( L-R ) Tinie Tempah , Sam Jones and Andrew Busby
Creating an extravaganza not a trade show
After three years with no show of its kind in the UK , extra pressure was mounted on the debut of Nineteen Group ’ s Retail Technology Show at Olympia London . Event director Matt Bradley tells EN ’ s Joe Gallop how he wanted to “ rip up convention ” by creating a festival vibe at the event , aided by stars such as Tinie Tempah and Deliciously Ella
Despite working in the industry for 20 years , Matt Bradley does not consider himself an exhibition organiser – and he would like the launch of the Retail Technology Show ( RTS ) to reflect that . In those two decades he says the show is the most exciting he has ever worked on .
“ I hate conforming to what people think events or exhibitions should look like ,” says RTS event director Bradley . “ I have never considered myself an exhibition director . I don ’ t run exhibitions , I run events , extravaganzas , happenings .
“ This is an extravaganza – this is enormous – it ’ s bringing retail back together .
“ The people that run trade shows are really successful and very good at what they do , it just doesn ’ t excite me necessarily . I ’ ve always wanted to do something that ’ s a little bit different . I like to rip up convention .”
With the April sunshine beaming through Olympia London ’ s windows ,
June — 33