Glass Times talks to FIT Show event director, Nickie West, to find out why FIT Show 2022 will be an unmissable event for the industry.

I’m so happy to be able to get back to doing what we do best at FIT Show. Like many businesses, we’ve had a few bumps in the road over the last three years since our last event and I’m excited to put this behind us and start looking ahead to a more stable future all round.

There is no denying that the market continues to face unprecedented challenges, but we must start laying the foundations for future success today – and there’s no better platform to do this than at FIT Show.

FIT Show 2022 comes at a more critical time than ever. We have worked closely with the industry to ensure that FIT Show 2022 delivers an award-winning showcase of the very latest products and innovations in windows, doors, glass glazing, hardware and the associated home improvement products including conservatories, smart home tech, roofing solutions and outdoor living products.

Our CPD approved learning programme will tackle the latest industry issues through a combination of seminars, panel debates and demonstrations. We will directly address the latest changes to Building Regulations, including Part L, F, O & Q, with input from industry experts from the likes of the GGF, Fensa and Certass.

We’ll also be covering off the latest changes to fire safety with sessions from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, the Door & Hardware Federation and British Woodworking Federation.

We’ve also introduced new show features, materials and products that will allow installers to broaden their portfolios and soften the blow of the predicted decline in consumer demand for home improvements.

Whether it’s the latest bi-folds, composite doors, lantern roofs or smart home technology, they’ll be able to test and try them out for themselves. And it’s not just about the latest windows, doors, glass and hardware, we’ll also be bringing the best tools and equipment to help install them, from the machinery to fabricate them through to the power tools to install them and lifting equipment to get these products from A to B safely.

For people who are struggling to justify time away from the office or off the tools, we will be open until 8pm for our late-night event on Wednesday 11 May. PIG’s will also be hosting its PIGs Bar on the Certass stand where there will be plenty of opportunities to network and celebrate with the whole industry.

There will be a plethora of new brands on display. Visitors will be able to see composite decking supplier Ronjack, metal door manufacturer Strongdor and modular steel buildings manufacturer Telluria and launch brand Compdoor. They’ll be joined by FIT Show first-timers ICB Fabrications, Checkatrade, Solar Calibre Doors, Stuga Machinery and Addison Saws.

We’ve seen a significant number of brands join the line-up in recent weeks. Some of the latest exhibitors include Leads 2 Trade, Plasfoils, Joinerysoft, Vacuum Glazing, Fort Security Doors, Selecta Systems, Hubtex (UK), Pioneer Trading with Gerda Doors, Uplifter, UL International and Allied Profiles.

The support for our delayed 2021 event has been fantastic – and this is very much our primary focus until we close the doors on what we believe will be a record-breaking event this May. On the back of this, we’re also pleased to be able to confirm the dates for FIT Show 2023 which will return from 23 – 25 May next year. This will be an extra special edition given that it will be a full decade since we launched the show.

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, returning every other year thereafter.

But for now, it’s all about FIT Show 2022 and getting back to what we do best, with the best in the industry by our side.