Stand Out Magazine February 2022 by Cogent Multimedia Ltd

February 2022

POWER

IN IT TOGETHER

HARRY POTTER

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

MDLBEAST

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

unique furniture hire

L O O K N O F U R T H E R.

FURNITURE ON THE MOVE Furnitureonthemove.co.uk 02 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

0845 459 9875

info@furnitureonthemove.co.uk

EDITOR’S LETTER

FEBRUARY 2022

n January, I had the great pleasure of attending the Festival Supplier Awards. It was fantastic to catch up with so many events professionals. It’s always a good night, but instead of dancing and drinking, there was a different vibe at this year’s shindig; people just wanted to chat. More than any other awards dinner, it was clear that those in the room had a different agenda; yes, they wanted to celebrate the good work delivered in a tough year, but there was a need to talk. Everyone wanted reassurance that they were not the only ones in a battered boat – was everyone else facing the same brewing storm of recruitment challenges and supply chain issues? If you read the latest industry surveys, outlining the challenges for the year ahead, they are a depressing statistical snapshot. However, they don’t iterate the determination of an industry that is err, determined, to get through 2022. Let me be clear. I am under no illusion that this coming season won’t have significant challenges, but I also believe that we’ll survive. I think this year will be about survival of the agile and the ability to adapt. What’s apparent from the many conversations I have had is that there is positivity. I don’t believe that this is reflected within the latest statistics. The figures only draw half the picture. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is an overwhelming appetite to get back out there. To give consumers confidence and show them what they have missed. Because if we don’t do it this year, then those events and festivals which have not gone ahead for two years will not come back and we’ll be a poorer industry for it. From chatting to #eventprofs, there are certain dates within the calendar where it’s going to be hard, but have you ever learned an important lesson from an easy ride? This month, I have had the pleasure of talking to many structure companies that have grown during the pandemic. That downtime, which we all hated at the beginning, allowed many organisations to turn their attention to the things that would never have got done if we carried on as normal. To quote Craig Mathie, MD of Bournemouth 7s, at a recent South Coast Events Forum meeting, sometimes we need to tackle what’s important and not just the urgent. Happy reading, Caroline @StandOutmag Editor’s image: © Aniseed Photo Cover image: ©MDLBEAST/Getty Images/Tim Whitby

For all your event infrastructure requirements, leave the how to us. www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 03

MUTA Members’ Day is back! 10 SPEAKERS

10 SPONSORS

April 5, 2022 | Jurys Inn Hinckley

1 EXCLUSIVE EVENT

01379 788673 info@muta.org.uk

Celebrating 25 years in the events industry Big Tops From 1,000 To 17,000 Capacity From Traditional To The Latest In Tensile Design We cater for Private functions • Music festivals • Religious events • Corporate entertainment • Fashion shows • Exhibitions Please visit our website and see the selection of big tops we have available for hire

www.ajbigtophire.com Tel: 01733 222999 Email: sales@ajbigtophire.com Email: admin@ajbigtophire.com

We would like to thank The Arts Council England for their help and support through the Pandemic.

04 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

CONTENTS

RAIN SUPREME 12

R-E-S-P-E-C-T 26

MESMERISING MUGGLES 15

WELSH WONDER 48

10 EVENT TENDERS

34 LEADING THE CHARGE

12 RAIN SUPREME

44 TIME TO CHANGE TACTIC

Discover the latest event tenders and contract wins Cirque du Soleil’s use of water wowed audiences at the Royal Albert Hall

15 MESMERISING MUGGLES

Unify Productions’ Anthony Norris reveals all about Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

21 PRICE RISES

The Government’s ban on red diesel comes into effect in April, meaning power costs will increase. Power experts chat

26 R-E-S-P-E-C-T

MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm featured a ground-breaking new antiharassment campaign called Respect and Reset (R&R). Here, Judy Bec, head of ops at Boomtown Fair, reveals all about the project that she delivered

Stand Out chats to Tim Collett, WRG’s new MD The events industry has changed in the last two years, but are you still using the same event marketing techniques? Mustard Media’s Ed Norris asks the question

48 WELSH WONDER

In It Together is a new festival set to open in Wales this June. Mark Hopkins, festival director, reveals all

50 CHECK YOUR POLICY

Is your lost child policy fit for purpose? Nipperbout’s Janthea Brigden thinks not…

53 PROFILE

Jake Warriner, SC Productions’ newly promoted company director and production manager, talks of his passion for events

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 05

CONTRIBUTORS

This month’s

CONTRIBUTORS:

ED NORRIS

JANTHEA BRIGDEN

JIM DAVEY

Editor Caroline Clift caroline@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Credit control Janine Walmsley creditcontrol@standoutmagazine.co.uk T: 01795 509103

Stand Out Multimedia Limited, Cobalt Building, 1600 Eureka Park, Lower Pemberton, Ashford, Kent TN25 4BF www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Publisher Neil Fagg neil@standoutmagazine.co.uk T: 01795 509101

No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to Stand Out Multimedia Limited. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement. Information about products and services featured within the editorial content does not imply an endorsement by Stand Out magazine. © 2022. Stand Out Multimedia Limited, Cobalt Building, 1600 Eureka Park, Lower Pemberton, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4BF.

Ed is co-founder and commercial director of Mustard Media, a festival and events marketing agency based in Manchester. Ed is also co-founder of AMP Lost and Found Festival in Malta and Business Keeps on Dancing. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the festival and events industry. Mustard Media was created in 2013 after many brands reached out to Ed and his business partners to help market their festivals. The company has built a reputation for being the “go-to agency” for selling tickets, working with festivals, events, and destinations across the globe, including elrow, Parklife, Afro Nation, Camp Bestival, and Manchester Pride. In this issue, Ed talks of the growing trend for outsourced event marketing and why he thinks it’s time to rethink your marketing moves.

Publication manager Sarah Bourne sarah@standoutmagazine.co.uk T: 01795 509113 Account manager Jo Stace jo@standoutmagazine.co.uk Design and production Jack Witcomb studio@standoutmagazine.co.uk Digital and web developer Matthew Coppard

06 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Janthea is chief executive officer and founder of Nipperbout, an award-winning event childcare company. Janthea has more spent more than 29 years in the events industry providing childcare at major UK and European events, festivals, and venues. Her experiences have enabled her to deflect unexpected curve balls, problem solve and spot risks, so that she can help clients to create safe, enjoyable, anxiety-free environments for children and families. With vast experience in policy writing, safeguarding and lost child best practice, Janthea shares her years of knowledge and asks whether your lost child policy is fit for purpose.

Managing director John Denning Subscribe:

Jim Davey, managing director at Redwood Event Solutions, has more than 18 years’ experience in safety, production, and operations management, working on some of the largest, most challenging, uplifting, and special events in the world. Redwood’s client portfolio includes IMG, Brand Events, Vision Nine, Bristol Light Festival and Upfest. In this latest edition, Jim reveals his predictions for 2022 and what he thinks will be the big challenges for the events industry.

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

HEATING VENTILATION AIR CONDITIONING FOR ALL SPACES & EVENTS NATIONWIDE T. +44 (0)1590 681 434 E. sales@candhs.co.uk W. coolingandheatingsolutions.com

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 07

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

https://www.lcn.com/support/categories/se tting-up-and-managing-email/

ROOMS BUILTININ12AHOURS DAY 0100 TO 100 ROOMS EVENTACCOMMODATION. ACCOMMODATION. REIMAGINED. EVENT

08 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Tel: 01905 955814 www.cubemodular.co.uk www.cubemodular.co.uk

INDUSTRY UPDATES

AIF chief warns of “perfect storm” heading for UK festival industry A live entertainment supply chain crisis, workforce shortages, and the effects of Brexit could create a “perfect storm” as the 2022 festival season approaches. That was the warning from the Association of Independent Festivals CEO Paul Reed, during his opening remarks to independent festival promoters at the association’s 2022 Festival Congress event. Reed said that while there is widespread optimism about the return of a full festival season this year, it will not be a simple case of getting back to business with serious challenges still ahead for the live industry. He warned that suppliers simply do not have cash reserves to invest further funds

into inventory, in a year when there will be near unprecedented demand and event activity both across the commercial market and from Government-backed events such as Unboxed and the Jubilee celebrations. Reed called for ongoing support from Government to alleviate pressures in the form of continued VAT relief on festival tickets to maintain the current reduced 12.5 per cent rate on tickets beyond the end of March; and to also look at some form of Government-backed loan scheme for suppliers to alleviate some of these pressures and encourage investment in the festival supply chain.

NEWS IN BRIEF As reported on LinkedIn, Circular Unity is close to launching ImpactALL, a carbon management and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tool for the events industry. The Purple Guide has updated its chapter and guidance on working in Safety Advisory Groups. For anyone interested in event and festival sustainability head on over to Facebook where you will find a fantastic, closed group called Felves Green Gnomes. It’s full of people that want to chat about event initiatives that save waste, energy, time, and money. Are you looking for a new role in the events industry? Check out the Event Jobs section on the Stand Out website. It’s full of new job opportunities and if you have vacancies to fill, it won’t cost you a penny to post your job online.

Have you ever considered how sustainable fireworks displays really are? Jon Culverhouse, founder of Fantastic Fireworks, has written a great blog post on that very topic. You’ll find it on LinkedIn if you jump online.

Coldplay rock Expo 2020 to drive home green message Coldplay performed at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15, in support of the Expo’s Programme for People and Planet and in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In March 2022, Coldplay will embark on its Music of the Spheres World Tour, which incorporates initiatives that aim to lower carbon emissions by as much as 50 per cent compared to the band’s previous tours. The Al Wasl performance, part of Expo 2020’s Infinite

Nights Series, highlighted the shared goals of Coldplay and the UAE, inspiring climate awareness. As the first country in the region to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the UAE has achieved global recognition for its commitment to a low carbon world and views climate action as an opportunity for sustainable economic growth – an approach that will gain global momentum as the country prepares to host COP28 in Abu Dhabi in 2023.

Theatre Green Book, industry-wide guidance to improve sustainability in live theatre, has been launched. Need a laugh? Rob Mayhew is making quite a name for himself on TikTok and LinkedIn with his observational sketches based on agency life. Check them out. Best Tweet this month goes to @NOEA President “It’s about time that event organisers wake up and realise they must increase rates paid to security, litter pickers and other manned suppliers or there will be no staff. They will be working for better pay in Tesco.”

Festival organisers lead the way in waste and emission reduction A Greener Festival (AGF) has revealed the results of its industry-leading green event certification for 2021, which highlights festivals and events striving to reduce waste and emissions. The awards, which commend organisers that have achieved high standards in sustainability and reduced their environmental impact, make it necessary for events to apply for an assessment and provide evidence such as fuel or electricity and water usage, waste transfer notes, transport measurements, procurement policies and traceability,

and survey data. To be awarded AGF certification, applicants need to address set requirements, and based on their performance against these, can be graded Improvers, Commended, Highly Commended and Outstanding. The awards will be presented during the Green Events and Innovations Conference on April 29, but festivals and events making the grade include Paradise City (Outstanding), elrow Town (Highly Commended), Festival de la Luz (Commended) and Lost Village (Improvers).

Traffic Management Car Parking Admissions & Sales Event Signing HVM and CSAS ANPR Systems

All Your Event Needs In One Place

www.eventtc.com 08000 246 800 info@eventtc.com

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 09

EVENT TENDERS AND CONTRACT WINS REDBULL RACING

Time to pitch Looking for new business opportunities? Check out the latest event tenders and contract wins RBG Kew Enterprises is looking for an organisation to produce a new event - Kew Summer Festival - which will incorporate its current music concert series, Kew the Music. The deadline is 12pm on March 16. Email procurement@kew.org

Torbay Council, working with the English Riviera Bid Company, would like to stage the English Riviera Food Festival. The deadline is 12pm on March 22. Interested? Email joanna.pascoe@torbay.gov.uk

SweetSpot, organiser of the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour, has appointed OnePlan as official event planning supplier for its 2022 races.

