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Powering your event
Nicola Macdonald catches up with Showlite’s
electrical operations manager, Ross Isolda,
who touches on the finer points of electrics
What is it about Showlite’s
approach that makes it
different?
Exhibition electrics can be
daunting for many exhibitors.
Our long experience in dealing
with the multitude of individual
enquiries has taught us that
a call centre approach just
does not work. We believe in
a personalised approach, with
experienced qualified staff to
guide the exhibitor through
the process and our customers
always appreciate the time we
give them. Indeed, a little bit of
guidance goes a long way.
How do you get electrics
right for every client?
Events small or large have similar
challenges and information is
key. We gather information from
venues, exhibitors, contractors
and exhibition organisers. It’s a
constantly changing situation,
right up to the show opening.
This allows us to advise our
clients properly and by taking
the time to listen to their
requirements, allows us to give
the correct information to our
installation teams and the venue.
It’s about delivering a safe,
comfortable and stress free build
up.
How can you help us save
money on electrics?
We all know electrical costs can
spiral out of control. Our contract
managers can help exhibitors
save money. On a basic level this
could be as simple as an exhibitor
34 — June
who is unaware they already have
an electrical package supplied
ordering further electrics when
in reality they don’t need them.
This happens quite often, and our
honesty is appreciated.
What is the goal of a
successful electrics
installation?
It’s our goal to ensure organiser
and exhibitors have the
smoothest, stress free experience
with us, and get maximum return
from their event participation.
Key to this is understanding their
power requirements for their
installation. It’s all too easy to
order the cheapest socket or main
on the price list without actually
understanding what is needed.
“We believe in a
personalised
approach; a little
bit of guidance
goes a long way”
What’s the most common
electrics problem you have
to deal with?
Too many times we have seen
an underpowered socket being
abused by overloading. This
causes many on-site issues, not
just safety, that eat up valuable
time and labour resources. The
rules and regulations are there
to protect our clients. A simple
call to the client to identify their
needs ensures that they and
potentially others on their block
of stands will enjoy a safe and
correct installation without any
loss of power through the show.
Why is it so complicated
to just get our lights and
power outlets working?
“It’s just spots and sockets”
is a throwaway term I hear
to describe electrics in the
industry. This is far from the
case. Different types of lighting
and how best to light the stand,
power distribution and the
most cost effective method to
achieve it, pre-fabbing gear prior
to site installation, dealing with
contractors from overseas with
different electrical practice,
on-site testing and inspection,
training supervisory staff to
18th edition, health and safety
training and applying grading
status to each individual installer.
A lot of time is invested in our
staff and pre site operations –
indeed, it’s a million miles away
from “just spots and sockets”!
How do you know you’re
doing it right?
“You’ve heard all this before,
right?” Well, a simple way to
measure the success of our
approach is to visit one of our
installations in the thick of a
build-up. The lack of queues at
our service desk will tell you
all you need to know. Indeed,
just this simple fact, gives
our customers the trust and
confidence to keep coming back
to us time and time again. EN
Find out more about how Showlite
can help power your event at
www.showlite.co.uk