With the 2017 FIT Show due for its debut at Birmingham’s NEC in May next year, Glass News discusses the best ways to make the most of what promises to be the biggest event yet.
When the FIT Show announced that it was heading to Birmingham’s NEC for 2017, there couldn’t have been a clearer indication that the UK’s premier event for the window, door and conservatory industry had truly come of age. With the 2016 show attracting over 45% more visitors than its previous outing in 2014, and with the halls at Telford bursting at the seams, the FIT Show needed space to grow – and with up to 300 companies spread over three halls of the NEC, it promises to be bigger and better than ever before when the doors open in May next year.
Since the inaugural event in 2013, the FIT Show has not only played host to some of the most important product launches in the last decade, it has been instrumental to the growth of countless businesses and helped create long lasting partnerships as well. However, as the exhibition’s chairman, Matthew Glover, is keen to point out, anyone expecting to just stroll in through the doors of the NEC with the expectation that contracts will fall into their pocket, should think again:
“Anyone planning on visiting the FIT Show, should treat it as more than just a day out,” said Matthew. “When we’ve looked at post show analysis for previous years, it’s clear that the visitors who have got the most out of the event are the ones that have spent more than one day there. FIT Show 2017 is obviously going to be even bigger still, so there’s even more reason to ensure you have enough time to explore it properly.
“Analysis also reveals that visitors should really do their homework in advance,” continued Matthew. “Putting a list together of who you want to see is a good idea, but more in depth research on potential industry growth areas and even background research on the companies you’d like to do business with can also work to your advantage.”
DO YOUR RESEARCH
So what’s the best way to prepare for the FIT Show? At the very least, you should take a good look at the exhibitor list and prioritise who and what you want to see. Noting where stands are located means you can also plan your visit to be as efficient as possible.
Alternatively, in order to really make the most of the show, head up a day early so that you can walk the halls and make a list of which companies you want to do business with. You may already have an idea of who you want to meet, but by allowing an extra day, you will have more time to discover what else is on offer. That way, if something unexpected does catch your eye, you can schedule it into the ‘to do’ list.
Ensure you factor in enough time to take in a seminar or two. It is a given that the majority of visitors to the FIT Show will be there to do business and see new products, but remember that the seminar sessions are not just there for decoration. Typically focusing on ways in which to enhance your business and keep you up to date on industry regulation, the right seminar could be worth just as much to your company as signing a deal with a new supplier.
PERFECT PLANNING
G15 Installer of the Year, The Window Company (Contracts) came up with a particularly innovative solution to ensure it made the most of its visit to the 2016 FIT Show in Telford. Not only did its chairman and directors take the time to really study the floor plan and show guide well in advance to identify the stands and companies they most wanted to see, they also created a mini profile of their business to leave behind on stands that were of particular interest.
Director, Rob Petre, said: “Sometimes the person you want to talk to is tied up or they’re just not on the stand. Rather than just get our badge scanned or walk away and leave a business card, we thought we’d go one step further and leave behind this proper profile so that exhibitors can see what we’re all about.
“All of our individual email addresses were on there as well so that potential suppliers know which one of us to contact for refurbishment or new build work. It might sound like overkill, but it pays off – we met at least half a dozen new suppliers as a result of the FIT Show.”
BIG TUESDAY
“If you really can only afford one day ‘out of the office’, then for 2017 we have introduced Big Tuesday,” Matthew concluded. “With the show open until 8pm it will be ideal for those with a particularly hectic schedule and also aims to offer a more relaxed ‘after hours’ atmosphere, with many exhibitors already planning to lay on drinks and music on their stands. The perfect environment to seal a deal over a few drinks, as well as catch up with old acquaintances and put the world to rights as well!”
Taking place 23-25th May 2017, to book a stand at FIT Show 2017 please contact Freya Humphries on: 07572 623457, or email: freya@fitshow.co.uk.
