An exciting new consumer show has been launched to run alongside AQUA 2023, which will be taking place over three days for the first time at Telford International Centre, Shropshire, in October.

The new event for consumers, called Water Alive, will be staged over two of the days and will give fishkeepers the chance to see all the latest launches in one place.

AQUA 2023 is being held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12-14 October, with Water Alive being open to consumers on the final two days (Friday and Saturday). The Thursday of AQUA 2023 will be a trade-only day as in previous editions.

The biennial AQUA exhibition, launched in 2010, has always been a business-to-business (B2B) only event but there has been a growing feeling within the industry that ‘end customers’ have missed out on meeting all the brands and new products in one place.

Now the launch of Water Alive alongside AQUA 2023 will help consumers become more engaged with their hobby and feel part of an amazing industry. Meeting experts face-to-face in one arena will also provide them with an ideal opportunity to learn more about fishkeeping, aquascaping, watergardening and corals.

Leading exhibitor Seneye welcomed the move, with the company’s Matt Stevenson saying: “The UK aquarium trade is about to get a lot more exciting. This is going to be the biggest ever celebration of fishkeeping in the UK.”

One of the most exciting aspects of Water Alive will be the Retail Mall where a mix of retailers will sell dry goods along with plants, corals and other invertebrates. There will be no live fish sales.

Consumers will also be able to learn more about their hobby from experts giving talks at a special seminar area called Speakers Corner, plus a range of other hobbyist focussed features. 

So that business can be carried out professionally and privately on the days open to the public (Friday and Saturday), a special B2B area will be available for exhibitors and visiting retailers.

Registration for Aqua 2023 is live on the website www.aquatelford.co.uk. Consumers for Water Alive will be able to book tickets at the same site from the end of March.

Companies wishing to exhibit at AQUA 2023 and Water Alive and retailers seeking more information about taking part in the Retail Mall should call the organisers on 01892 862848.