BVE 2013: organisers hail ‘phenomenal success’

In its first year at its new home of London’s ExCeL Centre, the southerly BVE show attracted more than 15,000 visitors over three days, with data indicating a 5% increase in visitors attending for two or more days as well as a 57% rise in international visitors. Organisers also report record onsite re-bookings, with current exhibitors committing to 70% of floorspace for BVE 2014.

James Rowley-Ashwood, event director, BVE, comments: “The show was a phenomenal success for both exhibitors and visitors. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive and constructive, and footfall shows that the industry supports the move to ExCeL. It has given us a great foundation to build on for next year’s event.”

Seminar session attendance was recorded at over 11,500 scans, while AC Entertainment Technologies (Best New Product Launch stand), CVP (Best Space Only stand), Audio-Technica (Best Shell Scheme stand) and Blue Skies (Best Shell Scheme stand in Production Services area) collected the stand prizes at the BVE Exhibitor Awards.

“By lunch time on the first day, the decision to move to ExCeL had been vindicated,” says Holdan Limited director Chris Daniels. “Clearly getting to the venue has not been an issue for the visitors either – we’ve seen no drop-off in professionals from the West of London or the rest of the country.”

Mark Forth, managing director of CVP, adds: “We’ve been incredibly busy, talking to knowledgeable visitors with serious purchasing intentions. It’s been a very valuable show for CVP, and winning the award for Best Space Only stand was the icing on the cake.”