Exclusive Interview: FIT Show

A GOOD MOVE. THE FIT SHOW IS NOW 26, 27 AND 28 SEPTEMBER 2021

We had planned for an update interview with The FIT Show’s Nickie West but didn’t expect it would be to talk about moving the date from May through to September. Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, talks to Nickie about that decision and the implications of moving the date. Glass News fully understands and applauds the decision as the rise in infection, accelerated by the new mutant strain of Covid-19, means a protracted period of lockdown and no guarantees of an easing of restrictions by the original due date for FIT in May.

Is the September date safe? Will everyone have been vaccinated in time for a September FIT Show? Nickie West talks about the issues involved in making the decision to move the date and, importantly, the trade’s reaction to this decision. The FIT Show team has spent a lot of time talking with exhibitors and keeping them up to speed with developments. This is vital as committing to stand design and build, hotel reservations and the general work and preparation needed prior to exhibiting is an expensive investment. On the face of it, one might think that moving dates at the NEC would be easy, given the current circumstances, however it seems everyone else who had planned exhibitions are also looking to move dates to a time when restrictions on social distancing will be relaxed, making reserving the Halls of choice and the preferred dates not an easy task. The team has succeeded in their negotiations with the NEC, reserving Halls 17, 18 and 19 and opening on a Sunday. In the days of Glassex, a Sunday was very successful, particularly for installers, giving them the chance to visit the FIT Show without giving up a day on the tools. Nickie gives us an insight into her thinking for the Sunday and how it could be part of a family weekend and we look forward to hearing what may be introduced to make the Show entertaining, with family packages in conjunction with hotels and entertainment venues. Nickie is very appreciative of the reaction from the exhibitors and the support everyone is showing for a September FIT Show. How are bookings going? Nickie and her team are helping to make transferring the show dates as easy as possible and it is clear that exhibitors are keen to make the switch. Indeed, immediately after the announcement a new booking was taken for a sizeable stand and from a completely new exhibitor to the FIT Show. Will Brexit make any difference to the Show? Nickie doesn’t believe so as it is a very UK centric show.

Have you already registered for the FIT Show? With a move of date do you have to register all over again? No. FIT organisers are moving the registrations to the new dates so all you need to do is note those dates and turn up! Nickie believes that there will be a big appetite for holidays this summer, so get your welldeserved holiday and then look forward to the FIT Show on 26, 27 and 28 September! It’s your trade show. The message from Nickie to potential exhibitors is that you don’t have to have a huge and expensive stand, but you do need to be part of FIT.