Let’s be honest, if we were invited to a trade show we might just say no thanks, it sounds incredibly boring. However the care sector does trade shows and exhibitions extremely well.  Companies like Closer Still Media, or Broadway events aren’t immediately identifiable with the social care sector – unless you know it’s these companies that organise The care show, and Care Roadshows.

Of course their main objective is to get companies to exhibit for a fee, and then those companies market to the crowds attending these vast events for free.

What about the exhibitors? They spend a lot of money marketing their wares at the show – can cash strapped managers benefit from visiting the stands? Yes, is my view. Not just to pick up a free pen, or boiled sweet, but to look at what developments are out there in the sector. There are a lot of forward-thinking companies that are selling goods that can transform your service. It’s good to get information around what can help, often a large investment can soon be recouped by the savings they provide. Continence products that are very effective and prevent breakdown of skin or prevent the need for washing on high temperatures. Simple things like soft clothes tags that save hours of laundry staff hours looking for lost property, resulting in fewer complaints.

Major items like digital care records or low temperature washing machines, tilting beds or bariatric hoists can be found.  Even if you don’t have the budget for these things now, it’s good to be informed.  Kitchen ideas, new suppliers, better options – all can be found by seeing what is out there at an exhibition. After the event you should keep an eye on the web sites of these manufacturers, as the products often get cheaper after the initial launch; or they are copied by other companies, and similar items are available within your budgets

I would say the main attraction for the care sector are the hours and hours of professional development put on within the events. The events are a great way to take a sidestep from the day to day running of the service with all its rotas, management, safeguardings, notifications etc etc. and come to be a part of a day (or two) where you will meet likeminded professionals who are going through the same as you are, and specialists giving snippets of wisdom that speak to your situation in many ways.

The seminars offered cover almost everything you might want to know in your sector. Having to choose which sessions to attend can be a problem! The sessions are bite size and are usually delivered by people experienced in your sector. You can hang around at the end and speak to the presenters to ask your individual questions. I have spoken at multiple of these events, and I always enjoy interacting with the crowds and answering questions when I have finished a presentation. I have learnt so much myself by dropping into other sessions where my colleagues are speaking.  When you attend a session, you don’t even have to remember the title to do your reflections – You are scanned into the session and can download attendance certificates after the event has finished. How helpful is that, especially if you’re a registered professional and can use these sessions to do your professional reflections.

I would definitely encourage you to attend if you can, but bring or meet a friend, and don’t forget to sit down and enjoy a coffee while you’re there.