ECS 2025 – Düsseldorf
After our pub-themed booth at ECS 2024 in Wiesbaden, we knew it was time to shake things up for Düsseldorf 2025. We wanted something just as memorable—and once again, it had to be transportable and cost-effective. So, we got to work.
We also raised the stakes by signing up as a Diamond sponsor. That move doubled our expo space from 6×3 to 6×6 metres—our largest footprint yet.
During the winter, Brett and Matt play for a pub skittles team. Most Wednesday nights, they head to a random pub, enjoy a pint (or three), and hurl cheeses at table-mounted skittles. One evening, the conversation turned to team member Will’s striking kit car, wrapped in Gulf Racing colours. We asked if he’d lend it to us for a week in May. He said yes. We asked again in daylight—still yes. And hey presto, the race car pit theme was born.
Over the next few months, we hired a trailer, secured commercial licensing for Belgium, sourced old fuel drums from eBay, and gathered props from our home workshops. We were ready for the road trip.
Saturday, 24th May – Leicestershire to Düsseldorf
We planned to leave at 06:30…At 06:50, we hit the road—437 miles to go, trailer in tow. With so much gear, we split into two vehicles (three if you count the car on the trailer). We left early to beat the bank holiday and half-term traffic. Once we confirmed the kit car (A Fisher Fury) was securely strapped down, we headed for LeShuttle—via a scenic single-track detour in deepest Kent—and crossed into mainland Europe.
Aside from the usual Brussels ring road jam and some long-overdue rain, the journey went smoothly. By 18:30, we rolled into Düsseldorf and met up with the ECS / run.events crew: Adis & Margit Jugo, Mustafa and Aza Toroman, and the queen of the expo hall, Elena Kovačević. A refreshing beer, a hotel dinner with wine, and (for some of us at least!) a Saturday night outing to a rock bar capped off the day…
Sunday – Organiser Mode
By 07:30, we were at CCD Düsseldorf. We raised flags, assembled ECS letters, packed welcome kits, and built 250 speaker boxes—each filled with a perfectly sized T-shirt and a puzzle of the speaker reimagined as a Muppet! Without the speakers and sponsors, the event would not happen.
It’s amazing how much the legs and feet can ache during events!
After a long day, we wrapped up with a much appreciated group dinner at a Turkish restaurant.
Monday – Sponsor Setup
Before setup, we manned tutorial doors and scanned attendees using the run.events app. Then we gave the car a much-needed wash to remove road grime and sap. Setup went smoothly, and we even had a bit of downtime before the evening’s appreciation event at the old soap factory, SeifenFabrik Dr Thompson’s. Some of us joined Skybow’s drinks and awards night, where Lightning Tools proudly took home the Partner of the Year award.
Tuesday – Show Time
The expo hall opened to attendees from all three conferences. Organisers transformed the space into a street scene with green spaces, park benches, lights, and eight food trucks. Our booth stayed busy with demos and questions, and the car drew plenty of attention.
That evening, the Expo Hall party kicked off. The Opera House Band got us dancing, while title sponsors Experts Inside/Easylife 365 leaned into their western theme—cowboy hats, line dancing, and their a Chaos monster and Unicorn mingling with a saxophonist.
Wednesday – Final Day
The F1 Sim race heated up, and we handed out prizes at lunchtime. Brett from Lightning Tools and his sister Zoe (365Tribe) closed the event with a keynote, thanking all the speakers and the ECS “Masterminds” behind the scenes.
We packed down the booth, loaded flags, signs, printers, and projectors onto trucks, and exited the hall. One last team meal, and the next morning we hit the road home.
Looking Ahead
ECS 2026 is already locked in for 5th–7th May in Cologne, Germany. Tickets are on sale, and Lightning Tools is back as a sponsor. We hope to see you there—you won’t want to miss it!
