6 minute read
What to expect at The Glamping Show 2024
The UK’s only dedicated event for the glamping sector, The Glamping Show 2024 (TGS), is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year from 19th to 21st September at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.
The premier event for the glamping industry is free-to-attend and provides a unique opportunity for established glamping operators and those new to the sector to find out more about the latest products and services essential to running a successful glamping operation. TGS is a rare chance to meet with other operators, learn from their experiences, and hear their tips and tricks. It also includes a full programme of seminars delivered by recognised industry experts covering every aspect of running a prosperous glamping business.
International Glamping Business caught up with Dan Wiseman, Exhibition Manager at Swan Events, to find out what we can expect this September.
Where will the event take place?
NAEC Stoneleigh is home to The Glamping Show. Just outside Kenilworth in the Midlands, the venue is centrally located and easily accessible for visitors from anywhere in the UK and overseas by road, train and plane.
The Glamping Show has remained at the same venue for some years now, why is it so important?
TGS welcomes visitors from every part of the UK and Ireland, along with an increasing number of international visitors. Because of its location, NAEC Stoneleigh is easy to reach for everyone which is an important consideration when choosing a venue. What’s more, the site is vast, enabling exhibitors to set up and display their structures and products so visitors can see them outside as they would be used. The added bonus of free parking makes NAEC Stoneleigh a really great choice for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Will seminars be taking place again this year and what will they cost?
An exciting new seminar programme has been developed for this year’s event and will include sessions from leading experts in the field. Covering every aspect of set-up and operation, the free-to-attend presentations are a fantastic source of information and give visitors the opportunity to ask questions and speak with presenters after each session. Topics so far include finance, planning, insurance and subsidies, revenue maximisation, dynamic pricing, off-grid power, industry trends and forecasts and using AI to benefit your operation.
The sessions are available to all visitors and do not need to be booked in advance. However, they are extremely popular so it’s worth arriving early to secure a seat.
Why should people who are looking to set up or upgrade an existing glamping site come to The Glamping Show?
The Glamping Show is the most comprehensive, one-stop-shop for anyone involved in the business of glamping. In one visit, attendees can find a combination of structures, services and accessories that will cover every aspect of their business.
Whether visitors are just beginning their journey into glamping or are established operators looking for ways to expand and enhance their offering, they will be able to discover the very latest and best products and services that the glamping industry has to offer.
Whilst this information can also be sourced online, nothing beats being able to see and touch a product before you buy it and meet the suppliers to ask specific questions face-to-face.
What kind of glamping structures will be at this year’s event?
The answer is a wide range of structures, from pods to tipis, shepherd huts to safari tents, geometric domes and yurts, to mirror houses.
Among the exhibitors are Glamping Show stalwarts, many of whom have been exhibiting at the show since it was established 10 years ago, including TruDomes, Yurts For Life, Black Sheep Shepherd Huts, Blackdown Shepherd Huts, Lotus Belle Tents, Land Pod and Coal Bunker Glamping Pods. They will be accompanied by 14 new exhibitors at this year’s event, including ÖÖD Mirror Houses.
As well as accommodation structures, there will be a wide range of products and accessories from long-running exhibitors at TGS including Naked Flame EcoTubs, Fire Pits UK, The Log Company and The Septic Tank Store, who will be joined by a range of new exhibitors including Mattressman and Salamander Stoves.
What kind of glamping services will be at this year’s event?
When setting up a glamping business, the choice of structure or accommodation is always important, but the accompanying services often ensure the ongoing success and profitability of the business. Finding and selecting the right type of finance, securing planning permission, successful marketing and booking management systems will contribute to your business’s success and all can be found at TGS.
GFT Event Equipment Finance, Crown & Canopy and GemaPark/Netguides are among the long-term supporters of the Show who have collectively provided glamping-related services to hundreds of glamping site operators, enabling them to thrive.
The Glamping Show is now in its 10th year. How has it changed and how is this reflected in the event?
Glamping was once considered a quirky fad that would swiftly disappear. Far from it – glamping is now an established sector that offers some truly innovative accommodation and is ideally positioned to lead the way in sustainable tourism. In recent years, we have seen a number of hotel operators venture into offering glamping units to attract customers who prefer something different to a regular hotel room.
It’s fair to say that glamping has come a long way and so has The Glamping Show. Over the years, I have watched exhibiting companies become more professional, improving their product ranges and branding, and presenting some spectacular displays. Many of the exhibitors have been exhibiting since our first event 10 years ago, demonstrating the success of these companies and the value TGS offers to them in terms of return on investment. Added to the well-established brands, this year we are welcoming a raft of new companies, and together our exhibitors bring fresh ideas and innovative new products to add value to any glamping operation.
Finally, will kids and dogs be allowed?
YES! Although this is a business event, visitors are welcome to bring children if they wish, and four-legged friends are welcome too. At TGS, we recognise that so many visitors are family operations with dogs, and we aim to create a relaxed and welcoming vibe at TGS. However, as usual we ask owners to keep dogs on leads at all times.
To find out more about The Glamping Show UK 2024 or to claim your free ticket to the event, head over to theglampingshow.com.
