Exhibition News June 2020 | Page 7

News “Without a doubt, this is a wake-up call to take content marketing more seriously, and by this, I mean high quality online content that supports our communities more than just when they are physically at our events” Alison Church, marketing director, UK & Global, Easyfairs Raccoon’s Indoor Relay raises £19,000 for charity The Indoor Relay, a 24-7 running relay raising money for charity, has smashed its £10,000 target raising over £19,000 after 250 runners from across the event industry took part, including some famous faces; Louise Minchin, Suzi Shaw, Jo Pavey, Mimi Anderson and Susie Chan. Since it started on 2 May, the event, launched by Mike Seaman, CEO, Raccoon Events, which runs the National Running Show, and a group of avid runners from across the exhibition industry and beyond taking on an hour’s leg of the relay. Seaman commented: “When we started the Indoor Relay we really hoped to be able to raise £10,000 and have been completely blown away by the support from the running community. With the return to school in sight we are working hard to try and smash the £20,000 mark. “We have had so much fun and learned so much chatting to people as they take on their leg, people have really got into the spirit dressing up and taking on even more challenges during their stint to get more donations in. If we are going to reach our next target, we need more runners to get involved. It is just one hour of your time and I know you will have some fun whilst doing your bit for some incredible charities.” Accountex postponed, yet raises £45k for NHS Accountex, a UK-organised accounting and finance conference and expo, has been postponed for 2020, returning for its 10th anniversary edition on 12-13 May 2021 at ExCeL London. Zoe Lacey-Cooper, portfolio and event director, said: “While we were hopeful that the current tough measures on restricted social interaction would be lifted by the autumn, there are still too many questions surrounding hotels, travel, social distancing measures, and individual company policies, to make it viable to run this year’s events. “The good news is that much of the event planning is already in place, and we go into 2021 with an incredible amount of good will and support. We look forward to working together to ensure that Accountex continues to be the celebration and gathering the industry deserves – and can be proud of.” On 13-14 May Diversified also organised the Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit, which the Accountex team helped found (in partnership with ACCA, Practice Ignition, and Generation CFO) and raised £44,500 for the NHS to support their work helping patients with Covid-19. The event saw 15,600 registrations. 30% more spent by business than leisure visitors £990 avg. UK business visitor spend 178,000 companies exhibited in 2018/19 165 the avg. number of companies exhibiting at an exhibition in the UK 4.7 days the avg. exhibition occupancy of a venue June — 07