The Motability Scheme’s flagship event in Birmingham attracted record number of attendees
The Big Event, the Motability Scheme’s flagship event, attracted a record number of attendees to the NEC in Birmingham when it took place recently.
Over 11,000 disabled motorists, carers, friends and family attended The Big Event, which saw the largest display of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme, and offered the chance for visitors to discover all they needed to know about worry-free motoring with the Motability Scheme, as well as hearing from some special guest speakers.
Attendees had the opportunity to see over 100 vehicles on display including; standard production cars, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) and adaptations, plus over 60 powered wheelchairs and scooters.
Attendees could also speak to Scheme experts about their mobility needs and had the opportunity to take a test drive. Over the two-day event, more than 400 visitors took to the wheel with a professional driving instructor, in a range of standard production cars or vehicles fitted with popular driving adaptations.
For the first time, The Big Event included an Electric Vehicle Info Hub: a place to explore a range of electric vehicles (EVs) and learn more about leasing an EV through the Motability Scheme. Charging demonstrations and expert advice was available from Scheme charging partners Ohme and Easee, along with Zap-Map who displayed their app-technology for charging on the go.
Visitors enjoyed the return of the expert Speaker Sessions, featuring talks on the latest news about the Scheme, EVs, WAVs, adaptations and much more.
Among those speaking were popular celebrity guests: Graeme Hall, from Channel 5’s Dog’s Behaving (Very) Badly, who shared tips on traveling with dogs, and Richard Whitehead MBE, Paralympian gold medallist and Nissan Diversity and Inclusion ambassador.
For those unable to attend in person, The Big Event: Streamed Live hosted by Helen Dolphin, MBE, meant there was no need to miss out! Each Speaker Session was live streamed to viewers watching at home, along with live interviews, product demos, Q&As and exclusive footage from across the two days at the event.
Online viewers were also able to ask the speakers questions, which were answered live on air. Nearly 4,000 people tuned in online across the two days, and for anyone who missed out, all Speaker Sessions and other exclusive footage is available on-demand throughout the summer can be viewed on the event website.
Louise Vranic, The Big Event organiser, Motability Operations, said:
“We are thrilled to have hit a new record number of attendees at The Big Event. After three years away, it was fantastic to see so many of our customers again and be able to showcase everything the Scheme has to offer, all in one accessible place.
“The new Electric Vehicle Info Hub proved to be a popular addition for those customers considering whether leasing an EV is right for them. It really was a great two days, and we can’t wait for the rest of the One Big Day events this summer!”
The Big Event also kicked off the Motability Scheme’s One Big Day Programme which takes place across the UK this summer, including Exeter’s Westpoint (Saturday 23 July 2022), the Yorkshire Event Centre (Saturday 13 August 2022) and Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre (Saturday 17 September 2022).
