Saward Marketing & Events

11/02/2025

Top tips with Jack 💡

We've tasked Jack Saward with sharing some of his insights, top tips and general thoughts with us on video.

We're doing this to:

🤝 Help you get to know who Saward Marketing and Events are & what we stand for

👯 Share our thoughts and advice on running an events and marketing business

📊 Discuss the latest trends and topics from this brilliant industry

All while having a bit of fun while doing so.

This week, Jack highlights the importance of customer service in every aspect of business.

Your customers should always feel like your priority. Just like when planning events, when it comes to customer service, the smallest details often make the biggest difference.

Take time get to know them.

Ask how their family are.

Remember the big and little moments.

So, what topics would you like us to cover next?

06/02/2025

When it comes to creating unforgettable events, solving complex challenges, and delivering standout results, it’s all about team work.

We’re proud to have an amazing group of experts who make the magic happen.

Here’s a little introduction to just some of the incredible people that bring the magic to Saward Marketing & Events.

In order of appearance...

👉 The Visionary Problem-Solver
Jack Saward – The man in the middle (because “at the top” isn’t his style). Jack keeps the wheels turning and still loves being out on-site, where the action is.

👉 The Financial Navigator
Sarah Saward – Director and head of all things finance. She ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

👉 The People Connector
Matthew Tolson – Lifelong friend of Jack, and experienced client manager working on projects globally.

👉 The Industry Guru
Ruth Panton – With her love of checklists and insider knowledge, Ruth keeps account-related business support on point.

👉 The Visual Storyteller
James Cooper – From stunning videos to impactful photography, James has been crafting our visual productions since 2022.

👉 The Creative Genius
Nathaniel Brown – Design is in his blood, and when it comes to bringing ideas to life, Nathan’s got it covered.

👉 The Print and Events Pro
Richard Tempest – With over 20 years of collaboration, Jack and Richard make an unbeatable duo in print and events.

👉 The North America Specialist
Ann Dang – Our amazing overseas consultant who has been working with Jack since 2019.

👉 The Logistics Maestro
Wolfgang Meurs – Site operations and plant operator. A trusted site manager since 2022, Wolfgang thrives on handling the heavy-duty logistics.

So whether you’re struggling with:

🛠️ Navigating localised expertise with ease
🚛 Managing complex logistics for heavy equipment displays
💰 Cutting costs and inefficiencies compared to traditional stand builders

We're here to make your event planning stress-free and successful.

If you’re ready to work with a trusted, reliable team of experts who put your vision first, then let’s talk!

04/02/2025

Feeling the love from our colleagues at Hospitality & Events North. Thanks 🙏🏻

Saward Marketing & Events combines the core skills of marketing and public relations with exhibitions, trade fairs and outside events.

Providing innovative solutions to facilitate the growth and development of companies, charities, and organisations across the market place.

Find out more at: https://bit.ly/4geVIyU

04/02/2025

Hands up who is excited for their 2025 events calendar 🙌

This year is already shaping up to be another fantastic year for team Saward Marketing & Events.

With exciting projects already underway across the UK, Europe, and North America, we’re incredibly proud to be the trusted partner for so many brilliant clients who put their trust in us to deliver standout results.

From unforgettable outdoor events, impactful PR campaigns and stunning exhibition spaces, we really thrive when we're bringing our clients’ visions to life.

Here are just a few events we’re particularly looking forward to working at this year:

🇩🇪 Bauma in Munich this April
🧊 ICE Punchestown, launching its first-ever show this May
🇺🇸 Plantworx at its new venue in Newark this September
🇩🇪 Agritechnica in Hannover this November

And, we’re even already planning ahead for 2026 with ConExpo in Las Vegas! 🌍

Our ethos is simple: combine creativity, expertise, and a client-first approach to deliver exceptional results every time. We also like to have some fun while doing it.

We’re always eager to grow our network and welcome new opportunities, so if you’re looking for a team you can trust to deliver excellence, let’s have a chat.

13/01/2025

Recent article for our friends at Hospitality & Events North

Jack Saward from Saward Marketing & Events tells us how he leads through a calm, solution focused mindset as an International Event Manager.

Read the full interview at H&EN: https://bit.ly/4gLFe2f

02/01/2025

What a year 2024 was for Saward Marketing & Events!

It became one of our busiest and most rewarding years to date, a true milestone in our journey. As we step into 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible opportunities we’ve had and the lessons we’re bringing forward. We try to do this with not only out core team, but also those people who become part of our extended team.

Last year wasn’t without its challenges, both personally and professionally. I think any business owner would agree that the journey is full of unexpected twists and turns. But if there’s one thing 2024 taught us, it’s this: when you work with good people (clients, colleagues, and partners), those curveballs feel a little easier to handle.

