The Motorship takes a stand at SMM

We have to consider how we can best serve our readers at the show. I am convinced that is best done by touring the show – something that in itself could easily occupy all three of the days that we are there – rather than sitting in some 30 or more distinct press conferences.

By using our feet rather than our bums we stand a chance of picking up the real innovations from the smaller companies that won’t necessarily have the resources to get themselves on the press conference bandwagon. Those, after all, are the things our readers want to hear about.

Of course, we don’t intend to completely abandon press conferences. Some, where we know in advance that they will be a good use of our time, we will attend. We will also be frequent visitors to the press centre to pick up press packs. So company and agency PR people need not fear that we are abandoning them. If they need to make sure we get their material, we have our own stand at SMM (B1-121) where we will be pleased to receive it and, if any of the editorial staff are there, talk to them.

We are doing this because we feel we are governed more by our readers’ needs than industry expectations, and being tied to sitting in, and travelling between, press conferences and drinks receptions, is not the best way to serve or valued readership. We hope that companies who are organising events at SMM, and who have invited us, will appreciate this.

Bill Thomson. Editor, The Motorship