StandOut Magazine April 2023

APRIL 2023

Hands up. Who is ready for the events season to kick off? I’ll be one of the first to raise my arm and say that I am ready, and I can’t wait to get back in a field. I’ve been inspired by the people I have met this month, and by the people I have talked to over the phone. Whilst some #eventprofs might have opted for a more simple and easy year (and that’s totally understandable), there are quite a few of you that have plumped for show developments, new site layouts, and tweaks.

In this April edition, packed with content, insight, and inside info, you’ll find a massive festival focus (page 19) and great advice from Mustard Media on festival and event marketing (page 28). What has put a massive smile on my face, is the huge number of new events and festivals that have launched in the last couple of weeks. For example, Daresbury Festival, The Reeling, Hideaway Festival, and IMG’s Greenwich Summer Sounds. There is no shortage of additions to the live events calendar. It’s a massively positive sign and I have no doubt that event professionals across the country will have plenty of work this year.

I’ve been on the road these last few weeks and have met lots of event suppliers and event sustainability experts at MUTA Members’ Day and the Green Events and Innovations (GEI) Conference. You can read what I learned from attending these industry events, and if you turn to page 12, you can find out the latest news about Event Buyers Live, the ultimate industry event and “the place to do business”.

Personally, I’d make a brew, grab a packet of Bourbons (other biscuits are available), and sit down and peruse the latest pages. There’s real honesty from the team that delivers Lambeth Country Show as to the reasons behind the show’s new dates and site sharing developments, whilst Cat Kevern (page 45) has some great advice for anyone starting out in the events industry. It’s important to remember that we are an industry of both experienced people and fresh new talent. We all were new to the sector at some point or other so if we are to tackle the issue of much-talked about staff shortages, let’s welcome everyone in and share what we know.

Happy reading, Caroline

Cover image: © Highest Point Festival

THE DATE TO DO BUSINESS

10 TENDERS AND CONTRACT WINS

Looking for new business opportunities? Check out the latest event tenders and details of contract wins

12 SAVE THE DATE

Event Buyers Live is back. Discover the event’s new dates, the location, and what to expect from “the place to do business”

19 BIG DEVELOPMENTS

Festival organisers discuss site developments, infrastructure changes, and operational tweaks for 2023. StandOut chats to Engine No 4, Highest Point, The Fair, Black Deer, and more

28 SURVIVAL MODE

Mustard Media’s Rob Masterson and Lisa Mather discuss why some events won’t survive 2023, and what you can do as an organiser to ensure yours does

31 IN A JAM

Event organisers reveal changes to their traffic management planning, and traffic management experts share details of best practice advice and market trends

34 SHARING THE LOAD

Increasing costs have led Lambeth Council to move its annual Lambeth Country Show to new dates and site share with the organiser of all Brockwell Live shows

41 INCLUSIVE DESIGN

How can you make your events more accessible for 2023 and beyond? The Bulb’s Meg Strahle talks about event design best practices and inclusivity

45 A FREELANCER’S LIFE

Events professional Cat Kevern shares her own experiences of the event world and offers tips and advice for those just starting out

52 IN THE DRIVING SEAT

Channell Events’ Bev Channell discusses plans for her upcoming portfolio of food festivals and why event organisers cannot afford to do nothing and stand still

54 ARE YOU A FIXER?

Eventprofs face a range of challenges. But what are the qualities of a true “fixer”? The White Storey’s Matt Storey asks the question

45 A FREELANCER’S LIFE

34 SHARING THE LOAD

CONTRIBUTORS: This month’s

BEV CHANNELL

Bev’s passion for delivering successful events prompted her to start Channell Events in 2007. With an early career in advertising, Bev later found her passion for events working at the NEC where she was responsible for launching and managing exhibitions for the venue. This grew her appetite and enthusiasm for the industry. Bev went on to work with Clarion and not long after Channell Events was born. Over several years, Bev has launched Edible Garden Show, Brick Show, and her own Festival of Food and Drink whilst also working under contract for several organisations, including Informa, Gloucester City Council, and Durham County Council. In this issue, Bev talks about Festival of Food and Drink’s new home and the creation of Three Counties Food and Drink Festival. Plus, what she thinks of the events market.

CAT KEVERN

Cat has more than eight years of experience in the live events scene. From festivals to sporting events, her knowledge and expertise span across all areas of event operations, planning, and delivery. She has undertaken several event and festival roles and has experience in artist liaison, event control, operations, and box office. Plus, she is chair of the Network of Women in Events (NOWIE), which strives to create better opportunities for women in the events industry. In this edition of StandOut, Cat talks about her passion for the sector and provides advice for those thinking about taking the leap into freelancing and those just starting out in the industry.

MEG STRAHLE

With more than a decade’s worth of education and experience across the events, hospitality and tourism industry in the USA, UK and Australia, Meg took her passion for sustainability and joined The Bulb in 2021 as sustainability manager. She has worked on several projects, including creating the sustainability strategy for an interactive experience at COP26, supporting a global ISO certification process and producing the equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy to drive social sustainability for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. You will usually find her knee-deep in research, but in this issue, she discusses how you can make events more accessible for 2023 and talks about how to incorporate inclusivity within event design.

POWERING TICKETS TO THE UK’S BEST MUSIC FESTIVALS SINCE 2001

APPOINTMENTS OF THE MONTH

Showsec has appointed Simon Battersby (L) and Mark Logan (R) as coCEOs. This follows the recent retirement of Mark Harding after 21 years as managing director of the company.

Noble Events has appointed Sarah Cox as its new managing director. Cox will lead the event and experiential agency in the UK and Dubai.

Shearing teams from 31 nations around the world will flock to Edinburgh this summer to take part in the 2023 Golden Shears Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling World Championships. Countries including Japan, South Africa and New Zealand will send their top shearing and woolhandling talent to compete at the event, which is held in a different location around the globe every three years. Taking place during the Royal Highland Show (June 22-25), the Golden Shears is the world’s premier sheep shearing and woolhandling competition.

LINKEDIN POST OF THE MONTH

NEWS IN BRIEF

IMG has launched Greenwich Summer Sounds, a music festival at the Old Royal Naval College.

Evolution Dome has invested in new solar and storage capabilities so that its structures can work off-grid and without generators for up to 21 hours.

LS Events has announced changes to its company structure. Dave Grindle (L) and Steve Reynolds (R) take on the role of co-CEOs.

Priya Narain, KERB

At KERB Food, we recently communicated to our management team on how they can best support our team, who may be fasting during Ramadan. Here are a few of our tips: Provide flexibility: Consider offering flexible working hours during Ramadan. This may include allowing employees to start work earlier or finish later in the day to accommodate their fasting schedule.

Hackney Carnival 2023 is cancelled. The London Borough of Hackney will deliver the carnival in 2024 before it becomes a biennial event.

Festival of Thrift is moving to a new location – Billingham.

Actavo Events has purchased Star Live’s mobile seating and stage fleet.

Symphotech , has appointed Caroline Harding as consulting director. Harding will focus on ambitious expansion plans and implementing business strategy, and joins newly appointed chair, Will Hodgson

Arena Group has appointed Alex Spinks as group director of health, safety, environment, and quality.

Adjust work schedules: During Ramadan, employees may need to take breaks to pray or to rest due to the physical demands of fasting. Try to be flexible in adjusting work schedules to allow for these breaks. Provide a quiet space for prayer.

Be aware of employee energy levels: Fasting can cause fatigue. Be aware and adjust workloads accordingly to avoid overworking your employees.

A nice consideration: Traditionally many Muslims break their fast with dates, so it would be nice to have some in the office.

Time to pitch

Looking for new business opportunities?

Check

Cambridge City Council is looking for a waste management contractor for Cambridge Folk Festival. The deadline is June 13. Interested? Email amy.kenny@cambridge.gov.uk

Manchester City Council has issued a tender for the provision and management of a winter light trail at Heaton Park. The deadline for this tender – worth £5 million – is 11am on April 3. Interested? Email mike.worsley@manchester.gov.uk

Live Nation’s Cuffe and Taylor has agreed to an exclusive sevenyear contract to present Forestry England’s major outdoor live music series, Forest Live. The Live Nation promoter will programme, present, and provide the framework for outdoor shows at up to seven forest venues across England from summer 2024.

Northumberland County Council has issued a traffic management tender, which includes event management. The deadline is 12pm on April 3. Email louise.sim@northumberland.gov.uk

UK Sport seeks a professional organisation/individual to undertake the social impact evaluation studies of four major events. Email procurement@uksport.gov.uk – the deadline is March 31.

Innovate UK KTN is looking for an exhibition design company to design, manufacture, install and de-rig an exhibition stand. Email victoria.parsons@iuk.ktn-uk.org – the deadline is 5pm on April 4.

Transport for London has issued a prior information notice. It is looking for a suitable contractor to deliver two temporary fan meeting points and one fan festival for the UEFA Champions League Final 2024. Email Adeel Rajput – adeelrajput@tfl.gov.uk

Swans Events has won a contract to deliver Sheffield City Council’s food and drink festival.

Cheltenham Borough Council is seeking an ice rink operator. Email procurement@publicagroup.uk – the deadline is April 11.

Image: © Lee Blanchflower

MAKING NEW CONTACTS

Save the date

StandOut exclusively reveals the location and dates for Event Buyers Live 2023

tandOut Multimedia, the organiser of Event Buyers Live (EBL), can exclusively reveal the all-important details for the 2023 edition of the industry event that is dedicated to the serious business of live events.

Following astoundingly positive visitor feedback, Event Buyers Live 2023 (#EBL23) will return to Carden Park Hotel and Spa, the luxury country estate in Cheshire, from November 13-15. But that’s not all, the 2023 edition of Event Buyers Live will be the event’s ninth outing. Guests can expect first-rate meetings, top-class content, and unrivalled networking.

EBL, which facilitates pre-arranged meetings between respected organisers and event suppliers, will welcome only 100 of the live event industry’s most admired organisers. Accompanying the 100 will be just 45 valued event suppliers and venues for networking and pre-qualified face-toface meetings.

But why is Event Buyers Live returning to Carden Park? Neil Fagg, the co-founder of Event Buyers Live, explained: “The feedback from last year’s attendees was

overwhelmingly positive. Our guests loved the venue, the grounds, and the staff, so when your guests tell you that they loved the location, venue choice is a really simple decision to make.”

The Event Buyers Live team prides itself on listening to what the EBL community has to say. Fagg continued: “We have digested all the visitor feedback and it has provided the team with valuable insight into some of the small changes we can implement to make the event even better.

“Our VIP guests wanted to go back to the Carden Park estate. Also, they wanted the event to take place slightly earlier in the year, so we’ve moved our dates to allow for those important contractor negotiations to begin sooner.”

Event Buyers Live 2022 took place at the end of November. Moving the industry event to mid-November provides a window of opportunity for those conversations that start at EBL 2023 to be closed before the Christmas break.

RELAXED ENVIRONMENT

Carden Park Hotel – an independent hotel

– has an award-winning spa and is located within 1,000 acres of Cheshire countryside, with a mile-long drive leading through the Nicklaus golf course, just one of the two championship golf courses onsite. The estate’s vast grounds provided the perfect setting for two Event Buyers Live Net-Walks, which enabled guests to meet new people whilst walking and getting some fresh air.

Sarah-May Clarke, operations director of Pub in the Park, attended last year. She said of the event: “Event Buyers Live is a fantastic event and a great way to meet and network with your peers in the industry. There is a great mixture of suppliers and organisers, and it creates a relaxed environment for everyone to get to know one another better. The organisers create a variety of activities to suit all interests like Net-Walks, workshops, and roundtables along with arranging valuable one-on-one supplier meetings. I would recommend any organiser or supplier thinking of attending to give it a try as I valued all the things I learned in my two days there and came away with lots of new contacts.”

Joe Barnett, managing director of We Out Here, described EBL as a great opportunity to be inspired through talks, industry networking, and new contractor options, and Ian Fielder, operations director of Green Man Festival, said that EBL is the most useful event he attends, and relishes the opportunity to sit down with suppliers, and discuss projects in detail.

All images: © Aniseed Photo/Jonathan JT Taylor

Amy Foster, project manager at Tatton Park and for new shows at the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “Event Buyers Live is a truly fantastic event for event organisers and suppliers alike. Meaningful meetings with suppliers are surrounded by interesting talks and roundtable discussions as well as some fantastic dinners that allow networking with fellow organisers and suppliers in a relaxed setting.”

