Visitors were greeted by hostesses armed with 100% natural cotton goody bags for them to fill on their way round the 63 displays of all the latest promotional merchandise.

Said Jon: "The atmosphere was almost party-like with free tours of the stadium and a David Beckham lookalike performing his soccer skills and stopping for photo opportunities."

Visitors, numbering more than 330, were constantly surprised by the vast array of merchandise on display and made more than 1100 enquiries with a quoted value exceeding £2.2m within three days of the show. 

Continues Jon: "Manufacturers were amazed by the quality of the buyers visiting their stands and constantly commented upon how knowledgeable they were about the industry.

"It was agreed by all that the event was a stunning success with plans already being drawn up for a repeat performance next year."

Visitors were amazed when they kept seeing "David Beckham" strolling through the aisles and stopping for photos and a chat. Rumour has it that the real David had to stay at home to help Victoria into her latest pair of shoes but judging by the reaction of those who met his double it was almost as good as the real thing.

Rod Duncan, chairman of the Promotional Merchandise Trade Association and managing director of Prodir Pens commented: "My congratulations on a magnificent show. I can honestly say that it was the best end user client show I have ever attended. The venue was great and the visitor number achieved almost unbelievable."

Some 63 of the top UK manufacturers of promotional merchandise displayed around 7000 examples of the latest gadgets, widgets and clothing at what was described by many as the greatest private show they have ever exhibited at.

Visitors were blown away by the vast range of promotional items on display and with the generosity of the manufacturers, many of whom contributed to the visitors' goody bags.

Talks by the Director General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association Gordon Glenister, SEDEX Marketing Manager Tom Smith and Senator Pens MD Andrew Hill attracted more than 130 attendees. A visitor from Carlsberg UK said: "It was a very illuminating talk. I knew promotional merchandise was effective but I had no idea that it was so cost effective compared to other channels of advertising."

Specialist drinks merchandise provider Tom Finnegan who was displaying his range of bar runners, drip trays and drinks merchandise could not believe his luck when buyers from Coca Cola, Carlsberg and Red Bull all stopped to view his range within an hour of the show opening.

Adds Jon Birrell: "We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our supplier partners for making this such a special event."scy

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