Diversification & Innovation in the UK Leisure Landscape
Diversification & Innovation in the UK Leisure Landscape – Q&A with Tom Proudley, Portfolio Director of The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show Who is the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show for? The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show is for ambitious holiday park & resort owners and managers wanting to increase their industry knowledge and diversify and boost their revenue. What is rural diversification and why is it important? In simple terms, rural diversification is when existing businesses enter into new business ventures or set up completely new enterprises in order to boost their revenue. It’s important because it allows rural entrepreneurs and agricultural workers to utilise the land and business they already have, which in turn can increase their profits. If you have already diversified, is it still worth coming to the show? Definitely! It’s important to keep up-to-date with the latest developments and trends within the industry. You may have diversified into a campsite, and now you are wanting to open a cafe so that your visitors have somewhere to eat on site, or you could look into opening a gift shop. With everything that has happened over the past year, staycations have become more popular in the UK. Now is the perfect time to progress and perfect your customer offering so that you can provide them with everything they could possibly want and more! What can the show provide that visitors can’t go out and find on their own? The show brings together the industry leading experts, including over 1000 exhibitors and 500 seminars, all under the same roof over two unmissable days. It has everything you could possibly need and more, saving the large volume of time and money that it would require to go out and source the suppliers, products and services yourself. The show provides the opportunity to test and try the latest industry technology, an opportunity you couldn’t get anywhere else, and presents brand new ideas for diversifying that you may not have even thought of without attending the show. What about rural entrepreneurs with little or no budget? The amazing thing about rural diversification is that there really is something for everyone. The possibilities are endless and can cost as much or as little as you want it to. The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show is designed for all holiday park & resort owners and managers, whether you own a big chain or run an independent business, there will be something there for you. What if I have no experience in any of the areas of diversification? The show provides leading industry experts, seminars and panel debates offering all the knowledge, advice and help you need to get started on your new business venture. There are so many different ways to diversify, you don’t need to do anything huge or drastic that is going to push you outside of your comfort zone if you really don’t want to. And if you are up for a challenge, there will be so many amazing features at the show to help you. If I don’t own a lot of land, can I still diversify? Of course! Diversification is all about utilising what you already have, and no matter how big or small your land, you can create something that your customers are going to love. What if my competitors are doing the same thing? Ask yourself what your company can do better than any of your competitors in the current market. You may be setting up a campsite at the same time as a close competitor, but what can you do to make it unique and more appealing to your customers? There are numerous different ways to do the same thing, you just need to figure out what will work best for you and will appeal most to your target audience. What can I expect to see at the show? With over 1000 exhibitors, 500 seminars, and an incredible schedule of keynote speakers and panel discussions, the show will tackle everything from boosting your offering to marketing and new business strategies. Some of the biggest names and associations within the industry, including the likes of TripAdvisor, VisitEngland and Glendale, will be available to share their experiences and tips and tricks. You can visit our website to see a full list of exhibitors, speakers and seminars, as well as information about the incredible features we have in store for you this year, such as our Business Growth Hub and Green Route. The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show
Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show – Safely Returning to “Normality”
As the world is slowly but surely returning to “normality” as we once knew it, we are delighted to be welcoming back the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show this year on the 10th & 11th November at the NEC Birmingham. Whilst we are excited to finally be opening doors again in person, we appreciate that there are some reservations surrounding attending such busy events and mixing with other people after being in our own bubbles for so long. We wouldn’t be going ahead with this event if we didn’t feel it was safe, and we want to make sure that you feel safe attending the show and have the best experience possible. Following government guidelines and advice from the team at the NEC, these are the measures currently in place to ensure the safety of everyone at the event: Anyone wishing to enter any of the Rural Entrepreneur shows will have to provide either proof of double vaccination or a negative lateral flow test within 48 hours of attending – please note that there will be a limited number of lateral flow tests available at the venue, however these will be distributed on a first come first served basis Testing and tracing is supported at the event and all exhibitors, visitors, staff etc onsite will be recorded Visitors have been asked to pre-register for tickets which are being sent to you to bring along with you, to limit unnecessary contact with staff Masks are no longer mandatory as per government guidelines, however they are advised The NEC have also taken extra steps to increase the safety of their venue, including: Testing and tracing is supported via pre-booked parking Touch points throughout the venue are limited Sanitising stations present throughout the venue Enhanced sanitation throughout both days across the venue, particularly focussing on frequent contact services Washroom attendants present to ensure hygiene standards are maintained at all times The safety of all our visitors, exhibitors, speakers, partners and staff attending the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show is our utmost priority and we know that the safer you feel at the event, the more enjoyable your experience will be. We have been doing everything we can to ensure this event can safely go ahead this year, and we are so excited to welcome you to the show, in person, on the 10th & 11th November. Government guidelines are continuously being reviewed and we will update our website with the measures in place accordingly. For more information about the show, including COVID-19 safety measures, visit the website at holidayparkshow.co.uk
Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2020
Dipping your toe into the great outdoors? Need some new kit for a family adventure? Time to upgrade? Or maybe you need some ideas on where to go for your next adventure? The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show has everything you need for your next adventure with over 400 exhibitor stands showcasing their greatest products. Not only will you be able to see all new-for-2020 leisure vehicles and caravan holiday homes, you’ll also be able to browse tents of all shapes and sizes all pitched under one roof. Plus, all the accessories and gadgets for the great outdoors that you could ever need. Whether you’re looking to get into the leisure vehicle or already enjoy it, your holiday, short break or outdoor pursuit starts here! The show runs from Tuesday 18th – Sunday 23rd February Reasons to attend The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show: The biggest showcase of caravans, motorhomes, campervans in the UK Leading UK and European manufacturers and dealers under one roof Exclusive offers on 1000s of vehicles and accessories Expert advice from leading industry specialists FREE show guide Kids go FREE* Parking included on the ticket price Plus, enjoy FREE tuition FREE Towing Experience FREE Motorhome Manoeuvring FREE Campervan Test Drive Activities at the Show NEW FOR 2020 Electric in Motion NEW FOR 2020 Best of British Adventure Gold Top Dog Arena Climbing Wall Bushcraft Workshops Holiday Park Experience Glamping Village Camping Zone Freedom to Go Theatre Book your tickets today!
Event review – HLPD Forum 2019
Developed to meet the needs of the UK leisure and holiday park sector, this new event allowed professionals to share knowledge and extend their network. Last month saw the launch of the inaugural holiday and leisure park development forum (hlpd), developed to showcase new innovations and best practice in this exciting and growing sector. The vibrant, interactive format of the hlpd forum proved the ideal networking environment to discuss trends and to share ideas about creating holiday experiences that delight visitors and encourage them to come back for more. Inspirational speakers The event featured an inspiring speaker programme spanning a wide range of topics from managing sustainable growth, creating destinations that inspire and key trends in the sector. The speaker line up included: • Jamie Christon, chief operating officer of Chester Zoo, who talked about the zoo’s the last six years and how the organisation is planning for its future growth into the next decade. As the UK’s number one zoo, Chester has seen unprecedented development since 2013 and is on course to welcome 2 million visitors in 2019, its highest number ever. • Matt Cartwright, founding director of Twelve Architects, focused on the redevelopment of the Grade II listed Bodmin Jail in Cornwall. Cartwright explained the vision to return this much understated heritage asset of national importance to its former glory, and in so doing make it a leading visitor attraction and hotel. He took the audience through the design, which retains and enhances the unique atmosphere and sense of history that exists in the ruins. He explained how derelict cell blocks will house the hotel accommodation and part of the museum. • Paul Hardingham, UK managing director of Landal GreenParks, presented the current consumer holidaying trends and how to satisfy them through product innovation and the sustainable evolution of UK holidays. • Nathan Goodyear, director of property & Development, The Camping and Caravanning Club, gave an interesting overview of the journey, approach, success and learning following the first five years after the introduction of glamping – the Club operates 48 glamping locations across the UK. • Nicole Lazarus, head of One Planet Living at Bioregional, gave an insightful account of how Leisure destinations and holiday park developers are using One Planet Living to provide their guests with a great experience of a sustainable, climate-crisis-free future. • Peter Gamble, senior partner at Holder Mathias Architects, spoke about how the design of high-quality accommodation, new guest facilities and the imaginative re-modelling of existing assets can contribute to enhancing guest experience and extend the season. • Neil James, project manager of West Midland Safari Park, explained how the safari park’s investment strategy will focuses on upgrading the animal facilities as well as improving the overall guest experience. New facilities will include outdoor pools and enrichment areas for animals and the introduction of eight exclusive, luxury lodges introducing the opportunity for guests to stay overnight, giving them an up-close and personal experience like no other. Superb networking Attended by operators, clients, architects, contractors, project managers, consultants and the suppliers of leisure and holiday park products and services, the hlpd forum offered tailored one-to-one business meetings providing the opportunity to meet with the most innovative suppliers as well as the opportunity to network with fellow professionals. Here’s what a few of them had to say: • The mix of meetings and specialist presentations was just right, the delegates drinks evening before was useful to establish good contacts with peers and the speakers were excellent. Andrew Davis Partnership • A very enjoyable and worthwhile experience. A very new market place for all and the start of something special. S & C Slatter • I wasn’t sure what to expect but really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Discover Parks • A good opportunity to see new innovative concepts being considered, destination concepts and future developments. Alliance Leisure • I had a really productive two days. During the process I was booking meetings with suppliers I wouldn’t have otherwise known about, and likewise they wouldn’t have had information about our projects. The format works really well and the opportunities to network in a professional environment are plentiful. West Midlands Safari Park With more than 3,000 holiday parks and resorts in the UK, changing holiday patterns and growing numbers looking to take mini-breaks in the UK, it’s an exciting time for the holiday and leisure park sector. Stable Events looks forward to welcoming you to the hlpd forum in 2020.
