Open Air Business October/November 2018

INDUSTRY NEWS
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The Glamping Show
Alice Moore reports on the Glamping Show, where the
weather put structures to the test
THE EXHIBITORS at the three day Glamping
Show in September welcomed the
inclement weather with gusto as it meant
they could really showcase how well their
structures stood up to Britain’s variable
climate.
“The weather we have had these last
few days has suited us enormously,” said
Universal Glamping’s Rex Dovey. “The high
winds and rain, especially on the first day,
showed just how strong our structures are
and we were also able to showcase our new
innovative heating system, which warmed
up many visitors.”
Much like the sector it represents, the
show is evolving and welcomed thousands
of visitors from all corners of the UK and
overseas over three days. Attendees had the
opportunity to experience a wide variety
of glamping structures and investigate
accessories and services to the industry
including planning, financing and insurance.
The show stepped up on delivering
knowledge with the introduction of a
number of short intensive courses educating
visitors on specific areas of running
glamping sites. This was in addition to the
popular seminar programme and one to one
‘Meet the Experts’ opportunities.
Chris Pike of social media management
company HeyBurt was one of the specialists
that took part in these sessions. “We were
busy from the moment the doors opened on
both Thursday and Friday. I talked to a huge
range of people, from those who have barely
even thought about their potential glamping
site to those who are well established
business owners. It was great to see such
a diverse group of visitors attending the
show.”
Jess Holliday, of Yurts For Life, has seen
a huge shift in the last three years in how
knowledgeable visitors have become. “What
we have noticed is there has been a massive
evolution in the glamping market in recent
years,” she said. “In the three years we have
been exhibiting we have seen visitors, who
were just at the planning stages of their
business in year one, returning to the show
knowing exactly what they want and with so
much more knowledge about the industry.”
After four successful years of the Glamping
Show, organisers Swan Events wanted to
give something back. Teaming up with Kerry
Roy of off-grid glampsite Camp Kátur, they
have launched GlampAid, a new industry
charity that will help those made homeless
by conflict and disaster by fundraising and
donating surplus stock from glamping
suppliers. Long-time supporter of the
Glamping Show, TV presenter, author and
upcycler, Max McMurdo, has been welcomed
as its ambassador.
SAVE THE DATE: Next year’s Glamping Show
will be on 19-21 September at the NAEC,
Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
OAB’S TOP PICKS
➊ Saniflo
The Saniflo roadshow van was present for
the second successive year, showcasing the
range of pumps and macerators designed
to help site owners install extra facilities
even if mains drainage isn’t an option.
The team also presented the Kinedo self
contained cubicle range, renowned for its
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quick and easy installation – as used by
pod manufacturers Universal Glamping and
Modular Leisure Buildings in their glamping
structures. www.saniflo.co.uk / www.kinedo.
co.uk
➋ Portable Power Technology
As fans of the Portable Power Technology
powerpacks for powering/charging all
manner of things, we were keen to check out
the larger ‘whole glampsite’ off-grid power
solutions on offer. A one-stop-shop for
these systems, these guys know their maths
when it comes to solar panels, batteries and
inverters. Just tell them what you need to
power and they’ll put everything together.
Ask about the SIES fully integrated
system too. It makes creating off-grid or
solar hybrid systems easy and allows for
monitoring via a tablet or PC; you can
check the power collected/used, voltages of
batteries and troubleshoot problems. www.
portablepowertech.com
➌ Bond Fabrications
Bond showcased a fully equipped safari
tent as a fitting tribute to 30 years of
designing and manufacturing marquees and
glamping structures in its Gloucestershire
factory. Its safari tents are unique in the UK,
constructed around a hidden box section
steel frame for extra rigidity that has recently
passed wind loading tests by structural
engineers. It also offers a fully bespoke
service for anything unique. Happy Birthday
Bond! www.bondfabrications.co.uk
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