpoint. Upcoming shows include the:

• Caravan & Motorhome Show 2009
• Homes for Good - Sustainable Homes & Gardens 2009
• Building Trade Show

This is a handy venue in that if you are a business targeting or involved with the South-West, with this venue often holding events specific to pushing business in this geographical area. The venue is also nicely located close to the M5 motorway and also is within a few miles of Exeter International airport.

The venue in terms of facilities offers all the basics you should need including catering facilities and disabled access and plenty of parking space on site.

Exhibition News Update: For exhibition stands including Shell-Pac display kits for the venue and other UK venues, you can now buy online.

5 of the best Food & Drink Exhibitions for 2009

Following on from the recent blog post on 5 of the best Sports Exhibitions for 2009, a look this time at five of the best food and drink exhibitions for 2009. Below a look at our top 5.

1. The World Food Market 2009 is one the most interesting food exhibitions each year and now in its 4th year, this show is a truly international event. The show for 2009 is broken down into five main areas: Halal, Authentic Speciality, Kosher, Mediterranean and private label food. 26th and 27th November at the ExCel Centre in London is the time and place to be.

2. The Bi-Annual Food and Drink Expo was a very successful show in 2008 and is now scheduled for 21-24th March 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham. This show is a great place for networking for food and drink retail, wholesale and manufacturing businesses and employees.

3. Although not exclusively about food and drink, the annual La Dolce Vita show at Olympia Exhibition Centre in London (26-29th March), does incorporate food and drink a lot into the show. If you love Italian food then this is a show worth considering.

4. Hotelympia is another event which although not exclusively about food and drink, does include food and drink as an important part of the exhibition. With sections including 'Salon Culinaire' and 'World of Coffee' this show is bi-annual and planned again for 2010 at the ExCel Exhibition Centre.

5. If you are able to travel to Paris, an excellent exhibition is Salon Cuisinez. This is one of the elite food show in Paris each year and includes some very good workshops. The dates for 2009 are yet to be released.

5 of the best Sports Exhibitions for 2009

Exhibitions in venues such as the Birmingham NEC, SECC in Scotland, King's Hall in Belfast and the ExCel Centre in London, hold a wide variety of exhibitions annually. These exhibitions cover everything from I.T., food and drink and industrial equipment, through to Home design and Fashion. Below a look this time though at five of the best Sports shows and exhibitions which take place annually in the UK.

1. The Ski and Snowboard Show takes place annually at the Olympia Exhibition venue in London and before the start of the Ski season each year. The dates this year are 21st - 25th October and this event includes some excellent simulator rides and the latest in ski and snowboard gear.

2. Another great exhibition is the annual Scottish Motorcycle Show, which is the largest event of its kind in Scotland and Europe. A great show for biking enthusiasts.

3. Surf Shop Expo caters perfectly for anyone who works or trades in surfing equipment and activities. This trade event is the largest surfing exhibition in the UK and takes places in the Westpoint Exhibition Centre.

4. Southampton Boat Show is one of the big events of the year in the events and exhibition calendar and takes place over the course of 10 days. This is a large show and there are always plenty of opportunities to walk around some quite stunning boats.

5. The Adventure Sports Show which is part of the annual Ordanance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC Birmingham, is another fun event to attend and one which attracts a number of outdoor sports fanatics.

(Coming next time - 5 of the best Food & Drink Exhibitions).

The Ideal Home Exhibition 2009

One of the longest Exhibitions in the UK Exhibitions calendar is the Ideal Home Exhibition, with the show taking place over the course of 3 weeks. The 2009 show starts soon with the event due to take place in the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre between 20th March and 13th April.

Over the years the focus of this show has changed, developed and also grown. This year the show incorporates the economic downturn and includes focus on cost cutting and energy saving within the home. There will be a number of exhibits directed at helping home owners and tenants to cut household bills, energy usage and to find ways to reduce costs for your home.

This is a large and well attended event and one which always offers some interesting educational, interactive and fun elements to it. For 2009 you can for example see the:

• Chef's Kitchen area (with some live demonstrations).
• Home and Garden theatre.
• Home Makeover area.
• DIY and tools section.

Most of the big players in the homes, construction and design business attend this show as exhibitors and also for networking. Exhibitors signed up at this time include 'The Study Bed Company', 'LG Electronics', 'Allied Carpets', 'Best of Nature' and 'Revolving Picture'.

You can learn more about this event via the Official Ideal Home site and exhibitors can buy exhibition Kits online for the event.

CRUISE 2009 exhibition in London

Many of us dream about lying on a cruise boat, relaxing with a good book and laying in the sun on a sun-lounger and with cocktail or other drink in hand. The good news is that the Cruise 2009 Exhibition at the ExCel Centre is soon to take place and over 50 exhibitors have signed up for the event so far.

This years Cruise Exhibition takes place on 21st and 22nd March 2009 and the event is sponsored by the Daily Telegraph. SKY Travel and the Passenger Shipping Association are also among the sponsors and this show offers some interesting themes including:

• Some lectures on cruises and cruising.
• A Cruise Cuisine Stage.
• Cruise Spa & Wellbeing Zone.

With the nature of this show being travel related, the atmosphere is normally very relaxed although this is still a very good show for travel industry executives to network and create business leads. If you have any questions about Cruise 2009 you can email the show organisers via: cruise@escapeevents.co.uk. Do not forget that if you need Exhibition Advice or Exhibition stands you can now buy online.

Snow News: Getting to the main UK Exhibition Venues

With the heaviest snow fall in 18 years in the UK, with a sub-zero cold front moving down over Western Europe from Russia, parts of the UK have come to a standstill temporarily. Main cities including London, Edinburgh and Belfast have been affected and with several large exhibitions on at this time, many exhibition organisers and attendees may be affected.

There are several resources available if you have an Internet connection, to check the latest travel news to keep up-to-date on travelling within the UK and across main cities to exhibition centres and venues. A few sources which can be very useful include:

• ITV Travel News updates - Roads, train and airports information.
• BAA - British airports Association website which has information on all UK airports. Useful if you are flying in or out of the UK for an exhibition.
• Main Exhibition Venues - so that you can call direct and find out further information.

If you are interested in snow and love Skiing and Snowboarding, the dates for the 2009 Metro Ski and Snowboard exhibition have been announced for the 21st through to the 25th October.