Trade gears up for best show yet

THE YEAR has only just begun and already the channel is gearing up for the biggest event of the season.
The annual Technology Retailer Show (TRS) and Computer Trade Show (CTS) are only four months away, and the 2006 offerings are shaping up to be even bigger and better. The Comms Channel Expo and Office Technology Expo complete the unique four channel package, which is taking place on May 10th and 11th at the NEC, Birmingham.
Last year saw over 8,000 visitors through the door in total to all four events. The 2006 shows will boast around 250 exhibiting companies, including all of the UK’s leading distributors and, of course, PC Retail.
“Now more than ever the market is seeing a huge emphasis on consumer electronics products, peripherals and gaming accessories” commented Michael Blackhurst, event manager for the channel shows. “This is why PC Retail forms an important part of the
events themselves, linking the leading industry publication with the leading industry events.”
Of particular interest to PC Retail readers will be the TRS. Following its successful launch last year, TRS enables visitors to select the right products and partnerships for them, which are vital to the success of technology retailers.
Here’s what some of the 2005 exhibitors had to say:
“For awareness of our products there is no better show in the UK, we will be back next year.”
Darren Jacob, Secure IT
“We at Koch Media were impressed that TRS 2005 proved to be an excellent opportunity for us to communicate our catalogue of top brands to an excellent level of visitors, in an arena that was both professional and energising.”
Jon Bailey, Koch Media
“It was quite a decision for us to come here. But our online PC games have gone down very well and within just 30 minutes of the first day we’ve done two, maybe two and a half, very decent deals. We’re telling retail that we’ll have five products that they can share revenue from by the end of the year, and we’re very happy to have made the trip to Birmingham.”
Max Brown, NCsoft
“Shows like TRS are very important; they are also very rare. “Pinpoint Consumer Electronics has a lot of new ranges to showcase and space where you can demonstrate the products, exhibit ranges and effectively communicate ideas in a professional environment is a huge advantage.”
Heather Leech, Pinpoint Digital
A free comprehensive educational programme will run across all the events in the Reseller Forum. This will play host to commercial strategies from leading independent consultants
to help visitors maximise their business potential. Last year, sessions covered topics such as strategic marketing tools, thriving and surviving in IT markets, plus balancing value and volume. Speakers included representatives from Wright Associates, EuroLAN, VIA International and Canalys. Pre-registration is already available
on the respective websites.