Category: News

The Swiss based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus made a splash at the biennial Australian International Airshow (Avalon) this year with the installation of a full scale mock up of an innovative new business jet. The jet was the star attraction on the Pilatus stand which was the largest exhibition stand at the show.

Here at 200m2, we’re always impressed when we see exhibits like this. Aside from the logistical challenges which exhibition stands like this represent, exhibits like this provide a number of other challenges.

 

Stage management is absolutely crucial.  Over the years at 200m2 we have managed many boat show exhibition stands where luxury yachts are showcased to prospective buyers.  The challenge is to ensure the exhibit remains accessible to all whilst keeping it open to key prospects at the time they want to visit.  Flexibility is key.

Visitors to the impressive 400 square metre Pilatus stand, including the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Australian Minister for Defence, were able to view the showcase replica of the 17 metre long aircraft which is the world’s first ever business jet designed for use on short, unprepared runways.

The biennial Australian International Airshow or Avalon Airshow, held at Avalon Airport, near Melbourne, Australia, from 24th February to 1st March 2015, is one of Asia Pacific’s most prestigious aviation, aerospace and defence exhibitions, attracting high profile visitors from all over the globe.

Here at 200m2 Exhibitions, we love a good cup of coffee! Quite often it can make all the difference when we’re on the road building complex exhibition stands both in the UK and across Europe.  So when an exhibition comes along which combines two of our favourite things (exhibition stands and coffee) we certainly take notice!

The London London Coffee Festival took place last week between 30 April and 3 May.  All the leading coffee brands made an appearance including some of the biggest household coffee brands. Starbucks exhibited for the fourth year in a row with an excellent stand which was both interactive and imaginative from a design perspective.

Starbuck’s interactive exhibition stand tried to raise awareness of its new product offerings as well as educate and inform visitors about coffee and the art of coffee brewing.  Of all the exhibition stands at the show, this was our favourite!

Visitors were able to sample a series of different Starbucks coffee varieties and take a batch of fresh beans home with them!  The bar was headed up by a Starbucks representative who provided tips and advice for making great-tasting coffee at home.

Starbucks also recruited its 2015 ‘Barista Champions’ to man the stand, who hailed from all over the UK. They were on hand to teach visitors about latte art and provide tips for making coffee.

We certainly enjoyed the experience – well done Starbucks!

Each year at Ecobuild, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) gives exhibitors the opportunity to proudly shout about the green credentials of their exhibition stand.

This year, the UKGBC teamed up with Ecobuild’s organisers to look for examples of how sustainability could be incorporated into exhibition stands.  Stands were assessed using the following factors: design and sourcing of materials, construction, elimination of waste, reducing materials and energy used, reusing and recycling and displaying the ethical sourcing and fair-trading of the materials used. So who were the winners?

Winners Over 80m2 – Graf UK

Graf’s stand was an impressive example of extensive re-use, having exhibited at several shows globally over a number of years. It was primarily constructed with clever use of the company product that tessellates, allowing for easy transportation. Information display panels were reversible with a variety of languages on either side, negating the need for multiple display walls.

Runners-up Over 80m2 – ZERO

This eye catching and creative conversion of a shipping container incorporated a self-contained biomass boiler and organic juice bar. Everything was self-built by ZERO’s passionate team,

including the furniture which was up-cycled from discarded building materials. ZERO intend to use the stand at several other exhibitions.

Winners up to 80m2 – SRE

Careful consideration was given to the re-use of this stand’s materials with the panels eventually being installed in the company offices and the carpet being donated to a local youth group. Scrutiny of the supply chain was clearly a priority for SRE as even their sparkling wine was from a vineyard ten miles from the company HQ in Hampshire!

Runners-up, up to 80m2 – SiP Energy

SiP’s stand was another fine example of re-use, now a veteran of 4 Ecobuilds and various other shows. This stand also made good use of the company’s product – durable construction panels. SIP’s staff opted to keep stand literature to a minimum, preferring instead to get their brand method across using good old-fashioned talking!

Here at 200m2, we are very passionate about sustainable exhibition stands. Our own modular exhibition stands can be scaled to fit any floorspace and can be re-used multiple times. What’s more, we use a range of eco-friendly inks for our dispplay panels to minimise the impact on the environment. Find out more about our exhibition print services here.

Storage and transportation costs are also a key factor in an exhibition stand’s green credentials.  Our foldable trussing solutions such as TRUSSwire (X-20) can be folded for easy storage.  What’s more, our extensive use of composite materials allow for significant weight savings making transportation on long distances very cost effective.

To find out more, contact 200m2 via 020 333 200 92.  We look forward to working with you on your next project.

Optrafair will be the setting for a BCLA sponsored ‘Willy Wonka’ style competition this year.  BCLA will be planting Golden Tickets within its branded chocolate stash on its exhibition stand.  The Golden Tickets will enable people to win free entry to BCLA’s Clinical Conference and Exhibition in May 2015.

There will be a ticket packaged inside a BCLA-branded bar of chocolate each day of this weekend’s exhibition (on stand D40).

BCLA CEO Cheryl Donnelly said: “We’re inviting all Optrafair visitors, particularly those who may be somewhat ambivalent towards contact lens practice, to come along to our stand.”

We like inclusive strategies like this at 200m2.  This is an interesting idea and certainly one which will encourage people to stop at the stand… especially the chocoholics visiting the show!  The golden ticket is also a clever way to encourage people to participate in a competition.

If you’re exhibiting at Optrafair and need advice on how to maximise exhibition footfall on your stand, we’re here to help.  200m2 is one of the UK leaders in modular exhibition stands and exhibition stand hire.

Call us on 020 333 200 92 and one of our exhibition stand specialists will be happy to help you.

 

 

Europe’s top aviation conference is likely to be the busiest on record when it takes place in Aberdeen this spring. The show’s organisers are reporting an increase in both demand for exhibition stands and delegate registration.

Routes Europe is being held between the 12th and the 14th of April at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The annual trade gathering is the largest regional routes event in Europe.

The conference brings together a wide range of airlines, airports and tourism authorities, including budget, flagship and national carriers and provides new opportunities for some of the most influential aviation professionals around the world.

The Aberdeen event will be the first Routes Europe conference to be held in the UK.  To date, exhibition stand sales are up 18% on last year and delegate registrations are ahead by 10%. Organisers are expecting over 1,500 senior aviation industry people to attend.

Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “Hosting Routes Europe will provide a unique opportunity to promote the city, region and country to an international audience and strengthen existing social and economic bonds, while asserting and building on Aberdeen’s status as a global energy hub.”

If you’re thinking of exhibiting at the show, why not give 200m2 a call on 020 333 200 92 for a no-obligation quote. 200m2 is one of Scotland’s leading exhibition stand contractors.