Visitors to AQUA 2015 in October can expect a busy and exciting show as most of the exhibitor stands at the two-day event have now been sold.
Having already attracted a record number of 80 exhibitors, the two halls at Telford International Centre will be packed with companies showcasing new products. And with only a handful of stands left to sell, it promises to be the biggest and best AQUA show ever.
Show organiser Annie Foord said: “I’m happy to report that the UK’s major exhibitors are again heading for Telford and we will be welcoming more overseas companies than ever before. They obviously regard AQUA as their major platform to showcase products to UK buyers.”
Visitors can expect a warm welcome from companies like Aquadip, Aqua One, Alf Ltd, Bermuda, Cloverleaf, D Pac, Eheim, Evolution Aqua, Hertford Shelving, Interpet, J&K, JMC Aquatics, Lotus-Atlantis, Mars Fishcare, OASE, Peter Golding, Star Fisheries, Tetra, TMC, and Velda. A full list is on the AQUA website www.aquatelford.co.uk.
And as well as meeting up with a long list of AQUA regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place on October 14-15.
A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see AQUA as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors.
Norwood Aquarium Ltd is a newcomer to AQUA, 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.”
Philip Nicholl, sales director of Hamac Trading Company, commented: “Several of our customers have recommended the AQUA show and we are excited about exhibiting this year, especially our new brand of water feature accessories called ‘Aqua Flo’.”
Heritage Distribution Ltd exhibited for the first time at AQUA 2013 and had a tremendous response to their products. “We have decided to exhibit again to show all the new products that have come on line since the last show, both in the Brightwell and Continuum ranges,” said sales manager Andrew Werendel.
“AQUA 2013 opened up many new accounts for us and we’re hoping to achieve even greater exposure and gain more customers this year.”
Gordon Low Products are a regular exhibitor to AQUA, as director Ruth Low explained: “We love this show. Everything from the planning to the build-up and through to the exhibition itself, it’s just fantastic.
“Launching new products at AQUA is great because we can reach such a wide audience, and to have our retailers on site for two whole days gives us a really good chance to talk about our pond liners, new products and pre-season deals.
“We are a small manufacturing company with no sales reps so to get the chance to see so many of our customers in two days is really invaluable. We also love the gala dinner. The atmosphere is great and the meal is always delicious, and to have so many people from the industry together offers great opportunities for networking.”
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.
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.