Cover Feature
Reed Carpets
commercial director
and ESSA chairman
Martin Cairns
“The event
industry is a
key marketing
platform for both
consumer and
trade business,
it provides
opportunities
for companies
of all sizes and
it is heartily
encouraging,
particularly
for those in
construction,
to know that it
is in such good
health in this
time of political
and economic
uncertainty.”
Vice-chair of ESSA and
MD of EventShaper Lou
Kiwanuka
This report
emphasises the
reality of what
the supplier
sector has
seen for several
years. It’s been
tough out there,
there have been
influences on our
market beyond
the control of
an SME, but the
robustness of
our industry can
be seen in all
facets – venues,
organisers and
suppliers. The
report underpins
our need to keep
innovating and
developing to
ensure the UK is
at the forefront
of delivering
efficient, effective
and world leading
events.”
Racoon Events MD
Mike Seaman
2019 has been
a really strong
year for Racoon
Events, seeing
growth in both our
existing events
and our new
launches. Looking
forwards we
foresee this trend
continuing and a
resilient picture
for the industry as
a whole.
“The size and
make-up of the
consumer show
has clearly shifted
in recent years
and everyone
is affected
by political
uncertainty, but
events remain
relevant and
robust as long
as we continue
to listen to our
customers and
deliver what they
need.”
Manchester Central
CEO Shaun Hinds
“This year has
been another
incredibly strong
year for us; with
new events
emerging and
our longstanding
clients
demonstrating
their confidence,
in both the
industry and our
venue, through
multi-year deals.
The impact
events have on
local economies
and city regions
cannot be
underestimated;
not just in
monetary terms
but also transfer
of knowledge
and the business
opportunities this
creates. We’re
continuing to
work really hard
in Manchester
to ensure local
businesses are
engaged with the
events we host
and all parties
are perfectly
placed to reap the
rewards.”
Business Design
Centre executive
director of venue sales
Max Bull
I believe in
periods of
uncertainty -
which we are
certainly in-our
industry and the
best creative
minds often find
the gaps and
opportunities to
launch shows
to exploit new
markets or
legislation so we
could see some
big future events
emerging in the
next few years.
It should be
an exciting
time as well,
with continued
M&A among the
big organisers
helping the
ultrapreneur and
smaller show
organisers to take
risks and launch,
ensuring there is
a strong flow of
new shows and
business being
created year
on year. This is
obviously aligned
to the BDC and
remains our core
strength to work
with organisers
and we are
recognised as the
market leading
London launch
venue.”
Tarsus Group MD Doug
Emslie
“In 2018 we
continued to
see strong
organic growth,
delivering like-
for-like revenue
growth of 9%
and an increase
in buyers across
the portfolio of
10%. In 2019
we successfully
transitioned to
private ownership
following the
takeover by
Charterhouse.
“Our growth will
be delivered both
organically and
via acquisitions,
in line with our
‘Doubling Up!’
strategy, which
seeks to double
our revenues and
profit over the next
3-5 years.
We have seen
strong growth
in 2019 and we
are particularly
pleased that
attendance at
our shows. We
remain mindful
of the global
macroeconomic
background
and geopolitical
risk but expect
to deliver a
peer leading
performance in
2019 and into
2020.”
December — 21