Time for ‘coming of age’ SPATEX
Andy Slater- 8 years ago
Leading hot tub and swim spa brand specialists will be joined by their pool counterparts to help celebrate the ‘coming of age’ 21st anniversary edition of SPATEX at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Over 20 hot tub market companies have signed up to swell the ranks of exhibitors that will be showcasing their latest products and services in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall of the Ricoh Arena during SPATEX as part of a new mid-week schedule, from Tuesday, January 31, to Thursday, February 2.
As the clock ticks down to the special 21st outing of SPATEX and its fourth appearance in the West Midlands, organisers are hoping that the large contingent of hot tub and swim spa specialists in the list of over 100 exhibitors combined with their marketing and promotional activities for the ‘must-attend’ event will help to boost visitor numbers from the hot tub market and build on the success of previous editions in the West Midlands.
Staunch SPATEX supporter Certikin International will have the biggest stand presence with a trio of display areas, including Calorex and CertiDos stands, and the wet leisure product powerhouse has revealed that one of them will be showcasing the new-look Utopia Series Cantabria from the Caldera Spas hot tub range by iconic USA manufacturer Watkins Wellness.
Loyal SPATEX exhibitors Golden Coast, and Spa Crest Europe; with its Tuff Spas and Premium Leisure swim spas distributor status; are also continuing their long run of appearances at the exhibition after making the change of host locations from its previous Brighton home.
Additional leading hot tub market brands will be making consecutive appearances at SPATEX. These include Aqua Spa Supplies, part of the Aqua Warehouse Group that distributes L.A Spas and Vita Spa hot tubs and swim spas; Aquavia Spa, Coast Spas, Elite Spas, Passion Spas, and SCP UK.
Thriving British distributor Rob Carlin will be making his second appearance to promote the European production qualities of the Wellis range of hot tubs and swim spas and the Wellis-manufactured Superior Spas range that is making a big impact in the market with booming sales by pedigree dealerships.
Experienced hot tub and swim spa distributor Catalina Spas Ltd is also returning to the SPATEX exhibitor ranks after adopting the new name of Aqua Design & Leisure to ring fence wet leisure market activities.
Catalina Spas Ltd Managing Director Stephen Crabb, who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his family-run distribution outfit being associated with the USA hot tub and swim spa brand, is returning following a short break from exhibiting at SPATEX to also promote the Dream Maker Spas brand and the new group name of Aqua Design & Leisure to ring fence wet leisure market activities.
Award-winning Marquis and Vita Spa hot tub and swim spa retailer and 1 Stop Spas chief Chris Brady has booked in as an exhibitor and will be ramping up promotion of his new SpaTech Training during SPATEX to highlight that the scheme is helping to raise the professional bar within the British hot tub market as an APSP Approved Training Provider and in association with BISHTA.
These hot tub and swim spa specialists are among the long list of SPATEX 2017 exhibitors that includes: Allseas Spas & Wellness, Almost Heaven Saunas, Alpha Industries, Aqua Design & Leisure, Aqua Spa Supplies, Aqua Stone Pool Finishes, Aqua Via Spa, Aqua Water Systems Ltd, Aquafeat, Aquafinesse UK, Aquaflex Ltd, Aquamat Ltd, Aquatrac (UK) Ltd, Ardex Ltd, Astralpool UK Ltd, Biochemica UK, Bosta UK, Bowman, Brenntag, Brio Group, BSPF, Calorex, Castillo, CertiDos, Certikin, Coast Spas UK, Commercial & Specialised Diving Ltd, Complete Pool Controls, Cranbourne Stone, Darlly Europe, Design Tiles, Doughboy UK, Dryden Aqua, Eco Finish, Elite Spas, Etratron GB, Fairlocks Pool Products, Gaffey Technical Services, Gecko Alliance Group, GMT Spas International, Golden Coast, Haven Saunas, Heatstar Ltd, Herborner Pumpentechnik, Heypar Iberica, Hydrospares, Inbeca Wellness, Intopool Direct, IPS Flow Systems, ISPE, ITS Europe Ltd, Jetstream UK Ltd/Pool Supplies Ltd, Kuntze Instruments UK, L.A Spas, LaMotte Europe, Legionella Control Association, Lighthouse Pools, Lovibond Tintometer, Luxury Pools & Mosaics, Magnor Europe, Niveko, Nsure, Oase, O-Care, Ocea Automatic Pool Covers, Ockyz, On Site Pool Linings, Pacific Spas Benelux BV, Passion Spas, Plastica, Pollet Pool Group UK/Ireland, Pool Cover Manufacturer, Pool-Dek, Pooldesign, Poollock UK, Poolup, Procopi UK, PWTAG, RiveraPool Prefabricated Swimming Pools-Whirlpools, SCP UK, Sorodist, Spa Crest Europe, Spa Parts Vortex, SpaTech Training, Speck-Pumpen, STA, Stoneworld (Oxfordshire) Ltd, Sundolitt, Suntrap Systems, Superior Spas, Swim Safe B.V, Swimex Enclosures, The Mosaic Company, Tiling & Pool Projects (UK) Ltd, Total Pool Filtration Ltd, Unipools Group, Villeroy & Boch, Vita Spa, Water Management Society, Water Treatment Products, Waterco Europe, Waxman Ceramics, and Wellis.
