I visited Glassex for two days this year, having decided against having a stand this year. We had a stand last year, but it wasn’t overly successful, mainly because we didn’t show products, in my opinion.
Anyway, what did I think of Glassex 2008?
Well, there was quite a lot of negative talk going around. A few people suggested to me that they could have ‘done Glassex’ in half an hour.
For me, however, I felt i didn’t see everything I wanted within the two days. I have a tendency of talking a lot, and Glassex is a perfect excuse to catch up with old friends, colleagues, customers and suppliers.
The main purpose of our visit was to sort our trading terms with our main supplier for the next 12 months - this was a struggle with rising energy prices and raw material prices. However, we are satisfied that our conservatories company are in a strong position to compete in a tough market in the near future.
There were a few things that caught my eye:
But, for me, the highlight of Glassex 2008, was seeing Bob Parsons from Synseal wandering around. He’s been through major health issues over the last 12 months, so to see him back at Glassex was a real bonus for me. I’m looking forward to touching base with him, when he returns to work in June/July.
I feel that people should stop knocking Glassex. It’s a great showcase, and even though it is smaller that 10 years ago, there’s still a lot to see, and good business to be done. In a difficult marketplace, we cannot allow our industry exhibition to disappear.
4 responses so far ↓
1 David White // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I am sure that foiling machine was on the FUX stand for the whole show.
2 Renegade Conservatory Guy // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Hi David
You are absolutely right - well spotted. You never know, if the new product range takes off then we’ll be back to see you about a machine!
3 Dave Broxton // Apr 29, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Hi RCG, Thanks for your broadly supportive comments. Glassex is very much a work in progress and I am acutely aware that the 2008 show was light in some areas, conservatory roof systems in particular. I know we had the great and the good from Ultraframe, K2 and others at the show and we will be working hard to attract them (And other sectors) to the 2009 event. I think the 2008 show was a move in the right direction and the three-day, midweek, extended opening certainly made for a better atmosphere. The exhibitors too are to be congratulated for investing in such fabulous looking stands.
As someone who was part of the Glassex team in the halcyon days of ten years ago, I don’t think the show will ever top the 12,500 square metre sell-out, Glassex 1999 with 14,000 visitors through the door. It’s a different world out there these days with lower margins, higher costs and dramatic consolidation but I believe that a £4Bn industry like ours can sustain an annual show. By communicating with the markets we serve and responding to the needs of the sector, I am confident that Glassex will continue to improve and settle down into a regular 8,000 square metre exhibition. If you or any of your blog readers want to chip in with ideas or constructive criticism, I will respond to every email personally. My address can be found on the Glassex website.
4 Renegade Conservatory Guy // Apr 29, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hi Dave
Thanks for visiting my site.
It is clear to all the hard work you are putting in to make the show a success. I totally agree that a £4b per year industry should have its own event.
I read with interest your conversations with David White on the Glazine immediately after the event, and he asked me what my opinion was soon after.
My position is that as an exhibitor, and with a tighter market and less disposable money for events such as Glassex, I can fully understand why a company should prefer to exhibit every other year.
However, as a visitor, I enjoy visiting the stands, interracting with people from the industry, and would prefer that you make it twice per year!
As for our company exhibiting again? Well, let’s have a chat later on in the year. I think it is highly probable that we will wish to have a stand at Glassex 2009.
RCG
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