The second etc Gardens & Homes show held in Brighton – an area where we don’t publish – pulled in more visitors than expected and proved a profitable event for JP.
Jointly organised by the South Publishing Unit and JP Events & Exhibitions, the show was sponsored by Brewers and nearly 7,500 visitors came through the doors at the Brighton Centre on March 10 and 11. Long queues formed outside the venue on both days.
Dianne Gill, events & sponsorship manager for the South Publishing Unit said: “The visitor numbers exceeded our expectations. We were constantly busy at the front of house and we proved we have what it takes to put on a large scale event in an area where we do not own the local paper (Brighton Argus).
“Lead sponsor Brewers were so impressed that on the Sunday afternoon they confirmed their intention to sponsor again in 2013. Other exhibitors were similarly pleased and expressed an interest to come again next year and also to consider other events we have planned later this year in the south.”
Entertainment at the show was provided by Joe Swift (BBC Gardener’s World presenter), local man Oliver Heath (star of various BBC TV home-based shows) and celebrity chefs Lesley Waters and Paul Da Costa Greaves.
The main exhibition hall was transformed with a number of exhibitors deciding to construct their own purpose-built displays and stands. This included a pagoda, a Thai beach reed roofed structure and large swimming pool (which took hours to fill) among others, plus a show garden from Stone Cross nurseries.
The Food Hall, a new innovation for 2012, was constantly busy on both days with many exhibitors running short of stock with bread, cakes, cheese and sausages in big demand!
Mike Schwarz, MD of JP Events & Exhibitions, said: “This was a great example of two teams working together to deliver a great show. We had some issues behind the scenes to deal with and did so without the public being aware. The team worked tirelessly before, during and after the event with their usual professionalism and I am proud of all of them.”