BIGGER AND BETTER

Carden Park Hotel and Spa is the perfect location for Event Buyers Live 2023 and features a host of facilities that will be exclusive to guests and will enable the EBL team to deliver once again something very exciting and special.

Fagg concluded: “We’re always happy to listen to the sector we serve so we’re more than happy to build on last year’s event and deliver an even bigger and better Event Buyers Live 2023.

“Event Buyers Live 2023 will be the place to focus, plan, and look forwards to 2024 in an environment that is not only relaxed but conducive to business. If you need event suppliers for 2024 and beyond, EBL23 is the place to do business and secure respected event contractors.”

If you would like to attend #EBL23, add yourself to the event waiting list. Visit www.eventbuyerslive.com or call 01795 509113.

PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS

Wicked Event Water Services provides quality assured water solutions.

Satisfied long-term clients include Glastonbury festival, Victorious Festival, The BBC, ITV and Netflix. During the pandemic we were involved in two nightingale hospitals and a temporary mortuary in London.

In the frame

Recruitment and retention, event operations, and the psychology behind pricing. These were just some of the topics discussed at the MUTA Members’ Day when more than 70 events professionals gathered at Silverstone, Northamptonshire (March 9).

A lack of skilled staff and a shortage of crew are well-documented challenges within the events industry. But now there is a new course, designed to teach crew members and new starters the fundamentals of how to erect a frame marquee safely and effectively.

MUTA, the association dedicated to tents, marquees, and temporary structures, launched the MUTA Instruct – Frame Marquee course to educate anyone entering the industry on temporary structure basics. The course consists of four key modules and videos. At the end of each module, candidates need to complete a short series of assessment questions before progressing. If the candidate answers the questions correctly, a certificate is issued at the end of the course.

The Members’ Day was comprised of three panel sessions – including one hosted by StandOut – which aimed to engage and generate debate. John Cochrane, sales

director – events at Losberger De Boer, told those present that the current market makes both the recruitment and retention of employees equally as difficult. He said that to combat recruitment and retention issues it’s important that the industry makes jobs within the marquee sector interesting, and that people are paid “fair money”. He said: “It’s not about aptitude, it’s about attitude. We don’t need geniuses. We need people with gumption, decent human beings.

“If you want to work hard, great, get involved but if you don’t it’s probably not the industry for you.”

Johnny Cooper, director of Coopers Marquees, argued that the industry’s ability to pay staff larger salaries is restricted by the industry’s inability to charge correctly for the service it provides.

Cooper told delegates that he has started to recruit crew – rather than leave it till later in the season – and is thinking long term and of the “bigger picture” by taking on full-time employees now, even though there are no “decent jobs” on the books for another month.

Some audience members spoke about a lack of skilled staff and how established teams can quickly become disgruntled by new and inexperienced crew. But panellists

urged managers, team leaders, and crew chiefs to be patient and remember that everyone was a “new starter once”. If an industry is to attract a diverse and motivated new workforce then some staff may require specific people management training to master different personalities, delegates were told.

Rob Dennison, operations manager at LH Woodhouse, said that one of the biggest challenges within the sector is getting older members of staff to work with younger people, but a good leader can ask anything of their team. He argued that a big operational challenge was not what you pay people but how you communicate with them and if you don’t keep team members “in the loop” they will leave.

Finally, Andrew Lloyd-Gordon, a business psychologist, urged delegates to think about pricing. He said: “What you should work out is pricing so you can charge what the customers are willing to pay.”

He also commented that adding only a few per cent to last year’s structure prices signalled a lack of sophistication and attention to pricing strategy and reminded the MUTA membership that a one per cent price increase results in an eight per cent profit increase.

StandOut attended the recent MUTA Members’ Day, and this is what the team learned…

MUTA MEMBERS’ DAY

A Greener Future

More than 350 event professionals attended the 15th edition of the Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI) at Royal Lancaster London, last month. Festival directors, production specialists, and those who wanted to learn more about event sustainability joined heavyweight speakers, innovators, and industry leaders to discuss critical sustainability issues.

The conference consisted of two streams, giving delegates the opportunity to choose topics that were relevant to them and where they are on their sustainability journey.

StandOut attended the conference and here is what the team learned:

Proceedings started with Claire O’Neill, CEO of A Greener Festival (AGF) and Teresa Moore, director, revealing that the company is to rebrand. It will now be known as A Greener Future to reflect the organisation’s evolution beyond festivals to support the broader live events sector.

AGF and YOUROPE launched the European Green Festival Roadmap 2030, which aims to provide festivals with a framework that they can use to improve sustainability on their event sites, including management structures and processes. The roadmap visualises areas where festivals and other events need to accelerate to cut their emissions by 2030 and become climate

neutral by 2050. It contains easy-to-access advice for several focus areas as well as differentiation on various levels of expertise in the organisation.

We checked out the latest innovation from FWRD (Festival Waste Reuse and Diversion) which use engagement – including gamification and “bin soundsystems” – to reduce festival waste and divert usable items. Plus, we discovered how Again uses CleanCells technology to enable organisations – including the supply chain –to reuse their packaging.

Liverpool Council is adopting a new licensing framework. Organisers of established events will go down one route and organisers of new events will adopt a slightly different route. However, both organisers will need to demonstrate that they are making sustainability improvements and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to keep their event licenses.

To encourage audience members to travel to an event or festival by public transport, organisers could introduce an “I came here by train” stage giving these ticketholders exclusive access to a stage or artist. Organisers should consider giving ticketholders who travel by public transport early access to campsites so they can grab the best spot, it was suggested.

All shows in Oslo must use green power or they can’t run. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is expensive but there is no incentive for people to switch to HVO. The events industry – including the touring sector and festivals – should lobby Government to incentivise the industry to use HVO.

We have the Power’s Julia Davies shared her Less Rubbish Vision for the World. She wants people to use less “new” stuff and concentrate on reuse and the circular economy. She argued that organisers could consider implementing “reusable bins” on site for items that can be reused. She said: “We must look at everything we do in society, not just festivals, and if we can’t do it sustainably then we must change.” Power also suggested that organisers should look at reusable cup systems. If £1 deposit schemes are not encouraging festivalgoers to bring their cups back, then look “at what is enough”. For example, introduce priority bar queues for those with reusable cups but if you want six drinks, you will need six cups.

Artists are a great way to promote an event’s sustainability messaging. However, they appear just once in a venue that is open 365 days a year and at a festival that takes place annually.The events industry needs to do more, collectively, to push the sustainability message out to gig-loving public.

What StandOut learned at the Green Events and Innovations Conference…

GREEN EVENTS AND INNOVATIONS

Image: © Lou Cacciatore

The Stage Bus is an event production and stage hire company with a difference; all of their stages are solarpowered! Based in Birmingham and covering outdoor events nationwide, The Stage Bus proudly boasts an eight-strong fleet of stages that are amongst the most innovative around. Visit their website for more information or call their friendly, knowledgeable sales team.

Field days

Festival organisers discuss site developments, infrastructure changes and operational tweaks for 2023

The cost-of-living crisis, increasing infrastructure costs, and a shortage of resources are well-documented issues within the event industry. Market conditions are tough and more and more festival organisers are increasing the price of a weekend ticket to meet escalating infrastructure price increases. You would think that the current economic climate would deter event professionals from launching festivals, but it has not deterred Paul “Brina” Brindley, Roy Trickett, or Michael Pellegrotti, from unveiling their respective events; Daresbury Festival (Warrington), Hideaway Festival (Essex), and The Reeling (Glasgow).

All three events are just some of the latest additions set to grace the festival calendar in 2023. For example, The Reeling is a 5,000cap traditional music festival taking place in Glasgow’s Rouken Glen Park on June

10-11, whilst Hideaway Festival is a 10,000cap family-friendly festival set for The Crix, Chelmsford (August 4-6).

Trickett, Hideaway’s festival director, is no stranger to festivals. He was once the owner of Sundown Festival [which he sold pre-COVID] but the urge to enter the festival world was too much.

“I missed the event world,” he explained. “If it’s what you do, it’s what you do. But you get to a certain age, and I didn’t like the look of a younger audience profile. I wanted to create something for an older, family crowd with pre-pitched camping and glamping in year one that looks nice and ticket prices that are affordable.”

Trickett described Hideaway as a “boutique” festival. “We’re not in a council park with dog walkers walking either side of a perimeter fence,” he said. “Nature is our

fence. Also, we’re a lot more relaxed and our guests will be treated how you would like to be treated. Customers will be treated decently, there will be a nice ingress, and there’ll be constantly clean toilets. We’re putting more effort in because it’s the small things that make the difference.”

Trickett has contracted Site and Stage, Bigabox Productions, and Star Live for the festival. He said he doesn’t expect to make money in year one, despite promising ticket sales and has a three-year plan for the event.

JUGGLING ACT

Brindley is equally excited about his latest launch. Daresbury Festival will take place at Walton Hall and Gardens on June 24, on the same weekend that Beyond Festival –launched by Brindley in 2022 – takes place in Abbey Park, Leicester.

Sponsored by Peppermint Bars

MADE FESTIVAL

“Walton Hall is a lovely site,” Brindley commented. “We’re starting small in 2023 with 2,500 capacity and so far, the reception has been fantastic. We’ve sold 80 per cent of our tickets. It’s taking place on the same weekend as Beyond Festival, so I am juggling at the minute.”

Brindley has big plans for Daresbury. He said there is a desire to do a “full site takeover” in future years and turn the event into a boutique 15,000-capacity house and disco festival. “The location is fantastic and is crying out for an event of this type,” he explained further. “The event wasn’t in the plans for this year but there was an opportunity to run with it, so we have.”

Brindley is working with Red Herring Event Services, Halo Solutions, and Chipperfield Entertainments, which are providing fencing, incident management, and big tops respectively for Beyond Festival. He is developing the brand for 2023 with preparty events and he plans to extend the event from two days to three in 2024.

Brindley continued: “This year’s Beyond Festival will feature an extra stage. We had three stages in 2022, or defined genre areas. We did look at adding a VIP area to the festival, but it didn’t feel right so we have added another sound system and a new 40m x 45m oval big top.”

The big top will sit at the opposite end of an L-shaped site and in 2024, Brindley feels that he can grow Beyond – with Leicester City Council’s support – and build out into additional areas of Abbey Park.

“We’ve already added 1,000 square metres of additional space to Beyond 2023,” Brindley added. “We’ve pushed the bone yard back to accommodate the extra space.”

IMPROVE USER EXPERIENCE

Brindley described the supply chain as “challenging” but said that some contractors are honouring last year’s prices. However, there are still nerves. “It’s tough,” he continued. “It’s hard to get hold of trusted suppliers and get answers because everyone is experiencing challenges in their own way. People are also reluctant to have definitive conversations which would allow you to move onto the next thing.”

Sarah Spurgeon, operations manager at Balter Festival (May 25-28), concurred. She argued that communication is a huge thing and believes that the key to successful festival/event management is working smart, not working hard.

Spurgeon is working with the festival’s organising team to develop Balter into a festival that was founded by a bunch of friends but is now run by a group of people with a high level of professionalism and respect for health and safety.

The 15,000-capacity festival takes place at Chepstow Racecourse, which has strict noise limits. Therefore, Spurgeon and Jeb Hawkins, site manager, are looking at the site’s layout, including stage positions and sound design. Spurgeon is putting in place several systems and processes to enable

quality data capture, standardising processes to an “industry standard”.

She explained: “All the departments at Balter have grown organically, but independently. I’ve come in to bring everyone together and I am making the organisation more cohesive.”

Spurgeon has responsibility for security, event medical cover, and welfare, whilst Hawkins is looking after site infrastructure.

So far, Sunbelt Rentals, Safety Geeks, Silver Stages, AJ Big Tops, Liquiline, Compoost, and Event Paramedic Services have been contracted for the event, which will feature a redesigned site to improve the user experience and tweak the aesthetics.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Jim Gee, director of Engine No 4 is responsible for delivering Parklife (June 10-11), Kendal Calling (July 27-30), and Bluedot (July 20-23), including site design, site management, and technical production. Last year, both Kendal Calling and Bluedot had a reset and site design changes, which had sat ready to go for two years. This year, Gee is making “tweaks” to enable those big changes to bed down for another year.

