Page 40 - MarketTimesDecember2018
P. 40

40 MARKET TIMES • DECEMBER 2018 The Showman’s Show —
something for everyone
  ENTERPRISING fairs and events traders and anyone interested in standing the plethora of fairs, festivals and events that are staged all over the country could do worse than call in at next year’s Showman’s Show.
 Held at Newbury Showground in October, the event was launched in 1984 by Stephen Lance who ran Surrey County Show and saw a gap in the market for an events directory, and then an annual show bringing everyone involved in the industry together.
The event is now run by his two sons, Johnny and Jeremy, and attracts more than 340 exhibitors showcasing everything from the latest JCB equipment to gazebo weights and anchors.
A team from the NMTF was among the exhibitors in the main marquee at this year’s event which attracted 4,500 visitors.
Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of the NMTF, said: “An increasing number of our members are now trading either solely or partly on fairs and events and we need to be at the forefront of these events to ensure we can support their needs.”
Johnny Lance (left) and his brother Jeremy run the annual Showman’s Show, started by
Although much of the exhibition is aimed at the organisers of large events, there is plenty to interest individual traders, especially those involved in street food or considering dipping their toes in the water at fairs or festivals.
the show last year.
He said: “We have brought our retro van here
Phil Coldham from Driffield, who has a number of mobile catering vans under the banner Greek Street Food, decided to become an exhibitor at this year’s event after visiting
Phil said he had already met a couple of festival organisers he hadn’t come across before. He was hoping to cover his costs by selling his street food and make new contacts to enable him to attend some of the most popular events and festivals.
Johnny said: “There are trends and at the moment it is all about sustainability and ensuring that equipment and events are as green and energy saving as possible.”
their father Stephen in 1984
When his father started the show there were much fewer festivals and events. Now it is a growth industry with every type of music festival, food festivals, agricultural shows and fairs attracting big crowds.
which catches the eye and we are serving our speciality Greek street food.”
Johnny said they would like to see more market traders attending the show which is free to visitors. “There is plenty they would be interested in and in recent years this show has become a big networking event where everyone in the industry meets up once a year and you find out what’s going on.”
New technology in communication at events was another theme, he said.
Joe said: “We are delighted to have a strong presence at this important event including the NMTF’s president, John Dyson, and we will continue to find new ways to support our growing number of members who stand fairs and festivals.”
  














































































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