GLASSTECPREVIEW
Survey results and new regulations prompt exhibition stand rethink
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TWO EXHIBITION STAND builders are urging companies to take a modular approach to stand design to achieve their exhibition objectives in terms of achieving visitor results and fulfilling new health and safety obligations .
WHAT VISITORS WANT
Exhibit Interactive , a fresh thinking company based in Warwickshire , is taking a stand on the traditional approach to trade shows by encouraging companies to stop wasting money on extravagant single use builds , because they ’ re simply not what visitors want to see .
The bold statement is being made by Exhibit Interactive ’ s team after running a survey at the Chartered Institute of Housing ( CIH ) 2016 exhibition held recently in Manchester . Delegates were asked what the most important factor was in encouraging them to visit an exhibition stand - the results are as follows :
• New products - 37 %
• Networking opportunities - 30 %
• New technology - 28 %
• Stand design structure - 5 %
• Graphic messages - 0 %
The new CDM regulations now apply to the building of temporary structures like this
Stand design structure and graphic messages , two of the areas that companies spend thousands of pounds on in the run up to an exhibition registered at a measly 5 % and 0 %. New products , networking opportunities and new technology , on the other hand , scored roughly a third of the opinions cast each .
Joe Ashton , Director at Exhibit Interactive , said : “ I ’ ve seen it so many times - companies get carried away and agonise over complex and costly stand designs , but does this really generate business for them ? Of course there are other factors that will influence these results , but the conclusion is that you really don ’ t have to build big structures to get the interest of the visitor .”
Saint Gobain CIH 2016
COST-EFFECTIVE , SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Exhibit Interactive is already practising what it ’ s preaching with big name clients opting for a more cost effective , sustainable approach to trade shows . Using modular display systems , which can be used time and again , coupled with the latest in augmented reality and virtual reality software , Exhibit Interactive is helping its clients deliver what customers are actually looking for .
Ashton continued : “ Saint Gobain is a world leader in design , production and distribution of construction materials and innovative solutions . We built a modular stand for them to use at CIH 2016 and they ’ ll go on to use it at future trade shows and at their own proprietary events .”
NEW REGULATIONS
Alan Jenkins is the Managing Director of Quadrant2Design . The company is the exclusive supplier of the Prestige Events System , a modular system that addresses new CDM ( Control , Design and Management ) regulations . Alan explains the implications of the news regulations on client and contractor : “ Simply put CDM regulations are health & safety law applicable to the building of permanent structures , like offices , factories , houses and skyscrapers .
“ The Health and Safety Executive had decided to apply the same set of regulations to the building of temporary structures , like exhibition stands and experiential events . So in theory , an exhibition stand built in say 8-hours , would have to meet the same level of health and safety legislation as the multibillion pound HS2 rail project or Donald Trump ’ s latest skyscraper ! Luckily , after a rear-guard action from the industry , the proposals were watered-down and modified to suit the special needs of our sector .”
CLIENT OBLIGATION “ Nevertheless , these new CDM regulations are stringent , and impose a new regulatory burden and implied legal threat to exhibition design and build contractors ,” Alan continues . “ And for the first time , CDM now places an obligation on the client to ensure their chosen contractor is CDM compliant . A client ’ s failure in this regard could lead to heavy fines or worse .
“ Our solution , the Prestige Events System , has always enjoyed many health and safety benefits . It ’ s lightweight and easy to build ( without tools ), requires no fork-lifts or heavy vehicles and is ‘ clean-process ’ with no paint , solvents , glues or sawdust involved .
“ In fact , when our guys are onsite building a Prestige exhibition stand , they are probably working in one of the safest environments within the exhibition hall , with no power tools present , no chemicals , paints or solvents , and no choking sawdust in the air !
“ We have completely revolutionised our attitude and approach to Health and Safety , with a new structure , policies and procedures built around and integrated into the CDM regulations . What ’ s more , this process has led to us realising and articulating the inherent health and safety benefits of our Prestige Events System .”
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