STC business members have reacted positively to being part of the network’s biggest Innovation Zone yet at this year’s Advanced Engineering Show.

The zone wraps around the STC’s popular VIP Lounge, exposing its exhibiting businesses to the show’s 15,000 visitors.

This year the STC increased the zone by some 30 per cent to allow up to 18 business members to exhibit.

Bamd, a design, development and fabrication company specialising in low and medium volume composites manufacturing, said it felt the positive effects of the Innovation Zone even before the show.

MD Sam Hudson explained: “This was first trade show we’d exhibited at and we’re so glad we went with the Innovation Zone, particularly because of the positioning and its cost-effectiveness. The support from the STC team was exactly what we needed, with lots of networking and introductions in a casual yet professional way.

“We’ve seen some direct leads as a result of being there and had some even before the show began because we were on the exhibitors’ list.”

Symetri, an engineering consultancy for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, pharma, defence and education using virtual reality, also exhibited.

Ben Homa, Regional Account Manager said: “We were part of the Innovation Zone to hopefully meet new prospects and clients, and to see if we could add any value to existing processes.

“Was it worth it? Absolutely! We’ve got 15 or so solid leads from being there which is about 50% more than in 2022, so very worthwhile.”

Hernshead Group was another STC member in the Innovation Zone, there to promote both its engineering and technology recruitment brand plus its content creation capabilities.

Director Tom Johnson enthused: “The Innovation Zone gave us the opportunity to network with businesses that we’d like to support and get to know them in more detail.

“The audience at AES mirrors the audience in the STC which is why we’re members – there’s a lot of synergy – so it was a no-brainer to be a part of the Innovation Zone.

“It proved really useful in us delivering content work for clients and in people engaging with us. We’ll be back in 2024.”

Globally renowned engineering giant Cosworth also took advantage to exhibit in the Innovation Zone.

David Dupont, Senior Business Development Manager, added: “Exhibiting in the Silverstone Technology Cluster Innovation Zone at the recent Advanced Engineering Show gave us the opportunity to reconnect with old contacts and make many new connections.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for us to come together with like-minded companies within the cluster to demonstrate our innovative solutions. It’s always a pleasure to support the STC and the fantastic work that they do.”

By Carl McKellar