Record-breaking SPATEX delight
Andy Slater- 1 month ago
SPATEX organisers have announced record-breaking totals and declared their delight after an increase in attendance numbers across multiple categories for the 28th edition.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary at Coventry Building Society Arena, SPATEX delivered in this milestone year by drawing in a record number of visitors, with attendance figures almost 20 per cent up on 2023. Along with a record total of 115 exhibitors, all of the key category numbers were higher than the previous outing.
It had the most visitors, with 1,707 unique attendees, which in turn resulted in the highest ever seminar attendances with 597 visitors being provided with industry insights and professional tuition throughout the three days of SPATEX, which attracted the best ever international visitor numbers from 21 countries.
As SPATEX’s main provider of education and training, the ISPE Workshop Programme always dovetails with the exhibition’s showcase of products and services, and this year was no exception. A diverse number of topics made up the informative ISPE workshop programme in Arena 1 and, likewise, that of the Seminar Programme in Arena 2. The two seminar arenas recorded a total of 597 attendees.
For the second year running, the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) chose SPATEX to kick off its Swim to the Beat campaign. Raising valuable funds for the British Heart Foundation, swimmers were put through a series of aquatic exercises in a swim spa on the Sunbeach Spas stand.
SPATEX Organiser Michele Bridle was delighted that the exhibition’s aisles have never been so packed, and revealed that it was gratifying that many exhibitors remarked on the steady flow of visitors throughout the duration of the three-day showcase.
“There was so much to see, with the 115 exhibiting companies filling their stands with new innovations and products,” reported Michele; “You could even spot the odd celebrity, with Olympian Colin Jackson on the SpaFlo stand, and Gladiator’s towering Giant gracing the Passion Spas stand.
“I’d like to extend a big thank you to all our wonderful exhibitors and visitors in rewarding us with the best show to date. I am proud that those three SPATEX days in Coventry each year unite the industry and prepares it for the season ahead.
“This 28th edition really did have it all and has spurred the team into creating something even more special in 2025. Onwards and upwards!”
Certikin Marketing Manager Chris Green reported that SPATEX delivered exhibitor success for the wet leisure product powerhouse after interaction with trade visitors during the record-breaking exhibition.
“Certikin is a great believer in face-to-face business; no telephone call or email can replace the opportunity to see a new product in person and discuss its merits with a member of our technical team,” divulged Chris.
“For that reason alone, we regard SPATEX as one of the most important dates in the calendar. Once again, SPATEX delivered for us, with the 2024 show being bigger and better than ever before. A huge thank you to Michele and the team, we’re already looking forward to 2025!”
Joe Morgan from Hot Tubs Rock revealed: “I drove up the night before and stayed in my camper van, so I’d be fresh for the long day ahead. There was so much to see and do. I am glad I did!
“I loved seeing all the new products and meeting new suppliers, and SPATEX is the only place to see them all in one place in the UK. It’s a fantastic networking opportunity too.”
The traditional SPATEX networking party on the Wednesday evening of the show was well attended, with the free ‘very useful’ SPATEX baseball caps, handed out to all party attendees, proved highly popular. Winners of the funniest hat-wearing competition, offering great prizes, will be drawn in the summer. Pictures should be sent to Helen Mulingani in the SPATEX office via email at helen@spatex.co.uk and the funnier, the better!
“Quite simply – the best SPATEX ever!” declared Fairlocks exhibitor Paul Webb; “Well done Michele and your SPATEX team!”
SPATEX 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by the Coventry Building Society Arena from February 4 to 6. For more information contact: helen@spatex.co.uk or telephone: +44 (0) 1264 358558.
