With normality slowly returning after the pandemic, we’ve been able to spend time this year getting out and about at events and exhibitions. And there are some real positives of being back 'out there' and spending time with colleagues and contacts face-to-face.
There are lots of Covid keeps for the Thesis team, not least the remote study sessions which are now a regular part of our marketing timetable, especially due to our collaboration with the Society of Tissue Viability. These virtual sessions are a super way to engage, and a format everyone is now used to, but they can never replace the chance to meet and fully interact with healthcare practitioners in person.
So we’ve been delighted to get back out there on tour at events and exhibitions. As the world re-opened, we attended shows throughout the UK as well as Copenhagen (International Lymphoedema Framework) and Paris (European Wounds Management Association). Overseas shows have been equally as enthusiastic about meeting and developing new post COVID links. And it’s great to see that everyone has been respectful of the necessary precautions for each country or event. There’s certainly less handshaking and hugging but definitely plenty of smiles!
This year we’re involved in nearly 100 events, mainly showcasing the LimbO waterproof protector, with different formats from small study groups to large international congresses with thousands of attendees.
One of the things we’ve been particularly pleased (and relieved) to see is that attendance at nursing events have been back to normal levels, as we saw in 2019, which is fantastic. It’s clear that the LimbO Waterproof Protector has been missed, and we’ve enjoyed being able to share live demos of the benefits of this super product. We’ve very lucky that the LimbO is so simple to show and healthcare professionals are quickly impressed with its qualities. It really is a case of actions speaking louder than words.
Of course the reality of healthcare provision remains pretty stark; hospitals are still very restricted places with reduced access for infection prevention reasons and little time to spare due to patient numbers. So with this in mind it’s understandable that we rely on organised face-to-face events to engage with key practitioners, demonstrate our products and distribute information packs to help with sizing and prescription models. This usually in turn generates lots of follow up for our teams back at the office for training or prescription packs.
There has been a great buzz as people have been able to meet again and see first-hand developments within healthcare and for LimbO. We are often the only waterproof protector in the room making us unique and interesting as a medical product on display. And time face-to-face has enabled us to bring our healthcare colleagues up to speed on our latest news including the expansion of our prescription range, given the foot LimbO is now available on FP10. This development has been met with a great response from attendees, and it’s also been encouraging to share our completely updated educational materials complete with extra information and new branding. And we’ve been able to talk about our new YouTube video clips too, which have been designed to help patients and clinicians with user tips and sizing advice.
As well as the healthcare sector, we’ve also taken part in two large trade shows for our Neocape salon and barbering gown range. Again these events have enjoyed excellent attendance and a strong appetite for live demonstrations and education. To help re-engage with the stylist and barbering community we’ve been able to offer our Neocape gowns at a special show price too!