Visitors and Exhibitors at the 2012 Specialist Media Show loved the new high-tech setting of ThinkTank, Birmingham's science museum, with the Planetarium and the Robots in the Futures Gallery.
But as we all know, it's mostly about the content, and from the comments below, seems like we have hit the mark for niche publishers, and delivered a highly targeted audience for exhibitors and sponsors. Certainly the group above seemed to be having far too much fun...
What visitors say...
"Carolyn Just wanted to say a big thank you for putting together and running the Specialist Media Show. As always I get one or two ideas that I know will make a difference to our business."
Sean O Driscoll, MD, David Hall Publications.
"Any publisher who wants to navigate the choppy water that divides print and digital publishing must pay attention to what is said at the Specialist Media Show. Carolyn is meticulous in selecting speakers who have been there and done it, and who are willing to share the details of their experience, warts and all. It's a really valuable day"
Miles Galliford, COO, Subhub
"I really enjoyed it. So well organised and interesting. Best one for me this year!"
Rebekah Billingsley, Publishing Director, Immediate Media
“The team at Blaze Publishing found the workshops at the Specialist Media Show really thought-provoking – we’ve included ideas from them in our editorial planning meetings already.”
Wes Stanton, MD, Blaze Publishing
" I thought the conference was excellent. If I have one decent idea to take back then I’m pleased, for the conference last week I gained about 10 ideas!"
Peter Watkinson, Business Development, KHL group
"Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the conference last week. The whole day including presentations, round tables and networking was genuinely stimulating. Both of us who attended from Centaur Special Interest Media came away with loads of stimulating ideas and renewed energy and enthusiasm. How great to spend a day in ideas mode for a change! "
Peter Harris, MD Centaur Specialist Media
What Exhibitors say...
"For us, this years show was a belter. It delivers a totally focussed and targeted audience eager to find new ways of making their magazines more profitable and accessible to wider audiences. Everyone who came to our stand was exactly the type of person we're trying to reach, and we also met quite a few of our existing clients for the first time too."
Andrew Petherick, Video Builder
"We felt this year's show would be the ideal platform for us to unveil our new software platform and we were delighted with the results - running a workshop gave us an ideal opportunity to engage with niche players across the publishing spectrum. It's a very well targeted and organised event, and set in a friendly, interesting, relaxed environment. At the end of the day we came away with big smiles on our faces and some excellent leads. Highly recommended. "
John Parnell, Marketing Director, Webpuzzle.
"The event was extremely well organised. All the support staff were very helpful and friendly. Visitors were engaged and had genuine needs for help, support and guidance, making for some useful and constructive meetings and resulting in real opportunities for further discussions. The programme was focused on attendees needs and the pre-show marketing opportunities were the best I have ever come across. Very well done to the whole team and most probably see you again next year."
Jan Kolasinski, Development Director, Bluetel
"The Specialist Media Show was a fantastic event for Propeller Mobile. Carolyn and her team did a brilliant job before and during the show to make sure delegates knew who we were, and as a result our stand was always busy with people interested to find out more about mobile apps, and in particular our event app that was being showcased at the event. Our workshop proved to be a real success with a good audience in attendance. The conference content was first class, attracting an informed as well as inquisitive audience, and we are confident that we will be able to convert the leads we got from the show into new business."
Martin Loat, CEO, Propeller
“The Specialist Media Show is an event we’ve always enjoyed as a company but 2012 in Birmingham stood out as the best ever. The publishers in attendance came from a broad background ranging from specialist B2B business magazines up to the largest commercial printers. The venue was both innovative and accessible, underlining the core component of many specialist titles. The Planetarium, as a presentation platform, exceeded my expectations – overall the Specialist Media Show 2012 was an extremely positive experience for PageSuite – I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2013!”
Chris Took, Sales Director, PageSuite
"Thanks Carolyn & team for a great day yesterday. Meet, share, learn & profit? Think we managed to tick all those boxes. Made some very promising connections. Already looking forward to next year."
Stewart O Brien, Adestra
To download copies of the workshop presentations, join the Specialist Media Network (it's free!) and you'll find them on the members pages under "workshops"
