Event News
Events
in brief
Solid foundations despite Brexit
The UK Construction Week’s
main focus for their 2019
exhibition was the future of
construction (In light of Brexit),
and how it is driving change?
The event’s focus was
particularly poignant considering
the turbulent climate caused by
uncertainty and lack of investment
in the sector over the past couple
of years. However, the event (8-10
October) experienced growth in
numbers, playing host to 34,327
construction professionalsw,
bringing a sense of optimism to
the organisers.
Event director Nathan Garnett
said: “Whatever government we
have and whatever type of Brexit,
all political parties have made
commitments to build houses,
hospitals and schools and improve
our infrastructure. This year's
show was about preparing for
the digital transformation taking
hold in construction so these
opportunities can be seized.”
Mental health was also a central
point in the show, making UK
Construction Week the largest
event in the sector to address
these issues. UK Construction
Week worked alongside Public
Health England to launch
Every Mind Matters within the
construction industry.
Across the two days, visitors
were able to access 300 speakers
and 150 hours of content within
the NEC Arena in Birmingham.
10 — November
DECOREX GAMBLE PAYS OFF
Event Name: Decorex
Date: 6-9 October 2019
Decorex’s gamble, moving from Syon
Park to Olympia London, has seen a 10%
increase (15,500) on attendee numbers
against the previous year.
Decorex is the only show in the UK
aimed at the high-end interior design
trade in Europe, and gives suppliers a
platform to showcase luxury products.
A delighted Sam Fisher, brand director
at Decorex International said: “Our
loyal established brands have come with
us on this journey, whilst we’ve also
encouraged younger brands to exhibit
through our installations or ‘Foundation’.
A recent initiative, it is aimed at offering
a platform for the next generation of
designs from across disciplines, each
displaying products with the highest
level of artisanal craftsmanship”.
This year’s main demonstration area
was Design Encounter, a feature that
combined interior design with virtual
reality, made in collaboration with John
Allsopp Studio, Central Saint Martins
and Catalyst VR.
The installation took visitors through
a series of rooms created by Natalia
Miyar Atelier, Sam Todhunter Design,
Sella Concept, Run for the Hills, Zachary
Pulman Design Studio and These White
Walls. Using the Design Encounter app,
visitors identified items that particularly
appealed to them. These choices then
revealed an augmented reality influenced
by their preferences.
Decorex also hosted British craft
exhibition Future Heritage; a feature
that showcased the work of 15 emerging
talents in the UK. The exhibitors were
selected by Corinne Julius, renowned
applied arts and design critic and
curator.
Each year, the show dedicates a space
to ‘In the Making’, where craftspeople
show how products are made, finished
and decorated. This year Morris &
Co demonstrated wallpaper printing
methods whilst graduates from The
Building Crafts College exhibited a range
of woodworking techniques.
The show also featured the usual bar
and VIP Lounge. Fisher said: “We ensure
we offer somewhere interesting and
comfortable where visitors can take a
break. We have invited many top names
in the interior design world to create
these for us, this year was Paula May
Evans in collaboration with Cameron
Gardens and Harding & Read, previous
designs were by Shalini Misra, Lambart
& Browne, Beata Heuman, Turner
Pocock and 1508 London”.
What’s Next?
Having found success after moving to
Olympia this year, Decorex will return
from 11 – 14 October 2020, with plans to
showcase additional features that aim to
set them apart.