The University of East London has issued a £250,000 tender for event management services, as it wishes to organise large events and graduation ceremonies in three different locations. The deadline is 2pm on March 18. Email Adrienn Czigany – a.czigany@uel.ac.uk

Bedford Borough Council is looking to produce an aerial laser and/or light display to enhance the illuminated boat parade at the 2022 Bedford River Festival. The deadline is 12pm on March 11. Email sonia.shaikh@bedford.gov.uk PPDS has been chosen by RedBull Racing as an official team supplier of professional displays, digital signage, and monitors.

Swansea Council would like to purchase a mobile trailer stage for large-scale events. The deadline is 12pm on March 4. Outdoor Digital Productions will deliver the official Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival Live Sites.

• Golf Buggy Hire • Buggy Hire • Mule Hire • Road Legal Buggies • Electric Buggies • Trailier Hire • Trilo Vacum Hire T: 01923 265211 E: info@oliverbuggyhire.co.uk W: www.oliverbuggyhire.co.uk 10 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

GIGTENT

SADDLESPANS + MULTISPANS

MODULAR MATRIX MARQUEES

PRESENTATION

GIGTENT

MOBILE TRAILER STAGE

COMMUNICATION

CUSTOMER SERVICE

DELIVERY

www.gigtent.co.uk

GIGTENT

EVENT FLOORING SOLUTIONS

RELIABILITY

01223 870935

info@gigtent.co.uk www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 11

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Monsoon moments

Cirque du Soleil’s use of water wowed audiences at the Royal Albert Hall. Read on and discover how

irque du Soleil returned to the Royal Albert Hall in January, and wowed audiences with its own brand of colourful performance and nail-biting acrobatics. Luzia, the entertainment giant’s touring production that celebrates the sounds, faces and places of Mexico, runs until February 27, and comprises 46 performers, each demonstrating undeniable levels of balance and skill. The 110-strong touring cast and crew – which features 19 technicians and a wizarding wardrobe department – returned to London to mark the 25th anniversary since Cirque du Soleil first performed at the iconic venue. Luzia incorporates rain into many of the acrobatic performances and a giant water curtain is just one of the three central elements featured in the set design. A huge moving disc, measuring 6.9 metres in diameter and weighing 2,000kg, rotates horizontally and a perforated paper, lantern-like curtain, which is 30-metres wide and 11-metres high, is key to the show’s narrative. But what fascinates audiences more is Luzia’s imaginative incorporation of water and a stage floor with 94,657 holes through which water drains into a 3,500-litre basin hidden underneath. The water in the basin is channelled to an external 2,500-litre tank where it is treated and pumped up to a bridge 17 metres above the stage. Here, the water is maintained at a constant 28C (82F) for the wellbeing and comfort of the artists.

12 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 13

Wecan canprovide provideaaacomplete completerange rangeofof of We We can provide complete range We can provide a complete range of conveniences, conveniences,from fromluxury luxurymodels modelsto tosingle singletoilet conveniences, from luxury models to single toilet conveniences, from luxury models to single toilet units showers, to any event toiletand units and showers, suit anylarge event units and showers, tosuit suitto any event largeor units and showers, to suit any event large oror small. Whatever large or small. the small. Whatever theoccasion occasionplease pleasecontact contactus us small. Whatever the occasion please contact us to discuss requirements on:Excloosive enjoyed working at Arley Hall to discuss your your requirements on:to discuss your requirements on:with Unify Productions on ‘Harry Potter A t:t: 01283 575 Forbidden Forest. 01283 575 749 749 t: 01283 575 749

m: m: 07778 07778 473 473 064 064 m: 07778 473 064

For all your portable loo requirements please e: info@excloosive.co.uk e: info@excloosive.co.uk info@excloosive.co.uk e: info@excloosive.co.uk email: or visit our websiteor visit our websitevisit websiteoror visit ourour website: www.excloosive.co.uk

www.excloosive.co.uk www.excloosive.co.uk www.excloosive.co.uk T: 01283 575 749 M: 07778 473 064

ExcLOOSive Ltd, Field House, Bromley Park, Abbots Bromley, ExcLOOSive Ltd, Ltd, Field Field House, House, Bromley Bromley Park, Park,Abbots AbbotsBromley, Bromley, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 3AH Rugeley, Rugeley, Staffordshire, Staffordshire, WS15 WS15 3AH 3AH

Proud to support Unified Productions

EVENT SECURITY SERVICES Events Security Services is a well-established, dedicated and cost effective security company that specializes in event safety. Our aim is to make sure your events are trouble free and are enjoyed by all of those who attend. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Events Security and Hospitality Industry that you can rely on and benefit from.

www.eventsecuk.com

0161 796 0996

contact@eventsecuk.com

the technical department

Providers of temporary or permanent power installations info@thetechnicaldepartment.com / 01483 238 050

14 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

HARRY POTTER: A FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE

Mesmerising Muggles Unify Productions’ Anthony Norris reveals all about Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Bros. Themed Entertainment, in W arner partnership with Unify Productions,

Thinkwell, and Fever, welcomed more than 200,000 Harry Potter fans to an immersive light trail featuring creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience closed its gates on January 16, following a three-month run at Arley Hall, Cheshire. As evening fell, Potterheads walked a 1.7-kilometre light trail, which meandered through ancient woodland; a mythical home to Hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, and Nifflers. The outdoor experience was created by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment in partnership with theatrical designer and experiential creator, Thinkwell, production partner Unify and entertainment discovery platform Fever. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience offered fans a new way to enjoy some of the most iconic and magical wizarding world moments in a COVID-safe environment, as guests followed a oneway route through the Arley Hall Estate.

FOOT IN THE DOOR

Anthony Norris, co-founder of Unify Productions, is no stranger to working on large-scale, intricate, and imaginative events with big logistical challenges. So, producing Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience did not faze him. He knew it would take a lot of hard work, but it was necessary. “It’s the best thing I have ever done,” Norris explained, just days after completing a twoweek load out. “It’s amazing what you can achieve in 367 days.”

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 15

HARRY POTTER: A FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE

The experiential trail opened on October 16 – 367 days after the first conversation about the event took place. Norris continued: “As we came out of lockdown in 2020, I began reaching out to people and started chatting to Heather [McGill] who I had worked with on London 2012. I had also been chatting with the team at Raymond Gubbay about their Christmas light trails and was inspired. At the time, everyone was used to going out and being in nature. Heather and I began talking about what we could do in this space and what IPs were available.” Harry Potter sprang to mind. During London 2012, Norris and McGill had worked with Thinkwell, which has unrivalled experience with the Harry Potter brand. “Heather had kept in touch with some of the team at Thinkwell,” Norris continued. “It gave us a foot in the door. Within 48 hours, we had a provisional ‘yes’ from Warner Brothers but we had to go back to them with a formed creative.”

16 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

PLANNING AND LOCATION

Unify was co-founded by Norris and McGill and what ensued was an intense period of planning and a big fat “yes” to the project. Unify collaborated with Thinkwell, which led on creative, and Fever, which took responsibility for marketing and PR. Unify was engaged as event producer, with McGill working on creative and Norris leading on “nuts and bolts” operations. “We wanted to make sure we were working in harmony with the forest,” Norris added. “We didn’t want to bring in a ton of props. The forest was our backdrop. There were several big ticket items that we knew we wanted. We knew we wanted Hagrid, we knew we wanted a Hippogriff, and we knew we wanted Aragog. But we also knew that we wanted to use the forest and use the branches, for example, to hide lighting.” Arley Hall’s gnarly wood was the perfect location for the experience. Up to eight other locations were looked at within the Manchester/Liverpool/Birmingham

triangle. “We are blessed with many country estates,” said Norris. “But we needed to be able to close the doors and have the run of the forest, without having daily visitors peeping through and seeing what we were doing.”

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience took guests on a journey; it was not “installation based”. All elements were programmed around nautical twilight with staggered start times and as the evenings got darker, and British Summer Time ended, the experience started earlier, meaning that more people could experience the trail. When the event opened at 4pm, 3,000 people could pass through the trail, which comprised eight key themed experiences, as well as a themed food and beverage village inspired by Diagon Alley. This was created alongside Freemans Event Partners. During its run, guests consumed 58,000 Hogwarts Hot Chocolates, 20,000 themed donuts, and 45,000 bottles of Butterbeer.

HARRY POTTER: A FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPERIENCE

According to Jason Mumby, director of client development at Freemans Event Partners, the food and drink at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience was a great example of how an event’s food and beverage offer can be knitted into the content of an event. Furthermore, the food units were “unrecognisable” as they were themed to look like Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter movies. Warner Brothers was “very specific” about what it wanted in terms of food and drink; the direction was clear and attention to detail was paramount.

LESSONS LEARNED

John King worked alongside Norris and took responsibility for health and safety. Adam Povey was engaged as lighting designer and Mark “Bluey” Hardwidge sat across technical production and site management. It was a big project and whilst not a festival site with 60,000 people on it, the site was demanding – a fact that Norris admitted to underestimating. Now, as thoughts turn to 2022, Norris and McGill are digesting the lessons learned.

“We learned a lot about the land we’re working on,” he explained. “It’s not agreed that we will return to Arley Hall, but we’re keen to go back. I know that if we did, I want to change the design of the food and drink village, as the grass didn’t look great at the end of November. We also learned a lot about COVID and discovered that the levels of approval that you need to go through to get things signed off are intense.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Norris continued: “We want to do the experience again. In fact, we’re possibly expanding and creating six Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest experiences. Hence, the reason I’m terrified. Whether we get all venues away, who knows but we’ve got our head down on venue searches.” Norris confirmed that the event has covered its costs and that developing the experience even further will take Unify’s “attention for a while”. “It’s the best thing I have ever done,” he concluded. “From the smallest seed of an idea to the team that we assembled and to

the growth we’ve seen, it’s been amazing. It felt like we’d created this big family unit, reminiscent of my festival days, and I haven’t felt that for 10-15 years. “That first night, when you saw the public experiencing the trail for the first time, you knew you’d pulled off something special, but that’s testament to the team who have worked so incredibly hard, and for me that was the stand out moment.”

SUPPLIERS LIST Lighting – TSL Lighting Power – The Technical Department Trackway – Sunbelt Rentals Toilets – Excloosive Event Hire Sound and AV – Creative Technology Radios – SFL Mobile Security – Events Security Services Marquees – All About ME Rigging – Unusual Rigging

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 17

RC_advert_91x131_v01.01.pdf 1 02/02/2022 21:23:19

EVENT EVENT POWER POWER

EXHIBITION POWER EXHIBITION POWER

EMERGENCY POWER EMERGENCY POWER

DOMESTIC DOMESTIC

INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

T: T: 01279 01279 507890 507890 E: E: ofﬁ ofﬁce@atdelectrical.com ce@atdelectrical.com W: W: atdelectrical.com atdelectrical.com

S TA G E H A N D S , T E C H N I C I A N S & EVENT PRODUCTION SUPPORT

O U R C R E W A R E N OT J U S T F R I E N D LY, HAPPY & HELPFUL; THEY ARE ALSO T R A I N E D, R E L I A B L E & SAFETY CONSCIOUS

CALL US (24/7) TEL: 020 8075 7799 EMAIL US EN Q U I R I ES : H EL LO @ R O DEO C R EW. U K

WWW.RODEOCREW.UK

We We offer offer electrical electrical services services for for all all types types of of events. events. We cater for small venues, conferences, marquees We cater for small venues, conferences, marquees or or large large exhibition exhibition centres. centres.

