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Upbeat mood at Coach and Bus Live 2009 as show welcomes a late arrival
Last week’s Autumn show for the coach and bus industry received an overwhelming vote of confidence during its two days at the NEC. With a waiting list for stands and reports of busy exhibitors receiving plenty of enquiries for business, the organisers were really positive about the show’s impact on opportunities for next year. The show posted a pre-audited attendance figure of almost 6,000, a creditable 3% increase compared to 2007.
A delighted Show Director Mark Griffin comments: “This year’s show has all been about working together and helping our industry through these challenging times. Given the buzz from all around the show floor I believe we have really lifted the mood of manufacturers, suppliers and operators alike and provided assurance that there are better times to look forward to in the year ahead. There to create new business opportunities, Coach & Bus Live 2009 has played it’s part in that and I am pleased to say that nearly all those exhibitors we have spoken to have come away with new sales leads enquiries and, in some cases, even genuine orders. You only had to be at one of VOSA’s Workshop Live sessions to see the fantastic interaction with operators who came along.”
The quality of visitors throughout the two days was extremely high with many companies represented at senior level. These included Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman FirstGroup Plc, who made an unexpected appearance at the show during the closing stages on Thursday 8th October. Remarking on the show’s most prominent late arrival Mark says: “It just goes to prove that even after 15 years of having organised exhibitions there’s always something to learn. Leave early and you don’t know who or what you’re going to miss. Whoever would have thought that just half an hour before the end when the halls were starting to empty I would have bumped into Sir Moir Lockhead making his way around the show?”
Clearly Sir Moir was pleased by what he saw during his visit telling Mark: “I’ve spent a brief time here and had a good look round. From what I’ve seen it’s a really good show. One thing is for certain; the recession will end and when it does business will get back to normal. It’s encouraging that there are a lot of exhibitors here so well done.”
It would appear that Sir Moir wasn’t the only visitor to be impressed by Coach & Bus Live, for example, Mike Weston, Operations Director at Transport for London commented: “I wasn’t expecting to see so much here. There were lots more vehicles and stands than I realised. It’s definitely been worth having a trip here and from all the conversations I’ve had with manufacturers they are pleased too.”
Overall impressions were equally favourable from an exhibitor perspective as Vince Welsh, Managing Director, MAN remarked: “We are all really surprised. I didn’t expect to do business. We’ve sold vehicles and on the first day took physical orders for coaches on the stand. So we’re absolutely delighted – great show!”
Despite tough trading conditions the general consensus amongst the industry was that the show organisers pulled off their most successful Coach & Bus Live event yet. It more than exceeded expectations with the vast majority of exhibitors enjoying a strong show and for those who, in the early days, were unsure whether to back the show their decision will have been more than vindicated. Not only did the show sell all available stand space with 205 top name exhibitors but a busy Technology Zone, an interesting series of seminars, a fiercely contended Skills Test and a well attended outdoor display all went towards making a valuable day out for those who made it.
Buoyed by the overall level optimism generated through the show, organisers believe they created the perfect platform from which to attract further support across the industry for next year’s international event – Euro Bus Expo 2010.
More details about the attendance and demographics from Coach & Bus Live 2009 as well as an announcement about show dates for 2011 will be available later in the year. |
