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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