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SPN JUN 2012 Pool&SpaIndustry
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
SPATEX 2013 AIMS TO BUILD ON TEAMWORK
Teamwork, technical expertise, industry re- investment, innovations, proven success, longevity and more will go to sum up next February’s SPATEX trade show
T
eamwork is key to making next year’s show a success and while the weather again deterred visitors from making the trip to SPATEX 2012, many did and feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been extremely positive.
One huge advantage for SPATEX is that it has so many experts gathered under one roof. Technical expertise is vital to all involved in the wet leisure industry and one of the most popular attractions are the workshops run in conjunction with SPATEX by the ISPE (Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers).
Ross Allcock, General Secretary of the respected ISPE is a longstanding, pro-active supporter of SPATEX. Talk2PR, the company in charge of PR for the event, spoke to him about the workshops and how they have developed into such an attraction.
ISPE HAS A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH SPATEX. HOW WAS THIS RELATIONSHIP FORGED?
SPATEX and ISPE have an excellent relationship which has been in existence for many years. The Institute, with its role in education and training, was the natural choice when SPATEX was launched. SPATEX approached the Institute, and the arrangement was in place for the second exhibition, SPATEX 98.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE MUTUAL BENEFITS FOR ISPE AND SPATEX? I think the arrangement benefits the whole industry. The technical programme is an add-on to the visitor and exhibitor package. The whole point is it acts as an additional benefit, to run alongside the exhibition. Visitors can come and
go as they please, selecting subjects of interest. For the technical programme, the Institute calls on the expertise of its membership of around 850 individuals, all involved in the industry. SPATEX has channelled a vast sum of money (over £1 million) from its profits into the industry, and a number of organisations, including SPATA, PIP, BISHTA and the ISPE have benefitted greatly. I remember John Asher FISPE, back in about 1998, introducing a speaker. He said to the audience, “If you have a question, stick your hand up and if we don’t know the answer here, we’ll find someone around the show who does.” That has always stuck in my mind and is so true. There is not a question that can be asked, that an answer cannot be found to, when you are at SPATEX, such is the collective level of knowledge.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 2012 WORKSHOPS?
There were 341 in total. This was despite the poor weather on Sunday and takes into account the attendance for the workshops on the third day of the 2012 show was around 60% up on the previous year.
CAN YOU SUM UP WHAT ATTENDEES OF THE WORKSHOPS TAKE AWAY WITH THEM?
Many sessions are 20 minutes’ duration so there is a limit to what can be covered. From the presenters’ point of view they are making new contacts and whilst the subjects are of a generic, non-product-specific nature, speakers are welcome to encourage delegates to visit their stand to find out more about a particular subject. One thing that many delegates took with them from SPATEX 2012 was an attendance certificate but the level of
“If you have a question, stick your hand up and if we don’t know the answer here, we’ll find someone around the show who does”
interest and take-up was incredible, and over 200 certificates were requested.
DOES THE RUNNING OF THE ISPE WORKSHOPS GENERATE NEW MEMBERS FOR THE ISPE?
In many cases a workshop presentation acts as an introduction to the subject in question but the whole programme can introduce a visitor to the Institute and the industry. Quite often a visitor will speak to us on the Institute stand having been to the workshops and this has certainly led to a number joining the Institute.
IS IT TOO SOON TO ASK ABOUT PLANS FOR THE 2013 WORKSHOPS? We try to come up with something new, topical and interesting each year. We back this with some ‘old favourites’. It is important to feature an element of some similar subjects because there are new people coming into the pool trade and new visitors to SPATEX every year. I don’t think I am giving away too many secrets when I say we will be looking to feature ways in which the trade can save water, energy and money, in a number of areas, and we will be presenting a number of sessions specifically aimed at those involved with commercial leisure facilities. spn
SPATEX organisers stress they value comments and suggestions from visitors and want to hear from anyone keen to support the only wet leisure exhibition run to provide funds for the promotion of the UK pool and spa industry.
Information about exhibiting at the show may be found at
www.spatex.co.uk or by contacting Helen at the SPATEX office (
info@spatex.co.uk) or telephone 01264 358558.
To have your say – contact Talk2PR: Penny –
penny@talk2pr.co.uk or Karen –
karen@talk2pr.co.uk
Ross Allcock, ISPE General Secretary
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