News

An update from Mike on COVID-19

Posted on by Ashley Cox

Hi everyone, I hope you are all safe and well?

I wanted to give you all a brief update on our position regarding COVID-19 and what happens next. As you know, restrictions are starting to lift and we are starting to consider what the future will look like. We understand that despite the restrictions easing, this remains an emotive topic and I wanted to assure you that even though we are bursting with excitement at the prospect of events coming back, we will continue to put your safety and wellbeing first.

Our next live event is the National Running Show which will take place in 7 months’ time on 30-31 January at the NEC in Birmingham. We expect that by then we will be able to deliver the same vibrant, community-lead, exciting and inspiring event that we have delivered in previous years and that is what we are working towards. I am also working closely with our industry body (the AEO) to ensure that we take all of the appropriate steps to ensure everyone’s safety at the event. We will be using a dynamic risk-assessed model linked to the Covid Alert Level and will follow the advice from the All Secure Standard which you can read more about here. As I’m sure you know, our venue partner (the NEC) was converted into a Nightingale facility during the pandemic, however it did not receive any patients and was subsequently put on standby. The NEC is following government guidance and will be implementing measures across the venue to ensure everyone is safe and protected as events return.

We know that the first events will be returning in August 2020, so we fully expect to be able to deliver our events in January 2021 without any significant disruption. However, our promise to you is that we will continue to put your safety first and we will err on the side of caution rather than take risks. If we feel that this will substantially impact the delivery of the event then we won’t go ahead – it is important to us that you get the same fun, buzz and excitement from our shows that you are used to and if we can’t deliver that then we will wait until we can. If (as we did with our London show) we decide not to run the event then we will offer our customers a refund or a transfer to a future event.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support during this period – to all of our sponsors and exhibitors who keep booking stands and our visitors and partners who have been promoting and supporting the shows. Thank you for sticking with us through this difficult time and whilst we aren’t out of the woods yet, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel!

I look forward to seeing you all at a live event soon!

Indoor Relay smashes target raising £43,377 for five charities

Posted on by Ashley Cox

Indoor Relay, an initiative started by a group of friends during lockdown, has smashed its original target of £10,000 by raising a staggered £43,377 in just 28 days for five key charities that have been under increased pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event, kicked off by five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, ran for 682 hours over 28 days with the baton being passed to a new runner every hour. 425 individual runners took part covering a total of 3028.26 miles (from John O’Groats to Land’s End more than 3.4 times) around their gardens, houses and driveways. Along with Jo Pavey who opened and closed the event, Louise Minchin from BBC Breakfast, former Hear’Say star Suzi Shaw, endurance athlete Mimi Anderson and ultra-runner Susie Chan, all took part in the fundraising relay.

Started by a group of friends in the UK who were keen to do something positive during lockdown, the initiative raised funds for NHS Charities Together, NSPCC, Mind, Children with Cancer UK and Women’s Aid.

Aware that many people weren’t able to get outside to take their daily exercise, the team decided the relay should take place within the boundary of each runners’ home using a range of innovative ‘courses’ including balconies, driveways, gardens, treadmills, sitting rooms and even home-made obstacle courses. Participants were encouraged to be active during their hour by running or walking but there were some wackier options, including skipping, tango dancing and even shadow boxing! Over the 28 days, several participants came up with innovative ways to increase the fund-raising during their hour, including multiple fancy dress outfits, leg waxing, chilli eating, running barefoot on Lego, and ‘doughnut roulette’.

A team of 26 ‘Captains’ ensured that runners were accompanied at all times during the event and on behalf of the captains, Mike Seaman of the National Running Show, said: “The Indoor Relay has been a phenomenal success and we are immensely proud of what we achieved together as a community. Thank you to everyone who has given their time, donated money and helped raise awareness of this project. During this difficult time, the Indoor Relay has shown the power of exercise as a force for good and the amazing things that ordinary people can achieve when they work together.”

