We are all familiar with trade shows, where experts from a particular industry can showcase their latest products to the general public e.g. travel shows, wedding shows, ideal home shows. The recent Fertility Show in London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre is another example of the growth and interest in the field of fertility treatment. Now in its 4th year, it was well attended by both exhibitors from the UK and abroad, and by people seeking information and treatment on a range of fertility issues. People attending this type of event don’t just have a vague interest in the subject; they are usually ‘amateur’ experts in the field. They have usually done a tremendous amount of research already because it matters a lot to them.
Some may argue that events like these could cause extra anxiety to individuals on the “fertility rollercoaster” because the amount of information available is huge, the relevancy of some of the treatments available is unclear, the choice of clinics or treatments offered may be too overwhelming and confusing, and people may be vulnerable to committing to something before they are ready. However, it is clear that the benefits outweigh any possible reservations about holding this type of event.
Here are 5 reasons why fertility shows make sense:
1) Potential patients can meet and chat with many clinics in one day- face to face. This is a huge benefit because you can get a good feel for the clinic’s ethos and compassion from speaking to key staff. Those people who have been denied IVF on the NHS may be seeking cost-effective treatment options either in the UK or abroad and this allows them to assess their options quickly.
2) People can get access to support and information that they weren’t aware of, for example, adoption and fostering services, surrogacy, etc.
3) The public has access to information on current treatments and why they are being used. Having information delivered via a seminar by an expert can sometimes be more meaningful that researching online.
4) Fertility professionals can meet each other and forge relationships for the benefit of the patients.
5) Fertility clinic experts get to see what other clinics are offering their patients in terms of treatments and prices. This may lead to more competitive pricing.
Researching IVF treatments and clinics online can sometimes be overwhelming but attending events like the Fertility Show can help in quickly evaluating and determining which options are available or appropriate to pursue.
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