Kingkraft's trip to Denmark

At the end of November, Kingkraft's paediatric sales and marketing team were lucky enough to go to Denmark. Unfortunately though it wasn't for a holiday! Instead they attended an 'Inspiration Seminar' that was held by one of our suppliers, Protac. It is a yearly event that really benefits Kingkraft and in turn our customers as we learn all about new sensory techniques and products, bringing back to Sheffield a whole range of new ideas and projects.

"It is a great opportunity to visit Denmark and discuss the action plans for the forthcoming year with Protac and their other suppliers. We have more in-depth training on the products and come back to the UK more knowledgeable than ever!"

Sue King, Paediatric Physiotherapist

While there, the team visited a Snoezelen House to see a range of sensory equipment in action. It was not just beneficial for learning about the range but also great fun as they were able to get involved and test out the equipment themselves. (See pictures below, for the full photo album on the seminar please visit out Facebook page). There were lots of colourful lights and unusual objects but the enormous ball pool was our favourite! We just had to have a play around in the balls that inspired the Protac products.

The Snoezelen House is part of a village complex which the adult residents can use at any time with their carers. There are around eight rooms which cater for different sensory systems in order to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere which will help lower anxiety levels and in turn help with poor behavioural patterns. The different rooms included:

• A ball pit with lighting effects (to help with proprioceptive and tactile systems)
• A water bed with weighted blankets with projected images onto a wall (proprioceptive, tactile and visual)
• A dark cave (proprioceptive, tactile and visual)
• Interactive floor effects (visual)
• Swings, rocking chairs, balls and rollers (vestibular and proprioceptive)
• Relaxation rooms (smell, visual and auditory)

Attending the Inspiration Seminar also were Protac suppliers from Sweden, Spain, Norway and Holland. It's always great meeting up with them to discuss marketing plans for the new year. With all our heads together we managed to think up some brilliant ideas for 2013!

"From a marketing perspective the Denmark trip is always very useful. I get to hear about how the other suppliers in Europe market the products and the different techniques they use. It is always interesting to see their literature and brochures too. I come away inspired and full of ideas for the following year. Not to mention meeting Protac and gaining useful insight into new products that they are developing is always exciting."

Kate Earnshaw, Marketing Manager