A record-breaking exhibition has led to the organisers of the Trade Only National Show signing a contract to stage the event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for the next three years.
An impressive 332 exhibitors attended the UK’s only national trade exhibition for promotional products and corporate clothing at the award-winning venue.
The sixth Trade Only show attracted 3,035 visitors and there were 1,320 exhibiting staff and attendees from 47 countries. Each year, the number of visitors has grown between 10 and 20 per cent with the unique visitor count rising by 16 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011.
Among the highlights this year was a performance by X-Factor star and television presenter Olly Murs at the British Promotional Merchandise Association annual awards dinner.
Nigel Bailey, Event Director at Trade Only Limited, said a three-year agreement had been reached with the Ricoh Arena following the success of this year’s two-day show.
“This has been our most successful national show without a doubt,” he said. “It was just fantastic to see loads of happy exhibitors and distributors, crowded stalls, full seminars and everyone enjoying themselves at the awards dinner.
“Olly Murs had a great time too! We booked him because we wanted to make a real statement and we also organised a meet and greet with Olly for a select number of guests. Olly Tweeted the next day that he had had a fantastic time at the Ricoh Arena which was great to read.
“These sorts of shows are always hard work to organise but it is a big draw for the whole industry and it makes it all worthwhile when you receive positive comments afterwards.
“We took over the entire Ricoh Arena and made full use of a link between the Jaguar Exhibition Hall and the concourse to the new downstairs exhibition halls which have been opened since we last visited.
“We had some new features this year such as a fashion show and we increased the size of the Power Sessions due to their popularity.
“We had no hesitation in signing a three-year deal because as the show has evolved over the last six years, so has the input from the Ricoh Arena management and events team.
“A key factor has been their can-do attitude and the open lines of communication with chief executive Daniel Gidney and operations director Jacky Isaac because it means we can discuss ideas and they make our suggestions become reality.”
Chris Owen, Event Manager at the Ricoh Arena, said the venue’s flexibility and central location were important ingredients for organisers of UK-wide business shows.
He said: “We are situated within a two-hour drive for 75 per cent of England’s population and around 80 per cent of Trade Only’s visitors travelled within 100 miles to attend the show.
“The proximity of an international airport and easy rail access are important too since the show organisers arranged a shuttle coach service from both to the show.
“We are delighted to have played a part in Trade Only’s growth year-on-year and joining up all the various exhibition halls has allowed them to increase their exhibitor and delegate numbers.
“The Ricoh Arena was buzzing throughout the two days.”