Following a hugely successful SALTEX 2016, show organisers have reported that a record number of exhibitors have already re-booked for the 2017 event. 

Compared to January 2016, SALTEX has accumulated more than 50 additional exhibitors during the loyalty re-booking period – the number of SALTEX 2017 exhibitors now stands at an impressive 182, which continues to grow by the day.

The combined attendance of 8,754 high-quality visitors over the two days at SALTEX 2016 no doubt played a major factor when exhibitors were deciding whether to return for 2017, but the post-show exhibitor survey offers a greater insight into the exhibitor’s experience at SALTEX 2016.

This survey confirmed the fact that 98 per cent of the 292 exhibitors rated the quality of visitors as being either good or excellent and 96 per cent of exhibitors reported that they were successful in generating new sales leads, while more than 60 per cent said that they took direct sales orders on the show floor.

A massive 96 per cent of exhibitors said that SALTEX was the ideal place to successfully promote or maintain their company profile and 93 per cent believed that they were successful in networking with existing and new customers while over 80 per cent said they achieved their objective of meeting dealers and distributors.

Survey findings also confirmed that more than 86 per cent of SALTEX 2016 exhibitors rated the build-up process as being either good or excellent with over 84 per cent commenting that they received excellent pre-show customer service. In addition, 92 per cent believed that the show organisers’ marketing and promotion of the event was excellent and in turn contributed to the large quantity of visitors.

Dean Winters, head of brands for Treadstone Products, said that after a few years away from exhibiting at the show, the company’s return to SALTEX was a hugely successful experience. “We were most impressed by the quantity, quality and diversity of visitors we spoke to. From very early on day one, the show was buzzing, with plenty of opportunities to talk to visitors about our product ranges. Over the two days, we far succeeded the amount of leads we had forecast and now have many quotes and projects to follow up.”

Ray Garvey from The Grasshopper Company reported an excellent debut at SALTEX. “This was our first year being directly involved with SALTEX, and the show exceeded our expectations. We sold a number of attachments at the show, arranged several further demonstrations and have a good number of other leads to follow up on.”

Long-term SALTEX exhibitor INTURF was also upbeat following the show according to joint managing director Alex Edwards. “We have supported SALTEX for three decades and the move to The NEC has cemented our future at the show. We had a very positive experience and have already booked for 2017.”

Tom Shinkins from GKB Machines was impressed with the widespread geographical reach of the visitors: “2016 was our second ever SALTEX as a stand-alone company, we received a good list of enquiries to follow up and we have booked for 2017. It was great to see to a wide range of people from across the industry from the UK and Europe.”

SALTEX 2017 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017.

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