Category: News

Raccoon Media Group, the company behind The National Snow Show Birmingham, has today announced that it is launching National Snow Week and The London Snow Show in partnership with Evening Standard Live in 2023, further extending its operations within the UK snowsport industry.

The joint venture will see Raccoon Media Group working in partnership with Evening Standard Live, the events division of the Evening Standard, to bring the existing Birmingham event plus the two new offerings to the UK Snowsports calendar, bolstering the UK’s standing in the European snowsports market.

National Snow Week will begin with the third edition of National Snow Show Birmingham which will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 14-15^th October 2023, with key trade and consumer satellite events, involving other snow related companies including dry slopes, snow centres, retailers and brands, leading up to the newly launched London Snow Show at the Excel, London on 21st – 22nd October 2023. The week will create an opportunity for brands, resorts, tour operators and associations to come face-to-face with over 25,000 snowsport enthusiasts at its two consumer events and attend strategic, high-level trade events during the same timeframe, truly galvanising the industry to extend the reach of the snowsports industry in the UK.

The National Snow Show Birmingham has attracted more than 23,000 visitors over the last two years, increasing its floor space by over 5000sqm year-on-year. The London Snow Show will mirror the Birmingham event, covering approximately 9,000sqm and will bring a mix of retail, content and interactive features to snowsports enthusiasts in London and the surrounding counties. The events will continue to work hand-in-hand with industry media partners including InTheSnow, Snow Magazine, Skier & Snowboarder, Fall Line Skiing, chillfactor and Planet Ski are already onboard to work alongside the team.

According to industry research from Mountain Trade Network, the UK snowsports market is currently estimated to include over two million snowsports enthusiasts and is valued at over £5 billion. Extending the consumer facing offering along with trade events, with both domestic and international entities, will give a well-timed and much needed boost to the industry, which has faced numerous challenges over the last two years.

Stephen Morgan, MD at Raccoon Active Events, part of the Raccoon Media Group portfolio commented: “Over the course of the last two years working on The National Snow Show and across six years of running multi award-winning health and wellbeing shows in the UK and US, we’ve been able to build strong relationships across every facet of the snowsports and fitness sectors. There’s huge demand for the show we have created hand-in-hand with the industry in Birmingham to be available to the London audience and with the successful model we have created, we are totally stoked to be able to meet that demand.

“The introduction of National Snow Week sandwiched between the two large scale consumer events will provide strategic opportunities for the UK and international snowsports industry, press and wider stakeholders to network and continue to develop the role the UK plays, not only in its own snowsports industry but in the wider European market too.”

Sam North, Head of Exhibitions, Evening Standard Live said: ‘’We are delighted to be partnering with Racoon Media Group to deliver the best Snow Show London has ever seen. We feel that our collaboration will benefit the whole snow community and look forward to putting on an amazing show next October!”

To find out more about National Snow Week, the London Snow Show and National Snow Show Birmingham visit www.nationalsnowshow.com, to discuss opportunities to get involved with any of the National Snow Week events contact steve.morgan@raccoonmediagroup.com.

Notes:

• Find out more about The National Snow Show

About the Evening Standard:
Founded in 1827, the Evening Standard is London’s most iconic news brand and the UK’s largest quality daily. Recognised as setting the agenda in politics and business, as well as being first with major news and sports stories, the brand reaches a total of 13.1 million cross-platform readers a month. Through Evening Standard Live, it connects Londoners through inspirational events that celebrate everything our culture-rich city has to offer.

For all media enquiries, contact Senior Marketing Manager Ashley Cox at ashley.cox@raccoonmediagroup.com.

This year the show will boast some brand new features including the Après Pavilion, delivered in partnership with Ski Club GB, OOSC, Eco Ski and NUCO Travel. An area for visitors to kick back, enjoy live music from Squid Lips , pumping DJ sets and ‘Beer Pong Championships’ from OOSC, NUCO Travel and Jubel, Ski Simulators and insurance advice from the show’s official Insurance Partner, Ski Club GB, a gear cleaning station from Eco Ski and mountain inspired drinks from Jubel Beer. The vibe will be chilled through to 3pm when the tunes will kick up a notch and the drinks will start flowing. Don’t miss the Alpine Bar brought to you by SkiYodl which will be open all weekend to provide the perfect place to kick back with friends new and old and absorb the energy of the Show.

