TRADE SHOW NEWS
BOOK NOW TO MAKE A ‘SPLASH
Save the date! Following Wilkinson Cameras’ bigger, bolder and more widely attended Digital Splash event last year, this October 7th & 8th it returns to its home of the Exhibition Centre Liverpool. BPI News gets a preview from Wilkinson MD David Parkinson, who is encouraging exhibitors to get in touch…
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ith the sun having set on events at the NEC, industry eyes will be turning to what’s coming next on the trade calendar – particularly in the absence of Photokina this year – and for many that means the Liverpool-based Digital Splash, which last year drew bigger names and larger audiences than ever before. Marketing itself as the biggest photography and optics show in the north, the pitch is that whether you’re a professional, enthusiast or beginner photographer, aspiring videographer or even bird watcher, you can see the latest equipment, get expert advice and be inspired by professionals talking in the Digital Splash Theatre. In 2016, host and organiser Wilkinson Cameras welcomed 6,200 visitors over two days; quite an achievement for the first time at its new Exhibition Centre Liverpool home. It also pulled in big photographic exhibitors including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Panasonic, Bowens, Fujifilm and Hasselblad, who all
Man with the (floor)plan: Wilkinson’s MD David Parkinson is inviting the trade to book space at 2017’s event
“We’re already getting phone calls from people who want to exhibit, which is encouraging. I think with last year’s show we proved what we can achieve.” – Wilkinson Cameras’ MD, David Parkinson
Wide open space: This year’s Wilkinson Cameras’ event is back again at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool
witnessed busy stands. This year it is back at the same location for the 8th annual Digital Splash.
Putting the pieces in place “We’ve set the date, are booking speakers, and all the pieces are being put in place for Digital Splash 2017,” confirms Wilkinson Cameras’ MD David Parkinson. “We’re already getting phone calls from people who want to exhibit, which is encouraging. I think with last year’s show we proved what we can achieve, and this year everyone has been a lot more receptive and responsive.” David and his team say they have listened to last year’s visitors and are promising more ‘mouth watering seminars and talks’ from pro
photographers – including Catherine Connor and Jenny Heyworth from Aspire who will be focusing on food photography and celebrated wedding photographer Jeff Ascough – to pull in the punters and engage with its audience this October. There will also be show offers from Wilkinson Cameras itself to encourage those visiting to spend. “Feedback from last year’s show was that 99% of visitors were over the moon,” David reminds us. “Magazines that were there got far more subscribers than they ever expected and the hardware brands were very complimentary and have come to us asking for bigger stands for 2017.” This year at the show there will be increased emphasis on the optics side of the business – including spotting
scopes, telescopes and binoculars. Astrophotography and the more serious end of the video market are two areas the retailer will increasingly be focusing on. “People are shooting video on the likes of the Panasonic GH5 on drones, so there is a lot of growth in these areas,” David notes. Manfrotto and PermaJet were just two of the many satisfied exhibitors from last year’s show who will be returning for 2017, having had great feedback on their own attendance. “The revamped Digital Splash show was a highlight of our year in 2016,” enthuses Manfrotto’s Ivor Chamberlain. “The new venue was a hit and it was well attended by lots of enthusiastic photographers which is why we didn’t hesitate to re-book for 2017. We had lots of positive feedback from visitors to our stand and we can’t wait for the show later this year.” PermaJet’s Colin Hulley echoes the positive sentiment: “There was tremendous interest in our products from both professionals and keen hobbyists”. Though tickets are not yet on sale – watch this space – we do have the dates of the weekend of October 7th and 8th to place in your trade diary. Doors will open at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool, from 10am and close at 5pm. Interested in exhibiting? Contact the Digital Splash team now via dkp@wilkinson.co.uk or alex@wilkinson.co.uk www.digitalsplash.tv
For more on Digital Splash 2017, visit digitalsplash.tv or email dkp@wilkinson.co.uk or alex@wilkinson.co.uk 10 April 2017 | BPI News
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