CREW & SERVICES SUPPLIED PRE PRODUCTION & CAD DRAWINGS ON SITE OFFICE MANAGEMENT PRECISION MARK OUT SITE AND STAGE CREW CREW BOSS/TEAM LEADERS STRAIGHT MAST OPERATORS TELEHANDLER OPERATORS MEWP OPERATORS RUNNER PLUS VEHICLES

DON'T DELAY! Our diary is filling up for Summer 2022. If you require our services - get in touch soon!

Event Traﬃc Management, Consultancy, Solutions and Support. 0345 565 2088 info@jtmroadsigns.co.uk jtmroadsigns.co.uk Part of the

18 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Group

BEYOND FESTIVAL

Above and beyond Paul Brindley, owner and director of Beyond Festival, discusses the new one-day event set to rock Leicester this June

aul Brindley (known as Brina) is no stranger to the world of outdoor events. For years, he has created secret parties, provided event management and consultancy services to other organisers, and launched his own events. Statfold Barn Festival launched in 2019, but the 2022 iteration of the festival has recently been cancelled; the festival’s venue was incredibly nervous about hosting the event. “It’s such a shame,” explains Brindley. “The venue has such potential and the festival had already built a loyal fanbase. COVID scuppered the event in 2020. In 2021, we fought the local authority over the premises licence and got them on board. We had started planning the 2022 event, but just a couple of weeks ago, the venue pulled out.” It’s frustrating, as Statfold Barn Festival, nor Brindley, got the chance they deserved to put the event on the map. Instead, not one to rest, Brindley is concentrating all his efforts on Beyond Festival, a new event which will take place in Leicester’s Abbey Park on June 25. Brindley, owner and director of Beyond Festival, is excited about his new venture, launched alongside fellow partners Scott Cook, Rae Hardy and Jack Meldrum. “It’s been a coming together of minds,” Brindley comments. “We identified a gap in the market for a festival in Leicester city

centre. Manchester, Sheffield, London, Birmingham; they all have amazing urban festivals, but there’s nothing in Leicester.”

BIG PLANS

Brindley has a good relationship with Leicester City Council. Conversations about Beyond started pre-COVID, but COVID killed the vibe. The conversation was picked back up, post-lockdown, and now the council is incredibly supportive of Beyond; a 10,000 strong, one-day festival that has big plans for the city centre. Brindley continues: “Abbey Park has a central lake, and the festival will eclipse the lake and wrap around it. Our motivation is all about getting to year two. In year two, we have plans to increase capacity to 25,000 people, take over the whole of the park, and add a couple of stages. And we might add a dance proms concert to the format on the Friday night, as I tour a 50-piece orchestra.”

SPENDING WISELY

Beyond Festival’s footprint will take up a third of the park in 2022. There are plans to create spin-offs and grow the brand in other areas, creating revenue streams that would support the festival in the summer. This business model, coupled with the festival team’s experience, means that it can put on a lean production, a show without much wastage.

PAUL BRINDLEY “The trick and skill will be knowing where to spend wisely,” Brindley comments. “We will have to have strict control over costs. Everything is going to be a challenge this year. Infrastructure and production costs will increase. Artist fees have increased. Eventually, organisers will have to increase prices.” Brindley concludes: “Costs are up – logistics, fuel, and transport. It’s going to be a difficult time for organisers, promoters, and everyone in the industry. But Beyond Festival will stand out because it’s a long-awaited festival.”

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 19

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

YEARS

1982 - 2022

Providing Event Solutions for Power, Lighting & Distribution

GENERATORS FROM 20kVA TO 2000kVA SYNCHRONISED SETS FROM 100kVA - ROAD TOWS UP TO 150kVA HYBRID POWER - FUEL TANKS - DISTRIBUTION & CABLES TOWER LIGHTS



SPECIALISED LOGISTICS - REMOTE MONITORING - FUEL MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE FUELS - INSTALLATIONS - 24/7 SERVICE

Head Office & East Anglia Depot Stuart House, Hargham Road Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DT T: 01953 454540 enquiries@stuartgroup.info

CONTACT 0845 642 1662 WWW.STUARTPOWER.CO.UK NORTH EAST 20 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

NORTH WEST



 

POWERING EVENT SOLUTIONS NATIONWIDE

WEST MIDLANDS

EAST ANGLIA

POWER SUNDOWN

Power: At what cost?

The Government’s ban on red diesel comes into effect in April, meaning power costs will increase. Power experts chat

rom April 1, the events industry will no longer be able to use red diesel and rebated biofuels to power events or festivals. Many event organisers are aware of the upcoming change – that red diesel can no longer be used to power generators or plant on site – but there are some events professionals that remain unaware of the large impact that this new law is going to have on production costs.

PEARCE HIRE

THINK ABOUT EMISSIONS

The Government announced the ban on red diesel in April 2020, as part of its drive to achieve netzero carbon emissions by 2050. But what does it mean for the events industry? Red diesel is ordinary “white diesel” that is used in road vehicles, but it contains a dye and is taxed at a much lower rate. Increasing the fuel tax that organisers must pay is designed to make events professionals think of the emissions they produce, and it’s also hoped that it will encourage people to use cleaner and alternative fuel sources. It’s good news for the environment, but events and festivals will be hit hard by the change.

Sponsored by Arcotherm

AT BIEMMEDUE UK WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF HEATING, DRYING & CLEANING SOLUTIONS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS.

ORDER ONLINE OR CONTACT US:

01773 836 999 sales@arcotherm.co.uk www.arcotherm.co.uk

VIEWPOINT

Back with a bang! Whilst there will be challenges, 2022 looks promising for the events industry, so says Jim Davey, managing director of Redwood Event Solutions

An industry at capacity may mean that newer, smaller, or spontaneous events may struggle to find supplies if unable to commit funds ahead of spring

t’s been an incredibly busy start to the year and believe me, I am not complaining. Seeing the industry bursting into action after the challenging years we’ve experienced is extremely exciting and feels very positive for the future. For the events that did take place in 2021, there was so much uncertainty around COVID restrictions, regulations and constantly moving goalposts, that the window for planning was greatly diminished and we had to be more flexible and reactive than ever before to get the events that did happen off the ground. This year, there is a feeling of returning the sector to its full capacity as quickly as possible, forging ahead with event plans and filling the core event season from May to September. Whilst we can never know what is around the corner, by putting best laid plans in place we can start to make up for lost years and help rebuild the industry that we know and love. However, we cannot underestimate the impact that the last two years has had on

the industry and recognise that our approach needs to appreciate there will be challenges in 2022, perhaps some that we’ve not been used to or experienced pre-COVID. This year, the planning process has started earlier than certainly we’ve experienced at Redwood. The volume of licence applications has increased dramatically and as with all industries, the resources of local councils are stretched. This is resulting in tighter deadlines to submit applications and necessary paperwork, and in turn putting more pressure on organisers and health and safety teams to produce the applications to meet these deadlines. This movement towards shorter timeframes is having a knock-on effect on everyone in the industry. When attending the recent Event Buyers Live, conversations with organisers and suppliers echoed the desire to lock in contracts as early as possible and before the end of January 2022, a timeline that has certainly shifted from pre-COVID times. This new pace to get all our

42 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

PUB IN THE PARK ducks in a row is sure to have some benefits – contractors will have a very clear picture of the year ahead and in many cases reach their capacity of provision. However, an industry at capacity may mean that newer, smaller, or spontaneous events may struggle to find supplies if unable to commit funds ahead of spring. There will also be some expected requirements for events that will remain in place this year following the pandemic. Additional cleaning regimes for event sites and an increased footprint for visitors are likely to remain as valuable controls and I’m sure will be appreciated by event guests.

There is a chance that these changes will be a hangover from the pandemic and will slowly revert to the preCOVID way, or we may adopt these new timeframes as our industry’s “new normal”. 2022 is going to be busy. Perhaps one of the busiest years the industry has ever seen. The demand for events and experiences is sky high, there is a whole generation of people looking forward to experiencing their first festival after missing out on two years, whilst others are looking for their summer of festivals and fields to return. One thing is for sure, the year looks promising for our industry.

UK HEATING AND COOLING RENTAL SPECIALISTS Experts in Event Hire Leading Adoption of HVO Biofuels Highly Experienced Design & Installation Teams

HVAC Solutions • Lighting Solutions Power Distribution • Disaster Recovery Long and Short Term Hire • System Design Services Permanent Installations

T +44 (0) 2380 453841 E office@spicasolutions.com www.spicasolutions.com

01782 482060

acclimatise.co.uk

Spica Temperature Control Solutions Ltd, 20 Crowsport, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4HG

WD 1228 - Spica Advert 1/4 page Ad.indd 1

IMA Series • High efficiency heat exchangers • Radial fans for powerful heat distribution • Protection bars all around • Lifting hooks & fork truck slots • Tigerloop standard • Burner with rain cover and lower tray for oil containment during servicing • Available with 1 and 3 phase radial fans • Outputs of 65kw, 110kw, 150kw & 200kw

ITA ROBUST Models • 45 Kw and 75 Kw outputs • Fuel tank for 16 hours burning duration • Large ball bearing wheels • Fork lift slots • Fuel Gauge • Optional lifting hook

09/05/2017 09:14

IMAC Series • High efficiency heat exchangers • Stainless steel frame on box girders with fork truck slots & lifting hooks • Lockable door panels for control box and burner area with feed through glands for cable and fuel hoses • Return air flanges are optional • 120kw, 145kw, 200kw & 220kw models with options of 2 stage burner and 2 speed fan on the 200Kw & 220 Kw models • IMAC 4000E model has a 2 stage burner & 2 speed fan wth heat outputs of 261kw or 383kw and heated air outputs up to 24,000 cubic metres per hour

11 & 12 Buckingham Close, Bermuda Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 7JT Andy Wallis 07850 988382 • John Hall 07775 635527 Tel: 02476 357960 Email: sales@thermobile.co.uk www.thermobile.co.uk www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 43

VIEWPOINT

Get your house in order The events industry has changed in the last two years, but are you still using the same event marketing techniques? Ed Norris, co-founder and commercial director of Mustard Media, shares his thoughts on the rising trend of outsourced event marketing and why he thinks it’s time to honestly assess your in-house marketing capabilities and rethink your marketing moves

Big launches are now even more important to get your events noticed

won’t teach you how to suck eggs, but as we all know, the events industry has changed dramatically in the last two years. One of the changes which I’ve not seen mentioned anywhere, is how event company structures have altered and what possible opportunities this brings. For anyone overseeing any kind of budget, you will have had to reduce costs to the business wherever possible. In many cases like ourselves, this included letting go of amazing staff to ensure the company survives whilst there are no (or few) events able to go ahead. However horrible, it’s an essential part of survival for both the business and protecting the remaining employees at the company.

ADAPT YOUR CAMPAIGN

Many event marketing departments have scaled back to a skeleton team, and use freelancers or agencies, to fill the gaps when they need to. We go into 2022 with optimism for events this year, however we’re not out of the woods quite yet. Whilst we recover, the shift to freelancers and agencies means you only pay for the work you have on, and tap into expertise you may not be able to hire in. Alongside your structural changes, comes a complete rethink in how you approach your marketing campaign. The yearly rhythms and usual marketing playbooks you used to use, need to be

44 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

thrown out. No longer can you rely on the timelines and tactics you once did. There’s a huge number of new considerations never faced before. At any point, a news notification can drop, and ticket sales suddenly stop so reactivity and timing now are fundamental to success. If you get the timing wrong, you can say goodbye to a sell-out event. Gen Z and millennial eyeballs are ever more distracted amongst a world of screens and channels competing for attention. Big launches are now even more important to get your events noticed (and they were already critical to success) alongside scarcity tactics to ensure customers purchase instantly, safeguarding against imminent BBC News notifications driving negative waves of ticket purchasing. The yoyo-ing of customer confidence is an ongoing challenge too, one which needs to be tackled with live data to inform your next moves within your marketing campaigns. By having access to ticket sales, Google analytics, paid media analytics and marketing campaign data, you can adapt campaigns in the moment, ensure your budget is spent wisely and pick the correct time to drop your big moving pieces of content.

