November/December 2019

FIT Show 2020 Interview
glass processing machinery and lifting
equipment. However, it’s the presence of smart
home technology that we are anticipating will see
the biggest increase.
“Don’t waste time – and money – visiting multiple
suppliers at different times throughout the year –
see them all at FIT Show, side-by-side”
Brands such as Smart Ready, Brisant and MACO
really set the bar high at FIT Show 2019, but I’m
predicting that we’ll see it raised even higher in
2020 in terms of both the stands and the
advances in technology that are showcased. I’m
predicting a more prominent display of both
smart home technology and the use of virtual
reality (VR) technology as a mechanism to bring
projects and products to life for homeowners.
And it’s not just our exhibitors that are embracing
technology. As event organisers we are constantly
looking at ways to enhance the show experience
for our exhibitors and visitors. We’ve implemented
new scanning systems to help capture data and
have added the ability for people to register for the
show via social media to speed up the process.
We’re also going to be making our seminars more
interactive by introducing audience polls and
have been exploring beacon and app technology
as a further mechanism to engage with our
audience and help them get the most out of the
show when they’re on site.
TI: Last year’s show had strong installer
focus, how will you develop this for 2020?
NW: We know that time is precious and that time
at FIT Show means time off the tools for installers.
It’s absolutely vital that the show delivers value
for everyone that visits and it’s our job to plan the
right show features, attract the right brands and
content to meet the needs of our core audiences.
We spend a lot of time planning and developing
every element of the show to do just that.
Exclusive show offers, a new and improved
Installer Trail, increased demos and refreshed
content are just some of the things that installers
can expect when we open the doors on FIT Show
2020 next May.
TI: How is the seminar programme
developing? What topics will you be
shining a light on for installers?
NW: We are once again working with 12th Man
Solutions to help develop the learning
programmes for FIT Show 2020. The 2019
programme was CPD certified for the first time,
the quality of content and speakers was the best
yet, but we are committed to building on this for
2020 and beyond.
2019’s learning programme was made up of over
20 hours of learning content, with 50 sessions that
were developed to reflect the wants and needs of
the industry, as well as our broadened audience.
Much like 2019, sessions at FIT Show 2020 will
tackle key industry issues such as the skills gap,
mental health in construction, legislative
changes, eco developments and smart
technology. The schedule will offer practical
advice through workshops, business clinics and
practical product demonstrations.
TI: There’s a real push to professionalise
and raise standards across all sectors in
construction; what role do you feel
exhibitions can play in this?
NW: There is so much contradictory information
out there in terms of which qualifications are
required on site, what the best training routes
are, how to retrain or upskill. FIT Show is the best
platform to bring together all of the key training
providers, professional bodies and industry
experts to collaborate, advise, debate and
showcase the various options for installers.
Our Skills Thursday launch in 2019 created a
stage for the skills debate and this will return in
2020. We want to represent all of the key training
and qualification providers and are working
alongside the likes of Building our Skills, the GGF,
FIT for Trade, GQA, FENSA and Certass to ensure
that we are delivering the right content for our
audience and showcasing all of the routes that
are available to them. Anything that raises
standards and quality across the industry should,
and will, be supported by FIT Show.
TI: Do you feel the glazing sector is slowly
changing some of the outdated
perceptions the public and in some cases
clients / building owners might have of it?
Or are we still some way off?
NW: I believe that we have come a long way from
the cliched ‘double glazing’ image of the early
2000s. The prominence of social media and
review platforms such as Check A Trade, Google
Reviews and such-like have made it very difficult
for brands to deliver a poor service without the
homeowner taking control and shaming them on
these channels.
The recent TV campaign by FENSA is a great
example of how we, as an industry, are pushing to
raise standards and to create trust and
transparency with homeowners. There are so
many fantastic companies out there and we must
work together to shine a light on the poor ones
with the aim of eradicating them altogether.
TI: If it comes to a toss-up between
earning money on a project or visiting an
exhibition, most installers would opt for
the former, but what would your message
be to attract them to the FIT Show 2020?
NW: My message to installers about the reasons
to take time off the tools to visit FIT Show 2020
are very simple; FIT Show is your one-stop-shop
to meet with every link in the supply chain at
once. Don’t waste time – and money – visiting
multiple suppliers at different times throughout
the year – see them all at FIT Show, side-by-side.
Further info on FIT Show 2020
www.fitshow.co.uk
@fitshow
20 TINOV/DEC 2019 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST