What a year 2022 was, we started getting back to normal or the new version of normal. We are pleased to say that it was a great year for Showcase as the order books grew, as did our team. We created some fantastic international events, but as tempting it is to look back, we think it’s best to look ahead. 2023 is already lining up to be a great year, kicking off with DragconUK.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year so special and we look forward to continuing creating more memorable events in 2023.
A look back
2022 in numbers
2022 saw the events industry getting back to business, albeit in a new format. Digital remained and in-person came back; we created 123 of such events and took 231 orders over the past 12 months. Looking at these numbers, it will come as no surprise that the Showcase team has increased by 55%, with a healthy mix of genders. Say hello to our newest recruit Pete Lee, Project Manager.
A look at us
The highlights of 2022
It’s been a varied and interesting year. The Showcase team reflects on their best bits:
Ben Collings, Founder & MD
Rebuilding the team back to a stronger position than pre-pandemic and delivering Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
James Whisby, Head of Technical & Operations
Building up the project delivery and operations team … in 2023 looking forward to the challenges as we continue to grow and deliver world class events.
Steve James, Operations Manager
Joining a great team at Showcase!
Lowell Cabual, Senior Account Manager
Joining the fantastic team at Showcase and delivering a large event in December in Cannes with 4 weeks notice! Pushing myself out my comfort zone and speaking on a panel and discussing the issues surrounding DEI in the event industry and being featured on the Diversity Alliance channel promoting Honouring Men Month and discussing men’s mental health.
Davina Cox, Project Support
There is nothing more rewarding than the end result. Going to an event seeing people enjoying themselves, seeing everyone connect and share that experience. Knowing that I helped put this together behind the scenes and made it happen, makes all the hard work worth it and that’s why I love working in events.
Dave Harding-Lyle, Strategic Account Director
Being able to see the potential in staff with the ability to move them within the business and to build the team. Seeing both operations and sales growing and collaborating together, delivering world class events – we have a great team.
The look of thanks
A year of event creation
Thanks to all our clients, we have been given some amazing opportunities to create some truly great events in 2022. We are lucky enough to have clients across the globe, long-standing and new, who trust and allow us to push boundaries both technically and creative. We are always looking forward and are constantly monitoring new developments, to ensure we create events of the highest quality. 2023 is set to witness the on-going desire for sustainable events and you can be assured that we will continue to put sustainability at the top of our agenda for next year.
2023 is now only days away, so why not get ahead of the game and get in contact with Dave Harding-Lyle today to discuss your event programme for the New Year. We would love the chance of showing you how we could create a truly memorable event that would harness all the latest breakthroughs for you and your brand.
Looking forward
2023 is shaping up nicely
Insurtech Insights was a 2022 highlight, so much so that we are lined up to create 2023. March will see us creating 96 exhibition booths, the main stage for an audience of around 600, stage furniture, video content creation and project management. We can’t wait to transform all three floors of the London O2 Intercontinental Hotel for this two-day event, which will welcome 5000 visitors, 200 speakers and 1,200 insurtechs.
March might seem a far way off, but events like these take time, so planning ahead pays off. However if you’ve got a last minute event planned for 2023, don’t worry we can usually create something special, just like we did for AMEX Cannes recently.
Liked what we created for you this year, why not talk to us about next year’s?
Looking after
Sustainable events
Sustainability is now a permanent fixture on our clients’ wish list and quite rightly so. We take a 360° approach, considering transport, logistics, the materials we use and how we could reuse them.
HOMES UK an event we recently created is a case in point, we used materials such as natural FSC procured timber, cork sheeting and recyclable prints & materials and designed a scheme for each space where it could be reused over two shows in 2023. We achieved this by utilising the digital screens for sponsorship opportunities rather than the usual graphic walling, this meant it would not be date-lined or event specific. To further enhance our commitment to sustainability we also covered the additional cost directly with our trucking partner to convert all haulage for the event to HVO palm oil-free bio-fuel thus reducing their carbon footprint. We also planted 100 trees against the manufacturing elements of the design to offset what was made using natural timber products.
As a company, we are also looking at our own sustainability, having recently created our own charter, which includes our partnerships with CleanHub and ecolbrium, two organisations that are passionate about helping companies reduce their plastic and carbon footprint.
Looking glam
Starting 2023 with a bang
January sees the party just getting started as we dive headlong into DragconUk at ExCeL – the second time we’ve unleashed our inner creative diva.
Here’s what we are creating for the queens:
- Main stage with LED screen
- Velvet curtains for backdrops
- Haze / lighting / effects
- Line array sound system
- Truss and draping
- Four stage builds – main stage, VIP viewing platform, accessible viewing platform, raised DJ booth for RuPaul
- Merch Booth design and build
- Large scale print for stage branding
- Technical production / project management
- Furniture for VIP spaces and RuPaul’s office
We can’t wait to get started and push our limits, as we never forget that this is not RuPaul’s best friends race. As Ru would say “The Library is open”, as are we to your ideas for your next event, so get in touch.