For example, Kendal Calling moved out of the middle of Deer Park, essentially taking over a campsite to create more room for the main stage. This move created a better arena space, which meant festivalgoers spent more

Sponsored by Peppermint Bars

BLACK DEER

Image: © Ania Shrimpton

time in the arena. Gee explained: “Other areas suffered. Now, we must think about how we pull people around and into smaller venues. When you make a big change, it’s surprising how many people stop exploring and when you have lots of repeat customers, I suppose there’s less impetus on directing people. But we found that we had lots of new customers, with less festival experience and witnessed lots of interesting behaviours, so we probably didn’t do as well as we should have on wayfinding and signage so that’s a big piece of work for us this year.”

COMMUNICATION

At Parklife, Gee is looking at small site infrastructure changes and adaptions to reduce the amount of kit the festival uses. It is also working with Manchester City Council and making investments in the Heaton Park site, taking a longer-term view, and looking at the introduction of grid power. Currently, the grid power in place is not enough and is in the “wrong place” so Parklife’s promoter is also looking to invest in more permanent infrastructure. “Parklife is simply a field with

nine stages and the site hasn’t changed for a while,” Gee continued. “This year, we’re adding another enclosed venue. In 2021, we made all venues open air and in 2022, we brought back two enclosed venues. For 2023, we’re making another one enclosed, so we’ll have three enclosed spaces and six open air stages.”

Gee and the Engine No 4 team are working with Mahood Marquees, Star Live, ESG, Serious Stages, Sunbelt Rentals, Buffalo Power, Arena, GAP Group, A1, and Dr Loo this year. Plus, in 2022, he worked with Eventree on all shows and intends to continue working with the event accreditation supplier even further in 2023.

Similarly, The Fair implemented Eventree across all festivals, including El Dorado, Otherlands, Eastern Electrics, Gala, and Lost in a Moment, in 2022. “It was a season of trial and error for both us and suppliers getting used to the system,” said Nick Morgan, CEO of The Fair. “By the end of the season, it felt like we had everything nailed down in terms of process, and we are excited to implement the system this year. It’s a great way to

communicate with contractors, artists, staff, and crew about updated procedures on site – including welfare, appropriate behaviour, reporting and escalating inappropriate behaviour, while putting checks in place to ensure people have read those policies.”

Morgan continued: “Whilst last year we did a lot of work on our sexual assault and harassment policies and procedures in line with the AIF Safer Spaces Charter, we found that our communications of those procedures on site during the live event need to be considered in greater detail.

“Last year, we worked closely with the comms teams across Eastern Electrics, Maiden Voyage and Otherlands to name a few, to ensure procedures were communicated digitally in advance and on site. Yet despite our efforts, there were still audience members who reported instances of inappropriate behaviour from other audience members after the event because they weren’t aware that we had put the procedures in place.

“In response to this, we are revisiting the communications plans for these procedures

DEBS SHILLING AND GILL TEE

BLUEDOT Image: © George Harrison

so we can receive more feedback as soon as situations arise, and proactively deal with reports in line with our policies. We are lucky to work with providers such as TTK Welfare who have experience in this space.”

SUSTAINABILITY AND COSTS

Highest Point Festival (May 11-14) is focusing on sustainability and is currently working with its partners and contractors to try and reduce its environmental impact. Since starting the festival, Highest Point has always aimed to build its teams within a 50-mile radius of Lancaster where possible, including site crew, security, and traders to the design and production teams. This year, 80 per cent of the new decor which is being built for the site is being repurposed to be used for 2023 and future events.

Rich Dyer, co-founder of Highest Point, commented: “This year we have a public sustainability policy, which will be announced on our website soon. All our traders and concessions have made agreements to reduce single-use plastic and ensure they are compliant with our policy

Sponsored by Peppermint Bars

going forward, with the objective to be a plastic-free site by 2025.

“We also work closely with Lancaster City Council to help deliver on national and regional carbon emissions targets and sustainability goals within the area. Therefore, communication both on and off-site with our attendees this year is a huge focus, highlighting a leave no trace policy, and clear signage to all recycling points across the site.”

Sustainability is a big focus for Black Deer Festival (June 16-18) too. Gill Tee, festival director, said that Black Deer is scaling back on plastic usage, dropping plastic wristbands where it can and encouraging the use of reusable bottles and coffee cups. Plus, she is speaking with all suppliers on ways to be more sustainable.

Peppermint Events is contracted to work at Black Deer, as well as All Points East, Camp Bestival, Mighty Hoopla, Rewind, and Cheltenham Jazz Festival. In fact, 75 per cent of the company’s work takes place in greenfield sites, so it is well-versed in festival operations and trends.

Adam Hempenstall, founder of Peppermint Events, said that many festivals started working on site plans last October and soon realised that there was “only so much gear” in the marketplace. Peppermint has pockets of availability but is “pretty close” to locking down its event calendar, which Hempenstall explained as more “settled”.

This summer, Peppermint Events is looking at trialling intelligent dispense solutions, which will speed up service and some selfpour tech, which will deliver new interactive experiences on event sites. According to Hempenstall, Black Deer is keen to look at this option, as the experience can be installed in a quieter area of the site where there is no room to install a big volume bar.

Hempenstall stated that he is keen to work with as many sustainable breweries too, and the business is pushing towards being a Net Zero company, as festival consumers seriously consider which products, they want to spend their money on.

Sustainability is important to Tee but it’s not her only focus. Costs are also on the radar. She commented: “With the increase

in costs across the board, we are looking at ways to deliver the festival, whilst keeping a handle on the rising supplier costs to ensure we can still offer customers what they enjoy, and love about the festival. It’s very difficult for everyone this year, festival organisers, and customers alike.”

She continued: “This year sees us really developing areas of the site, drawing it closer together and adding more interactive entertainment. We are working on really distinguishing even more, the areas of the festival that have their own personalities. The Roadhouse, Young Folk, Live Fire, The Outpost are already established destinations within the festival. We have Caffe Nero on board with us this year too, who will be bringing another piece of musical content to the festival, along with good coffee!”

Black Deer met RedBox Events at Event Buyers Live 2022 and has since contracted RedBox to provide IT services to the festival once again. Good comms will be vital, especially as the Black Deer app is now being fully integrated into a new marketing plan. Debs Shilling, cofounder of Black Deer, explained: “We face challenges due to connectivity issues across our site. But we feel a robust comms plan aimed at getting people signed up to the app pre-festival will counteract this problem and offer us a chance to give ticketholders everything they need before they arrive. The app will also play a role in data capture and direct marketing.”

AN EASIER YEAR

MADE Festival has revealed it will return to its original inner-city site in Birmingham this summer. The event will take place on July 29 in The Digbeth Triangle. The annual festival, now in its ninth year, was last hosted in the second city in 2019, before the 20,000-capacity site, Perry Park, was commandeered for the renovation of Alexander Stadium, the main site of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Successful events at Sandwell Valley Country Park in 2021 and then at Wolverhampton Racecourse in 2022 saw MADE travel across the West Midlands, cementing the popularity of the festival and drawing thousands of loyal fans.

Pete Jordan, festival director, said: “The plan was always to return to Birmingham. We had expected to be back at Perry Park this year, but post-Commonwealth Games building work continues across 2023. So, we’ve taken the exciting opportunity to go back to our roots, refocus on the original ethos of the event, and in doing so, I feel we can bring a lot of positivity to Digbeth, where the spirit of the event was created.”

Launched in 2014, MADE (Metropolitan Arts and Dance Event) spent four years in the heart of industrial inner-city Birmingham in the creative hub of Digbeth. After expanding year-on-year across the multitude of evolving outdoor spaces, car parks, yards and warehouse spaces, the festival outgrew its home and moved

Sponsored by Peppermint Bars

HIGHEST POINT

Image: © Robin Zahler

BLUEDOT

Image: © Paul Whiteley

BEYOND FESTIVAL

Image: © Jack Kimber Photography

BRADSHAW

EVENT VEHICLES

UTILITY VEHICLE HIRE

DESIGNED TO PERFORM, THE CLUB

CAR CARRYALL UTILITY VEHICLES ARE THE IDEAL PARTNER FOR YOUR EVENT. AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS SIZES, PETROL OR ELECTRIC.

RENTALS@BRADSHAWEV.COM

WWW.BRADSHAWEV.COM/EVENT-HIRE

across the city to the greenfield site at Perry Park. Two years of further growth took the event up to 20,000 capacity. The event was forced to relocate from Birmingham in 2020 when the city’s bid for the Commonwealth Games was successful. The 2020 edition, succumbed to COVID restrictions but, a year later, MADE became one of the few major events in the UK to go ahead, a testament to the tenacity and passion of the team behind the festival.

Jordan continued: “The Commonwealth Games used our site as a bone yard. We had conversations with the council in late summer and they said that they can’t wait to have us back in the park, but they need to grow the grass back!”

Jordan said that he plans to make MADE 2023 a celebration of Birmingham and the Midlands. Production is being brought back in house, Slammin Events will return to site manage the event, and Symphotech will provide site safety services.

The Digbeth site can only accommodate 8,000 festivalgoers and it is an 18+ venue so Jordan and his team have added a 4,000-cap event on July 18 for a 16+ crowd.

“This year’s event will be scaled back, our processes will be too,” Jordan said. “There will be less stress and it will be a simpler format. This year, with so many uncertainties, it will be nice to get a show under our belt which is not so taxing.”

In 2017, MADE festival hosted 10,000 people at the Digbeth site. Jordan acknowledged it was too large a crowd.

An 8,000-strong crowd in 2023 takes the pressure off facilities and ensures the customer experience is “premium”.

BIG ASPIRATIONS

Jordan is currently negotiating with the

council as he wishes to return to Perry Park in 2024. However, all athletics events must be confirmed before this move can be given the green light. Lots of festival organisers are looking to the future and are making long-term plans that will safeguard their events. For example, Iain Game, festival director of Tribe Festivals’ Wychwood Festival (June 2-4), is building a team around him, motivating them, and inspiring them to create the festival that they all want to still work on in five years’ time.

Game joined Wychwood in 2020 to “sit and cancel a show twice”. Now, he is raring to go. “There are lots of changes to the site this year,” Game explained. “In August, we issued a tender for a production partner. Ten companies tendered and we appointed Proud Events.”

Proud Events will work with Game and his team to deliver the festival, which has a new location. It is staying at Cheltenham Racecourse but is moving to a different area of the site. “Last year, the campsite was a 10-minute walk away,” he said. “That was not a good enough experience. Now, we’re moving to the helicopter site at Cheltenham, away from the racecourse facilities so we’re technically a greenfield festival site.”

More automated systems, project management software and accreditation processes are on Game’s radar for 2024. This year, Wychwood [10,000-cap] is investing in its second stage to bring the quality of programming up and the décor will be “a million miles away from where we’ve been before”.

Game added: “It’s going to feel like a completely new festival despite being around for so long. We may be a small festival, but our aspirations are big.”

Sponsored by Peppermint Bars

IAIN GAME

PETE JORDAN

PARKLIFE

Survival mode

e all thought 2022 would be the comeback year for events; COVID had disappeared, and punters were raring to get back into the fields and on the dance floors. We all expected the industry to bounce back and that tickets would fly off the shelves. As we all know, it didn’t quite pan out like that.

2022 saw the cancellation of festivals up and down the country due to a perfect storm of changing consumer habits, escalating costs, and increased competition. And we’re not out of the water just yet; the vast event and festival industry is still in recovery, it’s unpredictable, and we need to adapt to survive.

Firstly, we must realise the industry is under unprecedented pressure from all angles. For example, there are hanging consumer habits, as people attend fewer events, there is increased competition, inflation, and staffing issues. So, how can you ensure your event gets the attendance it needs to survive 2023 and beyond?

It’s all about timing. We’re recommending having tickets ready to go on sale for next year’s event as soon as you’ve waved the last punter out of the field this year. Why? The hype for your event is never going to be higher. Your punters are on a high, and sentiment for your event is at its highest. People will be buzzing from their experience and compelled to do it all again next year, and you’ll reach and attract more people for a much lower cost than if you were to launch in the middle of peak launch season, competing against all the noise in the marketplace.

Event and festival organisers should use payment plans to make ticket costs more palatable straight after the festival and you should build on the momentum of the online hype by announcing that next year’s tickets are on sale.

CAPTURE ATTENTION

Don’t rely on old tactics to attract newer, younger audiences. You should re-think your content strategy.

