Offsite Expo Arrives In Style

In its launch year, Offsite Expo certainly exceeded expectations, with universal positive feedback from exhibitors, visitors and speakers. All agreed this was the offsite event that the construction industry has been waiting for.

Industry expert and acknowledged offsite champion Mark Farmer cut the ribbon to open Offsite Expo, welcoming construction professionals from across the UK and beyond to the official launch of the inaugural event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

This highly focused two-day exhibition featured 40 hours of CPD Accredited Masterclass Seminars, an International Offsite Summit and the Offsite Connect Buyers and Specifiers Forum. "It is really inspiring to see the world of offsite gathering to showcase the latest technology options and innovations within the sector," said Mark Farmer. "Offsite Expo's positioning, content and timing really reflects the mood within the construction sector and the buzz around the show was exceptional." 

The Offsite Expo exhibition was a total sell-out, with over 100 exhibitors promoting offsite systems, technologies and services but this of course, is only part of the equation. Offsite Expo was developed as a platform to network and create new business opportunities and at the heart of the event, the Offsite Connect Buyers and Specifiers Forum, which was open exclusively to exhibitors, was a hive of activity. With over 100 buyers and specifiers registering to participate including representatives from Mace, Willmott Dixon, Kier, Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try, NHS and Apex Airspace. 320 business meetings were scheduled with buyers and exhibitors via the online diary system and of those over 300 actual meetings took place and feedback from both the buyers and exhibitors has been tremendous.

Tom Fairlie from Walker Timber Group, endorsed this view saying: "Offsite Connect provided a fantastic opportunity for exhibitors to hold focused business meetings and discussions regarding the benefits of specifying timber frame technology and sustainable modern methods of construction."

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But Offsite Expo was not only about securing business opportunities – the conference and exhibition was developed to inform and inspire through knowledge exchange and opinion sharing. Getting to grips with the latest international offsite methods and smart digital technologies was high on the agenda – the Offsite Construction Summit provided a dynamic and interactive experience focusing on international offsite best practice. Knowledge share and transfer was the prime objective for the Summit and the stellar speaker line-up presented some incredible developments across the global offsite supply-chain. 

One of the curators of the event, leading offsite expert from Cogent Consulting, Darren Richards said: "The offsite arena is an exciting place to be. The levels of investment and confidence in the long-term viability of advanced offsite methods of construction, is greater than previously witnessed. The heightened interest in all things offsite was clearly demonstrated at the event. Facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting innovation in the sector, Offsite Expo has been extremely well received."

Over 80 speakers offered delegates the opportunity to hear from experts offering in-depth analysis and technical know-how in an extensive range of CPD Accredited Offsite Masterclasses. Presented by a host of UK pioneers in two dedicated custom-built offsite technology theatres, the Masterclasses focused on the latest innovations. "Demand was ramping up and our industry intelligence demonstrated a need for a dedicated offsite exhibition curated by sector experts that focused on cutting-edge content, complementing our Offsite Hub and Offsite Magazine platforms," said Julie Williams, Event Director for Offsite Expo. "The response has been truly astounding and already, just days after the event, we have 68 exhibitor bookings for 2020 – 53 re-bookings and 15 new companies looking to promote offsite technologies and services at our next Offsite Expo." *

The final word goes to Dan Soulsby, National Construction Account Manager Building Products, EGGER (UK) Ltd: "I'm sure you've had many comments like this, but I just wanted to say how good Offsite Expo was! We were well impressed (but not surprised) at the quality of the organisation, the content of seminars, the exhibitors and the attendees. We had some great discussions and met with some really key people and have lots to take away with us, plus all the information we gained from the seminars – most of which were standing room only!"

*Statistic correct as of 30 September 2019


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