Event Production Show took place at Olympia London on February 28 and 1 March amidst red warnings from weather experts for the country to stay at home.

Despite these warnings, industry professionals turned up in their thousands to take part in the show, which continues to be a genuine business opportunity for outdoor and live event organisers and suppliers.

Unofficial numbers from the organisers show that over 3,100 unique visitors attended the show across the two days, with a total attendance number of 3,703.

Event director Duncan Siegle said: “The 2017 show delivered an extraordinary number of visitors and everything pre-show was pointing to another record breaking year. Hence, for everyone involved in the show – organiser, exhibitor and visitor alike – the weather situation was extremely frustrating and out of our control. However, the dedication of buyers from across the UK won through and the quality of the audience was there for all to see.”

The content programme proved to be hugely popular covering key industry topics from leading authorities.

Highlights included ‘Are we of value to the industry?’ led by Nick Morgan from The Fair and featuring Alan Miller from The Night Time Industries Association and James Heappey, MP, ‘Can live music save the music industry?’ chaired by Virgin Radio DJ Ben Jones and featuring Stuart Galbraith from Kilimanjaro Live and music industry legend Peter Jenner, along with a host of leading industry names and brands including Colin Chapple from AEG, Dave Steele from Isle of Wight Festival and Joe Elkins from Bestival.

Nick Morgan, founder, The Fair and We Are Placemaking commented: “EPS continues to provide a platform where we can highlight and draw further attention to key issues that help grow the outdoor events industry and champion what they achieve for the UK economy. It’s the right environment for these discussions to take place and the right audience to deliver it in front of.”

Siegle continued: “I’d like to thank everyone who attended the show, for maintaining EPS’ position as the leading event for this industry. This year we saw some outstanding displays from exhibitors which really added to the event, as well as an extremely diverse range of buyers from all across the event spectrum that came to establish new and cement existing business relationships. We’ve also had numerous messages from those that couldn’t make it asking for information on some of the programme that they missed as well as the contact details of exhibitors they were unable to meet. We’re already looking forward to EPS 2019 on the back of this year’s show.”

Event Production Show (EPS) is a two day exhibition for the outdoor and live events industries that takes place at Olympia London. It is organised by Mash Media, media company specialising in events who also produce International Confex, office*, The Festival and Outdoor Events Show alongside publications Access All Areas, Exhibition News and Conference News.

Contact Kate Needham for more information kneedham@mashmedia.net

In Pictures: the Event Production Awards 2018