Pro Installer February 2018 - Issue 59 | Page 23

News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
FEBRUARY 2018 | 23

News

NOT JUST FOR LOCKSMITHS

With just four months to go until Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety , registration is already up by 20 per cent from Lockex 2016 and some people may be surprised to learn that it isn ’ t just locksmiths and auto-locksmiths signing up for tickets .
Rob Exley , director of The Locksmith Journal and organiser of Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety explains : “ Lockex 2016 was our first show with more than 80 trade stands from the locksmith industry . We welcomed over 1,700 visitors over the weekend and the feedback from all concerned was fantastic . Like all event organisers however , as soon as the doors closed for Lockex 2016 , we started thinking about the next one .
“ For the next show our motto was ‘ bigger and better ’ from the very beginning and with that in mind we decided to expand Lockex to reflect the ever-increasing concerns and considerations of architects and building specifiers ; those of security and fire safety . Visitors that make the effort to come to these exhibitions do so to improve their product knowledge and progress in their profession , so we wanted to show that same forward-thinking when putting together Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety .”
As the overall response to Lockex 2016 was that it offered a fresh perspective on a trade show ; from the free bacon butties on arrival and lunch vouchers , right up to the money-can ’ t-buy workshop sessions . Demonstrations were as diverse as they were interesting including everything from setting safes on fire to locker conversion kits for the new style £ 1 coin . Visitors were also treated to the industry ’ s first ever auto locksmith event with a designated area devoted to car keys , fobs , remotes , transponders and more ; this addition to the exhibition was echoed perfectly by one trade stand ’ s prize competition to win a luxury driving experience in a Jaguar sports car .
Now with their eyes fixed firmly forward to Lockex 2018
- Security & Fire Safety , the organisers ( the same team behind The Locksmith Journal ) have taken all the key parts that visitors loved from Lockex 2016 and added some extra aspects to make sure newcomers and past guests alike will be satisfied . While the show may have expanded its reach , however , there will be no compromise on the quality of exhibitors at the event , in fact , the inclusion of the brand new ‘ Pavilion of Trade Bodies
’ area will provide even more opportunity to get an one-on-one with some of the industry ’ s leading figures , while free workshops throughout the weekend give visitors the chance to get clued-up up on all the latest advancements in the business and earn some valuable CPD points .
Rob continues : “ Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety will be a one-stop-shop for builders , planners , and designers to advise and inform everyone in the industry of the latest designs and developments from across the globe . Trade shows can be very expensive – as well as taking up a lot of time – but with Lockex we wanted to get a real mix of exhibitors all under one roof so visitors could just circle one weekend in the calendar and not
have to spend more of their valuable weekends – and money – at lots of different trade shows . In addition , we wanted to be able to welcome people to the show with open arms and not sting them with hefty parking charges and overpriced food and drink , which are all synonymous with these big events . Likewise for exhibitors , it
would be unfair of us to get them to set up a stand , and then not make it as attractive as possible to get the visitors in for them to be able to showcase their products and services .
“ The Ricoh Arena as a venue couldn ’ t have been more perfect in terms of size , facilities and location but we ’ ve reconfigured
the space a bit differently for Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety . Last time the speakers and seminars were placed outside of the arena , but this time we have situated the training area right in the centre the floor space , which means that visitors will be able to attend more seminars and waste less time walking in between classes . Again for exhibitors , this means greater footfall around their stands throughout all three days of the show without visitors leaving to attend workshops .”
Lockex 2018 – Security & Fire Safety takes place at the Ricoh Arena , Coventry on the 8th , 9th and 10th June 2018 . For more information and to register your interest at next June ’ s event please visit : www . lockex . org