Forthcoming UK exhibitions
September 1st 2003

Justifying the time spent at exhibitions is increasingly difficult. This November Weldex coincides with the team show, bringing together enough exhibitors under one roof to reward a well planned visit Exhibitions...IP&E has previewed many exhibitions in the last few years and always encourages readers to attend. Most of the exhibitions the magazine previews I attend and that has become a bit of a trial. As upbeat as one tries to be at these affairs the pervading air of gloom and the growing realisation that you have, once again, fallen for the hype that the organising company has pumped out usually leaves a sense of frustration and disappointment. In 2002 Penton Media organised what was once referred to as Manufacturing Week. Claiming that their intention was to make the exhibition a Hannover for the UK, I wonder how many other visitors felt let down when they attended. I vowed not to preview the exhibition in 2003 as I felt guilty that readers might waste time and money just to line an organising companys pockets that frankly didnt deserve it. However, team 2003 should present more of a worthwhile trip as it co-incides on a couple of its days with Weldex. team, (as you can see from the logo) runs from the 11th-13th November while Weldex runs from 11th-14th. Weldex Weldex 2003, the U.Ks largest International welding, joining, cutting and fabrication event is set to be an even bigger success than the 1999 event. Running from 11th 14th November at the NEC, the event, organised by Highbury-Nexus, is packed with U.K and international exhibitors. Fuelling the popularity of the show is the co-location with the Tooling show. A direct route from Weldex to Tooling promises to enhance the worth of the event to visitors, ensuring that they can easily find their way between the two exhibitions. Tooling is part of the team show that features six other dedicated manufacturing events: Contract Manufacturing; the Design Show; Inspex; Time Compression Technologies and Factory Services. The Computers in Manufacturing show is also being staged at the same time (11th-13th Nov). Sponsored by the Association of Welding Distributors (AWD), the British Automation & Robotics Association (BARA), the American Welding Society (AWS) and the British Association of Fastener Distributors (BAFD), Weldex 2003 will set the standard for welding innovations. Many big names in the industry will be exhibiting new technologies from orbital welding to plasma and laser cutting, in addition to a wide range of welding consumables. The show promises to have something for everyone, with a variety of new technologies on display and several specialist pavilions such as the Non-Destructive Testing, BARA and Health and Safety pavilions. The European pavilion has proved to be the most popular and many European companies, who normally find the logistics of exhibiting overseas too much of an obstacle, have already taken advantage of the special packages offered by the organisers and signed up to be part of this international event. The Weldex advertisement in this issue, gives details on how to pre-register for this important event. Free tickets are still available from Highbury-Nexus and can be obtained from Sandra Peskett, +44 (0) 1322 611435 In order to enhance its worth this year to the visitor the team exhibition includes seminar presentations and educational programmes. The subject matter covers the whole gamut of manufacturing from philosophy to energy saving. For more information about the educational programme and a list of exhibitors please see www.teamshow.co.uk IP&E and its sister journal HSM (Health and Safety Matters) will be exhibiting at the Weldex show so please feel free to pick up the latest editions of the magazine and register for free copies. To enquire about exhibiting at Weldex, please contact Karin Allfree or Isobel Roberts on: +44(0) 1322 660070 or fax on +44(0) 1322 616376 or by e-mail to: karin.allfree@nexusmedia.com or isobel.roberts@nexusmedia.com.