MONITOR DATA POINTS

Slimmed down marketing teams provide much needed relief for companies, but they come with a warning. Often, the

newly formed smaller marketing teams are expected to perform not just on par with the full previous team but better. They are supposed to navigate an extremely difficult period with completely new plans and challenges. Work then becomes reactive rather than proactive, and there is no strategy which is being followed, only overflowing jumbled to-do lists and unmanageable expectations. It’s likely you have tasks being done by either too senior or too junior employees or perhaps without the expertise required. In these instances, you need to provide back up to your team, when they need it most. You need specialists in any areas in which you are lacking the expertise and you need to ensure you are not getting too bogged down with too much on, it’ll only lead to burn out and employees leaving. You need to monitor data points daily, ensure the top-level strategy is strong enough to combat so many changes and have enough resources to implement the key big moments within a strategy sufficiently, along with the daily routines of running marketing campaigns. What do you need to outsource? You may already be thinking about specific expertise, such as paid media for example, however it’s not always so clear. For example, do you have a strategy which you are confident will take you to where you need to be? Do you have data and experience to back this up?

VIEWPOINT © Robin Worrall/Ross Sneddon/Colin Lloyd

ELEVATE YOUR MARKETING

The best two ways to think about your marketing team are as fractional executives and internal drivers. Fractional execs are highly experienced professionals, who have been there, done that and got the lanyard. Unless you are a large organisation, these are a luxury which you will not be able to afford. They are also extremely difficult to recruit and retain and would need a large support team structure. These people may be too expensive to have in your team all year, but you can still get their knowledge when you need it most from freelancers and agencies. If you do not use this level of support yet, the level of expertise it brings, can elevate an event to the next level. Even some of the biggest event companies and organisations use fractional execs to think outside the box, challenge the status quo and combine knowledge to keep your event or festival progressing. Internal drivers are your amazing internal marketing team. They live and breathe your brand and implement the day-to-day marketing, which does not require the same level of expertise or quantity of work as the fractional executives. Depending on the level of your event will depend on the level and number of this type of person. These are generally mid-level marketeers which have someone in the organisation directing and keeping everything on track.

The fractional executives will… • Diagnose key challenges, which are holding you back and combat them with actionable solutions • Challenge the norm and create a unique solution encompassing experience, your historical data and up-to-date data and trends • Set your marketing strategy (along yourselves, as no-one will ever know the brand as well as you) • Provide proven techniques and tactics within the strategy • Identify KPIs to tracking to ensure you can measure success for on-going progression • Provide introductions or advice on using external companies, brands, technology, or platforms to gain more data, convert a higher percentage and sell more tickets, faster. • Implement high-level marketing tasks (such as a multi-channel paid media campaign) • Provide data reports which are easily understandable and with suggested improvements. The internal drivers will… • Implement your marketing strategy set by the fractional execs on a day-today basis • Liaise with your fractional execs, who are providing implementation, to ensure they have all the assets they require • Run your social media accounts, making sure everyone is responded to in a timely

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 45

VIEWPOINT manner and ensure there is constant nurturing of your audience • Maintain your brands tone of voice through all communication • Create and send email marketing campaigns • Create and build strategic marketing partnerships with media outlets, social media pages and influencers • Brief and manage photo, video, graphic designers, illustrators, and content creators • Liaise with PR/SEO/web specialists to ensure everyone has the correct copy and creative required, and analyse reports, which come from any third parties to ensure they are all doing their job correctly (against the KPI setting). • Liaise with ticket outlets ensuring their marketing efforts are working and any ticket counts or allocations are (smaller teams only, larger organisations will outsource or provide a dedicated team) and being reported on. • Attend marketing workshops, calls and meetings with fractional execs and thirdparty partners.

EVALUATE WHAT YOU NEED

We’re not only seeing a big increase in demand for fractional execs, but also internal drivers. The drivers are much more surprising, as paying agencies are often more expensive than having someone in-house. After all, they are doing timeconsuming work, so it usually involves one or two full time positions for the length of the marketing campaign (depending on the size of your event). This does, however, mean you can hire experienced people with a proven track record and leave them to do all the implementation. You then must jump on weekly calls and look through reports, rather than being in the day to day. Not to mention the added expenses and time of having extra staff members and possible time when they may be employed but with little or no work due to uncertainties. How does this work then in practice? We often see the following set up as most common: Your outsourced fractional execs • Strategy director + supporting strategy team • Head of paid media + supporting implementation paid media team Your internal drivers • Marketing director (this sometimes is the promoter, depending on size of event/company) • Marketing and social media manager • Marketing assistant and community manager More “traditional” outsourced teams • Press team • Graphic designers • Illustrator/animators • Photographer/videographers

46 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

A lot of us have had to change our company set up to navigate the last couple of years. However, this does bring the opportunity to shape it in a more efficient way. Do not just jump right back into hiring a like-for-like replacement for someone who has left. Evaluate what you need, and see if there’s another way in which that role could be fulfilled to a higher level, with the same or less budget. You may have spare capacity with other team members who can pick up certain tasks and outsource the more high-level or specific expertise.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The festival and events industry has big changes in marketing company set ups. They are looking more to outsourcing to keep overheads down, only paying external expertise as and when they need it rather than on payroll. • Alongside company structural changes, event and festival marketing campaigns have changed dramatically in approach, meaning a new strategy is required to combat new challenges. • A scaled-back marketing team presents a new set of challenges, the team will be stretched and likely working day to day, with no proper vision and being reactive rather than proactive, not getting the expected results.

• You should be looking to boost the team with specific outsourced help, when they need it most, looking at both expertise and internal resources. • When considering, split these up into two categories (both essential to long-term success) fractional executives and internal drivers. • Fractional executives are highly experienced professionals who provide clarity and data around your campaign. No matter how large of an organisation, these people hold their own, challenging the status quo and providing real value and ROI when you need it most. • Internal drivers are your day-to-day implementers and number one fans of the brands. They are living and breathing the opportunity to work in such a creative and exciting industry leaving no stone unturned. • Demand for the fractional executives has increased dramatically over the last 18 months from the lack of resources within marketing teams and companies not being able to rely on previous marketing strategies. • Demand for internal drivers has also increased, due to many internal teams being reduced over tough times with no events being able to be held and some completely going from an events team.

1st Defense Fire & Rescue Services Ltd

• Fire Extinguisher Sales, Service and Hire • Fire Risk Assessments • Fire Cover for Events T: 01483 200911 E: admin@1stdefensefire.co.uk W: www.1stdefensefire.co.uk

E V E N T, V E N U E & F E S T I V A L S E R V I C E S

SAFETY

symphotech.co.uk

NOISE MANAGEMENT

0871 711 5264

PRODUCTION

claire@symphotech.co.uk

Turn your crowd-control barriers and Heras fence panels into miniature billboards with our range of premium, budget and environmentally friendly panels. For a free sample pack, email info@sunbaba.co.uk or call 020 8988 9100.

www.sunbaba.co.uk

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 47

IN IT TOGETHER

COLOUR CLASH

MARK HOPKINS

We want to be Together In It Together is a new festival set to open in Wales this June. Mark Hopkins, festival director, reveals all

’ve wanted to do a big show with live music and camping for many years,” says Mark Hopkins, head of festivals and live music at Escape Records. “We’ve always created a show with one genre of music, but lockdown gave us time to develop the concept.” The concept that Hopkins talks of is In It Together festival, which will debut this summer in Margam’s Old Park Farm, Wales. Taking place from June 3-5, In It Together is pitched as a multi-genre, family festival, which comes complete with a “Bring your Grandparents for free” initiative and five stages of music and entertainment.

and what we were trying to do, and I think that our line up dictates your credibility in the market.” According to Hopkins, the line-up is right; Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Two Door Cinema Club, Clean Bandit, Armand Van Helden, and Tinie Tempah will perform at the festival. “We wanted to release details of In It Together earlier, but we wanted the right sentiment, so we held off,” Hopkins continued. “Everything had to be right. We needed our audience to go to events and get some confidence under their belt.”

CREDIBILITY AND CONFIDENCE

Ticket sales are going well and the event’s premises licence has been approved, Hopkins confirmed. The team hopes to attract a 40,000-strong crowd, comprised of young and old people, different races, genders, and sexualities. “The festival itself is born from and based around the ethos of a celebration of life, of freedom and of togetherness,” added Hopkins. “The past couple years have been an incredibly difficult time for all of us, with families around the world not being able to see their loved ones for longer than ever before. We’re taking the idea of a family festival that one step further, enabling families of all shapes and sizes to be able

In It Together has been 18 months in the making. Hopkins and his colleagues spent a lot of time in 2020 planning shows that didn’t happen. “We thought the situation would improve and it didn’t. By the time we’d rescheduled our final show, we felt deflated. So, we thought let’s use this time to create an event and come out of the blocks with an amazing show.” He continued: “We spent a long time planning. We presented the idea in September 2020, it was signed off by October 2020, we made offers on artists in February 2021 and we launched in September. People bought into our vision

48 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

TOGETHERNESS AND TICKET SALES

to join us for an incredible weekend at an extremely cost-effective price.” Plans for In It Together include five stages, luxury camping options, a dedicated campsite for 16-17-year-olds, a separate quieter campsite for those who want to relax, “amazing décor” and “lots of surprises” to create an “experience that has never been done in Wales before”.

PROCUREMENT

Hopkins is responsible for procurement and has contracted SWG Events, Project Power, Tip Top Marquees, Streamline Leisure, Sunbelt Rentals, Skiddle, The Last Mile, and We Are The Fair to supply kit and services to In It Together. He explained that he tries to use the same suppliers for all his shows (Colour Clash, Inside Out and Party at the Park), believing in camaraderie, and said that other than one or two areas, he has booked all his infrastructure. “I’ve done it really early because you have to have it done,” he said. “And we’ve done a multi-year deal with the farm.” Hopkins has big plans for In It Together. By year three, he wants to grow the festival to 50,000. He admits it’s not a massive jump, but he will be happy with 10 per cent year-on-year growth. Hopkins concluded: “We’re being ballsy, and we want to knock it out of the park.”

Staging & Structures

LiteDeck Hire CROWD, SECURITY, STEWARDING, PARKING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SHORTLISTED AT THE FESTIVAL SUPPLIERS AWARDS IN THE SECURITY & CROWD MANAGEMENT SECTION FIND US AT EPS STAND E65E

IPS provides equipment hire for the outdoor event industry Large stocks of: » Modular Staging » Steps & Ramps » All Accessories » Plus much more including Rigging, Lighting, Sound, Video & Power Equipment.

Get in touch for a quote

01908 657950

ips.co.uk

WWW.NEWMANEVENTS.CO.UK

MUTA Members’ Day is back! 10 SPEAKERS

10 SPONSORS

April 5, 2022 | Jurys Inn Hinckley

1 EXCLUSIVE EVENT

01379 788673 info@muta.org.uk

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 49

VIEWPOINT

Play with your policy Is your lost child policy fit for purpose? Janthea Brigden, CEO of Nipperbout, the event childcare specialist, thinks not…

Did you know that it is illegal to be drunk and in charge of a child under the age of seven?

ou may know that you need to have a lost child policy for your event, but when was the last time you updated yours? And did you just put it in a drawer, or did you communicate your policy to all your staff on site?

