Not all baby shows are the same!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Suzanne
baby show brighton

baby show brighton

Although babyshows are challenging to organise we are blessed with lovely clients and it’s a wonderful world to be part of – all those new little lives and parents-to-be at such an amazing time……I LOVE IT

That’s why it is a privilege to organise these shows and why is it always so gutting when some organisers get it wrong and exhibitors and vistors are let down – perhaps they are inexperienced, perhaps they are too profit driven, maybe unforeseen circumstances prevail – weather, date clashes – it happens…….but recently, REALLY sadly some very good organisers have been forced to cancel shows as new organisers marched in on their territory and their dates. As an industry this is frowned upon – it’s just not done….we are sad to see good, established shows forced out ;-(

So……if you are choosing a babyshow to exhibit at or you are new to the world of exhibitions it can be difficult not to buy in to the hype….we can help advise what you should be looking for – just visit http://www.babyexpobabyshow.co.uk/exhibiting/exhibition-virgins/ for TOP TIPS on how to select a show and an organiser – written by someone with 20 years experience in the exhibition industry.

No organiser is perfect but some of us are passionate about what we do, very experienced and try to offer the best event possible for exhibitors and visitors. Please keep up your support of the good shows in order that there will always be options and the baby show industry doesn’t become a monopoly…..thank you xx

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here we go……

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Suzanne
baby show venue
baby show venue

BabyExpoUK are delighted to announce the launch of a new
2 day Baby Show to take place this September 29 & 30 at thecentre:mk Milton Keynes!

To visit the new website and watch film testimonials from
last year’s clients see here http://www.babyexpobabyshow.co.uk
thecentre:mk offers a fabulous nearly 2000 m2 of ‘blank
canvas’ exhibition space, all on one level, in one, very central high profile
location and exhibitors are already booking fast – Click here for the floorplan
– www.babyexpobabyshow.co.uk/floorplan
As a shopping centre, the facility is already set up for huge visitor numbers
in terms of parking, restaurant facilities, award-winning baby change/breast
feeding areas, accessibility and superb signage in the surrounding areas and
within. With significant numbers of young families choosing this Region to set
up home, thecentre:mk offers very ‘friendly family facilities’ to include
buggies, rein hire and ID wristbands not to mention ‘Kiddy Cars’ rental! All of
which make an organiser’s life less challenging and enable us to focus on the
content of the event.
There will be no entrance charge for the general public but
there will be a ‘Privilege Shoppers’ opening hour on both days where those VERY
keen visitors can access the event 1st. They will be badged
accordingly so exhibitors can spot them throughout the day.
Price per m2 for this 2 day event is currently
£77 per metre + VAT but this is the Early Bird rate and only valid for a short
while. To take advantage of this special price deal and the very best pitches, exhibitors
should reserve their space now at http://www.babyexpobabyshow.co.uk/exhibiting/babyexpo-contract-form-for-exhibitors

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new beginnings

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Suzanne

well here we are, with a new website and a new URL and the small matter of a new show!  how very exciting. We have to settle in and unpack a few boxes and find the kettle and corkscrew but we’ll be back with you with all information very soon……x

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Baby Expo – on the day and beyond………

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Suzanne

A nice thing happened recently  – I had this email:
Hello, can you help me please?

Phil Gallagher, Jo Tantum and Chestnut Tree House at Brighton Baby Show
Phil Gallagher, Jo Tantum and Chestnut Tree House at Brighton Baby Show

I saw a new plastic Trike being test ridden by several toddlers at the show but I forgot to go and find out what the Trike was called & where I could buy one, can you help? My daughter would love one. Many thanks.

To me this is what it is all about. I have been organising exhibitions for nearly 20 years and we used to refer to this as the ‘lighting the blue touch paper’ moment. Meaning we have combined all the necessary elements and ingredients together and then can step back to watch it happen.
I love the fact that probably by now, this exhibitor (toddlebike!) will have made another sale on the back of the event – weeks on – and these parents will now doubtless tell their friends, and the group of mums who see the Trike in action at their next gathering or at the park may well be inspired enough to buy one and tell their friends so it goes on….and that is the way it should be….

Easidream at BabyExpo Baby Show

Easidream at BabyExpo Baby Show

A good Baby show works so well on this level because parents – especially mums – TALK! I explain to exhibitors frequently that a good show is so much more than the day itself. The event should be raising your awareness and generating sales via the online list/links, blogs, facebook pages and visitor newsletters both in advance but especially post event.

Exhibitors should not always be dis-heartened if footfall is strong BUT they don’t seem to make much money on the day. Really impress just 10 mums at a baby show and you can be sure 100 could well know of your product or service within a month. Our exhibitors frequently tell me they are still making sales 6+ months to a year down the line!

Producing a successful baby show is not rocket science. They are the result of A LOT of very hard work, luck, experience and a fair bit of charm. The satisfaction however of combining keen buyers with wonderful sellers under one roof for one day and watching 9+ months work come together is enormous.
BabyExpo on November 13 2011 was our best yet – highest footfall, greatest number of exhibitors and a really inspiring programme of activities and entertainment – from conception to colic and tons for the kids.

Gymboree at BabyExpo Baby Show

Gymboree at BabyExpo Baby Show

Every year I say I am going to try and streamline the programme & make it more manageable & every year I get carried away – this year we had a record 5 ‘extra’ areas ranging from the new Parent’s Pit Stop Zone with Mayo Wynne Baxter to the JUNO Natural Parenting Zone. We were delighted to welcome the wonderful Phil Gallagher from Cbeebies and Jo Tantum, the UK’s no 1 baby sleep expert as well as Headline Sponsors NCT, diddi dance, Early Years Childcare, Sing and Sign and Yummy Mummy Maternity.

Thank goodness BabyExpo is now part of the lovely ‘What’s On 4’ family. It meant I had fantastic support from business partner Sam, sales manager Mel, Zena, Susanne, a great team of volunteers, various husbands, best friends and older children – despite our numbers, none of us stopped all day!

The event feedback has been amazing but I have to pay tribute to our exhibitors once again. Not only do they have faith in us and invest in the event in these difficult economic times, but many go out of their way to assist us in the promotion both professionally – emailing their clients and contacts and personally – taking fliers into their children’s nurseries, placing event information on various intranets, putting poster in their local libraries etc.

BABYEXPO is a partnership and we work hand in hand with our clients to achieve its success. We always learn from every event – ironically some of our harshest criticism this year has been that too many people attended – having been at some other events where just a few hundred visitors came we know there are worse problems to have HOWEVER we will work on the layout and stand design to assist this and are already in discussions to this end.
As usual the post-show blues have set in but am already excited about the next show and a new show we will be announcing in a few weeks!
I really hope you will join us! To read some of our feedback click here

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Phil Gallagher from CBeebies Mister Maker and diddi dance get Brighton rockin’!

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Suzanne

Phil Gallagher from CBeebies Mister Maker and diddi dance get Brighton rockin’!

Diddi dance joined by Mister Maker star Phil Gallagher at the south coasts premiere baby event

On Sunday 13th November 2011, diddi dance owner Anne-Marie Martin, Croydon Franchise owner, Melissa Lodge and Brighton Franchise owner Laura Gardner went to the seaside to perform live on stage with Phil Gallagher, CBeebies creative king, AKA Mister Maker!

A massive crowd of 4500 people from 23 different counties came to the event which diddi dance was very proud to be headline sponsors of.

With everything on offer from pushchairs to nappy cakes, the Brighton baby expo had a huge number of attractions but it was diddi dance that stole the show with the performance of the weekend.

Nearly 100 children joined in as the diddi dance team, Mister Makers Phil Gallagher AND Number Jack 4 wiggled, jiggled and jumped their way through a brilliant diddi dance session. Diddi dance were also on show in a prime location in the main hall. New Mums and Dads flocked to the diddi dance stand to hear the word about diddi dance classes, nurseries and parties in their part of the UK.

Franchise Director, Arabella Gunn was also on hand to talk to a number of visitors who were keen to find out more about setting up their own diddi dance business.

A rip roaring success of a weekend for everyone ended with hundreds of new diddi dancers going home happy, thousands of new mums and dads seeing and experiencing diddi dance for themselves and one CBeebies star having being made an honorary diddi dancer!

