Miles Bossom, Managing Director of event organisor Miles Publishing commented "To say that we are pleased with how this year's event has gone is an understatement, we are chuffed to bits. Whilst I am awaiting confirmation of the final footfall I know that it is over 20% up year on year and I will release the final figure in the next few days after all the deduping has been concluded".
Continuing Bossom said "We worked extremely hard to attract the right audience to our event with significant investment in our marketing campaigns. We know the Channel would support that Miles Publishing is now THE event organiser for the Channel delivering a substantial quality audience where other events have failed".
Kay Tobin, Director of exhibitor Triline stated “The Convergence Summits have definitely established themselves as the trade shows of the channel year. As last years shows proved such a successful launch pad for our TIM Enterprise product, we chose this years Manchester show to release our fully-integrated TIM Talk recording module and are delighted to say that we could not have chosen a better event. There was a definite buzz for the whole two days and we were delighted with the response to our products. We have signed up again for next year”.
During the after show party Paul Johnson, Event Director announced that in 2009 the Summit North will move to the purpose built Exchange Hall at Manchester Central (formerly GMEX) to accommodate the increasing number of exhibitors wishing to participate in the Channel’s only northern based Expo.
“We have moved our dates forward to 17th & 18th March so that we avoid other Comms related shows making it easier for our visitors and exhibitors to attend. Manchester Central is the premier venue in the North of England and provides us with the perfect home for our Summit North. By moving the event we are also now able to host a gala dinner which will take place at The Hilton Deansgate and which we are already planning – the northern resellers will be given a real treat!”
Johnson “The announcement about the new venue and development of the show was really well received, we have already confirmed Nimans as main sponsor in 2009 and 25% of the stand space has already been committed!”
Vince Leahy of Trust Distribution said of the announcement "This is great news, Manchester Central is a great venue and the dinner will add something really special to the event, I am already looking forward to next year".
To read the full review of the show look out for the June edition of Comms Business.