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Frequently Asked Questions
What visitors are asking…
Q. When does BETA International 2009 take place?
A. Sunday 15th, Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th February at the NEC,
Birmingham, UK.
Q. What are the opening times?
A. Sunday 15th and Monday 16th February 0930 to 1830 and Tuesday
17th February 0930 to 1700.
Q. What should I wear at BETA International?
A. Smart, business clothes are in order. The exhibition halls are
kept at a comfortable room temperature, so there’s no need
for warm coats etc. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes -
and preferably a pair that is already well broken in!
Q. Is BETA International suitable for disabled visitors?
A. Yes, the exhibition halls have full wheelchair access and appropriate
toilet facilities. If you have any concerns, please feel free
to contact the organisers.
Q. Will I need to pay for parking at the NEC?
A. No, there's plenty of car parking and it’s all free.
There are also free shuttle buses taking visitors from the car parks
directly to the exhibition halls. The NEC is easily reached from
the M42 motorway, Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham
International Railway Station.
Q. How long do I need to spend at BETA International 2009?
A. Most visitors find it useful to spend at least two days at BETA
International. As well as approximately 300 stands, there are
special feature areas such as the Fashion Show, Horse Demonstration
Arena and New Product Gallery to see. Plus you need to allow time
to return to stands you are interested in or perhaps take in the
Business Seminars. Time to network is also important. First time
visitors are often surprised at the size and scope of BETA International
and, even for seasoned buyers, there are always many new aspects
to explore. An overnight stay enables you to think about new products
and ideas before returning refreshed the following day. BETA Retail
Members are entitled to a subsidy when they visit on more than
one day.
Q. I am an American retailer planning to visit BETA International
2009. Is there an easy way to book my travel and hotel?
A. BETA International has launched a new Travel Service. It’s
a one-stop shop for flights, transfers, car hire and hotel bookings
etc, providing a door-to-door service to the exhibition from anywhere
in the world. Click onto the Travel & Hotel page on this website,
or contact Reservation Highway at info@reservation-highway.co.uk or tel + 44 (0) 1423 525577.
What exhibitors are asking…
Q. If I'm travelling to BETA International from
Europe or elsewhere in the world, what's the best way of transporting/storing
my products?
A. Our specialist freight forwarders can help with this. See the
online manual (a password protected area accessed via the ‘exhibit’ page)
for details. You may also find BETA International’s new Travel
Service useful. It’s a one-stop shop for flights, transfers,
car hire and hotel bookings etc providing a door-to-door service
to BETA International from anywhere in the world. Click onto the
Travel & Hotel page on this website, or contact Reservation
Highway at info@reservation-highway.co.uk or tel + 44 (0) 1423 525577.
Q. Should I enter my products in the BETA International Innovation
Awards?
A. If your products were not on the market during or before BETA
International 2008, then yes! Entry is free and winners and runners-up
tend to attract massive publicity both during and after the exhibition.
In addition, all entries are highlighted with a special card, so
therefore attract attention to your stand. An independent panel
of judges assesses entries in six categories (rider clothing, saddlery & tack,
safety & security, feed & supplements, horsecare & equipment
and other). You’ll find an entry form within the online manual
(accessed via the 'exhibit' page). Note that the Innovation
Awards are entirely separate from the New
Product Gallery.
Q. How many visitors are expected to attend BETA International
2009?
A. Approximately 5,000. BETA International attendance is independently
audited by Audit Bureau Circulations (ABC) which is regarded worldwide
as the industry standard for the safe monitoring of exhibition attendance
and the circulation of magazines and newspapers. BETA International’s
audited attendance figure includes no repeats and no re-entries.
It is also entitled to display the logo of an ABC audited event
(shown here).
Q. How many journalists attend BETA International?
A. Approximately 100. BETA International has a dedicated press office
where all exhibitors are encouraged to display press releases. The
press office team, led by Liz Benwell and Tim Smith, is also pleased
to hear about product launches on your stand, celebrity appearances
or other news to pass onto the media. BETA International 2008 was
filmed for television by the BBC and Horse&Country TV, while
researchers from BBC 2's Dragons' Den also visited in
search of equestrian entrepreneurs.
NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Please telephone or email James Palmer at BETA
International with any questions whatsoever. James can be contacted
on +44 (0) 1937 582111 or jamesp@beta-int.com
