Not only did the sun finally come out for the 2017 Cleaning Show, but so too did the cleaning industry! After a good opening day with a steady footfall, the second day took us all by surprise, and the isles were filled with eager visitors.
The facts and figures from the show are decisive; attendance was 5% up on the last London show in 2015, with overseas visitors up by 9%
I know from speaking to people at the show that a tremendous amount of business was done on the stands, and stand holders also did very well securing high quality leads.
I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank all the exhibitors and visitors who played a part in making it such a vibrant and enjoyable event.
A special mention also to all those who manned our BCC 35th anniversary stand, in particular Pat Wherton, our secretary, who worked tirelessly helping and advising everyone who passed by.
Another extremely pleasing aspect of the show was the success of the seminar programme. We put a lot of time and effort in with our partners Quartz to make sure this part of the exhibition was something that would add real value. The feedback I’ve had was that we succeeded on that front.
There were a number of highlights during the show, but if I had to pick out one to mention it would be the success of the first CSSA awards.
Everyone on the Council felt there was a need for an industry awards that celebrated UK talent,and that is why we helped to sponsor the event. The awards ceremony, held at the Bridge Restaurant at the Excel, was very well attended, with some worthy winners, and I’m sure this will be the first of many more CSSA awards.
I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our European colleagues – the members of the EFCI – for attending the BCC meeting in Parliament – the same evening the Lords was voting on the Brexit amendments by coincidence. Whatever happens with regard to the Brexit negotiations, I believe Europe will continue to be an important partner to the UK cleaning industry for many years to come.
The Cleaning Show has come on leaps and bounds since its move from the NEC in Birmingham, and we now have an industry event in the UK that is on a par with the big international trade shows, but that is not to say there is any room for complacency. The 2017 show was undoubtedly the biggest and most professional we’ve ever staged, but we know there’s things we can improve on, and we will be analysing the feedback from both exhibitors and visitors to see how we might improve it in future.
But all in all the London Cleaning Show 2017 was a resounding success and I think it proves just how buoyant the cleaning industry is at the moment. The interest from visitors in new equipment, new products, and the thirst for knowledge they possessed was extremely encouraging. I for one cant wait for the next show, which will be held at Event City in Manchester in 2018!
(this article was published in C&M April 2017)