The significantly increased attendance and the seniority of the delegates validated the decision of the event managers, Triangle Management Services, to merge two previously separate events – The Mail Show and the UK Express Delivery Conference. Neil Jackson, Chief Executive of Triangle, commented “We are thrilled with the success of MEDS 2008 – outstanding content, the attendance of virtually all the major players within the industry, and very positive feedback from delegates”.
Over the course of the extensive two day programme delegates had the opportunity to network, debate and discuss the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces in the current economic climate. With support for the event, and in turn the industry, from Royal Mail, Parcelnet, Intermec and MetaPack, the show created a lively and entertaining forum for senior executives within the industry.
The show also demonstrated the innovation happening within this sector. Paul Bates, Commercial Director at Royal Mail Wholesale launched a new initiative ‘Responsible Mail’ aimed at cutting the carbon footprint of direct mail and helping to create a ‘greener’ industry. Reductions are available of up to 0.7p per mail item; full details can be found on www.royalmailwholesale.com/news.
Rob Bradford, Managing Director of leading DownStream Access Company, Citipost commented “The number of companies present who generate significant volumes of mail and parcels was certainly impressive. Early indications are that having a presence at the Show will pay for itself many times over”.
The event also allowed delegates several networking opportunities enabling them to discuss business opportunities with their peers in a relaxed environment. Richard Thornton, Chief Executive of KeyMail commented “The show was an excellent way to meet many of my peers, and have some interesting forward looking discussions that I will follow up subsequently. The number of international mailers present was certainly of great interest, in addition to meetings with three European postal operators”.
Exhibitors at the complementary showcase exhibition also commented on another aspect of the event – the seniority and buying power of the delegates. Triangle estimated that the combined spend of the delegates at the show was in excess of 2.5 billion pounds. As Ian Phillips, Group Circulation Manager of EMAP commented “The Mail and Express Delivery Show has become the one single event in a packed calendar that I simply refuse to miss. Not only do I get the chance to meet with most, if not all, of the major suppliers, I also get the opportunity to discuss the issues and opportunities affecting the two industries with senior professionals who have similar responsibilities to my own. No other single event offers me that facility”.
The show closed with a presentation by NetDespatch of their innovative PODXchange v2 – the industry’s only proof of delivery portal, which is already making great strides in the market. Fronted by Becky Clark, the NetDespatch presentation was a microcosm of MEDS 2008 – all about innovation, development and growth. The next Mail & Express Delivery Show is set to be held in London in early July 2009.
