We had a great exhibition, the stand looked fantastic, and the process was so streamlined it helped remove a lot of stress and anxiety that is usually involved in the exhibition process!
Selmach, one of the UK’s leading specialist suppliers of metalworking machinery, understands the importance of exhibitions in its business strategy and frequently participates in events across the UK. When they needed to create an eye-catching stand for the MACH 2024 Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham, they turned to Park Display for support.
A time-critical challenge
It was a race against time. Selmach decided to participate in the MACH 2024 Exhibition at the NEC fairly late, leaving them with only a few days to submit all the required documentation, including stand designs and risk assessments. When they reached out to Park Display to get started, the pressure was on to create a stand design that would grab attention, all within a very tight deadline.
Speaking with Dan and the rest of the Park Display team, we were able to quickly establish the stand design we needed, and wanted, to suit our stand space, despite the tight timeline.
The value of experience
Selmach had a generous 19m x 3m space to work with and needed an impressive 3-sided backdrop to be designed and constructed. However, the dimensions of this project presented several practical challenges, particularly with the prospect of a 4m x 19m back wall. Given the scale, it was essential to ensure that the structure would not only fit the space but also stay stable and secure.
The team at Park Display came with valuable insights and expertise, providing crucial advice that made all the difference. Their experience in handling large-scale projects allowed them to foresee potential issues and suggest technical adjustments that would improve both the design and functionality. They recommended key modifications to the initial plan, such as incorporating triangular supports at the two corners of the fabric backdrop. This small change added much-needed support and rigidity to the structure, ensuring that it would hold up under the conditions and maintain its visual appeal.
By leveraging Park Display’s experience and practical knowledge, Selmach transformed what could have been a difficult installation into a well-executed, visually striking solution.
A streamlined process
Given the quick turnaround needed for the project, there was the potential for some challenges in terms of preparation. Coordinating all the necessary paperwork, managing logistics, and ensuring everything was ready in time could have easily become overwhelming. However, the team at Park Display demonstrated their commitment to client success by offering practical support and took charge of critical tasks that might have caused delays.
In addition to managing logistics, Park Display produced the necessary CAD drawings and completed detailed Risk Assessments, both essential for meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring safety standards were upheld. The team went a step further by uploading all the required documents directly to the exhibitor’s portal on behalf of Selmach. This proactive approach ensured that all the necessary paperwork was submitted promptly and without error, allowing Selmach to focus on other important aspects of their project without worrying about administrative hurdles.
The result was a seamless, efficient process that ensured everything was ready on time, with minimal stress for the client.
Working out all the electrical requirements for the stand, including lighting and power access points was especially helpful, as we also needed machinery power points too.
Navigating some last-minute changes
The design process usually involves several rounds of back-and-forth discussions and adjustments before the final design is approved. This iterative process ensures that every detail is carefully considered and that the stand meets both aesthetic and functional requirements. Once the plans for Selmach’s stand were submitted and officially signed off, the rest of the preparation progressed smoothly.
Selmach’s team created the artwork for the stand and promptly forwarded it to the Park Display team. In return, Park Display provided a detailed CAD drawing with artwork that offered a clear visualisation of the final product. This level of precision and communication ensured everyone involved was on the same page, with no room for misunderstandings.
We could clearly see exactly how our exhibition stand was going to look. This was great, as it left no room for doubt, we were all on the same page and confident that everything was going to be perfectly suited for our exhibition.
However, just a week before the exhibition, an unexpected challenge emerged when the venue changed the maximum allowable height for Selmach’s display. The Park Display team handled what could have been a stressful and potentially disastrous situation with remarkable ease. They quickly adjusted the stand design to meet the new height requirements without compromising on the overall impact or quality of the display.
Even this didn’t seem to faze the team, who were able to alter and adapt the designs we had to suit the new requirements.
Their ability to deal with this curveball with such efficiency highlighted their expertise in dealing with unexpected changes. They ensured that the project stayed on track and Selmach’s exhibit remained both compliant and visually impressive.
The big day
Setting up for an exhibition is no walk in the park. The logistics involved, from coordinating schedules to managing the assembly of intricate displays, can quickly become overwhelming. For Selmach’s exhibition, the challenge was even more daunting due to the tight time constraints. With only one working day available, the pressure was on for Park Display to construct the entire stand and to ensure that all other components were properly assembled and ready for demonstration.
Thankfully the team knocked it out of the park, completing the entire stand build by midday, ready for us to bring in our equipment straight afterwards.
This limited timeframe could have easily led to complications, but the Park Display team approached the task with careful planning and precision. They arrived at the venue fully prepared, with a well-coordinated strategy to ensure that the build was completed on time. The team worked efficiently to erect the stand, paying close attention to every detail to ensure the structure was both visually impactful but also stable and compliant with safety regulations.
By the end of the day, the stand was built, and all the components were arranged and ready for action. This impressive feat under tight time constraints highlighted Park Display’s professionalism, organisational skills, and ability to deliver under pressure, ensuring Selmach was exhibition-ready without a hitch.
A flawless execution
When the Selmach team arrived at the NEC to set up their machinery, they were welcomed by the Park Display team, who had already completed the stand and handed it over, fully ready to go. The design included a convenient storage area with shelving for marketing materials, additional cupboards, a fridge (essential for a five-day exhibition!), and seating and tables for the exhibition space.
Everything was perfectly in place, with protective film covering the carpet to prevent any damage during the setup. Just before the exhibition opened, a member of the Park Display team returned to remove the protective film and ensure the stand was spotless and ready for the Monday morning opening.
This I particularly thought was a brilliant, and well-thought-out touch, as during the set-up phase of an exhibition, it’s easy to make a mess of carpets, especially with metalworking machinery.
A very satisfying outcome
After the event, the Selmach team focused on packing up their machinery. Instead of crowding the space to dismantle the stand the same day, the Park Display team returned the following day to handle the breakdown.
We had a great exhibition, the stand looked fantastic, and the process was so streamlined it helped remove a lot of stress and anxiety that is usually involved in the exhibition process! All in all, a highly enjoyable experience, and a company I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend if you’re looking for support with an exhibition space.
Dave Hargest, Marketing Manager, Selmach Machinery