Talking Nepcon
07 April 2007
As the UK’s only electronics manufacturing exhibition, Nepcon has become a central part of its event calendar. With the 2007 show now only weeks away, new Marketing Manager Deborah Sibthorpe outlines why she thinks Nepcon has an important role to play in today’s industry.
EMT: From your unique perspective as a relatively new addition at Nepcon,
what do you consider to be the show’s core strengths?
Deborah Sibthorpe: On joining, it was soon apparent that as the UK’s only national show dedicated to electronics manufacturing, Nepcon is extremely important to the industry. We all know that these days, nobody has much time to spare - and this is definitely true for electronics manufacturers. So, Nepcon’s ability to provide today’s industry with a time-efficient platform to meet new and existing suppliers face-to-face, evaluate new technologies and see products live, is invaluable. Nowhere else in the UK can you view the number of suppliers present at Nepcon. The visitors I’ve already spoken to really value this opportunity, consigning to the past days of trawling the internet for new suppliers!
In fact, having recently analysed the results of an online customer survey, we’ve found that 66% of visitors state that Nepcon is either important or very important to their business. I think this is down to the fact that the event represents an unparalleled opportunity to bring buyers and sellers together in one place – and on UK soil.
EMT: We’ve heard a lot recently about the decline of manufacturing in the UK. Have you altered Nepcon’s role in line with the changing needs of today’s manufacturers?
DS: There has certainly been a lot of attention devoted to this subject, and deservedly so. It is imperative that the UK industry stays competitive in the face of low-cost offshore volume manufacturing. But, I’m pleased to say that the exhibitors I’ve been speaking to certainly talk about the future with cautious optimism, something we will seek to build on in years to come. Right now, the decline of volume manufacturing is being countered by the growth of innovation and UK businesses breaking into new markets. So, of course, we’ve had to keep up to date with these emerging market trends. We’re committed to tailoring the show to the needs of our customers, highlighted by our move to the improved facilities of the NEC. The continual introduction of new show features provides further evidence of this.
EMT: How big a role does visitor and exhibitor feedback play in Nepcon’s ongoing development?
DS: A huge role! We know that without our visitors and exhibitors there would be no Nepcon. We’re constantly pro-actively soliciting feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike. From site visits, phone calls and questionnaires, to going through formal steering committees, we use a range of mediums to ensure we gain an accurate picture.
EMT: In line with this, are you introducing any new features for 2007?
DS: In a word, yes! Having taken account of customer feedback, we’re launching an additional seminar series in conjunction with DSEi (Defence Systems & Equipment International Exhibition) which aims to help visitors break into the defence industry. Plus, our Online Show Planner allows visitors to build their very own personalised floor plan, while an Online Exhibitor Library directly links them to product information, company brochures and press releases. All of these online tools, accessible in advance of the event, will enable the visitor to get even more out of their attendance at Nepcon.
EMT: How do you see Nepcon evolving in the future?
DS: The future of Nepcon is really dependent on what our visitors and exhibitors tell us they need. As the organiser of Nepcon, Reed Exhibitions is wholeheartedly committed to the sector and we will continue to build on this platform to represent the whole industry, from design to manufacture. Of course, we will constantly seek to add value to the event to ensure people come back again and again.
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