This photo, beautifully captured by Matt Glover Photography , perfectly sums up the energy we’re bringing into 2025. We know it’s going to be another whirlwind year, jumping across time zones, managing packed schedules, and working on incredible projects for our clients. But through it all, we’re committed to smiling, staying grounded, and ensuring that the experiences we create are as memorable for us as they are for the people we work so hard for.

2024 reminded us of why we do what we do. It’s not just about delivering great events; it’s about enjoying the process, building meaningful connections, and making every step of the journey count.

To everyone we had the pleasure of working with last year, thank you for being part of our story. Your trust, collaboration, and enthusiasm pushed us to new heights. And to those we’ll get to work with for the first time in 2025, we’re so excited to create something amazing with you.

You've got our number, so don't be afraid to reach out and chat about your schedules for 2025 or introduce us to people we should be working with.

27/11/2024

Why Do Events and Trade Shows Still Work?

It's a question we’re often asked. You’d think that by the time individuals or companies approach us, they’ve already decided to participate, but that’s not always the case. Here are some of our thoughts on why events and trade shows remain vital in today’s world.

In an era where digital connections dominate, events and trade shows offer something irreplaceable — human connection.

These gatherings allow brands to tell their stories face-to-face, showcase their products in real time, and engage all the senses. They provide a platform for genuine conversations, building trust and fostering relationships that go beyond transactional interactions. Whether it’s closing deals, forming partnerships, or gaining industry insights, the value of meeting in person is immeasurable.

Attendees frequently highlight the unique energy at live events: the chance encounters with the right people, the inspiration from immersive experiences, and the clarity these events bring to their professional goals.

For exhibitors, events offer a chance to cut through the digital noise. They create opportunities to stand out in a crowded marketplace and connect directly with an engaged audience. This is something we always encourage our clients to take full advantage of.

Of course, in today’s economic climate, every decision must be a wise one, especially when budgets are under pressure. Yet, for those who commit to events, the possibilities and opportunities consistently outweigh the costs.

08/11/2024

All we can share is a sneak peak and say ‘Bond Spy Car’

Loved this new project and new client relationship that started recently and we hope will continue as we’ve already got lots of ideas moving forward!

08/11/2024

Team had a great day down on site helping to deliver a successful conference and exhibition with yesterday.

Thanks for allowing us to be part of the event again this year.

05/11/2024

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unlocking-full-potential-retainers-marketing-pr-event-jack-saward--tnjoe

In today’s fast-moving business world, retainers aren’t just a smart choice—they could be a strategic advantage. For businesses looking to adjust operations and focus on growth, retainers provide the consistency, expertise, and flexibility needed to stay ahead.

17/10/2024

🔗 Sharing content from a recent article we wrote for our colleagues at HUB-4.com.

At Saward Marketing & Events, we always emphasise that evaluating the time, energy, and finances invested into delivering an event isn’t always black and white. It’s about looking beyond the numbers to ensure long-term value and success for our clients.
...........................................

How to Effectively Evaluate the Success of your Event.

Trade shows are pivotal for industries like quarrying, recycling, and bulk materials handling. They offer a unique platform for networking, showcasing innovations, and generating business leads. To maximise benefits, it's crucial to evaluate the success of these events effectively. Key metrics for assessing trade show success include Return on Investment (ROI), Return on Objectives (ROO), visitor feedback, team feedback, and other relevant outcomes.

Return on Investment (ROI)

ROI is a fundamental metric for evaluating trade show success. It measures financial return compared to the cost of participation. To calculate ROI, consider:

Direct Sales: Immediate revenue generated from leads and deals closed at the trade show or afterward. This can be hard to measure as the lead time between a show and an eventual deal can be lengthy.

Lead Generation: Potential future revenue from leads acquired during the event.

Cost Savings: Reduction in marketing and sales expenses due to direct interactions at the show.

Return on Objectives (ROO)

While ROI focuses on financial returns, ROO assesses whether non-financial goals were met. These objectives might include:

Brand Awareness: Measuring the increase in brand recognition and presence in the industry.
Product Launch Success: Gauging the reception and interest in new products introduced at the show.
Market Research: Gathering valuable insights about industry trends, competitor activities, and customer needs.

ROO can be evaluated through predefined KPIs such as the number of product demonstrations conducted, media mentions, and social media engagement. ROO is just as important as ROI.


Visitor Feedback


Visitor feedback provides qualitative data that can inform future participation strategies. Effective methods for collecting feedback include:

Surveys and Questionnaires: Be careful with these during live events as they can impact on your visitor experience. Post event these can be effective though.
Interviews: Conducting brief interviews with visitors can yield in-depth insights.

