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The Outdoors Show
With predictions in mainstream media suggesting that holidaying in Britain will be "de riguer" in 2009, the OS Outdoors Show couldn't come at a better time. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts ranging from outright beginners to weathered old hands will descend on this exciting, vibrant show. Geraldine Reeve told SGB what visitors can expect.
SGB: What makes the OS Outdoors Show special?
Geraldine Reeve: The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show 2009 is designed to let you interact directly with core outdoor visitors. We're going into our eighth year with 250/300 exhibitors. In 2008 we had 26 different features that people could have a go on or watch. The star attraction last year was the Ford SkyMasters climbing competition - suspended from the ceiling of the NEC, climbers negotiate an entirely overhanging route. Top climbing personality Leo Holding will be the commentator at this year's spectacular competition.
SGB: What names can people expect to find there, and what can they experience?
GR: Working with big brands like Regatta, Trespass, Craghoppers, who all sponsor features within the show, folks can watch the shows, speak to some experts and then purchase all the gear that they need to do that activity - it's all about experiential marketing, so getting people to come along and actually try your product. They're already the people interested in the outdoors and want to come to the show to buy the products, and they're not just coming to the show to look for a bargain, they're actually interested in seeing the latest products and they also want to know about all the technology that's behind those products.
Brush boarding will be the new event at 2009 as we're expanding the surf section. New for 2009 is The Reel Adventure Diaries (TRAD) film competition for thrill-seeking outdoor people. Six winners will have the opportunity to travel with an outdoor personality to film them in action, not for the faint hearted! The film award winner will be voted for by a live audience at the Outdoors Show.
Also a new charity bike ride has also been planned at the NEC to take place on the last day of the show. The Outdoors Show 100 will get entrants cycling either a 100 mile or 100 kilometre route in aid of Action Medical Research.
SGB: How are you getting word out there to potential visitors?
GR: We are proud to work with associations like Scouts, Girl Guides, Ramblers and British Orienteering. Also the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. Our media partners include Trail, and Country Walking who are bringing in a kit testing area so people can walk through and get rained on and wind blown in their face, etc. You can also see us in Canoe and Kayak Magazine, Climb, Climber, Lakeland Walker, Camper and The Independent. Also, we have a database of about 40,000 previous visitors. Outdoor advertising on railway stations of the London Midland network, and our radio partner Kerrang! is concentrating on the West Midlands area.
SGB: What's the cost for visitors?
GR: Well the ticket price is £12.50 in advance or it's £16.00 on the door, but once you get inside everything else is free, for instance the Wales theatre, we have some big celebrity speakers lined up including explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, climber Tim Emmett, mountaineers Doug Scott CBE and Simon Yates, Mark Beaumont who holds the world record for cycling around the world and top female French mountaineer, Catherine Destivelle. You can go and see those at a theatre somewhere and you'd pay £10 just to see them, whereas at our show you can pay your £12.50 to get in and you can not only see them but you can have a go at mountain biking, you can have a go at diving, you could try climbing, you could learn bush craft skills in the wilderness camp so you do get an awful lot for your money.
For further information: www.outdoorshowextra.co.uk
