Take your business on holiday this Autumn!

So September has finally arrived, heralding a reluctant return to work for many.  As you dust off your coffee mug, fill your diary with catch-up meetings and respond to all those emails, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to look forward to?  Wouldn’t it be even nicer if that something to look forward to could also be fantastic for business?

If you’re nodding along in agreement, exhibiting your business in Europe could be just the solution you’re looking for! 

The leading destination for trade fairs, Europe offers a tempting smorgasbord of opportunities to promote your company and boost your brand.  According to Expo DataBase, more than 90% of leading international trade shows are held in Europe – so if you’ve been focusing all your exhibiting efforts in the UK so far, you’re probably missing out (yes, even with Brexit looming on the horizon).

Of course, you probably already know that our friendly team at Guardian Exhibition & Display can help you make the most of your company’s UK showcasing ambitions, with our expertise and dedicated years of experience. 

But what you might not already know is that our expertise and experience travels extremely well!  We’ve designed and built exhibition stands at prestigious events all over Europe, on tours that amongst others, have covered destinations including Sweden, France, Italy, Poland, the sunny island of Jersey, and Germany – otherwise known as Europe’s most popular location for trade shows.

So if you’re looking to take your business on holiday this season and beyond, you can rest assured that our professional team will help you make the most of your company’s European experience.  Here’s how.

Our stands travel (almost) as well as we do

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a stand for a European trade show, relax: we do.  Our team will advise you on the best materials, accessories and design for your chosen show, and we’ll pre-build your stand for you to approve before you go.

Better still, you’ll have the option to hire your stand if this works best with your budget.  Better still, we’ll store and seamlessly transport your stand direct to your chosen venue.

We’ll look after logistics and liaise with show organisers

…so you won’t have to!  We’ve got the experience and the know-how to organise your event in the background, so you can spend your valuable time in the foreground, promoting the show and ensuring your event-day smiles are fully polished up.

Boutique or grand, we’ve dealt with a wide array of European venues, so it’s likely we’ll already be familiar with the process for the one you’ve chosen.  We’ll deal with any associated documentation and admin, and when it comes to exhibitions we’re well-versed in European regulations and etiquette, so we’ll make sure you’re fully compliant.

We’ll take care of on-site services

Flooring, electrics, WiFi… wherever and however you decide to exhibit, we’ve got it all covered!

So there you have it – if you’re looking to branch out into European exhibiting, all our team need to know are the details of your chosen show.  Just tell us where you want to go, brief us on your exhibiting aims and your ideal stand size, and we’ll take care of absolutely everything else.

As they say in France: “travail bien fait!” (That’s “job well done”).

If you’re looking for some examples of our work, our website showcases the diverse stands we’ve created for our clients.  Why not ask us your questions about exhibiting in the UK or Europe?  Our team love to talk, and we love putting our expertise into practice even more.  Simply get in touch (here).

A Handy Exhibition Venue Guide to… Old Billingsgate

There are a few things that most people already know about Old Billingsgate.  For example, that the building was originally home to a bustling fish market – the world’s largest fish market, in fact – back in the 19^th century. 

Fast-forward to the 21^st century, and this stunning Grade II Victorian building steeped in historic heritage holds more than a few contemporary surprises! 

No longer a fresh fish empire, these days Old Billingsgate regularly hosts the cream of royalty, celebrity and enterprise in over 70,000 sq ft of adaptable, purpose-built event space that boasts some of the very best transport links around. 

Not only that, but Old Billingsgate’s Thames-fronting terrace is hard to beat for exceptional views of London at its cultural best, with London Bridge, The Shard and HMS Belfast displayed in all their dazzling glory. 

So come with us – and don’t forget your camera – as we take you on a tour of this truly magnificent venue!

©Old Billingsgate

A brief history

Old Billingsgate Market was once, famously, the only place to go for fresh fish. The largest market of its kind, the bewitching building became and still remains a true landmark that forms a crucial part of London’s heritage.

It was in 1982 that the fish market was relocated to a new site on the Isle of Dogs, and the intended purpose of the original building was for office accommodation.  However, the huge potential to showcase events in one of the most imposing and well-connected spaces in London was soon spotted, and there began Old Billingsgate’s dramatic transformation.

