Exhibitor newsletter - March 2010
Newsletter #5 11.3.2010
We'd like to start this month's letter by addressing the latest editorial in CFJ magazine relating to National Floor Show. Unfortunately, and not for the first time, an article has been printed in the March issue that we feel is very unfair towards the show.
We have written a letter to CFJ expressing our disappointment and specifically highlighting a number of inaccuracies printed in recent months - so we welcome the opportunity to set the record straight. The letter is below.
Hopefully the industry will respect our right to reply to these types of articles, which we feel are both biased and extremely unfair. We'd like to draw a line under these unfortunate events. It is our intention to create a fantastic flooring event in Birmingham and with the show growing by the week and more features being added, we continue to put together a National Floor Show the industry can be proud of.
With reference to your past few issues of CFJ, UBM Live would like the right to address specific accusations you have made that are unfair, biased and even entirely false. We have tried to work with you to ensure that the industry is kept well informed of our movements, but it seems our efforts have been in vain. So we'd like to put the record straight...
Over the past few months, your publication has been blatantly biased in favour of Harrogate Flooring Show, which we would like to add was launched against National Floor Show in September.
We respect the decision of certain flooring companies to exhibit in Harrogate, just as we do the decision of others to move with the show, but surely the role of an industry publication is to print an unbiased and objective view, just as all of the other flooring publications have done so consistently and fairly since September. Your editorial has not kept to these standard journalistic guidelines.
UBM Live enjoyed a good relationship with CFJ until September of last year - when your coverage turned sour. You have turned press releases that National Floor Show had provided in good faith into negative stories.
One example is within your December issue. Let us set the record straight: we have NEVER, nor would we ever make a personal attack on David Wildman. As a company we respect David greatly, and worked with him very amicably for several years on National Floor Show, and still have a good relationship with him.
Anyone reading your March issue, or previous issues for that matter, would surely recognise the bias you hold against National Floor Show. Lines such as "UBM is reportedly now being strongly urged to move National Floor Show to run alongside its successful Interiors Show" are pure speculation. Where is your source? This is the first we have heard of this.
Your December issue cites a "bogus Harrogate website". We acquired the rights to the names of several websites upon announcement of the show's move. As National Floor Show was often referred to as Harrogate Floor Show, we wanted to let our customers know that the show they had been attending for a number of years had moved to the NEC. It was never our intention to set up a "bogus website" - it is standard business practice for any professional event organiser to buy names that are associated with our events.
We have tried to be totally transparent and honest with regards to the show's move from the outset and have always had the best interests of the flooring industry at heart, which anybody that has met us and listened to our business case will realise. We are committed to ensuring the long term future of National Floor Show and plan to put on a national event the industry can be proud of.
We are very saddened and disappointed that your view of UBM Live and National Floor Show now seems so consistently bitter, despite us visiting your offices in November in an attempt to work with you. We enjoy a healthy relationship with the other industry magazines, which we respect greatly. We are sad that we can no longer say the same for CFJ.
If you'd like to speak to me about any of the above, please do contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Vaughan, Portfolio Director - and the National Floor Show team
Now to some great new from the show...
Tools and Demonstration area
National Floor Show is beginning to take shape, with big and new names signing for the show all the time.
With the students from Accrington and Rossendale College working hard on their products and the trends area beginning to take shape, the feature areas within National Floor Show are sure to attract additional visitors to the show.
We're thrilled to announce the return of the Tools and Demonstration area. Companies such as Exakt Precision Tools, Laboratoire Primatech and Sika will be giving live demonstrations of their products, creating an interactive and hands-on area.
Look out for more confirmed companies within the Tools and Demonstration area in the next few weeks!
CFR independent poll
In the run up to September, Carpet and Flooring Review will publish exclusive results from a series of independent surveys, examining the issue surrounding two potential trade shows - National Floor Show and Harrogate Flooring Show.
The results should make for interesting reading, exploring factors such as outcomes, location, marketing and concerns about the two events running side by side.
Read the results in the next few issues of Carpet and Flooring Review...
Just a reminder...
In light of this miscommunication surrounding the show, we would like to take this opportunity to recap our reasons for moving National Floor Show to Birmingham:
1) Improved show layout allowing for a better visitor experience
2) First class event facilities the show deserves
3) Product categorisation and a fairer floorplan
4) Central location and excellent transport links
5) Extended and new feature areas attracting additional visitors
With the event's extensive marketing and PR campaigns an experienced team at the helm, National Floor Show 2010 is set to be a fantastic event!
That's all for now! If you would like to send us any feedback, please email me.
To contact me to discuss National Floor Show 2010, or to find out which stands are still available, please call my direct line on 0207 921 8415 or email me.
Best wishes,
Sunny Patel
Group Sales Manager
