With the relaunch of W Exhibition as Materials & Finishes Show coming up next May (19-22, 2024) at the NEC Birmingham, we catch up with event director, David Todd.
There’s a long gap between the incumbent W Exhibition in 2018 and the new Materials & Finishes Show next May. What changes are you making and how is the campaign going?
The success of any trade exhibition hinges on the quality of the people in attendance, so this is by far our top priority. Building and enhancing our data, partnering with new associations and media partners to ensure we are attracting the right people to do business. Another area of importance has been listening to customer feedback and implementing the changes needed to ensure a successful relaunch in May. This is an event for the UK market, shaped by our community.
We’ve appointed a new creative agency and digital marketing agency. Exhibitors and visitors will be seeing and hearing the Materials & Finishes Show campaign on more channels than ever before, from online and in print, to on the airwaves as we activate our campaign with FIX Radio.
How is the floorplan shaping up for Materials & Finishes Show next May?
We’re in a really strong position, with a good mix of legacy brands that people will be familiar with from the W Exhibition lineup, as well as a raft of completely new brands who have joined the lineup in recent weeks. What’s interesting is the broad mix of brand products and services that the Materials & Finishes Show 2024 lineup presents, which includes the likes of AES, Fen, Quin Global, Amicus and Machinery Services to name a few. The full exhibitor lineup, which is growing weekly, is available on our website – www.materialsandfinishesshow.com.
The KBB market is a key growth area for us, with brands such as Hanex signing up to exhibit in recent weeks. We’ll also be growing the fixtures, fittings and hardware section of the show, which will include brands such as our relaunch partner, Hranipex. Brands like these will perfectly complement the machinery and materials brands who are already part of the exhibitor lineup.
You’ve mentioned new brands joining the lineup, what else can people expect to see when they visit the show next May?
There are so many new and exciting features in development in the background. We’ve been working really closely with our community to ensure that Materials & Finishes Show really delivers above and beyond expectations next May.
Alongside new show features, such as the CPD certified learning programme, live demonstration zone and hosted buyer meetings programme, we are revising the show opening hours to include a new late night feature on Tuesday (May 21, 2024) of the show. This will allow an extra opportunity for out of hours networking which we know from experience works well on B2B trade shows.
What would you say to any brands who are considering exhibiting?
If you are involved in the wood or timber processing chain and are looking to connect with furniture manufacturers, joiners, carpenters, machinists and installers – Materials & Finishes Show is the perfect platform for you.
Nothing brings a brand to life like being able to see, touch and speak to the people behind them face-to-face at a live event. Materials & Finishes Show is the place to be if you are looking to connect with 8,000 potential buyers and launch new products or services to the UK market.
And for visitors?
Visitors will still be able to see the running woodworking machinery that they expect at the show, but this will be significantly enhanced with a wide materials and finishes offering. To put it simply, if you work within the furniture manufacturing and joinery industry, Materials & Finishes Show should be an essential fixture in your 2024 calendar.
Where can people go to find out more?
People can contact me directly, or our Commercial Manager, Ranju Singh if they have an enquiry about exhibiting. Visitors can see what’s on offer, including our list of exhibitors, via the new website:
www.materialsandfinishesshow.com.
