LOFA Column – Excited for SOLEX 2022

E xc i t e d f or SO L E X l iv e

a t t h e N EC in Ju ly Gina Hinde, Marketing Manager, LOFA

If lockdown has taught us anything it is that as a race, we are very sociable animals, to have that taken away from us caused us to become isolated and a little distant. Although for some lockdown was a joy, getting to spend extra time at home with family and for the first time in our lives our work life balance was amazing, but not being able to socialise is something that we have never encountered before and not on such a large scale. Zoom and Teams meetings still have their place but there is no substitute for human interaction on a one-to-one basis and that is why SOLEX is so important to us this year.

This unique and focussed event organised by the industry for the industry is the perfect place to come together and connect, but more importantly, it’s the chance to meet everyone in one place. I know that over the last two years many buyers have had to travel the length and breadth of the country visiting many different showrooms, so whether you are a multiple or independent garden centre, a high street or department store, an online retailer or DIY store or contract buyer this relaxed and friendly exhibition brings all these inspirational outdoor leisure companies together under one roof.

For the first time at SOLEX we have an outside area showcasing the very best

BBQ & fire brands. The

Loving Outdoor Living

Zone presenting these fire products in their natural environment will allow our LOFA members to cook up some tasty treats for everyone to sample. We will also be joined by the BBQ magazine

and BBQ whisperer Marcus Bawdon, who will be delivering a masterclass as well as filming with and interviewing our Loving Outdoor Living Zone exhibitors. LOFA respect the environment and wanted to do something to reflect this at SOLEX 22. We are going to be doing our best to make SOLEX a carbon neutral event by collecting travel data from everyone that attends and then submitting this data to Planet Mark who will help us with this analysis. We have invited Planet Mark along to SOLEX to chat to everyone about what they do and how they can help us all to reduce our carbon footprints. The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife. Trees help to combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air. The entire woodland ecosystem

https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form. aspx?FormRef=SOL72Visitor Solex 22 is at the NEC Birmingham, 12th – 14th July 2022. www.solexexhibition.com

plays a huge role in locking up carbon, including the living wood, roots, leaves, deadwood, surrounding soils and its associated vegetation. The bottom line is, we need more trees, and we need to protect the ones we already have. That is why LOFA will be donating £5 for every visitor that attends SOLEX 22.

So, if you haven’t already registered get a wiggle on because there is lots to see and do and you could also be in with a chance of winning one of 5 fantastic summer living prizes donated by our exhibitors when you register.