A resounding success
April 1st 2007

The first of Western Business Exhibitions' new regional conferences/exhibitions took place at Sandown Park in Surrey on 20th and 21st February to wide acclaim from both visitors and exhibitors alike Opening the event, Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the HSE explained the over-riding reason for his involvement: "To raise the profile of health and safety and highlight its importance, both as the cornerstone of a civilised society and an essential part of any business." Tim Else, director of Western Business Exhibitions, comments "We were overwhelmed by the positive response from all those involved with this first Health & Safety 07 – it indicates that we have hit upon a real need in the industry." Regional focus Western Business Exhibitions opted for a regional format for its new exhibition and seminar programme to enable those responsible for the health and safety of their workforce to access the very best products and services locally, while keeping abreast of industry developments in the easiest, most time-efficient way possible.
Exhibitors were enthusiastic about the event. Peter Swann, SBES comments "For a first show this has been remarkable. It has successfully attracted local people – 95% of the visitors we spoke to came from the South: London, Sussex, Kent and Surrey. The industry has needed a southern-based show – and here it is!" Gary O'Hara, sales executive Industrial Products, BROEN, adds "National exhibitions have been a huge let down for us in the past so we wanted to change our approach and attend the regional events at both Sandown and Bolton.
The strategy worked for us with good quality enquiries obtained over the two days at Sandown. We now look forward to the exhibition at Bolton in October." Just short of 1000 visitors attended the two days and, as Ian Fox, major accounts manager for Crown Lift Trucks, remarks
"For a first exhibition we were surprised both at the level of interest it attracted and also the level of seniority of the visitors - exactly the people we want to reach."
Successful seminar programme A key reason for the high level of attendance by senior personnel was the comprehensive seminar programme which, at Sandown Park, was hosted by the London Metropolitan branch of IOSH, with separate seminars hosted by overall sponsor, DuPont and event partners, Aearo, Ansell, Principal People and Gore.
The subjects covered proved exceptionally popular and many sessions were heavily over-subscribed, including 'Control of Contractors', 'Industrial Accident Investigation', and 'The Philosophy of Safety'. This interest emphasises the importance now attached to extending knowledge of health and safety issues.
Trevor Jones, chairman of the London Metropolitan branch of IOSH says "We were delighted as, firstly, it gave our members the opportunity to attend sessions of a topical and informative nature and, secondly, to be able to network with other like-minded persons and suppliers of PPE." The second Health & Safety 07 takes place at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on 10th and 11th October and, emphasising his satisfaction with the Sandown Park event, Trevor Jones says "I would recommend everybody who has a role or responsibility for health and safety at work to attend this event."

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