NEW look for national exhibition
10 May 2010
Like many countries, the UK has struggled to establish, or re-establish, a single focal event for the whole industry. The team behind National Electronics Week, which will open its doors next week, have evolved their show through difficult times and now believe they have a winning formula.
I spoke to Event Director Claire Saunders to ask her the questions industry has about the event.
Tim Fryer: Is NEW at the NEC a new show?
Claire Saunders: Is NEW new? Good question! Obviously, longstanding NEW UK attendees will notice that there are a few immediately obvious changes to our proven format. This year, we’re introducing a change to the date, duration and location – a direct result of an extensive e-survey we conducted at the close of last year’s show. Many people were curious to see what would happen if we moved the show to a more central national location earlier in the year and we’re only too happy to oblige them! We’re also reducing the show to a two-day run which will enable us to pack more educational and business-focused features into the hall at any one time.
However, since we’re constantly looking for new ways to help attendees get the most out of the event, there is a sense that NEW will always be a new show. In line with this, 2010 will see attendees get to grips with an even more extensive educational line-up, engaging displays and an unprecedented scope of coverage in terms of dedicated support for diverse market sectors. You could say that listening to our audience is the one constant when it comes to this show – which is why it’s the UK’s number one electronics exhibition. And long may this continue!
Tim Fryer: Why the move from central London to the NEC?
Claire Saunders: As I mentioned previously, the move is a direct response to exhibitor and visitor feedback. And unsurprisingly, the decision to relocate for 2010 in Birmingham has been received extremely positively. Obviously, London was a great location and proved to be popular with many of our visitors and exhibitors. However, the general feeling at the end of the show was that a more central location would enable greater participation from all corners of the industry and indeed, country. The NEC is the busiest exhibition centre in Europe, making it an ideal venue for a show the size of National Electronics Week. With over four million people visiting the venue each year, it’s well placed to attract higher exhibitor and visitor numbers to the show. Plus, hosting a vast number of eateries and bars and with quick links into Birmingham city centre, our new home at the NEC will ensure that there will never be a dull moment! We’re always open to ideas and suggestions as to how we can improve the show, as I think this move proves.
Tim Fryer: While a central London location clearly did not appeal to the entire visitor base, there were still some very positive aspects to the show. What do you see as these positives and how will they be replicated in Birmingham?
Claire Saunders: London was a great location for us last year and we were delighted at the success of the 2009 show amidst the challenging economic climate. I think one of the main benefits was easy access and, of course, the appeal of the capital being close at hand for social and networking opportunities outside show hours was a major draw too. However, I think Birmingham can certainly match this appeal. In the past twenty years, £9bn has been spent on regenerating the city which now generates more wealth than Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds. Vibrant and diverse, the city is a centre for retail, commerce and culture and is easily accessible from every part of the country. With excellent rail and road links, it’s even served by its own airport – something that is likely to appeal to our international visitors. Like you suggest, we will never please everyone in terms of location – the most we can do is listen closely to attendee feedback and keep evolving the show in line with this. Obviously, the main appeal of NEW lies in its unique ability to cater for electronics professionals from every market sector; this commitment won’t change, wherever we are!
Tim Fryer: People will automatically identify this as a new version of NEPCON - is this fair and is this necessarily a bad thing?
Claire Saunders: I can see why people might assume that, since NEW is the UK’s leading electronics event – just as Nepcon was previously. However, I personally think that’s where the similarities end. I’ve obviously been involved closely with both shows and can safely say that NEW has raised the bar for what electronics professionals can expect from UK events. Of course, you’d expect me to say that! But I think that the statement will hold up if you speak to many of our supporting exhibitors, visitors and trade associations. Since the very beginning, we have been incredibly focused on providing dedicated support for every market sector here in the UK - providing a dynamic platform from which they can do business. However, we’re also firm believers in the responsibility of events to provide educational opportunities that will foster innovation and ultimately, the development of our industry. Our capacity to combine all of this in one platform really sets us apart from everything that’s gone before us. But, above all this, I believe it’s our status as a true industry event, run by people dedicated to it, that makes NEW unique. We are and always will be an industry event, shaped by participant feedback and dedicated to participant success.
