SOLEX 2025, which took place at the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday until Thursday, has been hailed as a great success, with exhibitors and visitors alike agreeing it had been a memorable show.
The hot weather brough crowds of visitors to see the latest products in the outdoor leisure and bbq sectors.
As SOLEX 2025 came to a close, LOFA Chairman, Steve Millington, reflected on another very successful event.
SOLEX 2025 was Steve's second show as LOFA Chairman as he is now halfway through his three year period at the helm of the organisation.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has attended SOLEX this year and the exhibitors which we've had more than 2024. It's been a great show, which I think has been helped by the weather this year and it appears the surplus stock from previous years has now all sold through. So that led us into SOLEX in a great position where buyers could come and look at all the new products and place their orders for 2026.
"As Tom Chambers we've picked up at least four new businesses who've placed container orders at the show which is very encouraging.
"I now hope the good weather continues for soe more great outdoor leisure in the garden.
"I'd like to thank everyone who attended our F1 event on Tuesday night which was a massive success. After last year’s inaugural Euro 2024 event with Dion Dublin, “Crofty” from Sky Sports was a brilliant presenter. Not only did he engage with people on the stage, but he was also quite comfortable with engaging with them off stage and spending the whole evening with us. Right through to the finale of the simulator challenge which he commentated on. It was just an absolute absolutely brilliant evening, something for us to build on for 2026.
"The dates for SOLEX 2025 are 7th to 9th July, back here in Hall 5 at the NEC. I look forward to seeing everyone back here then. Thank you."
LOFA's General Manager and SOLEX Event Director Gina Hinde revealed she has been overwhelmed with the response from exhibitors and visitors to the show. Find out what she had to say about this year’s event.
Gina said “We've had a really, really good show this year. I think the weather's helped a lot. It means we've had a beautiful spring and summer and the stands at SOLEX have all looked absolutely fabulous. There have been loads of new products, loads of new colours, textures, fabrics and barbecues, The exhibitors have all pulled out all the stops. There have been ten new exhibitors here that we haven't had before, which is amazing. And from what feedback I've heard it has been an absolutely brilliant show. Some people have even taken orders, some of the very big orders.
"We've had new visitors and different visitors as well. We've tried to make sure that we're appealing to a different genre of customers which has hopefully been reflected by the visitors that have come in this year.
"My highlight of SOLEX is getting to see all the LOFA members in one place, speaking to them all, making sure they're all okay. Making sure they’re having a good time. Getting to see everybody in one place and getting to talk to people that I wouldn't normally get to talk to, and then seeing all the visitors, that's what I like about the show."
