EDITOR ' S LETTER
Access
Subscribe to EN for free today by visiting our website
Contributing editor Mike Fletcher
Portfolio director Max Agostini
Reporter Joe Gallop
Production manager Sabrina Boucher
Contact us
Published by Mash Media 2 nd Floor Apple Market House , 17 Union Street , Kingston upon Thames , KT1 1RP .
Subscription : One year ’ s subscription cost is UK £ 95 + VAT p / a Europe £ 112 + VAT , ROW £ 130 + VAT .
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers . No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers .
Printed by Pensord Press Ltd .
Sales director Paul King
Marketing manager Georgina Kay
Subscriptions : 020 8481 1128 Editorial : 020 8481 1152 Sales : 020 8481 1122 Production & Design : 020 8481 1132
exhibitionnews . co . uk
@ exhibitionnews
@ exhibitionnews
Exhibition News Magazine for all
When ROAR B2B reached out to ask if I ’ d have a chat with its new head of accessibility , two things intrigued me enough to jump at the opportunity . I ’ d noticed that conversations on accessibility at exhibitions had been getting louder recently . Was it just the subject du jour ? Or is it moving up the agenda because venues and organisers aren ’ t doing enough , or even falling foul of the 2010 Equality Act ?
Secondly , the person I was invited to interview would not only be able to share her lived experiences of attending exhibitions as a woman of short stature , but she is also something of a television personality . Exhibition organisers often bemoan this industry doesn ’ t get the high-profile attention it deserves and here was daytime TV ’ s Shani Dhanda getting into bed with one . What is going on ?
To answer my first question , you ’ ll need to read my interview with Shani on page 10 ( spoiler alert , exhibitions could do more , much more ). To explain , what ’ s going on ? Well , when events were forced to go virtual during the pandemic , they instantly became accessible to everyone with a screen . That ’ s now brought greater scrutiny on just how accessible in-person event experience are plus , what organisers are losing out on , both reputationally and commercially by failing to adequately serve 16 million UK-based disabled people and 16 % of the population worldwide .
Shani ’ s profile will help the spotlight of scrutiny shine brighter and ROAR B2B tells me it ’ s happy to share knowledge with any exhibitions business needing to make improvements .
In the meantime , to experience the benchmark of accessible exhibitions , check out the ROAR B2B-run Naidex at the Birmingham NEC on the 20th or 21st of March .
This event has been supporting the disability community for over 50 years . In partnership with the NEC , it provides visitors with mobility equipment , accessible facilities such as toilets and changing rooms , BSL sign language interpreters , quiet spaces , plus dedicated areas for assistance dogs to rest , rehydrate and access the outside . There are also detailed Guides for 28 areas of the NEC , including all its exhibition halls , car parks , The Atrium , The Gallery , The Piazza , and The Skywalk .
These Guides help people plan their visit and remove the accessibility uncertainties disabled people often face when going out . What do you need to do to make your exhibitions more accessible ?
Mike Fletcher Contributing Editor Exhibition News
Spring — 05