A Successful Holiday Park Innovation Show for 2019 and 2020 Plans
The Holiday Park Innovation Show has closed its doors for another year, but that doesn’t mean it’s over yet… Before we officially say goodbye to the Holiday Park Innovation Show 2019, we thought it was only right that we emphasise our fantastic achievements. We are so proud to have pulled this event off, and are looking forward to making the show even better for next year. Find out some of our biggest achievements, hear some astounding testimonials, and find out what our plans for 2020 are! All this will be disclosed right here, so read on for more… Facts and Figures From the Show We have been blown away with the feedback we received from our show, and have put together some stats from the questionnaires and emails we sent out. Firstly, our leisure, hospitality and tourism shows altogether welcomed 17,890 visitors, which was a massive 27 percent increase from last year! Within the Holiday Park Innovation Show alone, our visitors held job titles which could be best described as: ● Holiday Park Director, CEO or Founder: 33% ● Business Development Manager/Director: 15% ● Campsite Owner: 21% ● Leisure Centre Director: 3% ● Marketing, Advertising, PR and Social Media Managers: 16% ● Operations, Booking Services and Customer Relations: 5% ● Holiday Park Food and Beverage Services: 7% Out of these attendees, 90 percent are hoping to attend the 2020 show. This comes as no surprise when we consider that 70 percent of visitors said meeting exhibitors was the most beneficial element of the event. When it comes to our exhibitors, over 96 percent have said they are happy with the diversity of the visitors, bringing new business opportunities and leads. In fact, directly after the show, 66 percent of exhibitors confirmed they would be doing business with visitors, and 34 percent were in discussion with potential buyers about future business. Due to this, 85 percent of exhibitors have already re-booked for 2020! What Did Our Exhibitors Have to Say? Overall, we had a lot of positive feedback from our exhibitors, and we really wanted to share with you some of these amazing comments: ● Sutton Hospitality – Alex Sutton: “We’ve had a very successful experience, speaking to landowners and farmers. Overall, it’s been a great success for us.” ● Holiday Let Furnishings Ltd – Rachel Conroy, Director: “We decided to increase the size of our stand this year in a better more central location. It has paid off, as there has hardly been a minute of the show that we haven’t had visitors at our stand. The quality of leads has been very promising. We have already reserved our stand for next year! Thank you to the very helpful Prysm team.” ● Fowler Revolution – David Randall, Sales Manager: “Good atmosphere, friendly staff, great footfall!” ● GPT Waste Management – Donna Liebernberg, Waste Solutions: “Lovely show, enjoyed the company of all our visitors.” ● EDSB Fire & Security – M. Solomon: “We found the show extremely rewarding, and met some excellent businesses.” ● Ecoknit Towels – John Balladon, Sales Director: “Well organised, very helpful and friendly staff, busy – plenty of diverse exhibitors.” ● Arleigh International – David Wood, Sales Rep: “Very interesting show, lots to see in a friendly environment.” ● Caravan Park Electrical Service Ltd – Ted Waring, Director: “Very impressed with the organisation and general layout of the show. Already re-booked for 2020!” ● NCC Benevolent – Melanie Day, Manager: “The HPI show provided a great platform to introduce the NCC Benevolent Fund to the industry; we were thrilled to be a charity partner.” Plans For Next Year’s Holiday Park Innovation Show In today’s modern world, the holiday park industry changes every day, so staying up-to-date with the latest consumer trends is ever-important. Due to this, we strive to make each year’s show better than the last, to ensure that our visitors get the necessary tools they require to improve their hospitality offerings. For next year’s show, we are capping the size, so that we can focus on the exhibitors we have, and on making the whole experience as useful as possible. With this in mind, we have a couple of new ideas up our sleeves, which we hope will make the day even more beneficial for our visitors and exhibitors. These include an awards ceremony stage, where we can showcase our amazing nominees, and their products and services, in front of a live audience. We would also like to put an emphasis on our Panel Debates, which proved to be a very popular fixture, by expanding our range of debates across each show. Want to Exhibit Next Year? Want to exhibit at next year’s show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 11th & 12th November? We’d love to welcome you into our community of exhibitors, so don’t hesitate to get in contact with the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show Event Director, William Mansfield: ● Email: william.mansfield@prysmgroup.co.uk ● Phone: +44 (0)117 929 6087 Alternatively, if you want to visit, then stay tuned for our FREE tickets, which will be available to apply for very soon!
