The Big Promo Gift Show

Highlights of The Big Promo Gift Show

LSi Ltd, one of the North's leading Business Gift Houses and Promota Distributor of the Year North 2010, has yet again successfully delivered 'The BIG Promo Gift Show'.

Held at the Royal Armouries, Leeds for the second year running, the UK's leading gift suppliers were invited to take part. Those who did, enjoyed a superb gala dinner, welcomed over 300 visitors and experienced why 'THE BIG PROMO GIFT SHOW' is the largest end user show of its kind.

On Tuesday night the visiting suppliers were treated to a superb evening of entertainment in the Wellington Suite at the Royal Armouries. MC Malcolm Lord welcomed 140 guests to the dinner in his own inimitable style, which comprised a four course meal, after dinner speech by Nobby Stiles MBE and a fabulous comedian Gary Marshall.

For those nursing a sore head, the next morning started bright and early with the exhibition doors opening at 9.00am to greet the 9.30 seminar attendees, arriving to take part in the first of 5 seminars hosted by Cliff Quicksell, (the leading US Gift Industry speaker). Cliff had been flown in especially to deliver the education side to the show and with over 100 attendees to his workshops, he certainly didn't disappoint.

With 66 of the UK's leading Gift Suppliers on the show floor, there were over 10,000 products on display. After weeks of pre-show marketing, approximately 300 companies responded and ensured the suppliers had a busy day explaining the benefits of their products and how they can be used to increase business.

From these client/supplier meetings 1,046 enquiries were generated, 300 up on last year, with many orders already confirmed at the time of writing.

Half time entertainment over lunch, LSi welcomed two footballing greats. 1966 World Cup legend Nobby Stiles MBE and Former England Goalkeeper Peter Shilton OBE both appeared in Legends Corner where photos were taken, printed off and then signed for customers as a memento of the day. However, the sheer popularity of the two legends was so great that they both stayed an extra hour to ensure everyone had their free football or program signed. 'They were true gentlemen' commented Lloyd Simpson MD. 'They greeted everyone with a smile, indulged in conversation and signed everything that was put in front of them. It was amazing to meet them but an absolute pleasure working with them'.

Peter Shilton also participated in a penalty shoot out, where over 50 LSi customers took sudden death penalties against the legend to win a 1966 Replica Shirt signed by 9 of the World Cup winning team.

But the star of the show was Freestyle Footballer, John Farnworth who set a new Guinness World Record for 'Consecutive football rolls across the forehead'. Previously set at 533, John smashed his existing record and completed 590, putting himself and The BIG Promo Gift Show in the Guinness Book of Records.

Lloyd Simpson summarised 'The whole event was built around teamwork, dedication and attention to detail. We believe we have delivered yet another 'industry leading show', only possible through the hard work and determination of the LSi Staff, the Suppliers who exhibited, and the special guests who totally delivered!!'

'John setting a new World Record at our show was the culmination of 4 months planning and hard work by my team and finished off, what for us, was the perfect event. We had a record number of visitors, a record number of enquiries, fantastic seminars, superb legends and a World Record. I don't know how, or if, we can improve on this next year, but I am extremely satisfied that we have cemented important relationships with both our clients and our suppliers, which has to be good for our future success'.

All the team at LSi, suppliers and visitors to the The Big Promo Gift Show who met him, we would all like to send our sincerest wishes for Nobby Stiles' speedy recovery after suffering a minor stroke recently.