VOW’s Green Light event opened to outstanding visitor numbers and rave reviews on 22nd January at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC. The pioneering cross-category event saw over 100 brands showcase the latest product and service innovations in the business supplies industry including 3M, Canon, Fellowes, Newell Rubbermaid, PG Tips, Nestle, Taylor’s of Harrogate, Rapesco, Nestle Professional, Jiffy Packaging Limited, Durable, BIC UK Ltd and more. In addition to visiting the exhibition, around 200 unique resellers and 400 delegates attended sessions that covered a business update by VOW’s Managing Director Adrian Butler and a VOW+ Partner update by VOW’s National Sales Director Martin Weedall.

Managing Director Adrian opened the event with a view on VOW’s determined plan to broaden its business supply range while continuing to improve VOW’s relevance to resellers; National Sales Director Martin launched the first look at VOW’s reinvigorated partner programme – VOW Venture.

The theme at this year’s Green Light was ‘Stepping up a Gear’ and in line with this, guest speakers Richard Reed, Adam Chester and Adam Noble delivered inspiring talks to a packed audience. Specifically, Richard Reed, co-founder of innocent, shared “the innocent story” while Adam Noble, Managing Director at Irongate Group discussed the successful growth of his business. Adam Chester, Head of Economics at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, spoke about the economic outlook for 2016 and the role of business services in holding up the UK economy. Workshops at Green Light were at capacity, covering the useful topics of Jan/San, Social Media, Google Analytics and Managed Print.

Emma Nourry, VOW’s Head of Marketing, comments, “The agenda and content of the day was set to enable delegates to proactively prepare for fast-paced industry changes. We’re pleased to report that feedback from the workshops has been positive with attendees finding the topics practical and useful.”

The Gala Awards Dinner featured ground-breaking ventriloquist, BAFTA nominated filmmaker and British Comedy Award winner Nina Conti who presented the Partner awards to VOW+ Partners and entertained the audience with her hugely successful stand up delivery. Commercial, Paper Round and DP supplies were the respective VOW+ Partner award winners on the night. There were other Partner Award winners including ACS, Nectere, Reflex, Cowans Direct, Sarratt Office Supplies and Bridgewater.

Codex picked up the VOW Ireland Partner of the Year and Furniture Reseller of the Year awards. ACS won the FS Reseller of the Year award, while the Technology Reseller of the Year award was won by CCS Media. Bic UK Ltd won the Supplier Stand of the Show.

Comments:

Paddy Richards and Stephen Rooney, Igateoffice.ie: “It’s very important for a business to be here at the Green Light event. As dealers, we get to see all the latest products showcased by manufacturers, see what the latest trends are and to see what VOW’s initiatives are for the coming year – [SIC] good insight as a Dealer.”

Amy Horn, Head of Collections, EBP Group (ST3Di 3D Printers): “I attended Green Light last year as well. The trade show this year has been non-stop all day and I’m looking forward to turning some of those leads into orders. We will absolutely be at Green Light 2017!”

Martin Turnbull, Director, Cambridge Office and Business Supplies Ltd: I’ve found it particularly useful to meet other like minded dealers who’ve had similar issues and I’ve found a lot of new products that we haven’t sold before – electronic storage, cameras etc. I’m also particularly interested in the bokz programme to see what it can do for dealers like us.”

Neil Brown, General Sales and Marketing Manager, 3M: “Green Light is one of ‘the’ key events…for us to really learn what dealers need to help to grow their business so it’s a fantastic event to come to.”

Alan Gray, Managing Director, Sarratt Office Supplies: “It’s always good to catch up with dealers and buying groups and keep abreast with updates, innovations and new products. I like the networking side because as a dealer you can feel quite isolated and it’s nice to hear how other people are feeling and how things are working out for them. Suppliers are always good for networking, arranging training and looking at larger projects.”

Scott White, Nestle: “I think the Green Light exhibition is becoming one of the important parts of industry. Last year was the first year and this year is even bigger and better – one venue with all dealers.”

Plans for Green Light 2017 have commenced and interest can be registered by visiting www.greenlightevent.com.