 

 

 

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Coming out the other side…..

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Suzanne

BabyExpo on November 13 was our best yet – highest footfall, greatest number of exhibitors and a really inspiring programme of activities and entertainment – from conception to colic and tons for the kids.

Every year I say I am going to try and streamline the programme & make it more managable & every year I get carried away – this year we had a record 5 ‘extra’ areas ranging from the new Parent’s Pit Stop Zone with Mayo Wynne Baxter to the JUNO Natural Parenting Zone.

We were delighted to welcome the wonderful Phil Gallagher from Cbeebies and Jo Tantum, the UK’s no 1 babysleep expert as well as Headline Sponsors NCT, diddi dance, Early Years Childcare, Sing and Sign and Yummy Mummy Maternity. Thank goodness BabyExpo is now part of the lovely ‘What’s On 4’ family meaning I had fantastic support from business partner Sam, sales manager Mel, Zena, Susanne, a great team of volunteers, various husbands, best friends and older children but still none of us stopped all day!

The event feedback has been amazing but I have to pay tribute to our exhibitors. Not only do they have faith in us and invest in the event in these difficult economic times, but many go out of their way to assist us in the promotion both professionally – emailing their clients and contacts and personally – taking fliers into their children’s nurseries, placing event information on various intranets, putting poster in their local libraries etc.

BABYEXPO is a partnership and we work hand in hand with our clients to achieve its success. We always learn from every event – ironically some of our harshest criticism this year has been that too many people attended – having been at some other events where just a few hundred visitors came we know there are worse problems to have HOWEVER we will work on the layout and stand design to assist this and are already in discussions to this end.

As usual the post-show blues have set in but am already excited about the next show and a new show we will hopefully be announcing in a few weeks! I really hope you will join us! To read some of our feedback click here and to see more from on the day from the BrightonMums click here

Producing successful exhibitions is not rocket science. They are the result of A LOT of very hard work, luck, experience and a fair bit of charm.  The satisfaction however of combining keen buyers with wonderful sellers under one roof for one day and watching 9+ months work come together is enormous.

 

 

 

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Hello Baby Gifts Ltd – towering nappy cake!

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Suzanne

Here at ‘Hello Baby Gifts’ it’s all go, go, go in readiness for Sundays’ Baby Expo. Not only are we busy rolling, folding and making up baby gifts for our stall, we’ve also got a competition in the main reception!

Way back in July we had an idea that we’d like to make a 7/8 tiered nappy cake (the average size is 2/3 tiers) and run it as a guess how many nappies are in it competition with all proceeds going to Chestnut Tree House. Everyone loved the idea and we were asked to run the competition in the main reception area.

The massive cake has now been assembled, with nappies donated by ‘Huggies’, and looks stunning. Our next challenge will be getting it to Brighton in a Ford Fiesta!

Our stall will be a haven of gorgeousness with Nappy Cakes, Nappy Rings, Gift Boxes and Bassinet Baskets all adorned with plenty of bows, buttons and flowers! We will also have lots of Onesie Buns (bodysuits rolled up to look like cupcakes) and our new Giant Cupcakes. We’ve also got some really cute Xmas outfits and Xmas Nappy Rings

Come and say hello, we’re on stall 132 or have a go at guessing how many nappies are in the cake…. You never know, you may be lucky and win the lot!!

Look forward to seeing you there

Nikki O’Connor

Hello Baby Gifts Ltd.

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Mummy Looks Fab and Bras 4 Mums Support for BabyExpo! Free fitting + 50% off designer change bags!

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Suzanne
Treats For Visitors To Brighton Baby Expo
07 Nov 11
Here at Mummy Looks Fab we are very excited about our forthcoming involvement in Brighton Baby Expo 2011 on November 13
 

In collaboration with T-J Hughes of Bras4mums we will be offering all our visitors a free bra-fitting service from a trained member of the bra-lady team. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding don’t miss out on the opportunity to check your bra is doing its job and your breasts are fully supported.

In addition to this we will also be offering our customers some amazing show deals – exclusive and for this event only:

Luxury Koochu change bags at 50% off. Designed with practicality in mind these gorgeous change bags effortlessly convert to luxury hand bags long after your baby changing days are over.