The team captains were: Mike Seaman, Raoul Monks, Allie Bailey, Elise Downing, Nikki Love, David Hellard, Liz Ayres, Victoria Owens, Aleks Kashefi, Anna Harding, Eric Keeler, Mollie Laurens-Chalmers, Zeph Brand, Lou Brewer, Laura Briggs, Cat Roberts, Emma Watson Horsewood, Antony Webb, Christopher Allen, Rob Walters, Natalie Doble, Linda Lawton, Danny Bent, Eric Keeler, Darren Pinder and Sharif Owadally.

The website was donated by Vatu and event support was donated by Raccoon Events.

For more information please visit www.IndoorRelay.com or contact [email protected]

 

The National Outdoor Expo will bring the best of the outdoors indoors 

Posted on by Ashley Cox

Outdoor enthusiasts across the country should ‘save the date’ for the weekend of the 27-28 March 2021, when the first National Outdoor Expo will open its doors at the NEC in Birmingham, bringing all of the kit, tech, nutrition, activities and advice under one roof for a jam-packed weekend of outdoor inspiration.

To celebrate the official opening of the box office, join us on the 4th June at 6pm on our sister Facebook page @nationalrunningshow when Mike Seaman, CEO of show organisers, Raccoon Events will be talking all things Outdoors and sharing what visitors can expect at the show. For those who join us we will have competition prizes from our exhibitors as well as information on tickets and speakers. Don’t miss it!

We are also offering FREE tickets to attend the show to the first 2000 people who register for a ticket, and our show partner, Ordnance Survey is offering a subscription to its OS Maps 12-month subscription for only £10 (SRP £29.99) for all who register. Find out more about the subscription HERE

The show will be packed full of interactive features including a rope walk, climbing experience, zip line and outdoor skills theatre, as well as inspiring talks and the very latest gear to try and buy, all under one roof. The show will have six key areas: walking, climbing, eating outdoors, camping, family excursions and running and is open to enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Visitors will have a chance to listen to, learn from and meet their outdoor idols including broadcaster, writer and adventurer Ben Fogle, sportsman, athlete and adventurer James Cracknell OBE, adventurer and endurance runner Susie Chan.

As well as hearing from the cream of the crop when it comes to outdoor pursuits, visitors can shop for the latest gear from top brands including Ordnance Survey, Adidas TERREX, Ellis Brigham, HOKA One One, Grangers and Vibram.

Mike Seaman, CEO, Raccoon Events said: ‘Living an active, healthy and exciting life outdoors is so important in this fast-paced world we live in. Being able to slow down, breathe fresh air and enjoy your favourite outdoor pursuits is so valuable. We all know how much better we feel after time outdoors and we hope to inspire and motivate more people to get active outdoors and make the most of what nature has to offer. At a time when the great outdoors has never been more appreciated, predictions are that 2021 will see a boom of people making the most of the great outdoors, with adventuring high on the list of priorities for many who have developed a passion for walking and running during lockdown.

“Our hope is that visitors can fully immerse themselves in all things outdoors with their friends and family. The weekend will offer a host of workshops, inspiring talks, information and advice from experts in the field as well as some of the best shopping around, and all under one roof.”

Ticket sales will be available soon and you can find all information at www.nationaloutdoorexpo.com

If you are interested in exhibiting at the show, please contact Addie Brake – [email protected] or tel. 07931 528418 (trade only)

National Running Show shortlisted for two prestigious AEO Excellence Awards 2020

Posted on by Ashley Cox

Raccoon Events, the brains behind the hugely successful National Running Show and National Outdoor Expo portfolio, has been shortlisted for Best Consumer Show and the Innovation Award at the AEO Excellence Awards 2020.

The 2020 show was the third National Running Show to be hosted at the NEC in Birmingham and attracted over 24,500 visitors across the two days and included a stellar line-up of speakers including Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell, Kriss Akabusi, Steve Cram, Iwan Thomas, Lazarus Lake, Dean Karnazes and Camille Herron. Making the shortlist for Best Consumer Show is a nod to the huge dedication and commitment to delivering a show that is relevant, well timed to deliver beginning of season content and not ‘end of line’ products with a big focus on inclusivity.