IS IT ROBUST?

When I run our lost child courses, I always start by asking our delegates to describe their lost property procedure. They tell me about their policy in depth; how they would never hand back a wallet without being shown some ID, and that they’d need to see ID or proof of ownership before handing back a mobile phone. And that, of course, they would ask for a name, address, and signature to verify the return. My next question is about their lost child policy and the answers are never as detailed; most people hand a lost child back to an adult without any of these measures; without checking ID, and without asking them to verify and sign a book. Therefore, are we more concerned in safeguarding lost property than safeguarding our children?

THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFEGUARDING Most organisations don’t realise that if something happens to a child, the Police will look back over that child’s activities for the last three months. Every action, place and contact would be scrutinised, so it’s vitally important that staff understand their duties and

50 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

responsibilities towards safeguarding children, especially when that child has been in their care, i.e., when they turned up at your event’s lost child point. Safeguarding children is becoming even more important, as many children are now falling through the net; child sexual exploitation is increasing and children as young as seven or eight are now being targeted. Security staff and anyone running a first aid point should have basic safeguarding training so that they know what to do and who to report to if they have a concern. They key point is to ensure they understand that if something “feels not quite right” then they must report it to someone senior. If that senior person does nothing, then they have a right and a duty to report it to the relevant local authority Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub themselves. When we run our lost child training, there is a section at the end about safeguarding, where we cover signs and symptoms and how to recognise them. Delegates frequently tell us of occasions where things haven’t felt right but they doubted themselves and so didn’t do anything. Examples include children who seemed afraid of parents, children who smelt of urine and seemed hungry, and children who drew inappropriate pictures or used “adult” language. All of these are key indicators but because no one had told the people we were training that they needed to be on the lookout and to

report these things, nothing was done. Event security staff, shopping centre staff, people in hospitality and leisure are all in an excellent position to help safeguard children if only they knew what to look out for and how to report their concerns.

COMMON MISTAKES

So many event and festival organisers don’t update their policies on a regular basis, which means that they continue with the same old practices, without understanding what the consequences of that might be. For example, some organisations still insist on not giving out any information about the child over the radio, not even giving a description, because they think they’re protecting the child from predators overhearing. But we now know that this hinders the search for the child, and potentially puts the child at greater risk. The more people who are looking for the child, and the more eyes you’ve got helping you the better, because there are always going to be many, many more people that are helpful than are predators! Another common and potentially dangerous mistake would be to broadcast the child’s name over a busy radio channel. It’s sometimes done to enable a security guard to approach the child with their name to reassure them, but a child’s name in the wrong hands means that someone with bad intentions could also reassure the child.

VIEWPOINT

STAFF SAFETY

Lost child procedures should consider the safety of your staff as well as the child. Putting a member of staff in a one-to-one situation leaves the member of staff open to allegations. Would an employee cleaning the toilets know what to do if they found a child crying alone in a cubical?

COMMUNICATION IS CRUCIAL

Even if your lost child policy is robust and up to date, have you communicated it to your staff? Especially your security staff? I have witnessed on so many occasions of staff – even staff allocated to the children’s area – not knowing the event’s policy. We’ve even had arguments with security guards, who have insisted that we must give a child back to a drunk person, just because that person is the parent. Did you know that it is illegal to be drunk and in charge of a child under the age of seven? So, if a member of staff gave the child back and something happened, that would be their responsibility. Our member of staff knew the law, and she stood her ground, despite being badgered by the parent and the security guard. I want to see the Government get involved and make it law for all events not to just have a policy, but to ensure it is communicated and implemented. In my 30 years of running lost child points at events all over the UK, I have never once been at an event where everyone knew the correct procedure for a lost child. Not one. That’s an accident just waiting to happen, so don’t let it be at your event.

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 51

It’s a hat-trick

Best Fencing/Hoarding winner 3rd year running!

FENCING | HOARDING PEDESTRIAN BARRIER STAGE BARRIER POLICE BARRIER TRACKWAY TRACKMATS

T: 01732 781137 | E: hire@entertee.com

Doctors & Nurses

Paramedics

First Aiders

Equipped Medical Centres

Ambulances

‘Solo’ Support Vehicles

Off Road Vehicles

Full Risk Assessment & Local Authority Liason Services

Wecan canprovide provideaaacomplete completerange rangeofof of We We can provide complete range We can provide a complete range of conveniences, conveniences,from fromluxury luxurymodels modelsto tosingle singletoilet conveniences, from luxury models to single toilet conveniences, from luxury models to single toilet units and showers, to suit any event large or toilet units and showers, to suit any event units and showers, to suit any event large units and showers, to suit any event large oror small. Whatever large or small. the small. Whatever theoccasion occasionplease pleasecontact contactus us small. Whatever the occasion please contact us to discuss requirements on:Excloosive enjoyed working at Arley Hall to discuss your your requirements on:to discuss your requirements on:with Unify Productions on ‘Harry Potter A t:t: 01283 575 Forbidden Forest. 01283 575 749 749 t: 01283 575 749

m: m: 07778 07778 473 473 064 064 m: 07778 473 064

www.excloosive.co.uk www.excloosive.co.uk www.excloosive.co.uk T: 01283 575 749 M: 07778 473 064

Covid Swab Testing DHSC Registered & UKAS / ISO Accredited Covid-19 Test Provider

Care Quality Commission Registered

Fax: 0370 750 9897 Fax: 0370 750 9897

mail@locationmedical.com www.locationmedical.com

Tel: 0370 750 9898 52 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

PROFILE

TEAM SC PRODUCTIONS

Hard work pays off Working on shows for Kilimanjaro Live, Orchard Live, LarMac Live and AMust4Music, 2022 is going to be busy year for Jake Warriner, SC Productions’ newly promoted company director and production manager. Here, Warriner talks of his passion for events

ow long have you been working in the events industry? I’ve been working in the events industry for about 12 years now. I started working in a local hotel at 16, as a waiter for weddings, conferences, and parties and then two years later, I went full time and was running all the events in the hotel from an operational aspect. Did you always want to work in events? No. I originally applied for university to study social work but ended up taking a year out. I started work in the hotel and it made me realise I was really enjoying what I was doing. This led to me applying to study events management in Cardiff. What led you to working in events and why do you love it so much? In between my second and third year at university, I undertook an internship, as Sarah’s assistant [Sarah Hemsley-Cole, founder of SC Productions] on an outdoor event in Cardiff called Ar Waith Ar Daith. It was my first taste of outdoor event work, and I absolutely loved the scale of the work, the broad spectrum of what we were responsible for and the craziness of what was happening around me. Who and what within the events world inspires you? I’m very lucky to have been surrounded by many people who have inspired me over the six years I’ve been working at the company. An obvious one for me here is Sarah and the other being

Zac Fox from Kilimanjaro Live [group chief operating officer]. Both have vast amounts of knowledge and experience, have unbelievable workload capacity and are also great mentors that I have been lucky to have from almost my first day at the company and to now. Tell us more about your promotion. How does it feel to now be a company director? Ahh, it still hasn’t quite sunk in, but it is a great feeling that the hard work over the past years has paid off.

What are you looking forward to most this year? I’m really looking forward to hopefully being back to normal with less uncertainty with what may or may not be going ahead over the summer. I’m also looking forward to completing shows that we started working on pre-pandemic. After years of talking about them, they might actually happen. We hope.

What do you bring to SC Productions? I’ve now been with the company for six years, so I know the company inside and out. I’m very calm, take everything in my stride and have a good relationship with contractors, clients, and suppliers across all the work that we do. We took the decision to recruit more full-time event assistants in our office at the end of 2021, ready for the upcoming season, so my energy and focus is going into training them, ready to hit the ground running in May. What do you think the biggest challenges will be this year? Good question. I’d say there’s going to be many challenges this year. I think security is still a huge issue across the country and I also think people in general are going to be a big problem. There are too many events this year for the number of freelancers and crew available. Kit wise seems to a bit steadier than last year but the obvious areas of toilets and marquees will still be an issue.

JAKE WARRINER www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 53

Hire Ltd

Greens H2O Hire, the UKs favourite potable tanker company providing wholesome drinking water that can be used throughout many industries, this could include Festivals, Events, Construction, Manufacturing, Bespoke temporary water systems and Emergency water for life’s unplanned interruptions.

Hire, Sales and Service of voice and data radio communication systems, bodycams and applications

TWO-WAY RADIO HIRE, SALES AND SERVICE

We are a dedicated company and always try to exceed expectations. We provide a 24/7 service 365 days a year so no need to panic when you get a problem we are only a phone call away • Bulk water storage • Bulk water delivery • Full compliance with BS8551 water regulations • Trade equipment hire 2.5k tanks fresh 10k tanks fresh 10k tanks waste 4k-100k pillowtank fresh 4k-100k pillowtank waste Tanks, pillowtanks, pumps • Highly maintained ﬂeet of Water Tankers. • 2k bowsers inc self serve bib taps • Tanker certiﬁcation, Chlorination and Sample

• Dedicated Mobile water quality service • Full onsite management during your event • Free advice and planning service for any event size • Design and build of pressurised and chlorinated water networks • On Site water treatment • Bottle reﬁll stations • Tested quality assured supplies • Dedicated drinking water tankers • Various sized dedicated water tanks

01256 225 635

01509 768 252

Portable Flooring Specialists Covering every ﬂooring option for your event.

Walkways

efseurope.co.uk

SPECIAL RATES FOR 2022 Book with confidence as we offer a no cost cancellation policy. Terms Apply.

A simple solution for those who need temporary communications. This solution has proven to be invaluable for such sectors as; event organisers, council teams, TV and film crews, security and parking to name but a few, with both short and long term contracts available. Organising any event or general on-site communication requires total dedicated support and at DCRS, there is always a team on-call or on-site ready to assist you.

Call FREE: 0800 043 2688 email: sales@dcrs.co.uk www.dcrs.co.uk

WE BOAST A COMPLETE HIRE SERVICE INCLUDING: Bespoke radio solutions for large, wide area events Motorola digital and analogue radios, mobiles and repeaters Wide area Nationwide coverage WAVE PTX POC LTE & ICOM portables A full range of audio accessories, radio allocation systems and voice recording available Free radio licence or free programming to your own frequencies Delivery and collection to your specified addresses On-site support and out of hours call-out, 24/7 if required

www.greensh2o.co.uk

Call Us:

Trackways

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Supplier of Two-Way Radio Communications and Paging Systems Direct Communications Radio Services Ltd St Ives

Carpets

Astro Turf

sales@efseurope.co.uk

54 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

DCRS Stand Out Advert-86x126mm-Nov.indd 1

23/11/2021 10:49

#wemakeevents

VIEWPOINT

The storm Before the calm The events industry is springing back to life, displaying signs of urgent need, changing requirements, and not enough resource. However, as a collective, we refuse to accept defeat. Matt Storey, partner at The White Storey, talks

There’s less competition in the marketplace, so those still standing should be able to reap some of the rewards

nyone else been hobbling around on bloodied stumps lately? The commonly held rhetoric has always been that, as a business, if you manage to survive a depression you will emerge much leaner and stronger than before. Well, we’re still here but frankly I’m not feeling particularly strong. Quite the contrary. I’m still battered and bruised. Having eagerly prophesied a massive influx of pent-up demand post-COVID, I discovered the reality was massively more complex. As events returned, the supply chain felt the full brunt of insatiable need, coupled with a woefully depleted and beleaguered workforce. In all honesty, I questioned where I was going to find the energy to get things moving again. If this sounds like someone who spent their pandemic doing jigsaws from their living room sofa, losing the skills of nimble thinking and rapid response, I should explain that for the last two and half years I’ve handled the sharp end of two businesses. So, it wasn’t a case of being out of condition, but trying to navigate the volume of urgent and constantly mutating

demands. It felt like being tossed around in a cyclone praying that at best, I’d eventually wake up face down on a beach. When I told people how busy we were, their natural response was: “But what a great position to be in!” And yes. Absolutely. However, busy is one thing. Grappling to maintain control is another. I’d love to say “What have we learned? How can we improve?” But you can’t! Would I have done anything differently? No, we just hung on, month in, month out, making sure we could pay our bills. The upshot? Well, I’m more belligerent (if that were possible) and I’ve got even less patience (I had very little to start with.) The flip side is that I now make decisions faster and harder than ever before. As someone who has spent most of their career in business development, there was a period when I found myself in the very uncomfortable position of not selling. I was talking to fewer people: Our universe had expanded in the range of what we did, but there was little point in starting conversations with potential clients if we didn’t have the capacity to service the demand they generated.

