The Fit Show team’s inaugural live online learning programme has been described as ‘a huge success’. The sessions took place earlier this week, on two of the dates that were previously scheduled for the show’s live return (Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 September). The Fit Show – a flagship UK exhibition for businesses within the glass and glazing sectors – is due to take place at Birmingham’s NEC from Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 May 2022, after being postponed from this September.
“We couldn’t have anticipated a better response to our online event this week,” said Nickie West, the Fit Show’s event director. “Hundreds of people registered and logged on for the sessions. Our conversion rate was over 60%, which is brilliant for an online event.”
To kick of the online learning programme on Monday 26 September, Paul Godwin, cofounder of the Fit Show, gave an informative introduction. Hundreds of people registered and logged on for this, and for the following sessions, which included a combination of live webinars and panels tackling industry issues, delivered by experts from across the fenestration industry.
Before the online learning programme went live, GGP’s editor spoke to Nickie, to discover the vision behind it. Watch the video below to discover what Nickie had to say.
At the Fit Show’s online learning programme in September, GGP’s editor, Charissa King, hosted a lunchtime session, offering advice about what makes good PR, offering her top tips for gaining press coverage with newsworthy content. Charissa also provided insight into her experience of the fenestration industry as a newcomer.
The Fit Show’s online programme covered topics including ‘tackling mental health in construction’, ‘the importance of performance ratings’ and ‘trends in outdoor living’. Technical webinars covered changes to building regulations.
Social media was a prominent content theme within the programme. David Glenwright, head of training for JC Media, delivered two sessions covering ‘LinkedIn for thought leaders’ and ‘how to create a visual brand presence on Instagram’. Installers were also given an insight into ‘how to work smarter, not harder’ and ‘avoiding the lost lead’ in two sessions fronted by Elton Boocock, managing director of Business Pilot, which offers an enhanced customer relationship management tool for glazing businesses.
Lively panel debates were hosted by Nichola Reeder, director of 12th Man Solutions – one of which saw four industry leaders discuss the growing skills gap and how to attract and retain new talent into the industry. The skills gap debate included Joanne Taylor, managing director of Fit for Trade; Tracey Jackson, business development manager for Howells Patent Glazing; Justin Ratcliffe, CEO of the Balustrade and Balcony Suppliers and Installers Association; and Joshua Thompson, director of Endeavour Windows and Home Improvements.
During the closing panel of the Fit Show’s online programme, four leaders shared their thoughts on smart home technology: GGP columnist Giovanni Laporta, founder of SmartReady; Nick Dutton, Brisant-Secure’s CEO; Jey Jeshingham, ERA Home Security’s senior technology executive; and Alan Burgess, director of Masterframe. The panel discussed how to better equip installers to sell the benefits of smart innovations to homeowners. According to the Fit Show team, this panel attracted much debate and engagement.
On the success of the programme, Nickie added: “The response from our community has been fantastic – from our speakers and panellists through to the trade media and all of our online attendees. By running this content online we have created a vital touchpoint in our campaign as we work towards our return to Fit Show next May.
“We’ve created brand awareness, dialogue with our audience and served our community in the process. It was a huge success, and I would like to thank everyone involved. We know that nothing beats the power of face-to-face interaction and bringing people together at live events, but we’ll be back to doing that at Fit Show 2022 next May!” For more information about the Fit Show, visit fitshow.co.uk.
