Due to continuing uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, and following discussions with exhibitors, supporters and partners, the Executive Hire Show organisers have taken the decision to reschedule the 15th annual hire event from its original dates in February 2021 to 28th and 29th April 2021. The show will take place at its established home at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
The Executive Hire Show has long been a key event on the exhibition calendar and is at the heart of the UK plant and tool hire sector. Since the Show’s inaugural event back in 2007, it has grown and evolved to cater for the ever-changing demands of the Hire sector.
The organisers of the event felt that it was important to get back to business, safely, securely, and in line with strict government guidelines to the benefit of exhibitors and visitors alike and stage a Covid-safe exhibition.
Chris Moore, Executive Hire Show, publishing and events director explained the decision: “I have not taken this decision lightly and have consulted with event managers, hirers and many of our commercial partners and all have agreed with this prudent measure and have confirmed that they would rather the event is moved, and that stringent safety procedures are implemented, than the show is postponed to any later in the year, or indeed cancelled.
I appreciate that this decision will impact on organisations and visitors’ travel plans. However, the health, safety and wellbeing of all Executive Hire Show attendees and exhibitors has to be our number one priority and I hope people will understand why we have had to take this course of action in the face of unprecedented circumstances.”
Moore concluded, “By moving the event to April 2021, we are confident that we will be able to deliver the same fantastic experience as always. To which end, I am delighted to report that the show is already over 70% booked.”
Following consultation with exhibitors – the feedback received has been incredibly positive and the decision to reschedule the Show has been met with overwhelming support. Here are some comments from some of the loyal EHS exhibitors.
Lee Morewood, sales director, Duro Yokota said, “I had some good conversations with Chris (Moore) through the course of 2019, both at the EHS and the Road Shows, and yes, we’re very supportive of the date change for 2021.”
Morewood added, “Over more recent years, perhaps since 2014, the show seems to be reignited with exhibitor and visitor numbers, and has felt very much akin to some of the older past events of the hire industry; very busy, well attended and with an abundance of genuine enthusiasm from the industry as a whole.
Since DURO-YOKOTA secured what’s now become our regular show position in the atrium, I honestly can’t speak high enough of the event; there’s a lot of hard work and effort involved for all those partaking of course, organisers and exhibitors alike, but it’s well worth the effort and investment in my opinion. We’ve rarely come away from the main event without what I’d call the ‘golden egg’, and by that I simply mean that there’s always that one special enquiry, introduction, lead or order, that we otherwise just wouldn’t have received had we not been there.”
Morewood concluded, “The new team seem very driven to make even more of the event, and to freshen up the road shows, and this can only be a positive move in our eyes. I dearly hope we all can look forward to actually seeing each other again at the April event in Coventry, and circumstances permitting, I’d encourage any hirers who haven’t attended in recent years to come along and see what’s on offer, and to catch up with their old industry peers.”
Chris Hughes, director, CLM Construction Supplies said, “The Executive Hire Show has always been a landmark event on our calendar here at CLM. However understandable, it was disappointing to hear that EHS had been delayed from the original date in February 2021.
EHS is a great way for our team to meet current and prospective hirers in a professional environment, and hearing that the show has been rescheduled for April 2021 was a huge relief. We look forward to seeing all the other exhibitors and visitors then.”
Gary McWilliam, managing director, HSC (The Hire Supply Company UK Ltd) said, “ Postponing the Executive Hire Show is exactly the right thing to do, in my eyes it shows that The Executive Hire Show team is committed to delivering an industry leading exhibition that cares about its exhibitors and visitors. As we move through winter and experience the changes this will no doubt bring to our lives, it gives everyone time and the opportunity to plan as hopefully Covid restrictions will be more relaxed in April. The Executive Hire Show is an absolute must for the Hire Industry, and whilst everyone has been doing their best to show and promote new products online, there is nothing better than being able to see and touch a new product in the flesh. After they have been wiped down and sanitised obviously!”
Ray Neilson, managing director, Altrad-Belle said, “Altrad Belle is pleased to have the safety of the later date for the Hire Industry must attend exhibition. We are pleased it gives us the opportunity to spend a little more time to develop the new products which we love to launch at the Executive Hire Show.
Hire companies are still very keen to see the new products in the flesh and this will be a productive way to quickly identify the many product developments which will help them make money during the next year and not lag behind.”
Neilson added, “Safety will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the Altrad Belle sales team/set-up team and for our fantastic customers attending the event. We know that the Executive Hire Show Team will also be ensuring this is the case. Save the dates and ensure you have some clothes that fit!”
Thwaites managing director, Simon Hill said, “Thwaites is an avid supporter of and exhibitor at the Executive Hire Show, in fact we have exhibited at every show. So, whilst it will be sad to see a February without the event, we totally understand why and fully support the deferral to April. We very much look forward to exhibiting in the spring and welcoming our customers, distributors and friends to the Thwaites stand.”
Mat Llewellyn, managing director, MHM Group “As a supplier to the UK and Ireland hire markets, I can’t stress enough how important the Executive Hire Show is to the MHM Group and to the industry as a whole. When I look around the hall all I can see are either current or potential clients. I meet and chat with so many people during the two days that at the end of the show my voice is actually hoarse!
So naturally, I am delighted that the organisers are making a special effort to get the Executive Hire Show up and running in 2021. It goes without saying that they can count on me and my team to give them all the backing they need. Yes, these have been testing times for the industry and we’ve all had to adapt, but there is work out there for hire firms. So, now more than ever, we need the show to network with one another and to see the latest innovations from the many suppliers to the industry.”
Andy Munford, managing director, Shindaiwa said, “Shindaiwa has always been very supportive of the Executive Hire Show – the event plays a pivotal role in our event calendar. When we were consulted about the move to the end of April we did not hesitate to confirm our attendance. The show allows us to meet with our customers and establish new contacts – there really is no replacement for a live event. We look forward to the 2021 show and encourage the hire industry to continue to support this key event.”
The Executive Hire team was very humbled by the support from exhibitors and is very much looking forward to staging the 2021 event. 70% of exhibition space is sold and the Show is confident that the event will be a sell out once again. More news coming soon of new initiatives and plans for the Show – watch this space…
If you were thinking of exhibiting at the EHS and would like further information please contact show director, Chris Moore (07772993023) at c.moore@hgluk.com or sales manager Lee Westney (0207 973 4632) at l.westney@hgluk.com.
