What’s the point in going to the FIT Show?
Meet Gary. He’s 38, works as an installer for a well known home improvement company in the North West and, up until 2017, Gary didn’t see the point in being part of FIT Show. Why would Gary want to take time off the tools to visit a trade show? What would be there for him that he couldn’t find anywhere else?
We knew that FIT Show would be perfect for Gary, we just needed to get him there! And that’s why we sent him a list of all the benefits of attending, along with a VIP invite for what turned out to be the biggest business days in his year. Gary didn’t realise just how many brands were lining up their latest products and innovations all under one roof ready for him to see up close and personal. Nowhere else could Gary expects to find 300 leading brands from across the glass and glazing industry, all lined up and ready to do business with him.
Whether it’s the latest products, of which there will be up to 5,000 on show, or establishing vital connections in your supply chain to help you do better business, you cannot afford not to be part of FIT. FIT Show Event Director, Nickie West elaborates on what visitors can expect from FIT Show 2019 when the event opens its doors this May…Without mentioning the ‘B’ word, for which there will be a £1 charge to anyone who dares to whisper it at this year’s FIT Show (all proceeds going to GM Fundraising, of course), there is undoubtedly a lot of political and economical unrest at the moment. And things are not likely to be any less unsettled by the time we open FIT Show 2019 on May 21st. But what we can be sure of is that FIT Show 2019 is set to deliver a record breaking industry showcase. We know that it can be tough to justify time off the tools or away from the office, and that’s why we have worked harder than ever bring the most diverse mix of brands, more products, the latest innovations and large audience than previous years. FIT Show 2019 will be the best one yet.
Anyone who needs convincing of the reasons to visit FIT Show need only look at the lineup of exhibitors and new event features that have been developed. In addition to the massive UK brands, this year will see over 70 overseas companies making their FIT Show debut. FIT Show 2019 visitors can expect to see unrivalled showcase from companies, from countries including the USA, Turkey, China, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Norway. We have worked hard to broaden the show’s appeal to wider audiences by placing greater emphasis on materials such as timber and aluminium. As well as making the show more relevant to installers, we have introduced flat glass and the associated processing machinery and equipment via our new event feature, Visit Glass which has made the show more appealing to specifiers and commercial installers too.
There will be free information in abundance. For the first time ever, we are delivering a CPD approved learning programme. Alongside this, we will have product demonstrations, workshops and business clinics to offer practical advice and support. Never before has it been more important for our audience to stay abreast of changes to legislation and regulations – we’ll have the right experts in the room to impart first-hand advice and support that will help make installers more profitable when they leave the room.
We’ve developed a whole host of new event features, such as our new trails which are designed to help guide visitors around the show content which is most relevant to them. This includes a brand new installer trail, new product trail and Wood Window Alliance (WWA) backed timber trail. It will be easier than ever for visitors to not only find their way around the show, but to access the things that they are most interested in seeing. We want visitors to get as much as possible out of their time at FIT Show. There will be more competitions, exclusive show offers and incentives than previous years. We’re running our very first FIT Show voucher scheme which will give visitors huge discounts and savings on purchases made at the Show. This is a tangible reason for people to invest the time in visiting the Show – they won’t find this many offers all under one roof anywhere else.
We’ve also got new and exciting brands on board, such as Heathrow Airport who are coming to FIT Show specifically secure key elements of its supply chain to deliver its ongoing ‘Heathrow Quieter Homes Scheme’. FIT Show has been identified by Heathrow as a vital tool to meet with systems houses, fabricators and installers all under one roof across three days – all of which are needed in order to deliver its target. We’d urge visitors to maximise every opportunity and connection they make whilst at the Show. Late Night Tuesday, when the show opens until 8pm, is going to be a real party night. We want people to come along, join the party and spend time networking and making those all important connections that will add long-term value. We’ve listened to the feedback from previous shows and taken our gala dinner back to its roots with networking very much at the heart of the event. We know that FIT Show is the main industry platform to get together with every link in the supply chain, build on existing relationships and make new connections. The gala dinner will focus very heavily on these connections, providing a real industry celebration – and raising funds for GM Fundraising and Hope House Children’s Hospices in the process.
We understand the need to listen to our audience and that’s exactly what we’ve done. We’ve developed an event that very much has their wants and needs at its core. Not just more of everything, more of the right things. From timber and aluminium through to smart home technology and flat glass. FIT Show 2019 will be the best show yet.
And that’s why Gary, along with 10,000 of his peers – from installers and builders through to architects and specifiers – will all be lining up outside the NEC on May 21st. Will you be part of FIT? I look forward to seeing you there.
