So – you’ve read all the press coverage, you’ve visited the show, and now you yearn to be a part of the spectacle that is IFSEC. Maybe you’ve got a product or two to sell. Maybe you just like standing about for four days. Who knows? The real question is: how do I go about exhibiting at IFSEC?
Well, your first move is to contact a member of the IFSEC sales team. You can find all of their details on pages 44 and 45 of this very magazine. Who’d have thought it? Those guys know all there is to know about your options for exhibiting, so they’re your best bet if you’d like to discuss your ‘exhibitionist tendencies’ [amusing joke].
On the ifsec.co.uk website, there’s something called ‘The Exhibitor Zone’. It’s not anywhere near as terrifying as it sounds. In fact it’s full of useful information, and includes the priceless and informative Exhibitor Technical Manual, which has all the bits and pieces of practical information you need to put your stand together. It’s usually available from early in the year, around January, that sorta thing. Those who have booked a stand are issued with a password which enables them to log-in. Also available in the Exhibitor Zone is the PR and Marketing Guide. This contains essential information on how to maximise your investment at the show, with advice on press coverage and, as you might expect, marketing strategies. It may even help to get your product launch covered in this very magazine. How thrilling! Your press releases can also be used on the IFSEC website, by uploading them in the ‘Zone’. You can contact the delightful Jo Butler (jbutler@cmpi.biz) for other PR enquiries.
The IFSEC website is a great tool for your company, and you can have your very own page on there to impress all of your friends, family, customers and potential clients. The website attracts massive visitor traffic in the lead up to the show, and including information on this ‘extranet’ page is a great means of promotion. The page is able to be accessed through – you may already have guessed – the Exhibitor Zone. If you happen to have any questions about this facility, why not chat to the lovely Sally King on +44 (0)20 7921 8658?
As an exhibitor, you’re also entitled to a free entry in the Show Guide, distributed free of charge to all pre-registered visitors.
Exhibitors are also able to nominate 20 of their most important clients for VIP status. What does this mean? Well, if you relax for a moment, I’ll tell you: it gives them automatic pre-registration, a free show catalogue onsite, and use of the (shh) VIP facilities at the show.
Remember this: don’t panic. Your exhibitor badges will be sent out to you approximately three weeks before the show. If you require additional or replacement badges subsequently, they can be obtained from the Sunday before the show commences. Contractor passes will also be sent out around three weeks before the exhibition takes place.
And if the details on your badges are incorrect, the onsite badge query desk can amend any details and print off a revised version of your badge. Which is nice.
For help and advice on building your stand, you’re best off speaking to Mirabelle Chatterjee. You can go ahead and phone her on +44 (0)20 7921 8162.
Question: Is there car parking at the venue? Answer: Yes, yes there is. In fact, there’s car parking for 21,000 vehicles at the NEC. If you’re planning on bringing any more than 21,000 vehicles, you may need to seek alternative parking arrangements.
Lastly, it’s time to talk about offensive weapons being imported from overseas. You may not know this, but British law has always been very strict about who can own or move firearms, ammunition and explosives. Now, though, this is even more evident, what with the continual threat of terrorism in our modern age. All firearms and explosives must be licensed, and there is a total ban on offensive weapons such as knuckle dusters and flick knives.
It’s also against the law to import high voltage electric ‘stun guns’; pepper sprays, CS gas canisters and other self defence sprays; high-powered air rifles; martial arts weapons such as ‘death stars’ (also non-martial arts death stars such as those in the Star Wars movies) and swordsticks; and knives that have a concealed blade or a sharp point, such as belt buckle blades.