We find out what the toy industry thought of the show's first ever trade day.
The event's first ever trade-only day, the Gadget Show Live Professional, attracted 4,735 trade and press from the UK and Europe, with an additional 104,579 consumers visiting the NEC, Birmingham – a 50 per cent increase on last year’s show.
After receiving positive exhibitor feedback on the trade day, marketing manager for the Gadget Show Live Professional, Helen Marriot revealed it is here to stay. She tells Toy News: “People seem very happy that we’ve added it in and on the whole we are pleased with how it went. We will definitely be continuing with it.”
The next Gadget Show Live has been confirmed for April 10th to 15th 2012, with the Professional day on April 9th.
In 2010, only two hours were set-aside for exhibitors to network and do business before doors opened to the public. “It’s very difficult to have business discussions in a consumer environment, especially where people might want to talk about sensitive subjects like trade prices,” Marriot says.
Marriot explains to ToyNews that the organiser was keen to see more toys on show next year, adding: “They make the event fun by giving children a hands on experience of playing, which is very important for the event. They also fit the TV programme’s profile as a family show.
“It would be great to see more quality toy manufacturers get involved. With all the expensive high end tech on show, there needs to be affordable gadgets consumers can take home and the toys are perfect for this.”
After receiving positive exhibitor feedback on the trade day, marketing manager for the Gadget Show Live Professional, Helen Marriot revealed it is here to stay. She tells Toy News: “People seem very happy that we’ve added it in and on the whole we are pleased with how it went. We will definitely be continuing with it.”
The next Gadget Show Live has been confirmed for April 10th to 15th 2012, with the Professional day on April 9th.
In 2010, only two hours were set-aside for exhibitors to network and do business before doors opened to the public. “It’s very difficult to have business discussions in a consumer environment, especially where people might want to talk about sensitive subjects like trade prices,” Marriot says.
Marriot explains to ToyNews that the organiser was keen to see more toys on show next year, adding: “They make the event fun by giving children a hands on experience of playing, which is very important for the event. They also fit the TV programme’s profile as a family show.
“It would be great to see more quality toy manufacturers get involved. With all the expensive high end tech on show, there needs to be affordable gadgets consumers can take home and the toys are perfect for this.”
