- Visitors
- Organisers
- Exhibitors
In 2021, from the reopening in July up to 2nd January 2022, the teams across the NEC held 68 exhibitions, with a total visitor number of 685,000.
Ian Taylor, Managing Director - Conventions & Exhibitions, NEC Group, said: “The delivery of so many events since reopening is testament to the in-house teams across our venues working incredibly hard to ensure the safety of visitors, exhibitors and partners, alongside efforts to ensure a positive visitor experience for all those attending.
“We have a positive outlook for 2022, with a range of new events coming to the NEC. One of our priorities, outside of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and associated uncertainty, will be to look at how we better showcase the events industry as an economic driver for businesses looking to grow trade, generate sales and increase their marketing profile.”
NEC confirms show double for sailors and golfers in February 2022
The NEC has confirmed two new consumer sporting shows for February 2022. BoatLife Live will take place from 17-20 February 2022 and Bunkered Live from 18-20 February 2022. The two shows will form part of an outdoor-focused consumer show season at the NEC.
Richard Mann, New Business Director at the NEC, said “These are two fantastic shows for the NEC to be hosting for the first time. The organisers have a huge amount of experience in their respective fields and really understand what their consumers are looking for. We hosted a new outdoor-focused consumer show, the National Snow Show, in October ’21, which was a great success with a lot of visitors keen to get back out and enjoying their favourite hobbies and sports. I’m therefore confident this trend will continue into 2022.”
Boatlife Live
Boatlife Live will celebrate the boating lifestyle, bringing a family show for new boaters and experienced sailors with over 100 boats showcased on-site, from RIBS to powerboats to paddle boards.
Features at the show include a Live Stage with a programme of expert speakers and inspirational boating figures. Yachtswomen Katie McCabe, the youngest person to sail 14,000 miles solo around Britain in 2021, is the first confirmed guest speaker at BoatLife Live 2022. The 14-year-old record-breaker will come with her 26ft wooden yacht named Falanda.
Richard Dove, Director, BoatLife Events Ltd, said 'We are full steam ahead with the show's planning, and stand booking enquires continue to come in for our February show. BoatLife is a launch show aimed at the UK boating market. Being a domestic show has a lot of advantages given that international travel is ever-changing. Our exhibitors remain confident, and with the government-backed insurance scheme, their financial investment in the stand costs are protected. It's undoubtedly an excellent platform for businesses to come together, displaying unity and driving growth for the UK industry into 2022 and beyond'.
Bunkered LIVE
bunkered LIVE, Europe's premier golf show, is coming to England, and the NEC, for the first time. Visitors to the show can test the latest equipment including clubs and balls, for free, in the purpose-built indoor driving ranges.
Keen golfers will be able to try out ground-breaking new technology from leading tour brands including Titleist Taylormade, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Srixon, Wilson, Cobra, Lynx, Yonex and PXG to name just a few.
Paul Grant, Managing Director of the event organisers, PSP Media Group, said "We are delighted that the prospect of bunkered LIVE coming to England has captured the imagination of the golf industry in the UK. Having these global brands in attendance ensures all visitors to our show will have the unique opportunity to not only chat with the brand technicians, but also test all their clubs, consult on custom fittings and take part in fun, interactive activities all under one roof."
SALTEX 2021 post-show survey confirms 93% of exhibitors said SALTEX, hosted at the NEC in November, generated new sales leads
This year, 93% of exhibitors said SALTEX generated new sales leads, while 96% believed SALTEX was perfect for promoting and maintaining their company profile. In addition, 81% of exhibitors said that exhibiting at SALTEX was important to their overall business strategy and 82% believed it was a perfect opportunity to meet existing customers.
Furthermore, 71% of exhibitors stated that they will be returning to exhibit at SALTEX 2022. In fact, many have already rebooked with a large percentage increasing the size of their stand. An influx of debut exhibitors has also been reported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA).
It was the first SALTEX for Origin Amenity Solutions since bringing together four major industry brands and Richard Fry, marketing manager, was feeling positive. “There was a lot of soul searching and sleepless nights before the opening day of SALTEX, but wow, it has been fantastic. There has been a two-year break since the last show, but the industry has responded. We are very pleased and there has been great footfall from the get-go.”
SALTEX 2021 celebrated its 75th anniversary and remarkably there were two companies on the show floor that have exhibited at all 75 shows – Lloyds & Co and Dennis Mowers.
“We value the loyalty that the Grounds Management Association has always shown us, and we’ve always stuck with them,” said Clive Nottingham, managing director of Lloyds & Co. “I’m pleased that so many people have come through the door, and it has been a lively show. We’ve had lots of conversations, and there will be lots of quotations, enquiries and work to follow up.”
Ian Howard, managing director of Dennis Mowers also underlined the importance of exhibiting at SALTEX. “I think it is critical to come and meet existing customers, to meet new customers and to listen to what people have got to say. It is the customers that come up with the innovations at the end of the day and every Dennis product that we have got, both petrol and electric, is a result of what customers have said to us. SALTEX is an investment for the future.”
SALTEX 2022 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.
Motorcycle Live welcomed 66,000 through its doors in December at the NEC
Motorcycle Live, in association with Bikesure Insurance has closed its doors for another year, and what a pleasure it was to welcome back visitors, riders, celebrities, manufacturers and retailers to The NEC.
With over 66,000 visitors making their way through the doors, in the midst of a global pandemic, it underlines the dedication of our audience, the pull of our exhibitors and the desire to be immersed in their passion – motorcycling.
Lisa Jones (Marketing Manager, Triumph UK) commented “Motorcycle Live is a key event in the motorcycling calendar, and it was fantastic to welcome back fans of Triumph to some familiarity and entertainment at the NEC. When we planned to reveal our iconic Triumph Tiger 1200 to our UK customers, Motorcycle Live was the perfect event to do so. With an abundance of key media, influencers and customers, it was a privilege to showcase the industry leading technology and all round ability of the Triumph Tiger 1200 range.”
Motorcycle Live delivered an exciting, new, interactive electric feature which showcased the progressive and innovative manufacturers and products available for riders wanting to embrace electric technology.
One of the trailblazers in this segment is Stirling Eco, who through world-class innovation combine artistic flair alongside leading technologies to create innovative, functional and environmentally friendly motorcycles.
Robert Grace (CEO of Stirling Eco) commented “Our award winning brand offers customers exceptional value, performance and fun whilst reducing their carbon footprint and not detracting from their riding experience. Motorcycle Live has been a great event to introduce our brand to prospects and help de-bust any myths around the move from combustion engine to electric.”
Ian Wilson (Director of Gerbing) said “It’s been a record year for us at Motorcycle Live. Visitors have been wanting to get ahead of the 2022 riding season and get their hands on the latest and greatest rider equipment and accessories. There has been a real buzz around the halls and we’re looking forward to next year’s show already.”
Finlay McAllan (Managing Director, Motorcycle Live) added “I would like to thank everyone involved in helping us deliver Motorcycle Live. Nothing can replace the sights, sounds, feel and buzz of a live event. Seeing visitors having fun, and people once again meeting in person to share their passion certainly makes the show a success for us all. We’d like to wish everyone involved a happy and healthy 2022.”
Motorcycle Live 2022 takes place from 19th – 27th November 2022.