The Very Best of Best of Britain & Ireland

Quality, quality, quality was the overriding message to come from Best of Britain & Ireland 2012, the UK's premier travel trade event, that took place at NEC Birmingham on 14-15 March.

The largest single gathering of tourism professionals from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales so far this year, Best of Britain & Ireland 2012 proved to be an essential industry showcase offering exhibitors, visitors and hosted buyers from the international and domestic market unrivalled business opportunities.

With total attendance well in excess of 2,200, exhibitor numbers up 11% on 2011 and visitor numbers up by 5%, Best of Britain & Ireland 2012 ranks amongst as one of the most successful events in all of the last four years.

Feedback from this year's exhibitors has also been extremely encouraging, the vast majority of whom reported a marked rise in the quality of attending buyers as well as a real determination to do business. Testimony to the show's success was the fact that exhibitors were kept busy for the duration of exhibition with some 4,300 meetings arranged through the online meeting planner alone – an incredible average of over 15 per exhibitor!

The seminar programme also proved hugely popular amongst the visitors; with many sessions, most notably The Minster's Q&A event featuring the UK and Irish Tourism Ministers John Penrose MP and Leo Varadkar TD respectively attracting literally hundreds of participants.

Commenting on the success of the show Event Director Sam Warnock remarks: "Just one year into our initial three year plan to grow Best of Britain & Ireland for the long term benefit of the UK and Irish tourism industry and we are already beginning to see positive results. A large number of exhibitors are already planning their stands for next year, and in many cases, wishing to increase their presence. We could not have asked for a better platform from which to develop the show for the future."

With dates for Best of Britain & Ireland 2013 now confirmed for Wednesday March 13 and Thursday March 14, the official sales launch will be announced shortly after Easter. If in the meantime you are interested in exhibiting and would like to discuss stand options and availability then please don't hesitate to contact Best of Britain & Ireland Sales Manager Lenka Ilovicna at email: lenka@expom.co.uk or call her on tel: 01926 455 269.