Innovation Challenge to make Euro Bus Expo debut in 2022
Euro Bus Expo will host the popular Innovation Challenge for the first time at this year's show at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Having debuted at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Challenge brings together the most significant product and service developments from across the industry and gives visitors the opportunity to quickly and easily evaluate them.
Among the initiatives to be highlighted in the Innovation Challege will be those that could lead Euro Bus Expo visitors to cut costs, drive productivity and unlock growth within their businesses.
Products will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge Gallery. On the first and second days of the show, visitors will vote for their favourites. Suppliers of those that accrue the most votes will then deliver a 90-second pitch in the Masterclass Theatre of their product or service to a panel of judges drawn from within the industry, and visitors.
Judges from industry to decide on awards for best entries
The judges will then award bronze, silver or gold certificates, and winning suppliers “can relish the moment of having one of the most innovative products or services at Euro Bus Expo 2022,” says event organiser Diversified Communications UK.
Judges this year will include Abellio London Bus Managing Director Jon Eardley; Belle Vue Manchester MD Phil Hitchen; Leach-O'Connell Consultancy MD Chloe Leach-O'Connell; Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru Director Josh Miles; and Trentbarton Group Commercial Director Tom Morgan.
Exhibiting suppliers have been invited by Diversified to enter into the Innovation Challenge their product or service that is launching at Euro Bus Expo, or which has debuted during the 12 months prior to the show.
Says Event Director Helen Conway: “Following its successful launch at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Innovation Challenge celebrates new products and services from across the industry.
“As well as giving visitors a convenient way to discover all the latest additions, the challenge is an extra opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the very best of their work and highlight the importance it has on shaping the future of our sector.”
Innovation Challenge highlights 'real benefits' for coach and bus
At Coach & Bus UK in 2019, Ticketer won the gold award in the Innovation Challenge. Former CEO John Clarfelt adds: “I highly recommend entering if you are looking to launch a new product or service.
“We were excited to be involved in the Innovation Challenge at Coach and Bus UK 2019. It was a chance to get in front of the whole exhibition audience and showcase something we are proud of, which could really benefit the industry. Reaching the final and winning the gold award was naturally a bonus.”
Diversified again expects to attract thousands of coach, bus and mini vehicle operators to Euro Bus Expo, which will run concurrently with the routeone Awards presentation evening at the nearby Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Wednesday 2 November. Euro Bus Expo is the UK’s largest trade show dedicated to the coach and bus industry.
Registration is free of charge via the show website.
Euro Bus Expo launches Innovation Challenge 2022
New feature celebrates the best new products and services driving the sector forward
The Innovation Challenge will make its Euro Bus Expo debut at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Bringing together the most notable product and service developments from across the industry, it gives visitors the opportunity to quickly and easily discover what’s new and next in a sector rife with innovation.
The next wave of ideas
The Challenge will highlight the most significant new initiatives from hundreds of leading and emerging brands exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo. Among these, visitors will discover innovations that could be the key to cutting costs, driving productivity, and unlocking future growth for their businesses.
Euro Bus Expo is a proven platform to find out about the latest products available. It attracts thousands of bus, coach and mini-vehicle operators, local authorities and stakeholders to find out about new initiatives, from energy-efficient vehicles, through technology, equipment, accessories, and business services.
After the last event, Robert Williams, chief executive officer of Reading Buses said: “I always enjoy attending the show to see the latest innovations and developments, gather new ideas and meet suppliers. There’s nothing like having all the options under one roof to help shape our buying decisions.”
Exclusive to exhibitors
Exhibiting suppliers are invited to enter their product or service launching at Euro Bus Expo, or in the 24 months prior, which they feel deserves recognition for innovation.
Says event director Helen Conway: “Following its successful launch at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Innovation Challenge celebrates new products and services from across the industry.
“As well as giving visitors a convenient way to discover all the latest initiatives, the challenge is an extra opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the very best of their work and highlight the importance it has on shaping the future of our sector.”
Judged by the industry
Entries will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge Gallery, where visitors will vote for their favourites on the first and second days of the show. Suppliers of innovations with the most votes will deliver a 90-second pitch of their product or service to a panel of industry judges and visitors in the Masterclass Theatre.
The judges will award bronze, silver or gold award certificates, and winners can relish the moment of having one of the most innovative products or services at Euro Bus Expo 2022.
Judges include Phil Hitchen, MD of Belle Vue Coaches; Chloe Leach-O’Connell, MD of Leach-O’Connell Consultancy; Jon Eardley, MD at Abellio London; Tom Morgan, group commercial director at trentbarton; and Josh Miles, director CPT Cymru at Confederation of Passenger Transport UK.
Says John Clarfelt, former CEO at Ticketer: “I highly recommend entering if you are looking to launch a new product or service. We were excited to be involved in the Innovation Challenge at Coach & Bus UK 2019.
“It was a chance to get in front of the whole exhibition audience and showcase something we are proud of, which could really benefit the industry. Reaching the finals and winning the gold award was naturally a bonus.”
Free registration
Click here to register for a free trade pass.
Exhibiting opportunities
The Innovation Challenge is one of many exclusive benefits for Euro Bus Expo exhibitors. The show is the largest UK based exhibition dedicated to the bus and coach industry, attracting decision makers from the largest operators through to owners and managing directors at the smallest family-run businesses.
For exhibiting enquiries, contact Martin Laverton on [email protected].
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Registration and media enquiries to:
Jacqui Trayford, Marketing Manager
Christina Glenister, Marketing Director
Exhibition sales enquiries to:
Martin Laverton, Sales Manager
07793 440281
Event enquiries to:
Helen Conway, Event Director
Press registration
Click here to apply for a press pass.
*This press release was updated on 2 September 2022
Diversified Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast-growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton. Diversified UK’s transport & travel portfolio includes Euro Bus Expo; Coach & Bus UK; routeone magazine; routeone Awards; British Tourism & Travel Show; and the British Coach Tourism Awards. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.
Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: travel and tourism, food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
Mid-sized Irizar i6S integral joins Don Fraser Coaches
Don Fraser Coaches of Rufford, Lancashire has added the first Irizar integral to its fleet in the form of a 10.8m i6S, supplied by Irizar UK.
It has 41 i6 Plus seats with synthetic leather inserts, drop down tables, magazine nets and footrests. A double USB charging point is at each seat pair, while entertainment comes via a Bosch DAB radio, CD player and PA coupled to an Actia DVD unit with twin monitors.
Also fitted is wood effect flooring and blue LED mood lighting. The Hispacold air-conditioning unit is equipped with an Eco3 air purification unit, which disinfects the air circulating with the vehicle.
Externally, the Irizar for Don Fraser is finished in metallic grey, and it comes with a cherished registration mark. Power is from a DAF MX-11 engine developing 367bhp driving through a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.