We are a rapidly growing global Events and Exhibitions agency with high expectations for the future and we have a new role as a Business Development Associate that has become available. We need an enthusiastic and confident individual to join our friendly sales team, based in our offices in Henley on Thames on a full time basis.

We are looking for someone that can work diligently and independently using their own initiative, with a focus on winning new business and the potential to account manage. An ideal opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in event sales within an established, supportive, ambitious company, that has a huge and excellent wealth of knowledge.

Main Responsibilities:

• Outbound sales calls to international warm and cold prospects
• Develop and maintain key customer relations
• Market research to identify growth industry sectors and potential contacts
• Provide support to the commercial director and Interface team
• Assist in producing reports as necessary
• Attend events and exhibitions for lead generation
• Use, maintain and grow current CRM database
• Assist the team with any other tasks as needed

Qualifications & Key Skills:

• Strong customer service & interpersonal skills
• Must have sales experience
• Work effectively as part of a small team
• Ability to work with a CRM system and proficient in Microsoft Office – particularly Excel
• Excellent communication and listening skills, with a polite, confident, and friendly telephone manner
• Organised and able to work under pressure
• Enjoy working within a target driven team environment
• Resilient and to be able to maintain a high level of self-motivation

We can offer a competitive salary and a performance-based bonus.

Please get in touch with us to find out more.

The post Join our team! appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

What is a Modular stand?

Simply put, a modular exhibition stand is a display stand that is made up of separate components, all of which fit together to make up a complete stand.  Long gone are the days where a pop-up trade show display was the only available modular exhibition stand option. Modular stands come in every size and design with prefabricated parts making the installation and dismantling simple and quick. The choices available are vast and include sophisticated audio-visual options that elevate the overall look of a stand. All these factors combined make modular systems a great solution for every exhibition.

6 Advantages of using Modular Exhibition Stands

1. Customizable Display
   Modular stands will effectively add a stylish edge to the display of your exhibition stand. These stands can be tailored with your brand graphics, giving you’re a clear bespoke look to your stand without the high price point.
2. Adaptable dimensions
   Modular exhibition stands are easily adaptable to changing space dimensions. Whether you have a small exhibition space or raw space, modular booths find its feet perfectly onto these spaces. Additional sections can be added on or removed when your footprint changes from one show to the next.
3. Reusable
   An advantage of modular stands is the longevity it offers and the reusability it vaunts. Invest in the modular exhibition stands once and reuse them for multiple shows.
4. Easy to assemble
   The pre-fabricated parts of the modular stands help in easy installation and dismantling. You can save time and extra labour costs using the modular stands.
5. Easy to transport
   Being portable is one of the best features of modular booths. This feature lets the exhibitor transport the entire stand in a hassle-free way.
6. Budget Friendly
   If you are exhibiting with tight budget constraints then the modular display is the best choice. It will help you in getting a high ROI without investing much. Modular exhibition stands will provide a significant impact on your audience. Moreover, the modular display requires less maintenance cost and can be used time and time again with minimal upkeep. Creating a something that truly stands out in a busy event hall is certainly no easy feet and will undoubtedly be harder with a modular unit vs a unique custom build. However, if you are looking for brand presence, consistency of message and optimum space utilization without the price tag, a modular stand could be the right solution for you. When choosing who to work with on your stand remember to be picky, just because you aren’t designing from scratch your stand can still have an impact on your customers and can have the wow treatment in terms of design. Work with an experienced team of stand design and builders that will bring their knowledge and experience of large custom builds to every project. If you are interested in discussing your event plans and discovering what stand solution is right for you contact our team today.

A Stand Solution to Meet Your Needs

The post The benefits of a modular stand solution appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

The last year has required major adjustments to how meetings and events are run worldwide, especially on the part of the planners and venues. As event stand designers and builders we play our part too, designs have been tweaked and the build team have had a whole new regime to adhere to when preparing for an event. We were fortunate enough to be involved with IDEX 2021 which was held in Abu Dhabi in February. We caught up with the team that were on the floor building the stand for Lockheed Martin to see how it went and what the road to recovery looks like for UK events.

Organisation and Planning:

If you need great organisation, comprehensive guidelines, clear signage and an efficient workflow there is no better place to look than the events industry! This was apparent at the biannual defence exhibition in Dubai.

As the event is such an important part of the economy special dispensation was given to allow for the staff to work in and around the event hall. One key element was a robust testing schedule; the build team were all tested before they got on the plane, followed by another test when they landed. Once they were given the all clear they could begin work. Construction staff and exhibitors alike were all required to have regular PCR tests throughout the show and a certificate was needed to gain entry.

