Over the two days of the event nearly 2,000 visited the show - up five per cent on 2011 - previously itself a record year. There had been early indications that the ABTT Theatre Show's move to the Old Truman Brewery would encourage visitors this year, and the final statistics indicated the highest attendance ever, say the organizers.
Already buoyed by record pre-registrations (up 6% on the previous record level), the organisers were "delighted" with the visitor turnout. The show also fully sold out all exhibitor space. A number of visitors had travelled from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the USA as well as those from all parts of the UK and Europe.
Running alongside this year's Theatre Show, which included a wide range of exhibitors, was a programme of seminars and association meetings, combining to provide a unique visitor experience. But there were other benefits too. One exhibitor commented that many visitors arrived with large bags of shopping - obviously they had discovered the antique clothing emporiums in the 10-minute walk from Liverpool Street station to Brick Lane!
In response to the impact of the change in venue, Roger Fox, the Theatre Show's director said, "An overwhelming majority of visitors and exhibitors were very positive, with many exhibitors requesting the same space for 2013, even though neither the venue nor the exact dates have been confirmed yet."
He continued, "We are all delighted with the feedback from exhibitors. Obviously there are things to improve if we are here again next year, but they are relatively minor. We moved it and bettered it against the odds. Many of our exhibitors commented on the diversity and quality of customers, and visitors seemed pleased with range of new theatre-focused products and services on show. That's what the ABTT Theatre Show is all about."
(Jim Evans)
