The exhibition runs concurrently with a 2-day conference, hosted by the Ambulance Service Association (ASA).
In 2004, Paul Phillips, Chief Executive – East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) was President of the ASA, and played a pivotal role in the organisation of the Ambex Conference. Since this was to be the first time that EMAS had a presence at the Ambex Conference it was imperative that the EMAS stand achieved a high profile and professional image and, to ensure that these aims were achieved, a rigorous selection process for a full trade stand package supplier was undertaken.
The service had recently experienced a great deal of change with several of the smaller regional ambulance services merging to form an East Midlands wide service. It was recognised that there was a need to galvanise the newly formed service with a strong identity.
The challenge was to create a look which would be instantly recognisable as EMAS but which adhered to the strict NHS corporate identity guidelines. The other challenge was to deliver a memorable and professional Ambex exhibition stand, whilst having the flexibility in the solution for reuse in a multitude of environments and applications.
The final solution had three core components; firstly it was the creation of the EMAS brand which enabled them to be distinguished from any other ambulance service; second was the application of this brand styling across a series of displays which could come together and be viewed as a single display or used in several locations in any combination and still make a strong statement; finally the video, which could be used to highlight all the component elements within the service, from mechanic to accounts department but not forgetting the frontline paramedics and call centre staff.
“Ambex is a very important event for us as it offers one of the best opportunities for recruitment outside of direct advertising. Obviously, to ensure that we maximise this potential we needed to make sure that our stand was of a very high quality and that the supporting company were capable of fulfilling our needs.
Throughout the initial process of creating the stand graphics, layout, media etc., Quiet Storm showed great professionalism, flexibility and have always been very patient in the face of
our demands!
Their technical team have always showed a high level of skill in the products produced, including corporate videos, pop up and roller banners.
All the staff at Quiet Storm are very personable and more than happy to help with any problems or requests placed before them”.
Emma Bentley
Executive Assistant
The marketing tools created for Ambex are just as valid and powerful when out of the exhibition environment. They are used in hospital waiting areas, local recruitment fairs, NHS seminars and when not in use externally are used within the regional HQ and training centres. Quiet Storm has continued to provide EMAS with support at Ambex for the last two years, in addition to other services.
“Quiet Storm enabled the East Midlands Ambulance Service to make its strategic direction reality through branding that reflected the organisational values.
Quiet Storm involvement has extended to working with the Directors on other tactical and strategic marketing and communications projects. They are professional in everything they do and have demonstrated the ability to work creatively within the tightest of budgets, the strictest guidelines and shortest deadlines. I have no reservations in recommending them to anyone in the healthcare marketplace or public sector.”
Kay Dhesi
Director of Service Improvement
The EMAS brand was developed further to incorporate the new style vehicle branding for the additional responsibility on the service – providing out of hours medical care and advice within the local communities.