Birmingham-based show employs new contractor to help drive down exhibiting costs and throw off its reputation as being "too expensive".
Glee organiser Emap has appointed Melville Exhibition and Event Services Ltd as preferred contractor to help reduce exhibiting costs for all exhibitors.

Effective from April 2010, the savings will include a 10% cost reduction for electrical fittings and mains, the introduction of early bird discounts for all shell accessories and an exhibitor loyalty/discount card.

Emap has also announced that, for the second year running, price will be held, meaning that no exhibitor will experience a rise in price per sq m. According to the company, it may mean that a lot of exhibitors are actually paying less as a result of a new discounted price structure that has been designed to reward loyalty and volume.

Emap explained that lapsed customers will also still qualify for loyalty discounts, as their price will reflect their previous history with the show.

A number of exhibitors were notably absent from Glee this year, citing the increased cost of exhibiting at the show and believing that they could get better value for money at other shows, such as Solex. Emap's latest move is quite clearly designed to quash these beliefs and entice companies back to the show.

Glee show director Daniel Thurlow said: "These new initiatives have been introduced to reflect the fact that we are dedicated to drawing critical mass, absent brands and even more innovation back to Glee, to ensure that we continue to offer something that cannot be seen anywhere else. By delivering such cost effective solutions to all our exhibitors, we believe that Glee can further cement its position as the most profitable three days within the garden and leisure calendar, and we look forward to developing our offering further over the coming months."

He added: "Both Emap and Melville recognise the importance of delivering the best possible value and return to our exhibitors, and have no doubt that our new pricing structure, as supported by the expertise of Melville, will be a benefit to all."