Now one of the most prestigious and versatile venues for conferences, events, parties and shows, Old Billingsgate encompasses three stunning spaces with facilities to suit any event, not to mention a terrace featuring unrivalled London views.

The venue’s three event spaces are The Grand Hall, with its triple-height ceiling, feature mezzanine and sky-lit ceiling, The Vault, featuring vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork, and the sleek, modern Gallery.  The spaces can be hired separately or together, so no matter how large or small your event, you can be sure it will be perfectly accommodated.

Notable events

With its unique atmosphere steeped in history and style, Old Billingsgate has earned its reputation as one of the quirkiest and most flexible event spaces around.  Intimate musical performances are regularly staged here, as are cutting-edge conferences such as FinTech, and recent events such as Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution cook-off, featuring Britain’s top chefs joining Britain’s top CEOs in a kitchen-based battle!

Getting there

Old Billingsgate couldn’t be more conveniently situated, with an iconic position right in the heart of the City, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the Thames.  The nearest mainline station is Fenchurch Street, and the nearest Tubes Monument and Bank – and you can also easily reach the venue by air and river!

There are a selection of easily accessible car, van, coach and lorry parks near the venue, for easy loading and unloading of equipment and yourselves.

Facilities

Old Billingsgate comes extremely well-equipped with everything an event could possibly need, with a dedicated on-site team to take control of technical issues, sound, lighting, and security.  Catering is also on hand for large and small groups of every description.

The venue is an extremely popular location for filming too, and offers its own dedicated brochure for any would-be Steven Spielbergs!

What else is available for exhibitors?

Flexibility is the buzzword at Old Billingsgate, with its spaces not only equipped with everything an exhibitor could need, but with so much exceptional versatility in where and how you can exhibit.  Three distinct spaces offer individual atmosphere, whilst throughout the building there is a fusion of historic character and contemporary charm that is genuinely unique.

©Old Billingsgate

 Can we help you with any questions about Old Billingsgate?  Here at Guardian Exhibition and Display, we’re old hands at helping our clients showcase their brands with display materials to rival the showiest of show spaces – and we’d love to talk about how we can do exactly the same for you.  Simply contact us to start a conversation.

Renting or Buying...Which Display Stand Option is Best for Your Business?

To buy or not to buy?  That is the question…and it’s one we’re regularly asked here at Guardian Exhibition & Display, as businesses of all shapes and sizes consider their event display needs in serious detail. While we’re definitely not financial advisors, we do know a thing or two about investing in business-boosting exhibitions with an informative and memorable display stand.  Seeing as more and more clients have been asking for our advice on this very subject, this week we’ve decided to put our expertise to good use with a few hints.

An opening question to consider…

The first thing we tend to ask clients who are pondering whether to rent or buy their display stand is, how often do you actually plan to exhibit your company at trade events? 

Your answer may immediately determine your own solution to the renting vs. buying conundrum, since if you’re only going to be appearing at one event per year, renting would probably make more sense as you dip your toe into the water and test out the marketplace.

However, we’ve seen that exhibiting your brand can be truly addictive once you’ve seen all those enterprise-enhancing effects in live action!  So if you’ve got a hunch that you’ll be exhibiting more than a few times in total, then it might be worth considering an investment in a permanent stand.

The case for buying your stand

From our years of experience, we recommend that investing in a permanent stand is the best option if you’re definitely going to use it for a minimum of three times.  Not only will you benefit from owning your business display kit outright, you’ll also have complete control over transporting, building and dismantling it yourself (with full training provided by our professional team, should you choose us to help you create your display magic!)

We’re not going to tell you that investing in your stand will be inexpensive, because you get what you pay for and stand-out stand quality doesn’t come cheap.  However, you’ll own something that is pretty much guaranteed to increase sales at trade events – which is the proven best method to promote your brand and your business to a large audience.  In our opinion, this isn’t a bad return on your investment, and buying your stand also has the potential to actually save you money in the long-term. 

Reasons for renting

If you’re only going to be exhibiting on an occasional basis, or you plan on having something spectacular for one really big event, then we recommend renting as the best stand option for your business.

