AQUA 2015 is set to be the UK’s biggest aquatics and water gardening exhibition ever with nearly 70 companies already committed to taking stands at the Telford International Centre.

With still 10 months to go before the big show on Wednesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 15, AQUA 2015 has already booked the same amount of stand space as when the doors opened on the previous event in 2013.

And the show is also creating massive interest among retailers with more than 100 retailers having registered to attend.

“We’re really pleased with the response so far from exhibitors and visitors,” said organiser Annie Foord. “The fact that so many companies and retailers have committed to being at AQUA 2015 with still 10 months to go is clear evidence that this event is growing in popularity.”

Norwood Aquarium Ltd is one of a growing number of companies exhibiting at AQUA for the first time, and general manager Rob Street said: “We have been supporting the bricks-and-mortar aquatic trade for 50 years, and we have recently made significant investments in our infrastructure. We believe AQUA 2015 is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate these changes and show retailers why we believe we can offer them the best service in the trade.”

Returning exhibitors include Alf Ltd, Aqua One, Bermuda, Berry Ring, CASCO, Certikin, Cloverleaf, Evolution Aqua, Interpet, Lotus-Atlantis, J&K, JMC, Mars Fishcare, OASE, Pedigree Aquatics Wholesale, Peter Golding, Tetra and Tropical Marine Centre. A full list is on the AQUA website www.aquatelford.co.uk.

Berry Ring’s Richard Hale said: “One of our main aims of exhibiting at AQUA 2015 is to achieve a wider recognition of the Berry Ring brand and to meet with existing and potential new customers at what has now become the leading show for the aquatic industry.”

And Bermuda’s senior sales manager Bob Meacham commented: “We are again extremely pleased to be attending the industry's largest aquatic show. We will be showcasing many new and exciting products, including water features, ponds and numerous accessories. There will also be innovative promotional offers to help retailers grow their margins even further with Bermuda during 2016.”

AQUA 2015 has also attracted an impressive list of overseas exhibitors, including Aquadip, Sibo and Velda (all from the Netherlands), Eheim and JBL (both from Germany), Amblard (France), Petra Aqua (Czech Republic), Tropica (Denmark) and Hamac Trading (Ireland).

There will be lots for visitors to see and do at AQUA 2015 and one of the most popular features is the New Products Showcase where exhibitors get the chance to unveil their latest launches. A panel of retailers will judge all entries on the first morning of the show before New Product Awards are handed out to the winners later in the day. In 2013 nearly 100 new products were showcased, and with a higher number expected next year the feature will be housed in a much larger and more prominent area.

CASCO Europe won a New Product Award at AQUA 2013 and CEO Matthew Bubear says they’ll be entering again next year. “We have various products and innovations in development at the moment which we will launch at AQUA 2015.

“AQUA is a very well organised and attended trade show which gives us a great opportunity to reach out to the trade,” adds Matthew. “At the show our aim is to provide brand and product awareness. It also gives us the opportunity to demonstrate features and provide an excellent platform to launch new products.”

As well as getting to see all the new products to be launched on to the market, visitors will be well looked-after during their stay, including a free deli bag lunch and more catering facilities. And retailers and buyers will also be invited to join exhibitors at an AQUA dinner on the first evening of the exhibition. The dinner, which will also be free, has been moved to a larger room to accommodate nearly 700 people. More details will be announced nearer the show.

Visitors can also benefit from free parking next to the exhibition hall, and will be able to take full advantage of a new events village called Southwater Square, recently opened close to the centre with a new hotel, restaurants, and one of the UK’s largest town-centre parks.

The AQUA 2015 website can be found at www.aquatelford.co.uk and the AQUA hotline is 01892 862848.

Date for the diary

AQUA 2015, October 14-15, Telford International Centre