The G-Awards, the Glazing Summit, Glass Times Race Day and the FIT Show have come together to shout out that they are back with a bang and ready to lead the industry back towards post-lockdown normality.
And only days after their announcement, it was revealed that the high-point of the charity year, GM Fundraising’s annual cycling marathon, is returning, mounting a new challenge after having to postpone its planned event twice (See separate story).
The organisers of the four cornerstone events say they have pledged to be a catalyst for change, pulling out all of the stops to deliver the very best platforms for the industry to reconnect face-to-face following the easing of lockdown restrictions across the UK.
The move has given the green light to the Glass Times Race Day, at Haydock Park on July 1 and Epsom, September 9, FIT Show, NEC, 26 – 28 September, The Glazing Summit, Edgbaston Stadium, October 7 and The G21 Awards, London Hilton on Park Lane, November 26.
Andrew Scott, MD of Purplex Marketing, Insight Data and the Glazing Summit, said: “It’s time for the industry to dust itself off and take a visionary approach through this period of recovery. The winners of tomorrow are the brands who invest in their marketing now – a huge part of this is about getting out and in front of the industry at the events.
“We’re operating in different times and it’s almost a level playing field out there at the moment. There’s a real opportunity for the most ambitious brands to scale up, and these industry events will provide the ideal platform to do just that. I’m excited to see who has got the vision, appetite and ambition to go hard in 2021 – these are the brands that I’ll be backing to do the biggest things in the future.
The Glazing Summit will return to Edgbaston on October 7 and will be hosting a Glazing Summit Networking evening on Sunday, September 26 at Indigo Birmingham to coincide with FIT Show. Purplex Marketing & Insight Data set to host the ‘Marketing Village’ at FIT Show in September.
The ‘Marketing Village’ at FIT Show will provide a central point for exhibitors and visitors to access a dedicated programme of marketing-specific learning material, all headed up by experts from Purplex Marketing, Insight Data and guest speakers.
FIT Show event director, Nickie West said: “I’m proud that FIT Show sits alongside Glazing Summit, Glass Times Race Day and the G Awards in the fenestration industry’s 2021 calendar. Together, we are committed to delivering safe and successful events for the sector. All four events should form a fundamental part within a brand’s marketing calendar.
“The FIT Show exhibitor lineup is usually a strong indicator of the brands who are set to do the most exciting things over the next 12 – 18 months – I’m looking forward to seeing who the latest trailblazers are. But the thing I’m most excited about is getting back to face-to-face business, seeing all of the latest products up close and networking with my peers at our key events.”
The Glass Times Race Day will mark the first major event for the industry to reconnect when it returns to Haydock on July 1st. Event organiser, Andy Westhead said: “Our Haydock Race Day will kick start the industry event calendar in 2021, and we are looking forward to returning to the face-to-face networking that our industry thrives on.
“We’ve only got a couple of tables left for our Haydock Race Day in July which reinforces the appetite to get back together, network and reestablish those all important connections that underpin business success.”
The G 21 Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner will close the industry’s event calendar this year. Event organiser Tony Higgin said: “The G Awards provide a platform for everyone to come together and celebrate the amazing work that has been done across the industry throughout the year. We were very disappointed to have had to cancel our 2020 ceremony but we are looking forward to coming back with a bang later this year.
“I’m excited to see which brands have thrived throughout the pandemic and those represented at Glazing Summit and FIT Show are likely to be a strong indicator of this.”
