Manufacturing show forecasts record attendance

An European Trade and Exhibition Services product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 14, 2006

The Southern Manufacturing Show returns to Thorpe Park on 7th and 8th February 2007 for the ninth consecutive year.

The Southern Manufacturing Show returns to Thorpe Park on 7th and 8th February 2007 for the ninth consecutive year.

Firmly established as the premier showcase for manufacturing and engineering in the region, the feature-packed 2007 show promises to be the most innovative and exciting yet.

As with last year, Southern Manufacturing will again share its Surrey venue with the Southern Electronics Show - the unique colocation of events allowing visitors the opportunity to meet both electronic and mechanical engineering suppliers under one roof.

Boosted by an intensive pre-show marketing campaign, show organiser ETES is predicting visitor numbers will break the 5000 mark this year for the first time.

The 2007 show will see a range of innovations designed to improve the show experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.

A new live electrical and motion engineering centre joins the popular machinery centre, giving OEMs and machinery manufacturers the chance to show their products as if they were in action on the factory floor.

A subcontracting village, test and measurement centre and plant, storage and handling feature further concentrate engineering services into one area, making it much easier for visitors to find the companies they need.

As in previous years, technology trails enable visitors from the aerospace and defence, autosport/automotive, electronics, packaging, marine and pharmabio sectors to easily locate relevant exhibitors and so make the most efficient use of their time at the show.

The Southern Manufacturing Show also offers exhibitors unique free access to its Online Press Office service - recently enhanced for the 2007 show - which allows exhibitors to not only post press releases, but also sales brochures, images and presentations into a private electronic press pack, viewable online only by bone-fide editors and journalists from over 130 of the UK's key industrial publications.

Along with a range of other marketing opportunities such as free inclusion in both print and electronic show magazines and the Southern Manufacturing Show's online product sourcing service, the online press office gives exhibitors the chance to extend the reach and penetration of their promotional activity to an unparalleled degree.

"Astute business people recognise that value for money is a far more important consideration than just cost", comments Show Director Phil Valentine.

"Spending hard-earned revenue on ineffectual marketing is probably one of the biggest mistakes SMEs can make".

"That's why it's important to be sure that every marketing pound you spend is going to be working hard for you".

"In its nine year history, Southern Manufacturing has proved its ability to deliver just that".

In addition to the impressive range of manufacturers exhibiting at the show, visitors can take advantage of the hugely popular programme of free-to-attend seminars, plus a range of events organised by advisory groups and business support services across the region.

Entry to Southern Manufacturing and Southern Electronics is free, with easy road access via junctions 11 or 13 of the M25, free parking and frequent courtesy coach transfers from Staines railway station.

Visitor preregistration for the event and seminars is available online.