About us

At CloserStill we believe that nothing beats doing business face-to-face. In the digital age, when traditional marketing methods have been turned on their heads and the internet sweeps all before it, face-to-face contact is at even more of a premium than ever. Increasingly, companies wishing to sell or market to other businesses are employing a dual strategy that combines the internet with one-to-one marketing and events in all their guises. After all, about the only marketing process that can`t be replicated online is meeting face-to-face and sharing the kind of in-depth interaction that can only take place in real-time, with real people: events and exhibitions are the perfect complement to online marketing strategies.

But the days of the traditional, one-dimensional trade-show are numbered. In the 21st Century, marketers expect their events to be multi-dimensional, rich in content and delivering real value for visitors as well as sponsors and exhibitors. They expect to be able to make structured one-to-one meetings as well as walking the showfloor, they expect the shows to represent the market they serve in all three dimensions [including serving the "community" beyond the event itself] and they expect to enjoy sharp, personalised communications delivered via the new digital channels. And they expect great websites to be the engine behind it all.

Above all else, markets should demand that their media show deep commitment to, and respect for, the communities they are privileged to serve. It is this commitment - along with a commitment to absolute integrity - that is at the heart of everything we do.

The Vision Thing [Sorry]

CloserStill was formed specifically to build a new type of business exhibition and media company that is fit for purpose in these fast-changing and demanding times. It is run and owned by a group of the business media industry`s most experienced executives. Between them they have run many of the most successful exhibitions here in Europe and as far afield as China and Singapore as well as running international media businesses that included magazines, websites and publishing. We have very strong capital backing and a flat, responsive structure that allows us to get to opportunities quickly and not bog our teams down in endless [and pointless] meetings and reports.

And we believe that the best businesses are also the simplest. We don't believe in sprawling hierarchies weighed down by huge overheads. Each of our business units runs as an autonomous company with its own leadership. Our role is to provide help where it is needed not interference where it isn't. This approach suits dynamic young entrepreneurs seeking partners that will help them fuel growth without destroying what makes their businesses special.

And we choose our opportunities as carefully as we choose our partners. We focus on dynamic markets where either growth or change - or both - give a real reason for events to exist and give us the chance to create something fresh and invigorating and to deliver real value to those we serve.

Principles

Please forgive our indulgence, but we really do believe principles are important. What are ours? Simple really. First, zero tolerance for "ists". For us, equality is deeply and instinctively ingrained in everything we do. Second, we believe that integrity is absolute, not relative: you cant have half a principle or tell half the truth. Thirdly, we believe that what`s grown together should be eaten together. So,one way or another, all our businesses will have some form of scheme to share out part of any capital rewards that the business makes. Finally, we hate losing even more than we enjoy winning and we give our heart and soul to everything we do (and have lots of fun doing it). Hopefully, anyone who joins our adventure will feel the same way.

CloserStill Holdings

Key Executives:

Phil Soar, Chairman
Andy Center, Chief Executive
Phil Nelson, Director
Michael Westcott, Director
Mark Penton, Director
Ian Smout, Director
Jonathan Wood, Finance Director

Key Events

The Pharmacy Show
The Dentistry Show
The London Vet Show
CloserStill Learning and Development
Learning Technologies 

Other major activities

Inside LearningTechnologies
The Learning and Skills Group