Dave Slater, Martin Hawthorn and Lydia Hawthorn at PLASA Show (with cake).
UK - It's always nice to meet up with Martin Hawthorn, Managing Director of recently re-branded Hawthorn as it usually means an informal chat over a cup of coffee and some of his wife Lynn's excellent baking. This time was no different and gave us an opportunity to talk about recent developments within the business.

A recent re-brand was part of a consolidation of Hawthorn's business interests following the purchase of Anagram Production Services and Rex Howard Drapes, both now firmly under the new banner of Hawthorn and has allowed them to simplify the company structure ahead of their 30th anniversary in the events industry, in February of 2017.

"PLASA is a good show for us to reach a multitude of different sectors and we catch up with an amazing number of people over the 3 days of the show," says Martin. "Our approach to exhibiting is a little different. We don't have an actual product to sell so our focus is on building and maintaining relationships and PLASA is a good place to this."

"My benchmark is fairly simple," he continues, "If I put £100 in a jar for each customer I see - this is generally the cost of going meet someone at their work. Then if the value of the jar is more that the cost of my show stand, I've had a successful show"

Hawthorn have had a great year, winning some top contracts including the installation of the Stanford Hall Theatre, at the British army's base for injury rehabilitation and a two year deal to provide the installation of the annual Adobe Conference.

As award-winning, creative technical event experts and named as one of the '1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain', by the London Stock Exchange, it would appear that Martin's approach is paying off and with £18m worth of technical equipment on their books, including lighting, sound, video, rigging and drapes, the chances are they will have what you need for you event.

With that in mind you should swing by Hawthorn, on stand L20 for coffee and some of Lynn's baking!

(LSi Online)


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