Show is a ‘record breaker’

The FIT Show 2019 was “a record breaking event” according to its organisers.

Early figures show a pre-registered visitor attendance of 62%, while overall visitor numbers saw a positive increase for both unique and repeat visits.

A number of new features were launched for FIT Show 2019, including: its flat glass debut Visit Glass: a CPD-approved learning programme; trails for installers, new products and timber; and a reformatted Gala Dinner.

Exhibitors that drew the largest number of visitors registrations – Epwin, Bereco and Window Widgets – were rewarded at the Gala Dinner with discounts on their 2020 stand space.

Other winners at the show were: Veka, which scooped the Best Use of Social Media’ award, with judges praising the campaign for significantly adapting its marketing strategy across digital channels to reach new audiences; Kommerling, which took home the Best Marketing Campaign gong, with judges saying the campaign “stood out a mile as being the most original, capturing the hearts and minds of their audience”; and Korniche, which developed a lantern roof installation challenge for FIT Show visitors, and was highly commended by the judges for a marketing campaign that reached across the trade media.

Initial feedback from exhibitors and visitors was that FIT Show 2019 was not only busier than previous shows, but that the quantity and quality of leads generated across the three days were higher.

Organisers are in the process of conducting a deep-dive analysis of FIT Show 2019, which will include a survey to its exhibitors and visitors.

FIT Show event director Nickie West said: “We have been overwhelmed by the success of FIT Show 2019. We had more exhibitors, displaying more new products than ever before, and we drew our largest audience to date. The feedback has been fantastic.

“We’re extremely grateful for the support that FIT Show has received throughout the industry. Our exhibitors play a very big role in helping to drive our audience – they are exhibition savvy in their marketing and this can be seen in the results of our exhibitor awards.”

Gareth Jones, managing director of Profine UK and the Kömmerling brand, said: “Our presence at FIT Show was the culmination of the campaign that reflects a new beginning for Kömmerling in the UK with a new team at the helm.”

Charles Hodgson, managing director Hodgson Sealants, said: “We had a wonderful show and the interest in HY-SPEC 25 was particularly strong with installers eager to upgrade their existing silicones to a better next generation product. As a UK manufacturer, it was also important for us to present the business in front of a large target audience and show them the depth of our product range and capabilities for innovation.”

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection, said: “Yet again we had a wonderful FIT Show in terms of stand visitors, innovative products, and the way in which we engaged with the industry.”

Nickie said that the FIT Show organisers were “extremely happy” with the feedback received in response to news that the show was to become an annual event.

“We have already secured support from some key brands that were with us this year along with some very positive indications from companies who did not exhibit,” she said.

“It’s incredibly important that we protect the long-term success of FIT Show. Our expertise in the field of live events, coupled with research across our audience base, points us towards the belief that our community will be best served by an annual platform.”