10 replies to this topic

[guido]

Just got back from the Naidex Exhibition. You can tell things are less stable out there financially as it seemed to me to be a smaller show and companies taking smaller stands. Maybe I've just been to too many of these shows, but I didn't feel there was much out there that was new or interesting, and still a lot of companies selling overpriced, poorly designed tat.

However:

There was a good seminar on pressure issues, worth the time.

And it was good to meet Adam Thomas from the specialist accessible kitchen design company: Design Matters
Great service, nice looking product. Didn't ask about prices as I don't have somewhere to put a kitchen into! But it crapped all over the other companies trying to flog kitchens. Usual story really!

Trabasack were there, and their stand was always busy. Obviously a lot of happy customers, as they are doing well. Check out their new viral marketing video clip - pretty good!

Um.. what else?? Not a huge amount. Quickest I've been round one of these exhibitions!

[Apparelyzed]

I'm going to Naidex today, take a peek at some equipment that might be usefull to those with Spinal Cord Injuries.

Also, see if there are any gool gadgets!

Simon

[Rotarymotion]

I went yesterday. It was very busy within an hour of opening. I thought there were more stands than previously, but some of the wheelchair manufacturers weren't there; e.g. RGK, Cyclone.
Someone sitting in the front row of my presentation saw me using a Trabasack and went straight over to buy one at the end of the talk. I think the Trabasack is a brilliant product, and use mine all the time.

I was there all day because I kept meeting people I knew and having a chat, so I'm going back again on Thursday to spend time looking at the things I missed. Fortunately I live less than an hour away.

I am a passionate believer in the value of these exhibitions; Many of the things I use daily are products that I first saw at previous Naidex shows.

[Apparelyzed]

Just returned from Naidex, to be honest, I found it a bit disappointing, as there didn't seem much new stuff, not many bits and bobs that I thought "Ohhh, I'd like one of those"!

It mostly seemed to be aimed at the bariatric market, elderly, showers and kitchen design. And I don't think I've ever seen so many scooter stands and pushchair stands!

That's ok of course if you're looking for those products because you're kitting out an old folks home, but a couple of years ago when I went, there were some really cool manual wheelchairs and exercise equipment stands, daily living gadgets which there was a market for, rather than stuff which a market had been invented, and then a product made for.

I was suprised at the number of massaging beds there, some completely impractical, more of a gimmick, of course, the salesmen made you feel as though you couldn't live without one, but you just know, that after a few months, it'd end up on Ebay.

I was hoping to see Cyclone, Bromakin, RGK etc, or those types of companies, but there were very few manual custom chair companies there. A couple of years ago, I saw about 5 Trekinetics, so was surprised not to see even one, or the odd Marvel Wheelchair, which looks interesting.

I did have a play with the Nu-Drive lever drive system, very simple to install onto your wheels, and I can see the advantages of it, but due to my level of injury, it wasn't really suitable. Still, it was good to have a play!

Saw a few Apparelyzed members as well, see, I knew you all weren't in my head!

Simon

[guido]

It's a bit of a double edged sword though. I can understand why a lot of smaller companies with cool little gadgets aren't there, because having a stand, even a tiny one, is SO EXPENSIVE!!!

[Izziwhizzi]

I went today and, like last year, found it rather disappointing.

Very few wheelchair suppliers, no Bromakin or Gerald Simonds for example, but it is very expensive to exhibit at the NEC (although its a great facility access wise), and they obviously find it better not to go there for their business.

As Simon said the big stands were aiming at the care home and elderly, or even helping nursing staff to follow h & s guidelines, very boring. There was a whole pressure seminar area, and 1/3rd of each days lectures was entitled 'Seating: How to Avoid your day in Court '!!! are they really serious?! Not how to seat you or your client properly or range of options available and how they work.

The aisles were way too narrow for 2 chairs to pass easily, and even the pre-registration form demanded a company name to be filled out. I ended up typing that my company name was 'end user'. I could go on, but I wrote a letter to the organisers suggesting improvements from an end user point of view last year and it was obviously ignored. I mean why wasn't accessible holidays covered more? disabled sports, people like back-up or even getting Gok there with a fashion area to help us dress fashionably and feel more self confident after his recent series? Shannon apparently opened the event.

[jane]

Same here, not as good as last year, didn't see the things i wanted to, although did manage to have a good look at the new alber emotion m15 wheels and decided that may not be the best option.

Definately lots of scooters

still plus side meant that my boss had to take me out for lunch on the way home as we did the exhibition quicker than expected!

Good to see you Simon.

[Apparelyzed]

Jane, at least I know where to find you, Lewises or Naidex!

Because of the recession, I think Naidex should open an upstart Isle, 10ftx10ft booth Isle, for companies 3 years or younger, this could be subsidised by the huge exhibitors, who have acres of floorspace!.

This would promote innovation. In order to be kept innovative, there could be a minimum of stalls, and they could be selected by an impartial panel on a voting system.

Sounds fair, and keeps the exhibition alive!

Simon

[jane]

Jane, at least I know where to find you, Lewises or Naidex!

Because of the recession, I think Naidex should open an upstart Isle, 10ftx10ft booth Isle, for companies 3 years or younger, this could be subsidised by the huge exhibitors, who have acres of floorspace!.

This would promote innovation. In order to be kept innovative, there could be a minimum of stalls, and they could be selected by an impartial panel on a voting system.

Sounds fair, and keeps the exhibition alive!

Simon

Oh Lewises definately - not been for a bit, i feel the urge to go.

like that idea Simon

JAne

[guido]

Jane, at least I know where to find you, Lewises or Naidex!

Because of the recession, I think Naidex should open an upstart Isle, 10ftx10ft booth Isle, for companies 3 years or younger, this could be subsidised by the huge exhibitors, who have acres of floorspace!.

This would promote innovation. In order to be kept innovative, there could be a minimum of stalls, and they could be selected by an impartial panel on a voting system.

Sounds fair, and keeps the exhibition alive!

Simon

What a FANTASTIC idea... count me in on that!

[Apparelyzed]

Innovation in design should what Naidex is all about, rather than just a supermarket of duplicate stands, selling the same generic equipment.

I was hoping to see a Marvel Wheelchair, but didn't see even one, and I was hoping to take a closer look at the Trekinetic, as I'm still not convinced by it's design.

I saw a guy pushing a Trekinetic around Meadowhall the other day, his posture was terrible, which looked due to the position of his wheels, and he looked really knackered, he was a para, I shot past him, and I'm a c5/6, the chair looked as though it had loads of rolling resistance on the smooth surface ... so, it would of been nice to see one at Naidex to quiz the salesman!

I did buy a Dycem mat at Naidex, really usefull to stop stuff slipping around, great to keep in your bag when you go out to reastaurants to stop your plate shooting accross the slippery table!

Simon