xpres promotion

[Xpres]

Andrew has a point, our move not to exhibit at trade shows could be viewed as risky. However, we feel we can serve our customers (and prospective customers) far better in our own dedicated Inspiration Suite. Parking is free, hot and cold drinks will be flowing all day and most importantly, our entire team will be on hand to ensure everybody receives the time and care they deserve - it's simply not possible at a trade show. Rather than seeing a snippet of our range at a show, people should be able to see EVERYTHING...and not feel hurried!

In addition to the upcoming open house event, we will also be running focussed open days throughout the year. These events will involve industry experts, our suppliers and also our knowledgeable team. It's not just a 'come in and buy some product', we genuinely want to help everyone grow their businesses - all will be revealed when everything is finalised. Details to come very soon!

[Xpres]

There seem to be a few of the larger companies moving away from the show now and running open days/road shows etc. Xpres is a great place to visit, no doubt better still now they have their demo studio all set up. I guess they're hoping people will nip down the road after the show to visit as it's not far at all.

Funnily enough, we had not planned to run an open house whilst other shows are running. However, we met a very high demand from customers wanting to pop in before/after P+P. Our customers spoke up, we listened and delivered

[socialgiraffe]

Not ignoring the fact Alastair that it is also considerably cheaper than exhibiting

While I do appreciate that it is better to visit the various showrooms of all my suppliers, it simply is not practical, I am a one guy company and really busy like many of us on here, taking a day out to drive to wherever is a pain, there is not only the time factor but also the financial cost of travel to take into consideration. Take the following example...

Travel to and from my office to Xpress 2 hours approx each way
Estimated fuel costs £37 (according to Google)
Time at premises 1 hour

So if I paid myself £6.00 per hour then to go and see you is going to cost me £67.00 minimum

I work with about 5 very regular suppliers, most of which are further than you. But if I took you as a benchmark then to visit each one will cost me at least £300.00 which based on £6.00 per hour is 50 hours work I will essentially be doing for free to get my money back. Slightly skewing the point here I know, but I am sure you catch my drift. That is why we have exhibitions as I can visit all my suppliers PLUS see some potential suppliers all in one day (not ignoring that I can visit on a Sunday which helps me).

I note that you are opening on Sunday which is a bonus, but lets be honest, that is not the norm and I congratulate you for it. I really want to talk to Xpres about a couple of things/ideas and will probably pop into the showroom, but it is worth noting the above if you want to help us grow our business as you need to be where we are going to be

Not a dig Alastair and the really great thing about this forum is the ability to talk to our suppliers direct and they have the chance to respond to all of us which I am sure everyone on here appreciates.

[Andrew]

Andrew has a point, our move not to exhibit at trade shows could be viewed as risky. However, we feel we can serve our customers (and prospective customers) far better in our own dedicated Inspiration Suite. Parking is free, hot and cold drinks will be flowing all day and most importantly, our entire team will be on hand to ensure everybody receives the time and care they deserve - it's simply not possible at a trade show. Rather than seeing a snippet of our range at a show, people should be able to see EVERYTHING...and not feel hurried!

In addition to the upcoming open house event, we will also be running focussed open days throughout the year. These events will involve industry experts, our suppliers and also our knowledgeable team. It's not just a 'come in and buy some product', we genuinely want to help everyone grow their businesses - all will be revealed when everything is finalised. Details to come very soon!

I do think it's a pity you are not at P&P even if it were a smaller stand. You could just be exhibiting what is new and a basic range for newbies. Most people who visit are either start-ups or people/businesses that are just looking for what might be the next thing. Over the last 5 years + that I have been to the show there seems to be a little less there every year and I only go now just in case I miss something. 2 1/2 hours either way and I don't fancy adding on an extra 2 hour round trip to have a quick look at Xpres in case you have anything I might have missed in the past.

[socialgiraffe]

Andrew, what day are you going?

[Dave271069]

Not ignoring the fact Alastair that it is also considerably cheaper than exhibiting

While I do appreciate that it is better to visit the various showrooms of all my suppliers, it simply is not practical, I am a one guy company and really busy like many of us on here, taking a day out to drive to wherever is a pain, there is not only the time factor but also the financial cost of travel to take into consideration. Take the following example...

Travel to and from my office to Xpress 2 hours approx each way
Estimated fuel costs £37 (according to Google)
Time at premises 1 hour

So if I paid myself £6.00 per hour then to go and see you is going to cost me £67.00 minimum

I work with about 5 very regular suppliers, most of which are further than you. But if I took you as a benchmark then to visit each one will cost me at least £300.00 which based on £6.00 per hour is 50 hours work I will essentially be doing for free to get my money back. Slightly skewing the point here I know, but I am sure you catch my drift. That is why we have exhibitions as I can visit all my suppliers PLUS see some potential suppliers all in one day (not ignoring that I can visit on a Sunday which helps me).

I note that you are opening on Sunday which is a bonus, but lets be honest, that is not the norm and I congratulate you for it. I really want to talk to Xpres about a couple of things/ideas and will probably pop into the showroom, but it is worth noting the above if you want to help us grow our business as you need to be where we are going to be

Not a dig Alastair and the really great thing about this forum is the ability to talk to our suppliers direct and they have the chance to respond to all of us which I am sure everyone on here appreciates.

Simon did you work out the cost it must of took you to work out these figures

[Karen.]

Xpres is not far from me at all, but as we are attending the P&P show for two days (the Sunday and the Tuesday) I very much doubt we will have time to pop up to Xpres at all. I will have work to catch up with on the Monday and Wednesday and can't afford three days away from work in a week. I have appointments booked on the Monday and Wednesday, but may try to get up there round them if possible. It is a shame that they will not be at the show though.

[Andrew]

Andrew, what day are you going?

I am heading up on the Tuesday...... looks like I will miss most as Sunday seems to be the popular option.

TMT will have a new mug there for white toner printer I believe so interested in seeing that.

[socialgiraffe]

TMT will have a new mug there for white toner printer I believe so interested in seeing that.

Yep, they emailed an image through the other day. It does look pretty nice.

[logobear]

I agree, I find it difficult to use a supplier that I cannot meet up with, used to be via reps on the road, now a trade show is perfect, but actually visiting a supplier hours away ....... doubt it!