BRILLIANT Expo
Launching and scaling a first-of-its-kind education expo in the North
Client: BRILLIANT
Audience: Educators · Industry partners · Speakers · Media
Location: Liverpool Exhibition Centre
Services: Educators · Industry partners · Speakers · Media
THE CHALLENGE
There wasn’t a traditional brief because this event had never existed before.
Planit were engaged to help create, launch, and deliver a first-time education expo in the North, bringing together exhibitors, speakers, partners, and audiences under a brand-new format. The challenge wasn’t just delivery it was strategy, structure, flow, and credibility.
The task was to design an event that worked operationally from day one, while leaving space to grow, adapt, and scale in future years.
This wasn’t about a single successful show.
It was about building a platform.
THE EXPERIENCE
We approached BRILLIANT, designing every element to be clear, navigable, and scalable from the outset.
Planit took responsibility for full production, expo management, logistics, content, and on-site delivery, coordinating multiple stakeholders while ensuring a calm, well-run experience for exhibitors, speakers, and attendees alike.
A Multi-Stage Expo Environment
The expo was designed around multiple content zones, each with its own identity while remaining part of a cohesive whole:
5 purpose-built stages including keynote theatres, talks stages, and classroom-style spaces
Clear wayfinding, branding, and audience flow across the expo floor
Flexible seating and staging solutions to support varied session formats
Integrated digital and physical signage to guide movement and manage density
Every design decision prioritised clarity, safety, and audience experience essential for a first-year event.
Operational Delivery at Scale
Behind the scenes, the complexity was significant:
Speaker management across 5 stages
Exhibitor build schedules and floor management
Live content transitions throughout the day
Full technical coordination and on-site troubleshooting
THE IMPACT
Year-on-Year Growth
What began as a new concept has quickly become a large-scale, repeatable event.
2024 delivery
1,000+ attendees
60 exhibitors
5 stages
100 speakers
20 Planit staff on site, including 15 Manchester Metropolitan University students gaining hands-on industry experience
2025 delivery
1,500+ attendees
100 exhibitors
5 stages
110 speakers
22 Planit staff on site, including 15 Liverpool John Moores University students
Dedicated tech support team
On-site media interviews, including radio and Sky News coverage
The event has now been confirmed for a third year, with Planit continuing as delivery partner.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
““From the moment we met Joseph and his brilliant team, we knew we wanted to work together—it just felt like the perfect match. They bring that special mix of creativity, warmth, and heaps of industry experience. From the initial brief to the event itself, they were engaged, responsive, and an absolute joy to work with. They didn’t just run an event; they created a brilliant experience and blended so seamlessly with our team that it felt like they were part of it. Every detail was considered, and it really showed. We were so impressed that we’re partnering with them again!”
