The Day of The Event™ September 18th 2008

The Cromwell® stand at The Event™

Donington track staff checking seat belts before a flying lap!

Twelve hours of frantic activity had preceded The Event™ 2008 on Wednesday 17th September as over one hundred and five exhibitors, with countless vans, lorries and cars descended on the Donington Park exhibition hall to set up and prepare their stands for the 9am start the following day. Creative constructive chaos reined supreme throughout the exhibition hall, ably supported by The Event™ 2008 coordinators (trouble shooters) Dave Fowler and Paul Clements.

A select few worked long into the night with only the cleaners and security guard for company.

As dawn broke on the 18th of September 2008 the early mist and cloud disappeared to be replaced with a brilliantly blue sky and blazing sun, it was a dry and sunny day, ideal conditions for The Event™ 2008 and the experiences!

No one was going to be disappointed all the stands looked immaculate, as did the exhibitors manning them; reception was staffed by the super efficient trio of Zita, Bev and Victoria who greeted and handed out The Event™ welcome packs. All was quiet, then the clock ticked over to 9am the doors opened and a low rumble could be heard the first bus arrived and the slow trickle of visitors to The Event™ started! Over the next few hours this trickle became a flood, all handled calmly and speedily by the girls who at the end of the day they had welcomed over 2,000 visitors to The Event™.

In the main hall there were people everywhere the noise level was increasing as more people arrived and the exhibitors explained and answered questions on new and existing products, the unwary were startled by the living statue on the 3M stand, Dijet’s welcome drink was smoothing the way and the machining demos where running well. The helicopter flight, track ride and 4x4 experience had everyone talking, the views where fantastic from 1,000ft, the speeds on the track where startling as the drivers flung their cars into the corners and the 4x4’s got up and down mind numbing gradients and the competitive spirit of UK industry was alive and well on the Scalextric® track!

Whilst all this was going on other people were taking Cromwell® up on the offer of a guided tour of their 250,000sq ft World Distribution Centre this was a unique experience to see the UK’s Number One industrial supply company in action, up close and personnel. This operation had all of Cromwell’s trademarks attention to detail, precise planning (to the minute) and friendly, knowledgeable staff on hand as guides, to answer any question that was levelled at them.

All in all a superb day thank you to all who attended, the support of the exhibitors and staff who help set up... We will see you at the next EVENT™!