The KEC is the largest conference facility in the county and has been at the Showground at Detling, near Maidstone since 1964. The centre has expanded in recent years and the launch of the Clive Emson Conference Centre in June 2011 has resulted in a surge of bookings.

Events manager Alison Wallington said the ongoing programme of investment in facilities at the centre, boosting choice and capacity for clients, was paying dividends in attracting more bookings. The launch of the Clive Emson Centre had also opened up new markets for KEC.

“By investing in facilities and maintaining a clear focus on customer service we are enjoying a very successful start to 2012. We have also welcomed several new staff to the event centre team to help us cope with increased demand,” she added.

The Kent Event Centre hosts large-scale exhibitions, trade fairs, business conferences, dinner dances and weddings. Conference facilities comprise the Clive Emson Conference Centre (1,700 sq m), the John Hendry Pavilion (1,750sq m), the Astor Pavilion (151 sq m) and the Kent Pavilion (3,000 sq m). There are also six major meeting rooms. There is free parking for 30,000 vehicles.

Ian Turner
Agrovista

Also on the Kent Showground site is the entry form for vehicles available for download.

This year’s event is a special one for the Massey Ferguson MF 35X as the tractor will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, making its debut at the 1962 Smithfield Show. The Press releases page of the Showground site has an article detailing the tractor’s history. More information on the Kelsey Publishing and Lambert & Foster Auction can be found on the website www.kentshowground.co.uk/heritageday. The event will also celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Maidstone & District and East Kent Bus Clubs.

Ashleigh Wilday joined the Kent Event Centre team on 22nd November having previously worked for nine years as a Business Development Manager for the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood. Ashleigh also worked at the Marriot Tudor Park as a Sales Co-ordinator.

Ashleigh is looking forward to her new role and said “I am really looking forward to the new challenge and to working with such a great team of people”. She continued “My role is to increase the volume of corporate bookings and the number of Asian Weddings we host at the centre. The fact that the facilities are so flexible will make my job easy”.

Ashleigh believes that the conference space, meeting facilities and event centre is not only affordable for businesses but ideally located between Kent’s two motorways the M2 and M20.
Alison Wallington, Kent Event Centre Manager has been at the site in Detling for 8 years and has helped orchestrate the dramatic changes. “Over the past few years the Kent Event Centre has become so much more than a traditional agricultural showground. The opening of the Clive Emson Conference Centre earlier this year has allowed the team to offer clients state of the art meeting, conference and exhibition space”.
The addition of the new conference centre to the portfolio has increased bookings by 46% on the previous year. New technologies have been installed in the meeting and conference spaces giving clients the added confidence that the facilities and customer service are second to none. Alison is delighted that feedback from customers suggests that the facilities exceed expectations and the amount of repeat visits has indicated to the team that they have a wonderful product that has the professionalism, functionality and location to service businesses in the County and beyond.
Alison and Ashleigh have years of experience in event management and would welcome all new enquiries and look forward to showing prospective clients around the impressive site.

The Kent Event Centre is the largest conference facility in Kent, offering 7,000sqm. There are three main Exhibition Halls, ideal for creating stunning exhibitions, trade fairs or public shows. Two are interconnected, the John Hendry and the Kent Pavilion. The Astor Pavilion can be connected by the addition of a walkway marquee to give an overall exhibition space of 4,900sqm. The new Clive Emson Conference Centre has 1,700sqm of space within the single span exhibition hall.
In addition to the exhibition spaces there are six smaller meeting rooms that can accommodate five to sixty guests.
So however big or small your event, the Kent Event Centre is competitively priced, delivering affordable Conference and Event solutions for businesses in the County and the South East.

10.30am – 4.00pm
Pre-register at wedding-experience.co.uk or call 01795 844449 for more details.

Jim Paice, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food will visit the Show on Wednesday. The MP for South East Cambridgeshire, attended Writtle Agricultural College after which he started a career in farm management. The Marden Fruit Show Society, organisers of the National Fruit Show are delighted to welcome such a prominent and relevant DEFRA Minister to the event.