The days of the two-minute after movies and big-budget launch videos are gone. Facebook suggests that you have about 1.7 seconds to hook your potential customer on a mobile device, compared to 2.5 seconds on a desktop. So, if you’re spending hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds on your launch creative, you’ve got to make sure the first few seconds count.

Ditch opening with your brand logo, opening with a sales call to action, slow-mo drone shots, and blank/black screens as the opening frame. Capture attention in the first three seconds by using visual cues without the need for audio (subtitles, captions), use “watch bait” captions (five reasons to… did you know…), use customer, artist, or press testimonials, open with a benefit (not a call to action), or ask a question. Hand it to your audience on a plate.

Mimetic theory is the art of making people desire something because others do. It’s human nature. We look for others to help form opinions. How can you make it seem like your event or festival is the one everyone is talking about at every single marketing touchpoint?

Marketing is ten per cent action and 90 per cent how you frame that action so think about using press quotes, artist quotes, and user-generated content from social media.

Focus on your why. But how can you lean into your “why” and what makes you unique, so punters have something real to connect with? Create a cultural identity beyond the line-up by owning a theme or narrative (check out Lost Village), using tone of voice (Truck Festival), or using a personality to drive the brand (Camp Bestival). Also, think about creating an experience (Boomtown or The Secret Garden Party).

When making decisions, you should trust your gut and intuition. This will make your event authentic and help you to curate a truly bespoke experience. And finally, go big or go home. Go all-in on your USP; this is the only thing that makes your event stand out from the rest.

BOX CLEVER WITH YOUR DATA

You’re sitting on a plethora of data. Analyse it better to ensure you’re making informed decisions and improve results.

People attend fewer events, so is targeting last year’s data the most effective use of your budget? Are people likely to attend the same event the year after if they only go to one or two?

We see considerable shifts in sales pattern trends. It’s crucial to track these and adapt your marketing. Also, higher-priced items have longer consideration periods. Running more extended ticket warnings whilst signalling a clear end to availability drives far more sales.

Mustard Media’s Rob Masterson, managing director, and Lisa Mather, senior marketing manager, discuss why some events won’t survive 2023, and what you can do to ensure yours does

TRUCK FESTIVAL

COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY

How can you use scenario planning and festival modelling to control costs if the sales don’t come?

Jo Vidler, festival consultant, once said that your toilets are just as important as your main stage line-up and programme.

With audiences attending fewer festivals, retention and loyalty are more important than ever. Make cutbacks on the basics, and you’ll risk losing those loyal fans and getting social media backlash.

But making cutbacks is a reality for us all; it’s all about doing it strategically so that you don’t compromise on the result and end up losing in the long run. Therefore, make rational and strategic decisions, as opposed to just slashing costs. For example,

do you need that extra stage? Keep a tight rein on your budgets by using software –like Eventwise, the financial management platform for events professionals – to ensure you, as the festival owner, have real-time data from all departments. Ensure you model different scenarios for each department based on sales, weather, and other extenuating circumstances, and set up approval mechanisms for spending. Furthermore, complete transparency is vital if you must put up ticket prices. Itemise why the costs have increased, explain the cost increases to your customers, and communicate directly with your audiences. Adopt radical candour and be open and honest with your crowds and loyal customers to build trust.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Adopt a beginner’s mindset going into 2023; even if your event is established, you can no longer rely on old, previously proven tactics; you need to adapt to the changing landscape to ensure survival.

Be strategic with everything; from paid media campaigns to scenario planning. You can’t rely on “this is what we did last year”. It would be best to have data, analysis, and interpretation to make informed decisions to drive better results.

Launch next year’s event as early as possible.

UGC + lo-fi content is king. Ensure that this is in your content strategy.

Go big on your USP.

CAMP BESTIVAL

ROBERT MASTERSON CAMP BESTIVAL

Go with the flow

Event professionals discuss traffic management best practices, planning, and new services

Getting vehicles both on and off-site at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, requires some “jiggery-pokery”, says Luke Fitzmaurice, director of LFX Events. Fitzmaurice is talking to StandOut about contractor changes at this year’s Slam Dunk South, which is taking over the Hertfordshire estate on May 27. He has appointed The Traffic Management Company (TMC) to undertake traffic management services at the independent rock festival and is working with TMC’s director Andrew McQuillan to devise new plans for the tricky site, which has challenging traffic flow issues.

“Hatfield House has a single road in off a high-speed dual carriageway and the same road out, and it’s shared with production and artist vehicles,” Fitzmaurice explained. “It requires some jiggery-pokery.

“Andrew is currently working with the local authority and Highways team to rework the event’s high-speed traffic management requirements so that we can create a better car park entrance.”

The Traffic Management Company’s relationship with LFX Events has expanded

to include Bingley Weekender (August 4-6), and Christmas at Dunham Massey, taking over from the light trail’s previous provider.

Fitzmaurice continued: “I worked with Andrew at Slam Dunk North last year in Leeds and gave him the contract for Slam Dunk South 2023. I am also working with him on Futuresound Group’s new Within the Walls concert series at Ludlow Castle too. It’s been nice to find a company where you can throw anything at them. Andrew is very communicative and whilst his company has expanded, they have managed and handled that growth and experience very well.”

OVERSTRETCHED

According to many traffic management experts, costs are at the forefront of every organiser and promoter’s mind. Hence, many procurement teams are engaging event suppliers earlier to secure vital services for new and established events.

Industry professionals state that they are having to justify costs to organisers, such as increasing fuel prices and staff wages, as well as higher prices for plastic

cones. Plus, event professionals describe the marketplace as busy and believe this is because there is a shortage of skilled traffic management specialists that can deliver complex traffic management plans.

In fact, Fitzmaurice says that in 2022 some traffic management companies stretched themselves too far, and therefore some events made the news for the wrong reasons.

TRAFFIC AND TECH

Event Traffic Control (ETC) is working with Bournemouth 7s (May 26-28) and Lost Village (August 24-27), having deployed a new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) solution for the festival in 2022. The traffic management specialist has developed new technological solutions, enabling it to be more efficient in how it manages event traffic management and event car parking.

Scott Dow, managing director of ETC, explained: “After nearly 30 years in the industry, ETC’s management team looked toward modern technology to improve

on how vehicles are managed on site. One of the major improvements was in how vehicles were charged for parking at events. This is a valuable source of income for event organisers, but often a source of delays as every vehicle must be stopped and checked for payment on entry.”

ETC worked with technology and ticketing partners to develop, test, and implement a cashless ANPR solution, which enables organisers to sell their parking tickets online, capturing number plate data in the process.

Dow continued: “We install our ANPR cameras on the event’s entry points. As cars pass the camera, their number plates are seamlessly checked against the sales database [white list]. If they have paid, they simply continue through the site to be parked. If they have not paid their registration flashes up on the Variable Message Sign and they are pulled aside to be checked and sold a car parking ticket.

“This system provides all the benefits of car park sales without any of the downsides. It is also useful in preventing and challenging vehicles coming onto site with other intentions. Car and tent thieves don’t tend to buy car parking tickets so their vehicles will be challenged on entry at which point they can be checked to see if they are a bonafide customer.”

The system was utilised successfully at more than 30 events last summer and will continue to be expanded going forward with new clients. Lost Village saw significant improvements on entry times,

said Scott. More than 5,000 cars drove to the Lost Village site and just 80 cars had not purchased a car parking ticket.

Ben Atkins, director of Lost Village, said: “We decided to use the system to get people into the event a lot faster. Queuing traffic causes problems on the local road networks so for us there was an obvious safety benefit. Also, encouraging customers to pre-pay for their parking tickets reduces the number of staff required and because there are shorter queues on local roads, it’s good for local relationships. Everything we do at Lost Village is geared towards a good customer experience.”

ETC will continue to develop the ANPR system to provide better security for production access at events such as Camp

Bestival and Big Feastival in conjunction with its new Instaboom automatic vehicle barrier and ANPR combination. It is becoming increasingly important for event organisers to control access and prevent terrorist attacks with the onus shifting to organisers following the Manchester Arena bombing and the implementation of Martyn’s Law. Often the weakness is in the pre and post-event management of vehicles accessing site.

ETC is also launching GPS car parking and campsite marking-out services.

Dow concluded: “Embracing technology and continued investment will bring huge improvements to the services we deliver and ultimately savings for events with reduced site preparation times.”

CAR PARK OPERATIONS

ETC IN ACTION

Sharing the load

Increasing costs have led Lambeth Council to move its annual Lambeth Country Show to new dates and site share with the organiser of all Brockwell Live shows

S

ignificant pressures on public sector funding and rising demand for vital services have led Lambeth Council to undertake a major cost-cutting exercise. To save money, the council has revealed changes to this year’s Lambeth Country Show, including new dates, and will work with the team behind Brockwell Live to produce the event. This move – specifically the sharing of site infrastructure – will cut event costs from £1.1 million to £370,000 and will enable the local authority to continue organising the free, large-scale public event that attracts thousands of residents every year.

Lambeth Country Show will take place on June 10-11; with Brockwell Live shows – including Wide Awake, Mighty Hoopla and Cross the Tracks – running from May 27 to June 5. The new show dates [the show previously took place in July] mean that Brockwell Park will be clear of events ahead of the summer holidays. Subsequently, there will be no major events in the park following the show with the site share significantly reducing build and de-rig times.

The new move has been met with mixed reviews, but the change was necessary. “This new move guarantees the show

happens and stays free,” explained Tim Fanucci, a freelance event, project, and production management consultant and founder of Front Left Live. “People don’t like change, or the show being ‘messed’ with, but costs have spiralled.”

CHALLENGES

Fanucci has been a freelance event professional for one year. He was Lambeth Country Show’s event director for nine years and left the local authority in 2021 just as the show was cancelled for the second year in a row. For a brief period, he worked with Public Health Lambeth and NHS England South East to deliver greenfield testing sites across the borough and had a short spell at TicketCo before being made redundant. It was at this point that he decided to go out on his own and soon received a phone call from the council; it required urgent help to deliver Lambeth Country Show 2022.

Fanucci continued: “The show was in July. There wasn’t very much time to put the whole show together. It didn’t give us time to go out to tender and test the market to see what was out there. We experienced huge supply chain challenges, and it seemed like the events supplier

market was more congested than ever before. We were expecting an uplift in price, but nowhere near as much across most of our procurement lots – fencing, toilets, staging, water, and power.

“These were the main lots with significant increases. We really struggled with stage structures last year – suppliers pulled out and let us down, Fanucci added.

“We found this the same for clearspan marquees – mostly used for animal exhibits at the show. Some big players in the supply chain are no more or had all their kit bought by another supplier. This drastically limited our options on who we could get quotes from.”

Ultimately, the overall infrastructure costs were less competitive; Fanucci was unable to demonstrate value to the Lambeth Council. Furthermore, 2022 income was significantly reduced because some traders were no longer in business. Soaring temperatures also impacted event footfall by almost 50 per cent and greater spend (roughly three per cent of the overall budget) was spent on additional shade structures, extra crew to shorten shift times and exposure to heat, additional water tanks, and temperature control equipment and infrastructure.

LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW Images: © Wallflower Collective

CHANGES

“The escalating costs are not sustainable for the council – especially when there is a desire and commitment to keep the event free,” commented Fanucci. Something had to change. Hence, the event is moving to June and will piggy-back the site infrastructure of Brockwell Live’s portfolio.

Fanucci continued: “The theme and ethos of the show will not change, but there will have to be some venue relocations to make the site sharing work. We will be looking into increasing Wi-Fi coverage to understand how our crowd flow works better [especially with changes in layout] as well as exploring digital access control for real-time capacity in event control. Being a free ticketless event presents its challenges and the need for accurate control at entrance gates.”

But that’s not the only development. Lambeth Country Show organisers have been using an event app since 2019. Each year, more visitors download the app, so the plan is to expand on its success, and the show will also continue to work with Attitude is Everything and A Greener Future to build on its inclusivity, event accessibility, and event sustainability developments.

PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

LS Events oversaw the show’s site management in 2019 and 2022. In 2023, Organise Chaos will deliver Lambeth Country Show, which has reduced its capacity to 50,000. The company has won the contract to deliver Brockwell Live shows too. Clare Goodchild, director of Organise Chaos, is working alongside Fanucci to procure specific additional infrastructure and to deliver Lambeth Country Show. For example, some contractors may only be able to deliver Brockwell Live show. Therefore, there are potential contractor changes in week three. The decision to site share with other shows was only revealed in January, which is why some suppliers are unavailable. Plus, Fanucci will consult with Goodchild as to the additional infrastructure that some areas of the site need.

