Ten top reasons why we exhibited at National Venue Show

The National Venue Show is seen by many as the traditional ‘season opener’ for the exhibition and events industry. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 September it was, as always, a highly worthwhile event. Here are our ten top reasons for going to the show: 1) Networking – there is always a good turn out of people from the events industry, many of who come from somewhere other than London and who, therefore, aren’t always present at London based industry events. The organisers lay on a networking drinks reception on the first two days of the show and this is always a great place in which to meet new and old contacts. 2) Great exhibitors – The show always contains a fine mix of event venues that range from the smallest conference facility up to the largest exhibition hall, there really is something to suit the demands of every organiser. 3) Advice Clinic – The show now contains a free advice clinic. Staffed by several well known industry professionals the clinic was available for any visitor to drop in and get help with more or less any issue affecting their role in the events industry. Visitors got help with putting together a CV, putting together a press trip, marketing their services, finding academic courses relevant to the industry – anything. Well worth a visit. 4) Hear what plans CMP has – CMP bought the NVS this year and are promising to develop it to even greater heights. There was a media briefing on Wednesday 20 September in which show director, Duncan Reid, told all. 5) Catch up with all the gossip – With all the industry people at the show it was just the place to hear what’s really going on in the business. 6) Two other shows – The NVS is co-located with the National Incentive and National Direct Marketing shows. The three events compliment each other well which means that many visitors go to the NEC to visit one of the shows and often end up doing business in the other two as well. 7) Seminar programme – As usual there was a full seminar programme which coverered a large number of highly relevant topics. All the speakers were well known industry figures so our visit there was both informative and entertaining. 8) Learn about new products – Many exhibitors used the show to launch a new service. There was plenty of this happening at this year’s show so visitors were not short of new information. Many of these launches were accompanied by a drinks reception so you could enjoy a glass of fizz while talking business. 9) Inspiration – There are not just venues exhibiting at the show, there are also a good number of service providers who could help make your next event extra special. They have years of experience between them and will be able to help you find a solution to almost any query you may have. 10) A great day out – Whatever you reasons for going to the show you will have gone home thinking that you had spent time wisely by making the journey to Birmingham. You may even have found that there was so much to see and do and so many people to talk to that you came back again the next day.