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VOS Media – the organiser behind the London Bike Show – has revealed a number of changes ahead of next year’s show.
Following Telegraph Media Group’s purchase of the majority stake in VOS, the company’s The Outdoors Show and The Active Travel Show are being combined and renamed as The Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show.
There’s a (previously announced) change of date too, from its former January slot to February 13th to 16th 2014. That move came about following consultation with The Telegraph post purchase, as well as discussions with key exhibitor and partners, we’re told.
According to VOS, the date change alleviates the post-Christmas ‘rush’ exhibitors have had to contend with. It also "allows exhibitors and sponsors more time at the start of the year to plan for the show, and the show now falls over the half term holiday break and so the event’s ideally timed to reach a larger family audience. Also, a number of visitors will have received a pay slip following Christmas (generally an expensive period)."
The move also means other shows will run alongside the London Bike Show and The Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show – namely the MCN Motorcycle Show and "two other highly relevant consumer events, to be announced shortly" also at ExCeL.
VOS said the collaboration will being a whole new audience of apprximately 50,000 additional visitors geared to the adventure/travel market.
Exhibitor rates have been reduced by 25 per cent, the organiser added.
“Bringing the two shows together makes perfect sense and the repositioning of the shows will benefit everyone involved," said Geraldine Reeve, VOS Media’s group show director. "We feel the new name and brand we have created reflects the show’s offering and we’re extremely confident of seeing an improved show in 2014 as a result.
“The Telegraph’s support is a huge boost and it will undoubtedly broaden the show’s marketing reach and attract new visitors, and bring new content to the event. In addition, we will continue to work with a number of partners who are key in attracting different audiences to the event which are essential to the wide range of exhibitors we attract.
“A number of potential exhibitors weren’t able to attend the show due to the January dateline and we believe the new February dates will appeal more to exhibitors and sponsors.
“We’re excited about the future of the show and we look forward to welcoming a number of new exhibitors and visitors to the show in 2014 as a direct result of these changes."
