If you listened to the naysayers, you would conclude that it was “game over” for the UK’s last surviving truly national show. What with the introduction of “Plasa North”, “Plasa Further North” and “Plasa maybe even over the border into Scotland”, the fragmentation and possible dilution of the audience seems somewhat inevitable.
However, despite all the apparent gloom, it was, for us anyway, a very busy and interesting show this year. It easily outshone last year’s event and despite there not being much in the way of new product releases, and some big names conspicuous by their absence, it felt uptempo and pretty positive.
I had a good chat with Jane Cockburn from Plasa who was obviously interested in whether we would be attending next year. There has been a feeling pervading the industry of late that the move to Excel, despite the shift in the date to prevent the clash with IBC, would ring the “death knell” for the show. I started out being inclined to agree, but then though – hang on a second – what’s happening here is that I am just repeating moans and whinges that I have heard, as opposed to actually examining the facts myself.
So let’s redress the balance somewhat and see if all the myths are true.
“Excel is so hard to get to – it’s in the arse-end of nowhere in east London.”
Well now is it really? Remember the sporting competition thingy that happened here recently? You know – the one with the rings – the one we can’t talk about (more on that later!). Bearing in mind all the extra transport links that were put in place for the Olympics, I would hope it’s safe enough to say they won’t all suddenly be taken out again afterwards.
I’d also wager that load in and load out should be easier – a centre designed in for 21st century with over 70 years of transport experience in between should be better. Should be…
“There’s nowhere to stay nearby that you can walk from and nowhere to go out afterwards…”
Now on this one I have no experience. However, going by what is contained within this brochure, as delivered into my sweaty hand at the show this year, there would appear to be quite a few places to stay within walking distance.
It’s all in here – myth-busting Plasa style!
What isn’t quite so clear is how much the hotels nearby cost – the accommodation ecosystem that has built up over the years around Warwick Road caters for all price brackets – whilst there are a decent number of rooms available in the “on site” hotels, about 60% of these are 4-star or above, and even the 3-star ones aren’t likely to be that cheap. Having said that, the way the prices mysteriously rise coming up to the show on Cromwell Road, it might all be “swings and roundabouts”.
After-show might prove a little trickier – there may not be anything (or much at all!) as established as the Blackbird on Earls Court Road, but have you ever gone for a drink straight from, say, the RAI in Amsterdam, or did you go to the hotel first and then go out?
On a final positive note, there is one crucial, crucial advantage to Excel and it is shown on the final page of the brochure:
Scraping the bottom of the parking barrel a little here, but the second highlighted section is the clincher!
I want to attend a show where I can arrive by cable car every day. That’s it – we’re hooked and booked!
Having done a few conferences at Excel I would say that PLASA will find they have under-budgeted for a few bits and pieces that they probably took for granted at EC. At Excel you pay for the air you breathe. Secondly yes the transport links are much better now than before especially if you are flying into City Airport.
Shame the dates are moving so as not to clash with IBC as I would knock both shows off in a couple of days so convenient for me as I would go over to Amsterdam overnight on the ferry so no need for a hotel in the Dam. Feet would hurt after 2 shows though but i got quite disciplined on insisting on emailed brochures rather than hard copy.