Speedy Hire Live Expo 2024

No. of delegates: 1,560

Location: ACC Liverpool, UK

Event type: Conference, Expo & Awards Dinner

Industry: Construction

Understand:

Having worked with this client before, we already had a strong insight into their audience, their wider strategy, and their ways of working.  However, this was our first time supporting their expo, so we needed to delve deeper into the specific needs of attendees and internal opportunities.

Rising costs posed a risk to the event’s viability, so the focus was on selling out exhibitor stands and exploring other income sources like sponsorships. Therefore, we analysed past and current expo strategies, sponsorship approaches, layout, communications, and venue usage. 

Sustainability was a cornerstone, guided by the client’s ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy and net zero targets. Following our research, we took on a long-term consultative role, collaborating with the marketing team to enhance the expo’s impact and legacy.

 

 

Translate:

The core theme for the event was collaboration. It aimed to strengthen relationships across the client’s ecosystem and align all stakeholders with the long-term strategy.

The event was about engagement, alignment, and community focus, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and networking. The conference served as a platform for the internal team, while the gala dinner strengthened VIP relationships in a relaxed setting.

Plan:

Planning began in early 2023, with regular communications to ensure smooth execution and contingencies. We focused on seamless production, especially AV, for impactful executive presentations. The event championed client values and social responsibility, featuring sessions like ‘Women in Construction’ and a talk by Ricky Hatton on mental health challenges.

To create an event plan that reflected their sustainable values, we established two main strategies to deliver this. Firstly, we would prioritise our client’s commitment to creating an event with as low carbon emissions as possible. Secondly, we would look to promote low carbon solutions across their community and wider audience.

To ensure that this expo delivered maximum value to attendees, and whilst maximising opportunities to create profit for our client, we assessed the existing format and sponsorship package structure, evaluating how we can enhance the experience, increase the opportunities on offer, and maximise the value of the platform for our sponsors.

Deliver:

 The event kicked off with a plenary session, followed by the exhibition featuring 150 stands from key suppliers. We coordinated 11 Speedy Studio sessions, to facilitate our client’s thought leadership around key topics in the industry. These sessions included talks and workshops focused on key elements of our client’s Environmental and Social values.

The first day concluded with a gala dinner for over 1000 attendees, including a supplier awards ceremony. Our AV team ensured impactful messaging across the expo, conference, and dinner.

Charitable elements included a charity raffle raising over £3k and a local food bank collecting surplus food.  As well as fundraising we also arranged for a local food bank to come and collect all surplus lunch items from both days to support the local community.

Measure:

The event successfully engaged attendees and created excitement for future expos. Feedback highlighted excellent atmosphere, diverse products, and well-organised experience. Networking opportunities allowed supply chain engagement at all levels.

Our strong relationship with the client and our innovative approach will guide future event strategies. We aim to elevate revenue generation, audience reach, and engagement, aligning with ISO standards for a net zero event. We’ll reimagine the event’s impact, deepening partnerships with the client, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees.

Testimonial:

Events Manager at Speedy Hire said “Our Speedy Hire Live Expo 24 exceeded all our expectations, seamlessly bringing together our community of supply chain partners, Speedy Hire colleagues and our valued customers, driving significant engagement across all levels. The expertise from First Event turned our ambitious vision into a highly successful reality. The collaborative spirit between their team and the Speedy Hire team turned our biggest annual event into an outstanding success, fostering stronger relationships within our community and driving substantial value for all stakeholders. From the comprehensive planning, budget management to the flawless delivery, First Event’s professionalism and creativity were evident in every aspect of the event. Their efforts ensured an unforgettable experience that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.”