Financial constraints among exhibitors arising from reduced marketing budgets in the U.K. and international automotive sectors have prompted the decision, according to ECI managing director Paul Farrant.
“This is not a decision that we wanted to make but after discussion with our key sponsor and leading exhibitors we have reluctantly decided to postpone Brityrex until October 2010,” he explained. “Despite initial healthy interest and many confirmed bookings from leading industry suppliers, the effect of the credit crunch on marketing budgets has taken its toll. Companies want to exhibit but the money just isn’t there at the moment. Our priority has been to reach the best decision in the interests of everyone who has supported the event and unfortunately, in the prevailing circumstances, that decision means a postponement into next year, when we anticipate a much improved trading environment,” said Farrant.
The NTDA, the principal sponsor of the exhibition, has supported the decision to postpone the 2009 event. Director Richard Edy stated, “Of course it’s disappointing news for our members. We know from the results of a recent survey that many of them were looking forward to attending the show and talking business with suppliers, but we understand and support the decision reached by ECI. Everyone wants Brityrex to be a true showcase for our industry and if that isn’t going to be possible this year we would prefer to look forward to better times next year.”
Peter Gaster, group managing director of exhibitor Kings Road Tyres and chairman of the NTDA, commented, “As a company, KRT was fully behind the show so it is unfortunate that this decision has had to be made. Having said that, I would much prefer to see a vibrant and representative exhibition fully supported by the industry, with appropriate budgetary investment. If that is best achieved by postponing until next year, I support that reasoning.
“The precedent has already been set with the cancellation of the Motor Show and the CV Show this year, which demonstrates the pressure on budgets in the sector. I’m very confident that Brityrex will be back again in 2010 and KRT will be there to support the event,” Gaster concluded.
The NTDA’s annual dinner and TAFF Awards, scheduled to run alongside Brityrex, will remain in Manchester, as planned. “The dinner and awards evening are a major industry attraction in their own right and will continue to work well for our members in Manchester,” said Edy. Other events and seminars scheduled by the association for Brityrex will still take place.
Leading exhibitors including Kings Road Tyres, Beissbarth, Hofmann Megaplan, Apaseal and Haweka amongst other have already confirmed their continuing support for Brityrex 2010. The rearranged 2010 show will take place October 2010 at Manchester Central, formerly known as G-Mex. The show will again be sponsored by the NTDA. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
