Growing confidence in the building sector sees NEC secure new event

GROWING confidence in the building and construction sector has led to a new contract for the NEC Group.

Organisers of the FIT Show, which took place in Telford earlier this year and focused on the window, door and conservatory fabricators and installation sector, have opted to stage a new event, The Build Show, at the National Exhibition Centre.

The new event is scheduled for April 28-30, 2015 and will utilise 37,000m2 of the exhibition centre’s flexible space.

The event will take place biennially, targeting the building industry at every level across the sector, but focusing particularly on contractors.

The organising team, who won this year’s Association of Event Organisers’ (AEO) “Best Trade Launch Show” for The FIT Show 2013, said they were confident of success after the Telford event attracted more than 6,000 visitors.

Paul Godwin, managing director of FIT/Build Show Events Ltd, said:  “We were delighted with the success of The FIT Show in year one and we’re confident that The Build Show at the NEC will be equally impressive, with potential to become the biggest building and construction show in the UK.

“The building industry suffered badly in the recession, but we’re excited about the future with all of the key market indicators showing growth. The Build Show will have a clear focus on attracting contractors of all sizes; that’s our core visitor target group and a key sector that has not enjoyed a successful exhibition for many years now. Early response has been very positive indeed.”

David Gallagher, the NEC’s New Business Development Manager, added: “This is a really exciting launch event for the NEC, and it’s a big statement from the innovative FIT team (operating as Build Show Events Ltd) who will bring creativity and enthusiasm to a sector they know.

“We’re starting to see recovery in a number of sectors after a tough few years and this announcement shows confidence in the industry. We also know that there was a gap in the market for this type of broad-based event at the NEC, especially with current shows concentrating on niche verticals within the building and construction sector.”