Following a successful launch in 2017, the Festival and Outdoor Events Show (Festout) is returning to Sandown Park on 26-27 September.
An estimated 150 exhibitors will be showcasing product and service innovations from across the events industry at the second Festival and Outdoor Events Show, Sandown Park, this September. The show brings back crowd-pleasing favourites from last year, alongside new highlights and experiences, creating a hub where organisers can learn from industry experts, meet new suppliers, and think ahead to their future events.
New for 2018 is the TechFest Zone where visitors will discover the latest in event technology with an interactive area of suppliers, demonstrations and a dedicated on-stage programme.
As ever, the programme of content is integral to the show. The Main Stage provides top speakers delivering key insights. Nick Morgan (We Are The Fair) continues his popular themes from 2017, bringing along experts to discuss the industry’s value, unification in licensing agreements, and the place of independent festivals.
Access All Areas provides two sessions to the show, interviews with Shangri-La’s founder, Deborah Armstrong, as well as Ground Control’s Jon Drape, who will be talking about his new initiative – Festival Safe. Additionally, day one of the show will close with the awards ceremony for the inaugural Access All Areas: The Next Generation. These awards celebrate the young talent entering the outdoor and live events industry.
The Training Zone brings high-level safety training to Festout’s visitors. These complimentary sessions, curated by S.T.O.R.M.4Events, provide 10 in-depth topics covered by specialists including emergency planning, counter terrorism, and legislation.
“When talking to the events industry, one area that continues to be flagged is the lack of accessible training and just how important it is,” says Festout’s event director, Duncan Siegle, “particularly in an age where rules and regulations are growing alongside heightened concerns for safety and security.
“With so many new outdoor events in the market each year, it is essential that organisers are up to date in these areas and a visit to Festout will give them access to sessions they can really learn and develop from.”
Festout is on 26-27 September at Sandown Park, Surrey. Claim your complimentary visitor badge at www.festivalandoutdoorshow.co.uk
OAB’s Top Picks
Evolution Dome – Stand C18 & OS40
Evolution Dome creates inflatable structures for hire and sale using an award-winning sealed Air Beam technology. Structures have a 55MPH wind rating, don’t deflate in the event of a power failure and offer the most eye-catching of temporary structures. Products include small indoor structures, ideal for meetings, seminars and pop up events, as well as 780sqm structures, perfect for outdoor events.
The outdoor range includes domes, cubes and Airoof stage covers. All structures can be branded, and an in-house design team is on hand to help create bespoke solutions. Evolution Dome has recently opened offices in Belgium and Australia. www.evolutiondome.com
Core Bar & Events – Sponsor
The MESR-Technic structure from Core Modular takes advantage of the extensive benefits of carbon fibre and carbon fibre composite materials. Create structures for almost any outdoor or even indoor event, with multiple levels and numerous shapes and configurations.
Infinite flexibility means endless possibilities. These structures are modular and adaptable, light enough to be transported and assembled by a small team, yet strong enough to provide a festival stand or community space for those events that need it most. With capability to fully assemble in hours, MESR-Technic provides quick and safe solutions with a zero waste philosophy. www.core-barandeventhire.com
Thermobile – Stand PR30
Thermobile UK provides Indirect fired oil and propane gas heaters plus coolers for temporary and fixed marquees. Established in 1993, Thermobile UK is a daughter company of Thermobile Industries BV, a major European manufacturer of warm air heating products based in the Netherlands, which has been established for nearly 50 years.
Thermobile products are extensively tested and a permanent quality control system, to ISO 9001:2008, is part of the production process. All heaters comply with the most stringent European standards and all models carry the mandatory CE marking and are also in accordance with Technical Rules certification. www.thermobile.co.uk
SRD Group – Stand OS62
A highly experienced technical event production company based in Kent. SRD Group has been managing the production elements of events for more than 20 years, including some of the largest, most technically demanding live events in South East England. It specialises in providing integrated event services for all types of events including audio visual, lighting, sound, staging and styling, as well as multimedia/digital content.
In addition to providing equipment for hire and sale, it offers a full installation service with project management, ensuring everything is delivered on time and to expectation. Repair, maintenance and servicing to existing equipment are also offered. www.srdgroup.co.uk
Vintage Tent – Stand PR60
The Vintage Tent Company manufactures what is billed as the “Rolls Royce of bell tents”. 100% canvas, hand stitched, with crafted wooden toggles, these traditional structures have been reimagined by founder Steve Crompton for the 21st century, with additional features including zippable electric hook up holes, and flue holes for safety and practicality when the tents are used with a stove.
Available for sale or hire, The Vintage Tent Company can also provide event organisers with glamping areas for up to 300 guests. The range includes 4m, 5m and 6m bell tents, awnings, coir matting, and interior furnishings. www.thevintagetentcompany.com
Silent Disco King – Stand A48
Bringing the ultimate silent disco experience to festivals and events across the UK and Europe, Silent Disco King prides itself on helping events get around noise licensing issues by hosting a silent disco before, after or during an event to keep the party going longer and festival goers happy.
With 10 years’ experience of silent discos, it can offer a unique silent disco experience for all, having powered discos at festivals including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Isle of Wight and Boardmasters, as well as working with large brands such as Unilever, the Science Museum (London) and Capital FM. www.silentdiscoking.com
G SMATT Europe – Stand PR72
G-SMATT’s innovative, modular, media enabled exhibition systems will be on show, including its G-Tainer. Launched last year, this steel structure features media enabled ‘smart glass’ which is also transparent. Perfect for event VIP boxes, pop-up cafes and trade show booths, the G-Tainer is modular and fully customisable for larger hospitality and venue spaces. Featuring at Boomtown Fair, 12 units were used to create a huge interactive display which played a fundamental part of the festival’s theatrical storyline. www.g-smatteurope.com
