Our Events Insights
The hardest thing about exhibiting at a channel event isn’t the build. It’s knowing how to present a joined-up brand message when the business behind them is anything but simple.
The hardest thing about exhibiting at a channel event isn’t the build. It’s knowing how to present a joined-up brand message when the business behind them is anything but simple. Sophie Hughes, Client Services Director, CI Group I’ve been delivering events in the IT channel for over a decade, and the question I hear most often from vendor marketing teams in the run […]
Designing Incentive Strategies That Drive Behaviour – Not Just Sales
Written by Ed Devine, Head Of Sales of CI Group Incentives have long been a staple of channel performance. They rally sales teams, boost engagement and create the much-needed focus to push results when it matters most. Yet many programmes still follow a familiar pattern: a big launch, glossy prizes, a spike in activity, and then a sharp drop-off. A few months later, […]
AI has transformed how we deliver events in 2025 – what 2026 will bring?
Written by David Watt, CEO of CI Group This year has marked a significant turning point in the events industry. Research from Event Industry News reported 45% of UK event organisers are now actively using AI tools within their operations, and in my conversations with clients and partners that figure feels very real on […]
Creating a place we want to belong: Why team culture matters just as much as business results
Written by Sophie Hughes – Head of Client Services at CI Group Anybody who works in marketing and events will recognise just how demanding and fast-paced the industry is. The pressure to deliver results and move quickly from one project to the next is something familiar to all of us. While achieving strong business […]
Reflections on HP & Intel’s Pride Campaign: The power of tangible DE&I activity in the IT Channel
Written by Felicite Burke – Project Director at CI Group The IT channel is a space that, like many industries, it is still working towards becoming as open and inclusive as it should be. And achieving that change requires not just words, but action – and consistent, visible and meaningful engagement. As CI Group […]
Stand-Out Event Success Guide
About:This guide showcases CI Group’s full-service approach to creating immersive, high-impact exhibition and event experiences. From concept to execution, it highlights how our collaborative design process, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous project management deliver stands and environments that not only capture attention but also convey brand messaging with clarity and creativity. Value for the ReaderBy reading […]
Distributor Call-out Days – How to make them more effective | Written by Alex Tatham
Introduction & Defining the problem Vendors are always keen to grab sales staff attention at a distributor. Marketing departments see this a relatively easy sell to use vendor MDF and subsequently claiming the money – but call-out days frequently do not coincide with the requirements of the sales force themselves or senior management. Whilst they […]
You can’t put a tariff on an experience.
M&IT Article here – https://mitmagazine.co.uk/Meetings/Agencies/Agency-Pitch-with-CI-Group-You-can-t-put-a-tariff-on-an-experience- CI Group MD David Watt on AI, the human connection, and how he’s navigating the future of events and marketing In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every industry, businesses are grappling with a critical question: how do we embrace the benefits of AI without losing the […]
Time to wake up to a new hotel approach
Conference News Article. – https://www.conference-news.co.uk/features/time-to-wake-up-to-a-new-hotel-approach/ When it comes to executing flawless events, the logistics of the hotel environment can be problematic for organisers and delegates alike. From rigid group booking policies to inflexible cancellation terms and chaotic communication loops, hotels are often the Achilles’ heel of a well-planned event. Sophie Hughes, client services director at […]
How to Maximise ROI, Footfall & Qualified Leads at Bett 2026
Bett 2026 is an opportunity to deliver real business results. But let’s be honest: with over 30,000 visitors, 600+ exhibitors, and global giants like Microsoft and Google dominating attention, it’s easy for even the best brands to get lost in the noise. The real challenge? Turning that investment into footfall that converts, content that engages, […]