2021 saw the reintroduction of exhibitions and seminars following a much missed 18 month pause in normal business activity.
Engineering & Manufacturing Network held their EMCON 21 event amidst an uncertain period and weren’t sure what to expect by way of exhibitor or visitor registrations. We were blown away by the support of our region and the show was at maximum capacity with exhibitors and had a fantastic footfall with feedback still being provided around the success of conversations held on the day.
Thursday 8th September this year will bring EMCON 22 and once again we are expecting a great show with a huge proportion of the floor space already sold to old and new exhibitors who see the value of investment in our show. This brings the question as to whether such an investment is worthwhile and what would be expected on the day?
Exhibitions are an important way of bringing your businesses products or services to a wide audience in one short period of time. When you consider how much time and resource would be required to reach an audience of hundreds, the costs of exhibiting at such events pails by comparison. That isn’t to say that the investment in an exhibition stand shouldn’t be viewed as a serious one, you must be prepared and have a list of expectations for the day.
Engineering & Manufacturing Network can support this with pre-exhibition support to ensure that you get the most from your investment, identify targets and create a plan not just ensuring preparedness but also the post show follow up process which is in many ways more important than anything else.
To determine the value of a show its always worth looking at returning exhibitors and EMCON has a fantastic relationship with businesses who have been before and include many who return as a sponsor following success the year before. This year is no different with 10 sponsors already onboard, 8 of whom have exhibited before and recognise the value of coming back and increasing their presence on the day. These include (so far):
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Each of these will go through a rigorous pre-show process involving ensuring they have created a media buzz through their own channels around the show, inviting existing customers and pipeline ones to visit them on the day, designing their stand to optimise the space they have and creating a ‘game plan’ around the message to use on the day and the follow up process to chase down warm leads in the days and weeks that follow.
The day itself is a whirlwind of activity including the exhibition itself, side room seminars and a large seminar which is currently in the planning with our partners at AMAP (Sunderland University) and their North East Maintenance Forum.
Visitors to the show include a wide range of buyers, managers and directors from businesses across the wider manufacturing sectors from automotive, process, electronics, plastics, heavy engineering, subcon engineering, cnc, digital ad so on. Service is also well represented with a range of support services included in the day. Engineering & Manufacturing Network endeavour to ensure that as wide an audience is reached and invite along many of our regions Tier 1 and OEM as possible.
We are very proud of our region and also look to advertise this to businesses who want to engage with the North East having attendees and exhibitors from far and wide, with the show growing in recognition each year.
If this is something you would like to consider for either attendance or as an exhibitor then please get in touch through the dedicated website emcon.show
If your interest extends beyond the day and you would like to join hundreds of likeminded engineering and manufacturing businesses and be a part of the regions primary cross sector network in our sector then get in touch with us at emn.org.uk and receive the type of support that brings sustainability and growth.