Companies eager to show off their new products have revealed that the return of AQUA 2021 is a crucial moment in the aquatics and water gardening industry as the UK continues to unlock Covid-19 restrictions.
The biennial exhibition takes place at Telford International Centre on 13-14 October 2021 where manufacturers and suppliers get the chance to meet face-to-face with aquatic and garden centre retailers.
With more than four months still to go before the show, many of the industry’s leading companies have booked stand space, including Aqua One, Aquatic Now, Beaver Plants, D-D The Aquarium Solution, Evolution Aqua/Bermuda, Fish Science, Neil Hardy, NT Laboratories, OASE and Pond Xpert.
Mark Winter, managing director of Aqua One, said: “As far as the aquatic and water gardening industry is concerned, this is the event that everyone looks forward to every two years.”
Mark, who is also chairman of AQUA 2021, added: “It’s the perfect opportunity for retailers and suppliers to reunite after all the pains of the past year. If there was ever a time to freshen up your retail offering and get your business ready for the future, then make sure you visit AQUA 2021 in October.”
Another company excited by the prospect of meeting up with buyers is PM Aquatic Imports Ltd, whose Jeremy Gay said: “The AQUA show is the best place for aquatic companies to network and develop more business. After a successful first year, PM Aquatic is eagerly returning to AQUA this October, and this time with a bigger stand. It's an energised atmosphere where visitors come to place orders, and we'll gain new business this year for sure.”
It’s a similar story for Monkfield Nutrition. The company’s head of sales Jamie Blackstone commented: “AQUA 2021 is the perfect opportunity for Monkfield Nutrition to reconnect face to face with existing and potential new customers after a ‘lost year’ to the pandemic. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors onto our stand to meet the team and view the new additions to our brands.”
A strong international presence at the two-day exhibition will be represented by Aquadip, AquaLine and Moerings (The Netherlands), Aqualantis (Portugal), Prodibio (France), Eheim and JBL (Germany), Tropica Aquarium Plants (Denmark), Xtreme Aquatics Foods and Zoo Med (America).
Joey Abrahams, of Aquadip, summed up the significance of the show for international exhibitors. “This event is crucial for our business and is the ideal opportunity to meet current and new UK customers. It’s always a good show.”
Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in February how the UK would emerge from lockdown, including the resumption of indoor and outdoor events, preparations for AQUA have gathered pace.
Show organiser Annie Foord said: “I’m happy to report that the UK’s major companies are again heading for Telford and we will be welcoming an impressive number of international businesses, who regard AQUA as their major platform to showcase products to UK buyers.”
Details of the 2021 event can be found on the exhibition’s website www.aquatelford.co.uk, which includes the latest show news and how to register to visit.
To discover more reasons why AQUA has become a vital date in the water gardening and aquatics trade calendar, retailers and suppliers can view a special video of the 2019 event at https://vimeo.com/371139081.