Product, people but less glitz

Sure, there were a few expo pop-ups but, by and large, exhibitors didn’t throw much cash at their stands at the Sandown or Harrogate venues.

More than one exhibitor noted this was because they had been criticised in the past for spending too much money on style, and not enough on substance.

283 dealerships attended the Sandown show. 281 visited the Harrogate venue.

The numbers might not be huge but few shows in any trade are growing: there are too many other ways to get product information, including from the internet. And, let’s face it, there are less IBDs to go round.

However, the ‘right’ IBDs visited the two Hyde/BAGB shows and quality now has to beat quantity.