The Show’s ethos has always been ‘no matter how far or how fast you run’ and this approach has helped build a community of runners who feel welcome, motivated and inspired and who continuously feedback the positive experience they have at the show year on year.

A visitor to the show commented: “My family and I came to the National Running Show on Sunday and were amazed at how disability friendly your staff are! What could have easily turned into a stressful day with an overwhelmed and tired child turned out to be very easy thanks to your staff being so vigilant to the needs of people with disabilities.”

The second award the team has been shortlisted for is the Innovation Award for its commitment to creating and delivering a first-class sustainability programme.

Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Events commented: “We are delighted that our hard work has been recognised and to have made the shortlist against some of the industry’s biggest and best Events companies. We have very clear aims at Raccoon Events and have been single minded in our aim to deliver a Consumer show that truly meets the needs of the running community, with a laser focus on how we can make our shows as sustainable as possible. We look forward to the winners being announced in December!”

The National Running Show will be back on 30-31st January 2021 at the NEC in Birmingham and 5-6 June 2021 for the postponed National Running Show South Event at Farnborough International Conference Centre. For more information about the Show or to book your ticket visit https://nationalrunningshow.com

National Running Show launches first ever Digital Running Show (13-14 June 2020)

Posted on by Ashley Cox

The National Running Show has announced it will be hosting the Digital Running Show on 13-14 June 2020 in partnership with Children with Cancer UK, to provide runners with an alternative show experience following the postponement of The National Running Show London to 2021.

The UK lockdown has created a boom of participation in running with over 34m people talking about running on social media in March 2020. The Digital Running Show will transfer the physical experience of attending its show to a purely digital platform, allowing visitors access to motivational talks from famous faces including Susie Chan, Iwan Thomas, Jo Pavey, Hannah Beecham and many more, for inspiration and expert advice. It will also offer the opportunity to learn about new kit and technology, gain top tips on nutrition with live demonstrations and get an update on future races.

The show, sponsored by ASICS, will run 9am – 5pm on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. Susie Chan and Allie Bailey will host the event with panels, speakers and interactive sessions planned across the two days. Brands including ASICS, Runderwear, Polar, Camelbak, Kaatsu Specialist, Bp3 Underwear, All About Balance, Virtual Racing UK, Yamatune, Coventry Festival of Running, Virtual Runner, Run777 and many more, will be at the online show offering information and advice on the best products for individual needs and exclusive show discounts.

Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Events, commented: “With so many people taking up running during lockdown we felt it was important to provide an opportunity for the community to come together, hear from some hugely motivational speakers, shop their favourite brands and remember that even though things might not be ‘normal’ at the moment, we are still runners, we are still a community and we are still here to support each other. The Digital Running Show will allow us to recreate some of the experiences from our physical shows and hopefully provide inspiration and support to runners across the globe. We look forward to seeing everyone in the flesh in Birmingham 2021!”

Tickets to the show cost £1.99 with £1 per sale going to Children with Cancer UK and are now on sale online – www.digitalrunningshow.com

For more information on The Digital Running Show head to digitalrunningshow.com

The National Running Show wins at EN Indy Awards 2019

Posted on by Darren Pinder

The National Running Show has come away with two awards at the EN Indy Awards 2019 which took place on Friday 11th October at The Honourable Artillery Company in London.

The EN Indy Awards is an awards scheme dedicated to recognising the achievements of independent organiser shows, teams and individuals.

Raccoon Events claimed the award for Best Consumer Show for The National Running Show Birmingham for the second year running, in a competitive category looking to credit one show that has met the consumer challenge by delivering a superb visitor experience. Creative marketing initiatives, year-on-year success and originality were key qualities recognised.