Fanucci said: “The vast majority of suppliers will be a rollover of what’s already on site and brought in by the previous festivals. We are looking at reviewing all procurement lots though for all country show-specific infrastructure such as livestock fencing, clearspan marquees, site-wide tannoy systems, and public handwashing facilities in animal zones.”

So far, Noba, Bunkabin, Project Power, Entertee, Star Live, and Cube Modular have been contracted to work on the show.

Fanucci added: “Also, we do have the ongoing challenge of LEZ and ULEZ charges for certain elements of entertainment, animal exhibitions, and farming equipment showcases, such as traction engines. The show is unique in a way that a country show

happens in a central London borough but unfortunately, these emission restrictions exclude a lot of content that we would love to include at the show.”

StandOut magazine last visited Lambeth Country Show in 2018 when Fanucci erected a perimeter fence around the show to allow search-on-entry operations to take place. The council’s safety advisory group was not going to approve the event and insurance could not be taken out without the introduction of the fence. Residents saw it as the first move towards charges and

ticketing prices. Five years later, the event remains free to attend and the council now has greater control of crowds and the show itself. “The event is getting bigger,” Fanucci concluded. “We are introducing a new 3,000 big top to the event and because the Brockwell Live headliners require a large stage, our main stage has increased in size from 15m to 30m.

“Our new partnership is positive. It means more resources and knowledge, and it’s great to know that all the festivals are aiming to achieve the same standards.”

TWO-WAY RADIO HIRE, SALES AND SERVICE

READY TO SUPPLY THE UK LIVE EVENTS INDUSTRY AGAIN, WITH...

• PPE CLOTHING & COVID: Printed Tabards, Hard Hats, Hi-Vis Masks, Sanitisers & Wipes

• BARS: Optics, Trugs, Ice Buckets, Jiggers, Bar Caddies & Waiters Trays

• SITE CLEANING & WASTE: Toilet Rolls, Cleaning Supplies, Litter Pickers & Work Gloves

A simple solution for those who need temporary communications. This solution has proven to be invaluable for sectors such as event organisers, council teams, TV and film crews, security and parking to name but a few, with both short and longterm 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

SPECIAL RATES FOR 2023. Book with confidence as we offer a no cost cancellation policy.

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 license 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

SUPPLIES: Artiste Towels, Clocks, Ear Plugs, Pit Cups & Stage Brooms

• STAFF WELFARE & OFFICE: Coffee, Hot Cups, Extension Leads & Fans

WE GUARANTEE... THE FULL RANGE ON SITE, ON TIME, EVERY TIME: BACKED UP BY OUR DEDICATED STAFF CONTACT AND SUPPORT SERVICE CALL

Book your barriers

woke up this morning and worked out that this is my 1,195th Monday working for the company,” said Kevin Thorborn, director of MOJO Rental. “I wondered what’s going to happen today that hasn’t happened before because I think I’ve seen it all.”

Thorborn is laughing when he talks to StandOut. He describes 2022 as “crazy” and hints that the start of 2023 is already busy as organisers ask for quotes.

Thorborn has worked for MOJO Rental, the event infrastructure and crowd control specialist, for 23 years, and has seen the organisation grow. He has also experienced many event and industry challenges and continues to work with long-standing clients in a “fun and great but tough” environment.

This year, MOJO Rental is supplying kit and services to Eurovision in Liverpool, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend in Dundee and several Robomagic shows, including Burna Boy, KISS, and Rod Stewart.

“Barrier layouts are becoming quite complex,” Thorborn explained. “Big festivals are getting bigger, crowds are getting larger, and you do now get some boisterous crowds.

“More organisers are asking for MOJO High Fence because they want the strength of a stage barrier with added height for segregation, and we are busy with our Line Up Gates too, which are being used for ticket checks and to manage excitable crowds.”

BOOK EARLY

Entertee recently supplied Identity with fencing and barriers for London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and Destination Events used

Entertee barriers to control the London New Year’s Day Parade site. Plus, the event supplier provided barriers for Brighton Half Marathon’s start and finish viewing areas.

According to Michael Knibbs, managing director of Safesite Facilities, barriers are integral pieces of event infrastructure. They clarify where the crowd may stand, which is a major positive as ambiguity can lead to confusion and chaos.

Liz Gillies, client services and marketing manager at Entertee, thinks that 2023 will be another tough year for event organisers; mostly because of the increased costs to successfully deliver an event whilst also trying to promote and sell tickets during a cost-ofliving crisis.

She explained: “Organisers have been coming to us for quotes so that they can start budgeting and managing their budgets earlier and set their ticket prices. Normally, in January, we would be busy with quote requests, but many organisers got in touch at the end of last year; they are also confirming earlier to secure the quotes and pricing.”

Nick Jones, director of Zone Secure, concurs. He says that the events industry is facing big commercial pressures. He said: “The price to purchase all fencing and barriers has increased by 80 per cent in two years and labour has increased by 40 per cent.”

Most fencing and barrier suppliers could purchase additional stock and book it out over several weekends in the summer months, but a fine balance is needed: What do you do with the kit during quieter winter periods? Plus, how do you explain to long-

ENTERTEE

standing clients that the same kit now costs X amount more?

Jones is looking ahead to a busy events season and the “usual” manic summer months. Thorborn agreed. MOJO Rental has pockets of availability in its events calendar where it can help organisers with stage barrier requests. But Thorborn had one piece of essential advice for events professionals: “Get in early.”

Fencing and barrier experts discuss the upcoming event season, best practices, and trends

Image: © Brown Fox Comms

Inclusive by design

How you can make events more accessible for 2023 and beyond. Meg Strahle, sustainability manager at The Bulb, talks about event design best practices and inclusivity

hough you might not even notice it, accessibility is everywhere in our lives. Have you ever turned on subtitles to watch your favourite show on Netflix, utilised an “open door” button with your hands full, easily rolled your suitcase onto a bus or train, or depended on Siri or Alexa? These are examples of accessibility that are incorporated into the day-to-day. They are designed for people with disabilities but they benefit us all.

To put this in perspective, 80 per cent of people who use subtitles do not have hearing loss. Subtitles can benefit a whole host of people, from the Deaf community and English as second language speakers, to busy parents in a noisy environment. Often when I’m on the London Underground, I see people watching videos with subtitles during their commute or pausing to look at media advertising in Piccadilly Circus as they exit the stations. The addition of subtitles gives them more opportunities to understand what is happening on screen. While it

has been found that only 20 per cent of the population have a range of hearing loss, everyone can benefit from having an accessibility requirement in place.

There are 1.2 billion people worldwide living with a disability, of which 70 per cent are invisible. That is 15 per cent of the global population – and the number continues to grow. So why are we not incorporating accessibility from the start at our events and workplaces?

Last year, Coldplay revealed a range of initiatives to be more inclusive at their concerts, including at least two sign language interpreters at every gig, subpac vests, a pre-concert touch tour, and mobile sensory refuge stations. The announcement was met with high praise across social media and national press.

Furthermore, the recent Superbowl had an iconic halftime show by Rhianna. It was interpreted by Deaf American Sign Language performer, Justina Miles, who became a global sensation overnight. The performance showcased the importance of

choosing the correct type of interpreter for the event experience and viewers.

Positive experiences like these are rare but should be the norm. Seventy-nine per cent of potential event attendees have been put off buying tickets for a gig due to difficulty booking access. As someone who has a lived experience of an invisible disability, the number of times I’ve been told that organisers couldn’t provide captioning for virtual events or have removed the carpeting in the name of sustainability (which removes accessibility for hard of hearing attendees) is staggering.

Why are inclusion and accessibility a challenge for so many? It is sometimes claimed that being inclusive is expensive, but this is not always accurate. Many platforms offer free captioning such as Teams, Google Meet and Zoom – if the organiser remembers to turn it on at their end. In addition, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram all have ways to add captioning to content, live streams and social posts.

TED X

Images: © Salajean//Antonio Sena/Dreamstime

Venues could also choose to have minimal carpeting options stored on-site or utilise a take-back programme like Tarkett or Interface, instead of eliminating them from an event or throwing them away after. This poses an option which is both accessible and sustainable.

We need to design accessibility into an event right from the beginning. Choose venues intentionally. Walk around the site imagining you are a wheelchair user. Is the venue accessible and comfortable for you? Does it have carpeting in place which helps reduce echo? Is it reachable by public transportation that is also accessible? For those who host events in London, for example, the new Elizabeth Line is a great option for public transport access to a venue. There are plenty of resources out there to advise. Check out sites like AccessAble or WelcoMe in the UK, and Accessible Travel in the US.

Thinking about how you design experiences from the outset can also make them more cost-effective. Think about the experience itself – is it in a dark room, crowded with tables and furniture? If so, how will someone with a disability navigate that room? Is the stage accessible, in a carpeted room and free from loud ambient noise? Is there a section of the venue that you can turn into a quiet space? Are there tables or chairs you can reserve for requests? There is so much an event organiser can do during the design and production phase of an event to eliminate pain points for accessibility and inclusion later down the line.

One of the biggest challenges for me when I’m deciding to attend a virtual or live event is finding a place in the registration process to let the event organisers know that I need captioning for virtual events, or an email contact to share feedback on the accessibility of the event. There have been times when it was confirmed that captioning would be available at a virtual event, and I have shown up to find it not turned on, with

no way to make the event organisers aware. In this instance, I often leave. My time is valuable, too.

I find sharing feedback to be challenging as often I find the organisers quite dismissive or defensive. It’s not uncommon to hear “We didn’t have time or the budget” or “We forgot”. Once, I was told by an organiser: “Captioning is not good for digital sustainability, so I made the conscious decision to remove it”. I never attended another one of their events.

Organisers can avoid this by assigning a designated email address, which will reduce the amount of constructive and helpful feedback slipping through the cracks.

A great example of an event that intentionally takes the time to think about accessibility and inclusion is the Ted X London Women’s event. I often use this event as an example because not only

did the organiser use a platform that was accessible to me when I attended in 2021, it has a diverse range of speakers from different backgrounds. I haven’t been able to attend one of their in-person events yet but have seen that the organisation has now included in the registration form an option to let them know if accessible seating is required, regardless of ticket selection. It is a great company that works hard to build on feedback and improve the attendee experience year-on-year.

It can feel daunting to decide where to begin when enhancing the accessibility of your event – but the most important thing is that you are open to learning and that you act on what you have learned. It’s human to make mistakes – it’s how we fix them that matters. We all need to come out of our comfort zones to learn and grow so that we can be truly inclusive.

MEG STRAHLE

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE PERFORMER

DID YOU SAVE THE DATE?

Freelancing = freedom

Cat Kevern has more than eight years of experience in the live events scene. From festivals to sporting events, her knowledge and expertise span across all areas of event operations, planning, and delivery. Here, she talks about her own experiences of the event world and offers tips and advice for those just starting as a freelancer

People always ask me how I got into freelancing. The truth is that I kind of just fell into it. I had no idea I was freelancing the first time I got booked for a job at a festival, but I have never looked back since!

As a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual, having the freedom to constantly take on new challenges, regularly working with new teams of people and learning from all my previous projects has been an absolute dream come true. I genuinely wouldn’t have it any other way; for me, the freedom and reward that comes with freelancing are greater than any full-time role.

REALITY OF FREELANCING

Freelancing can be a little like a game of chess. To succeed, you require strategic thinking, careful planning, resilience, and adaptability. It is often difficult to balance your current projects and your personal

time, whilst also keeping an eye out for future roles. However, with patience, great organisation, and hard work, freelancing is an amazing way to build a successful and sustainable career.

Sure, like many things, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Being constantly surrounded by new people and environments, freelancing can be quite a lonely way of working. My top tip to combat these feelings is to ensure you have a good work/life balance by making sure you schedule enough downtime to disconnect. When working in the events industry, there is never a “good” time to take holidays but understanding the annual events calendar and working around that can make it much easier.

CREATING A PERSONAL BRAND

Honing your personal brand and using it to your advantage are some of the keys

to becoming a successful freelancer. Fundamentally, your connections and community will be the primary source of potential roles, so time and effort must be committed to developing connections. You should aim to:

Understand why people remember you and aim to leave a positive lasting impression. Do a bit of self-reflection and think about the way you want to present yourself to the world. Drop your shoulders, smile, and be confident in yourself and who you are.

