AVEX 2017
BY YVONNE REYNOLDS-YOUNG – PUBLISHER PV.
Twenty-four hours before AVEX started I was planning to drive from Lancashire to the NEC. Ian was planning to do the same on day 2, for his shift.
But then, we looked at the weather forecast and suddenly, the M6 was an even less attractive proposition than usual. So, after a quick look on t’internet, two return train tickets were duly booked.
Being a newly eligible ‘special’ railcard holder affords me certain privileges so I was able to travel on Virgin’s First Class on the 9.17 which delivered a fabulous breakfast! It was very welcome and set me up for the day. Later trains provide some very ‘interesting’ food offerings to say the least, so a breakfast train is always a treat! A minor hiccup at Birmingham New Street meant that we all had to swap trains to International but all in all, I don’t think I’ll ever drive to the NEC again. What a brilliant facility to be able to arrive at a major station and walk, under cover, to the exhibition centre. Yes, AVEX was probably in the most distant hall, but how much easier is it than parking miles away and having to catch a bus? Train every time for me now.
Suitably refreshed with a change of shoes from my ‘comfy’ boots, I wandered into the show where, joyfully, there was a bit of a buzz, certainly an improvement on two years ago when everything seemed to conspire against the organisers in their attempts to deliver a busy and vibrant show.
There seemed to be fewer stands than in previous years and apart from N&W’s fantastic new stand with a truly impressive array of coffee machines, Crane’s homage to its founding father and a Mars ‘Goodness Knows’ bus, there were very few of the previous multi layered, ‘big and blousy’ stands. This may have led to the more intimate feel to the show.
After talking to people on most of the stands at some point during the day, it was clear that there would still be a division of opinion by the time the show ended on the 13th. The likes of N&W, Crane and Coffetek had visitors to their stands throughout the day. The busier exhibitors had set up appointments in advance and ensured that their client base knew where they were, or took advantage of opportunities to promote their presence, or created an event on the stand such as a competition or special offers. There were however those where visitors were few and far between – but in the end it’s quality over quantity that will count. If every stand owner leaves with a handful of leads that turn into business the show will probably be deemed to be a success and rightly so.
I took some photos during my day. Here are a few, shout if you want copies or wish to use them. We will require copyright credit.
