Report | Comment Cards | Income Generated | Future Plans | Prize Draw Winners | Exhibitors
This years exhibition saw more attendees and more exhibitors than ever before. Both North and South Schools were used so there was still a lot of space to mingle, see the exhibitors and browse. This was appreciated by all attendees and exhibitors spoken to and was reflected on the comments received afterwards.
Invitations were sent by OUCS to all registered ITSS. Also, messages were sent to ITSS via the itss-announce and itss-discuss mailing lists asking people to request additional tickets for interested parties not on the register. This allowed purchasing officers, heads of department and others to attend whist keeping the numbers low.
Attendees started arriving from 10:00. The exhibition official started at 10:30 but the ITSS Calendar incorrectly listed the start time as 10:00. Most people arrived late morning, many in anticipation of lunch at 13:00. By 15:00 there were very few visitors so the exhibitors started to pack up, a little earlier than advertised.
Free gifts were much appreciated, as were the prize drawn on offer at a couple of stands.
The catering had been improved with numbers increased and much more vegetarian and vegan food provided. However there was still not enough lunch for everyone and tea/coffee was only served at specific times.
The comment cards have been received from EML. All those who completed a card found the exhibition useful. The spread to two rooms was praised, as was the number and diversity of exhibitors. Improvements requested include:
It is interesting to note that there were no actual complains, except that people wanted more! This can be taken as a good indication that ITSSG and EML have got the exhibition right and more of the same would be appreciated.
EML will pay ITSSG an agreed fee of £3000. It is expected that this will be paid in February, after EML have collected the fees from the exhibitors. This is an increase of £500 on 2000.
The aim of the IT Suppliers Exhibition is to raise money to fund the Annual ITSS Conference. It has proved very successful and the partnership with EML means that the local effort is minimal. Feedback received shows that the Exhibition is very popular and could be even bigger.
It is proposed that the 2002 Exhibition is run over two days and opened to more people with the following running order.
| Day 1 | 10:30 to 14:00 | Oxford University ITSS and invited guests only Full refreshments and lunch provided |
| 14:00 to 17:00 | Local Schools - teachers, IT officers, Headteachers,
etc. Tea/coffee/soft drinks provided |
|
| Day 2 | 10:00 to 13:00 | Public Sector IT staff Tea/coffee/soft drinks provided |
| 13:00 onwards | Lunch for the Exhibitors Hall cleared |
Oxford University would benefit from being the first to see the exhibition, receive free gifts, enter draws, etc. At this year's exhibition, there were few ITSS attending after 14:00. ITSS would not be restricted to these times and may attend any/all sessions if they wish.
The proposed dates are Tuesday 3rd December and Wednesday 4th December 2002.
OUCS will send invitations to all ITSS and guests as now. EML will contact local schools and public sector offices and send invitations to them.
For the ITSS only session, refreshments will be available all day and lunch will be provided. The numbers catered for will be increased again.
For the other sessions, tea/coffee/soft drinks will be provided mid afternoon and mid morning.
EML are confident that suppliers will want to come and exhibit for two days. They will contact Conference Oxford about the possibility of offering accommodation in a college as an extra draw.
Jane Littlehales will contact all ITSS for suggestions as to companies they would like to see at the Exhibition in 2002.
It is suggested that local services, e.g. OUCS shop, maintenance scheme, NSMS, should have a complimentary stand. The people promoting these services are also interested in visiting the exhibition so the stand may provide leaflets and information rather than being staffed at all times.
There is room for approximately 60 exhibitors in the North and South Schools combined. Further space is available in East School which is easily accessible from South School.
A seminar room is available, accessible from North School, for product briefings. it is proposed that two or three briefings are arranged to be repeated throughout the exhibition. Jane Littlehales will ask ITSS for what they would like to include in the briefing sessions.
It has been suggested that the exhibition is officially opened by a local figure. This would provide good photo opportunities which may be appreciated by the exhibitors and ITSSG. However, it is unlikely to attract more people. Also, many ITSS prefer to visit later in the morning so as to take full advantage of the free lunch. if it is decided to hold and official opening, it will be arranged by ITSSG.
EML has suggested encouraging more firms to hold raffles and prize draws. This has been agreed. Each company will be in charge of its own raffle to encourage people to visit more stands and to ensure the prizes are won by those who are interested in that product and company.
Currently, EML pay ITSSG a fixed fee. This was negotiated before the first exhibition and ensures that ITSSG receive a fixed income regardless of the success of the event and take no risk. ITSSG do not see any accounts or monies paid and received under this scheme.
An alternative would be to agree a share in the event profits. In this case, ITSSG would be equal partners in the risk and would receive a variable amount depending on the success of the event. ITSSG would receive copies of all accounts. As the three exhibitions held so far have been successful, this may be a more beneficial approach now the event is established. It will be discussed at the next ITSSG meeting.
Jane Littlehales, 20 December, 2001
Drawn by Jane Littlehales
| Stephen Young | Experimental Psychology | Bottle of Champagne |
| John Ireland | Jesus College | Bottle of vodka |
| Greg Jennings | Hertford College | Bottle of whisky |
| Brian Dansey | University Libraries | WinTV card |
| Kit Bailey | Plant Sciences | WinTV card |
| 3COM | Networking, Wireless Switches & Firewalls |
| Aegis Security Enclosures | Computer Security Devices |
| AMD | Micro Processor Technology & PCs |
| Apple | iMacs & iBooks |
| Aqua Cool | Water Coolers |
| Aston Scientific | Origin & Sparten Software |
| Canon Business Systems | Digital Copiers, Network Solutions & Software |
| Compaq | Servers, Alpha Workstations, MPi600 Projectors |
| Computer Display Systems | Video Conferencing & Interactive Whiteboards |
| Dell | Workstations & Notebooks |
| Digitext | Web Consulting & Training |
| Epson | Range of Printers |
| Ergo Computing | Notebook Computers |
| European Electronique | Computer Maintenance |
| Farnell CPC | Electronic Components |
| GV | Multi Media Audio Visual Equipment |
| GUI Logic | Bespoke Networks & Solutions |
| Hi-Grade Computers | Laptop Computers |
| IBM UK | Thinkpads, Servers, Desktops, Storage & Linux |
| Insightful | Statistical Software |
| Know-Ware | Wireless Networking & Internet Acceleration |
| Lancare | Network Equipment |
| Micro Warehouse | IT Equipment |
| Minolta | Digital & Colour Photocopiers |
| OCE | Photocopiers |
| OCF (Open Computers & Finance) | Silicon Graphics Reseller |
| Orion Media Marketing | Computer Consumables |
| Oxford University Press | Publications |
| Oxford Visuals Centre | Data Projectors, Interactive Whiteboards & Plasma |
| Pars Technology | Servers, Desktops & Workstations |
| Q Associates | Sun Microsystems, Workstations, Servers & Storage |
| QMS | Laser Printers |
| RM | PCs & Servers |
| Science Warehouse | Life Science Warehouse |
| Silicon Graphics | Workstations & Servers |
| Simply Computers | Software & Hardware |
| Skynet | Networking & IP Telephony |
| The Saville Group | Audio Visual Equipment |
| The Status Group | CD Duplication Equipment, Software & Hardware |
| Tiny Professional Systems | Desktop Screen Monitors & Tiny Workstations |
| Westwood West | Data Display Equipment |
| Viglen | PCs, Servers, Notebooks & Solutions |
| XMA | Printers & Notebooks |