Exciting New Products To Start Your Next Big Adventure
Exciting New Products To Start Your Next Big Adventure – Get Ready to be inspired for Your Next Big Adventure at the MOTORHOME AND CARAVAN SHOW 2019 – the UK’s biggest leisure vehicle show The Motorhome & Caravan Show prides its self on being the event brands chose to showcase their new and exciting leisure vehicles and related products to the UK market. This year we have a host of manufacturers showing off their products, here are just four of the new vehicles to see at the 2019 show. Rolling Homes have developed a special edition 4×4 off-road camper van. While there are numerous off-road look-a-like campers out there not many are actually able to perform in off-road terrain like this vehicle will. Rolling Homes took the new VW T6 150 PS 4 Motion (4×4) SWB and then fitted it with full off-road suspension, raised the van by 100mm, fitted full under protection, a differential lock, replaced the standard wheels with prototype wheels and off-road tyres, attached super-bright laser lights and prototype carbon fibre race seats from Cobra. From a camper van perspective, you will find all the usual fixtures and fittings; cupboards, fridge, dual ring gas burners, sink with working tap, heater and a pop-up roof. However, Rolling Homes have also fitted the van with a fully rated sliding bed/seat system so you can easily adjust the seating position and accommodate for extra storage. And after a weekend off-roading, the inside of the van can easily be cleaned thanks to the easy wipe fully rubberised floor and sides. To see this incredible campervan and others in the range visit Rolling Homes at stand 12.82. RP Motorhomes will be showcasing the BeauEr’s 3X model, this unique telescopic caravan works on one basic principle: small enough to be easily towed on the road, yet big enough to provide everyday comfort. Once parked up, this small capsule of 4m2 converts into a large 12m2 space. To achieve this the 3X utilises three identically shaped sections that slot perfectly together and combine this with electric actuators to effortlessly push/pull the modules into place. All the furniture and fittings are contained within the caravan and are easily unfolded within 60 seconds, so you can quickly get away and start your adventures. Visit RP Motorhomes on stand 12.94 to find out more. Bailey has released their exciting new Discovery caravan, this new go-anywhere vehicle has been designed to provide functional compact solutions for caravaners of all ages. Available in three different sized models, these caravans use Bailey’s Alu-Tech body making them light enough to be towed by a range of vehicle owners and driving licence holders, even young drivers who may have towing restrictions. The Discovery has its own exclusive range of PRIMA accessories that are all designed to enhance your adventures. This includes a unique wrap-around L-shaped air awning that attaches perfectly to the caravans curved bodyshell. When fitted, the Discovery air awning gives you so much more additional space to relax, eat, store and even sleep outside thanks to the optional two-person sleeping tent compartment. When erected by either the electric or hand pump the shelter provides a footprint of 13.8m2 – 17.6m2, depending on the Discovery model. Find Bailey on stand 19.25 to find out more. Highly respected German manufacturer MORELO is for the first time unveiling their new LOFT and HOME ranges to the UK market. These luxurious new models join the well-established EMPIRE and PALACE models and together bring 13 new layouts to the whole collection. Both designs are first class, offering a completely modern and luxurious look and feel to the motorhome market. New for 2019, all models can now be fitted with MORELO’s Drive Safety Package which provides options to include emergency brake assistance, electric parking brakes and tire pressure monitoring systems. Head over to stand 9.50 to meet the MORELO team. The Motorhome and Caravan Show takes place from 15th – 20th October 2019 and is the UK’s biggest leisure vehicle show and great fun for the whole family – kids 15 and under go FREE! You can buy your ticket in advance at mcshow.co.uk Advanced tickets are £8.50 Senior (over 60s), £9.50 Adult when booking before 23.59 on 14.10.19 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £12.00 Senior and £13.00 Adult. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Car parking is included in the ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/Senior. Tickets are non-refundable. Free show guide and towing & manoeuvring tuition are subject to availability.
