RICOH ARENA FINALIST IN NATIONAL EXHIBITION AWARD

AIMING FOR BACK TO BACK WINS!

The versatile Ricoh Arena is going for a back-to-back win at a prestigious awards ceremony having been shortlisted as one of the UK’s leading exhibition venues.

The Exhibition News Awards 2015 reward the best events, venues, suppliers and individuals working in the exhibition industry across the UK.

Twenty-three nominated categories will be announced at the ninth gala dinner and awards on Friday, April 10 which is expected to attract a 900-strong audience.

The Ricoh Arena has been shortlisted in the Best Venue over 10,000 sqm category alongside Alexandra Palace, Business Design Centre, EventCity, ExCeL London, Harrogate International Centre, the NEC, The International Centre Telford and Olympia London.

It comes a year after the Ricoh Arena’s head of sales, Angela Perkins, won the Best Venue Salesperson at the Exhibition News Awards 2014.

Liz Cooper, marketing director at the Ricoh Arena, said the venue was constantly proving its versatility by attracting a wide range of events from first-time shows to exhibitions which return annually.

“The judges selected their finalists from hundreds of entries and we are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the Best Venue over 10,000 sqm category for exhibitions in the UK,” she said.

“Our exhibitions range in sector and size. Multiplay, who organise the UK’s largest gaming festival, highlighted the flexibility of our venue during its three exhibitions in April, August and November in 2014.

“Moving to the Ricoh Arena allowed Multiplay to extend its show with tens of thousands of gamers travelling from across the world.

“Trade Only returned for the eighth time last year and the exhibition for the UK’s biggest show for promotional products and corporate clothing took over the entire 20,000 sqm of exhibition space.

“At Kidz in the Middle, access is a priority since the exhibition is dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and special needs, their families and professionals who work with them.

“We are constantly looking to develop our facilities and access to the Jaguar Exhibition Hall has been improved for exhibitors by investing £100,000 to create better access and an additional holding area.

“We have stepped up our social media and overall marketing activity to improve the experience for organisers, exhibitors and visitors, engaging all in the build-up, during and post-exhibition.

“Exhibitions are a massively important part of our business and it’s great for us to share this news in the industry as we want to ensure that when an event organiser thinks about placing an exhibition in the Midlands that the Ricoh Arena is at the forefront of their minds.

“Our event planners work closely with each exhibition organiser to become part of their team and this approach is valued by our clients.

“We are looking forward to attending the Exhibition News Awards which are widely recognised as one of the industry's highest accolades.”