School Suppliers Directory Blog

Taking the plunge to exhibit at education trade shows such as BETT can be a big decision for some school suppliers, especially those that aren’t multi-national conglomerates. It can be the make or break of your marketing budget, and trying to work out if it’s the right decision for your company can be a hard one to call.

To give you a bit of a helping hand, away from the hard pressing sales men and women bombarding you with reasons as to why you should exhibit, we’ve asked Sandra from Fantasy Couriers to share her experiences of this year’s event.

Name: Sandra Patterson
Position: Managing Director
Company: Fantasy Couriers

What is it that you do?
It’s an Online Business Simulation Game, set in the Courier Industry so it’s very accessible for all students.  Students start as a “white van man” and then have to grow their business, take on employees, vehicles, premises, even buy out competitors.  It is a web based game, and so can be played from anywhere, and uses a competitive fantasy league environment to keep up the competitiveness and the fun.

Is this your first year exhibiting at BETT?
Yes

What were your overall impressions of the event?
Very well organised, very well marketed, worthwhile and value for money.  We are Scottish based so the costs for us would be higher than most when travel and accommodation etc are all included.

Would you say the event represented good value for money?
We chose London over the Scottish learning Festival (Scottish Equivalent) in SECC, as the space prices were virtually identical, but London has a far larger footfall, and more exhibitors.  A far better event.

What sort of response did you get from potential customers?
Very good, positive feedback, good interest, a large number of enquiries and demo account requests.

Will you be exhibiting again at BETT?
Probably.  As the game has a number of different markets we need to advertise into we just need to make sure that other advertising for the non-school side of our business doesn’t require more funds/attention.

What was the approximate total cost of the event?
We had a total budget of £5k.  Approx £3k of that was the stand & space, other costs were the internet connection, printing, furniture hire, LCD hire, accommodation, food, petrol, parking etc.

What would your top three tips be for anyone planning to exhibit in the future?

1. Comfortable shoes
2. Don’t lose your voice on the first day
3. Buy all of your food from the little Turkish sandwich bar over the road from the main entrance, much cheaper and much friendlier.

For more information on Fantasy Couriers, an Online Business Simulation Game please visit the website: www.fantasycouriers.com

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BETT Show 2009 Opens

The prestigious BETT Show 2009 opens later this week, and will be celebrating it’s 25th birthday.

The event is topped to be one of the best yet, with many supplier’s, organisations & government departments launching or previewing new products, services and initiatives.

This year BETT are hailing ‘learning elsewhere’ as their main feature, focussing on mobile, remote and distance learning and showcasing products and services that can support and enhance it. This includes a range hardware and mobile devices as well as digital content and software.

Other highlights include the vast array or seminars being laid on, which appeal to many, meaning they get a much more ‘enhanced’ experience and can justify the day-out a little bit more. The seminar programme has also been improved based on how well recieved they have been in recent year’s at  the SLF (Scottish Learning Festival). The traditional software & special needs zone’s are also back as well as a ‘Future Schools’ mini-zone with information & idea’s for those that are already, or are soon to be involved in the BSF and Primary Capital Programmes.

Notably, Apple UK are not exhibiting at this year’s event, despite other big players, including RM & Mircosoft being present. Their reason being that they feel there are better ways for them to communicate with their customers. That said, it will be interesting to see if after this year’s show, others follow suit.

All in all, it’s set to be a good show, and we hope it lives up to expectations.

admin Industry News BETT, Bett 2009, BETT Show, BETT Show 2009, Education trade show, The BETT Show

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…

admin Industry News BETT, Bett 2009, BETT Show, Education Exhibitions, The BETT Show