A generous estimate for numbers would be around 2000 over the four days, although I believe there were less than 500 a day and lower than 400 on the first day. Much of the time, the number of staff on the stands outweighed the number of visitors.

One exhibitor for a major manufacturer said the first day was ‘painfully slow’ and one CORGI inspector admitted that the event had been a ‘complete disaster’ in terms of numbers. On the plus side the ‘Boiler Demo Station’ went down very well, and most exhibitors did say that the quality of the enquiries they did get was good, so some have already re-booked for next year.

Across the stands, people were pleased to have a national, gas and heating focused show on the timetable but ‘why the hell have it in Telford ?’ Good question.

The Corgi race night on the Friday was cancelled due to lack of interest and the Corgi Awards, which pre-event had tables available for £750 each (for a table of 10), was reduced to giving tables out for free which still were not full.

One very interesting point that clearly defines the gap between CORGI Gas Safety and CORGI Services/Shoreline Media, is knowledge. Knowledge that is of the event itself. Because CORGI Services/Shoreline is a commercial company, they were not allowed to use the CORGI Gas Safety database to mail installers telling them of the event (as far as I know). If they were, then I believe any commercial company (Interbuild for example) would be entitled to the information and this would obviously not happen (Data Protection etc). The best that could be done was trade advertising and the belly-wrap on the latest issue of Gas Installer.

The emptiness of the event highlights one major thing: Arrogance. The CORGI brass were so bullish that their name would fulfil the promise of ’10,000 visitors and 150+ stands’ that that is what they went and sold it on. Perhaps if they realised the general animosity towards CORGI and the fact that 10,000 visitors is a hell of a lot for a show that size, they may have come out with slightly less red faces. As happy as some were with the enquiries, there were many exhibitors who were plenty p**sed off. The mail-out is a massive oversight if what I was told is correct, but it’s what they deserve for fudging the issue of commercial enterprise and gas safety.

Either way, I’m sure we’ll see Installer Live next year, but I’m of mixed opinion about the show’s mixed success.

It looked good and it was generally well received by those who went and, it’s a good idea to have an “Installer (Live)” specific show. It’s just a shame CORGI has evolved into its current state as I think a CORGI Gas Safety Show, run by CORGI Gas Safety, as opposed to a Shoreline Commercial event nicking the CORGI Gas Safety brand name to rake in the bucks for world domination (or a completely undeserved bonus for its fat cats), would be a much better and generally busier event.

Footnotes:

Exhibitors I would put at no more than 75 and there were oceans in between the stands and way too much surrounding space. Even if it had been busier, it would not have looked it because of this. I don't think they planned on that much space still being available so they had to pad it out. The much-publicised 'third hall' was not used but apparently they have booked all three for next year.

Since originally posting this comment, it has been confirmed all Registered Gas Installers received a mailshot on Installer Live as well as the consistent trade press advertising mentioned above.

See also Comment 64

Second Opinion (Installer)

I attended the Installer Live on Friday, arriving at the opening time of 10 am. There were about 150 cars in the park and three arrived carrying five people while I was parking. This would give about 220 people at opening time including exhibitors so perhaps 60 visitors?

The exhibition was very lavish with 14 ladies waiting to check me in. There were two halls, one with large stands and the main one with large stands in the middle and small ones around the outside. About 60 stands in total.

All the stands were of a very high quality, spaciously arranged and the general impression was very professional.

Unfortunately whilst I enjoyed the show myself, the attendance was very low, one stand with a competition took 67 entries on Thursday and 47 by lunchtime on Friday. My personal estimate of the attendance on the Friday was no more than 250 at the most.

The boiler escorted strip down was popular with each manufacturer having up to two slots. The seated audience was about 26 and this was usually a full house for an hour.

The Vokera stand featured a live mini training at one end and a mini car racing at the other hosted by a couple of attractive girls.

Mention must be made of the Alfa Girls, young slim tall girls with tight red pants, bare midriffs and cropped matching top. They walked round the show disrupting conversations.

Telford is very accessible and much cheaper than the NEC where visitors parking is now £7 per car. About 90% of the population of England is within 120 miles. It is a newly refurbished exhibition centre and ideal for this type of event.

The event was a success for the organisers because the expenses were paid for by the exhibitors. In spite of the low attendance which I would guess would be no more than 1200 over the four days, most of the exhibitors I spoke to were quite happy and thought the leads were valuable.

One stand had items on sale at £59.99 for one and £55.00 for five. An overseas visitor with a clear eye for a bargain asked for five items and tendered a £50 note and a £5 note.

All in all the show was a real pleasure for me as the low attendance meant I could talk to exhibitors for as long as I wanted to. Sandwich was £2.75 and the "Queue here" sign at the cafe entrance was not relevant as I was the only one there with three staff to serve me one sandwich.

Tony Glazier