Also new for 2022 is the Warren Smith Ski Technique Lab which will bring a personalised skiing MOT from the experts, an enhanced feature from RAF Nordic and Norway Home of Skiing, who will be running a Nordic introduction to Roller Skating as well as bigger Biathlon Experience with Laser Shooting alongside the experts. For those looking to perfect their balance skills, head to the Balance Board feature with Swifty.

The Show, now in its second year, will boast a 40% larger indoor slope from SnowDome, giving budding skiers and snowboarders of all ages a chance to have a go under the watchful eye of the SnowDome and FIS experts. A souped-up skate ramp for testing those skateboard skills on the Skate Mini Ramp from Graystone Action Sports is back by popular demand with a jam sessions and swag up for grabs on the Saturday afternoon as well as Boot fitting sessions with Ski Exchange.

A shopper’s paradise, the show will include stands from high street brands as well as boutique stores, including Atomic, Rossignol, Pulse Roll, Nordica, Oakley, UYN, Spyder and Picture Organic who will be attending on the Show’s Retail Partner, Ski Exchange’s vast stand. Other exhibitors include The Snowboard Asylum, Volkl, Dalbello, Marker, Salomon, Black Peak Trading and many more.

As visitor’s minds start to turn to their next Winter break, the show offers face-to-face access to experienced tour operators and resorts to help plan the perfect trip, whether travelling alone or with a large group. Crystal Ski Holidays, Inghams, Ski Andorra, Ikon Pass, Aosta Valley Tourist Board, France Montagne, Georgian National Tourism Administration, LAAX, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, OTP Swiss Holidays, Norway Home of Skiing and Snowsport Scotland will all be at the show and ready to offer bespoke advice and tailored holidays

National Snow Show speaker Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards commented: “I have always found Ski & Snowboard Shows a great way to bring people together who are involved in Winters ports, it was such a shame that I could not be there ‘in person’ in 2021, but I am so looking forward to being there this year. My time competing in the Olympics taught me so much, and I believe everyone should give snowsports a try, no matter their experience or ability. The atmosphere when you bring snowsports lovers together is fabulous and I can’t wait to share my story and hear other people’s tales at the Show.”

The National Snow Show takes place in Hall 1 at the NEC, Birmingham on 15-16 October, doors open at 9am and tickets retail at £10pp, children under 16 go free.

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Adventure Entertainment and Raccoon Media Group have entered into an exciting new partnership to expand their snowsports businesses together in 2023.

The partnership will see Raccoon Media Group (organiser of the National Snow Show) support the marketing and delivery for Adventure Entertainment’s release of the 73rd annual WARREN MILLER* film, “Daymaker”, in the United Kingdom commencing November 2022.

The highly anticipated film will be launched with three premieres:
• GLASGOW – Monday 21 November
• LONDON – Tuesday 22 November
• BIRMINGHAM – Wednesday 23 November

The premiere events will be an opportunity for snowsports fans to get the first look of the new Daymaker film, with guest presenters and athlete ‘meet and greet’ opportunities. Limited tickets are now on sale – don’t want to miss out? you can book tickets here – https://www.warrenmiller.co.uk/buy-tickets

“We’re super-stoked to be working on the Warren Miller Tour which will be the perfect end to the year following our National Snow Show in Birmingham and Snowbound Expo in Boston, MA in November. I’m a huge fan of the film series and can’t wait to enjoy the premiere with my mates”, commented Stephen Morgan, MD, National Snow Show

In addition, Adventure Entertainment’s ski magazine, CHILLFACTOR, will launch into the United Kingdom at THE NATIONAL SNOW SHOW at the NEC in Birmingham on 15-16 October 2022.

“This is another exciting step in the growth of our international business. Adventure Entertainment took over running the long-established Warren Miller tour in the UK in 2019. This partnership provides invaluable marketing and in-market events experience to grow that tour. The opportunity to launch Chillfactor in the UK with The National Snow Show is also something we are very excited about”, said Adventure Entertainment CEO Toby Ryston-Pratt.

