ERBI is Europe's most successful regional organisation in providing networking and support services for biotech businesses. Its objective is to facilitate and accelerate the growth of biotech in the East of England, with core activities including networking events, special interest groups, training and partnering promotion as well as providing consultancy to national and international government departments.

ERBI's annual Cambridge Biopartnering Exchange is a major event on the European biotech calendar. It's a showcase for the region's biotech industry attracting over 450 delegates from all over the world. The packed three day programme takes a lot of organisation and ensuring everything comes together is a major exercise in logistical planning.

The challenge

To co-ordinate and deliver a wide range of printed materials ensuring quality and corporate integrity across the complete range of materials.

• 48 page handbook (four colour and wire-bound)
• 300 page membership directory (single colour and perfect bound)
• A6 Agenda (gloss laminated and round cornered)
• Guide book (with tabs and wire bound)
• Delegate name badges (variable data and inserted into badge holders)
• A range of various sized posters and signage
• Exhibition display stands (design and print)
• Delegate lists (printed the night before the conference)
• Most importantly everything must be delivered at 7:00am on the first morning of the conference

The solution

We hold a planning meeting ahead of the production and design phase to discuss the list of items required. We advise on the most suitable printing options along with the most cost effective routes.

A schedule is then agreed: when files need to reach us, designs need to be approved etc, enabling us to time-line the progress. Experience tells us we need a fair degree of flexibility . most events of this type rarely run to schedule, or go without something unforeseen occurring!

Once production and design starts our account manager ensures everything is on schedule and liaises between departments within Labute to ensure corporate integrity.

Delivery on the day is overseen by our account manager to ensure everything arrives on time.

The benefits

We produce everything in-house, giving us greater control and flexibility which means we can respond immediately to any unforeseen changes to the schedule.

Each stage is carefully monitored by Labute's account manager, removing the need for ERBI to liaise with a multitude of suppliers.

We monitor the progress of the whole project meaning the event organisers can concentrate on their core objectives, safe in the knowledge that Labute are looking after their interests.

It doesn't stop the event from being incredibly demanding but it is one less thing to worry about!