Best exhibition for small businesses and startups?

[Parcelhub]

As above, can anyone recommend a good exhibition to reach out to the UK small business / start-up community? Thanks

 

[Simply Business]

Amongst others, this was really good last time around http://www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk/

 

[Parcelhub]

Looks like we made the right decision then, thanks

 

[MOIC]

Amongst others, this was really good last time around http://www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk/

Good, from the point of view of exhibitors or customers?

I know some companies who exhibited and would be interested to know if it generated enquiries, sales or mainly lookers and whether they will do the same show again based on the first time experience.

 

[Simply Business]

As an exhibitor, although the feedback we received from attendees on the day was all very positive @MY OFFICE IN CHINA

 

[MOIC]

Has it generated actual sales yet?

Was it cost effective? (I know that's difficult to quantify)

Will you do it again?

 

[Simply Business]

It was invaluable in the sense that we had the opportunity to meet a lot of small business owners and indeed our own customers - something we very rarely get to do!

We certainly will do it again Have you attended/exhibited there at all?

 

[flomigo]

We was at the same show * as visitors * and we actually manage to create a great deal of value from the show, The networking was very helpful and actually met our investor at the show.

So can be really helpful, but from what ive experienced if you want to make straight up sales its very hard to convert the " interest " to something useful.

 

[MOIC]

It was invaluable in the sense that we had the opportunity to meet a lot of small business owners and indeed our own customers - something we very rarely get to do!

We certainly will do it again Have you attended/exhibited there at all?

No, I am based in China at the moment.

I used to do the NEC Spring & Autumn fairs, plus Top Drawer Over 10 years ago.

I find that many UK trade fairs are very stale and do not provide the "busier businesses" with a great deal of innovative products.

For new products, you need to travel out of the UK and perhaps out if Europe.

For the small business, I think that the fair at Excel was informative, from feedback I have had from the participants I know.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

We find it very hard to take the time out to visit trade shows and now cut it down to one major one and only every two years as nothing really changes that much

I guess many small companies would like to visit shows but just don't have the time available unless on their doorstep

Also shows are very expensive not just stall costs but display, parking, hotels etc all adds up to a sizable cost and a 3 x 3 stall most people just walk by

 

[HazelC]

I'd recommend Chamber of Commerce events - they're great and attract exactly those businesses to their events... but it depends if you're looking for local businesses really.

 

[RPower]

What about www.thepitch.uk? It's a small business competition we run.

Even if you're not shortlisted, you can still come to the live event in November; it's a great way to network and meet with not only small businesses but investors.

We've also been to the Business Show recently which was great. Local networking events are also a good call - the Young Entrepreneurs Network is obviously good for the younger crowd but there are always equivalents. Let us know what you find

 

[Parcelhub]

Thanks all, some good recommendations.