Representatives from exhibitors at this October’s Healthcare Estates 2012 conference and exhibition met recently at Manchester Central with the exhibition’s organisers, Step Exhibitions, to provide feedback on how they felt the exhibition could be improved, discuss how to achieve one of the key aims – attracting more NHS and other public sector visitors, and hear more about some of the key features planned.
The first meeting of the 2012 Healthcare Estates Advisory Board saw discussed subjects ranging from how to attract more construction companies as exhibitors and visitors, to the production of CPD certificates for the event. Step Exhibitions exhibition director, Steve Webb, outlined some of the key features and initiatives developed to make the show an even bigger draw, and incentivise potential delegates to come. These include the issuing of an e-mail incorporating ‘10 key reasons’ why visitors should attend, designed to help NHS staff, especially, ‘justify’ their attendance; a ‘VIP area’ where selected visitors will be able to hold pre-arranged meetings and network; a free parking/public transport in Manchester scheme, and assistance with exhibitors’ issuing of product launch invitations to specific individuals. James Lee, commercial director, Step Exhibitions, described some of the ‘added value’ features set for the exhibition floor – including an HEJ ’New Product Area’, where suppliers will be able to present jointly with, say, an NHS customer, on real-life applications of innovative products and technologies; new ‘Contractors & Architects’ and ‘Estate Management and Consultants’ areas, and a focus on mental health led by the Design in Mental Health Network. For more details on both the conference and exhibition, see pages 9 and 10.
