IoD Backs Ideal Business Show Thames Valley
Issued on behalf of Ideal Business Show Thames Valley
The Institute of Directors has signed up as a supporter of the Ideal Business Show Thames Valley.
The show takes the place of the B2B Thames Valley event which ran into financial difficulties earlier this year. The Official Receiver was called in to Bristol-based B2B Portfolio which was staging six business exhibitions across the UK, including Thames Valley.
But the show has been rescued by the new organisers and the exhibition will be staged at Windsor Racecourse as planned on Tuesday September 25th and Wednesday September 26th under the new title Ideal Business Show Thames Valley.
The Ideal Business Show Wales and its sister show in London have already been held, with top speakers and numerous seminars among the attractions alongside exhibitors.
Speakers included some of Britain’s best-known entrepreneurs. In Cardiff no-nonsense broadcaster John Humphrys interviewed several of them in his inimitable fashion, including founder of Coffee Republic Sahar Hashemi and Chris Moss, creator of the Orange brand. And one of the most controversial figures in British business Gerald Ratner also attracted a large and very appreciative audience.
In London, The Beermat Theatre was held by Mike Southon who once famously said “you can get all you need to know about running a business on the back of a beermat” and instantly became known as “The Beermat Entepreneur”. With 17 start-ups “…three of which went broke and two of which went public,” behind him, the best-selling author was a great success.
He and his associates produced a series of highly interactive and inspirational seminars aimed at small businesses which were very well received, as were the impressive seminars in the Steps 2 Success Theatre and Marketing Theatre which were packed.
Visitors to the show in Cardiff branded it a resounding success. Market research showed:
- Nearly 60% of visitors stayed at the show far at least four hours;
- 96% thought the standard of the exhibits to be high;
- 73% though the event had given them lots of new ideas and innovations for their business;
- 87% said they would develop new business relationships as a result of attending;
- 83% said they would attend other Ideal Business Show events in 2007.
More than 91% of visitors were owners or directors of their business. Around 69% of their businesses had up to 50 employees.
The London show only took place last week but early success stories have already emerged. Hit BBC TV show Dragons’ Den attended both shows to audition for series five but were only booked in to attend the first day of the London Show in Earls Court 2. However, the first day was such a success that they asked to come back for the second day.
Ideal Business Show managing director Will Allen said, “We’re delighted to have the Institute of Directors on board for Thames Valley. The IoD plays an integral part in the life so many businesses as they establish and grow.
“Having them on board will bring another audience of fresh entrepreneurs and decision-makers to Ideal Business Show Thames Valley who will deliver the energy required to make the event really buzz with vitality.”
Registration for visitors to the event has already begun online. Simply visit the website www.idealbusinessshow.co.uk and fill in the details in the registration form.
To find out more about Ideal Business Show Thames Valley, or to book your company a place at the event, contact Will Allen on 0117 908 4611, or e-mail will.allen@idealbusinessshow.co.uk