*WARREN MILLER is owned by Outside Inc and distributed in the UK and Ireland by Adventure Entertainment.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
• Additional imagery and video available – please get in touch

About Adventure Entertainment
Australian-based, and operating in more than 12 countries, Adventure Entertainment is a digital multimedia business specialising in adventure sports. AE produces over 10 touring film festivals, and has dozens of feature films in recent distribution. Adventure Entertainment owns and operates the Women’s Adventure Film Tour, One Ocean Film Tour, Vertical Life Film Tour and RunNation Film Festival. Their recent feature film experience includes National Geographic’s “Torn,” Red Bull Media House’s “La Liste: Everything or Nothing,” and the Oscar winning “Free Solo”. AE also publishes a number of print and digital adventure magazines including Chillfactor, Trail Run, Vertical Life and Wild, as well as owning and operating the digital streaming platform ADVENTURE+.

About Raccoon Media Group
Raccoon Media Group is a dynamic, high-growth media business focused on health and wellbeing markets. Our media properties deliver year round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying consumers that share a love of being outside and active. Our events are well-timed, community-driven, tightly focused and passion-led. They bring buyers and sellers together to see cutting edge innovations in a fun and exciting way.

About The National Snow Show
The National Snow Show is an event for snowsports lovers, no matter their experience, background or ability. Built for skiers, snowboarders and those who enjoy the mountains over winter, the Show brings together a community of enthusiasts to shop the latest kit, tech and gear, book their next winter holiday, be inspired by famous faces from across the snowsports world and enjoy a great day out with friends old and new. Find out more about our ‘why’ and how we build a show we are proud of here.

For all media enquiries, contact Senior Marketing Manager Ashley Cox at ashley.cox@raccoonmediagroup.com

Partnerships & Advertising Contact:
Charles Werb
E. Charles@adventureentertainment.com

Raccoon Events has today announced it will re-brand to Raccoon Media Group to reflect it’s growing data, digital and podcast businesses. Raccoon Media Group has committed significant additional financial support for its media brand Outside & Active. This investment will be used mainly to grow the team and to invest in new technologies. Outside & Active was launched in 2020 during the midst of the Covid19 pandemic as a one-off digital event that brought together consumers around a shared love of being active outside. The brand has grown significantly since then and now has multiple revenue steams including data, digital, podcast, film and merchandise.

Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon media Group, commented:

“This re-brand marks an important milestone for the company and demonstrates our desire to become a multi-platform media business that communicates with our specialist audiences 365 days a year. Events remain a vital and important part of our strategy and are very much the ‘tip of the spear’ for us in terms of community engagement, so we will continue to invest heavily in optimising and aggressively growing our live events business. In addition to this, we will also make new monies available to grow and build out new channels such as data, digital and podcasts, to enable us to offer a broader range of solutions to our customers both locally and internationally. I am incredibly passionate about health and well-being, and I am delighted to see our business continue to grow and to reach new audiences in a variety of ways.”

For more information about Raccoon Media Group or to arrange an interview contact Senior Marketing Manager Ashley Cox – ashley.cox@raccoonmediagroup.com

 

The National Running Show has announced that it has awarded grants to four deserving recipients as part of the Elite and Community Grant Scheme which was launched at the National Running Show Birmingham earlier this year.

Runners of all abilities were able to apply for the grants issued by the National Running Show to help facilitate the next wave of elite athletes and community running groups. The programme’s judging panel featured a host of industry experts and included Olympic silver medallist, Wendy Sly, ultra-runner and Peloton Instructor, Susie Chan, Women’s Running Editor, Esther Newman, Mizuno’s UK Marketing Manager, Graham Johnson and Raccoon Media Group CEO, Mike Seaman. The judging was facilitated by Run Show Portfolio Director, Nathalie Davies.

The Elite grant is the top tier of funding which aims to support elite runners who inspire through their activities. The money can be used to purchase specialist equipment, access professional training and coaching and to cover travel costs to events. The second stream of funding, the community grant, offers groups across the UK an opportunity to apply for support. The criteria for selection identified those who help encourage inactive people to become more active, promote and encourage lasting sporting habits and help to develop positive attitudes towards running among young people.