Key questions to ask might include:

What drew you to our booth?
How would you rate our product presentations?
What improvements would you suggest?

Team Feedback


Your team’s perspective is equally important in evaluating a trade show’s success. They can provide insights into:

Booth Engagement: Assessing which tactics effectively attracted and retained visitors.
Operational Efficiency: Evaluating the setup, management, and dismantling processes.
Lead Quality: Judging the calibre of leads collected.

Team feedback can be gathered through debriefing sessions and structured feedback forms post-event. This ensures your team feels part of the process and helps shape future shows.


Other Outcomes


Consider other hard and soft outcomes to gain a comprehensive evaluation:

Hard Outcomes: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The total expense of acquiring a new customer through the trade show. Conversion Rates: The percentage of leads converted into customers post-event.

Soft Outcomes: Networking Opportunities: The value of new connections and potential partnerships formed. Brand Positioning: The perceived enhancement of your brand’s industry standing.


Final Thoughts

Evaluating the success of a trade show involves a multifaceted approach, combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights. ROI and ROO provide a solid foundation, while visitor and team feedback offer a deeper understanding of performance. Other outcomes, both hard and soft, enrich the evaluation, ensuring a holistic view of the event's impact. Effective evaluation of trade show participation not only justifies investment but also shapes future strategies for greater success.

10/10/2024

🌍 World Mental Health Day 2024: Mental Health at Work 🌍

Today is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health in the workplace. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with colleagues, or managing your own daily responsibilities, mental well-being is essential for everyone.

In today’s work environments, the pressure to perform, meet deadlines, and balance personal and professional life can take a serious toll. That’s why this year’s theme "Mental Health at Work" is so critical. It highlights the need for businesses, leaders, and employees to prioritise mental health as an integral part of success.

Creating workplaces that support mental well-being isn’t just about offering resources, it’s about fostering a culture where people feel safe to talk openly about challenges, ask for help, and know that their mental health is valued just as much as their productivity.

Here are a few ways we can all contribute to better mental health at work:

* Encourage open and honest conversations about mental well-being.

* Promote work-life balance and the importance of rest.

* Provide access to support resources for those who need it.

* Be mindful of our colleagues’ mental health, as well as our own.

Let’s make mental health a priority at work—not just today, but every day.

Together, we can create more supportive, understanding, and healthier workplaces for everyone.

07/10/2024

In March 2022 I was fortunate to be a guest on Paul Newton and Jesse Lawrence podcast Newtons Nuggets.

The The Events Insight | Podcast was also fortunate to have Paul as a guest in September 2021.

Today, whilst already out of the office celebrating the life of a good friends father at a funeral in the Midlands, I have found out that we have lost another great soul to this earth in Paul.

He leaves behind a beautiful family and many, many friends who’s lives have been touched by his love, humour and magic.

If this isn’t a reminder to everyone to check in on each other and celebrate life each day, what are we here for.

Apologies for the sentimental post but we’ve lost one of the good ones today and it’s happening too often for my liking.

Sending all my love and that of the entire teams at Saward Marketing & Events and The Events Insight | Podcast.

Jack

03/10/2024

Long post alert! 🚨 Reflecting on 4 Years of Podcasting, Unexpected Opportunities, and Incredible Connections

This week marks the 4 year anniversary of a small podcast we started on a whim, just a side project born out of a mix of boredom and encouragement from peers. Fast forward to today, and we’ve just wrapped up our 13th season of The Events Insight | Podcast! 🎙️ It’s incredible to think about how far we’ve come and all the amazing conversations and experiences that have come with it.

This milestone couldn’t have come at a more timely moment for me. This week, I had the privilege of being a guest at the University of South Carolina, speaking to their students about the events industry and sharing insights from my own journey. The opportunity to connect with the next generation of Event Leaders was both humbling and energizing. The questions I was asked during my day of lectures was enough for me to know we are in safe hands moving forward. Funny enough, it’s something that may never have happened if I hadn’t connected with Steven Taylor, who I met through the podcast!

The University is doing so much for its students, and the level of support, staffing, and top-tier facilities is simply incredible. I can’t help but wish our sports faculty back in my uni days had access to something like this. Imagine 83,000 fans showing up each week to support a university game—it's mind-blowing! 🏟️

Another bonus of being in Carolina was catching up with one of our previous podcast guests, Carrie Davenport CMP-Fellow, CEM, CSEP. Carrie is someone I truly respect for all she’s achieved so far. She’s got such a relentless focus and drive, and I know there’s so much more she’ll accomplish, if only she’d take a day off to recharge once in a while! 😅Don't worry Ben Davenport, I haven't forgot you, it was great catching up and discussing future projects in the pipeline.

