The organisers of Ipex 2010 have announced a global ‘Recession Buster’ initiative designed to help all exhibitors save money during the current challenging economic climate. From reductions on stand build, rigging, production waste handling and storage to budget accommodation options and subsistence packages, the initiative offers attractive cost-saving measures for exhibitors in the run up to and during the event.

Comments Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 Event Director: “It’s clear that the credit crunch is affecting the whole industry, so we’ve been working closely with the venue as well as our key suppliers and partners to come up with a choice of discounted options that will provide real savings and greater efficiencies for our exhibitors. We’ve tried to include something for each of our 1,200 exhibitors in this package, no matter how small or large their stand is. As a result, we’re confident that we’ll be able to deliver a highly cost-effective, valuable and meaningful event that visitors and exhibitors expect of Ipex.”

The show organisers are also committed to producing a quarterly electronic exhibitor newsletter to promote early bird discounts, special offers and deadlines, space only and graphic opportunities as well as generic help and advice on how to keep exhibition costs down. The first of these newsletters is due to be issued in the middle of July and will include all the details about the ‘Recession Buster’ initiative. Full costing details will be outlined in the online exhibitor manual which will go live at the end of June.

The Ipex Advisory Committee (IAC), which represents major exhibitors, visitor groups and trade associations, has reacted extremely positive to the various ‘Recession Buster’ options. Comments George Clarke, Heidelberg UK MD and Ipex 2010 President: “Getting really practical help to reduce costs is exactly what exhibitors needed.”

Recession Buster Highlights

As part of the ‘Recession Buster’ initiative, exhibitors will be charged a lower rate per sqm for the second level if they choose to construct a double deck. The rate is now 15% of the ground floor rate compared to 25% in 2006.

The Ipex organisers have also launched a Tri-Lite space only package stand as a cost-effective premier alternative to their standard Shell scheme. Including 4m high PVC wrapped walls, lighting within the tri-lite structure, a full carpet throughout as well as a choice of coloured carpet and walling at a cost of £100.00 per square metre, the Tri-Lite option offers exceptional value for money.

Having worked closely with one of its accommodation partners, Birmingham Convention Bureau (BCB), the Ipex organisers will also be able to provide exhibitors with a comprehensive list of hotels, serviced apartments and guidance to bed & breakfast/ guest house accommodation options for those working on a tight budget. BCB has also negotiated other recession buster initiatives with a range of Birmingham hotels, including subsidised food and drink menus.

Additionally, exhibitors will be able to take advantage of the following special offers:

Catering at the NEC
• 10% discount on all food and hospitality stand catering orders placed by 23rd March 2010

Early Access Reduction
• Charged at only £1,500.00 per day excluding power and security, compared to £1750.00 in 2006

Rigging
• Early bird 10% discount across all rigging orders received by 31st March 2010
• 15% discount on rigging points for volume orders exceeding 10 points or more

Production Waste Management
• In 2010, the price for a 1,280 litre Euro Cart Hire, including collection, hire, disposal and landfill tax will be £210 – a reduction of over 50% compared to 2006
• Additionally. exhibitors ordering over 10 Euro Carts will receive a 10% discount
• The introduction of a 240-litre wheelie bin, priced at £54.69 which offers a more cost-effective waste removal solution for small to medium sized exhibitors

Outside Storage Solutions
• Overall reduction in costs associated with the use of outside portacabin/container storage space
• The introduction of a one-stop package solution allowing exhibitors to purchase an allocated plot, an appropriately sized portacabin and/or storage containers and power supply

Melville, one of the key suppliers to the exhibitors responsible for providing major services such as electrics, shell schemes and furniture has also confirmed the following discounts:

• Early bird discount of 10% for Shell scheme display fitments & accessories
• A typical reduction of 15% compared to 2006 on audio visual tariffs
• Providing proactive advice on the most cost-effective methods of ordering electrical services via their specialist project management team
• Customer service centre to support the Online Exhibitor Operations Manual
• Logistics – standard tariffs held at 2002 levels, introduction of tiered rates for storage of empties, early bird discount of 5% on on-site services

Concludes Trevor Crawford: “I’m confident that these various initiatives combined with our comprehensive co-marketing programme, which offers exhibitors a range of free marketing tools to target their customers directly, will provide real value to exhibitors and visitors alike. It’s our responsibility to negotiate the best deals for our exhibitors and I can assure you that this is an ongoing process so we’ll continue to do so right up to the last day of the show.”

Exhibitors interested in receiving a full list with all ‘Recession Buster’ initiatives for Ipex 2010, can contact Trevor Crawford via email [email protected] or visit the website at www.ipex.org/recession