Organisers hail NEC’s CV Show a major success
ORGANISERS of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC, have hailed the event as a great success.
“For a show that was sadly cancelled in 2009, it was completely reborn this year,” said organiser, Bob Sockl.
“The spirit of the show was very optimistic, with enquiries for 2013 stronger than ever before, and I can certainly say the quality of our visitors was excellent.”
The CV Show is the UK’s leading showcase for the road transport industry, demonstrating its importance to the broader economy. One of the highlights this year was the global launch of the Ford Transit Custom – the star attraction on Ford’s biggest ever CV Show stand.
This year the show took an extra 2,445 sq m of floor space and secured 14% more exhibitors. While audited visitor figures are still awaited, it is thought numbers will be up on last year’s 16,000.
Charlotte Careswell, NEC Account Manager, said: “Last year we saw the show return in its entirety, so it’s fantastic to see that being built on and this year’s success is a testament to the organisers, not only securing the stability of the full show but bringing it back even better than it was before.”
The show is owned and organised by the Commercial Vehicle Show, which consists of the Road Haulage Association Ltd (RHA), The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) and IRTE Services Ltd, the trading company of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE).
The show has gained international recognition for 2013 from the automotive industry’s global body, OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles). Organisers said the international status reflected the global significance of the UK road transport industry and the success of the show.
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The CV Show is already the UK’s largest road transport event but with OICA’s accreditation, it is now recognised as one of the most influential and important events on the global calendar.
“This year’s show has proved to be a resounding success and our new international status will help to build recognition of the important role of the UK road transport industry.”
