A DAY IN
THE LIFE OF
A VAPER
EXPO WORKER
We went behind the scenes to see what really goes
into Europe’s biggest vape show with Ryan from
stage management and Chris from logistics.
By Lucy MacKinnon
With every operation, there are numerous unique cogs turning
hidden away to ensure everything runs smoothly – and the
Vaper Expo is no different. We spoke to those involved in the
organisation, production and execution of this vaping Mecca to
reveal some much-needed insider insight.
After months of business meetings, various spread sheets, and
many, many email threads, the initial organisation of the event
has begun. Contracts with advertisers, marketers, rental spaces,
contractors, exhibitors, employees and guests (to name a few)
have had their i’s dotted and t’s crossed. But that is only the first
step of the Vaper Expo’s journey – a journey hundreds of different
companies are also taking, except down different routes.
One of those is the route taken by Ryan Grant, the project manager
responsible for managing both the entrance and giveaway stages,
who revealed that after four months of planning, his team spend
two days on site preparing. “It starts early for us as we’re working
7am – 7pm. On the live days, the show crew will be there from
10am until the exhibition closes at 6pm.
During this time, we’ll be making sure the main stage lighting and
sound is working perfectly, that all the pyro and CO2 jets are fired
on cue and liaising with the different acts who are performing to
ensure we’re meeting their technical needs.”
With this year’s event being the eighth one under his belt he has
seen the show grow “bigger and bigger each year.”
“The team are always striving to deliver something new and fresh
for each show and this can throw up various challenges along the
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way. For me, this is what makes it makes it such a great event to
work on and it’s extremely satisfying to see it all come together
when the exhibition opens.”
“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is bringing the visions
of my clients to life. The Vaper Expo organisers will give us a
rough sketch at the beginning of the planning process showing
what they want the event to look like and it’s our job to visualise
that and then make it a reality.”
CEVA Showfreight take a different route, as the logistical company
facilitating both the regional and global transportation of exhibitors
right through from the customs process, to the NEC floor.