The Landscaper Magazines speaks with Jeremy Storey-Walker, Event Director at LANDSCAPE show
What is The Landscape Show and who within industry does it attract?
LANDSCAPE launched at Olympia in 2011, then moved to Battersea and having outgrown the venue, moved to the NEC, Birmingham in 2021. The move to the NEC has been a great fit for the show; it’s a larger space and we’ve found that the central location attracts a national visitor base whilst still drawing in the London designers and contractors.
Visitors include landscape architects, local government, garden designers, landscapers, contractors and groundsmen. They come from across the country, from independent studios through to head gardeners working on the largest private estates, to developers and builders. They come to source new products, as well as network and learn from the people at the top.
What is your USP?
Finding the right show for you can be confusing, but with over 90 trade associations and media titles partnering with the event, LANDSCAPE is a well-supported and truly international show, attracting buyers with projects in mind and money to spend. Since the move to Birmingham the available ‘money in the room’ has doubled! Having so many connections and event partners means we are well placed to represent every sector of the landscaping industry and we work hard to bring the right people together each year. Our CPD seminar programme is carefully curated to provide interesting learning opportunities about all parts of the industry. With over 40 different sessions on top of numerous ‘How To’ presentations, there really is something for everyone!
How has Landscape Show changed over the years?
Over the past ten years environmental issues have moved to the forefront of many minds. As an industry leader, we have tried to fulfil our responsibility, most recently banning artificial turf from our shows. Across the years LANDSCAPE has been home to those shaping the industry; we get big names from RHS Chelsea and those from TV too. Our links with DEFRA and inclusion within the Ornamental Horticultural Round Table Group as well as the All Party Parliamentary Gardening & Horticulture Group have also ensured that we do our part to unite the industry and bring as many of the diverse aspects of it together under one roof. LANDSCAPE is the conduit. We continue to be ‘the place to go’ to find new products, learn new techniques and methods as well as to interact with a raft of new suppliers and meet colleagues from across the industry.
What can visitors expect in 2023?
Every year we ensure that there are new exhibitors to meet and exciting seminars which cover everything from ground breaking innovations to perfecting basics. We strive to introduce new feature areas, competitions and discussion panels to be as inclusive as possible. This year we are introducing brand new and informal “Interviews with…” to the programme, so visitors can really get to know some of the most influential people in the industry.
How can trade events better engage with visitors new to the industry?
Trade shows are the life blood of any industry, they provide huge learning opportunities and face to face opportunities to engage with peer groups. Without the support of publications and associations advising their members and readers about what’s out there for them to see, trade shows couldn’t exist. Visitors are always looking for new suppliers, new products and new ways to do things and there are new designers and contractors joining the industry every year. This means that from an exhibitor’s point of view, current clients are always looking for the ‘next new thing’. Manufacturers should make sure they are in front of them as many times as possible in order react to their needs and pick up that business. Visitors too, should make every effort to attend and engage with new exhibitors especially and see what they have to offer. An event is only great when we all pull together to make it a success and help move this amazing industry forward!
www.landscapeshow.co.uk