Member Article

DIY show confirms third successive year at the Ricoh

Two DIY and tool shows are returning to the Ricoh Arena for a third successive year after increasing exhibitors by 20 per cent in 2014.

The trade-only shows, Totally DIY and Totally Tools, attract DIY, hardware, decorative, security and tool retailers from across the UK to the only national show in the sector.

This year’s shows attracted 2,796 visitors, mainly from the UK, but also included overseas visitors from Ireland, Germany, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, China, France and Turkey.

They also attracted a 20% increase in the number of exhibitors taking part, bringing the total number up to 140 which organisers Brintex hopes to surpass between Sunday, February 15 to Tuesday, February 17 in 2015.

Totally Shows exhibition director Paul Grinsell said the event has been running for the last 20 years, initially in London, and had been held at the Ricoh Arena in 2013 and 2014.

He said: “The Ricoh Arena is proving to be a real asset. It’s great to work in and simple to get to, which given that our visitors travel from all over the UK to attend is very important for us. We’re very pleased that we’ll be back again in 2015.

“We want to establish it as a focal business and social point in the DIY and tools industry calendar.

“The fact exhibitor numbers have risen each year underlines that our visitors and exhibitors like coming to the venue as well as the shows that we produce.

“The atmosphere is really friendly and we introduced a free lunch for retailers and buyers in our 20th year this February which encouraged networking and improved business opportunities.”

The Ricoh Arena also played host to the DIY Week Awards ceremony, a key industry event for this sector, on the middle evening of the shows in 2014.

“It was great to see the industry coming together to attend the shows and celebrate at the awards – and even better that it could all be under the same roof!” Paul added.

Chris Owen, senior events manager at the Ricoh Arena, said Totally DIY and Totally Tools take over the entire venue during their three-day shows with their exhibition, seminars and awards night.

“It is always a hive of activity in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall throughout the shows and the feedback from visitors and exhibitors who attended has been positive once again,” he said.

“The flexibility and size of the Ricoh Arena means we are perfectly placed to help exhibitions grow as well as hold their awards presentations in the E.ON Lounge.

“We work alongside exhibition organisers to make sure their show achieves their aims and to have increased visitor and exhibitor numbers this year for Totally DIY and Totally Tools was fantastic.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .