THE inaugural ACR Show has been voted a success, with exhibitors praising the sheer quality and buying-power of visitors.
The exhibition, which ended its three day run at the NEC yesterday, is the only national event dedicated to showcasing the latest air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump technology.

Many of the show's 30-plus seminars attracted capacity crowds, with a presentation by the UK's leading food retailers on their future plans overflowing into the aisles.

Following the success of the launch, the organisers have confirmed that the ACR Show will become a regular biennial event in the industry's calendar, with the next event returning to the NEC in 2014.

Many exhibitors were quick to praise the quality of the visitors, the number of orders received and high level of enquiries.

'It has been an excellent show,' commented Andy Harvey of Advanced Engineering. 'We have seen a lot of contractors compared to similar shows in previous years, which is obviously good given our focus. The stand has been extremely busy.'

Andy also emphasised the importance of the event: 'On an industry level, I am pleased that the show has been a success as it is a great showcase for the UK trade as a whole. We need it'

Paul Langford of commercial refrigeration equipment supplier AHT was even more effusive: 'It is one of the best refrigeration shows I have ever exhibited at,' he said. 'We used the show as a technology showcase and the level of interest and quality of visitors has been excellent. We have seen some very high level people from major end users, particularly the big supermarkets. Being at the show has enabled us to clinch some major purchasing deals. Our competitors missed a trick - and I think they will regret not being here. You can have the best brochure in the world, but you can't beat being able to touch and see products first hand.'

Oliver Lawton, md of Lawton Tubes was equally enthusiastic: 'It is the first time we have exhibited - and the show has been fantastic for us. We have met and spoken to some extremely senior people. Our new launch, an aluminium/copper tube, has created huge interest and it has been virtually non-stop on our stand. We will be back'

Mark Henderson of major wholesaler FSW admitted to reservations before the event but said 'The response has been quite amazing. We are ecstatic with what the show has delivered, from day one. We were a little nervous to begin with, but any doubts were quickly dispelled by the numbers and quality of visitors to our stand. We have had the major end users and the big contractors. We had to draft in reinforcements to cope with the level of interest on our stand. The show has been tremendous success for us.'

The major air conditioning manufacturers were also impressed. Panasonic's Paul Taylor said: 'We have had a great show. Our stand has been busy throughout and generated a lot of interest. Even on the first day, which is traditionally the slower day, we were busy for much of the day on our stand. Overall, we are delighted with what the show has delivered - the quality of the visitors has been excellent.'

Many exhibitors, like Charlie Wijnveen of Blygold reported confirmed business at the show. Blygold signed an order for the refurbishment of nine chillers at a location in London. 'The potential customers came and visited the show on the Tuesday,' said Wijnveen. We discussed it and did the deal on the Thursday. Fantastic, and directly as a result of being at the show. We have found a very high level of visitor - serious people and serious buyers. We have already booked for the next show,' he added.

Business Edge also reported sales on the stand. 'We sold an oil reclamation machine on the stand and secured a deal for multiple ClimaChecks on the strength of being here,' said md Mike Creamer. 'It has been an unbelievable show for us. The interest in our stand has been phenomenal - it has been so busy I haven't been able to get off.'

Others reported a high level of future sales as a result of exhibiting. KR Associates, who offer 3D laser scanners to create a 2D plan of premises landed orders for scanning properties in the Caribbean as a result of being at the show.

'We have also been visited by representatives of the major supermarkets who are interested in the potential,' said KR's Rhys Scrivener. 'Exhibiting at the show has opened massive new doors for us that we couldn't otherwise have gained access to.'

Steve Davies of Javac also emphasised the high quality of visitors: 'We have had very senior people on our stand, at the highest level - from the top companies in the industry. It has been great for us. On the strength of it, we have booked again for the next show - and with a bigger stand.'

This was echoed by Kevin Broughton of Box Clever Engineering who reported some excellent enquiries. 'The quality of visitors has been extremely high,' he said. 'Exhibiting has hugely increased the profile of the company.'

Others praised the shows focus. 'It is a relatively small show compared to other ones we exhibit at, but it is very focused and produced really high quality,' said Joanne Taylor. 'It has been a very good quality show for us. We have had serious buyers and lots of interest. We will definitely be back, and in fact have already rebooked for the 2014 show.'

Kristof Van de Sompel of Mastercool Europe also confirmed that his company would be returning. 'It has been a great show for us with extremely high quality visitors,' he reported. 'We have met new potential distributors here - they are completely new people we would not otherwise have been able to connect with. We have already booked to exhibit at the next show.'

'The show has been very good. We have seen high quality prospects which could lead to substantial new business for the company,' said Howard Davis of Frascold. 'It has helped raise our profile and re-confirm the Frascold brand in the market. There is a lot to follow up as a result of the show. And we will be back.'

'The show has a good balance between refrigeration and air conditioning, which wasn't always true in the past,' reflected Ashley Cobb of Heronhill adding: 'Considering it is a launch, the ACR team has done a great job - and created something they and the industry can build on for the future.'