The recession is over, the snow has gone, World of Paving is almost with us!

January 26th, 2010

Stihl join the big brands at The Hard Landscaping Show with World of Paving

Stihl UK are the latest big name to sign for the shows joining companies such as Kubota, Aco, Boddingtons, Probst, Instarmac and Avant Tecno. Other recent sign-ups of many include Eire based pre-cast paving manufacturer Barleystone Paving, sustainable drainage company Aquadyne and leading Danish manufacturer Larsens Building Products.

Visitors like the show line-up – “There’s a really comprehensive range of things to see – I thought it might be only block paving and stone on display…..” Rob Smedley, Argyle Paving

Because the organisers understand the paving market, we know that the paving itself, the top layer, whilst being the element that excites the designer and the client, is only part of the story for the trade and that’s why we’ve worked hard to make sure that these are real working shows. There is drainage of all types including special SUDS products, specialist gravel retention systems, a wide range of digging and specialist muck shifting equipment, mechanical handling and laying, specialist hand tools, diamond drilling and cutting along with specialist cleaning products such as power washers and a wide range of paving treatments for sealing and anti-stain.

The best range of bedding mortars and jointing compounds seen at any show in the UK – ever! And a live installation masterclass sponsored by Steintec…..

This is a claim we can make easily with a line up like Steintec, Instarmac, Larsens and NCC Streetscape and not only will there be displays and seminars on this subject but also a live installation masterclass using silo-fed bedding mortars to lay granite setts which will then be finished with a number of jointing compounds to demonstrate the pro’s and cons of each method. But we won’t be taking things easy – the specialists installers will be laying the setts in a number of complex patterns in what promises to be one of a number of interesting and excellent live demonstrations that are sure to bring in the crowds.

Encourage your customers to enter the Projects of the Year Competitions

Don’t just leave visitor promotion to us – supported by exhibitors such as La Farge and Probst, we’ve offered some great prizes for project competitions in a number of categories. The winners will also get valuable publicity in post-show review copies of the trade press so make sure your customers to pre-register for the shows and enter the competitions – it’s easy and can all be done online.

The Artisans Avenue by Claudia de Yong will showcase the Best of British crafts

Claudia De Yong is a well-known award winning garden designer who is keen to promote the Best of British craftsmanship so she has teamed up with The Landscaper Magazine to sponsor an avenue of stands that we expect to create a great deal of interest for all types of visitor. You will meet companies such as Fenland Ironworks and Chris Nangle Furniture Design who are producing superb bespoke pieces that will enhance any project.

Machine Lay and Power Handling Demo Area sure to be a hit

A lot of pre-registering visitors have already told us that they are very keen to see the demo’s using the latest technology on the market from the two German manufacturers who lead the World in this field who are both exhibiting at the shows, Optimas and Probst. In the adjacent demo area, Kerb ‘n Turf will be showing their continuous concrete curb system and a range of stunningly realistic artificial grass that will really amaze all who see it.

Live Concrete Polishing Demo with HTC and Artevia is not to be missed

The UK’s specialist decorative concrete company Artevia -La Farge Readmix Ltd have got together with the World’s Number 1 concrete polishing machine manufacturer and have put together a demo schedule that will see some truly stunning polished concrete finishes created that will be sure to be in great demand with designers and clients in the years to come. The range of specialist Artevia mixes incorporating colour and self compacting capabilities can be finished in a variety of ways to create a truly outstanding result for many types of paving and you can see them all at the show.

