CSJ’s owners Ceri and Phil Rundle say making decisions about having a trade stand at events is taxing the brains of businesses these days.

Phil commented, “At recent events it’s been noticeable that there were fewer trade stands than usual, and we can understand why.”

Ceri joined the conversation saying, “There are lots of reasons, but obviously increased costs are generally number 1, for example the cost of … 

• Fuel
• Ground space fees (even small spaces are expensive)
• Sponsorship
• Staff
• Hotels
• Normal working days lost (at the larger events erecting the stand the day before and breaking down the day after are very often needed) 

Additionally at many shows and events the competitor and spectator numbers are dropping, partly due to their own costs increasing: entry fees, fuel cost, taking time off from work, care for animals left at home etc. etc., so to go or not is a big decision.

Event organisers are also understandably scratching their heads and searching for ways to entice competitors and spectators (both old and new). Additionally, and often not fully appreciated, are the events’ own rising costs, for example at an outdoor show:

Ground fees, benching, catering, printing and advertising, mobile toilet facilities, judges (often including accommodation, food and travel recompense), St. John Ambulance attendance (required over a certain number of attendees), supply of ‘lost child’ facilities and appropriate staffing - the list goes on.

Returning to trade stand holders in particular, their decision-making is now a particularly serious judgement, as customer footfall reduces the viability of what is often actually a ‘flag waving exercise’ rather than a retail or trade opportunity, meaning that many such companies will make an even greater overall loss.  

As Phil says, “For traders an added conundrum is this digital age … why spend £x to attend whilst the same £x spend on a good social media campaign may generate more interest?"

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470.