Strong trade support boosts the Tenth Anniversary Societies’ Convention

30/0811

Europe’s largest photographic convention is shaping up to be another outstanding success as the industry’s key players look to buck the trend and to start 2012 with a positive message about recovery.

With several months still to go the trade show section of The Societies’ (incorporating the SWPP) annual week-long Convention is already 80% sold out and 250 companies closely covering the needs and requirements of the professional photographer are expected to be in attendance when the event kicks off on January 10 next year.

“We strive to provide the biggest and best event for the photographic industry,” says Societies’ CEO Phil Jones. “Over the past 10 years the Convention has grown from strength to strength and it’s become a recognised fixture in the photographic calendar.

“Testament to its success is the support that has been received from the major manufacturers who have exhibited year-on-year and include the majority of the brand leaders. Products range from high-end cameras through to accessories, along with presentation items such as albums and folios. As usual we’ll also be welcoming service providers from insurance brokers through to web hosting companies, and the result will be a rich mix of companies who all have something to offer to visiting photographers irrespective of their status as serious full time professionals or aspiring enthusiasts.”

One of those trade partners who knows this event inside-out is Jon Cohen, Fuji Business Group Manager, and he’s looking forward to making the 2012 Convention the ninth one that he has personally attended. “The Convention is perfect for us as a company because it gives us a chance to meet Fujifilm users across the whole spectrum of our products,” he says. “Their feedback, concerns, criticisms and maybe even the odd complement are really valuable, as is the fact that we’re able to meet them face to face, which is not so easy to do in the web based world we normally inhabit.

“It allows us to get our products out there for people to handle and they can easily get to us and our products. The value of the informal after-hours sessions in the bar can’t be ignored either; what a great atmosphere for conversation, banter, exchange of information and advice! It’s a superb forum where new and established photographers and trade suppliers can get together.”

Another familiar face at the Convention will be Catherine Connor who heads up Aspire Photographic Training, and she’s likewise looking forward to the chance to meet up with some old friends and to talk to potential new clients. “I really enjoy the trade show,” she says, “because it gives me the chance to see people I might only meet once a year and to make new acquaintances.

“I gained so much from visiting the show last year and it was a chance to come across new products such as Exclusive 7 and their amazing multi media digital photo frames and we’ve had a great connection with them ever since. I can’t wait to see what goodies I spot this year for the industry; for me it’s the best show in town!.

Acrylic Pictures is another regular trade exhibitor at the Convention, and sales manager Ian Burgess is convinced of the benefits. “As an exhibitor, the convenience of the exhibition space being within the hotel we’re staying in is enormous,” he says. “It means that our van can be parked on site and there’s no travelling time involved in reaching the exhibition floor. It all means that more of our energies can be directed towards dealing with the visitors to the trade fair.

“Because the audience is predominantly professional photographers the vast majority of visitors to the trade fair are looking to be the first on the market with new products, methods and ideas. The discussions are interesting with ideas flowing both ways, and the feedback helps us to determine what our audience wants to see coming through in the future.”

It all adds up to a tenth anniversary spectacular that will, as usual, be an unmissable start to the year for full time and aspiring professionals from around the world, and for those who have yet to book to be part of the trade show the message is to get in touch with The Societies as soon as possible before the remaining space fully sells out.

For more information about The Societies’ Convention 2012 go to www.swpp.co.uk