Following weeks of complex negotiations with the NEC, and as a direct reflection of the ever changing global impact of COVID-19,
The UK’s flagship event for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industries, The W Exhibition will return to the NEC from 26th-29th September 2021, occupying halls 18,19 and 20.
Organisers describe ‘leaving no stone unturned’ in their bid to reach a satisfactory new dateline for the event, with ‘the safety of its stakeholders, exhibitors and visitors’ at the forefront of negotiations with the NEC.
The W Exhibition MD, Nickie West said: “The current and short-term climate, combined with our complete determination to deliver the best possible exhibition, have created the critical path for us in negotiating a move for the event into, what we deem to be, a more assured and safer timeline next Autumn.
“We have explored numerous alternatives, including moving the show to later in 2020 and earlier in 2021. Due to the length of our tenancy, the complexities of our build requirements, the ever-changing global calendar of events and ongoing uncertainties in the UK, we have concluded that a September 2021 timeline offers a more secure prospect for both the future of the show and our stakeholders.”
The announcement follows months of global uncertainty. The W Exhibition in September 2021 will now fall after Hannover’s LIGNA in May, around which many industry brands plan their new product development cycles. After the September 2021 event, The W Exhibition will continue to follow a biennial frequency, returning to the NEC in 2023.
Nickie added: “We really have left no stone unturned in our efforts to secure the long-term health of our industry’s key platform, as well as each of our stakeholders. This includes close consultation with our partners at the WMSA, whose continued guidance and support is greatly appreciated.
“In many ways, the impact of recent world events has allowed us to reposition The W Exhibition to reflect the European market. Products launched at LIGNA will be showcased for the first time in the UK at The W Exhibition, rather than preceding the event, which will suit NPD cycles and create excitement for our visitors.”
“There are some really exciting changes which are being developed behind the scenes as we strive to return with our best showcase yet. The campaign for The W Exhibition 2021 will represent our biggest investment to-date which is why we have been so determined to move the event over to the right timeline to do all of this work justice. We want to deliver the best possible ROI for our exhibitors and visitors.
“We are looking forward to continuing our work with the industry and hope that they will share in our excitement as we look ahead to a show-stopping W Exhibition in September 2021.”
The W Exhibition has over 40 years of heritage, and continues to grow. It will return to the NEC for its biennial four-day showcase from September 26-29th, 2021. The show brings together some of the world’s leading suppliers of woodworking machinery, materials and tooling.
