There was a continued buzz throughout the exhibition as a record number of items were entered into the New Product Showcase.

Show organiser Gordon Thomas said: “This has been the biggest New Product Showcase ever and it is fantastic to see more than 100 products entered.”

One of the success stories was OASE, who picked up two New Product Awards for its new display stand. Managing Director Chris Wright said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for winning the awards for the best pond pump and the best filter. The exposure has certainly helped to create lots of interest on our stand.

“AQUA is always a pleasure to exhibit at and a great chance to catch up with our valued customers. Already the show is proving to be a great success in more ways than one.”

Janusz Jankiewicz, of Polish company AquaEl, has also been amazed by the response to the company’s new launches, in particular their New Product Award winning ASAP Filters. “It’s the first time we’ve exhibited here and we think this show is fantastic,” he said. “It’s the biggest and best specialist aquatic trade event in my eyes.”



Pictured above: An amazing display of lego on the TMC stand.

Another international company exhibiting for the first time is Bimex BV from The Netherlands. Ton Dielissen admitted: “The show has exceeded all our expectations already. We have visited AQUA in previous years to see if it would be worth us exhibiting, and I have to say the decision to show our products this year is paying off in a big way.”

Ruth Low, a director of Gordon Low said: "It has been a fantastic first day. As soon as the doors opened, visitors were flooding into the exhibition hall. I haven’t stopped talking to new and current customers and I’m really happy with how things have gone.”

One of the products that created a lot of interest on the first day was the FTS Tivoli 100 Musical Fountain, much to the surprise of FTS Aquatics managing director Michael Caffyn-Parsons. The fountain creates variable fountains that move in time with music, and Michael admitted: “It didn’t think this product would provide such interest but it has been amazing. We have gained some great leads at the show, from both garden centres and aquatic retailers.”

And visitors were equally ecstatic about the show. Andy Hales, of Andy’s Aquatics and Reptile Centre, from the Wirral, Merseyside, said: “This AQUA has more variety than ever before and the stands are of a higher quality.”

Mike Nuttall, of Reef & River Aquarium, Morecambe, said: “It’s my first visit to AQUA and there is so much to take in. I’m here for both days and it will certainly be a worthwhile visit.”

The show is open for a second day on Thursday, October 15, from 9am to 4pm.