The panel awarded three elite grants the recipients of which were GB and Welsh International endurance runner, Jenny Nesbitt, Scottish middle-distance endurance athlete, Sol Sweeney and Olympic marathon runner, Kevin Seaward. Speaking of receiving an elite grant Jenny Nesbitt stated: “This grant is going to provide me with so much more stability in order to make it to training camps and races which is fundamental to achieving qualifying standards and making that next step into the top elite area of the sport.”

The winner of the community grant was Durham Mums on the Run who said: “We are hugely grateful to the National Running Show for awarding us their community grant. This grant will be used to fund coach and leader training in order to set up an exciting new project that will be a brilliant addition to what we offer at DMotR.”

Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Media Group and founder of the National Running Show, commented: “We have met so many inspiring runners in the five years since we launched the National Running Show, and not just athletes, runners who do a mile a week but are so motivated because of the positive physical and mental outcomes. When I set up the National Running Show it was my aim to be able to give back to this amazing community and I am delighted to be able to do that through these grants. We feel passionately that running is about more than getting fit and healthy, it’s about friendship, motivation and positive mental health and we know first-hand how important community running groups are in inspiring people who might be reticent to get out and take a few steps.”

The grant scheme for 2023 will be launched at the National Running Show Birmingham which takes place at the NEC on the 21-22 January 2023. For more information about the event visit https://nationalrunningshow.com/.

Raccoon Media Group has been shortlisted in three categories of this year’s AEO Excellence Awards including Marketing Campaign of the year for the National Outdoor Expo, Best Consumer Show for both the National Outdoor Expo and the National Running Show and Best Event Launch for the National Outdoor Expo.

The first edition of the National Outdoor Expo in partnership with Ordnance Survey was hosted at the NEC in Birmingham and was attended by over 14,000 people. The show’s two stages played host to experts and adventurers from across the world of outdoor pursuits including Ben Fogle, James Cracknell, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Julia Bradbury, Ed Stafford and Dwayne Fields, enthralling packed theatres with the highs, lows, achievements and failures from a life spent in the outdoors.

The 2022 show was the fourth National Running Show to be hosted at the NEC in Birmingham and attracted almost 20,000 visitors across the two days. The show boasted a sensational line-up of speakers including Lord Sebastian Coe, Kadeena Cox, Derek Redmond, Jonnie Peacock and Jenni Falconer and a first class retail experience with top brand exhibitors.

Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Media Group commented: “I am so incredibly proud of the team here at Raccoon and it is fantastic to see their hard work recognised at such a prestigious event. To have our company listed alongside the biggest and best events in the country is testament to the amazing people we have in our business. Good luck to the other nominees and we look forward to the winners being announced next month.”

The National Running Show will be back at the NEC in Birmingham on 21-22 January 2023 and the National Outdoor Expo will return to the NEC Birmingham on the 18-19 March 2022. For more information about either show or to book your ticket visit https://nationalrunningshow.com/ and https://nationaloutdoorexpo.com/.

Raccoon Media Group, the award-winning health and well-being events company behind shows such as The National Running Show, The National Cycling Show, The National Outdoor Expo, and The National Snow Show, has announced it will remove aisle carpets from all future events.

This is the first of many initiatives from Raccoon Media Group as they strive to become net-zero by 2025, announced by CEO Mike Seaman at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021.

Mike commented: “When I announced our ambitious target at COP26, we were still in the process of having our carbon footprint measured. This is an in-depth analysis of all areas of our business to identify where we can make carbon reductions, and I’m thrilled to see we could save over 15,100kg CO₂ e just from removing aisle carpets from our shows!”

Although they can be recycled, it’s not easy, and the carpet industry still produces significant carbon emissions. Mike explained: “We initially looked at recycling, but from manufacturing to installing and removing the carpet and then transporting it from venue to venue, it still added up to a significant footprint. So in the end, we decided to get rid of them completely.”

“Of course, we’re looking to our venue partners to come up with a sustainable yet comfortable alternative to make sure our visitors still have a great experience,” he added, “we’re looking forward to seeing what they come up with but in the meantime we will be pushing forward to remove all aisle carpets at our shows..”

To measure its carbon footprint, Raccoon Media Group partnered with ecollective, a carbon emissions analysis firm. Charlie Cotton, Founder of ecollective, said: “When you think of carbon footprints and emissions, you normally don’t think of carpets, but to tackle the climate crisis, no area of a business should be out of scope. When we worked through the data and presented it back to the Raccoon Media Group team, the numbers spoke for themselves.”

