erotica 2013 relaunch review

It's been coming for some time. The organisers of the once popular Erotic show cancelled the 2012 show and have since been promising a return in 2013.

So here it is.... it's been announced that the Erotica 2013 comeback, re-launch show will take place almost one month earlier than usual in October. But don't all book your hotel and train tickets for Earls Court just yet. Erotica now has a new venue. The Tobacco Dock situated around 7 miles away in Greater London. Also noted in the congestion zone!

The new smaller venue is a sure sign that not only have the purse strings been tightened and budgets cut due but the lack of support from exhibitors. Why else would you move the UK's biggest adult erotic event of the year from it's spacious home to a smaller venue? If there was the usual number of exhibitors then a hall like Earls Court would be needed to host the event.

If you are an exhibitor considering having a stand at Erotica 2013 then I would strongly urge you not to book any stands and not to waste your hard earned cash until you have done your homework.

In 2011 there was lots of complaints from many of the exhibitors. Many of the regular stalls that have been exhibiting at Erotica for many years.

Here is a few of the reasons why you won't find the popular stands or big names returning to support Erotica in 2013.

Stands in different locations to the floor plans
Not only had some of the stands been moved to different locations to the floor plan but some of the stands especially around the edges (under the balcony) found themselves with huge pillars in the middle of the stands.
These pillars created obstacles that had not been planned for by many exhibitors. It also obscured the view  during busy / peak periods leaving stands vulnerable to theft.

Show organisers competing with exhibitors
The show organisers had many stands competing directly with other exhibitors that had paid for there stands creating unfair competition.
These organisers stands then sold all products on all of their stands. By doing this it undervalued many of the products being sold.
The show organisers stands were found very close to other exhibitors selling the same products.
In addition to this, the show organisers stands were never made visible on any floor plans prior so nobody knew about the stands until they arrived at the show.

Customer service
Having spoken to the show organisers about several problems they were not interested and very unhelpful. Some issues went unsorted for the entire duration of the show.