We will be launching a new designer – Seren Maternity – at the show and to celebrate our collaboration we are offering all our customers a buy one get one half price on their excellent value nursing vests. Longer line, super soft, just the right stretch, easy breastfeeding access and hard wearing, these vests will see you through breast feeding and beyond and are worth their weight in gold in any maternity wardrobe.

Finally, our end of season sale will be starting at the show with 50, 60 and even 70% off the last few designs in a range. These are reductions that will not be repeated on the website, so it’s an excellent opportunity to supplement your maternity wardrobe at a fraction of the normal cost.
Come and see us on Stand 203 for all of this and more

For more details contact sam on sales@mummylooksfab.co.uk or t-j on t-j@bralady.co.uk

 

 
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Officreche to the rescue!

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Suzanne

Officrèche offers 2 hours free flexible childcare to help in hectic run up to BabyExpo

Elizabeth, the director of Officrèche (Stand 126, Innovation Alley), knows only too well how tricky it is to juggle marketing a business and little ones – she has a 1 month old son and a 2 year old daughter.

So take advantage of her empathy and 2 hours of free flexible childcare at their premises right by Brighton station. All you need to do to qualify is to ring 01273 434244 and arrange to pop in to meet their staff in the fantastic environment. You can stay onsite and use the office space while your child plays downstairs – or  the 2 hours can also be used to run errands in the outside world but you must do another settle of your child before going offsite.

The normal pay as you go rates are £10/hr for fleixble childcare and office space, £7/hr for flexible childcare – better rates if you buy a subscription! All bookable online, £20 website membership fee waived for November.

Suzanne Borrell - BabyExpo Director adds – Ruby and I are having our 2 hours on Wed! We’ll let you know how we go – I am going to work onsite – just hope Ruby doesn’t wreck the place. If so I may leave her there! Just kidding!

 

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“SnoozeShade are offering an exclusive 20% off our multi-award-winning range of blackout blinds for prams, strollers, infant car seats, twin strollers and cots, visit us at stand 211”.

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Suzanne

“SnoozeShade are offering an exclusive 20% off our multi-award-winning range of blackout blinds for prams, strollers, infant car seats, twin strollers and cots, visit us at stand 211”.

www.snoozeshade.com

The Brighton Baby Expo is the first time that the public will be able to see the complete SnoozeShade family.  Having attended the show last year with just one product – SnoozeShade Original –  we now have 4 additional products, two of which will be available for the first time at the Brighton Expo…

 

Designed by a British mum, SnoozeShade blackout blinds help babies get the sleep they need when out and about.   Made from a unique soft stretchy breathable fabric they effectively stop glare and damage to delicate skin and eyes whilst blocking 94% of light.  Featuring a parent friendly ‘Sneak-a-peek’™ front access zip, SnoozeShades are ideal all year round, protecting from the sun (UPF50+), wind and chill.

 

The multi-award-winning SnoozeShade family now includes :

  • SnoozeShade Original £19.99), the UK’s first blackout blind for strollers                 which was created by a British mother because she couldn’t find an existing product that

helped her baby sleep comfortably in the pram when they were out and about
Two limited edition SnoozeShade Originals, one with a powder pink trim, the other with a neutral cream trim, just for independent retailer

  • SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats (£17.99), for Group 0/0+ infant carriers with rigid handles
  • SnoozeShade Plus (£29.99), the world’s first genuinely dual-purpose sleep aid and sunshade for prams and strollers with UPF50+ in sleep mode and UPF5 in look-out mode
    SnoozeShade Twin (£39.99), for prams and strollers with double-width canopies or side-by-side single sun canopies
  • Available early 2012 SnoozeShade for Travel Cots and Standard Cots (£69.99), the ideal solution for families sharing a room with a small baby or for when staying in bright places when baby needs to sleep.

Endorsed by leading baby sleep experts from the US, Australia and England SnoozeShades have become a firm favourite with mums worldwide. We have recently won the Practical Parenting & Pregnancy GOLD awards for Pushchair and Buggy Accessory and Travel Item Under £20 and Silver Practical Pre-School Award.

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