“It’s a must-attend event for anyone involved in the hot tub business in whatever capacity and a fantastic opportunity to catch up on new technologies,” said SPATEX organiser Michele Bridle.
“Overflowing with all the leading brands from the UK and beyond, SPATEX 2017 is the place to be. Not just for swimming pools but for spas, swim spas and hot tubs too.
“This is the year that SPATEX comes of age as a proper spa exhibition in its own right. Headlining at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, SPATEX 2017 is celebrating its 21st anniversary and will feature well over a hundred big name manufacturers and suppliers.”
Special offers
As part of their participation in SPATEX 2017 a number of exhibitors have lined up special ‘show offers’ to tempt visitors to their stands.
Certikin on Stand D14 is allowing anyone who purchases a complete Roldeck system (including the new EasyCover) March 31, 2017, to enter a special prize draw with the opportunity to win the first prize of five-night stay for two in Cape Town, South Africa and a second prize of a European city break.
Almost Heaven Saunas on Stand H11 will be providing a free Harvia heater with every sauna order placed during SPATEX; while Aqua Design & Leisure on Stand F58 is providing a real flame Pyramid patio heater, worth £300, on all orders of spas and swim spas placed at SPATEX.
Brio Group on Stand F18 is offering 15 per cent off any courses/risk assessments/audits booked at SPATEX or within two weeks of the show; while Golden Coast Stand B32 and B18 is running a £50 prize draw for visitors who hand in their company business card on the stand.
Magnor Europe on Stand F14 is offering a special discount deal on orders for Magnor professional pool maintenance accessories placed before March 1, 2017; while Ockyz on Stand E2 is providing a special introductory offer of £180, which consists of 18 pairs of Sweakers, free shipment and all free POS material. Meanwhile, Poolup Concept on Stand F50 is providing a free Einhell heating gas with any purchase of a Poolup enclosure system.
Seminar schedule
As part of the bumper three-day Seminar programme organised in conjunction with the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE) in two dedicated Arena 1 and Arena 2 areas, there will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to either brush up on their wet leisure knowledge or receive guidance on how to increase profitability, as well as promote their company activities.
Along with talks by leading wet leisure industry expert, professional advice by Wasps Rugby Club Deputy Chairman Nick Eastwood is one of the many highlights of the seminar sessions. During the hour-and-a-half session on Tuesday, January 31, which is scheduled to run from 2pm to 3:30pm in Arena 2, Nick will be providing profitability guidance during his talk on ‘Increasing Your Profitability – Maximising Leisure Facilities and Building a Brand: The Wasps story’.
While Nick will be explaining how the Wasps have ramped up their revenue streams and highlighting ways that companies can enhance their brand presence in their respective markets, visitors to the first day of SPATEX can also rub shoulders with two of Wasps star players back row Guy Thompson and second row Matt Symons who will be making an appearance and providing the opportunity for autographs outside Arena 2 from 2pm to 3:30pm.
During the second day of the exhibition, at 11am on Wednesday, Certikin Commercial Manager Steve Nelson will be giving a seminar in Arena 2 on the trailblazing OC-1 filter media to increase awareness and enhance its presence in the market.