Find your niche and position yourself as an expert in that area. The events industry is huge and ever-expanding so find what you are good at and stick to it. Take the time to do your research by reading articles, listening to podcasts, and attending industry events on your chosen topic to solidify your knowledge of your niche.

Speak with a voice of authority. The events industry is a highly saturated market, so you must convey a sense of confidence and credibility to ensure your voice is heard. If this doesn’t come naturally to you, fake it till you make it!

Share opportunities within your network and community and voice your views and opinions. Don’t be afraid to share job opportunities and contracts that you can’t do. Other freelancers should never be viewed as a threat or competition; they are always your allies. There are plenty of clients and opportunities for everyone to have work.

Connect with your community. There are hundreds of online networks out there, full of people who are on similar paths and share similar interests with you. From networks that celebrate diversity and inclusivity, female empowerment, recent university graduates and newcomers to the industry, there will be a community of people for you.

TIPS AND TOOLS

I have compiled a great list of best practices and industry insights to ensure you get the most out of freelancing:

Keep a record of everything! Whether it’s on a spreadsheet, in a deck, or in a little black book, make sure you collect a repertoire of clients, contacts, rates, and hours worked. In such a fast-paced environment, you’ll be surprised how quickly you forget these important details, so having them all in one place is extremely beneficial.

Maintain relationships. From event suppliers to other independent eventprofs and clients, keep up with all the great people you meet. LinkedIn is a great place to do this online, but there is also a lot to be said about trade shows, conferences, and in-person networking events.

Have a live calendar with all your upcoming projects and events. This makes it much easier to manage your time effectively, understand your availability, and identify any gaps which you can fill with new and exciting opportunities.

Know your worth. Don’t be afraid to negotiate and turn down projects that don’t align with your goals. The beauty of freelancing is that you are your own boss. Whilst it’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things, don’t lose sight of your goals. Not every opportunity will be right for you and that’s OK.

Finally, be proactive. Schedule the time to research new opportunities and reach out to the key clients in your industry about upcoming opportunities. If you have a dream client or event you want to work at, reach out to them!

Through my hard work and dedication, I have built an incredible portfolio of experience and knowledge. I am now fortunate enough to be surrounded by an amazing community of inspirational people. Freelancing can be tough, but if you give it your best shot, it can be extremely rewarding.

Other freelancers should never be viewed as a threat or competition; they are always your allies. There are plenty of clients and opportunities for everyone

Tap and go

Customers expect to be able to pay for goods at your event with a quick tap of their card. Events professionals discuss cashless and contactless payment options, current trends, and best practice

ew data from Barclays reveals that a record 91.2 per cent of all eligible card transactions were made using contactless payments last year. It’s a sign that consumers are continuing to shift to next-gen tech to pay for goods and services. According to the research, the average contactless user made 220 “touch and go” payments last year, up from 180 in 2021, with the average value per transaction rising 18.5 per cent to £15.13.

It’s not the only study to highlight the changes in how consumers pay for products or entertainment, for example. Digital wallet usage has accelerated in recent years too, and global digital wallet transaction values are expected to grow 60 per cent by 2026, says Juniper Research. So, what impact will this growing trend have on events and

festivals? Are more organisers opting to implement a closed-loop cashless system and RFID tech? Or are more organisers choosing contactless tech, upgrading Wi-Fi and comms infrastructure so that electronic point-of-sale systems work more effectively?

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

This season, Richmond Event Management is investing in more card machines and tech, dropping its reliance on cash floats, for some of the events it manages. Victorious is introducing some card-only bars but will be accepting contactless and card payments after trialling “card-only” payments on some areas of its site in 2022, and Boomtown will once again go “cashless” after adopting cashless in 2022. But what’s the difference between contactless and cashless?

They are terms that are used interchangeably but they mean different things. A contactless payment uses RFID technology or near-field communication (NFC). For example, RFID tech can be found in a wristband, but if you use Apple Pay that is also an example of a contactless payment. Essentially, you tap and go.

Cashless payments are a little different but basically, they mean any kind of payment made without using cash. For instance, a bank transfer or payment using a digital wallet.

According to Tappit, which has produced a cashless payments guide, there are important considerations that organisers need to mull over. Contactless payments are processed through an open-loop system because they are typically processed by a bank. Cashless payments [RFID] differ; they are referred to as a “closed loop system”. Closed loop payments allow festivalgoers to pre-load funds into an account that is then linked to a payment device such as an RFID wristband or card.

BOOMTOWN Image: © Paul Whiteley

CASH-FREE

Boomtown went cashless in 2022 and adopted Weezevent’s cashless solution. The decision by Boomtown to go cashless was supported by Spindlewood’s temporary data network that connected several hundred Weezevent RFID scanners. Spindlewood also installed connectivity to site-wide top-up stations and hooked up a “top-up bank” for festivalgoers that preferred to be assisted when topping up their RFID wristband.

Boomtown is the biggest UK festival that Weezevent has worked on. The online ticketing, registration, and cashless payment provider worked with Alice Porter, Boomtown’s RFID implementation lead, to successfully implement the RFID systems for payments and access. The system was well received, and the festival has confirmed that it will remain cash-free for 2023 but more details are yet to be announced.

FULL CONTROL

In 2022, Verve, the live experience agency, created Connectopia at Dublin’s RDS Arena. Connectopia, a temporary summer party space and cashless venue, hosted several summer parties for large corporates such as Deloitte and KPMG.

Verve designed, delivered, and managed the “adult playground” and contracted Glownet to provide all cashless services. Allocated spend was pre-loaded onto all guests’ wristbands which were used at a varied selection of on-site street food vendors and bars.

“We built Connectopia from scratch,” explained John Kilcullen, head of digital at Verve. “After two years of lockdowns, we wanted to get everyone back together. We hosted 20 events at Connectopia over two months. We agreed on a budget with each client. For example, guests would be given a pre-loaded wristband with 50 or 100 euros on it. When the budget was running low, we could talk to clients and top up the

wristbands in real-time. This gave us and our clients full control of food and drink sales, speeded up service, and enabled us to pay vendors based on what was sold. We had the data, which enabled us to make operational decisions based on demand.”

CONNECTIVITY

Weezevent is supplying Snowbombing 2023 with unmanned top-up terminals whilst Standon Calling might adopt Weezevent’s Fast Top-up solution this year. This would enable festivalgoers to top up their wristbands by scanning a QR code on the back of their wristband.

Silverstone is working with Freemans

Event Partners on the Formula One British Grand Prix to provide a food and beverage offering with an efficient payment solution. In 2022, Freeman Event Partners’ technologies division deployed 750 payment terminals at the event. Customers were encouraged to pay by card via card-only zones and PDQ terminals, cutting queue times. In fact, 80 per cent of payments were made by card.

According to Ben Hardy, managing director of Richmond Event Management,

having good Wi-Fi on site is key to getting “cashless” right. Data connections are as fundamental as water and power, he said and argued that RFID is another step in the process for an eventgoer.

In 2022, Hardy purchased several Zettle card readers, reducing reliance on a cash float for vendors and concessions. He intends to purchase more this year, as he has seen cash transactions decrease.

Morgan Denton, IT director at RedBox Events, concurred with Hardy: “Cashless is no longer an option for organisers. Customers expect to just pay with the tap of a card or phone, therefore providing the required infrastructure to support that simply isn’t a nice to have. Wi-Fi is now one of the most important services at events because without it the loss of earnings could cripple an event.

“However, ensure you have a backup payment system! Throughout the season, I regularly see payment providers struggle with sudden bursts of payment traffic hitting their servers. For example, Zettle fails every lunchtime on every weekend during the festival season. Having an alternate payment platform is something to consider.”

CONNECTOPIA

CASHLESS AT CONNECTOPIA

In the driving seat

New locations, expansion, and industry challenges. Bev Channell, the founder of Channell Events, discusses plans for her upcoming portfolio of food festivals and why organisers cannot afford to stand still

I n 2023, the Festival of Food and Drink will celebrate its tenth anniversary and is moving site. How has the festival developed during this time and what is the reason behind the move?

Over the years, Channell Events has launched and developed lots of exhibitions and festivals. Our experience in delivering Festival of Food and Drink was our first venture to own our own festival, and it has been quite the journey. The last ten years have been an incredible journey, and we couldn’t have predicted how successful the event has become. With the event expanding year on year, the previous home [Clumber Park] was becoming challenging to host the evergrowing content. Also, with it being our tenth year, now was the right time to find a new home [Thoresby Park] for the next exciting chapter.

How will the 2023 event differ from 2022?

We are taking the opportunity at Thoresby Park to re-design the footprint, add in more feature experiences, and utilise the space to theme our trader areas. We already create sections for retail, street food and bars, and a beautiful things area, which plays host to lots of homewares, gifts, and crafts. The format has been successful and loved by both traders and visitors. It’s exciting to have an open plan field with no obstructions to play with. The open flat lawn at Thoresby Park is a perfect event space.

Our main features will remain the same, including a 500-seat cookery theatre, and a workshops marquee playing host to wine tasting, cocktail making and barista and coffee tasting sessions. A huge hit has always been our kids’ cookery workshops. This area will have more kids’ activities around it, hands-on pasta making, ice-cream making and more. We’ll also have more things to do for families.

As a business, how are you finding the events marketplace and what impact are market conditions having on the events you organise?

It’s no secret that rising costs and inflation are key challenges facing event teams.

We have great relationships with our suppliers and stakeholders. As the festival has grown, we have made sure we maintain those relationships and with challenges in the last few years, including COVID-19 and the pandemic. Last year in our date line, like many other event organisers, the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II was for us a new experience to work through. The good news is we are finding creative ways to combat these challenges, including moving our event to an alternative, less expensive location. Giving our visitors the chance to have a great day out without breaking the bank is important.

You are expanding your portfolio of events and have launched the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival. How long has this event been in the planning and how has the festival come about?

During lockdown, we began talks with the Three Counties Showground team. Following the success of their one-day food market in 2020, they were looking for an organiser to add to the portfolio of events the venue has to offer.

Has expansion always been on the radar? Why did now feel like the right time to launch the event?

We are always looking at the benefits of expanding our portfolio which include reducing external risks (such as those posed by competition, the market, or logistical changes). In this current climate, event organisers cannot afford to stand still. Like us, they need to explore new markets, gain a competitive edge, and look for opportunities to diversify.

How do the food and drink festivals you organise and deliver differ from others in the marketplace?

We pride ourselves on the quality of the festivals and the incredible value for money they give to visitors. Like many event organisers, we do look at other food festivals, but we believe the mix of guests, activities, features, quality of traders, and infrastructure to be unique to us. No huge revelations, just

maintaining a quality offering with a great value day out.

How are you finding the supply chain and which contractors do you enjoy working with on your event sites?

It is vital to maintain a great working partnership with your key suppliers and supply chains by engaging in open communication. It is essential to have strong relationships with existing partners. It’s about balancing the risks. We work with a group of great suppliers for our events across the country, including Exact Exhibitions, GL events UK, Gazebos for Hire, Cotswold Markets, Chefs on Stage, R U Electrical, Clayton Clarkson Partnership, PB Fire, and Will Power.

What other exciting plans are on Channell Events’ radar and what exciting developments do you have for both Festival of Food and Drink and the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival?

We are always looking for new content, guests, activities, and traders to keep the festivals growing, fresh and evolving. We also deliver several events in Gloucester, including the Gloucester Food Festival, plus we work in the North East on two major food festivals, so we have plenty to keep us busy this year!

What will stand out about your events this year?

With the combination of the work we put into our own festivals and the exciting contracts we have, a year without interruption or disruption will be great.

What will be the biggest challenges you think the business will face and what are you looking forward to most in 2023?

The biggest challenge will be the ongoing impact on costs for everyone, making that work in our budgets and getting through it all. We have so much to look forward to with our new festival and the new location for Festival of Food and Drink, we will be delighted to deliver them both successfully. A packed and exciting calendar for 2023, we are looking forward to all of it.

In an industry where practical challenges are legion, I’ve been thinking a lot about the underrated qualities of the “fixer” – that problem solver who takes on the responsibility to get the seemingly impossible sorted, mended or procured.

