Over 3000 visitors flock to BTME on Day 1
Posted on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
If the general impression in the Halls yesterday was that it was busy, that feeling was confirmed with an attendance figure which revealed that a remarkable 3009 visitors had decided to spend their Tuesday at BTME. It represents an impressive increase of 753 from last year and an astonishing 918 increase on 2010 - the last time BTME filled four Halls.
“We are absolutely delighted with the figure and it vindicates the huge amount of work that was carried out in advance of the Show to encourage visitors to attend. I am sure that the positive trend will continue today,” said BIGGA’s CEO Jim Croxton.
That positive mood was endorsed by exhibitors who saw quality as well as quantity.
Michael Sievwright, of Trimax Mowing Systems, said: “After a break of seven years we decided to bring our new Merlin to BTME. It’s been something of a trial for us but with the Merlin we have something very applicable to the Golf sector and felt we had to be here. So far we have had lots business to business interest and if the next two days go like this we’ll be happy.
Tim Yates, of Kubota, expressed similar views, “We’ve seen a lot of our dealers so BTME has been a good meeting place. You get so much value out of a face to face contact with an overriding opinion coming through that Golf Courses will have to start to invest in new equipment this year.”
Alex Edwards, of Inturf, commented that, as always, he has seen a lot of his existing customers, “That’s one of reasons we exhibit because in three days we can meet with a good cross section of our client base; like today two customers from Denmark and two from Somerset have been along to see us.”
The increase in visitor numbers has not gone without notice either. Alex Edwards again, “Today has been markedly busier than last year, and Curtis Allen, from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, said the numbers has restored his confidence in shows. “Numbers may be up but we are seeing the decision makers, and quite a bit internationally; which is good for us as a global company.”
Exhibiting for the first time this year is French company PHM Philippe Morisse. Gaelle Riva, has seen massive interest, “Our product has been available in France for 15 years but we had never exhibited it in the UK. One of our customers recommended BTME to us and, I must say, if this amount of interest keeps up for the next two days we will very pleased.”