Where are we now? Well, I’ve become an expert cash collector – immovable payroll deadlines can make you remarkably assertive in extracting overdue client payments. And with so many construction projects going on, the event industry’s offering has expanded. There’s less competition in the marketplace, so those still standing should be able to reap some of the rewards. Remember London 2012? Younger members of the industry laugh at their bosses’ 2012 reminiscences in the same way we’d have rolled our eyes when our grandparents talked about life during “The War”. You can bet that our newly minted Gen Z cohort will soon be boring their successors with tales of the pandemic. Like its predecessor, our “war” brought whole new networks of people together. Relationships were forged; we shared skills, contacts, and insights. Yesterday, I looked up the definition of the Dunkirk Spirit and, apparently, it’s a “willingness by a group of people who are in a bad situation to all help each other”. I’d say that probably sums it up.

www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 55

GREEN COLUMN

There has been a great deal of positive conversation around the concept of building back greener and better in the past year or so, but there is still a chasm between intentions and taking meaningful action across the industry

Positive steps The events industry fully supports the development of industry-wide green standards for outdoor events. But what’s next? Chris Johnson, chair of Vision: 2025, reveals all

ision: 2025 finished 2021 with the launch of an open industry consultation for a ground-breaking industry Green Code of Conduct. The aim of the code is to provide clear, minimum environmental standards for all UK outdoor events. Industry feedback was invited through an online survey, which closed on January 14. In this consultation, 35 organisations took part; 62 per cent were event organisers, 17 per cent were event suppliers, and 21 per cent were classed as “other”, such as local authorities and environmental organisations working in the live events industry. All respondents supported the development of the code in principle. However, 28 per cent commented that something specific needs to be changed on the current draft to get on board. There has been a great deal of positive conversation around the concept of building back greener and better in the past year or so, but there is still a chasm between intentions and taking meaningful action across the industry. Right now, the turbulence of the past two years and a necessary focus on recovery has perhaps frustrated what should have been a huge step forward in 2021,

56 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

with the impetus provided by COP26. According to the industry green survey in 2021, events still consider that they have lack of knowledge and confidence about stepping into the space. But our stakeholders and clients, such as councils and large organisations, are already starting to integrate sustainable accountability, by incorporating it into tendering and contractual delivery. Fifteen per cent of events responding to the industry green survey last year reported that local authorities were requesting information as part of their Safety Advisory Group (SAG) or site permissions. What we need to do, quickly, is develop a common understanding and standards for everyone to work with. This Green Code of Conduct has the potential to make it clear to all parties as to what can be reasonably expected and how it could be achieved. Specific concerns raised in the consultation feedback include the ability to deliver on the targets due to lack of resources and knowledge within organisations, a need for more clarity and understanding about emission scopes, and a need to better understand the options available to event organisers when tackling travel – the biggest source of emissions.

As authors, we are very aware that we need to create a document which deals with several challenges that have been highlighted about implementing a new code across the industry. There is concern that targets or standards need to account for the reality of whether smaller shows, with less resources, may find it more difficult than more well-resourced organisations, although it should be noted that the code is intended to be voluntary, meaning that every organisation will find its own way toward the shared goals. Many organisations also said that targets need to be bulletproof, and a clear way of reporting is important, so that everyone in the industry understands what to measure and how, and that there is transparency and accountability. The Vision: 2025 Industry Steering Group, which incorporates trade associations representing the outdoor event sector, is currently reviewing the feedback, which was very detailed and well-presented across the board. The next stage will be to work on incorporating the range of positive suggestions to update the text, and the hope is to launch the new standard in the coming months.

Cannon hire and event SFX www.ConfettiMagic.com

EVENT SECURITY/ STEWARDING SPECIALISTS

td stl a e ts ven e x i en ho (01603) 952312 p @

WWW.PHOENIXEVENTSEASTLTD.CO.UK

T-shirt cannon hire www.TshirtGun.co.uk

Customised hand-held cannons www.ConfettiSupermarket.com

T 01582 723502 E info@confettimagic.com

Probably the largest selection of quality textile and marine fasteners available in the UK R

AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTOR

For all your fastening needs, ask OPAS for a fast wholesale quotation.

01903 239 955 sales@opas.co.uk www.opas.co.uk

ES Lighting Hire Ltd

● ● ● ● ●

Lighting, Audio Visual & Power Hire LED Lighting Specialists Private & Corporate Bespoke Events Full visualisation studio Interactive Projection Systems 01256 765609 sales@eslightinghire.co.uk www.eslightinghire.co.uk

Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems

CALL US FOR MORE DETAILS www.standoutmagazine.co.uk n 57

CONNECTIONS AV, SOUND & LIGHTING

Connections are sponsored by BIG SCREEN PRODUCTION

Event Sound & Light Ltd Unit 2, Warren Estate, Lordship Road, Writtle, Essex, CM1 3WT T: 01245 863863 M: 07831 360721 W: www.eventsound andlight.com Press Red Rentals Limited Unit B10 Court 2000, Bridgnorth Road, Madeley, Telford, TF7 4JB T: +44 (0) 1952 587049 W: www.pressred.biz BALLOONS, BUNTING & FLAGS B-Loony Ltd Cape House, 105 Bellingdon Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 2HQ T: 01494 774376 E: sales@b-loony.co.uk W: www.b-loony.co.uk

Screen Works Europe South Lodge, Tidmarsh Lane, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 8HT T: 01189 845545 E: rental@ect-av.com W: www.ect-av.com

Cambridge Event Bars T: 01223 785401 M: 07837 707057 E: Info@cambridge eventbars.co.uk W: www.cambridge eventbars.co.uk Pop-up-Pubs T: +44(0)1993 832155 E: info@pop-up-pubs.com W: www.pop-up -pubs.com Symonds Event Bars Drakewell, Stoke Lacy, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4HG T: 01885 490267 E: info@eventbars.co.uk W: www.eventbars.co.uk

58 n www.versatilevenues.co.uk

Qdos Event Hire Ltd Fernside Place, 179 Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0AH T: 0845 862 0952 E: enquiries@ qdoseventhire.co.uk W: www.qdosevent hire.co.uk Twitter: @QdosEventHire Facebook: www. facebook.com/pages/ Qdos-Event-Hire/ Instagram: @qdoseventhire

BRAND ACTIVATION & EXPERIENTIAL

Instant Marquees DD: 01840 219047 | M: 07748 165 827 www.instantmarquees.co.uk Versatile Venues Creative Mobile Solutions Wireless Hill, South Luffenham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8NF T: 01780 720 217 E: info@versatile venues.co.uk W: www.versatile venues.co.uk

BAR Bar Live Events Unit D215, Parkhall Studios, London, SE21 8DE T: 0208 761 8424 E: nick@barlive.co.uk W: www.barlive.co.uk

CABINS

BUGGY HIRE Electric Wheels Ltd Units C1 & C2, Neaton Business Park, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6JB T: 01953 882175 M: 07711 648707 M: 07725 761970 E: info@electric wheelshire.co.uk W: www.electric wheelshire.co.uk Event Buggy Hire T: 0113 393 4100 E: brian@eventbuggy hire.co.uk W: www.eventbuggy hire.co.uk Hopkins Machinery T: 01633 680754 E: hire@hopkins machinery.co.uk W: www.hopkins machinery.co.uk

Wernick Events Joseph House, Northgate Way, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8ST T: 01922 472 900 E: events@wernick.co.uk W: www.wernick.co.uk/ events Twitter: @WernickEvents Instagram: @ WernickEvents CAR PARKING Event Traffic Control Limited Baldersby Gardens, Ripon Road, Baldersby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PS T: 08000 246 800 E: info@eventtc.com W: www.eventtc.com Just Go Parking Unit 7 Broadway Green Farm, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5SU T: 01276 590325 E: contactus@justgo parking.com W: www.justgo parking.com Phoenix Events (East) Ltd Rouen House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RB T: 01603 952312 E: admin@phoenix eventseastltdco.uk W: www.phoenixevents eastltd.co.uk

CONNECTIONS

Connections are sponsored by CASHLESS SYSTEMS

S3K Group The Old Mill Building, Rookery Farm, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 6EP T: 0845 299 7991 E: office@s3kgroup.com W: www.s3kgroup.com LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram: @s3kgroup

Weezevent/Playpass Platf9rm, Floor 6, Tower Point, 44 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YR T: 07500 797640 CLEANING & SUPPORT SERVICES Falcon Cleaning and Support Services Ltd Specialised Cleaning and Support Services (Nationwide) Vision 25, Electric Avenue, Innova Park, Enfield, EN3 7GD T: 020 3967 2475 E: events@falcon css.co.uk W: www.falconcss.co.uk CONCRETE BARRIER Block Aid UK Ltd Unit 1, Green Farm, Puxley, Towcester NN12 7QS T: 01908 26 33 66 E: info@blockaid-uk.co.uk W: www.blockaid-uk.co.uk CORPORATE CREW Ace Crew Ltd Units 3 & 7, Princess Court, Horace Road Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2SL T: +44(0) 20 7924 6569 M: +44(0)7947 88 66 99 W: www.acecrew.co.uk Rodeo Crew 128 Wey House, 15 Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8NA T: 020 8075 7799 E: bookcrew@ rodeocrew.uk W: www.rodeocrew.uk CREW SERVICES Celtic Stage Crew Dragon House, Leckwith Quay, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AU T: +44 (0)29 2022 5152 M: +44 (0)7779 999568 E: office@celticstage crew.co.uk W: www.celticstage crew.co.uk

Site and Stage Ltd (SAS) Festival and Event Crew Nationwide T: 0207 205 2434 M:07770 521521 W: www.siteandstage.co.uk

Zoo Events Group Ltd Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ T: 01258 840233 E: info@zooevents group.co.uk W: www.zooevents group.co.uk EVENT BANNERS HFESigns T: 01283 576017 W: www.hfe-signs.co.uk EVENT CONTROL, RADIO & WI-FI SERVICES

DIGITAL LED Screenzled Ltd Pudneys Farm, Shalford Rd, Rayne, Braintree, CM77 6DN T: 07801227057 E: hugo@screenzled.co.uk W: www.screenzled.co.uk ENTERTAINMENT Odin Events Ltd Unit 1 RoundHouse Farm, Marston Meysey, SN6 6LL T: 0800 030 6881 E: info@odinevents.com W: www.odinevents.com EQUIPMENT HIRE GAP Event Services Quote Code ‘STOU10’ on your first hire for a 10% discount Carrick House, 40 Carrick Street, Glasgow, G2 8DA T: 0333 202 0712 E: events@gapgroup.co.uk W: www.gap-group.co.uk EVENT ACCOMMODATION Airstream Facilities Ltd T: +44 (0) 1885 400223 E: info@airstream facilities.com W: www.airstream facilities.com Bunkabin Tweedale Way, Oldham, OL9 7LD T: 0345 456 7899 E: hires@bunkabin.co.uk W: www.bunkabin.co.uk

