Show move reflects industry demand
4th July 2016
UK: The organiser of the former ACR Show says the decision to move the event to London was taken following an extensive review and consultation with industry.
At the beginning of last month, the Cooling Post revealed that the event was to change its name to the HVAC & Refrigeration Show to more accurately reflect an expansion of the show’s product base. Last week it was further announced that the event would be moved to London’s ExCel with dates at the end of January.
Show organiser Karena Cooper of Datateam Business Media has confirmed that a lot of time had been spent reviewing and listening to the industry about the direction and style of the 2018 event.
“Over 60% of companies told us that most of their business is done in the south, while 60% of visitors to both the 2014 and 2016 events were from the same region,” she said.
“It was therefore felt that by moving the show south, we would achieve our goals of increasing quality visitors and reaching a new audience. The industry can now look forward to the event taking place from 23-25 January 2018 at London’s ExCeL.”
On the change of dates, Karena Cooper said: “January, February and March are very busy months for industry events and the conferences calendar both in the UK and abroad. Securing a late Jan or early Feb 2018 date, is key for the UK market and also gives international brands the opportunity to launch product in the UK and then later in the year access the European shows.”
The change of name is also said to have been widely supported. “90% of those surveyed also said we should expand our show title and develop a new logo that would keep the integrity of the ACR brand, while clearly defining our commitment to all of the industry sectors represented, by incorporating the HV,” Karena Cooper told the Cooling Post.
Event director, Paul Ryder added: “ExCeL has been very forthcoming in enabling us to offer exhibitors and visitors a better experience. This will also give us an opportunity to host the ACR News Awards alongside the show at an exciting new London venue, to be announced. ”
Early support for the changes has come from refrigerant supplier National Refrigerants, recently named as a brand partner for the 2018 event.
Viewing the change of name as a positive move, National Refrigerants’ northern regional sales manager, Simon Ravenscroft said: “Combining an air conditioning and refrigeration show with a heating and ventilation show can only lead to more footfall which is a good thing for everyone.
“Changing the date from February to January should also be better as it will avoid school holidays which in the past would have prevented some people from attending and moving it to ExCeL in London should make it more accessible.”
The event has also won the backing of the Institute of Refrigeration and FETA.
IoR secretary Miriam Rodway said: “The HVAC & Refrigeration Show provides a unique venue to meet and talk to our members across the country and we very much welcome the event as an opportunity to showcase the Institute’s offerings from our service engineer training sessions to our Annual Conference. The Institute is increasingly seeing interest in integrating heating and cooling, so the new scope of the show very much reflects how the industry is moving. Last year’s show was very well supported by IOR Members and we look forward to an even stronger presence in London in 2018.”
The organiser is said to be talking to a number of other organisations with a view to linking up with all key associations and trade media for what it says will be its biggest campaign yet.
In addition to an expansion of its H&V coverage, the 2018 event will also see the launch of a new refrigerated and chilled food transportation sector and the series launch of the national Skillfridge competition. Other features promised include working lunches for sponsors and invited guests, a three-day series of live debates on key issues and a three-day seminar programme with speakers invited from UK and European Associations.
“We have re-designed the show in a modern format, to achieve greater visitor interest and attendance, and greater brand coverage for participating companies, resulting in better business for all,” said Karena Cooper.
For more information visit www.hvacrshow.com
Related stories:
https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/industry-show-moves-to-excel/
https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/acr-show-changes-name/
