Today it was announced that after 3 years, the double glazing industry is to get it’s own dedicated, up to date, modern and interactive exhibition: FITs – Fabricators Installers Trade Show.
If you ask me, it’s about time some of the movers and shakers within this industry got together and planned out a show which fully engages potential visitors.
The list of companies signed up to the exhibition so far is quite impressive and stands at over 30 so far. Here are some of those taking part: Conservatory Outlet; Custom Glass; CWG Choices; Door-Stop International; Edgetech; Elumatec; FUX/White Extrusion Machinery; Insight Data; Liniar Windows/HL Plastics; Lister Trade Frames; Mila Hardware; Pilkington; Prefix Systems; Promac Group; Quickslide; Solidor; Synseal; Universal Arches; Windowlink; Zoom Conservatory Systems; Tuffx Processed Glass; Anglo European; Totali Timber Solutions; Eclectic Systems; Deceuninck; and Bison Trade Frames.
The organizers of the event have promised that the show will meet the needs of both exhibitors and visitors, and will be set up for the industry in the 21st century. The event is going to be run by a team passionate about the industry. Something where previous events may have gone wrong in earlier years.
Previous shows have struggled in recent years with visitor numbers as more and more effort has been made by people to make sure their own companies survive the recession. Taking time out and spending hundreds of pounds to go to a show just seemed like a waste of time and resources. There are several advantages to this new show which should get around those issues quite easily.
For a start, entrance is free, so no expense right from the off. The show will offer free Wi-Fi, so blog and Twitter nerds like me can stay up to date with the world’s happenings! There are 1500 FREE car parking spaces for those who still like to burn old dinosaurs to get places. There will be dedicated ‘FIT Girls’ who will aid your around the show…something which the men I’m sure will be happy with!
The show is located at the Telford International Centre, 15 minutes off the M6 bang in the centre of England, and only roughly an hour from me! So access should be easy for most.
The shows organizers say that the event will create a friendly environment where innovations, creativity and ideas can be discussed and developed. Within the event, a Dragons Den style competition will be held for salespeople to see who has the best pitch! And if you get there early, there will be free bacon butties and tea! That’s me there then!
On a serious note, the industry has needed something like this. An event with a fresh approach with a creative environment where companies from all sectors can engage productively and for free. Paying to go see an event which represents nearly £4bn to the British economy seems stupid compared with this, and for that I applaud it.
The show launches in April 2013 and is going to be supported by a “huge marketing budget”. So expect to see lots of FIT related material in your trade magazines, Twitter and other social media platforms. If the show can make the very most of the internet and social media, then this could really propel social media right into the heart of the industry and cement it’s place there.
Giving the show 14 months build up will make sure that everyone knows about it and gives visitors enough time to make arrangements to go. Looks like I’ll be going. Look out for a walking, talking silhouette!
Sounds fantastic! the industry does need this fresh approach! are the ‘FIT girls’ industry specialist or there to get men interested? kind of smacks as a bit old fashioned!
But I do like the idea and I am not trying to put a downer on it, promise.
Sounds great, will there be any “FIT men”?!!
Can you post details of who is running the show for potential exhibitors?
Thanks for the positive comments DGB. We’ll certainly be keen to see you there. Maybe you’d be interested in putting yourself forward for the Master Salesman Competition?
Silvie / Window Sam – there’ll be fit boys and girls there.
Anthony – I’m the MD of the show. Details are at http://www.fitshow.co.uk. I will be writing about it on my blog when I get a minute. Thanks
I agree, put yourself forward DGB! Also well done on having the confidence to start something completely new for the industry Matthew.
Matthew – I wouldn’t want to embarrass everyone else there ;) also, repeating Sylvie’s sentiments, well done on creating something the industry has needed for such a long time.
But the biggest question (coming from us American folks, at least) is: what exactly IS a bacon buttie? :)
Sounds like the industry has some fabulous stuff planned! The IBS2012 (International Builder’s Show) just wrapped up in the states this weekend.
Hi Jess
A bacon butty is bacon between two pieces of bread or bread buns (without raisins of course!) with the bread buttered. We add egg, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes as well if we’re really hungry ;)
What is the IBS show like?
Huh– sounds interesting! We eat that with eggs instead of bacon… and then add the bacon if we’re really hungry!
We did attend the IBS show this year, but it’s just a huge show dedicated to all things in the building industry– suppliers, manufacturers, etc, of all aspects of the industry, including windows, of course. This year, Ben Bernacke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, spoke about the economy. So it’s a morale-booster too. Just all-around good things for the industry–keeping spirits up and letting people make connections!