Controlled Events

www.controlledevents.com

Controlled Events T: 0203 286 6392 E: info@controlled events.com W: www.controlled events.com

EVENT HIRE GBJ Event Hire Graham Jones T: Office. +44(0) 207 205 4226 E: hire@gbjeventhire.co.uk W: www.gbjeventhire.co.uk EVENT MANAGEMENT 2Can Productions T: 029 20 100256 E: info@2can productions.com W: www.2can productions.com LFX Events Stockport BIC, Gtr Manchester, SK5 7DL T: 0161 408 2220 E: enquiries@LFX events.co.uk W: www.LFXevents.co.uk Yellow Lab Events 3 Low Road, Dumfries, DG1 4JJ E: info@yellowlab events.co.uk W: www.yellowlab events.co.uk EVENT PRODUCTION Ethix Management Unit 15 Kempton Gate Business Centre, Oldfield Road, Hampton, TW12 2AF T: 0208 487 3508 M: 07836 736734 W: www.ethix management.com

www.versatilevenues.co.uk n 59

CONNECTIONS Henson Franklyn Head Office: 01427 718178 London Office: 020 3490 0484 Sales Enquiries: enquiries@ hensonfranklyn.co.uk, jonny@hensonfranklyn.co.uk

Connections are sponsored by TCM Trailers Ltd Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7SE E: emily@tcmtrailers.co.uk W: www.tcmtrailers.co.uk FESTIVAL GAS Festival Gas Priors Revel, Church lane, Middleton, Nr Tamworth, B78 2AL T: 07930 758893 E: simon@festival gas.co.uk W: www.festivalgas.co.uk

Sparq T: 0370 606 1100 E: hello@sparq.live W: www.sparq.live EVENT SAFETY LFX Safety Stockport BIC, Gtr Manchester, SK5 7DL T: 0161 408 2220 E: enquiries@LFX events.co.uk W: www.LFXevents.co.uk

FLAGPOLE HIRE Fuchsia Exhibition Services Ltd Bigods Hall, Bigods Lane, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 3BE T: 01371 644800 E: info@fuchsiaevents. co.uk W: www.fuchsiaexhibition-services.com

EVENT SIGNAGE JTM Signs Unit 20 H T M Business Park, Abergele Road, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, LL18 5UZ T: 01745 590056 E: steve@jt-m-signs.co.uk W: www.jtmsigns.co.uk EVENT STAFFING SOFTWARE uTRAC 24A Lower Abbey St, Dublin 1, Ireland T: 0808 189 0334 E: hello@utraconline.com W: www.utraconline.com EXHIBITION TRAILERS & MOBILE UNITS DWT Exhibitions Trailer Hire, Sales & Management Jubilee Park, Honeypot Lane, Colsterworth Lincolnshire, NG33 5LZ T: 01476 860833 E: pip@dwtexhibitions.co.uk W: www.dwtexhibitions.co.uk Inchmere Event Design Ltd Swan Close Studios, Swan Close Road, Banbury, OX16 5TE T: 01295 661000 E: alastair@inch mere.co.uk W: www.inchmere.co.uk

60 n www.versatilevenues.co.uk

FLAGS

Instant Marquees DD: 01840 219047 | M: 07748 165 827 www.instantmarquees.co.uk FLOORING & FLOOR COVERINGS AMH Imports Ltd. E: coirstroreuk @gmail.com W: www.coirstore.co.uk Event Flooring Solutions Ltd T: 01509 768 252 E: sales@efseurope.co.uk W: www.efseurope.co.uk Gigtent UK Sonas House Button End Harston Cambridge, CB22 7NX E: info@gigtent.co.uk W: www.gigtent.co.uk T: 01223 870935 GT Trax Ltd High Tree Farm House, New Road, Warboys, Cambridgeshire, PE28 2SS T: 01487 823344 E: info@gttrax.co.uk W: www.gttrax.co.uk Twitter: @GTTrax

Ikadan UK Ltd T: +4596606400 E: Ikadan@ikadan.dk FURNITURE HIRE / SALES Casablanca Marquee & Event Hire Unit 1, Kingsbury Works, Kingsbury Road, London, NW9 8UP T: 020 7395 6432 E: eventhire@casablanca hire.com W: www.casablanca hire.com City Furniture Hire Ltd & Funky Furniture Hire West Road, Harlow, CM20 2AL - City Furniture Hire Ltd T: 0845 300 5455 E: info@cfhltd.com W: www.cityfurniture hireltd.com - Funky Furniture Hire Ltd T: 0203 328 5446 E: info@funkyfurniture hire.co.uk W: www.funkyfurniture hire.co.uk Furniture On The Move Unit B, Canada warehouse Chittening industrial estate Worthy road , Avonmouth Bristol, BS110YB T: 0845 459 9875 E: info@furnitureon themove.co.uk W: www.furnitureon themove.co.uk Furniture 4 Events Priors Court Farm, Old Street, Hermitage, Berkshire, RG18 9JT T: 01635 247033 E: sales@furniture4 events.com W: www.furniture4 events.com Picnic Table Hire T: 01249 848050 E: hello@picnictable hire.com W: www.picnictable hire.com GRANDSTAND SEATING Ace Seating Hire T: 01832 273353 E: info@aceseating.co.uk W: www.aceseating.co.uk

CONNECTIONS

Connections are sponsored by HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS

EMF Technology Ltd Unit 27 Freemantle House, Kingsclere Business Park, Kingsclere, HantsRG20 4SW T: 020 8003 3344 E: info@emf technology.co.uk W: www.emf technology.co.uk

Arcotherm Unit 11, Ecclesbourne Park, Clover Nook Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 4RF T: 01773 836 999 E: sales@arcotherm.co.uk W: www.arcotherm.co.uk Cooling and Heating Solutions Ltd T: 01590 681 434 E: sales@candhs.co.uk W: www.coolingand heatingsolutions.com

Lightmedia Displays Mobile & Modular LED Screen Hire T: 0333 600 6000 24 hour response E: sales@lightmedia.co.uk W: www.lightmedia.co.uk

Spica Temperature Control Solutions Ltd 20 Crowsport, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4HG T: +44 (0) 2380 453841 M: +44 (0) 7780 638976 E: kay@spicasolutions.com W: www.spica solutions.com

Tech AV Ltd London, Essex, Birmingham T: 0345 257 9969 E: lee@techav.events W: www.techav.events

INSURANCE Arc International St. Clare House, 30-33 Minories, London, EC3N 1PE T: +44 (0)207 977 7637 W: www.apex-ins.co.uk/ arcinternational

YSLV London & York T: 0800 080 3310 E: hire@yslv.co.uk W: www.yslv.co.uk LED TRAFFIC / EVENT MANAGEMENT SIGNS

Tysers Insurance Brokers 71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS T:+44 (0)203 037 8000 E: tim.rudland@tysers.com W: www.tysers.com

Solar Signs UK Ltd Doody’s Yard, Park Road, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9LD T: +44 (0)1434 322 359 E: admin@Solar SignsUK.com W: www.solarsignsuk.com

LASER & FX Laser Grafix Unit 4A Stratton Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8QS UK office: +44 1767 315948

LIGHTING Illumin8 Contact details: Neil - 07710 700759 or Ian - 07568 430704 E: sales@illumin8 lights.co.uk W: www.illumin8 lights.co.uk

LED SCREENS ADI UK Ltd Pittman Court, Pittman Way, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9ZG T: +44 (0)1772 708 200 E: info@adi.tv W: www.adi.tv

LOCKERS Mobile Locker UK Ltd Unit 11, Trident Park, Poseidon Way, Warwick, Warwickshire,CV34 6SW T: 01926 671937 E: info@moblielocker.co.uk W: www.mobile locker.co.uk

MARQUEES Alternative Stretch Tents Building 15, Gateway 1000, A1 (M) jct 7, Stevenage, SG1 2FP T: 01920 830256 E: info@alternativestretch.co.uk W: www.alternativestretch-tents.co.uk Casablanca Marquee & Event Hire Unit 1, Kingsbury Works, Kingsbury Road, London, NW9 8UP T: 020 7395 6432 E: eventhire@casablanca hire.com W: www.casablanca hire.com Event-in-a-tent Unit 108, Abby Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, LL13 9RF T: 01978 661449 E: info@event-ina-tent.co.uk W: www.event-ina-tent.co.uk Fews Marquees Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove Worcestershire, B60 4HS T: 01527 821789 W: www.fews marquees.co.uk Gigtent UK Sonas House Button End Harston Cambridge, CB22 7NX E: info@gigtent.co.uk W: www.gigtent.co.uk T: 01223 870935

Instant Marquees DD: 01840 219047 | M: 07748 165 827 www.instantmarquees.co.uk Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP T: +44 121 7401385 M: +44 7826 843099 E: jorg@tenticklestretchtents.co.uk W: www.tenticklestretchtents.co.uk

www.versatilevenues.co.uk n 61

CONNECTIONS Top Cat Big Tops Tents & Marquees Ltd The Old Stable Yard, Gasworks Ln, Achynlleth, SY20 8BY T: 01654 700030 E: info@topcatbig tops.co.uk W: www.topcatbig tops.co.uk MEDICAL SERVICES Location Medical Services Ltd The Medical Centre, Shepperton Studios, Studio Road, Shepperton, Middx, TW17 0QD T: 0870 750 9898 E: mail@location medical.com W: www.location medical.com First Aid Cover Ltd 250 York Road Battersea, London SW11 3SJ T: 020 8875 5758 E: enquiries@firstaid cover.co.uk W: www.firstaidcover.co.uk MET Medical Ltd T: 0203 627 9042 E: info@met-medical.co.uk W: www.metmedical.co.uk MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS Quickblock Rapid assembly modular building system, enabling anyone to build anything, anywhere. 16 Royal Crescent, Glasgow, G3 7SL W: www.quickblock.uk E: info@quickblock.uk T: 0141 478 0365

62 n www.versatilevenues.co.uk

Connections are sponsored by PHOTOGRAPHY Aniseed Event Photography

E: jt@aniseedpr.com W: www.aniseed photo.com

Twitter: @aniseedphoto Instagram: @aniseed eventphotography PLANT HIRE Ace Plant Blackpit Farm, Silverstone Road, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5LJ T: 01908 562191 E: info@aceplant.co.uk W: www.aceplant.co.uk Hopkins Machinery T: 01633 680754 E: hire@hopkins machinery.co.uk W: www.hopkins machinery.co.uk PORTABLE BUILDINGS Cube Modular Ltd Saska Ingham Key Accounts – Festivals & Events: E: Saska.ingham@ cubemodular.co.uk T: 07400899257 PORTABLE TOILET HIRE A1 Loo Hire Silver Birches, Highland Avenue, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 4SP T: 0118 9894652 E: clive@a1group comp.co.uk W: www.a1group comp.co.uk D&P Luxury Toilets Ltd Coldharbour Cottage Winchbottom Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP10 9QE T: 01494 526 065 E: sales@luxury-toilets.co.uk W: www.luxury-toilets.co.uk