Live Demo’s of Stencilled Concrete and Resin Bonded Overlays attracting great interest

Reactions to many types of decorative concrete can be mixed but Stencil-Tech aim to wow visitors with the fantastic range of finishes that stencilled concrete can offer and Artevia (LaFarge Readymix Ltd) will also be showing just how simple it is to cover any sound surface with an attractive and hard wearing overlay

join the big brands at the new specialist industry events
Stihl UK are the latest big name to sign for the shows joining companies
such as Kubota, Aco, Boddingtons, Probst, Instarmac and Avant Tecno. Other
recent sign-ups of many include Eire based pre-cast paving manufacturer
Barleystone Paving, sustainable drainage company Aquadyne and leading Danish
manufacturer Larsens Building Products.
Visitors like the show line-up and are set to support the shows – “There’s a
really comprehensive range of things to see – I thought it might be only
block paving and stone on display…”
Because we understand the paving market, we know that the top surface is
only part of the story  so we’ve worked hard to make sure that these are
real working shows for the whole of the trade. As well as block paving,
natural stone and decorative concrete paving, visitors will see drainage of
all types including special SUDS products, gravel retention and ground
stabilisation systems, a wide range of digging and specialist earth moving
equipment, mechanical handling and laying, specialist hand tools, diamond
drilling and cutting along with specialist cleaning products such as power
washers and a wide range of paving treatments for sealing and anti-stain.
The best range of bedding mortars and jointing compounds seen at any show in
the UK – ever! And a live installation masterclass sponsored by Steintec…
Steintec, Instarmac, Larsens and NCC Streetscape are a formidable line-up
and not only will there be displays and seminars on this subject but also a
live installation masterclass using silo-fed bedding mortars to lay granite
setts which will then be finished with a number of jointing compounds to
demonstrate the pro’s and cons of each method. But we won’t be taking things
easy – the specialists installers will be laying the setts in a number of
complex patterns in what promises to be one of a number of interesting and
excellent live demonstrations that are sure to bring in the crowds.
Encourage your customers to enter the Projects of the Year Competitions
Supported by exhibitors such as La Farge and Probst, we’ve offered some
great prizes for project competitions in a number of categories. The winners
will also get valuable publicity in post-show review copies of the trade
press so make sure your customers pre-register for the shows and enter the
competitions – it’s easy and can all be done online.
The Artisans Avenue by Claudia de Yong will showcase the Best of British
crafts
Claudia De Yong is a well-known award winning garden designer who is keen to
promote the Best of British craftsmanship so she has teamed up with The
Landscaper Magazine to sponsor an avenue of stands that we expect to create
a great deal of interest for all types of visitor. You will meet companies
such as Fenland Ironworks and Chris Nangle Furniture Design who are
producing superb bespoke pieces that will enhance any projectStihl join the big brands at the new specialist industry events
Stihl UK are the latest big name to sign for the shows joining companies
such as Kubota, Aco, Boddingtons, Probst, Instarmac and Avant Tecno. Other
recent sign-ups of many include Eire based pre-cast paving manufacturer
Barleystone Paving, sustainable drainage company Aquadyne and leading Danish
manufacturer Larsens Building Products.
Visitors like the show line-up and are set to support the shows – “There’s a
really comprehensive range of things to see – I thought it might be only
block paving and stone on display…”
Because we understand the paving market, we know that the top surface is
only part of the story  so we’ve worked hard to make sure that these are
real working shows for the whole of the trade. As well as block paving,
natural stone and decorative concrete paving, visitors will see drainage of
all types including special SUDS products, gravel retention and ground
stabilisation systems, a wide range of digging and specialist earth moving
equipment, mechanical handling and laying, specialist hand tools, diamond
drilling and cutting along with specialist cleaning products such as power
washers and a wide range of paving treatments for sealing and anti-stain.
The best range of bedding mortars and jointing compounds seen at any show in
the UK – ever! And a live installation masterclass sponsored by Steintec…
Steintec, Instarmac, Larsens and NCC Streetscape are a formidable line-up
and not only will there be displays and seminars on this subject but also a
live installation masterclass using silo-fed bedding mortars to lay granite
setts which will then be finished with a number of jointing compounds to
demonstrate the pro’s and cons of each method. But we won’t be taking things
easy – the specialists installers will be laying the setts in a number of
complex patterns in what promises to be one of a number of interesting and
excellent live demonstrations that are sure to bring in the crowds.
Encourage your customers to enter the Projects of the Year Competitions
Supported by exhibitors such as La Farge and Probst, we’ve offered some
great prizes for project competitions in a number of categories. The winners
will also get valuable publicity in post-show review copies of the trade
press so make sure your customers pre-register for the shows and enter the
competitions – it’s easy and can all be done online.
The Artisans Avenue by Claudia de Yong will showcase the Best of British
crafts
Claudia De Yong is a well-known award winning garden designer who is keen to
promote the Best of British craftsmanship so she has teamed up with The
Landscaper Magazine to sponsor an avenue of stands that we expect to create
a great deal of interest for all types of visitor. You will meet companies
such as Fenland Ironworks and Chris Nangle Furniture Design who are
producing superb bespoke pieces that will enhance any project.

