Trade Thoughts What does your firm hope to achieve from attending a trade event for the mobility industry? This month, THIIS asked leaders from the mobility and access sector who are exhibiting at Naidex 2022, to share their thoughts about the importance of an industry trade event, and some of the factors that they believe are key to their success.
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STAND
STAND
C36
D40
Lee French
Matt James
After the last couple of years, events such as Naidex enable us to once again engage with retailers, healthcare professionals and end users in a friendly relaxed environment. “By attending such events, we can meet far more people than would ever normally be possible in two days and by having a full product range on the stand we can answer any questions people may have while also demonstrating the many unique features of our rollators, manual wheelchairs and powered add-ons. “I think it is important that event organisers do as much as they can to promote the event and who is going to be exhibiting. Attending exhibitions is expensive when you combine the cost of the stand/salespeople off the road/hotels etc so from a return-oninvestment perspective we want to see as many people as possible. But they also need to be the right people for our business. “We are very careful when deciding which exhibitions to attend with past experience, the time of year, target groups just some of the factors we take into consideration. “The exhibition scene is certainly not what it was, for example Naidex has shrunk from three days to two days with significantly less exhibitors than five years ago. “Having said that, I still believe they have a place within our marketing plans, but organisers are going to have to continue to invest to keep things fresh and attract the right visitors and exhibitors.
Precision Rehab attend many events throughout the year focusing mainly on exhibitions such as Kidz to Adultz and Naidex. “We attend these shows which focus mainly on end users and private buyers but of course we look to refresh existing contacts such as OT’s, PT’s and case managers with our current products and new products we have launched or wish to launch at the shows. We usually launch new products at Naidex as it the largest UK show and generates the most interest and footfall. “We have always used Naidex as our primary show of the year as in the industry it is known as the show not to miss by all aspects of the industry – private buyers, OT’s, PT’s, trade, case managers and seating specialists. “It is also a great meeting point for overseas suppliers and manufacturers and allows us to focus on our main goal which is to book assessments for end users while also offering great networking opportunities. “Here at Precision Rehab we supply a lot of paediatric powerchairs from Paravan and Dietz Power UK and we are always looking promote these chairs. “In addition to Naidex we also attend the Adultz to Kidz exhibitions in the South, Middle and North of the UK. These are great little one-day events that allow us to showcase our children’s models to end users and parents without having to travel too far. See us at Naidex and the Kidz to Adultz events this year!
Managing Director, Rehasense UK
www.rehasense.co.uk
Director, Precision Rehab
www.precisionrehab.co.uk