Tim Fryer: Is NEW a true blend of production and design and if so does it mirror the profile of the electronics industry in the UK in 2010?
Claire Saunders: Yes, NEW is a blend of production and design – but it’s also so much more. In 2010, we’ll be providing dedicated support for Components, Design & Development, Embedded, EMS, Photonics & Laser, Production Assembly, Solar & Green Design, Test & Measurement and Wireless. We’ve tried to capture the true emerging diversity of the industry and as such, extend the relevant exhibits for our growing visitor numbers. Naturally, we realise that production and design are electronics staples for us here in the UK so will be serving these faithfully with extensive exhibits, technical seminar programmes and business opportunities. However, we also recognise that we have a wealth of talented people working in other sectors which are equally deserving of high-profile event support. These dual commitments are by no means mutually exclusive, as we’ve proven over the last few years. Generally, we’re looking forward to helping UK electronics professionals take advantage of the new opportunities that are surfacing in the wake of the recent downturn.
Tim Fryer: How do you see the state of the UK electronics industry at the moment?
Claire Saunders: It’s no secret that we’ve been hit hard by the recession – as has every other sector in the UK and internationally. However, the savvy businesses have been able to use recent months as an opportunity to consolidate, which places them in an enviable position from which to emerge from the downturn. Having spoken to visitors and exhibitors alike, we’re pleased to report that many are feeling extremely positive about 2010 and, certainly, 2011. As ever, we have much to be proud of here in the UK – the level of expertise we have on offer puts us in a great place on the world stage. We have to be realistic; we won’t return to 2007 levels overnight. But, growth is creeping back in and we feel optimistic about this year and beyond!
Tim Fryer: What buy-in have you got from the electronics industry; for example, trade associations?
Claire Saunders: We’re delighted to be backed by some of the industry’s biggest names including IET and EKTN who will both be getting involved in the extensive seminar programmes we’ll be running at the show. The Institution of Engineering and Technology will be bringing technical experts to the show, adding an extra layer of knowledge as a world-leading professional society for engineering and technology professionals. The Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network will also be on hand to advise attendees on how to maintain an innovative electronics sector and get innovative ideas to market. We’re currently in talks with several other high profile trade associations so watch this space for news of yet more industry support!
Tim Fryer: Is NEW more than just an exhibition? Does it take seminars, conferences etc to get engineers out of their factories and offices, and if so what are the main pulling points that NEW can offer?
Claire Saunders: NEW is more than an exhibition; in fact, we like to think that it has changed the way electronics professionals will think about exhibitions from now on. Obviously, an exhibition’s primary function is to connect visitors and exhibitors, buyers and sellers. It needs to do this effectively – acting as the catalyst for relevant and ultimately fruitful connections. But now more than ever before, we feel it’s important to offer extra layers of value through seminar programmes, workshops and expert guidance. After all, it’s in all our interests to keep the UK innovating, so it’s vital that we nurture the talent we have here in the electronics industry. As I mentioned previously, we’ll be running a series of technical seminar programmes with leading trade associations, in addition to having several industry experts on-site to answer questions and deliver advice. We’ll also be featuring some really engaging exhibits such as the new Bloodhound SSC - the latest supersonic contender for the land speed record! We’ll be announcing even more attractions over the coming weeks so it doesn’t stop here…
Tim Fryer: And for some reason, although everyone will claim it back on expenses anyway, there is an obsession about if the parking is now free at the NEC. Is it?
Claire Saunders: Yes, in my experience, parking does always seem to be a contentious issue! Currently, the situation is that parking will be free for exhibitors but not visitors. However, we are in talks with the NEC as we speak so I’m hoping that we’ll have something even more positive to report in the near future!
National Electronics Week UK takes place at Birmingham NEC from 18th – 19th May.
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