The UK’s biggest five-day consumer electronics event, Gadget Show Live, has today announced an additional 2,000 Super Theatre seats, capacity for 15,000 extra visitors and the biggest variety of interactive on-site features ever seen for 2012.
Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 11-15 April 2012, the event is based on the popular Channel Five TV show and is widely recognised as the best place to see, try and buy the latest consumer technology. With all Friday, Saturday and Sunday (13-15 April) tickets already sold out, 2012 is set to be the biggest show yet.
Now in its fourth year, the show will still the latest technology from the world’s leading electronics firms, such as LG, O2, HP, Epson, Pioneer, Phillips, Canon and JVC. Visitors can try out the new OLED TVs alongside smart and connected home technology, 3D projectors, 3D and HD camcorders, as well as new tablets, phones, laptops and gaming consoles; manyof which will be on show for the first time in the UK.
In addition, this year’s show will also see brand new technology, including the latest in audio tech from British companies Bowers and Wilkins and Orbitsound, who’ll be presenting the new T12v3 soundbar. Pioneer will also be revealing the recently launched STEEZ, a boom-box audio system that will be put to the test with exclusive performances from a team of b-boy champions including Junior. Other exhibitors include Festo, who’ll be showing the latest automation technology through its Smartbirds – a robotic bird that can fly and land without a driving mechanism – and Leonar3DO, exhibiting its integrated software and hardware platforms, which allow users to design virtual 3D objects in real space.
Gadget Show Live visitors can participate in a range of immersive features to help make it the perfect family day out. The hugely successful International Future Tech Zone returns with demonstrations of the latest brain wave technology from Neurosky, who will demo Necomimi, wearable cat ears that react and move in accordance to their user’s emotions. Aurasma will also be in the International Future Tech Zone presenting its latest augmented reality apps, which now have over 3 million users. spnKIX will show its motorised shoes – battery powered motorized skates that strap onto any shoes and are controlled by a hand-held remote control – a true step into the future for wearers.
Other key features include the HUB Theatre, which returns after a hugely successful first run at last year’s event, to offer six free daily presentations of the best tech on show, gadgets to look out for and tips to get the best out of your gadgets. This year will even include a session on how to create a number one single just through the power of your smartphone, The Hub is presented by Stuff TV’s Lucy Hedges and Radio One’s Aled Hayden Jones.
The Game Zone is also extended for 2012 with games and products from the likes of Kuoda, Codemasters, Alienware, Epic and Leapfrog, as well as retailer GAME and many gaming challenges for everyone to get involved – pro and amateur players alike! Epic and Train to Gain will give visitors the chance to design and build games of their own within its new theatre.
Not forgetting the one hour long, high energy, live theatre version of the TV show which will take place in the expanded Super Theatre three times daily. The show’s presenters will be on stage competing in high-energy tech challenges and inviting the audience to participate in a range of contests to win more gadgets! Each show seats 6,000 people (an increase of 2,000 seats from 2011).
Last year’s event saw 104,759 people in attendance, an increase of 50 per cent on the 2010 event, and organisers anticipate another sell out this year, with 120,000anticipated visitors to the NEC.
Matt Hodgins, Head of Event at Upper Street Events said:
“We’re really pleased about how the event has shaped up for 2012, with a bigger variety of features and some great exhibitors like Philips, Dell, Denon and Canon making their debuts this year. Gadget Show Live has remained THE place to get involved with the latest tech available in the UK. Having won Best Consumer Show at both the Exhibition News and Association of Exhibition Organisers Awards last year, 2012 promises to be the best yet and a hugely entertaining day out for all the family.”
To find out more and to buy tickets, visit www.thenec.co.uk.
