As we hosted this year’s Gran Fondo, we were delighted to hear that established exhibitions on the Northern Ireland consumer and business ‘cycle’, including IFEX and the Belfast Telegraph Holiday World Show, who held their shows for the first-time at their new home in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, have reported a sharp increase in footfall this year.

The exhibitions not only reported growth in footfall but now plan repeat events here at the Titanic Exhibition Centre up until 2020!

IFEX and the Holiday Word Show join Penton Exhibitions Limited’s Wedding Journal and Self Build Ireland’s Love Your Home, which have both hosted secondary events following highly successful exhibitions in 2015, with more events planned at the venue until 2019.

Toby Wand, Managing Director of Fresh Montgomery, commented,

“This year’s IFEX has been a phenomenal success, with visitor numbers up by 24% and exhibitors reporting that serious business was done. Taking place for the first time at its new home – the Titanic Exhibition Centre – the venue played an important role in the success of the show, as we wanted to ensure that IFEX remained within the heart of Belfast. Both visitors and exhibitors commented on quality of the venue, and its location – in the vibrant Titanic Quarter – proved to be a real winner for all. We’re looking forward to returning to the Titanic Exhibition Centre for IFEX 2018.” 

Edmund Hourican, Managing Director of the Holiday World Show said,

“We were delighted with the public response to our 2016 show which recorded a healthy 7% increase in footfall.  Just as important, Titanic Exhibition Centre proved a real hit with our exhibitors, particularly those from overseas: they were genuinely excited to be working within a location which is both historically iconic and at the very heart of the ‘new’ Belfast.  2016 was a great experience for us all and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of Belfast Telegraph Holiday World with an even bigger presence in 2017.”

The Self Build and Improve Your Home Show, also reported an year-on-year increase in visitor numbers, with approximately 19,000 in attendance as well as 68% of exhibitors already booked for next year.

Tim Husbands MBE, Titanic Belfast’s Chief Executive, commented,

“We are delighted with the increase of numbers that these successful and firmly established exhibitions have experienced at Titanic Exhibition Centre across both the business to business and consumer sectors. With 23 shows already in the diary for 2016, including the Election Count, Gran Fondo, World Council of Credit Unions and 2016 Irish Open Snooker Tournament, there is no doubt that the 6,000 square metre venue is proving popular with event organisers as it provides space and flexibility for not only exhibitions, community and sporting events but large scale banquets for more than 3,000 visitors.”

Having already welcomed over 60,000 people in our first six months in operation, the Titanic Exhibition Centre has a number of local, national and international events in the pipeline. For more information on the latest shows, keep an eye on our What’s On section of the website or social media channels – www.facebook.com/TitanicExhibitionCentre or @TECBelfast!