You said....
"We need a free bag to hold all the information and literature we collect as we walk around the exhibition area because there is too much to carry"
We Have....
Considered this idea again, as we used to provide plastic carrier bags at all our events. However, we have been increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of our actions, given that we hand out thousands each year.The good news is that we have now found a supplier who can supply us with environmentally-friendly products at a very reasonable price, so we will be using these for all future events. The bags themselves are made from 70% factory recycled polythene and degradable material and will reduce down over a much shorter period of time, thus reducing the impact we have on the environment. Look out for our 'business advice day' pens made from recycled car parts - bumpers and dashboards we believe - at events, too.
You said....
"it was difficult to find your way around the exhibition and there was no-one to ask for help."
We Have....
We have: purchased a dedicated stand which is sited at the entrance to all our events and is clearly labelled ‘Help Desk’ for the benefit of future visitors. From here we can welcome everyone and point them in the right direction for either the main exhibition area or the seminar room they are due to attend. We have also introduced a system where our event ushers are clearly distinguishable by the buttonholes on their lapel. We used to use name badges but as most people adopted this practice we needed a new idea. The flowers help to highlight members of the organising team who you can approach for help.
You said....
"why can’t you provide free teas and coffees for visitors during the day?"
We Have....
tried to act on this suggestion but I’m afraid cost is an important part of our decision not to adopt this idea. At most venues, catering is provided by an external supplier and whilst we try to negotiate better rates for all our visitors we cannot secure large reductions in price. If we were to pay for all refreshments taken over the course of a typical day the cost would run into thousands of pounds. We don’t feel that is the best use of either our partners’ or taxpayers’ money so we have no plans to introduce this in the near future.
You said....
"why can’t the Open Day take place in the evening so I can call in after work?"
We Have....
received this request several times when we ask what else we can do to improve the events. As a result, we have tried organising specific Open Days which extended into the evenings, particularly to cater for one-man businesses where there was no-one to cover during the day. For a variety of reasons, however, it didn’t work. No-one turned up at all. A number of reasons were put forward for this but having varied the times, seminars on offer and topics covered there has been little take-up. Our best attendances are usually during the morning so, instead, we are bringing forward the opening time of events for those who prefer to visit before they reach their workplace.
You said....
"I want to attend more than one seminar in the same time slot. Why can’t you repeat the seminar programme?"
We Have....
listened and where space at the venue allows, we now repeat the most popular seminars in the morning and afternoon to allow more people to attend them
You said....
"it’s difficult to know where I have to go because the seminars are spread out around the venue"
We Have....
introduced a colour-coded arrow scheme to help you find your way around. The full list of seminars taking place is printed in the event brochure and we have high lighted the relevant room name and colour reference to make it easier to find. The arrows are fixed around the main routes between the exhibition area, reception desk and seminar rooms so there is always an indicator showing the right way to go.