BEAMA loses right to host UK pavilion at ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam

Last week Cleanzine heard from some very irate UK exhibitors that the British pavilion at ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam would no longer be offered to BEAMA, the trade association that normally takes this space, and that in future pavilion exhibitors would have to buy space direct from the show organisers.

As the possible loss of financial support from the British government could influence whether or not many exhibitors would take part in the show, Cleanzine decided to look into the situation.

We contacted the RAI in Amsterdam, and had the following statement from Rob den Hertog (r.d.hertog@rai.nl), Senior Product Manager:

"We want and need to be in close contact with our customers. With a party like BEAMA who, I have to say, did a tremendous job, it is an extra communications channel. We have since 2004 a UK/Irish sales agent, Nigel Hurcomb (hurcomb@ntlworld.com), who although he was able to discuss stand space in China or in Poland for example, was unable to deal with the same customers for Amsterdam.

"Our big challenge is to grow the show. If exhibitors want a good show, a good location, and at a good price, we can provide this directly.

"We did not take the decision lightly, and have discussed this with the British Embassy in Holland who tell us that subsidising on an individual basis is still possible.

"There certainly will be a UK pavilion in 2008 in the same location as in 2006. UK companies will still be part of a dedicated zone and the pricing and quality will be equally similar to what they were receiving under BEAMA.

"Furthermore we will be happy to answer all questions from British exhibitors during the Cleaning Show (booth L3) in Birmingham."

Meanwhile, in a fax sent to Cleanzine from Dubai, Jan Fillingham (exhibitions@beama.org.uk), the BEAMA director who heads up BEAMA International, which promotes industry export opportunities via missions and exhibitions world-wide, indicates that she feels very strongly about the situation.

Saying that she is "Alarmed by the decision", the fax continues: "Interclean is a show with which BEAMA has been involved for over 30 years. It's ridiculous that the organisers will not accept a BEAMA/UKTI organised pavilion at the 2008 event ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam).

"Significantly too, our Embassy in the Hague is very disappointed with the RAI decision.

"Presently, it's impossible to confirm that there will be any UKTI financial support for 2008/2009. This is unlikely to be known till later this year. Currently, however, no UKTI solo support can be used by companies/organisations for a national pavilion.

"Many in the industry have stressed they are disappointed we are not being allowed to organise on their behalf at next year's show. Being part of a UK group meant exhibitors could appear under UKTI booths, positioning them as larger enterprises than if they had 'gone it alone'.

"Exhibitors have told us they think 'it's a very strange thing' for the show organisers to do. Being part of a UK dedicated zone made exhibitors 'look good and strong.'

"They don't understand why the decision has been made, and are concerned they will not receive the high standards and levels of service BEAMA has always provided.

"Exhibitors fear rising prices and poor positioning on the periphery too," she concludes.