GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: FIT SHOW
The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper
THE COUNTDOWN TO FIT 2022 HAS WELL AND TRULY BEGUN Chris Champion, Editor of Glass News, has the opportunity to talk with Nickie West, Director of The FIT Show about how the plans are going, the registrations for exhibitors and visitors and what we can all expect in May 2022. “It’s been a brutal year,” says Director of The FIT Show, Nickie West. We may all concur with that thought but Nickie is referring to the world of exhibitions and I don’t think anyone would contest that the on-off situation with Covid, lockdowns, hospitality bans and the general uncertainty, has made the planning and staging of an exhibition an absolute nightmare for an organiser.
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Credit must be given over the courageous postponement of the FIT event during 2021 and anyone involved with running a business will recognise the issues over costs, lack of cashflow, attempting to rebook venues and above all, maintaining an enthusiastic demeanour throughout trials that would test a saint. In retrospect the FIT organisers recognise that an autumn based FIT Show would have been wrong and are mightily relieved that they have been able to return to the May date that exhibitors and visitors like. What is encouraging is that there is an enthusiasm throughout the trade for a ‘live’ show. With record registrations from trade visitors it shows that the industry is hungry for the FIT Show to return to its bi-annual slot in our diaries. This level of enthusiasm from visitors must encourage exhibitors to the view that their decision to exhibit was correct, equally it will showcase to the undecided, but potential exhibitor, that it is not too late to join in this industry show piece. Nickie talks about the floor
plan and the fact it is already 80% sold and discusses how the show will differ in 2022. There are lots of new names to be found on the floorplan and a fair sprinkling of interest being shown from overseas based companies. Will it be as lavish with the two storey stands that we have seen in past? Probably not, as marketing spend may be curtailed in the current climate, but the fact that so many have committed to exhibit shows the power of face-to-face contact and the willingness to have a presence at FIT, and be seen! Marketing is back on the agenda! Will this new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 have any bearing on the show? Nickie and her team will be keeping a close eye on developments but it is looking as if this strain is weaker and, with good fortune, will become something that we live with much like a common cold. The FIT organisers don’t take the risks lightly and will follow all guidance to protect exhibitors and visitors alike.
FIT will be centred on communication and there are plans for very a very special lateopening evening and Nickie promises a very full programme of learning opportunities as a natural follow on to their inaugural online learning event that was attended, as she says, in droves! The FIT Show has always delivered on trade excitement and Nickie, without giving anything away, promises lots of new products to see as well as companies new to the exhibition. She appreciates the patience the ‘FIT family’ has displayed and the enthusiasm they are showing for FIT 2022. In conclusion, Nickie says: “I am more excited than ever to finally be on the home stretch to FIT Show in May 2022 - a truly positive landmark in the industry calendar. I cannot wait to celebrate with everyone as we bring the market back together and showcase everything that has been accomplished over the last three years. See you all soon!”
January 2022 | www.glassnews.co.uk
