OTS 2018 is a resounding success
Posted on in Business News , Outdoor News
The Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) 2018 closed its doors on its 13th year on a high, receiving excellent feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike. Taking place at EventCity, Manchester for the first time, the new location was also praised by all.
950 trade visitors attended the show over the three day period, representing a 7.5% increase from 2017, but what was more noticeable was the overall 30% increase on repeat visitors on the Wednesday and Thursday, indicating that more buyers chose to stay at the show for longer to accommodate the increased number of 118 exhibitors at the show.
For the first time at the show there were retail buyers from Tiso, Gaynor Sports, George Fisher and Craigdon Mountain Sports as well as from the multiples, including JD Sports, Outdoor and Cycle Concepts, Ellis Brigham, Decathlon, Go Outdoors and independent outdoor stores such as John Attwooll and Co, Taunton Leisure, Winfields, Trekitt and 53 Degrees North.
Simon Clark, Owner of Taunton Leisure said: "I thought the show and the venue was very good and for us this helps us maximise our time to do business with key brands and a valuable insight to other brands that we may not currently work with. All in all a good effort and I hope that both the outdoor trade and retailers alike will support a single show going forward. Up to now I have found it frustrating the amount of satellite shows around the country and I sincerely hope that going forward everyone can unite behind one show."
Show organiser Marta Williams, from MCS commented: "The move to Manchester was daunting following 12 years at Stoneleigh Park, but we could not be happier with the venue and the team, nothing was too much trouble, it definitely was the right decision. The positive atmosphere was experienced in the hall from the build-up days and only got better during the three days of the show. Feedback has been excellent, not only due to the increase in visitor numbers but the quality of these who attended. We look forward to an even bigger and better event for 2019."
Andrew Denton, CEO, Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) said: "OTS 2018 delivered with a great mix of brands and quality visitors and the OIA is proud to be part of it. We are already planning and looking forward to next year. OTS will welcome even more key brands for 2019 - now is the time to pull together, to save carbon, time, money & resource, let's make OTS the central focus of the UK outdoor industry in 2019. As OutDoor moves to the new dates in Munich, OTS will follow on a week later, giving exhibitors time to move stands and samples from Europe and immediately follow up with presentations to their largest UK customers for second viewings and to show the independents what was at OutDoor. We will be introducing new areas for trail running and climbing, a bouldering wall, speakers, more events, more space, more opportunities."
Highlights from the show included the world-renowned British Army parachute team, the Red Devils, who delivered an incredible display and parachute jump on the first day of the show, the display of over 90 products at the UK Outdoor Industry Awards 2019 area and the OTS Party on the Wednesday, which welcomed over 250 exhibitors and visitors with music, food, drink and games for all.