Facilities Show Sees Further Growth For Its 2019 Edition

Stand-out solutions, smart offices, salient speakers and wellbeing wisdom resulted in notable visitor growth

Facilities Show had one of its most successful years yet, consolidating its status as a leading global event for cleaning and facilities managers, with the 2019 edition seeing further visitor growth. Taking place from 18-20 June at ExCel London, in association with the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, it demonstrated a 3% visitor growth increase on 2018, continuing a three-year upward trend.

35% of visitors were C-suite executives; heads of department; directors or owners, representing a combined annual purchasing budget of £9.2 billion. 40% of total attendees had the responsibility to authorise or make a purchase, making the event ideal for businesses showcasing their innovative products and services.

Facilities Show also emphasised its importance to the global cleaning and facilities management profession, with visitors representing 62 countries and a wide variety of industries including the construction and property sector.

A platform for innovation and product launches
Visitors were able to meet 282 exhibitors, showcasing over 2,000 solutions, products and services across all FM vertical sectors including workplace technology, cleaning, health and wellbeing, recycling and waste management and washroom space.
Launches included a new micro scrubber dryer from Vaclensa, a leading supplier of professional cleaning machines, which used virtual reality to demonstrate product benefits.

Sustainability was a key message, with the Bywaters’ stand focused on reducing single-use plastics through innovative recycling solutions. Both Vaclensa and Tennant showcased cleaning machines made from recycled plastic. Streamline Systems displayed its new electric vehicle, with a high-pressure washing, skid mounted system, designed to clean at height in areas with emission zones, such as central London.

Programme of education and inspiration
Facilities Show 2019 helped connect visitors with ideas and developments shaping the profession, with 100 continuing professional development (CPD) accredited seminars, presentations and case studies.

The Inspirational Speaker Series drew extensive footfall as the show welcomed 2019’s three keynote speakers: award-winning financial journalist and broadcast household name, Steph McGovern; Michael Edwards, better known as Olympic ski-jumper, Eddie the Eagle, and rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson. Each shared their personal stories of courage, resilience and breaking the mould.

Smart buildings and smart technology
This year Facilities Show focused on the implications of smart technology on the workplace. This was particularly visible at the Smart Buildings Expo – a new area for 2019, which showcased transformative technology. It featured a 196m2 working replica of a smart office building, created in partnership with Master Systems Integrators, Vanti, which attracted considerable attention from visitors. With this technology still in its infancy, it also included a 1-2-1 impartial consultation service and the Workplace Technology Theatre, which was packed with seminars dedicated to office innovation.

Strategies for wellbeing
The Workplace Wellbeing Show, another new addition for 2019, included the Workplace Wellbeing Theatre, which hosted speakers and panels who discussed key ideas and developments within wellbeing. A Wellness Wall managed by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management encouraged people to share their ideas of wellbeing and challenges, whilst a healthy eating café stressed the importance of good diet.

Evolving for 2020
Event Director Chris Edwards said, “Facilities Show will continue to evolve, based on visitor feedback to better reflect the changing face of the profession. New features and seminars will be added, building on the success of this year’s new areas including the Smart Buildings Expo and the Workplace Wellbeing Show. This will ensure Facilities Show remains a critical destination for FM and workplace professionals, continuing its upward trend.”

To enable visitors and exhibitors to engage in longer post-show conversations ahead of the summer period, Facilities Show 2020 will return to ExCeL London at the earlier date of 19-21 May.

Once again visitors will have access to three co-located shows – IFSEC International; Safety & Health Expo; and FIREX International. The Smart Buildings Expo is set to expand to become its own event alongside Facilities Show, and the Smart Buildings Experience, in association with Vanti, will return with a new, wider remit, integrating even more suppliers into its programme.

To be part of Facilities Show 2020 and for details please visit www.facilitiesshow.com