Another New Exhibitor at World of Paving

October 14th, 2009

It’s a warm welcome to CSB Environmental who have taken stand number F11 at the show.

CSB have been providing specialist industrial and commercial cleaning services since 2000,  providing a nationwide service to an extensive client base that includes retail, quarries and mines, construction, education, rail, waste recycling, leisure and local authorities.

They are also the the main distributors, sub agents and service and repair centre for Lavor, Nilfisk Alto, Dual Power, Kerstar, Powerboss, NSS and Cleanwell in Leicestershire.

CSB also sell cleaning equipment online and a range of floor care products with a large range of scrubber driers (ride on and walk behind) and sweepers and vacuum cleaners (wet and dry) including health and safety vacuums for industrial and domestic use.

Great New World of Paving Visitor Feature

October 9th, 2009

Kerry Jackson of Jackson’s Landscape Design is the first subject of our new World of Paving website feature, “Who will you meet at the show?“.

Early indications are that this will be a very popular new addition to the show website as it allows existing and potential exhibitors not just the chance to see the calibre of the visitors that will be attending the show at the click of a mouse button but also to learn something about them and in particular what they are keen to see and lean about at this long awaited new event.

This is a first – we are not aware of any event having run a feature like this before and we feel that it is a typical example of the fresh and innovative approach our team are taking to the task of making World of Paving and it’s partner The Hard Landscaping Show, the really great shows that the industry has always wanted and truly deserves.

“We’ve tried shows, they haven’t worked”

September 30th, 2009

You would be surprised how often we hear this phrase – maybe, dear reader, you have also thought it yourself – don’t worry, there’s no disgrace in it, in fact we tend to agree, for many people the “traditional shows”, those that have treated paving and hard landscaping as an odd-on, almost an after thought, have failed to deliver for their exhibitors and many visitors and as a result have left some people with a rather jaundiced view of show participation.

World of Paving and The Hard Landscaping Show are specialist shows aimed specifically at Designers, Architects and installation professionals and retailers of these products and these are the people that will be attending our shows.

They are new shows so they cannot have yet had a chance to work for you so whether you are a potential exhibitor or potential visitor, please don’t tar them with the same brush as the old format generic events, come along and help us make them unmissable industry events.

Steve Livermans’ GLEE Verdict

September 23rd, 2009

I have always liked visiting Glee, getting to see how old friends are getting on, etc., so it was a bit of a shock to find the show reduced and, on the last day, very quiet. Some exhibitors were quite pleased with whom they had seen – it was easier to get to them in a smaller show! There was a feeling that the trinket (TAT) side of the business was very over represented.

Talking to some press acquaintances there, confirmed what many observers are picking up on – the migration of exhibitors & visitors to far more focused shows/events.

In no sector was this more pronounced than in landscaping. The biggest exhibits were the ones focused on the DIY end of the business, and bagged aggregates, etc., for the Garden Centre trade – the core business of GLEE. Though a remnant of other hard landscape products were represented, the inevitable drift to focused shows seemed irresistible – roll on the HLS!.

I certainly don’t want to criticise Glee for the sake of it; its own refocusing on what it is about should strengthen it from the huge analogous mass it has become.

Increasing Support for the Shows

September 22nd, 2009

At the same time as GLEE seems to be getting a lot of criticism from visitors , support for World of Paving and The Hard Landscaping Show is going from strength to strength.

