The InstallerSHOW has grown into one of the UK’s most dynamic multi-trade events, attracting the full supply chain of the construction industry. ‘The show is a multi-trade sector event that brings together the entire supply chain,’ explains David Ventris-Field, Event Director.
‘It builds on the community of the original show in 2015 – whether installer, distributor, or merchant. The plumbing and heating industry didn’t act in a silo, so we attracted kitchen fitters, bathroom fitters, electricians, and general builders.’
David emphasises that no trade operates in isolation. ‘In the built environment, there are so many overlaps with products. This puts us in a position to create a much larger event, which means investing in certain areas and attracting brands that would be interested,’ he says.
‘For flooring in particular, the focus is on specialist installers. While the event is multi-trade, we also need to present content that specialists want to see. We need bellwether exhibitors that a specialist would want as well as those overlapping into flooring.’
The show has come a long way since its early days. ‘When we launched in 2015, it was very plumbing and heating focused, a smaller venue in Telford, then Coventry – about 100 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors. This year, we have 900 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors. Pre-Covid in 2019, the show hadn’t grown much, but now it’s 10 times the size,’ David says.
Nineteen Group, which purchased the show in 2022, has invested heavily, allowing co-located events like the Paint & Decorating Show and Professional Woodworking Exhibition to run alongside.
Delivering value for installers
Success, for David, is defined by the experience of attendees. ‘Success looks like people enjoying the event, catering to communities attending, and providing a full experience. It’s about hitting targets for visitors and ensuring the right brands attend. We’re already 90% full on exhibitions. Simply put, it’s getting the right exhibitors and visitors.’
To ensure the show delivers tangible value for installers, feedback loops are crucial. ‘We constantly feedback to exhibitors about what they’re looking for. We work closely with brand ambassadors and installers to identify gaps. Visitors want a sense of community, and the InstallerSHOW brings that together. We aim to give them lots to see, a mixture of education, fun, and ideas to help grow their business.’
Previous years’ feedback has directly influenced the show’s evolution. ‘We conduct readership and visitor surveys, about 900 responses, which give a good overview. A striking example is kitchens – we were told we needed retailer representatives, so we now have them exhibiting. It’s about bringing together all trades – tilers, heating, gas – and representing both domestic and commercial sectors.’
Flooring highlights
For flooring contractors, the InstallerSHOW offers more than product displays. ‘We provide the chance to connect with the wider industry. While we’ll have big specialists in flooring, many brands will be represented. Beyond that, visitors can explore tools, workwear, digital tools, and network with peers. The average visitor dwell time is five hours and eleven minutes – there’s so much to see, a combination of fun and educational content,’ David says.
The industry has responded positively to the show’s approach. ‘Many sectors initially look at us and think it’s just plumbing and heating, which gives a healthy scepticism. But once they work with us, they see the level of ambition. 65% of last year’s audience were new visitors – it’s a chance for people to see what competitors are doing.’
Education, skills and industry standards
The show also addresses skills gaps and training needs. ‘We have lots of practical demos and competitions across flooring, HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration. Our futures initiative attracts students, colleges, and the next generation of installers. We act as a catalyst, bringing everyone together from a top-down approach,’ David explains.
Exhibitions are more important than ever, despite digital alternatives. ‘We encourage exhibitors not to be overly sales-driven. We host exhibitor days where visitors say what they want to see – no walls of jerseys trying to grab data. Exhibitors need to engage meaningfully with installers,’ he says.
The InstallerSHOW has also influenced industry practices. ‘It shines a light on standards and practices. When international visitors attend, it reflects the industry, showing what it’s truly about. People can judge it for themselves.’
Challenges and future growth
Running such a rapidly growing event comes with challenges. ‘Keeping up with our ambition is a major challenge. The event is bigger, with more moving parts, but that’s a nice challenge to have,’ David notes. Looking ahead, he expects continued growth across multi-sector areas.
‘We’d like to see growth in kitchens, general building, flooring, tiling, roofing. The critical mass provides more reasons for people to attend and connect with the right brands.’
Role and vision
David’s background in sales, events, and publishing informs his approach. ‘It breeds a real interest in what exhibitors want to gain from events. I ensure our team is focused on understanding more about what our audience wants, constantly adapting to deliver value,’ he says. With such an ambitious agenda, the InstallerSHOW is more than an exhibition – it’s a hub for learning, networking, and innovation across the construction and installation sectors. As David Ventris-Field puts it: ‘Don’t miss out because you’re dealing with preconceived ideas – there’s so much going on that you didn’t realise.’