NEWS
COVER STORY
to pull it off and that was whilst we were also producing a monthly magazine. “The second year, working with my right-hand
man, Ric Ashton, who came to the table with lots of ideas which we implemented into W.A.S.T.E’15, contributed to the success of the exhibition. “I believe having a strong, hard-working team has
been invaluable. Kerry Voellner, our current editor, Hilary Mottram, subscriptions manager and Adam Jones, production manager all worked equally hard. None of them had done this type of event before, which made it even more satisfying when we pulled it off. “For the 2015 show, it was important for us to
have an eye on growth, so inviting new people and working with media partners to get the footfall was a key area of concentration for us, whilst developing the strategy and planning for the show. “It’s been full-on, very tiring. It’s a lot of hard work, but
because myself and the team all love what we do – I think that’s been a big help and things came naturally.”
Do you think it will become easier as you’re gaining the experience of hosting a large trade show?
“I think the set-up of organising for next year will come a lot easier. You always learn from your mistakes. I think what is also important is taking the feedback from both exhibitors and the visitors and trying to address these, so we are accommodating. You can’t do everything that everyone says, but what we want to do is make the exhibitors feel that they have had a part in how we’re constructing the show for next year. “The survey we sent out to our exhibitors generated
some overwhelming feedback. After analysing it thoroughly as a team, we will be taking on-board the comments and suggestions and using this moving forward for next year’s exhibition.”
How do you feel W.A.S.T.E differentiates from other waste shows?
“It’s quite niche. That’s why it’s called the Waste and Skip Trade Exhibition, we want all the skip and waste recycling companies to attend the show, because a lot of the exhibitors sell to that area. OK, some of the exhibitors go into markets, such as agricultural, quarrying, construction, but obviously this is a niche magazine into that direct market and that’s what I want the show to be. “I don’t want it to become a massive show with all
sorts of different types of products and services, which aren’t really related to our core audience and
“Fantastic show well organised and well attended by decision makers. BigChange spent wisely when we decided to exhibit at the WASTE 15 show in Manchester. We generated many hot sales opportunities and have already converted a number into orders. We have already signed up for WASTE’16 and look forward to showcasing our latest technologies
to the cream of the waste industry. Martin Port, CEO, Big Change Apps
that’s what I want to make clear – if you’re dealing with
skip and waste companies direct,
then this is the show.” What are your plans for the future?
“Working on 2016. The magazine now goes to all the councils throughout the UK and Ireland, so we will be launching a supplement, which we will be planning over the next couple of months. We’ve already started speaking to a few companies. It will be a supplement that will go out with the magazine to all the councils and private contractors, such as SITA, Biffa, Veolia, etc. and will be direct to them. “Hopefully, this will then generate more
interest in W.A.S.T.E’16 as a lot of the exhibitors deal with councils, so I think it’s quite important we get them on board. “The challenge we have with councils is budget cuts. They find it hard to get out of
the office and justify it. So we’re going to be speaking to some of the heads at the councils and encouraging them to have an appearance. “I would like to increase the
number of exhibitors for 2016, but it has to be well-organised and manageable at the same time.”
Is there anything you would like to say to the exhibitors and visitors?
“There’s lots up the sleeve of Debbie Higham’s arm – all will be revealed. There’s lots of things I want to do. Like with the magazine, it took four years to get it right. Give me four years perfecting W.A.S.T.E and I’ll get there. It can’t be expected after the second year, you’ve got to do it three/four years. It’s about support really. I’d like to say a massive
thank you to all who supported W.A.S.T.E this year. Stay with us. We’re not charging thousands of pounds. We’re keeping it cost-effective and if they stick with me and we become successful – it will be the same for the exhibitor. “Also, a huge thanks to the
sponsors who believed in the vision. It’s been tough, but with their help, the event, overall was a success.”
SHM
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SHM August 2015 Issue 117
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www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk
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