The ground breaking OC-1 filter media, launched in early 2016 and promoted at last year’s exhibition, is stealing a march on traditional filters. Certikin will be utilising its SPATEX presence this time round to showcase two new complimentary OC-1 filters for both the commercial and domestic markets.
SPATEX seminar organisers have also lined up a leading swimming ponds specialist to tackle misconceptions and ignorance in and outside the wet leisure industry.
Tim Evans, founder and current member of the British Association of Natural Swimming Ponds, has been invited to give an introduction to swimming ponds and natural swimming pools on Wednesday, February 1, during the second day of SPATEX.
As part of his talk Tim is hoping to shoot down some of the misconceptions surrounding the wet leisure industry. There will then be an opportunity to fire questions at Tim in a planned ‘Q and A Session’’ following the talk. It is scheduled for a 12.30pm start and is expected to run until 1:45pm in Arena 2.
Once again hot tub and swim spa dealers visiting SPATEX can gain an insight into how to boost their marketing strategies with professional guidance by Doric Marketing chief Dorian Davies during his seminar session on the second day of the exhibition.
Dorian will be providing promotional advice as part of his ‘How to put together a marketing strategy and why you need one in the first place’ during the half-hour session on Wednesday, February 1, which is scheduled to run from 2pm to 2.30pm in Arena 2,
The seminar and workshop schedule also includes the ‘Commercial Spa Operation’ on Tuesday, January 31, from 10.30am to 10.50am, in Arena 1; while the latest guidance on Legionnaires’ disease and cryptosporidium is on Wednesday, February 1, from 10.15am to 10.50am in Arena 1.
There will also be a ‘Health & Safety Update’ for hot tub and pool operators on Wednesday, from 2.45pm to 3.05pm, in Arena 1.
“SPATEX 2017 is much more than just a shop window on the latest products and innovations,” said Michele Bridle. “This year SPATEX will be playing host to a free double seminar and workshop programme that has a strong focus on spas and their operation.
“Education and training play an integral part in the show’s popularity and the SPATEX team has redoubled its energy in making 2017’s offering even more relevant and extensive.
“Using the invaluable services and expertise of the ISPE, SPATEX is offering a free double workshop and seminar programme on all three days of the show with CPD points for all attendees.
“Many of these are specifically geared towards those involved in the sale, maintenance or use of spas, hot tubs and hydrotherapy pools. Presentations and workshops vary from the current health and safety guidelines for spa and hydrotherapy pools to the latest guidance on commercial spa operation.”
Gala Dinner
As it did on the previous two occasions, the Arena will also be occupied with leading representatives from the wet leisure industry gathering for the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards industry Gala Dinner following the first night of SPATEX when the Eon Lounge will be hosting the presentation of the respective accolades as part of the joint 2017 BISHTA and SPATA Awards ceremony and the re-presentation of the ISPE Awards.
21st Party
After the second day of SPATEX 2017, there will also be an additional opportunity to socialise with members of the wet leisure trade during the exhibition’s special 21st Anniversary Party and Networking Reception.
“On Wednesday, February 1, at 5pm in the Ricoh Arena’s Clubhouse bar, after the exhibition closes, we are hosting a celebration of our 21 years service to the industry,” said Michele.
“We hope exhibitors and trade visitors will join us for free drinks, delicious food and music.”
Casino socialising
The Grosvenor G Casino Coventry at the Ricoh Arena is the largest casino in the UK and has been dubbed a ‘complete leisure experience’.
It is open 12pm to 6am daily and is a popular post-exhition socialising destination for SPATEX visitors who are staying overnight in the area during the three days of the 21st anniversary exhibition.
Free parking
Visitors to SPATEX will find that the Ricoh Arena has excellent access to the country’s motorway network and on arrival to the venue there are 2,000 on-site free parking spaces for those who are travelling by road.
Help desk
If visitors have a technical query and would like to be pointed in the right direction, they should call in at the SPATEX Welcome Desk at the entrance of the Ericsson Exhibition Hall and organisers will be happy to help.
Opening times
Visitor opening times for SPATEX 2017 in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall of the Ricoh Arena will be 9:30am to 5pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9:30am to 4pm on Thursday.
For further details contact the SPATEX team via email: helen@spatex.co.uk or michele@spatex.co.uk or telephone directly on: +44 (0) 1264 358558.
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