Sheffield is a city that once rang with the sound of hammers and sat under the hot smoke of industry. Those days have gone but the city’s size and central location make it a fertile ground for small and medium businesses. Although it lacks a mega-venue like The NEC or Excel London, Sheffield is a regional hub with a generous helping of smaller but reasonably-sized unique venues with cultural and sporting heritage.

Digital communication methods are influencing our interaction in all sorts of ways, so it’s not surprising to hear a new working group on Wi-Fi connectivity at exhibitions stemmed from a LinkedIn discussion.

How did the management buyout come about?

When breaking into a new country, market, or getting a launch show off the ground, competing companies often look to set aside their differences and partner up in a joint venture (JV). A partner can give you the local market nous, or operational support you lack to establish an initial presence, while also providing financial capital or well-established brands that can enhance your existing portfolio.

Organisers will sometimes smile ruefully when talking about their dealings with venues. You might even get the impression there is a civil tolerance about their relationship. After all, each is trying to get from the other as much as possible while paying as little as possible. Of course, anyone will agree a pleasant, cooperative relationship is always a preferable, not to mention more effective, way of working together.

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