Anyone that has ever attended a large international exhibition knows that even pre event the halls can be packed with contractors and deliveries getting the stands ready for the opening day. To stop the construction teams getting in each other’s way when building and, later, breaking down the stands the teams were split into shifts. One half were building through the day and one-half building through the night. It made for an unusually quieter exhibition hall but meant that the teams could work freely and safely.

A Positive Vibe:

The feeling at the show was very positive and the exhibitors themselves couldn’t wait to get going. Some teams flew in, but where possible local manpower was used to reduce the travel requirements. Everyone was wearing masks indoors, following the floor arrows and using the hand sanitiser stations dotted around. These were the obvious post 2020 exhibition markers, but other than that it felt quite normal.

It was a busy show for the first couple of days, constant footfall throughout. Generally, people were happy to be at an exhibition and able to meet up with other businesses. All meetings were booked and pre-arranged. To make the exhibition as Covid safe as possible GES adapted drawings to conform to the spacing regulations, a one-way system, blocking off areas of the stand to help the visitor flow and monitoring numbers on the stand itself.

The Road to Recovery:

This event, and others we have been part of, demonstrate what is possible for the events industry. Through this experience we are now armed with the knowledge of what will be expected. Allowing us to plan and design exhibition stands that will deliver a great customer experience even in these unusual times.

By having the infrastructure in place exhibitions like this one are driving confidence in the market, proving that large events can be held. Achieving what we all want and boosting business with minimal risk.

We look forward to getting back to events in the UK soon and hopefully, as restrictions ease, putting the floor arrows and Perspex meeting room screens in the bin.

If you want to discuss your event and exhibition plans or are looking for some advice on putting together a Covid safe stand design contact the team today.

The post Exhibitions and Events in 2021 – our experience so far appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

Tired and dated design:

Following the pandemic that hit in 2020 Barry was forced to trade in a different way, fortunately the demand was still high for the produce, but the footfall in the store was reduced due to the distancing measures. This allowed Barry and the team time to think about the space in the shop and what they would do to improve it for their loyal customers when the doors could be opened once again.

Having owned the shop for over 20 years Barry had been considering a refresh to the inside for a long time and could finally put those thoughts in to action. The inside of the shop looked tired and dated, it needed to be modernised while keeping to the traditional values and heritage that came with the name and reputation of Gabriel Machin Butchers.

As the shop had grown in popularity, so had the produce on offer with their own smokery on site they not only offer meat and fish of all varieties, but award winning cheeses, eggs, a selection of premium sauces, condiments and accompaniments. Everything you would need for a perfect meal! This came at a cost of space; the shop had become crowded and that meant less people would be able to fit inside to browse the produce and comfortably make their selections.

Creating a practical and appealing space:

He turned to Interface to see how we could help. The team were given a very open brief to create a fresh look for the shop and make better use of the space. There were of course essentials required for the shop to work; so the design team went to meet with Barry to get a deeper understanding of how he and the team used the space and how customers interacted there. Armed with this information the design team worked on a layout that matched the need for more space within the budget allocation for the project.

By creating practical shelving and storage areas a large storage trolly that sat in the centre of the shop could be removed. ‘I hadn’t considered moving the trolly before, it is something I wouldn’t have done without the guidance and ideas from the Interface team.’

Working closely with Barry the design and layout was reviewed and adjusted. As Covid restrictions were still in place the team installed Perspex screens to further protect the staff and customers in the shop. These additional screens in the service areas were designed to be easily removed when they were no longer required, giving Barry a flexible and professional looking solution to the current climate.

Once the visuals were approved the work was scheduled with the installation team and production of the bespoke fixtures and fittings began.

Cleverly using each alcove, installing multiple layers of shelving behind the serving counter and at the till, we were able to increase the display space for the additional products on offer. Enabling customers to see what was available for them to complement their other purchases.

It wasn’t all about display space; the practicalities of a working butcher shop were taken into account. High level storage for the ‘tools of the trade’ freed up the chopping blocks. The lighting was a vital element of the refit, the shop is a traditional building with exposed beams and is a relatively small space, so we ensured that it felt bright and open by carefully planned spot lighting. The colours and materials used for the tiling, shelving and panels were chosen to be in keeping with a classic butchers shop. Bringing the internal space up to date without making it feel at odds with the image of the butchers.

Positive Impressions:

The team worked hard to get the shop up and running with very little downtime for the butchers. There is always a queue outside the shop and even more so while they are still limiting numbers of customers inside. Barry assures us the revamp has made a big difference to staff and customers alike. Only a few weeks after the completion of the project Barry had already received positive comments from loyal customers as well as those new to the shop.

