FIT Show makes triumphant return
FIT Show, the UK’s only dedicated trade show for the window, door, glass, hardware and components industry, has made a triumphant return with its delayed 2021 event (Birmingham NEC, May 10 – 12, 2022)
Organisers reported record visitor pre-registration numbers, with over ten percent of these being made on the day before the show opened. The atmosphere within the halls at the NEC reflected the appetite that the industry had to get back to face-to-face business, and to support its trade show.
FIT Show was due to take place in 2021 but was delayed three times due to the impact of the global pandemic. Reopening this May without restrictions, the event delivered over 170 brands as part of its exhibitor lineup and more than 30 hours of CPD approved learning content.
FIT Show event director, Nickie West comments: “I’m still absolutely buzzing after returning from a very successful three days of FIT Show. We were anticipating strong visitor numbers based on our pre registration data, but I don’t think anything could quite prepare us for the atmosphere, goodwill and camaraderie in the halls throughout the show.
“Our exhibitors were consistently busy, our seminars reached capacity on more than one occasion and our late night parties saw people quite literally dancing in the aisles. It was everything the team and I hoped that it would be, and more.”
A number of brands used FIT Show as a launchpad to market, with debuts from the likes of Compdoor, Solar-Calibre, DAKO, Rockdoor, UK Doors Online, Checkatrade and Google Nest. The event also saw the return of a number of legacy FIT Show brands including Haffner, SmartReady VEKA, Ultraframe, Selecta Systems, Brisant-Secure, Business Pilot and Made for Trade.
Exhibitors went to great lengths to deliver a first class event for visitors, with ambitious and innovative stand builds supported by strong marketing campaigns. Morley Glass, FIT Show first timer Strongdor, and Britmet Lightweight Roofing won awards for driving and converting the most visitors with their campaigns.
Hot on the heels of its May 2022 event, FIT Show organisers have confirmed the dates of the next show, which will return to the NEC Birmingham from 23 – 25 May, 2023. FIT Show will continue to follow a biennial frequency, placing the show in Fensterbau Frontale’s ‘off year’. The May 2023 edition will be followed by FIT Show 2025 and return every other year thereafter.
It is an exciting time for FIT Show with 2023 marking the ten year anniversary since its launch, and its seventh outing. Organisers are already receiving a strong amount of support for its return next year.
Nickie continues: “We have already had strong support for our 2023 event with 45 brands, including the likes of Haffner, ODL, Morley Glass, Selecta Systems, DAKO, Bel’M and Comar – amongst others – rebooking for next year. We’re also having positive conversations with a number of brand leaders who weren’t quite ready to exhibit in 2022 but who are planning to return in 2023.
“It’s going to be a very special event as we commemorate ten years of innovation, growth and success for the whole industry and we hope they’ll join us to celebrate this special FIT Show landmark.”
FIT Show brings every link in the fenestration supply chain together under one roof across three days. Exhibitors include fabricators, systems houses and suppliers of the leading products and services across windows, doors, flat glass, hardware and components.
