The Manchester Cleaning Show took place at Event City, Manchester, on 6th and 7th April – and attracted unprecedented press coverage and visitor numbers.
The Manchester Cleaning Show – the regional launch event based on its parent, the Cleaning Show in London – was open for business on 6 and 7 April…and was an instant hit with exhibitors and visitors alike.
Even before the doors had opened, exposure on BBC Breakfast had created considerable interest and a real buzz of excitement in the hall. The TV news programme’s business presenter, Steph McGovern, broadcast each of her business news ‘slots’ from the show floor between 6am and 9am on the first morning, riding on and using a variety of equipment provided by exhibitors. This was followed by two appearances on the BBC’s local North West news programme, and a couple of features on Radio 5 Live. Steve Diprose, managing director of Quartz Business Media – a 50% partner in BCCE Ltd, the organiser, a company jointly owned with the British Cleaning Council – said: “Having BBC Breakfast and BBC North West broadcasting was fantastic – add to that the articles in the Blackpool Gazette and Yorkshire Post, plus features on Radio 5 Live and the Steve Wright Show on Radio 2, and you have an incredible result. I do not know of any other B2B show that has received such media coverage.”
And this star-spangled start was a taste of things to come. From the moment the doors opened, the crowds flocked in. The total attendance figure has been confirmed at 2308 – a phenomenal result for a regional two-day show, particularly as this was its first outing.
Craig McKay, sales and marketing director at Karcher UK, said: “It’s been a fantastic show, attracting very high numbers of visitors to an excellent location. The venue is first class and has been part of the draw. As well as our prominent stand within the hall itself, we have also been able to demonstrate a number of larger ride-on machines in the outdoor area. The excellent coverage provided by the BBC Breakfast team was a real plus – both for the event and the industry as a whole. We’re very much looking forward to the London event next year.”
Simon Hollingbery, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this event. I am extremely impressed by the show itself, and the buzz in the venue throughout the two days has been evident for all to see.”
The popular Window Cleaning Competition was once again organised by the Federation of Window Cleaners and Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows, the world’s fastest window cleaner. Unger sponsored the competition and gave away 5 hampers to the fastest window cleaners over the two days (Terry was exempt from winning). Unfortunately, no records were broken this year, however Terry has confirmed he is already in training for the Cleaning Show in London next March.
Which leads on nicely to the next big event in the Cleaning Show series – The Cleaning Show in London next year – 14 to 16 March at ExCel. Make sure it’s in your diary now – judging by the success of the Manchester event, the main London show should be fantastic and there are plans to making Window Cleaning a major focus in 2017.
See you in London – www.cleaningshow.co.uk
