Relocation pays off

Fair organisers Brintex recorded 6 116 visitors to the Totally DIY/Tools/Secure multi-trade show from 6 to 8 February 2011, as well as 140 exhibitors. This demonstrates that the move away from London, where the event was staged until 2009, and over to Birmingham to be staged in parallel with the Spring Fair “continues to prove its worth to visitors and suppliers”, in the words of exhibition director James Murray. Among the exhibitors, 43 firms were represented for the first time at this event, along with 21 companies that were participating again this year after a break. As a central forum for the presentation of new products the organisers initiated a “Retail Tool Box”. Positioned at the heart of the hall, this special space was designed to give visitors the chance to try out the products: more than 20 live product demonstrations and talks were held here every day. Linked to this site was an innovations competition involving the show-stopping “Best New Product” awards. On the morning of the first day of the fair a jury of seven went about the task of identifying six gold award winners and eleven silver winners. These awards were presented at an event staged on the first evening. The gold winners were Draper’s Ergo Plus pliers in the Tool category, a 70 mm disc combination padlock from Sterling Locks (Security), the Ultimate Range from Crown (Decorative), the Bin Buddy from Challs (Garden), Frog Tape from Shurtape (DIY) and Stoppy from A W Tools (Hardware). Next year the event is due to move to Hall 16, because the Spring Fair is also relocating. The volume halls will then be Halls 10, 11 and 12, which will put them closer to the Totally shows. Download: