News

With buzz and excitement growing around the relaunch of W Exhibition as Materials & Finishes Show next May – 19–22 May 2024 at NEC Birmingham – we catch up with Event Director, David Todd.

Given that the last W Exhibition was held back in 2018, what changes are you making to the new Materials & Finishes Show, and how’s the campaign going?

The success of any trade exhibition hinges on the quality of attendees, so this is by far our top priority. For example, building and enhancing our data, and working with new associations and media partners to ensure we’re attracting the right people to do business. Another area of importance has been listening to customer feedback and implementing the changes needed to ensure a successful relaunch in May. This is an event for the UK market, shaped by our community.

We’ve also appointed a new creative agency and digital marketing agency. Exhibitors and visitors will be seeing and hearing the Materials & Finishes Show campaign on more channels than ever before, from online and in print, to on the airwaves, as we activate our campaign with FIX Radio.

How’s the floorplan shaping up for Materials & Finishes Show 2024?

We’re in a really strong position, with a good mix of legacy brands that people will be familiar with from the W Exhibition line-up, as well as a raft of completely new brands who’ve come on board in recent weeks. What’s interesting is the broad mix of brand products and services that the line-up presents, which includes the likes of AES, Fen, Quin Global, Amicus and Machinery Services, to name a few. The full exhibitor list, which is growing weekly, is available to view on our website: www.materialsandfinishesshow.com.

The KBB market is a key growth area for us, with brands such as Hanex recently signing up to exhibit. We’ll also be growing the fixtures, fittings and hardware section of the show, which will include brands such as our relaunch partner, Hranipex. Brands such as these will perfectly complement those in the machinery and materials sectors, which are already part of the exhibitor line-up.

You’ve mentioned new brands joining the line-up, but what else can visitors expect to see next May?

There’s so many new and exciting features being developed in the background. We’ve been working really closely with our community to ensure the 2024 show really delivers above and beyond expectations.

Alongside new event features, such as the CPD certified learning programme, live demonstration zone and hosted buyer meetings programme, we're revising the show opening hours to include a new late night feature on Tuesday 21 May 2024. This will allow an extra opportunity for out of hours networking, which, from experience, we know works well on B2B trade shows.

What advice would you give to brands that are considering exhibiting?

For those involved in the wood or timber processing chain who’re looking to connect with furniture manufacturers, joiners, carpenters, machinists and installers, Materials & Finishes Show is the perfect platform for you.

Nothing brings a brand to life like being able to see, touch and speak to the people behind it face-to-face at a live event. Materials & Finishes Show is the place to be if you’re looking to connect with 8,000 potential buyers and launch new products or services to the UK market.

And for visitors?

Visitors will still be able to experience woodworking machinery being demonstrated throughout the show, but this will be significantly enhanced with a wide offering of materials and finishes. To put it simply, if you work within the furniture manufacturing and joinery industry, Materials & Finishes Show should be an essential fixture in your 2024 calendar.

Where can people go to find out more?

Potential exhibitors with enquiries can contact either myself – [email protected] – or Commercial Manager, Ranju Singh – [email protected] – directly. Visitors can see what’s on offer, including the exhibitor list, via the new website: www.materialsandfinishesshow.com.