A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see AQUA as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors.

Show organiser Annie Foord said: "It's great to see so many newcomers booking stand space at this year's AQUA.

 “I’m also happy to report that the UK’s major exhibitors are again heading for Telford, and many companies have increased their stand space this year.

“Another pleasing aspect is the fact we will be welcoming more overseas companies as well. They obviously regard AQUA as their major platform to showcase products to UK buyers.

“It’s a really exciting time for AQUA and I can promise visitors it will be the biggest ever AQUA show.”

With all the stand space being snapped up months before the event, a record number of 82 companies will be exhibiting their products and services at Telford International Centre on October 14-15.

The new exhibitors include: All Pond Solutions, Aquatlantis, Bimex BV, Hamac, Koral Sea, Lovibond, Multifox, Nauticalia, New Techno, Nordic Reef, Norwood Aquarium, Noux, PondXpert, Sharnbrook Shrimps, and Simply Aquaria.

Norwood Aquarium Ltd is a newcomer to AQUA, and general manager Rob Street said: “We have been supporting the bricks-and-mortar aquatic trade for 50 years, and we have recently made significant investments in our infrastructure. We believe AQUA 2015 is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate these changes and show retailers why we believe we can offer them the best service in the trade.”

Philip Nicholl, sales director of Hamac Trading Company, commented: “Several of our customers have recommended the AQUA show and we are excited about exhibiting this year.”

All Pond Solutions Ltd supply aquatic products to hundreds of stores across the UK and Ireland and they’re looking forward to their first AQUA show. “It promises to be a great event,” said All Pond Solutions general manager Charlie Kenton-O’Neill. “It’s the ideal stage to launch our new product ranges.”

Aidan Wallace, of Nauticalia, said: “We’re new to the show and we’re really looking forward to it.”

One of the most popular features at AQUA is the New Product Showcase, and this year it has been given greater prominence with a new and bigger home.

Nearly 100 new products were showcased in 2013 when AQUA was last staged, and a higher number is expected this year. All the items will be entered into the New Product Awards, which will be judged by team of independent retailers on the opening morning of the show.

In recognition of the growing importance of the New Product Showcase and Awards, there will 10 different categories compared to five in 2013.

The categories that now make up the Showcase and Awards are:

• POS/Merchandising Idea
• Reptile Product
• Pond Construction/Decoration
• Pond Pump
• Pond Filter
• Pond Food, Care and Accessories
• Aquaria and Furniture
• Aquarium Equipment
• Aquarium Food, Care and Accessories
• Aquarium Decoration

As well as getting to see all the new products to be launched on to the market, visitors will be well looked-after during their stay. There are more catering facilities and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free deli bag lunch. Retailers and buyers will also be invited to join exhibitors at an AQUA dinner on the first evening of the exhibition. The dinner, which will also be free, has been moved to a larger room to accommodate nearly 700 people.

Visitors can also benefit from free parking next to the exhibition hall, and will be able to take full advantage of a new events village called Southwater Square, recently opened close to the centre with a new hotel, restaurants, and one of the UK’s largest town-centre parks.