FLEET professionals are promised an industry-focused international business day at this year’s British Motor Show.

Event organisers say the day on July 19 – part of ‘a spectacular show’ – is a must for fleet buyers who want to make contacts and clinch business deals.

Kirsty Adams, marketing director of organisers International Motor Industry Events (IMIE), said: ‘We have scrapped the ticket system and introduced a registration system so only bona fide, vetted fleet people will attend. There will be no members of the public and places will be limited.’

The rebranded business day replaces a public trade day with admission by ticket. The business day will offer the chance to meet dedicated fleet sales representatives on manufacturer and service stands and free conference sessions on relevant topics.

Adams said: ‘Fleet buyers are hugely important and it will be a good opportunity to meet key contacts, see the latest models and complete business deals.’

IMIE expects 30,000 industry representatives at the show, which will feature 33 new car launches, test drives, a 4x4 course and a motor theatre with stunt and trick demonstrations.

Stalls will offer products from in-car entertainment to satellite navigation units – and an evening rock concert on the dock’s edge will round off the business day.

Transferring the show from Birmingham to London has been a multi-million pound move and IMIE has staged a huge marketing campaign.

Adams said: ‘The marketing campaign alone has cost more than three million pounds.’

The British International Motor Show announced early last year that the show would no longer be held at Birmingham’s NEC centre and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which promotes the show, chose the ExCeL centre as the venue.

The news came as a blow to Birmingham, which had hosted the show for almost 30 years.

Speaking at the time, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: ‘We understand this decision will come as a disappointment to the Midlands but ExCeL presented a stronger bid.’

Business day opportunities

 

  • The latest cars before the public sees them
  • A conference programme with industry figures covering current issues
  • Meetings with suppliers
  • Advances in technology information, from car safety to sustainable motoring
  • Opportunities to secure new business and conclude deals
  • Networking with up to 30,000 delegates
  • Business briefings with vehicle manufacturers

    Conference sessions put spotlight on fleet issues

    SEVERAL conference sessions will be held on business day. Fleet NewsNet takes a look at some of the ones which could be useful to fleet managers.

    Time: 9am
    Speaker: Lewis Booth, head of Ford Europe & Premier Automotive Group
    Conference: Climate change and energy security – threats and challenges for the car industry
    Synopsis: Booth will argue the need for a radical mindset change to tackle the climate change issue.

    He will explain that there is no single technological solution to combat climate change, and that a combination of different automotive and fuel technologies will be required.

    He will also call on other key stakeholders in the transport arena such as the fuel industry, infrastructure providers and government, to join the automotive industry in providing a stronger leadership role to play and a full and active role in reducing CO2.

    These session will also discuss the role of the consumer in helping limit the effects of climate change.

    Time: 10.30am
    Speaker: Sarah Sillers, CEO, Institute of the Motor Industry
    Conference: Are people really your greatest asset?
    Synopsis: Assuring delegates of an unequivocal yes to this question will be the objective of this seminar, introduced by Sillers.

    There will be case studies from the vehicle manufacturer and franchised dealer perspective of the value from investing in the development and recognition of employees. This will be followed by a debate on how businesses can benefit from instilling a culture of continuing professional development, which brings demonstrable improvements in staff retention, productivity, key performance indicators and profitability.

    Time: 12 noon
    Speaker: Adrian Walsh, director of Roadsafe
    Conference: Risk management
    Synopsis: A variety of risk management topics will come under the spotlight, in which delegates will be asked: ‘Are you doing enough to meet health and safety regulations?’

    Other subjects include corporate liability and how to keep on the right side of the law, ensuring phone regulations are followed and whether or not education has a lasting effect.

     

  • Business day on Wednesday, July 19
  • Business day entry is £20 in advance, £35 at the door
  • Venue is ExCeL London at London Docklands
  • Visit www.britishmotorshow.co.uk.