SPATEX, COVENTRY, UK
SHOW PREVIEW
Coventry’s Calling As SPATEX Returns
The industry’s annual show returns to the Coventry Building Society Arena in February and the organising team have pulled out all the stops to make it an event to remember. More than just an exhibition, SPATEX is also the UK’s largest networking opportunity for the pool and spa trade. Here, we cover all the news from both the organisers and exhibitors, highlight various products that can be seen, plus take a look at the educational opportunities By Jon Wadeson
R
unning for its tenth year in the West Midlands, SPATEX returns to the Coventry Building Society Arena between 6 to 8 February and will play host to more exhibitors than ever before in the show’s 28-year history. As you would therefore expect, this year’s event will also be the biggest showcase ever! With this being the first opportunity in 2024 to see a bumper crop of new products, visitors should expect a healthy amount of innovation to be on show this year across the various sectors that the show covers. To qualify this further, well over 100 participating companies will be present, including 30 of which that have never participated before. The show’s organisers have worked out that well over 50% of the exhibits are either new or have never been seen before at SPATEX. This year’s event once again features a truly international line up with exhibitors drawn from 11 countries. As sponsors of the New Products’ Zones within the halls, we certainly hope to see as many new products around the exhibition as possible. With energy costs rising and with concerns surrounding the environment, there’s bound to be a big focus on new, greener products that are sustainable too. There will also be an impressive array of working pools, swim spas, hot tubs and ice baths on display around the show hall. Since moving to the Midlands, the three-
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 41-54_SPN_Feb_24_SPATEX.indd 41
day event has firmly cemented its place on the exhibition calendar and as far as wet leisure is concerned in the UK, it is now the only event that truly covers the full spectrum of products. I say full spectrum as anyone who has been to a SPATEX over recent years will know that it is far from being just a swimming pool show and the organising team has worked incredibly hard to create as broad an offering as possible, with many spa, hot tub and wellness companies now viewing the show as a crucial, must-attend event. In fact the SPATEX team have advised 38 spa related companies will be there. Event Organiser Michele Bridle said: “We are thrilled that this 28th edition has set a new record in featuring more exhibitors than ever before. A last-minute flurry of demand from companies, looking to use SPATEX as a launch pad for introducing new products to market, gave us the very welcome task of re-configuring the floorplan to squeeze in more stands. There is so much happening in the industry that we felt compelled to go back to the drawing board to showcase it. To do otherwise, would have been to do the visitor a disservice. “It really is no exaggeration to say that this is the biggest and best show we have ever staged… a shop window brimming with a kaleidoscope of the latest in water leisure. I am proud of the dynamism of SPATEX 2024, the wealth of knowledge, the innovations, the spectrum of sectors we represent, and the incredible support we receive from the industry.
It promises to be a very exciting show.” Reducing energy consumption also features as a major topic of discussion in SPATEX’s free-to-attend, double seminar programme, along with up-to-the-minute health and safety guidance plus much, much more. SPATEX will again play host to two seminar arenas, with free to attend workshops taking place in each across all three days. All workshops hosted by the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE) in Arena 1 – 18 of which are new – award Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points plus a Certificate of Attendance – a valuable record of the courses that have been attended. Meanwhile, in Arena 2, visitors can find a variety of experts who will be imparting their knowledge across a wide range of wet leisure topics. With plenty of products and people to see, once again, the SPN team will be walking the show rather than taking a stand. With this issue going to press in advance of the show, there’s always the chance of last minute changes and stand sales happening – a full and up-to-date list of all the exhibitors can be found on the SPATEX website (www. spatex.co.uk) along with lots of other useful information regarding the show which is sure to help attendees plan their visit more effectively. In short, as ever, there’s a lot to do and see at SPATEX, so read on and we’ll hopefully whet your appetite for what is sure to be a great event in Coventry this year.
SPN February 2024 41 25/01/2024 23:03