On Wednesday 19th October, Marden Fruit Show Society President, the Rt. Hon Michael Jack MP will chair an industry debate. The topics for discussion will be as fair reaching as ‘sustainability’ and ‘food security as the industry target a 50% market share’. The speakers will ask participants whether the industry is geared to reach this target and whether there is Government will for food security. Other vital questions during the debate will be addressed by scientists and industry specialists to establish whether there is the technology, innovation and varieties available to move towards UK self sufficiency.

Michael Jack said “This Show, with its stunning displays of top quality fruit, will play its part in demonstrating to both retailers and the food service sector that the industry will be able to deliver a sustainable future with fruit that the consumer will really enjoy”.

Sarah Calcutt, Chair of the Society added “this is an exciting opportunity for growers to openly discuss the current political climate and the financial constraints placed upon the industry as a whole. We hope to generate a strong message about what is required in the future to ensure a vibrant, profitable source of safe produce for UK consumers”.

The Show Dinner will be held at Turkey Mill in Maidstone with a drinks reception sponsored by OrchardWorld prior to the dinner kindly sponsored by Hadlow College. The menu will reflect local, sustainable and seasonal produce with Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agricultural Banking, HSBC as after dinner speaker. Allan, a farmer’s son was born and raised in the North East and has been involved with farming throughout his career.  Having obtained a degree in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University, he worked as a farm management consultant in Leicestershire for 3 years before joining HSBC Bank in 1988, as an Agriculture Banking Manager in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

The Show closes on Thursday 20 October when a large proportion of the fruit displays will be taken to Countryside Live at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate
on Saturday and Sunday 22 and 23 October.

Full details of the 2011 National Fruit Show; www.nationalfruitshow.org.uk

For more information please contact:
Sarah Calcutt, MFSS Chair Calcutt.Sarah@yahoo.com/07767783891

The event is free for both exhibitors and visitors, with both Kent based and national companies and organisations being represented.
In a recent seminar held at East Malling Research, one of the key areas identified as having a detrimental affect in farming over the next few decades will be sourcing a workforce. Roz Day, Chairman of Farming Futures explained, “The agricultural industry has always been subject to stereotyping when it comes to career options. Very few career advisers understand that farming has become a hugely important and diverse sector. From animal management to scientific research, the increased number of highly paid jobs and small business opportunities has grown significantly”.

The Kent County Agricultural Society is helping young people aged 13 to 16, to understand the career prospects available in farming and the land based sector. Farming Futures, a one-day event on Wednesday 12th October, will showcase the diverse work opportunities the industry now encompasses.  The Agricultural Society through its Education and Awards Committee identified the need for an event that can offer secondary school pupils information and hands-on activities organised by industry professionals. The event will be held at the Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone and is supported by Kent County Council and The Godinton Charitable Trust.
The event is free for both exhibitors and visitors, with both Kent based and national companies and organisations being represented.

In a recent seminar held at East Malling Research, one of the key areas identified as having a detrimental affect in farming over the next few decades will be sourcing a workforce.  Roz Day, Chairman of Farming Futures explained, “The agricultural industry has always been subject to stereotyping when it comes to career options.  Very few career advisers understand that farming has become a hugely important and diverse sector.  From animal management to scientific research, the increased number of highly paid jobs and small business opportunities has grown significantly”.

Students will spend 40 minutes in each of four information areas and take part in one pre-booked workshop session throughout the day.  There will also be time at the end of the day for students to revisit stands for more information if they wish to do so.

The four areas will be; Arable, Livestock & Equine, Food Production, Woodland & Countryside Management and a general information area where students can talk to colleges, representatives from the business community and land based specialists. The workshops will allow young people to listen to employers from a number of businesses and the qualifications, apprenticeships and salary packages available.  The workshop topics for discussion are Veterinary & Animal Care, Business Management & Marketing, Hospitality & Catering, Mechanics & Engineering and Research & Science.
The Kent County Agricultural Society aims to create a database of careers within the land based sector, which can in turn form the start of an interaction with schools in Kent.  Lucy Hegarty the Show organiser is confident that the online database, accessed from the website www.farmingfuturesevent.org.uk  will ensure that pupils have the most up-to-date information about possible career paths and the salaries that can be earned.  The future of farming is dependent on young people engaging with the industry and Farming Futures will demonstrate the vast range of opportunities available.

Chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, George Jessel, DL started the proceedings by thanking his Board of Directors and in particular Glyn Charlton the Financial Director who had kept a close eye on the 1.2million pound budget and Alison Wallington the Events Manager who is responsible for marketing the centre.

George explained that the vision to remodel this building actually started six years ago and was part of a larger project to revamp and upgrade the buildings at the Showground. He added that change had been at times challenging for the Kent Agricultural Society however the result was a first class event building.

George also thanked Nigel Gerrett, the Project Manager together with Abbotts, the constructors who had a strict completion date to adhere to and also had to contend with extreme weather conditions.

The project was supported by Barclays Business, Ashford Branch who financed the building and obtained the EIB grant of £12,500.

George told guests “We now live in a very different world and I believe the future of this Society is in attracting first class business entrepreneurs and I regard Clive Emson as one of Kent’s leading businessmen. His enterprise now spans from Kent to Cornwall and it has given me huge satisfaction that Clive has put his name to this building”.

For 21 years Clive Emson held auctions at the Ramada in Maidstone but due to fire regulations the successful events that number around seven each year, were attracting so many people that they were forced to look elsewhere for venues.
Clive informed guests at the launch that the Kent Event Centre was the perfect venue to continue their auctions and business in the County. Not only was the Kent Showground ideally located but the facilities in the new centre were ideal and would allow the auctions and other events the company organised to expand over time.

Clive said “As one door shuts, another opens. The opportunity to sponsor the new building was perfect timing and I am proud to be part of this wonderful building”, Clive Emson also thanked his wife Sue for her patience and his staff who had helped him build up his business.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett CMG CVO as a great supporter of the Kent Showground was delighted to be asked to officially open the Clive Emson Conference Centre. As he was approaching his 75th birthday in August he felt it was fitting that one of his last public duties brought him back to what he recognised as the hub for all that is best in the County.

He said “The Lieutenancy had made good use of the Showground during his tenure of office and had held a number of celebrations. The Lord Lieutenant would be at the Showground again on Saturday 18th June for a farewell tribute by Kent’s Cadet Forces. “The Showground is conveniently placed, bang in the centre of the County, with excellent facilities. I commend Kent County Agricultural Society not only for providing this marvellous venue, but also for all the vitally important work it does in supporting agriculture in Kent”.

Allan Willett unveiled a plaque that will be mounted in the new building to mark the occasion.

Guests were then able to tour round the exhibition space to view the meeting rooms, reception area and catering facilities.

Alison Wallington, Event Manager for the complex was delighted that the centre was now officially open for business and would be able to host a varied programme of events, from meetings to large conferences. “I am looking forward to welcoming Kent’s business community to the new facilities. We have had a complete re-brand, the Kent Event Centre has a new image, new website and an invigorated approach to event management and planning”.

The refurbishment of the building has converted a twenty eight year old, earth floored barn into a modern conference, entertainment and exhibition centre. The hall has a clear span exhibition space of over 1,700 sq metres measuring 36m by 48m with a ridge height of 7m and an eaves height of 3.6m. There is a viewing gallery and at the far end a cargo door to admit HGV lorries. The entire space is fully lit, has under floor cabling and is fitted with modern communication technologies. There is commercial kitchen space capable for catering for up to 1,000 people. The new building has full disabled access, including a platform lift to the first floor meeting rooms and business centre.

The Kent Event Centre is by far the largest Conference and Event Centre in the County. The new venue at Bluewater will provide 1,300sqm less space when completed. Roger Moore, Executive Manager said “We are competitively priced and the Clive Emson Conference Centre refurbishment will put us in an even stronger market position. We are delivering an affordable Conference and Event solution for businesses in the South East”.