[C]umbria’s longest-running trade show has been hailed a massive success, after welcoming well over 1,200 delegates through the doors during the two-day event.
The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show was established 43 years ago, and this year was run by the Lakes Hospitality Association in conjunction with Cumbria Tourism at the J36 Rural Auction Centre near Kendal on 7 and 8 March 2018.
Massive exhibitor demand ahead of the show lead to extra marquee space being added to the main exhibition hall, increasing the floor space by 30% and providing room for 120+ stands. Exhibitors spanned a wide range of hospitality businesses, including tourist attractions, food and drink suppliers and support services such as IT technology and catering equipment.
Special workshop sessions were a new addition for 2018, with the social media and marketing seminars provided by Cumbria Tourism proving particuarly popular. The workshops run by top hotelier Nigel Sandiford, formerly of The Dorchester and The Savoy, were also a big draw. There was even a wine tasting a session with TV wine expert Joe Wadsack, best known as Tom Kerridge’s co-presenter on the BBC’s flagship Food and Drink Show.
Director of the Lakes Hospitality Show, James Tasker, comments, “This was the biggest Lakes Hospitality Show ever, representing an amazing growth of 30% since last year. Plans for next year are already looking bigger and better, and the popularity of the event really underlines the strength and optimism across hospitality industry for the main holiday season ahead. So many visitors and exhibitors told me that this was THE hospitality show to attend in the area, and there’s no doubt the event has really become one of the key events of its kind in the north of England.”
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “There was a fantastic buzz across both days of the show. Talking to stall-holders, one of the key themes was people’s desire to constantly improve and provide the best possible visitor experience, whether that’s through top-notch catering equipment, better travel links, slicker marketing, and so on. I certainly saw lots of new connections and relationships being made, which is what it’s all about. We’re proud to have worked closely with the Lakes Hospitality Association to help make the event such a big success.”