LOOS FOR DOs Ltd GU35 9NZ T: 01420 588 355 E: info@loos.co.uk W: www.loos.co.uk Site Event The Depot, The Avenue, Lasham, Hampshire, GU34 5SU T: 01256 384 134 E: event@site-equip.co.uk W: www.site-equip.co.uk Zoo Events Group Ltd Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ T: 01258 840233 E: info@zooevent sgroup.co.uk W: www.zooevents group.co.uk POWER & GENERATORS ATD Electrical Unit 93, Greenway Business Centre, Greenway, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QE T: 01279 507890 E: office@atdelectrical.com W: www.atdelectrical.com CB Potts Electrical Rose Cottage, Watergore, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5JQ T: 0780 8049034 E: ben.potts@zen.co.uk W: www.cbpotts electrical.co.uk Excell Electrical Event Solutions Fridd Farm, Bethersden, Kent, TN26 3DX T: 01233 822059 E: enquiries@excell electrical.com W: www.excell electrical.com Fourth Generation Ltd 220 Cricklewood Lane, London, NW2 2PU T: 020 8450 2943 M: 07741 052565 E: tweed@fourth generationltd.com W: www.fourth generationltd.com

CONNECTIONS

Connections are sponsored by Gofer Ltd Unit 7 Arkwright Road, Hadleigh Road Ind. Est, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0UB T: 01473 282530 E: info@gofer.co.uk W: www.gofer.co.uk IDE Systems T: 01543 574 111 E: enquiries@ idesystems.co.uk W: www.idesystems.co.uk Head Office & Manufacturing Centre Unit 3, Swaffield Park Hyssop Close, Cannock Staffordshire, WS11 7FU United Kingdom Midlands Rental Depot Unit 1a, Swaffield Park Hyssop Close, Cannock Staffordshire, WS11 7FU United Kingdom South Rental Depot Unit 13, Thurrock Trade Park Oliver Road, Grays Essex, RM20 3AL United Kingdom North East Rental Depot Unit 1, Portobello Trade Park, Portobello Road, Birtley, DH3 2RY, United Kingdom North Rental Depot Unit 8, Shawfield Trade Park Boundary Road, Rutherglen Glasgow, G73 1DB United Kingdom Midas Productions (UK) Ltd Unit 1, Uplandside, Manor Road, Clopton, Suffolk, IP13 6SH T: +44 (0)333 772 0772 M: +44 (0)7949 007 603 E: info@midas-uk.co.uk Newburn Power Rental Limited Unit 36 Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3NR T: 0845 077 6693 E: info@npr-uk.com

Phase Hire Ltd 140A Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5PH T: 01268 792648 E: info@phasehire.com W: www.phasehire.com

DCRS Edison Road, St.Ives, Cambs, PE27 3LH T: 0800 043 2688 E: sales@dcrs.co.uk W: www.dcrs.co.uk

Powerline Knowle Hill Farm, Beeks Lane, Marshfield, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8BB T: 01225 892336 E: info@thepowerline.co.uk W: www.thepowerline.co.uk

SFL Mobile Radio 6 Woodway Court, Thursby Road, Bromborough, CH62 3PR T: 0151 334 9160 E: sales@sflmobile radio.co.uk W: www.sflmobile radio.co.uk

Stuart Power Ltd Stuart House, Hargham Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DT T: 01953 454540 E: enquiries@stuart group.info W: www.stuart group.ltd.uk/power PRINTERS UK Flyers Suite 210, Victory House Somers Road North Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 1PJ T: 023 9229 3050 E: sales@ukflyers.com W: www.ukflyers.com

REUSABLE CUPS Green Goblet Ltd Unit 1A Walrow Industrial Estate, Commerce Way, Highbridge, TA9 4AG T: 01278 238390 E: info@green-goblet.com W: www.green-goblet.com ROADSHOWS Versatile Venues Creative Mobile Solutions Wireless Hill, South Luffenham, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8NF T: 01780 720 217 E: info@versatile venues.co.uk W: www.versatile venues.co.uk

PROJECTION EMF Technology LTD Projection Mapping, Water Screens, Flame Effects, Lighting, Mains Distribution T: 020 8003 3344 E: info@emf technology.co.uk W: www.emf technology.co.uk RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 2CL Communications Ltd Unit C, Woodside Trade Centre, Parnham Drive, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 4NU T: 0800 389 2278 E: contact@2cl.co.uk W: www.2cl.co.uk

SECURITY McKenzie Arnold Grove House, Faulkbourne, Essex, CM8 1SH T: 01376 350999 E: martin.jackson@ mckenziearnold.com W: www.mckenzie arnold.com

www.versatilevenues.co.uk n 63

CONNECTIONS Newman Event Services Ltd Crowd Management, Festival & Event Security/Stewarding. Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Oxfordshire,OX15 4FF T: +441295 722844 E: enquiries@ newmanevents.co.uk W: www.newmanevents. co.uk Provide SESS Ltd The Courtyard, 87 Southampton Street Reading RG1 2QU T: 01189 875949 E: info@providesecurity.com W: www.providesecurity.com Right Guard Security Event Security Consultancy Security & Crowd Management Traffic Management CSAS Traffic Officers T: 01227 464 588 T: 0207 241 5525 E: info@rightguard.co.uk W: www.rightguard.co.uk SET & SCENERY CONSTRUCTION Staged Events Ltd Meadow View, Newnham Lane, Old Basing, Hampshire, RG24 7AU T: 01256578055 E: info@wearestaged.com W: www.stagedevents.com SITE SUPPLIES Concept Products Ltd 10 Cary Court, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, TA11 6SB T: 01458 274020 E: ben@concept productsltd.co.uk W: www.concept productsltd.co.uk

64 n www.versatilevenues.co.uk

Connections are sponsored by STAGING & RIGGING Triple A Events Ltd Unit D4, St Georges Business Park, Castle Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3TB T: 0800 7723242 M: 07875492625 W: www.tripleaevents.co.uk Twitter: @tripleaeventsuk Facebook: /tripleaeventsuk STEWARDS / MARSHALLS Road Traffic Solutions 60-64 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7PQ T: 01724 848 246 E: martyn@roadtraffic solutions.com W: www.roadtraffic solutions.com TEMPORARY BRIDGES Mitchell Bridges Limited London Road, Kings Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7QN T: 01962 885040 M: 07768630373 E: chris@mitchell bridges.com W: www.mitchell bridges.com TEMPORARY ROADWAYS Cap Trac Limited The Stables, Loke Farm, Weston Longville, Norwich, NR9 5LG T: 01603 880448 E: info@captrac.co.uk W: www.captrac.co.uk

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES Gigtent UK Sonas House Button End Harston Cambridge, CB22 7NX E: info@gigtent.co.uk W: www.gigtent.co.uk

Low & Bonar Oldham Ltd Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham, OL8 3QL, U.K. E: info.uk@mehgies.com W: www.mehgies.com NEPTUNUS Ltd Cob Drive, Swan Valley, Northampton NN4 9BB T: +44 1604 593820 E: sales@neptunus.co.uk W: www.neptunus.co.uk Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP T: +44 121 7401385 M: +44 7826 843099 E: jorg@tenticklestretchtents.co.uk W: www.tenticklestretchtents.co.uk TT Tents Ltd North Waltham Business Centre, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2DJ T: 01256 397 551 E: sales@tttents.co.uk W: www.tttents.co.uk Worldwide Structures Ltd Ayrshire Farm, Sharcott, Pewsey, SN9 5PA T: + 44 (0) 1672 565 060 / +44 (0) 7875 027369 E: enquiries@w-sl.com W: www.worldwide structures.com TEMPORARY STRUCTURES MANUFACTURERS J & J. Carter Ltd Unit 2, 34 Walworth Road, Walworth Business Park, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5LH T: 01264 721630 E: sales@jjcarter.com W: www.jjcarter.com

CONNECTIONS

Connections are sponsored by TIPIS Zoo Events Group Ltd Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ T: 01258 840233 E: info@zooevents group.co.uk W: www.zooevents group.co.uk

Stagefreight Evanston Avenue, Leeds LS4 2HR T: 0113 238 0805 / 0113 279 7898 W: www.stagefreight.com VEHICLE HIRE Bradshaw Event Vehicles New Lane, Stibbington,

TRACKWAY

Peterborough, PE8 6LW All Weather Access County Farm, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NQ T: 01371 700510 M: 07801 751137 E: henry@all-weather access.co.uk W: www.all-weather access.co.uk

T: 01780 782621

E: enquiries@event vehicles.co.uk

W: www.event vehicles.co.uk

Twitter: @Bradshaw_EV VENUES The Convention Centre

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Exhibition Traffic Management Services Ltd Perton House, Roslin Road, London, W3 8DH T: 0203 567 1479 E: ops@exhibition -traffic.co.uk W: www.exhibition -traffic.co.uk

Dublin (The CCD)

Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland T: 00353 1 856 0000 E: sales@theccd.ie W: www.theccd.ie WASTE MANAGEMENT Grist Environmental

Event Traffic Control Ltd Baldersby Gardens, Ripon Road, Baldersby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PS T: 08000 246 800 E: info@eventtc.com W: www.eventtc.com Road Traffic Solutions 60-64 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe,DN15 7PQ T: 01724 848 246 E: martyn@roadtraffic solutions.com W: www.roadtraffic solutions.com

Event Services

Head Office, William Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3EW T: 01380 735045 E: events@grist

environmental.com W: www.grist

environmental.com WATER & PLUMBING SERVICES

GreensH20 Hire Ltd Hampshire T: 01256 225635 M: 07717846059 E: info@greensh2o.co.uk W: www.greensh2o.co.uk

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS GAC Pindar Medina Chambers, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ T: 02380 489924 E: pindar@gac.com W: www.gacpindar.com Twitter: @GACPindar

DRINKING WATER PURE & SIMPLE

MTD (UK & Ireland) Ltd Unit 1 Westerngate, Hillmead Enterprise Park, Langley Road, Swindon, SN5 5WN T: +44 (0)1264 773 818 M: +44 (0)7557 868 909 E: oliver.smith@mtd.net W: www.mtd.net Wicked Event Water Services Kevin: 07909 771996 E: info@wickedevent waterservices.com W: www.wews.biz

WELFARE CABINS Boss Cabins

BCS House, Pinfold Road, Bourne, PE10 9HT T: +44 (0)845 180 1616

E: info@bosscabins.co.uk

W: www.bosscabins.co.uk WIFI, INTERNET & STREAMING Attend2it Unit 8 Park Farm Industrial Estate, Ermine Street, Buntingford, SG9 9AZ T: 01763 877 477 T: 01763 878 086 E: info@attend2it.co.uk W: www.attend2it.co.uk SimpliWifi The Telephone Exchange, 33 Bridge Street, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3DW T: 0800 298 9434 E: hello@simpliwifi.co.uk W: simpliwifi.co.uk

Liquiline Ltd Ash Tree House, Tarrant Hinton, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8JA T: 01258 830324 E: office@liquiline.co.uk W: www.liquiline.co.uk

www.versatilevenues.co.uk n 65

NEXT ISSUE

Featured in our next issue...

CASHLESS IS KING

The way people use cash has changed. Here, event and festival organisers discuss their cashless plans for 2022

SHOW TIME

Following a two-year hiatus, county show organisers are excited, ready, and raring to go. We chat about county show plans

M U LT I M E D I A LT D

TAPPING INTO ADVICE

Temporary water experts discuss best practice advice for events and festivals this summer

66 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

01183 805 590 www.StunningTents.co.uk

01183 805 580 www.10x15.com

01183 805 570 www.SailTentCompany.co.uk

01183 805 540 www.standoutmagazine.co.uk www.FollyHire.com

n 67

“WE ARE A CREATIVE PRODuCTION COMPANY” EYEBROW EYEBROW EYEBROW

Lighting Design : Audio Visual Sound reinforcement : SETS Hybrid : Staging : Power Hire Streaming : Green Screen

Anything technical from:MaNCHESTER READING London AMSTERDAM

0870 042 2602 www.visionsgroup.co.uk 68 n www.standoutmagazine.co.uk