As with most services, flexibility is the key word when you rent, with the possibility of exhibiting with a totally different stand at every exhibition you attend.  You can even change the concept and design to fit each event and target group you choose (though we’d also recommend not being too different at each event – after all, one of the key factors of exhibiting is consistency, which better enables visitors to remember you!)

Renting your stand also gives you the relative freedom of not having to transport, build and dismantle the stand yourself, as all of this will be professionally taken care of for you.  Of course, this can turn out to be a costly exercise if you’re planning on renting a stand every time you exhibit – which brings us full-circle to the question we asked right back at the beginning of this piece, about how often you plan to attend trade events.   

If you’re still struggling to decide between renting and buying, go back to that question, consider your options from there…

…and remember that our friendly and professional team are always on hand to advise.  So if you’re dithering over your display needs, simply contact us (here) and let us help take the burden away!

A Handy Venue Guide to the Business Design Centre

This week in our Handy Exhibition Venue Guide series, we’re visiting the former Royal Agricultural Hall – a grand Grade II listed building that now goes by the name of the Business Design Centre.  Situated in Islington, this striking venue features architecture originally inspired by the breathtaking Crystal Palace.

As its name suggests, the Business Design Centre is designed to boost business through exhibitions and conferences.  With prime space spanning 6,000m² and plenty of flexible facilities on offer, we think it’s the perfect place to big up your brand, and with over 300 events held there every year you’re bound to find one that’s ideal for you.

Here at Guardian Exhibition and Display, we’ve been helping our clients maximise their messages at the Business Design Centre for years – meaning we’re old hands at understanding what makes this such a special venue.  So here’s the lowdown!

© Business Design Centre 

A brief history

The Royal Agricultural Hall opened its doors for the first time in 1862, with an intended purpose to host agricultural shows.  As the years progressed, the venue was consistently developed, and the hall adopted various guises including a theatre, a bingo hall and even a makeshift Post Office during the Second World War.

Years of neglect followed, until the venue’s 1980s rescue in the form of developer Sam Morris.  It was in 1987 that the Business Design Centre finally prepared itself for actual business, with a grand opening by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. 

These days, the Business Design Centre hosts hundreds of events every year.  The Mezzanine, its main exhibition space, covers over 2,000 square metres, with conference facilities nearby that mean you can conveniently arrange a large exhibition and a conference to run together.

The Business Design Centre incorporates an array of conference space, the largest of which is The Gallery Hall, comprising 890 metres of space for large conferences and events.  The Gallery Atrium provides additional room for catering, stands and drinks receptions. 

Notable events

The venue’s Islington location was chosen for its proximity to the livestock market in Smithfield, and the Royal Agricultural Hall played host to the Smithfield Show every year until 1938.

Slightly grander events include the Royal Tournament, held there from 1880 until the early 20^th century, and the first Crufts dog show in 1891.

More recently, the Business Design Centre is home to the London Art Fair, the largest contemporary art event of its kind in the UK.

Getting there

Incredibly well-situated, the Business Design Centre is just a short walk from Angel, Highbury and Islington tube stops, with Kings Cross St. Pancras and Euston not much further away.  There are plenty of bus routes, and an on-site car park houses nearly 300 spaces. 

Facilities

The Business Design Centre is located in the heart of Angel, an appropriately heavenly setting for all kinds of bars and restaurants!  On-site restaurant Jack’s changes its menu daily, and there are also plenty of hotels within walking distance from the venue.

Shoppers are truly spoilt for choice too, with Camden Passage just opposite the venue and offering a tempting selection of independent boutiques and cafes waiting for you when you feel like taking a break from exhibiting.

What else is available for exhibitors?

It would be easier to ask what isn’t available for exhibitors at the Business Design Centre!  For starters, you’ll find a dedicated exhibition team on-site to help make your event run perfectly smoothly. 

The venue has just completed a huge investment in its internet and wireless systems, meaning it’s now one of the leading UK venues for infrastructure services – ideal if you’re bringing a digital display.

With a whole host of additional services on offer, you could even have fresh flowers delivered direct to your stand if you ask nicely enough!

Can we help you get display-ready for your next business-boosting exhibition?  If so, please contact our friendly team (here).

(Check out the BDC's website: http://www.businessdesigncentre.co.uk/)

A Handy Venue Guide to Olympia London

We hope you enjoyed our Handy Guide to ExCeL last week, or at least learned something new from our endlessly entertaining insights!

This week, we’ve chosen to focus on the unique piece of history that is Olympia, London.  Purpose-built in the 19^th century from a starting vision to create the largest covered show centre in the UK, there are more than a few stories to be told about the life and times of this fascinating venue. 

Not only that, but from our years of direct experience helping clients exhibit there, we know exactly why Olympia, London makes such a wonderful and welcoming setting for just about any event.

©Olympia London

A brief history

Found in the heart of the cultural hub that is West Kensington, the grand opening for what was then known as the National Agricultural Hall was on Boxing Day, 1886.  The impressive venue covered an area of four acres, and the Grand Hall was thought to be the largest building in the UK to be covered by one span of iron and glass.

The venue’s name was soon changed to Olympia, and as the years passed it took on many guises, from a temporary prisoner of war camp during the two World Wars, an army clothing store and a renowned dance hall. 

Many more changes ensued through the years, including several acquisitions.  In 2013 Olympia, London underwent an extensive redevelopment and these days the site features four event venues and a conference centre.  

The event venues consist of Olympia Grand, measuring around 210,000 sq ft, Olympia National, Olympia Central and Olympia West, each boasting just under 100,000 sq ft of prime, custom-designed event space.

Notable events

The very first Ideal Home Show was held at Olympia in 1908 (we’d love to have gone along to that one!) and this hugely popular event is still held there today.  Other firsts include the 1950 Food Fair, the incredibly quaint-sounding British Electronic Computer Exhibition in 1958 and 1948’s Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Exhibition.

Not that Olympia, London hasn’t played host to the cream of the entertainment world, too.  The Smash Hits Awards, Miss World, Crufts and London Fashion Week have all been staged there, with the coolest ever Olympia concert performer (in our opinion at least!) being one Jimi Hendrix.

Getting there

As impressively well-connected as a senior member of the Royal Family, Olympia, London is incredibly easy to get to.

Kensington (Olympia) trebles as an overground, underground and mainline rail station, while a hive of nearby underground stations include Barons Court, Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush and West Kensington.

Road-wise, plenty of on-site parking and an efficient vehicle booking system means you can unload your event equipment – and yourselves! – with ease.

Facilities

Olympia, London is perfectly positioned to enjoy the very best that the thriving capital has to offer.  You’ll find yourself surrounded by a whole wealth of bars, restaurants and even a few places to rest your exhibition-weary head, with over 30 hotels to discover within walking distance.

On-site you’ll find an array of eateries to suit every taste, with a sit-down restaurant, bespoke bakery and espresso bar thrown in.  Specific on-site catering for your event can even be organised in advance.

The venue is equipped with full accessibility for wheelchair users and gives assistance animals as warm a welcome as their owners.

 

What else is available for exhibitors?

Olympia, London makes exhibiting supremely easy with its does-exactly-what-it-says-on-the-tin ‘Easy Guide to Exhibiting’, available as a download from its website. 

You’ll find this amazingly all-purpose venue comes fully equipped with everything you’ll need to make your brand shine, with IT services, AV equipment, advertising and even traffic marshalling all readily offered.

Can we help you with venue advice?  There aren’t many we don’t know about, and our friendly team are always ready to answer questions about absolutely anything exhibition-related.  Simply get in contact (here).

Also, don't forget to check out Olympia London's website for any more information: https://olympia.london//            

A Handy Venue Guide to ExCeL London

Choosing your ideal event isn’t a decision to be taken lightly, when exhibitions can be a costly business and there are a headache-inducing amount out there to select from. 

If you’ve taken heed of our blog advice up to this point, you’ll probably already have a good idea of the events you need to get yourself noticed at.  But what about the venues themselves, you may ask (and believe us, people often do!)

Here at Guardian Exhibition and Display, we know a thing or two about the very best places to exhibit, having spent years helping our clients maximise their messaging at venues all over the world.  Frankly, we felt it would be a waste not to share our knowledge with you, which is why we’ve decided to showcase some of our favourite places and help you get to know them a little better along the way.

