Gordon Thomas, the Event Director for Interbuild 2007, writes in response to James Litchfield’s comments on p18 in the September 2006 issue of Glass Age:

I refer to your article ‘the UK is show weary’, which criticised British trade shows such as Glassex and Interbuild for not listening to the industry.

Emap Construct are only too aware that a show of Interbuild’s pedigree needs to constantly evolve to keep pace.

Since taking over control of Interbuild in 2004, we have invested heavily in promoting the show. Interbuild also works closely with the building industry. As a result, it maintained its audience with 44,436 visitors in 2006 (compared to 44,624 in 2004). This is not the sign of a declining exhibition.

Interbuild is the place to share best practice, be informed about new product developments and review technological advancements. It’s the one event in the UK that attracts visitors from every facet of the UK’s construction industry. All 25 of the UK’s top building contractors, 18 of the top 20 house builders, seven of the top 10 architectural practices and 18 of the top 20 builders merchants attended the show.

[Interbuild] maintained its audience with 44,436 visitors in 2006. This is not the sign of a declining exhibition

In 2006, 11,075 visitors were interested in windows, 9,608 in glass and glazing products and 11,498 in doors which shows that Interbuild continues to have wide appeal across the construction industry and the window and doors market.

The calibre of visitors to the show also reflects how importantly the building and construction industry regards it. 77% of Interbuild 2006 visitors were executives, managers or higher, which means they were in a position to make buying or specifying decisions. These are just the sort of people our exhibitors want to meet at a trade show.

In fact, 85% of Interbuild 2006 visitors said they would come back in 2007.

Source

Glass Age