The Run Clinic at The National Running Show Birmingham went on to take the award for Best Show Feature. One of many interactive features at The National Running Show offering visitors a hands-on experience, The Run Clinic enables runners to identify their running technique patterns and link these movement patterns to potential injury or running inefficiency. It has proved an excellent way for runners to get active and involved in this full weekend dedicated to running.

The National Running Show is the UK’s biggest independent running show, offering runners the unique opportunity to try out and purchase the latest products and limited editions from big, well-known brands through to smaller brands not found anywhere else. The Birmingham show expects more than 55,000 visitor ticket registrations for 2020, all of whom will be able to discover the latest kit, tech, nutrition and races from over 250 exhibitors, learn from inspiring speakers and improve their running technique thanks to the hands-on feature areas.

An exciting development for Raccoon Events is the expansion of the event to include The National Running Show London, taking place on 13th-14th June 2020 at the Business Design Centre.

Over 300 industry professionals attended the EN Indy Awards 2019 to celebrate the very best talent in the exhibition industry. Mike and the team were there to collect their awards and it proved to be a lively afternoon of networking and praise for the many organisations and companies present.

Mike Seaman, CEO of Raccoon Events, commented: “We are over the moon to have won two awards at the prestigious EN Indy Awards 2019. As we prepare for our third show in Birmingham in January it is wonderful to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank my entire team who have worked so hard and been key to the show’s success. We launched the show believing that there was a gap in the market for an independent running expo and we have received an overwhelming response from the running community, which is great incentive for us to deliver a superior event year on year.”

The third edition of The National Running Show Birmingham takes place on 25th-26th January 2020. Tickets cost £10 and are valid for both days. Go to nationalrunningshow.reg.buzz to secure your ticket.

The National Running Show London takes place on 13th-14th June 2020. Tickets are currently free and are available at nationalrunningshowlondon.reg.buzz.

The National Running Show B2B Networking Dinner takes place at 7pm on Saturday 25th January. Go to nationalrunningdinner.com for information and tickets.

Raccoon Events announces key appointments and new launches

Posted on by Raccoon Events

Raccoon Events, the company behind the multi award-winning National Running Show, has announced a series of key appointments and new event launches.

Strengthening the board further will be three new appointments: Ralph Collett as Chairman, Aurore Braconnier as COO and Matthew Lambert as Operations Director.

Between them, they boast a wealth of experience within the exhibitions industry. Ralph Collett has over 25 years’ industry experience including senior positions at Closer Still, UBM, William Reed, RBI and Kernal Events. Aurore Braconnier brings over 14 years of experience in the exhibitions industry in the UK and France, working for companies such as UBM and Clarion whilst also leading Closer Still Media’s growth in France. Matthew Lambert also benefits from 25 years in the exhibitions industry and is Managing Director for Maelstrom Event Solutions, a company managing 50 events each year.

Technical Director Darren Pinder and Commercial Director Addie Price, both founding directors of Raccoon Events, will remain on the board, while Mike Seaman will move to CEO. Rebecca Richardson will continue her working relationship with Raccoon Events as a Strategic Consultant on Major Brand, Sports Retailer and Media Partnerships.

Nathalie Davies will be promoted to Event Director for the run portfolio.

The strengthening of the management team at Raccoon Events is an important step forward for this dynamic, high-growth events business focused on health and wellbeing markets.

The in-house expertise that the new appointments bring will support plans for aggressive but sustainable growth in local and international markets. As part of this growth, Raccoon Events will be moving into a new, larger office space and recruiting additional staff to work across two new initial event launches.

Mike Seaman, CEO of Raccoon Events, commented, “We are delighted to announce three key appointments to Raccoon Events and are privileged to welcome the breadth of experience that Ralph, Aurore and Matt will bring.

“This extra firepower will enable us to launch two new events this year, including our first geo-clone and a second brand-new event that will be announced imminently.

“We have ambitious plans for the business and these appointments are an important first step in our development towards becoming a market leading event organiser in the health and wellbeing space.”