Much-postponed and long-awaited, FIT Show 2022 kicked off this morning on an optimistic note with the news of all-time record pre-registrations in a single day yesterday.
And despite its limited size this year, there were good signs of a growing confidence in the future with many enquiries and bookings for next year coming from names that had given this year a miss.
First day footfall is never a good indicator of what is to follow but The Glazine publisher Tony Higgin reported from the event that the turnout was good and it was clear to see that everyone, from organisers to exhibitors, had gone to great lengths to make the very most of the event.
Event Director Nickie West said “Obviously, with an absence of three years, today is a fantastic example of an industry that has pulled together; we’re absolutely delighted with what are obviously beautiful stands.
“We’ve moved this show three times due to Covid and its been an incredibly challenging and tough time but yesterday’s pre-registrations were the highest ever, well up on 2019 figures and today we see they are turning into real visitors
She said that early bookings for the 2023 event include many companies not exhibiting this year, including some systems houses, indicating a renewed confidence in the event, and she concluded: “I’m going to punt it out that ’23 will be 50% bigger than this one.”
