BETT 09 Nearly upon us…
Well it’s just under a month before the BETT Show 2009 kicks off; the worlds largest educational technology event.
With nearly 700 educational suppliers exhibiting at BETT, and over 100 seminars taking place over the course of the 4 day event, it’s set to be the biggest one yet.
Many local authorities are providing or assisting with transport for visitors from their area in a bid to make it as easy as possible to attend, and with over 29,000 people expected to attend, transport is always a key issue.
Many established suppliers like BETT, it’s big, bold and the place where they are expected to be seen. But in reality, does it really make a return on their investment, and ultimately – does it bring the sales in? The usual big names are there including Microsoft, Orcale & HP – but interestingly Apple UK have pulled out of the event, despite it’s crusade to grab a slice of the UK education market. Apple feel there are better ways to communicate with their customers, and that the money can be better spent elsewhere.
Does this mark the beginning of the end for BETT as we know it? Will other suppliers begin to follow suit as the current economic times take their toll? For a long time, despite the high visitor numbers, many have felt BETT is just too big and over-whelming. Is it time for them to downsize, or will it simply allow smaller & newly established suppliers to opportunity to fill the boots of the big boys?
Either way, we shall have to wait and see…