Raccoon Media Group set up a Sustainability Working Group to work with suppliers and exhibitors to reduce their carbon footprint. Event carpeting was one of the first areas they focussed on.

Matthew Lambert, Director of Operations at Raccoon Media Group, said: “When we got the data back from ecollective, we jumped at the chance to make a real difference. So when visitors flock to the National Running Show South in May, they’ll take part in a much more sustainable show experience. Not only have we removed aisle carpets, but our ambassador teams all wear T-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles produced by our partners Scimitar.”

“In addition, we removed over 20,000 plastic merchandise bags, discouraged the use of single-use printed materials, and swapped our printed show guides with a digital alternative. We even replaced our VIP gift bags with ones made from sustainable and biodegradable jute.”

Raccoon Media Group is calling on the rest of the event industry to follow its lead and assess their supply chains. Matt continued: “We want to challenge every supplier and partner to join us in focusing on minimising their carbon footprint and offsetting any emissions that can’t be reduced. We’ve also given our visitors the option to offset their emissions from travelling to the venue. We want our guests to feel confident that whenever they visit one of our events, it’s as sustainable as we can make it. Even down to the (lack of) carpet under their feet.”

Raccoon Media Group, who organise passion-led consumer events in the health and well-being space, is looking to crack another market by launching the first ever National Egg and Spoon Show. Following the rapid growth of Egg and Spoon racing over the past two years, The National Egg and Spoon Show promises to deliver a weekend of Inspiration, fun and motivation to thousands of visitors who are keen to turn exercise into eggs-ercise.

The show promises a spoon full of hard-boiled speakers such as ultra-spooner, Susie Chan, Olympic Gold Medallist – turned spoon advocate – Iwan Thomas MBE, a man who always sees life sunny side up, Danny Bent, and a special appearance from the legend that is Humpty Dumpty, for a special ‘Wall-side Chat’ on the Eggsperation Stage.

The show will break onto the scene on the 1-2 April 2023 at the Farnborough International. Set across two-days it will host over 100 eggs-tra egg-citing exhibitors and 10,000 wonderful visitors. If that isn’t an-oeuf, top brands Pulseroll, Sports Tours International and Outside and Active have already signed up for this break-through event.

Raccoon Media Group CEO, Mike Seaman, who is a lifelong egg and spooner said, “This is an egg-citing time at Raccoon Media Group, I am over the spoon to be announcing this brand-new event. Its going to be an egg-citing egg-travaganza of awesomeness for the egg and spoon community. This market has been under-served for a long time; we haven’t just scrambled this idea up it’s been boiling around for a while. We can’t wait to get cracking!”

To celebrate the launch of The National Egg and Spoon Show, we are releasing a special free ticket code to our sister shows when you use the code “EGGSPOON” at checkout.

The National Running Show South
The National Snow Show
The National Cycling Show
Run Show Chicago
Run Show LA
Run Show Boston

For more information, please head to nationaleggandspoonshow.com

With just 5 weeks to go until the National Running Show South the organisers have revealed the latest speaker in the line-up. Four-time Olympic champion, Sir Mo Farah, will be joining famous faces from the world of running including Paula Radcliffe, Steve Cram, Shakira Akabusi, Jenni Falconer, Jo Pavey and Danny Bent on 7-8 May at Farnborough International.

Farah is one of the most decorated athletes in British track and field history and won eight world championship medals between 2011-2017 and four Olympic gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012 and Rio 2016. His ten global championship gold medals (four Olympic and six World titles) make him also the most successful male track distance runner globally in history.

Run Show Portfolio Director, Nathalie Davies, commented: “We are delighted that Sir Mo will be joining the incredible speaker line-up and can’t wait to showcase some of the biggest talents in the running world at our event. The National Running Show South will give runners of all abilities unprecedented access to industry experts, top brand exhibitors and a range of brilliant features.”

In addition to an incredible speaker line-up, huge brands including adidas, Coros, Hoka One One, Mizuno, Pulseroll, iPRO, Forestry England, Ordnance Survey and Runderwear have also announced that they will be present at