Paul Hicks has created the fourth in a series of commemorative artworks. Paul is the winner of the public competition to produce a new piece celebrating Olympia's125th anniversary. You can find out more, and see other competition entries at www.olympia.co.uk

Britain on display at sensory eventbrainchild of Antony Wallis, who was behind several fashion shows including 40 Degrees, Pure Womenswear, Stitch Menswear and Clothes Show Live. Wallis told EN the event will shine the spotlight on new and longstanding British brands in a collaborative and innovative way. He plans to do this through a digital and experience-led format involving how individuals listen, Financier pitches new exponews10 www.exhibitionnews.co.ukA corporate financing agency is launching the first Investor Pitch Expo as part of plans to accelerate funding into existing UK businesses. Ethos Corporate Finance, a boutique corporate financing group, will launch the first Investor Pitch Expo at Leeds Armouries on 21 September. The one-day event is expected to feature 50 existing companies looking for funding to expand their businesses. Investor Pitch Expo is the first time Ethos has attempted to run its own trade show. Partner Chris Silverwood claimed the 50 venture capital firms and 100 'business angels' already signed up to attend have more than £2bn in cash available for fresh investments. "Start-up companies wanting to raise cash are well looked after by existing events," Silverwood told EN. "Our new event is for existing companies that want £5m or more in funding as part of a stage two expansion of their businesses." The live event is expected to attract companies with tangible products in areas like manufacturing, technology, food, printing, haulage, engineering and biotechnology. A particularly strong sector will be those with products applicable to emerging markets. "There is this pre-conception that there's no money out there but there's lots of equity available," Silverwood continued. "What is happening is investors are not seeing enough good-quality deals to put their money into. "This event will help fast-track the process of stage two companies finding investors. I expect our exhibitors to come out with two or three potential investors."Melville has launched a set of pre-packaged exhibitor stand options in conjunction with organisers in a bid to increase flexibility for exhibitors. According to Melville COO Andy Gibb, organisers have traditionally approached exhibitors with two stand options: shell scheme and space-only. Using the supplier's exhibitor Options, organisers will also be able to offer enhanced shell, modular space and space solutions at the point of sale. Melville will come up with several pre-packaged enhanced shell and modular stand options that suit the contents of the show. The enhanced stands are based on overlay graphics, while the modular space options will incorporate build, graphics, pre-agreed furniture, electrics, a data cable and carpet. These packages could also include a screen for technology-oriented exhibitors, or shelving and racks for retail-focused events. "There are times when an exhibitor doesn't have the funding to build a space-only stand and will choose not to exhibit over using shell scheme," Gibb explained. UBM is providing exhibitor Options on Internet world, TFM&A and eCommerce expo. "As an organiser, the enhanced packages will give a greater variety to the show floor, particularly for typically 'shell heavy' shows," UBM Live group director Jonny sullens said.Exhibitor options launchEd by MElvillEsee and touch things. Brands already on-board include BAC Mono, Marshall Amps, Ashley Cycles, Hiut Denim and Mark Powell Bespoke Tailoring. "We're using British manufacturing as the link between the stories of great brands and making the products the heroes of the show, not the shell scheme or the exhibition itself," Wallis explained. "We felt a traditional exhibition space wouldn't work, which is why we've chosen Farmiloe. It's a great example of craftsmanship. "It's not about the packaging, it's about the makers mark and the provenance of products. Our plan is to show this without shell scheme or stand build, but instead by lighting the products and the stories behind them." The organiser plans to restrict exhibitors per industry and is aiming for 80 to 100 "storytelling exercises", Wallis said. Industries include clothing, motoring, sporting equipment and furniture. "We are looking at who is really passionate about their brand," Wallis added. A new show celebrating British manufacturing claims it will challenge the perception of how exhibitions work by focusing on the story between great local products and producers. Best of Britannia (BOB) will be held from 5 to 7 October at the iconic Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell and will comprise a one-day trade event followed by two consumer days. The event is the Qr codEs takE cEntrE stagE at london ExpoThe Royal Horticultural Halls is to host the world's first QR code exhibition. The event on 24 October will tap into growing use of the technology, which is based on a two-dimensional or matrix barcode that can be read by a smartphone using a dedicated app. These give users access to content chosen by the QR code's creator. "QR Code usage has grown year-on-year and with this in mind we felt it was time to create a QR code focused event," said Adam Leese, head of operations at QR world expo. "we hope to bring industry specialists, service providers and users of the technology together to share ideas, discuss experiences and promote innovation." Us and Far east events are also planned in 2013. vidEogaMing brand Expands at EvEntcityGaming events organiser Replay events is relocating its annual UK video games expo to eventCity in Manchester. The former Replay expo has been rebranded to Play expo for its third edition in October and was previously held at the norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool. Last year's event attracted 4,000 attendees. Replay events business development director Gordon sinclair said four events will be on offer: re.play, now.play, pro.play and cos.play, with each including playable gaming hardware as well as exhibition space. He was confident the organiser can get 10,000 visitors to eventCity based on consumer demand for a northern show. itE Flips For nEw Fashion ExpEriEncEA new trade show dedicated to the urban, street and action sports lifestyle clothing and footwear industries is launching this August at The neC. FLIP will sit as a joined area to ITe-Moda's next Moda fashion trade exhibition and aims to combine the latest seasonal ranges from major brands with live displays from world-renowned bike riders Martyn Ashton and Blake samson. British brand Animal's display bike team will also perform and exhibit. Visitors will be able to access both Moda and FLIP through the same registration point. "This sector of the market has been in need of a credible trade show for some time," FLIP event director Jamie Harden said. sHoW BrieFs