The fifth Gadget Show Live pulled in 79,775 attendees last
week, leading Upper Street Events to hail the show, held at Birmingham’s
National Exhibition Centre (NEC), a major success.
Gadget Show Live took place across six halls at the NEC last
week (2-7 April 2013). 241 companies exhibited over the six days – one trade
and five public. VIP packages and Saturday and Sunday tickets sold out in
advance.
“Our fifth Gadget Show Live has been a fantastic success for
both exhibitors and visitors,” commented Sally Bent, event manager. “We’re
thrilled with visitor figures, which were exactly on target following our
decision to limit daily numbers to improve visitors’ experience and overall enjoyment
of the show. The best news is that this had no impact on retailing, which
remained high for our exhibitors.”
As part of the show returning
features were refreshed and as popular as ever, with crowds flocking to see
video games stars Ali-A and KSI on the Game Zone Stage. Sessions in The HUB,
Showcase Stage, Toy Arena and Photographic Stage were jam-packed.
The products featured in the
Future Tech Zone were a massive draw to visitors and media – the demonstrations
of the Jetovator and Flyboard on the NEC lake proved hugely popular.
The Super Theatre, featuring
Gadget Show presenters Jason Bradbury, Pollyanna Woodward and Jon Bentley, was
as busy as ever with the majority of sessions selling out. The new
Gadget Show presenter – Rachel Riley – made her debut on the Super Theatre
stage on Saturday.
Consumers also flocked to the show’s new features:
Battlefield Live and the Toy Arena.
Battlefield Live posted a message on Facebook straight after
the show: “Thank you to everyone who visited and played on the Battlefield Live
and Kids Laser Tag attraction – we really enjoyed entertaining you all.”
Hosted by Toylogy.tv’s Peter Jenkinson, the Toy Arena
allowed 4,000 children to get hands on with a wide range of toys.
Bhav Patel of the show’
exclusive toy retailer ToyGalaxy, said: “What an amazing show, sales
were way above expectations and we were able to build our brand, too.
Simon Pilkington, managing director for new exhibitor John
Adams, commented: “Launching HolograFX at Gadget Show Live has projected
the company into the growing entertainment toy sector, by embracing new
technologies and opening new doors at retail in this developing market.
We have already signed up for Gadget Show Live Christmas in London.”