First off is one of our favourites, ExCeL London, a 100-acre purpose-built super centre for high-impact events to remember.

©ExCeL London

A brief history

The name ExCeL is formed from the venue’s full title, Exhibition Centre London (see what they did there?), and the grandly imposing venue is perfectly positioned in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. 

Opened in November 2000 as one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, ExCeL’s exhibition area comprises two rectangular halls of approximately 479,493 square feet each.  These halls are perfectly built for exhibitions of all descriptions, both rectangular and column-free and each with a central boulevard for catering and information.

ExCeL was acquired in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, and has been constantly evolving to accommodate the needs of its vast legions of visitors, from the addition of London’s first International Convention Centre, an abundance of hotels, and even a cable car line linking the venue to the O2 Arena (yes, the same cable car line Boris Johnson got famously stuck on!)

Notable events

Famous ExCeL attendees have included everybody from Barack Obama to Olly Murs, and it would probably be easier to list the prestigious events that haven’t been held there. ExCeL has played host to the London 2012 Olympics, the G20 London Summit, national awards ceremonies including BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and our personal favourite – the X Factor auditions.

Trade show-wise, ExCeL is the setting for Grand Designs Live, the BBC Good Food Show and many other renowned commercial events.

Getting there

ExCeL benefits from its incredibly easy accessibility.  There is a Tube station positioned at each end of the venue, while London City Airport is so close you could almost touch it.  Over 3,000 parking spaces at reasonable day rates mean you’re sure to find somewhere to leave your car while you man your stand!

Facilities

There isn’t much that ExCeL hasn’t got covered.  You’ll find food to suit every taste in the global food hall, there are over 20 on-site restaurants and there’s even an in-house bakery.  Seven versatile on-site hotels mean your exhibition can run conveniently and comfortably for days, and the venue is fully accessible by wheelchair users.

What else is available for exhibitors?

We particularly love ExCeL London because as a dedicated 21^st century exhibition centre, the venue houses absolutely everything you need to help make your stand shine.  Simply bring yourselves, your brand and your material, and you’ll find AV, WiFi, staging, technology, charging points and a whole host of on-site services all provided.

                         

Check out the ExCeL website to find out more: www.excel.london 

Are you exhibiting at ExCeL soon, or would you like to?  Wherever your preferred venue, we can help you stand out from the crowd.  Simply contact us (here) to get started.

Why Guardian Exhibition and Display is Your Only Choice for Your Next Event!

Regular readers will notice that we’ve been waxing lyrical about the business-boosting benefits of trade events and exhibitions.  We’ve also been enjoying passing on some of our hard-won experience about how you can turn trade events into pure sales gold with an eye-catching stand.

Whether you’re exhibiting at your first event or you’re an old hand, it can be hard to know if you’ve really thought of everything.  You might decide you need some help, so you Google ‘exhibition stand design’ only to discover an eye-watering number of companies to sift through, all of them claiming to offer service that’s second to none. 

We believe that here at Guardian Exhibition & Display, our experience, dedication, flair for design and all-seeing know-how sets us apart, making us the only choice for your next event…and just in case you need a little more convincing, we’ve come up with a few more reasons for you!

Visit our showroom – or let us come to you

Our professional showroom is a true love letter to a well-designed, attention-grabbing stand, with our team of friendly staff and examples of our work on hand that show how we can take your display material to the next level.  But we understand that people are busy, so if you’d rather stay put then we’re just as happy to come to your office with a dazzling demonstration.

We’re a one-stop design shop

With us, there’s no need to appoint a separate design team who may not understand how their amazing creations will translate to your display.  Our in-house designers will not only work with your exact creative needs, but they’ll know precisely how to display them to their best commercial effect, with free artwork proofing and in-house printing before you commit.

Free 3D visuals and stand planning

Worried about committing to a costly stand you’ve so far only imagined?  See your ideas and our designs come to life with free 3D visuals, following stand planning sessions with our expert team that ensure you’ll have the slickest display at your next event.

