Next week marks the return of the Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) to London on the 10th – 11th May. Arguably, the most exciting and definitely the largest UK-based show for the broadcast media, production, and technology industry, 2023 is set to be an amazing experience for all.
For the first time, MPTS will be held in the Grand Hall of London’s iconic Olympia London, enabling visitors to access a packed seminar programme featuring many household-name speakers, bespoke theatre zones and a bigger show floor with even more international exhibitors than ever before.
Bubble Agency is proud to support the MPTS team once again by running the show’s onsite Press Office and you can find us on the Ground Floor on the left hand side of the hall, by the CVP stand or you can’t fail to miss us in our orange and white striped shirts.
We have attended MPTS since it launched in 2016, and along the way, we have developed some handy tips for exhibitors and visitors to ensure they have a great show experience.
Communication is key – MPTS runs for two days, and visitors are keen to attend panel sessions and talks, so their time is limited. There is a new MPTS Networking Platform that allows you to arrange meetings with fellow attendees so start using that now.
Lead generation – if you are exhibiting, remember that leads are important but not all leads matter! Avoid having a dedicated team member solely to collect as many leads as possible at the show and try not to base the event’s success on this metric alone. Instead, focus on quality leads over quantity, and prioritise leads of individuals you genuinely intend to follow up with. Designate one person to manage the follow-up process and consider creative methods to follow up with potential leads. If you are a visitor and you have no interest in the company wanting to scan your badge, be polite and just say thank you but it’s not my thing – unless there is a really cool competition and you don’t mind them having your email address.
Get social – #MPTS2023 is the show’s official hashtag. Make sure you use it in your social conversations to promote where you are and what you are doing and to encourage engagement back.
Plan ahead – MPTS will see over 100 speakers present across six theatres and over 300 exhibitors will be in attendance. The speaker programme this year is bigger than ever before covering a variety of topics, including sustainability, virtual production and remote production. With speakers including renowned screenwriter and director Stephen Knight and BAFTA winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst. Make sure you plan your schedule ahead to maximise your time. You can find the sessions on the MPTS website.
The Show Bar – this is a great place for coffee and tea in the morning and maybe something a bit stronger later in the day. There might be a bit of a queue so be generous and buy people around you a beverage.
Stay organised – consider printing out a hard copy of your schedule in case your phone or laptop battery dies. If you’re flying in for the show from another country, ensure you apply a time-zone change to your calendar.
Be on time – be mindful of the show’s opening hours. On the first day, Wednesday 10th May, the show will be open from 09:30 until 19:00. On the second day, Thursday 11th May, it will open at 09:30 and close earlier at 17:00.
Industry insights – the show is supported by multiple global media partners. Ensure you are taking advantage of picking up free copies of magazines to keep up to date with the latest industry news and trends.
Getting there – The nearest station to the venue is Kensington (Olympia). Check out the overground line that stretches from Milton Keynes/Watford to Clapham Junction, this line also offers service to Westfield and Shepherds Bush.If trains aren’t your thing, consider getting an Uber (other car providers are available) or having a nice walk up to High Street Kensington.
What’s nearby – if you need to take a break and get some fresh air (and hopefully sunshine), MPTS is situated next to some nice eateries. You can find Italian, Korean and classic British restaurants all located in the area surrounding Olympia. Additionally, the Hand & Flower is a nice local pub to visit for a post-show catch-up.