TechPro makes the right connections in Belfast
Our reputation for providing the highest quality audio, video and lighting services ensures a greater appreciation of our commitment to flawless delivery of live events from the agencies that appoint us. But it’s still important to get out, spread the word and connect with clients and prospects.
Which is why TechPro Event Services Director Mike Foyle and me, (Tracy Armstrong, Marketing Manager) found ourselves at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday 31 July, ready for our trip to Belfast.
The reason for our three day adventure in Northern Ireland was to attend the C&IT Agency Forum, held in Belfast for the first time and bringing together agency event planners, venue representatives and suppliers like TechPro.
Top off for the tour
Having arrived and checked into the magnificent modern Grand Central Hotel, we were treated to an open-top bus tour of the city, before heading off to experience Titanic Belfast. This was a good opportunity to network and a chance to catch up with contacts made at previous C&IT events.
Around 200 delegates enjoyed drinks, dinner and some fine entertainment, supported by speeches from the event organiser, all designed to promote the location as a great venue for live events – mission accomplished.
Main event for TechPro
Thursday was the main event day, packed with meetings, a series of panel sessions and presentations from industry luminaries, offering insight into everything from venues to successful pitching and attracting talent to improving performance.
Held at the International Convention Centre Belfast, a short walk from the hotel, attendees were welcomed by Calum de Lieto, Editor at C&IT before the opening session, an enlightening presentation on ‘Space as an incentive travel destination for the future’, by Dr Suzie Imber, an associate professor of planetary science at the University of Leicester.
More down to earth were the 1-2-1 meetings we had scheduled with a number of live event agencies, all keen to hear how TechPro could make their lives easier.
Such was the demand for meetings with us that we undertook many of them separately, often spilling over into the Berlin breakout space to be able to discuss the needs of agencies looking for greater support from their AV services partner.
Although each meeting was intended for 15 minutes, 10 for us to explain the benefits of appointing TechPro and 5 for the agency to highlight their challenges, we found it hard to cram all the benefits of live event agencies appointing TechPro, in to just 10 mins.
However, it was gratifying to see people genuinely interested in what we had to say, with their insightful questions making it even harder for us to stay on schedule.
Belfast beer and bad heads
The day ended with everyone attending an evening of networking, food and drink at one of Belfast’s finest hostelries, the Dark Horse, which offered a great chance to catch up again with faces familiar to TechPro and those we had not yet engaged.
Given the intense pressure of the preceding day’s events, with all the meetings and panel sessions, a relaxed evening was the perfect end to the day and a great night seemed to be had by all.
Friday’s event followed much the same pattern of presentations and meetings, although the sometimes obvious hangover heads of a few of the more exuberant ‘networkers’ meant a slower pace to the morning.
The quieter schedule and the wait for our return flight gave us time to reflect on another excellent event staged by the C&IT team.
Takeaways leave a good taste
It is difficult to remember every word exchanged over the three days, but from the feedback received during the numerous networking opportunities, it was clear the live event agency representatives understood four critical takeaways from our meetings:
- TechPro only works with event agencies and not direct with end clients
- TechPro undertakes 75% of its work in Europe from their head office in the Midlands and their warehouse in Rotterdam
- TechPro will turn quotes around within 24 hours
- TechPro has a huge inventory of quality assured equipment stored immaculately and prepared to the highest standards
Given the number of meetings we have scheduled to follow up our days in Belfast, it is clear the message is getting through that TechPro is one of the UK’s leading AV service providers and a trusted partner for flawless delivery of live events.