How a show was born
30 May 2024
How a show was born
Back in 2003 I joined Woking Chamber of Commerce, essentially because they wanted someone who 'knew' exhibitions to run a local business show for them. So, in 2004 Woking Means Business was launched, but it was called 'This is Woking' in recognition of the importance of the station to Woking. However, like a lot of 'cute' ideas ie station announcements 'Woking, this is Woking', people didn't get it, so we changed the name to Woking Means Business and here we are 21 years later and still going strong.
We were the first local business show in the whole region and now we are the last to run an expo with built up stands that look like a 'proper' exhibition. All the others are now table top shows, which I call 'networking exhibitions' but they work perfectly well and have obvious advantages. They are of course cheaper to run but strangely, you cant get more of these 'stands' in the available space. This I first demonstrated when I helped my very good friends, Great British Expos, set up their first ever show at Windsor Racecourse 12 years ago. Incidentally they are back at the Windsor Racecourse on 12 June and I hope to get along to see them all again. They now run shows all round the country and have raised thousands of pounds for charity in so doing. Great people.
Having been in the exhibition business for over 60 years and organising shows for 45 years - at the NEC, Olympia, Scottish Exhibition Centre and in Europe, I find it hard to move away from the concept of the built up exhibition, its in my blood I guess.
So, if you want to be part of the longest running business expo in Surrey, please message me or check the show website wokingmeansbusiness.com.
Still, going, still standing, still loving it!
Paul Webster (paul@wokingchamber.org.uk)