As I prepare for a final day of meetings with clients and friends here in the U.S., I can’t help but look back at the people who have made this podcast journey so special. Two of the photos attached below, show the most important individuals, Ellan Campbell-Swann and Karen Edwards, my partners in crime for these past 4 years. But beyond them, there are so many volunteers, sponsors, and technical teams who’ve supported us along the way. To each of you, a huge thank you!

And speaking of Karen… she’s already got big plans for Season 14, some of which make me a bit nervous (how we’ll fit it all into our already-packed diaries, I have no idea!). But, as always, we’ll enjoy the ride and embrace every conversation that comes our way.

Here’s to the next chapter! 🙌

Thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey—whether as a listener, a guest, a sponsor, or behind the scenes. I’m excited to see where we go next!

29/09/2024

What a fantastic MINExpo 2024!

We are incredibly proud to have played a part in the success of our clients, Cms Cepcor and ETT, at this year's event. Trade shows like MINExpo INTERNATIONAL are monumental undertakings, and seeing all the hard work come to life on the show floor was truly rewarding.

Las Vegas, as always, brings its own unique set of challenges—logistics, tight timelines, and the inevitable unpredictability of large-scale events. But with those challenges come tremendous opportunities, and this year was no exception.

A big thank you to Matthew, Chris, Stuart, and the team at CMS for trusting us to help bring your vision to life. Your dedication and focus were clear, and it’s great to see all your hard work pay off. Equally, I want to extend my appreciation to Donald and Andre at ETT. The impact they made at their first MinExpo was one to be proud of. Their team grouped together and delivered superbly.

The way both teams engaged with visitors and exhibitors was nothing short of impressive, ensuring that every interaction added value. It’s that kind of effort that makes trade shows successful—without it, even the most well-designed spaces wouldn't reach their potential.

It’s also always a pleasure reconnecting with familiar faces. A mixture of clients and peers that I see year after year, and meeting new ones who share the same passion for delivering exceptional experiences. Those spontaneous run-ins and conversations are what make these events so memorable. Thanks David, Samantha, Declan, Emma, Dale, Neville, Julie, Allison, Rob, Darren.

With Vegas now wrapped up, I’m down in Carolina for a few more meetings and catch-ups with colleagues before heading home. It’s been a whirlwind, but as always, I leave with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what comes next.

Here’s to a successful MINExpo 2024, and to all the follow-up work that’s already in motion for CMS and ETT. Wishing both teams the best as they build on everything they’ve achieved at the show!



Saward Marketing & Events always proud to support our customers with their event experiences.

23/09/2024

⏳ Not long to go until the doors open at another MINExpo INTERNATIONAL ! ⏳

Once again, Jack finds himself in Vegas, this time working with two fantastic clients as they prepare to showcase their efforts at this massive event. It's always exciting to see months of hard work and planning come together, and while we certainly play our part in bringing it all to life, it’s important to recognise the dedication our clients invest in these events.

Trade shows like this are no small feat. They require a huge commitment of time, energy, and resources, regardless of the business size or the event scale. It’s a significant investment, and the goal is always the same: to maximise value and create lasting impact.

What makes it all the more effective is working alongside clients who welcome us in as an extension of their teams. When you're working with good people who share the same focus and dedication, everything runs more smoothly and the results speak for themselves.

If you’re here in Vegas for MINExpo, We're sure Jack would love to connect! He’ll be around until Friday before heading to another State for some exciting meetings and something a little different at the start of October!

19/09/2024

What an incredible team of ambassadors for Jack to be part of and represent our company at.

04/09/2024

We are incredibly proud to announce that Jack has been invited by Neil and the team to serve as an Ambassador for Event Buyers Live during their 10th Anniversary celebration! 🎉

For the past decade, Event Buyers Live has been "The Place to Do Business" in the live events industry, consistently bringing together key decision-makers and innovative suppliers for a unique and highly productive experience.

As an Ambassador, Jack will be dedicated to fostering connections that lead to real business opportunities, sharing valuable insights, and ensuring this milestone event exceeds all expectations. If you’re an event professional responsible for procurement, this is an opportunity you can't afford to miss!

We’re also thrilled that EventWell will be present once again, offering the kind of support that empowers individuals to get the most out of events like these.

Join Jack and his industry colleagues from November 11-13, 2024, at Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire, where they’ll celebrate 10 years of excellence with tailored meetings, interactive sessions, and countless opportunities to forge meaningful business relationships. The current agenda looks fantastic, and this event just keeps getting better each year.

Let’s make this 10th anniversary one to remember! 🙌



(📌 Apply to be a Hosted Buyer: Link in the comments)