Recruiters always look for candidates with “the right attitude”, but there’s so much more to the fixer quality. You find it in someone who knows a task stretches beyond their immediate capabilities or resources – but who nevertheless clings to the conviction that, by hook or by crook, they’re going to make a project work.

This isn’t about a knee-jerk agreement to anything and everything you’re asked to do. There’s a fine judgement call between saying no to a client, with the attendant risk of losing them and causing a major cock-up by promising the undeliverable.

I once worked for a company that had been owed money by a client – for too long. We went through all the standard channels of polite reminders and emailed chasers – all greeted by a wall of indifference from the chinless accounts department. Finally, I went and sat in the company’s reception

Snatching victory

Event professionals face a range of challenges. But what are the qualities of a true “fixer”? Read on, as Matt Storey, partner at The White Storey, talks about creative thinking, the willingness to take a risk, and the tenacity not to give up

and politely told them that I wouldn’t be leaving until the money was in my account. They were totally fazed by my unwelcome presence. This old-school approach terrifies people who even baulk at picking up the phone and starting a conversation – suffice to say, my approach worked.

Is this a generational thing? I’ve noticed a reluctance amongst some Millennials and Gen Zs to stick their heads above the parapet out of fear of being blamed for bad outcomes. Certainly, that’s a forgivable instinct for self-preservation in an uncertain landscape. And yet what seems to have driven me right the way through my working life has been the satisfaction of being responsible for my own decision-making.

I give my team total autonomy to run the business as if it were their own. When presented with a problem, I’ll always say: “What do you think we should do?” As a result, people I work with don’t expect me to sort things out for them. They’ll get it right or they’ll get it wrong, but either way, they’ll learn a valuable lesson.

If this has the ring of alpha male arrogance, I should add that some of the

best fixers I know are women, including members of my own team. What they all have in common is creative thinking, the willingness to take a risk and the tenacity not to give up.

It took a female logistics person to solve the crisis of a truck, heavily delayed and rammed with kit which couldn’t clear the entrance to a venue’s loading bay. The answer? “Why don’t we try letting some air out of the tyres?”

So, are the qualities of the fixer innate? Can they be taught, or are they acquired with age? I’ve discovered the more I fix, the more people will turn to me expecting a magic wand. Someone once said it doesn’t require courage to do amazing things; courage is like a muscle that builds and grows from doing extraordinary things. Maybe it’s just a matter of practice.

All the great achievements in history have been made by extraordinary people who reached beyond their boundaries. There again, perhaps they were just too bloodyminded to accept defeat and had long stopped caring about who ended up with the credit!

There’s a fine judgement call between saying no to a client, with the attendant risk of losing them and causing a major cock-up by promising the undeliverable

MATT STOREY

Event Hire Association

2450 Regents Court, The Crescent, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull, B37 7YE

T: 0121 380 4600

W: www.eha.org.uk

E: membership@eha.org.uk

AV, SOUND & LIGHTING

Event Production Services

The Pack House, Drayton St. Leonard, Oxford, OX10 7BG

E: info@epsoxford.com

T: 01844 278446

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

BRAND ACTIVATION & EXPERIENTIAL

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

Cambridge Event Bars

T: 01223 785401

M: 07837 707057

E: Info@cambridgeeventbars.co.uk

W: www.cambridgeeventbars.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

BUGGY HIRE

Instant Marquees

T: 01840 213063

www.instantmarquees.co.uk

Ace Plant

Blackpit Farm, Silverstone Road, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5LJ

T: 01908 562191

E: hire@aceplant.co.uk

W: www.aceplant.co.uk

Bradshaw Event Vehicles

New Lane, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LW

T: 01780 782621

E: enquiries@eventvehicles.co.uk

W: www.eventvehicles.co.uk

Twitter: @Bradshaw_EV

Electric Wheels Ltd

Units C1 & C2, Neaton Business Park, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6JB

T: 01953 882175

M: 07711 648707

M: 07725 761970

E: info@electricwheelshire.co.uk

W: www.electricwheelshire.co.uk

Event Buggy Hire

T: 0113 393 4100

E: brian@eventbuggyhire.co.uk

W: www.eventbuggyhire.co.uk

Hopkins Machinery

T: 01633 680754

E: hire@hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

W: www.hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

CABINS

Cube Modular Ltd

Unit 1, St. Modwen Park, Norton Road, Broomhall, Worcester, WR5 2QR

T: 01905 955814

E: theteam@cubemodular.co.uk

W: www.cubemodular.co.uk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cubemodular/

Twitter: @CubeModularLtd

Instagram: @cubemodularuk

CAR PARKING

Qdos Event Hire Ltd

Fernside Place, 179 Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0AH

T: 0845 862 0952

E: enquiries@qdoseventhire.co.uk

W: www.qdoseventhire.co.uk

Twitter: @QdosEventHire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Qdos-Event-Hire/

Instagram: @qdoseventhire

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

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

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 Event Services

Unit 7 Broadway Green Farm, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5SU

T: 01276 590325

E: contactus@justeventservices.co.uk

W: www.justeventservices.co.uk

CLEANING & SUPPORT SERVICES

Falcon Cleaning and Support Services Ltd

Specialised Cleaning and Support Services (Nationwide)

31 Oldbury Road, Enfield, EN1 3QN

T: 0208 798 2699

E: events@falconcss.co.uk

W: www.falconcss.co.uk

CREW SERVICES

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

Site and Stage Ltd (SAS)

Festival and Event Crew Nationwide

T: 0207 205 2434

M:07770 521521

W: www.siteandstage.co.uk

DIGITAL PLANNING

Iventis

Think Tank, University of Lincoln, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL

T: 01522 837205

W: www.iventis.co.uk

E: info@iventis.co.uk

Eamon Kerrigan:

E: Eamon.kerrigan@iventis.co.uk

COFFEE BARS

Markey Ltd

39b Park Farm Ind Estate, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9AZ

T: 01763 271110

E: info@markey.co.uk

W: www.markey.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

EVENT ACCOMMODATION

Airstream Facilities Ltd

T: +44 (0) 1885 400223

E: info@airstreamfacilities.com

W: www.airstreamfacilities.com

Bunkabin

Tweedale Way, Oldham, OL9 7LD

T: 0345 456 7899

E: hires@bunkabin.co.uk

W: www.bunkabin.co.uk

Caboose & Co

Unit 1, St. Modwen Park, Norton Road, Broomhall, Worcester, WR5 2QR

T: 01905 955814

E: theteam@cubemodular.co.uk

W: www.cabooseandco.com/

LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/company/caboose&coltd/

Twitter: @CabooseandCo

Instagram: @CoandCaboose

Zoo Events Group Ltd

Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ

T: 01258 840233

E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk

W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

EVENT CONTROL, RADIO & WI-FI SERVICES

Controlled Events

T: 0203 286 6392

Victorious Events

E: info@victoriousevents.co.uk

T: 07869 701 616

W: victoriousevents.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.ethixmanagement.com

Productions Hire Limited

Unit 20, Glebe Farm, Fathinghoe, Brackley, NN13 6DN

W: www.productionhire.com

E: Louise@productionhire.com

T: 01280701117

M: 07566202535

EVENT SAFETY

Blue Yonder Events Ltd

T: 07432 214607

w: www.blueyonder-events.co.uk

Award Winning Results

E: info@controlledevents.com

W: www.controlledevents.com

First class Resilience, Readiness, Communication & Control for incidents or pre-planned events.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

2Can Productions

T: 029 20 100256

E: info@2canproductions.com

W: www.2canproductions.com

Blue Yonder Events Ltd

T: 07432 214607

w: www.blueyonder-events.co.uk

LFX Events

Stockport BIC, Gtr Manchester, SK5 7DL

T: 0161 408 2220

E: enquiries@LFXevents.co.uk

W: www.LFXevents.co.uk

www.controlledevents.com

EVENT STAFF

LFX Safety

Stockport BIC, Gtr Manchester, SK5 7DL

T: 0161 408 2220

E: enquiries@LFXevents.co.uk

W: www.LFXevents.co.uk

Symphotech

Safety. Production. Noise Management  Claire Feeney

T: 0871 711 5264

E: claire@symphotech.co.uk

W: www.symphotech.co.uk

Festivall Services

The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 4FW

E: hello@festivall.services

M: 07547 509 409

T: 01144 055 044

W: www.festivall.services

Moorepeople Event Staffing Agency

1st & 2nd Floor, 169 A High Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4LF

T: 0208 508 0555

E: bettina@moorepeople.co.uk

W: www.moorepeople.co.uk

Sponsored by CTN Exhibitions Limited

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@dwt-exhibitions.co.uk

W: www.dwt-exhibitions.co.uk

Inchmere Event Design Ltd

Swan Close Studios, Swan Close Road, Banbury, OX16 5TE

T: 01295 661000

E: alastair@inchmere.co.uk

W: www.inchmere.co.uk

TCM Trailers Ltd

Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7SE

E: emily@tcmtrailers.co.uk

W: www.tcmtrailers.co.uk

FLAGS

FESTIVAL GAS

Festival Gas

Priors Revel, Church lane, Middleton, Nr Tamworth, B78 2AL

T: 07930 758893

E: simon@festivalgas.co.uk

W: www.festivalgas.co.uk

FIRE COVER

1st Defense Fire & Rescue Services Ltd

Morris Farm, Old Holbrook, Horsham RH12 4TW

T: 01483 200911

F: 01483 200994

E: admin@1stdefensefire.co.uk

W: www.1stdefensefire.co.uk

FLAGPOLE HIRE

Fuchsia Exhibition Services Ltd

13 Oak Park Industrial Estate, Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1XN

T: 01371 644800

E: info@fuchsiaevents.co.uk

W: www.fuchsia-exhibition-services.com

Instant Marquees

T: 01840 213063

www.instantmarquees.co.uk

FLOORING & FLOOR COVERINGS

Coir Store

E: andy@coirstore.co.uk

T: 07884303082

W: www.coirstore.co.uk

CTN Exhibitions Limited

Unit G3A, Halesfield 19, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4QT

E: Sales@ctn-uk.com

T: 00 44 1952 680423

W: www.ctn-uk.com

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

FURNITURE HIRE / SALES

Furniture On The Move

Unit B, Canada warehouse, Chittening industrial estate  Worthy road , Avonmouth, Bristol, BS110YB

T: 0845 459 9875

E: info@furnitureonthemove.co.uk

W: www.furnitureonthemove.co.uk

GBJ Event Hire

Graham Jones

T: Office. +44(0) 207 205 4226

E: hire@gbjeventhire.co.uk

W: www.gbjeventhire.co.uk

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS

BiemmedueUK & Arcotherm

Units 15 & 16, Ecclesbourne Park, Clover Nook Road, Alfreton, DE55 1RF

T: 01773 836999 | E: sales@biemmedueuk.com

W: www.biemmedueuk.com

Cooling and Heating Solutions Ltd

T: 01590 681 434

E: sales@candhs.co.uk

W: www.coolingandheatingsolutions.com

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.spicasolutions.com

INSTALLATION & RECYCLING OF FLOORING

CTN Exhibitions Limited

Unit G3A, Halesfield 19, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4QT

E: Sales@ctn-uk.com

T: 00 44 1952 680423

W: www.ctn-uk.com

LIGHTING

YSLV

London & York

T: 0800 080 3310

E: hire@yslv.co.uk

W: www.yslv.co.uk

Illumin8

Contact details:

Neil - 07710 700759 or Nick - 07593437891

E: sales@illumin8lights.co.uk

W: www.illumin8lights.co.uk

LIGHTING AND VISUAL SPECTACULARS

Essential Supplies UK Ltd

Unit 22, Trevol Business Park, Torpoint, Cornwall, UK, PL11 2TB

t: 01752 817 140

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

Tysers Insurance Brokers

71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS

T:+44 (0)203 037 8000

E: tim.rudland@tysers.com

W: www.tysers.com

MARQUEES

e: sales@essentialsupplies.co.uk

w: essentialsupplies.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/esssupplies/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/essential_supplies/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/3015168/admin/

