4 INDUSTRY NEWS


HOUSEBUILDER & DEVELOPER


Joint Publisher Anthony Parker


James Parker


FROM THE EDITOR


Did you attend Futurebuild at ExCel? The new ‘Ecobuild’ has a much more appropriately generic title (some might say the brand name change was long overdue), but what of the show itself, in the context of our troubled economic outlook?


After little fanfare about the renaming of what has arguably held the title as the industry’s key stand-alone trade show for several years, we attended and witnessed it continuing to attract big name suppliers, as well as keen visitors. The organisers called it the “evolution” of Ecobuild, rather than a major rebranding, and some exhibitors – this year at least – were continuing to call it by that name.


However, brand name aside, was what has undoubtedly evolved into a broad-based event enough to justify specifiers spending time out of their office, at this challenging pre-Brexit watershed moment?


Anecdotal evidence picked up from speaking to a few exhibitors gathered a fairly wide spectrum of views. One exclaimed that they had an “exceptional” day on their stand on day one, another was complaining of spending most of their time being “sold to” on their own stands, rather than taking advantage of selling opportunities!


ON THE COVER


Patrick Mooney on why the UK’s failure to deliver the housing numbers can’t be put on the back burner


03.19


HOUSEBUILDER & DEVELOPER


Brian Berry gives the lowdown on why the Government’s post- Brexit immigration strategy won’t work


Grosvenor and Hammond Estates team up to develop 5,000 homes in Chelmsford, Essex


The show had a clearly delineated set of ‘features’ and topical ‘exhibition hubs’, from Buildings to Energy, to Waste (in an attempt to provide that ‘niche’ content which played so well for Ecobuild in its early days).These showed the organisers are trying hard to give the industry what it wants.


All trade shows (both more niche and generalist) are facing big challenges going forward, against a tighter economic backdrop, and purses tighten. These days exhibitors have a range of ways they can measure the amount of people they see, but the optimism they will show in re-book without a clear return on the (often significant) investment they make at shows, cannot be limitless.


Facing tough pressures to deliver huge numbers of homes on time, housebuilders are not likely to go to events unless they can provide them with some genuinely compelling content, or access to contacts in the supply chain which they will struggle to meet in an easier format. If a trip to a show is not logistically difficult, the timing works, and they can talk to the people they need to, it’s likely they will come.


CALA HOMES’ VIEW OF HISTORY


We report on the launch of The Crescent at Donaldson’s, an 84-apartment luxury development by CALA Homes which overlooks a historic Edinburgh school


© CALA Homes go to page 22


WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK


As more and more business communication is relegated to email and even automated interactions, perhaps it is more essential than ever to remember the importance of face to face dealings, for simply understanding the person you are dealing with. Sometimes, trade shows can be invaluable opportunities to do this. Who knows whether in future, possibly tougher economic climates, they might become yet more crucial.


James Parker


Managing Editor James Parker


Assistant Editor Jack Wooler


Editorial Assistant Roseanne Field


Senior Sales Executives Sheehan Edmonds Nathan Hunt


Sales Executives Suzanne Easter Kim Friend


Studio Manager Mikey Pooley


Production Assistants Georgia Musson Kimberley Musson


Audience Development Manager Jane Spice


Managing Director Simon Reed


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