East Exhibitions, which was due to hold its second show at ExCeL London in September, has said the move to March 11-13, 2008 had backing from industry supporters and exhibitors. It said a congested autumn trade event calendar, which also includes Interbuild, the TTJ Awards, the Wood Awards and various other industry events and dinners, was a factor in moving the date.
“The autumn is becoming increasingly crowded with events – at a time when the main priority for timber businesses is to get back to work after the summer break,” said exhibition director John Southam.
He said a review of long-term show plans had been undertaken and it was decided that changing dates would have been more difficult as the show grew larger and more established in the trade calendar.
Show press officer Martin Pearce said fitting in with the trading cycles of timber companies was more a factor in the change than the presence of Interbuild a month after the original Timber Show dates.
Charles Trevor, managing director of industry promotional organisation and Timber Show supporter Wood for Good, welcomed the move. “September is becoming increasingly congested and it makes good sense to change to dates where there is less competition,” he said.
Geoff Rhodes, marketing and business development director of Coillte Panel Products, said moving the date was “fine”, adding that the show was a focus for the industry to exhibit all its good products.
East Exhibitions will shortly release results of a survey conducted among Royal Institute of British Architects members about their attitudes to timber.