As for the design process and final result Barry couldn’t be happier ‘The team were really helpful throughout, always at the end of the phone when I needed to ask a question. Nothing was a problem for them. Just what you want when you are spending money on your business. I would recommend them to anyone that needs help in making the best of their retail space.’

Using our years of event experience, we work with businesses to renovate or create a new retail or commercial spaces that improve customer flow and ultimately sales. If you want to discuss your business space we would love to hear from you so contact us today.

The post How we Modernised and Created Space for an Established Retail Store appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

As a business we have been keeping busy with our commercial fit outs and branding; in offices, retail and more, not forgetting the rise of virtual events. We are still looking forward to getting back to live events in 2021, nothing beats meeting people face to face and networking in a room rather than over screens. We hope to again see the landmark industry figures that we saw in 2019; a direct spend of £70 billion, accounting for over 50% of spend in the UK visitor economy, providing over 700,000 jobs and generating in excess of £165 billion in trade facilitated at business events.

The events Industry is such a vital part of the economy; we were involved in the European ‘COVID safe’ events that did go ahead last year, and they were great! We know our clients want to plan for events and conferences this year so they are ready for when we can get back to live events and realising the business growth that comes from them. We know that this can only be done by remaining agile, reacting as quickly as possible, and keeping on top of all the latest guidelines.

Planning when timelines are far from defined can be tough, so we thought we would share our top tips for how to prepare for the unexpected and plan when you can’t plan!

1. Regularly Define (or redefine) your Goals – Identify specifically what you are trying to accomplish from your event or marketing activity and do it again. Regularly checking your direction and ensuring that you adjust activity to meet the new goal. If your main activity has been stopped what are the alternative platforms that you can capitalise on to meet those goals short term.
2. Find your Dependable routes to Market – Even when nothing seems certain there will be elements of brand building activity that can be depended on to remain unchanged. Identify what these are and focus on them as your foundation marketing and sales activity. Plan for activity in the less certain channels and you can add these in as they become possible. Meaning you are ready to move quickly but you are not reliant on activity that might not materialise.
3. Don’t Stop – In uncertain times there can be a tendency to shut down and wait. Don’t allow yourself to become indecisive, especially if you are assessing new opportunities and data. Develop a few likely scenarios and their implications, based on the data you have. This will help you figure out what actions you can take immediately that will make sense irrespective of which scenario plays out.
4. Develop Mini Plans – You may have been used to short, medium, and long-term projections and strategies. Instead try 2 or 3 mini plans, based on your potential scenarios. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed with too many eventualities and from losing momentum when something changes. Think more checklists with 2 or 3 steps over a short timeline. If one plan isn’t used at all you haven’t wasted too much time crafting it.
5. Acting Amid Uncertainty – This is not as easy for everyone; becoming comfortable with being unable to figure everything out ahead of time is a key skill right now. Evaluating the information, you have and moving forward, with incomplete information, in the knowledge that you may have to adapt as you go. Be open to new solutions and remember to use your instincts and experience to move forward quickly.
6. Regularly Share – Communication is key in a fast-changing environment, regularly update the team with the direction you are heading in so that they move with you. By using your mini plans, you’re never more than a couple of steps away from reaching an interim objective, the small wins count! This is a time to gauge progress, adapt and continue.

While this is broken down in to separate points, they won’t always happen in order, often there will be cross over. We may not have chosen this unfamiliar situation, but the skills we develop from this will help us be ready for anything in years to come. Hopefully these tips can help you better flex your plans and still strategically deliver results no matter what gets thrown at you in 2021 and beyond.

If you want help in bringing your vision for an exhibition stand or a branded space to life contact our design team today for an initial conversation, we are here and ready to adapt with you.

The post Planning Ahead in 2021 – how to prepare for the unexpected appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

Interface is a leading Global Brand Experience agency with over 30 years of knowledge in creating environments that engage customers and achieve business goals. This is what we do, but we wanted to share with you a bit more about how interface started as well as what we have been up to over 2020.

How it all began:

Adam, MD and Co-Founder of Interface Worldwide, started his working life as a carpenter. Working on a variety of projects from kitchen fitting and boat building, to film sets and exhibitions. He found that exhibitions to be what he enjoyed and after working for an exhibition company for some years he decided to start out on his own. He wanted to provide excellent carpentry skills partnered with stress free project management, and that is what he did.

These core values have led to many years of success working for a well-known agency in our industry, as well as partnering with brands independently. Some of the brands we have worked with are Sanyo, Samsung, JBC, Meggitt, BBA, Thales, and Nestle.to name a few.

