FIT SHOW 2016
FIT DELIVERS PIZZAZZ
FOR THE INDUSTRY
With attendance a massive 45% up on the 2014 show with
8,502 unique visitors, and the majority of those in a bullish
mood, the 2016 FIT Show came and went in three days.
»»Exhibitors universally reported strong
interest from visitors in sourcing new
products and alternative suppliers. Buoyed
by the strength of the two previous events
exhibitors had planned their product
development programmes around this year’s
FIT Show with strong pre-show publicity from
many indicating a wealth of new product
launches.
Bi-folding and residential composite
doors were pre-dominant as were a rash of
electronic ‘intelligent’ smart locking systems,
with the advance of such products finally
seeming to gain traction in the broader
market.
26 M AY 2 01 6
More than 180 exhibitors occupying four
halls did more than deliver their products
and services however; they did it with a style
and pizzazz that has barely been witnessed
for many years. Stands were exceptional
in their creativity and innovation at all
ends of the spectrum, with ‘fun’ being the
prerequisite for many.
The Gala Dinner continued the upward
spiral with almost 900 guests experiencing
a Great Gatsby-themed extravaganza that
included song and dance routines, trapeze
and fire-eating and juggling acts that would
please any West-End audience, with many
guests embracing the 1920’s theme with
some stunning period costumes. The
announcements of the winners of the Master
Fitter Challenge and Exhibitor Awards
punctuated the evening with guests then
dancing well into Thursday morning.
What the 2016 FIT Show represented
was the window, door and conservatory
industry at its very best: innovative,
confident, extravagant and intent on
enjoying itself. All of which has led to The
FIT Show outgrowing the Telford venue and
necessitating a move to The NEC for May
23rd to 25th next year with a clamour for
stand space that signals a great future for
the industry.