With our Event Startups dinner, in partnership with evvnt, happening tonight, we have another startup spotlight for you as part of the series. Adam Jones, founder and CEO of Showplans will be at the dinner and here’s a bit more about him and his business.

What’s the elevator pitch for your startup?

Showplans is an award-winning provider of event apps, 3D visuals and exhibition floorplans with a focus on quality, service and design.

What were you doing before you launched your startup?

I was honing my skills as a CAD designer at a well-known event floorplan supplier.

Where did you meet your co-founders?

I met Richard while working at the aforementioned company! After the company downsized, we decided together to make a go of starting our own company as we realised that a lot of our clients had been using the company because they valued our skills.

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?

It’s easy to be cautious with your money, especially when starting out, but I would say that I’ve learned that you need to speculate to accumulate – and if you believe in what you are doing, you have to put your money where your mouth is to get the word out, or no one else will believe you.

What will 2014 bring?

Lots of exciting new product features, further investment in our development team and if all goes to plan, lots of new clients!

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the events space?

Be certain of what you are doing, or don’t bother – and I don’t mean just having blind faith because you’re sure your product will be in demand – it’s vital to do research to back your position up. Also, be open to new ideas and possibilities and you never know where your business could end up!

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.

Most apps for events are cluttered and confuse the user. We have focussed on the core user experience, visitor and exhibitor gains and in-depth organiser support to make sure our Showplanner app is useful and gets used, bringing benefits to all the event’s stakeholders including ROI to the organiser.

What’s your favourite startup in the events space (not including your own)?

We have come into contact with quite a number of other startups who we have good relationships with, but our favourite would have to be Wow!Grass! The product they offer is amazing and they’re just lovely people.

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

I’m normally in London for work so I could give you a long list of recommended greasy spoons and Indian takeaways around the capital if you like!

Looking forward to meeting Adam and the great line-up of other companies joining tonight’s dinner very soon. If events aren’t your thing, why not join our “Tales from the trenches” dinner tomorrow evening with after-dinner talk and Q&A with Richie Barter, founder of Coolgarif Tech.

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