Keith Malyon of Standard Engineering, who as a member of the Cutting Edge Committee currently has the responsibility of organising the Cutting Edge Exhibitions recently commented:
“In my 34 years in the Trade I have attended many Exhibitions as both repairer and exhibitor, some good, some not so, but have always found them to be interesting and informative places to be. They are a great opportunity to meet both new and existing suppliers, see new products, and try new machines – as well as offering a chance to catch up with friends in the Trade.
As a Trade we have more diversification than most, making the annual Exhibition a far more interesting proposition for visitors. We’ve seen a lot of change in the trade – and in the events. In recent years more emphasis has been placed on creating a more welcoming environment, adding quality food and drink at reasonable prices – always a bug bear in the past. Creating a lounge area within the Exhibition area offering the opportunity to sit and relax, or have a more informal chat away from the exhibitors’ stands. We have steadily increased the number of exhibitors and the introduction of European suppliers has also helped to create a more interesting and vibrant Exhibition.
I’m convinced that the Cutting Edge Exhibitions have helped maintain a healthier Trade during difficult times. Comments from both repairers and exhibitors confirm that recent exhibitions have been very successful and more and more exhibitors are being attracted to our Trade on the back of its success.
There is a strong commitment by Cutting Edge to maintain the high standard achieved over recent years, no easy task I can tell you! All the effort is worthwhile though because it is so important to keep our Trade buoyant during these difficult trading periods, so when we come out of the other side, we are a stronger Trade.”