Date switch for Southern

The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show has announced a change of dates for 2017, moving from its traditional early February timing to new dates in March.

Southern 2016 attracted record visitor numbers according to the show organiser ETES. It expects the move in dates to further increase visitor numbers in 2017.

The decision to reschedule to early spring comes in response to the UK’s increasingly unpredictable winter weather patterns which have over the last few years proved testing during early February.

The new timings for 2017 of 21-23 March move the event to a period of generally more benign weather conditions, making it less vulnerable to the extreme cold, floods or wind that have become a feature of the British winter.

The arrival of Storm Imogen this year coincided with the build-up for the show, forcing a delay in the build schedule. Show director Phil Valentine explained: “When faced with 60 to 70mph gusts, the safety of everyone onsite becomes an absolute priority.”

Commenting about the date change, Farnborough International (FIL) venue director Michael Watton added: “The unpredictable winter weather did add some additional challenges to the set-up of the show, but we worked closely with the organisers to ensure that build-up and show days went off with as little disruption as possible.”

In addition, the rescheduling of the event to March moves the show away from other sensitive timings in early February, including the half-term holidays and the unpopularity for many of being away from home on February the 14^th.

Mr Valentine commented: “Our exhibitors have greeted the news of the change of dates with universal approval, prompting record re-bookings for 2017. This year’s show attracted well over 8,600 visitors, which is itself a new record and vindicates our choice of the site over other Southern venues. With greater accessibility and local infrastructure near completion, we anticipate a further significant increase in visitor numbers for 2017”.

Southern Manufacturing www.industrysouth.co.uk