New fair venue

Fair director Christopher Leonard-Morgan explained that the move from the Excel exhibition site to Earls Court was decided in accordance with the wishes of many visitors, buyers and traders alike, for a venue in central London where the event can be staged. He believes that the move will also create the basis for future growth of attendance figures. The new venue offers good transport connections, being within easy reach of railway stations, Tube stations and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Visitors from 30 countries are expected to attend next year’s DIY & Garden Show, the ninth in the series. Registrations had already reached last year’s level by the middle of November. The visitors stem from all sectors of the industry: representatives from the big retail chains have registered, along with independent retailers, builders’ merchants, department stores, wholesalers, interior decoration shops and timber merchants, as well as TV and mail order companies. Once again a number of exhibitors coming from the USA, Canada and Malaysia will be represented on group stands in 2003. Altogether visitors will be offered a broad spectrum of products for the home and garden that ranges from decoration, hand and motorised tools, wood and wood preservatives, through to shelving systems, storage solutions and fasteners and fixings, as well as garden and leisure products. Especially the garden sector is notching up increases in exhibitor figures. The growing amount of support coming from the suppliers of garden lines means that their range of products stretches from power equipment to paving stones, wood care products, insecticides, outdoor lighting, heaters, security products and storage solutions.
Fair visitors are expected from 30 countries.
Visitors can obtain a first general impression of the fair in a separate new products exhibition. It is also planned to have a stage where suppliers can present and demonstrate their products. What is more, participants are offered the opportunity to join a tour of DIY stores on the final day of the fair.
Earls Court in 2003 will also have exhibitor representation on group stands.