A brand new App for exhibitions - developed by the UK's largest
exhibition venue The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and software
experts Black Pepper - is being launched at BBC Gardeners' World
Live and BBC Good Food Show Summer, 15-19 June.
Haymarket, organisers of BBC Gardeners' World Live and BBC Good
Food Show summer, is the first NEC client to embrace this new
interactive show guide that's initially available on iPhone and
iPad, where visitors can navigate and source the latest exhibition
information. At the same time, it provides invaluable 'live'
intelligence and communication channels for organisers and
exhibitors, enabling them to interact more efficiently.
Sue Horrigan, Account Director at The NEC said: "The App means
visitors will literally have a live event guide in their pocket
that gives real time data of what they are looking at and where
they are going."
Rachel Poletti-Gadd, Divisional Director, Haymarket Exhibitions
said: "There's so much to take in across both shows that we wanted
to make sure that our visitors didn't miss out on the things they
wanted to see; be it their favourite chef, a live demonstration or
a specific exhibitor. With all the event information at their
fingertips, visitors can now really make the most of the show.
"We're also aware how important it is to keep up-to-date with
the digital audience and we're really excited to see how this App
will transform the customer experience."
The App, which will initially be free to smartphone users, gives
visitors to The NEC's diverse 620 acre site a range of useful
information and services - they'll be able to use the App to:
navigate from the moment they arrive - from the railway station,
airport or car park through to the halls and exhibition stands;
plan their visit; view an on screen layout guide; read exhibitors
information and access live show updates on the move.
Sue added: "We are continually looking at ways to further engage
with our customers. This App offers organisers and exhibitors
unrivalled insight into their visitors' behaviours and movements,
allowing them to connect with their visitors and respond to
their needs before, during and after the show, while communicating
their brands more effectively.
"Following the launch at BBC Gardeners' World Live and BBC Good
Food Show we plan to take the App out to other organisers and look
forward to introducing the benefits of this new technology to
visitors and exhibitors across the wide variety of shows at The
NEC."
The App is powered by Companion, software developed by
Leamington Spa based technology company Black Pepper. It has been
developed on the same robust enterprise IT frameworks that were
used, for example, to create the Thomas Cook Foreign Exchange
mobile platform. Following the launch at BBC Gardeners' World Live
and BBC Good Food Show Summer, the App will be available for
widespread adoption by exhibition organisers.
Adam Wright, Head of Solutions at Black Pepper said: "Companion
offers great benefits for everyone involved in events in the
smartphone age and will enable the exhibition community to manage
the interaction in a way that will improve service and generate
additional revenue.
"The Application heralds a new era of exhibition management
based on live understanding and interaction with participants'
behaviours and interests."