Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Facilities Show sees further growth for its 2019 edition
The Facilities Show had one of its most successful years yet, consolidating its status as a leading global event for cleaning and facilities managers, with the 2019 edition seeing further visitor growth.
Taking place in June at ExCel London, in association with the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management, it demonstrated a 3% visitor growth increase on 2018, continuing a three-year upward trend.
Some 35% of visitors were C-suite executives; heads of department; directors or owners, representing a combined annual purchasing budget of £9.2 billion. 40% of total attendees had the responsibility to authorise or make a purchase, making the event ideal for businesses showcasing their innovative products and services.
The Facilities Show also emphasised its importance to the global cleaning and facilities management profession, with visitors representing 62 countries and a wide variety of industries including the construction and property sector.
Visitors were able to meet 282 exhibitors, showcasing over 2,000 solutions, products and services across all FM vertical sectors including workplace technology, cleaning, health & wellbeing, recycling and waste management and washroom space.
Launches included a new micro scrubber dryer from Vaclensa, a leading supplier of professional cleaning machines, which used virtual reality to demonstrate product benefits.
Sustainability was a key message, with the Bywaters' stand focused on reducing single-use plastics through innovative recycling solutions. Both Vaclensa and Tennant showcased cleaning machines made from recycled plastic. Streamline Systems displayed its new electric vehicle, with a high-pressure washing, skid mounted system, designed to clean at height in areas with emission zones, such as central London.
The event helped connect visitors with ideas and developments shaping the profession, with 100 continuing professional development (CPD) accredited seminars, presentations and case studies.
The Inspirational Speaker Series drew extensive footfall as the show welcomed 2019's three keynote speakers: award-winning financial journalist and broadcast household name, Steph McGovern; Michael Edwards, better known as Olympic ski-jumper, Eddie the Eagle, and rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson. Each shared their personal stories of courage, resilience and breaking the mould.
This year the event focused on the implications of smart technology on the workplace. This was particularly visible at the Smart Buildings Expo - a new area for 2019, which showcased transformative technology. It featured a 196sq.m working replica of a smart office building, created in partnership with Master Systems Integrators, Vanti, which attracted considerable attention from visitors. With this technology still in its infancy, it also included a 1-2-1 impartial consultation service and the Workplace Technology Theatre, which was packed with seminars dedicated to office innovation.
The Workplace Wellbeing Show, another new addition for 2019, included the Workplace Wellbeing Theatre, which hosted speakers and panels who discussed key ideas and developments within wellbeing. A Wellness Wall managed by the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management encouraged people to share their ideas of wellbeing and challenges, whilst a healthy eating cafe stressed the importance of good diet.
"Facilities Show will continue to evolve, based on visitor feedback to better reflect the changing face of the profession," says event director Chris Edwards. "New features and seminars will be added, building on the success of this year's new areas including the Smart Buildings Expo and the Workplace Wellbeing Show. This will ensure Facilities Show remains a critical destination for FM and workplace professionals, continuing its upward trend."
To enable visitors and exhibitors to engage in longer post-show conversations ahead of the summer period, Facilities Show 2020 will return to ExCeL London at the earlier date of 19th -21st May.
Once again visitors will have access to three co-located shows - IFSEC International; Safety & Health Expo; and FIREX International. The Smart Buildings Expo is set to expand to become its own event alongside the Facilities Show, and the Smart Buildings Experience, in association with Vanti, will return with a new, wider remit, integrating even more suppliers into its programme.
25th July 2019