Twitter: twitter.com/ESSSupplies

LASER & FX

Laser Grafix

Unit 4A Stratton Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire,

SG18 8QS

W: www.lgfx.co.uk

UK office: +44 1767 315948

Dubai office: +971 4887 9808

LED SCREENS

EMF Technology Ltd

Unit 27 Freemantle House, Kingsclere Business Park, Kingsclere, Hants, RG20 4SW

T: 020 8003 3344

E: info@emftechnology.co.uk

W: www.emftechnology.co.uk

Lightmedia Displays

Mobile & Modular LED Screen Hire

T: 0333 600 6000

24 hour response

E: sales@lightmedia.co.uk

W: www.lightmedia.co.uk

Tech AV Ltd

London, Essex, Birmingham

T: 0345 257 9969

E: lee@techav.events

W: www.techav.events

Alternative Stretch Tents

Building 15, Gateway 1000, A1 (M) jct 7, Stevenage, SG1 2FP

T: 01920 830256

E: info@alternative-stretch.co.uk

W: www.alternative-stretch-tents.co.uk

Event In A Tent

The Malthouse Business Centre, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL208HS

T: 01978 661449

E: info@event-in-a-tent.co.uk

W: www.event-in-a-tent.co.uk

Fews Marquees

Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS

T: 01527 821789

W: www.fewsmarquees.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

T: 01840 213063

www.instantmarquees.co.uk

Sponsored by CTN Exhibitions Limited

PLANT HIRE

Marquee Magic 137-139 Nathan Way, London, SE28 0AB

T: 0800 085 1405

E: info@marqueemagic.co.uk

W: www.marqueemagic.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

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@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

Top Cat Big Tops Tents & Marquees Ltd

The Old Stable Yard, Gasworks Ln, Achynlleth, SY20 8BY

T: 01654 700030

E: info@topcatbigtops.co.uk

W: www.topcatbigtops.co.uk

MEDICAL SERVICES

AlfaMed Specialist Emergency Care and Training

T: 07920 851 232

E: ben@alfamedsect.co.uk

W: www.alfamedsect.co.uk

Location Medical Services Ltd

The Medical Centre, Shepperton Studios, Studio Road, Shepperton, Middx, TW17 0QD

T: 0870 750 9898

E: mail@locationmedical.com

W: www.locationmedical.com

First Aid Cover Ltd

T: 020 8875 5758

E: enquiries@firstaidcover.co.uk

W: www.firstaidcover.co.uk

MET Medical Ltd

T: 0203 627 9042

E: info@met-medical.co.uk

W: www.met-medical.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aniseed Event Photography

E: jt@aniseedpr.com

W: www.aniseedphoto.com

Twitter: @aniseedphoto

Instagram: @aniseedeventphotography

Ace Plant Blackpit Farm, Silverstone Road, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5LJ

T: 01908 562191

E: hire@aceplant.co.uk

W: www.aceplant.co.uk

Hopkins Machinery

T: 01633 680754

E: hire@hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

W: www.hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

PORTABLE TOILET HIRE

Four Jays Group

Barling Farm, East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 3DX

T: 01622 843135

E: enquiries@fourjays. co.uk

W: www.fourjays.co.uk

LOOS FOR DOs Ltd

Bakers Court, Forge Road, Kingsley, Hampshire, 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@zooeventsgroup.co.uk

W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

POWER & GENERATORS

CB Potts Electrical

Rose Cottage, Watergore, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5JQ

T: 0780 8049034

E: ben.potts@zen.co.uk

W: www.cbpottselectrical.co.uk

Festival Power Ltd

Unit 5, Parkway Trading Estate, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9PG

W: www.festivalpower.co.uk

Fourth Generation Ltd

220 Cricklewood Lane, London, NW2 2PU

T: 020 8450 2943

M: 07741 052565

E: tweed@fourthgenerationltd.com

W: www.fourthgenerationltd.com

PRINTERS

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

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

Power Events

T: 01277 424800

E: enquiries@powerevents.co.uk

W: www.powerevents.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

Progen Power Ltd

Belvedere House, Pynes Hill, Exeter,Devon, EX2 5WS

T: 0330 165 5720

E: info@progenpower.co.uk

W: www.progenpower.co.uk

Stuart Power Ltd

Stuart House, Hargham Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DT

T: 01953 454540

E: enquiries@stuartgroup.info

W: www.stuartgroup.ltd.uk/power

PRODUCTION AND PROJECT SUPPORT

Smartrad Creative Ltd

5 George Street, Snaith, DN14 9HY smartradcreativeprojects@gmail.com

www.smartrad.org

T: 07711469787

PROJECTION

EMF Technology LTD

Projection Mapping, Water Screens, Flame Effects, Lighting, Mains Distribution

T: 020 8003 3344

E: info@emftechnology.co.uk

W: www.emftechnology.co.uk

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS & CLOTHING

Concept Products Ltd

10 Cary Court, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, TA11 6SB

T: 01458 274020

E: ben@conceptproductsltd.co.uk

W: www.conceptproductsltd.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

DCRS

Edison Road, St.Ives, Cambs, PE27 3LH

T: 0800 043 2688

E: sales@dcrs.co.uk

W: www.dcrs.co.uk

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

UK Flyers Suite 210, Victory House, Somers Road, North Portsmouth, HampshirePO1 1PJ

T: 023 9229 3050

E: sales@ukflyers.com

W: www.ukflyers.com

SEATING

Ace Seating Hire

T: 01832 273353

E: info@aceseating.co.uk

W: www.aceseating.co.uk

SECURITY

McKenzie Arnold Grove House, Faulkbourne, Essex, CM8 1SH

T: 01376 350999

E: martin.jackson@mckenziearnold.com

W: www.mckenziearnold.com

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

Protegimus Security Ltd

Unit 1, Station Terrace,Station Road, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE&$ 2GE

T: 01509 670424

T: 01332 792991 (voicemail)

E: admin@protegimus-security.com

W: www.protegimus-security.com

Provide SESS Ltd

The Courtyard, 87 Southampton Street, Reading, RG1 2QU

T: 01189 875949

E: info@provide-security.com

W: www.provide-security.com

Right Guard Security

Experts in Crowd Management and Event Security

T: 01227 464588

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

STAGING & RIGGING

IPS (Impact Production Services)

29 Mount Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1LS

E: enquiries@ips.co.uk

W: www.ips.co.uk

T: 01908 657950

The Stage Bus

19 Prestwood Road, Birmingham, B29 5EB

T: 0121 585 9264

W: www.thestagebus.com

E: info@thestagebus.com

STEWARDS / MARSHALLS

Road Traffic Solutions

60-64 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7PQ

T: 01724 848 246

E: dan@roadtrafficsolutions.com

W: www.roadtrafficsolutions.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

Event In A Tent

The Malthouse Business Centre, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL208HS

T: 01978 661449

E: info@event-in-a-tent.co.uk

W: www.event-in-a-tent.co.uk

Fews Marquees

Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS

T: 01527 821789

SITE SAFETY

SafeSite Facilities Ltd

Unit 1, Martello Enterprise Centre, Courtwick Lane, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 7PA

T: 0800 114 3228

E: info@safesitefacilities.co.uk

W: www.safesitefacilities.co.uk

Social media platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ safesite-facilities-ltd

Twitter: https://twitter.com/safesitefac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SafeSiteFacilities-Ltd-467996143326191

W: www.fewsmarquees.co.uk

Gigtent UK

Sonas House, Button End Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7NX

E: info@gigtent.co.uk

W: www.gigtent.co.uk

Losberger De Boer

Castle Park, Boundary Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7ES

T: +44 (0)1280 846500

E: sales.uk@losbergerdeboer.com

W: www.deboer.com

Mehler Texnologies UK Ltd. Hollinwood Business Centre

Albert Street, Oldham, Lancs. OL8 3QL

E: info-uk@freudenberg-pm.com

W: www.mehler-texnologies.com

LH Woodhouse

Wolds Farm, The Fosse, Cotgrave, Nottingham, NG12 3HG

Delivering successful events

T: +441159 899 899

E: sales@lhwoodhouse.co.uk

W: www.lhwoodhouse.co.uk

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@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

The Theatre Tent Company

Unit 4 Grimes Close, Birstall, Leicester LE4 3EN

E: sayhello@theatretent.eu

W: www.TheatreTent.co.uk

T: 01162674151

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.worldwidestructures.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

TICKETING

RedBox Events

Balbir House, Norton Green Road,Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2LP

T: 0333 242 7920

W: www.redboxevents.com

TIPIS

Zoo Events Group Ltd

Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ

T: 01258 840233

E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk

W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

TRACKWAY

All Weather Access County Farm, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NQ

T: 01371 700510

M: 07801 751137

E: henry@all-weatheraccess.co.uk

W: www.all-weatheraccess.co.uk

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

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

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

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Right Guard Traffic Management

Event Traffic Management

CSAS Accredited Traffic Officers

Car Parking

Event Signage

T: 01227 464588

E: info@rightguard.co.uk

W: www.rightguard.co.uk

Road Traffic Solutions

60-64 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe,DN15 7PQ

T: 01724 848 246

E: dan@roadtrafficsolutions.com

W: www.roadtrafficsolutions.com

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

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, Peterborough, PE8 6LW

T: 01780 782621

E: enquiries@eventvehicles.co.uk

W: www.eventvehicles.co.uk

Twitter: @Bradshaw_EV

VENUES

The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland

T: 00353 1 856 0000

E: sales@theccd.ie

W: www.theccd.ie

VENUE MAPPING

Iventis

Think Tank, University of Lincoln, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL

T: 01522 837205

W: www.iventis.co.uk

E: info@iventis.co.uk

Eamon Kerrigan:

E: Eamon.kerrigan@iventis.co.uk

Grist Environmental Event Services

Head Office, William Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3EW

T: 01380 735045

E: events@gristenvironmental.com

W: www.gristenvironmental.com

WATER & PLUMBING SERVICES

Liquiline Ltd

Ash Tree House, Tarrant Hinton, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8JA

T: 01258 830324

DRINKING WATER PURE & SIMPLE

E: office@liquiline.co.uk

W: www.liquiline.co.uk

MTD (UK & Ireland) Ltd

Unit 1 Westerngate, Hillmead Enterprise Park, Langley Road, Swindon, SN5 5WN

T: +44 (0)1264 773 818

E: sales.uk@mtd.net

W: www.mtd.net

Wicked Event Water Services

Kevin: 07909 771996

E: info@wickedeventwaterservices.com

W: www.wews.biz

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

RedBox Events

Balbir House, Norton Green Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2LP

T: 0333 242 7920

W: www.redboxevents.com

SimpliWifi

Unit 13, Leominster Enterprise Park, Leominster, Herefordshire, Hr6 0LX

T: 0800 298 9434

E:  hello@simpliwifi.agency

W: https://simpliwifi.agency

Featured in our next issue...

Editor Caroline Clift caroline@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Publication manager

Sarah Bourne sarah@standoutmagazine.co.uk

T: 01795 509113

Sales executive

Holley Wilkinson holley@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Deen Dada deen@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Design and production

Jonathan Graham

Colin Swaffer

Jemma Heslop studio@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Digital and web developer

Matthew Coppard

Credit control

Janine Walmsley creditcontrol@standoutmagazine.co.uk

T: 01795 509113

Publisher Neil Fagg neil@standoutmagazine.co.uk

T: 01795 509101

Managing director

John Denning

StandOut Multimedia Limited, Park Grange, Evegate Business Park, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

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 StandOut 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 StandOut magazine. © 2023. StandOut Multimedia Limited, Park Grange, Evegate Business Park, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX

GET CONNECTED

StandOut talks to communications, event Wi-Fi, and radio experts about best practices, contract wins, new products, and marketplace trends

Image: © Manchester Marathon

KEEP ON RUNNING

StandOut talks to organisers of mass participation events, who reveal the real challenges impacting the sector

JUST THE TICKET

Ticketing experts discuss market challenges and reveal their best practice advice about ticketing strategies and ticketing tech

Need to increase your space to meet current demands?

Looking to be agile and flexible with the ability to react to company or customer needs?

Röder can supply a range of relocatable, semi-permanent, high-quality structures and marquees that can be easily and quickly installed to work around your existing infrastructure.

All structures are available for medium or long-term hire or purchase.

covers

Röder based in the UK can provide nationwide delivery, installation, and support.

+44 (0)1487 840840

sales@roderuk.com

Röde R (UK) Ltd earith Business Park, Meadow drove, earith, Huntingdon Pe28 3QF, United Kingdom

World Ski Biathlon in Germany –30m x 60m two storey solution structure

Bottled water storage complex in Germany – 3 insulated 30m x 100m structureswith HGV docking bays

Life size visitor attraction in Berlin – linked solution structure

Training swimming pool at the London Olympics – 30m x 80m Long Structure

Event structure in Europe25m x 50m with clear PVC