Case Study - London Model Engineering Exhibition

Client: Meridienne Exhibitions Ltd

Event: London Model Engineering Exhibition

Client Overview: The London Model Engineering Exhibition was one of the largest and most respected exhibitions of its kind in the UK. It brought together a diverse range of exhibits, including traditional model engineering, gas-turbine locomotives, steam locomotives, scale model ships, and more modern gadgets like remote control trucks, boats, planes, and robots. The event featured over 50 national and regional clubs showcasing the work of over 15,000 members, alongside over 50 trade stands launching new products, offers, and advice.

The Challenge: Eventageous PR was brought in to increase visibility and attendance for the London Model Engineering Exhibition. With a modest PR budget of just £3,500, the challenge was to raise awareness of the event and secure media coverage that would drive increased footfall and brand recognition within a competitive and niche market.

Eventageous PR Strategy: Eventageous PR was tasked with promoting both the exhibition itself and the exhibitors. Key objectives included:

🔹 Raising awareness of the exhibition and its diversity of exhibits.

🔹 Increasing footfall through media coverage.

🔹 Securing high-quality media exposure to highlight the skills of engineering and modelling.

PR Execution:

🔹 Media Coverage: Eventageous PR secured a wide range of national and regional press coverage, exceeding 80 printed media items, valued at over £140,000. These placements ranged from lifestyle magazines to specialist engineering publications, all designed to attract both exhibitors and visitors to the show.

🔹 Broadcast Media: A standout achievement was securing coverage on BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans on his Breakfast Show, as well as a feature on BBC 1’s The One Show. These high-profile broadcast placements helped bring the exhibition into the national spotlight.

🔹 Promoting Exhibitors: Eventageous PR worked to highlight the diverse exhibits, the talent behind them, and the craftsmanship on display. By showcasing these creators in the media, the agency was able to not only promote the exhibition but also shine a light on the skills and passion of the exhibitors.

🔹 Targeted Press Outreach: The agency engaged in targeted outreach to regional clubs, engineering enthusiasts, and model enthusiasts, generating interest in both the event and the broader community of model engineers.

Results:

🔹 Increased Footfall: Eventageous PR’s efforts led to an 8% increase in attendance at the exhibition, despite the relatively modest PR budget.

🔹 High-Profile Media Placements: Key broadcast placements, including the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and BBC The One Show, helped to establish the exhibition as a must-attend event for model engineering enthusiasts.

Client Testimonial: “Eventageous PR were selected as our new PR company since it was clearly evident that their vision for our exhibition and past experience would enable them to achieve results. We worked together for 4+ months leading up to our event and have been delighted with the coverage that they secured, including the Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show on Radio 2 and BBC 1 The One Show. Both Helen and Rebecca worked as an extension of our own team and managed all PR requirements with incredible detail and commitment” –  Avril Spence, Exhibition Manager at Meridienne Exhibitions Ltd