Posted By Tony Birchall Has anyone been? I went on Tuesday and it appeared empty. It is not the same as it was years ago.

Posted By Tony Birchall The aisles used to be packed to the rafter in the late 80's / early 90's era. It's a bit of a rip off for both parking and food I'd say too. I think alot of organisations have adopted the casual dress code which appears more approachable to some (Totectors and Safety Media). I did pass one stand (won't mention the name on here)and the three people were sitting down like it was a car boot sale. I did not go onto that stand.

Posted By Tony Birchall Nottingham Trent Uni had free key fobs !!

Posted By Ashley Williams On the subject of the environment I did attend every show for a nosey while i was there. The was a nice firm in the Facilities show who offered to pulp your unwanted rubbish as you entered their area. Quite a clever idea I thought. Ash

Posted By Jim Walker Yer miserable lot! I went on Tuesday and the lack of crowds made it a very pleasant experience. I never bother with PPE stands - such a small element of H&S control. The lack of freebies means I can get to stands to discuss my interests rather than jostle with the vultures. There are only so many pens & key rings one can use anyway. I bumped into lots of folks I knew so it was a pleasant social occasion for me. One stand that I thought was great was IOSH - well done the folks concerned And finally (important this), I went with someone with a VIP badge, so I got free coffee and biccies!

Posted By Robert Whent No, the vibrating chairs have my vote!

Posted By Geoff Burt tut tut Raymond Rap - git along with you and wash your mouth out. Going by this thread it doesn't appear to have been much better or worse than the conference exhibition in Glasgow - and I paid a lot more for that! Geoff

Posted By Stuart Nagle I went today, last day of the Expo (always best for freebies...) and arrived at the NEC at about 09.30 by car (Note: M25, M1 and M6 OK...)and it was Busy (with a capital 'B') Buses to the NEC were good and literally every minute or so, so no hanging about. I think this method of getting people to the Expo (like an airport really) is very good. The Expo (I thought) was good. High quality stands and displays (all where they were supposed to be!!) and a lot of people in relation to the very large size of the exhibition hall (jostle, jostle). I was acosted and spoken to by many reps and engaged a few myself (there's daring for you - but if you want the freebies you have to do these things!!), and should have done a manual handling assessment for the bags of brochures (and freebies) I came away with... The last time I went to the Expo was at Harrogate (2 years ago...?) and it was packed, but the hall in Harrogate was tiny when compared with the NEC hall today, and I thought it was very reasonably attended (by all those that know the last day is the best for freebies no doubt!!). I spent 2.5 hours in the hall and with the exception of a luke warm coffee and a fag, was wholly engrossed for the full time. Keep up the good work.....

Posted By Dave Wilson Lets be honest here, the only reason most people go to these is its a day out the office under the guise of H&S to fool your boss etc. Never been myself, even at the annual conference its better in the pub with the people off the stands!

Posted By Terri Cox I quite agree it is not what it was years ago. I went, and was disappointed by the number of stands, and the lack of variety of services/equipment. Those, where one was interested and required information then it was hard to find the people manning the stand, as they were often on neighbouring stands nattering. However, I did find some of the free presentation seminars quite ineteresting and of value. (The massage chairs were ace as well - very relaxing, only hitch is trying to convince our CE that they will benefit productivity)

Posted By Terri Cox Stuart No, not your guy!! Just to eductate you slightly, Terri with an I indicates the female variety.......are you following this....If it were to be spelt with a Y, maybe you would have got it right!! Not all H&S bods are male you know...