 

Free concierge service and secure stand storage

We’ve always been keen on the idea of a personal concierge service (hasn’t everyone?)…so this is exactly what we provide for our clients!  We don’t charge a penny to transport your display material to and from your event, and we even have a secure storage facility where your stand can be safely protected…

Reusable stands with a lifetime guarantee

…until the next time you decide to use it!  We’re extremely confident about the quality of every eco-friendly stand we create, which is why we’re proud to guarantee them.  This leaves you free to bring your creative dreams to life, safe in the knowledge that they’ll also last for life.

Pre-building and professional installation

We’ve all been there – coming home with a great new find from IKEA, only to find it takes far longer to put together than we first thought!

Never fear, our team will save you from installation complication as we’ll not only pre-build the stand before it leaves us, but we’ll also professionally install it at the event itself.

Fast turnaround of work

You’d think, wouldn’t you, that all our crazy professionalism might mean we’d need extra time to get your stand just right.  But you’d be wrong.  We’re just as slick with our service as we are with the displays themselves…we’ll tell you our turnaround time when you ask for a quote, and we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

 

It’s not hard to get started on letting us take the stress out of exhibitions for you, so you can get on with the business of promoting your business!  All you need to do is contact us (here) and we’ll get to work on creating the sales-converting display of your dreams.

Why You Should Embrace Gamification as Part of Your Next Display Stand.

If you’re not down with the kids (as we here at Guardian Exhibition & Display most definitely are!) ‘gamification’ can seem a scary word.  But it’s one you won’t be able to avoid if you’re looking for ever more innovative ways to liven up your exhibition displays and attract more visitors.

When we say ‘gamification’, we’re not talking about sullen black-clad teenagers playing Xbox in their bedrooms.  We’re talking about exhibition stands with added fizz and energy, creating spectacular traffic while engaging visitors directly with your brand. 

Gamification is basically the addition of play elements to your display.  If you’re exhibiting at a trade event any time soon, you won’t want to miss out on all the amazing benefits adding a few fun and games can offer…so here’s the lowdown, just for you!

 

Why add anything else when I’ve already got a great stand?

An injection of interactive play will do a fantastic job of attracting people to your stand...arguably a much better job than your best-looking salesperson in their best exhibition outfit!

Trade shows are, as we’ve so often mentioned, a blessing for businesses looking to promote themselves.  With so many visitors primed to buy, they offer an unsurpassed opportunity to vastly increase sales.

But this won’t happen if visitors aren’t motivated to visit your stand, and with so many others to choose from you’ll need to give them good reason to stop by.  Adding a unique element of fun will create an effortless, vibrant buzz that may result in a queue of people waiting to talk to you!

 

Exactly what kind of gamification should I add to my display?

We’re not talking about lugging a secondhand Playstation along to the exhibition to add to your stand, then letting visitors play whatever they like (although of course you’re very welcome to do this if you want to!) 

What you should always be looking to create with gamification is an enjoyable and immersive experience that’s properly tailored to your brand and will get people talking about and remembering it for all the right reasons.

Simple ideas can often be the most effective, such as a touch screen quiz about your brand, product or service, maybe with answers hidden around the stand or in your literature.  How about an interactive puzzle for people to solve, or even an electronic shooting range or a simulated car racing track to add some fun competition? 

The only limit is your creativity, but don’t forget to make sure your game ideas are relevant to your brand.  You want people to have fun, but you also need them to remember you – and we’re sure you’d quite like a return on your investment, too!

What else do I need to consider?

It’s not enough, of course, for your games to simply attract visitors to your stand; if you’ve been following our blog for a while then you’ll know the real name of the game is to get their details so you can follow up with them later on.

Your chosen method of gamification will do the job of breaking the ice, immediately engaging people with your stand and brand, then leading you on to more business-focused conversations.

Running a competition with your games, such as the shooting range example we’ve given above, provides an easy way for you to take visitors’ details as they begin.  Picking a winner later on is an excellent opportunity for an automatic follow-up, with a sympathetic ‘commiserations’ message to those who weren’t so successful!

Whatever route you decide to take with your gamification ideas, at Guardian Exhibition & Display you’ll find a friendly team of game-loving event display experts – so why not let us help you plan your winning strategy?  Contact us (here).