With the current climate of events being delayed, or cancelled altogether, due to COVID-19, there always remained a worry that SHOUT Network’s Lancashire Business Expo would go the same way.
Businesses who had been planning for months with certainty have been getting increasingly nervous about last-minute cancellations, money lost, and opportunities missed. Businesses like Sensible Choice, who were going to take their self-built arcade machine to the event for the Sensible Contest – in which visitors battle on a retro arcade-game to achieve a highscore – with the opportunity for visitors to win a selection of prizes from local businesses.
Originally set to take place on Friday the 3rd April, the expo was initially expected to attract 2000 people at least to Preston Guild hall. As Lancashire’s largest business event, it is great way for businesses from across the UK to connect to those in Lancashire. So any cancellation would be a great loss to the local business community.
So what has happened?
Just like all other event-organisers across the country, SHOUT Network were taking things on a day-by-day basis. Paying close attention to government updates, and the concerns of the hundreds of businesses who have paid for a stall.
On behalf of over 160 businesses who are set to exhibit that SHOUT Network were extremely keen for the Lancashire Business Expo to go ahead on the 3rd April. Together with this determination, they had the backing of Preston City Council, who were eager to keep Preston Guild Hall available for the event.
The two agreed on the importance of the local business community, and the contribution that the Expo has as a networking platform between Lancashire and the whole of the UK.
But the situation changed last night, when the government advised against mass gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Resultantly, the SHOUT Network has taken the decision to postpone the April event, rightfully believing that it’s in the best interests of their team, members, guests and those working at the host venue, Preston Guild Hall.
The new date
The SHOUT Network had known for some time about the possibility of the event in April being called off. But even if the event had gone ahead as planned, they were well aware of the dampening effects of COVID would have – a significantly reduced footfall, and Lancashire Business Expo partners not able to attend.
As such, they had discussed with Preston City Council to put a contingency plan in place, whether it went ahead in April or not.
The Lancashire Business Expo will now take place on Friday 4th September. Acting as a straight rerun of the Spring version, the only difference will be the date, and the increased number of visitors as the country recovers.
All businesses who paid for an exhibit at the April event will get another in September free-of-charge, mitigating the loss that local businesses may suffer.
Can I still win a Sensible prize?
The Sensible Choice team will be at the event for the full day, providing advice about all things technology – whether your school in Lancaster needs a printer and toner supplier; your Blackpool business wants to save money by upgrading to a VoIP phone system; or your startup in Blackburn is looking for IT support.
But more important than office technology, the arcade machine will be there to host the Sensible Contest, allowing visitors to fight for a highscore on a retro arcade game, with a selection of prizes will be up for grabs.
Updates on the Sensible Contest will be posted on the team’s social media pages:
Who are Sensible Choice?
Sensible Choice are a provider of office-technology across Lancashire and Cumbria. They supply businesses and schools of all sizes with photocopiers/ printers, computers, communications and CCTV – with tech-support included.
For more information, and a no-obligation chat
Call 03333 583 689 | Email info@sensiblechoice.co.uk
