As the Lyreco Convention continues to evolve, its exhibition has become a powerful engine for partnership, connection and commercial opportunity. Workplace360 asks Steve Weston, Product & Services Director, Lyreco UK & Ireland (pictured below), how the event balances growth with genuine engagement.
Workplace360: How has the Lyreco Convention grown in terms of the supplier exhibition?
Steve Weston: In 2025, we hosted our largest showcase to date, welcoming 143 partner organisations – a significant increase on our previous high of 90. The exhibition has continued to grow in both scale and quality year on year, particularly since Covid. As our product mix has broadened over the years and we’ve diversified into new categories, our partner base has also grown in line with this.
W360: Have you managed to beat the record this year?
SW: I’m really pleased to say that we have. This year’s event will welcome 145 of our suppliers and many of them are long-standing Lyreco partners. It’s pretty much split 50/50 between our more traditional ranges and categories such as Hygiene, Safety and Lyreco Interiors. We will also be introducing 11 new vendors in 2026, giving them a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with our sales force.
W360: How do you ensure the event feels valuable for long-standing partners as well as first-time attendees?
SW: Ahead of any new exhibition, we review previous events in detail and take onboard post-event feedback from all suppliers. That insight helps us to refine and improve the experience year on year, ensuring it delivers value for both new and existing partners.
There are always fresh solutions or products for long-term suppliers to discuss, alongside opportunities to meet and engage with any new faces from our sales teams. We value these partnerships and I think it’s a testimony to those relationships that we have so many that attend every year.
W360: What’s the secret recipe to working with partners to ensure their presence adds value, rather than noise?
SW: We make a point of giving our sales force as much quality time as possible with those exhibiting at the convention. For 2026, we’re increasing that dedicated interaction even further, ensuring our suppliers have the maximum time to spend with the sales teams.
Our category and project teams and our event partner work hard behind the scenes on themes and the layout of the exhibition to ensure we provide the most productive event for our supply partners and salespeople. Exhibitors are definitely encouraged to make the stands informative, but fun and engaging at the same time!
W360: What makes a strong partner from your perspective?
SW: It’s not just about what a vendor does for Lyreco – it’s very much a two-way street. I am proud of the relationships we have, which are built on trust and shared ideas.
W360: Last question. What do you hope everyone – partners and staff alike – takes away from the exhibition?
SW: The exhibition is the only time during the year when our supply partners and sales teams are in one room together. As always, I’m confident the event will be fun as it is every year, but most importantly, I want to leave the convention better educated on the solutions and products available, and with good joint opportunities to work together going forward.