The latest company to reserve a stand at World of Paving is Stencil-Tech who will be both showing and demonstrating their innovative decorative concrete paving systems.

We will shortly be launching the show projects of the year competition plus a unique new feature on the websites that will be introducing exhibitors to some of the visitors they will be meeting at the shows.

Back from Saltex – off to Ricoh Arena

September 14th, 2009

No sooner am I back from Saltex (for my review of the show see Landscape Juice (http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/09/saltex-review-2009.html – IOG Saltex Show Review 2009) than I am off for a meeting at the Ricoh Arena, we are a little over 6 months out from the shows so the logistics work begins now. We had an excellent reaction to the shows from people at Saltex and we could have as many as 15 new exhibitors as a result of talks held there.We will shortly be confirming the details of some specialist exhibitor zones within the shows and also be publishing the details for the World of Paving project awards so plenty to look out for between now and the end of September. We have a little stand at HAUC tomorrow and Thursday to promote the show to highway professionals and council works departments so we hope to see some of you at the Staffordshire show ground.

There’s a recession on – why advertise?

September 4th, 2009

You know that ad on TV, that features the puppet meerkat?

The one that a lot of kids love and a lot of adults hate and that has lead to hate mail from the educational establishment because of the catchphrase “simples” allegedly corrupting the English language?

Well, for those of us who may have thought it was a lot of fuss about nothing, news that the marketshare of comparethemarket.com has increased by 76% and the traffic to their website by 83% will come as a bit of a shock.

But not half as much of a shock as it’s come to their competitors such as moneysupermarket.com, whose campaign that started in June featuring Peter Jones from Dragons Den, has been completely trounced.

OK, it can be argued that recession or not people still need to insure their cars so this is a straight fight for share of a pie that remains pretty much intact from before the chaps in the red braces lost all of our money – yes, this can be argued but to do so, in our view, would be to miss the main points.

The first one is that Google and other search engines are not the be all and end all in driving traffic to your website.

The second is that it’s possible to increase your sales in a recession but this has to be at the expense of your competitors – like the meerkat, you have to get out there and compete even harder and this means by spending money on advertising which includes shows.

Simples!

We’re not selling so stop the sales effort?

August 19th, 2009

We’ve been speaking to a number of big names this week and all of them are keen to be at the show but they have something else in common – budgets are restricted or non-existent in 2009.

On the one hand it’s understandable – these are the toughest times in living memory (although  a few of us, somewhat more stricken in years, can recall a couple of previous recessions) and yet on the other it’s odd – surely the time to advertise and promote sales is when they are hardest to achieve?

And yet that seems not to be the view of the financial people – we often hear that it would be “inappropriate” to spend money on sales promotion when workers are being laid off or being put on reduced shifts.

Why should this be? If I was one of those workers being laid off due to excessive stock held of unsold product, I would want the company to make every effort to sell them – surely this would be the fastest route to getting my job back?

As a society we accept and live with the economic model of continuous growth being required as a sign of a healthy economy yet when that growth stalls we seem almost paralysed, the tap is either on or off.

We’ve heard the argument advanced – “There’s no business out there so why advertise?” – we see this as a crazy oversimplification.

There is business out there – less of it sure, and at worse terms without a doubt, but it’s there and the only way to grow your business in such circumstances is to take market share away from your competitors.

Will you be able to do this by sacking the sales force and freezing the show and ad budgets?

Biased we may be but somehow we doubt it, the only people that believe in the phrase “these products sell themselves” are people who no experience of selling.

Landscape Architects pre-registering for the show

August 18th, 2009

The launch of The Hard Landscaping Show last week has been taken up well by the media and has already lead to a burst of registrations from Landscape Architects including some very well known firms.

This new event that will run alongside World of Paving, has already created a lot of interest and enquiries for stand space are already being received as well as stand space already being reserved by top industry names including Terram, the leading geotextile manufacturer.