Adam explains ‘We can confidently say we have never under delivered on any project. We have a strong reputation in the events sector for high quality end results; these are achieved by having a long-standing network of trusted experienced engineers, electricians, lighting experts and transport teams. As well as the great relationship we have with all of the venue and events professionals we have had the pleasure to work with over the years.’

What has 2020 taught us?

This has been a year like no other we have seen, and for the events sector especially it has been incredibly hard.

There have been some positives though that Adam shares ‘We feel 2020 has given us the time that we needed to stop for a moment and think about how we can improve our service to existing and potential new clients. We have reviewed the skill sets we hold within our workshop and applied them to other industries while the doors on exhibitions have been closed. We have also been connecting with existing and new suppliers to look at what’s new on the market that we can offer our clients going forward.’

Plenty to be proud of:

✅ Adapted our services to provide our clients with a virtual exhibition platform to meet the current requirements.
✅ Created an interactive gaming table to be installed onto a cruise liner in the Mediterranean.
✅ Refurbishment of a local retail outlet
✅ Interior redesign of a boutique hotel.
✅ Built safe NHS testing stations.
✅ Successfully delivered several ‘Covid Safe’ exhibitions in Europe.
✅ Achieved our accreditation for ISO 90001 and ISO 14001

More recently we have put the final touches on a short film that sums up what we do – initial meetings to the final reveal, with a montage of just some of our projects at the end. We are currently building a Santa’s grotto for the local children to come and meet Santa too!

We hope that puts us on the ‘nice list’ for this year and we hope to be able to get back to live events soon, working with our many long-standing clients. We are sure that the commercial side of the business will go from strength to strength, we’re looking forward to 2021 with great energy and new ideas to build a successful future.

If you want to discuss your event or workplace design plans for the coming year Contact us to discuss how we can help. Check out our new Brand Video and let us know what you think.

The post A Bit About Us appeared first on Interface Worldwide.

We have pulled together 3 main areas to consider when bringing staff back to the workplace, but advise that you thoroughly check the latest Government guidelines for the full advice.

Finding Space:

Thinking about the workspace, is it ready for staff to safely return? In a physical sense this can mean a robust regular cleaning process, so staff feel confident that the surfaces, doors and shared facilities won’t be a hotbed of germs.

Depending on your office layout you may need to consider a reconfiguration of desks or changing where staff sit. This isn’t always possible if space is tight, if that is the case mitigating actions can be taken to adjust for this. That can include;

• Increased hand washing and surface cleaning
• Keeping time together as short as possible
• Using screens or barriers between desks
• Back to back or side to side working
• Reducing the number of people each person has contact with
• Once the space is prepared for staff to return a full risk assessment must be completed and shared with staff if possible

Hands, Face, Space:

Thanks to a catchy government tag line we all know that we need to wash hands regularly, wear a facemask when moving around or in enclosed spaces with people for prolonged periods and keep a 2m distance with others.

When translating this to the office space you will have a Covid procedure that staff will have read to ensure everyone understands what they need to do to keep themselves and others safe. It is useful to provide clear signage to remind staff what is expected of them. Hand sanitiser at the entrance and on desks is a good place to start. A one-way system around the office will help maintain the space that is needed between staff members, where possible. Limiting numbers allowed in smaller spaces at any one time, for example only 1 person in the kitchen at a time. No group tea runs, which may be a good thing if you are the one that always ends up doing the 10am tea shout for all 15 people in the team! These small actions to limit close contact with staff can make a huge difference to reducing the risk of staff infecting each other should someone get the virus.

Make sure you clearly detail all the guidelines and staff sign up to them before returning to the office.

Self Isolating Stress:

A staff member should not come to the office if they have one of the 3 main symptoms, which are:

• A temperature
• A new persistent cough
• Loss of taste or smell

They will need to get a test as soon as possible. If this is negative, they can return to the office. If it is positive, they will need to isolate for 10 days from when they took the test. All staff members that came in to contact with the positive case will also need to isolate for 10 days.

Now this could mean shutting down the whole office you worked so hard to get back together, although necessary it is frustrating. There is a way to make it a bit less painful. It needs a bit of pre planning with staff. If not everyone needs to be in at the same time divide the office into bubbles and work of a rota of alternate weeks in the office, worst case only half your staff have to isolate for the 10 days, or less if you have more than 2 bubbles. It gives your staff time in the office, while limiting your risk of the whole workplace going back to home working.

If you need help reimagining your office for the safe return of staff or want signage or partitions between desks and in meeting rooms, get in touch. We have already safely produced exhibition stands and meeting rooms that have kept spaces professional, branded and welcoming, while keeping to health and safety guidelines.

The post Workplace Guide – A COVID safe return to the office appeared first on Interface Worldwide.