In the face of declining industry profits and reduced marketing budgets, which have had an adverse effect on space bookings in many exhibition sectors, the auto1 and InterTyre management committee on Wednesday decided to postpone next year’s event.
This course of action was preferred by the committee, rather than producing a show which neither lived up to previous years’ exhibitions nor fully represented the scale of the industry.
Said Gavin Masterton, chairman of the organising committee, “Previous shows have been successful events at which substantial business was done but, without the full support of the industry, those forward thinking exhibitors, including many members of the Garage Equipment Association (Gea), who had committed to auto1 and InterTyre, will now be denied a great sales and marketing opportunity next year.”
Commenting on the decision, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said, “Unfortunately, in the current tough business climate many companies, particularly in the components sector, have been unable to commit the resources necessary to ensure that the shows would be of sufficient benefit to both visitors and exhibitors.
“This is extremely disappointing for all involved. However, we now have to look constructively at a number of possible futures for auto1 and InterTyre.”
