Trade Only announce investment into awards, education and show

Trade Only, the leading provider of technology and information solutions for the promotional product industry, and the organiser of events including the internationally respected Trade Only National Show, Spring Shows and APG Roadshows, has announced further enhancements and investment into the visitor experience for all delegates in 2016.

Vicky Robinson, Managing Director of Trade Only UK commented: “With the rebrand of our TONS event to the Promotional Products Expo (“PPE”) for 2016, we have taken the chance to review every element of the event, visitor experience and seminar program. We are heading into the 10th year of the show and we continue to listen and act on feedback, a strategy that has made the show the ‘Industry Event’ for 5,000 delegates each year.”

Along with the rebranding, Trade Only are delighted to announce the creation of the first Industry Awards program open to every distributor and supplier in the UK. The awards, which will include Distributor of the Year and Supplier and Account Manager of the Year, will be allocated based on detailed and properly weighted data points alongside survey results from both distributors and suppliers. Awards data and voting will be audited and verified before being announced on the night by an independent resource.

Liz Allen, Group Marketing Director for Trade Only said: “The January show and dinner are looked forward to by so many people that either work in or supply the UK print and promotional industry, so it’s exciting for us to be able to deliver innovation and a fresh new approach to both the awards banquet and the kick off to the New Year. The adoption of voting best practices will undoubtedly add some unpredictability to the results, with winners earning one of the highest accolades in the industry.”

The Promotional Product Expo Gala and Awards Dinner will take place on 20th January 2016 and tickets will be limited to just 700 overall as required by the new format. Tickets will go on general sale in April 2015.

Education and learning opportunities are also set for a major upgrade with enhancements to the format and content. A limited capacity ‘Lunch and Learn’ event will be launched on day one of the show, with five internationally acclaimed high energy presenters delivering 10 minutes each of hints, tips and ideas that are guaranteed to deliver results.

The investment in the brand, education, dinner and awards continues with the planned appointment of a Managing Director to head the Exhibition activities of the Group. Vicky Robinson explained: “The importance of the PPE show and gala is well understood by our industry, and it is appropriate that we add a highly professional senior level resource to manage the growth of the event and ensure we exceed expectations on all of our initiatives.” Interested applicants should contact vicky.robinson@tradeonly.com.

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