Michelle Tayton reports on innovation and sustainability at the 2019 Showman’s Show.
Returning to Newbury Showground on 16 October 2019, the Showman’s Show is a key date in the calendar of event industry professionals. Commenting on how this year’s event unfolded, co-event director Jeremy Lance said: “We’ve received great feedback from exhibitors and visitors. While attendee numbers on the Wednesday were on par with 2018, numbers were significantly up on the Thursday from the previous year, delivering a fabulous second day and ending the show on a real high!
“We also had more European and international exhibitors than ever before which was really pleasing, many of them introducing new products to the UK with innovations which will only drive our industry further forward. Their investment in The Showman’s Show demonstrates a great level of confidence in the UK event market. Clearly, this all attributed to attracting a larger audience and the overall success of the show.”
In addition, the return of the Festival Vision:2025 Conference proved a triumph. Opening attendance up to the wider show audience ensured that the modular building provided by Qdos Event Hire was filled to capacity from the get-go, with many sessions having standing rooming only.
Commenting on the impressive turnout, Bethan Riach, Powerful Thinking’s communications manager (the think tank behind the conference), said: “It was great to see people from diverse event sectors and many of show’s attendees and exhibitors joining the conference for updates in key areas of sustainability.
“Many thanks to the speakers and guests whose knowledge and experience helped put Festival Vision:2025 in the context of the climate emergency both globally and nationally, offering potential solutions while also drilling into the day-to-day onsite challenges of event management.
“The highlight for me was the Green Supplier and Innovation Award; seeing three exhibitors delivering presentations on innovative, sustainable solutions to a roomful of the industry’s leading festival organisers was absolutely fantastic. It was a close contest, with the joint entry from MSS International and Continest eventually crowned the winner with the Wet Cell, a sanitation unit connected to a foldable container. Huge congratulations to them and to Morris Site Machinery and Lapee who also deserve recognition as incredibly worthy runners-up.”
OAB’s Top Picks
Marquee Floors by William Armes
William Armes’ DandyDura woven polypropylene matting is easy to maintain, extremely durable, fully reversible, lightweight and weatherproof. It is also aesthetically pleasing and can be used for any type of event. Due to its hard wearing properties, DandyDura can be used time and time again for a great return on investment.
Available in Natural Fleck, Harvest Gold, Corn, Black, Red, Green, Blue and Black/Grey Tweed, the matting van be hosed/pressure washed and drip dried. www.marqueefloors.co.uk
Tent Planner
This interactive tool enables an organiser to plan any event in a tent, helping to create a perfect layout. Choose from many different options including furniture, tables and chairs, bars, dance floors, mobile toilets, generators and even trees!
Safe zones have been built in where additional space may be required, and the Aerial Visualiser allows you to see the tent in situ at an event. Layouts can then be emailed to hire companies for quotes. www.tentplanner.co.uk
Liquiline
Liquiline creates complete water supply design and build solutions for festivals and events, including onsite plumbing, water tankers, tanks, bowsers, sinks, bottle refilling stations and compliance with BS8551/Water Regulations.
Its portable water supply system can meet the demands of events of any size including those in challenging environments or unusual venues. Liquiline’s technicians and plumbers are capable of tackling any on-site issue, no matter where drinking water is required, and can handle disposal of waste water. www.liquiline.co.uk
Leisure Events
Leisure Events is an award winning provider of themed events including Christmas markets, summer urban beach events, weddings and special events for both the private and public sectors.
It has many years industry experience working with local councils, town events, shopping centres and private individuals. Ask about the company’s beautiful Victorian carousel, pop up shops, Après Ski Bar and Bavarian themed swing grill. www.leisure-events.co.uk
MHM
MHM was incorporated in early 2010 and has grown into a leading supplier of power generation, solar-hybrid-generators, fuel storage, lighting towers and product related accessories to the UK and Irish rental markets, for both purchase and rehire.
All MHM products are manufactured in a purposely built facility based near Milan, Italy. Rob Pullen, MHM’s operations director is on the tools, plant and equipment board of the Hire Association Europe – a leading trade industry association for the UK and Ireland hire and rental industry. www.mhmplant.com
Date for the Diary
The Showman’s Show will return to Newbury Showground on 21-22 October 2020.
