THE CLEANING SHOW 2023
Better than ever
Martin Wharmby looks back at one of the best – and busiest – Cleaning Shows the UK has ever seen.
In the weeks leading up to The Cleaning Show 2023, which took place 14-16 March 2023, there was a lot of uncertainty in the air regarding how the show would pan out.
It’s hard to deny that the Cleaning Show 2021 had been somewhat underwhelming, thanks to COVID entry restrictions and a reduction in attendance number. There were ominous signs on the horizon for 2023, as tube and rail worker strikes took place during two of the days, affecting access to the docklands location of ExCeL London. Teachers strikes also threw a spanner in the works, meaning many parents were not able to attend.
Yet despite all these dark clouds looming over the three day show, The Cleaning Show 2023 was an unprecedented success. Huge numbers of guests rolled into ExCeL’s Hall N1 from the moment the show floor opened at 10AM on 14 March, with the industry hungry to explore the showcase of the latest and greatest products and services, network with colleagues old and new, and do more business than ever before.
Shortly after the close of the show, the organisers Quartz and the British Cleaning Council (BCC) confirmed that over 6700 people attended across the three days of the Cleaning Show, and yet for those who attended, that number doesn’t do it justice. The crowds were constant until Thursday afternoon, with exhibitors constantly busy demonstrating new products, discussing projects and opportunities with everyone from suppliers and distributors to end users.
It wasn’t just the stands and stalls that were bustling: the extensive conference programme was also extremely busy, from the opening remarks by Nigel Mills MP through to the closing CSSA panel. The topics covered were diverse, from the progress of the industry’s push for recognition from Government to employment issues and youth education, to the latest hygiene innovations and the ways employers can recognise the victims of domestic abuse and provide help.
This was my third London Cleaning Show since I joined the industry in 2017, and by far the most productive and engaging – all of the Tomorrow’s Cleaning team was
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overwhelmed by the response to our Products and Services Guide and the volume of inquiries about our magazine. The sentiment was echoed by every exhibitor we had the chance to meet and chat with over the three days, who found the level of engagement to be higher than ever before.
The Cleaning Show 2023 truly defied convention – and strikes – to be an excellent showcase for the industry. With huge attendance numbers, a packed conference programme and a wide range of innovations on display, the next Cleaning Show in 2025 has a mountain to climb in order to top this year’s event.
Jim Melvin, Chairman of the BCC, said: “We are delighted with the success of this year's Cleaning Show. The show was very busy with lots of interaction throughout the three days, which is reflected in the strong attendance figures, and all this despite issues with train and tube strikes.
"There was a real feel-good factor throughout the event and a lot of positive sentiments from attendees. It was clear that industry colleagues were thrilled to spend time together and meet face to face after the difficulties of the past few years. Throughout the three days, the impression I had was that there were a lot of business discussions taking place, and this was enhanced by the conference programme which was also very popular.
"We at the BCC were extremely pleased with the interest from visitors to our stand in our campaign to lobby MPs to make cleaning and hygiene a national priority. We were able to speak to a huge number of attendees about the project and give them information.
"We'll be looking to build on this strong performance by this year's London Cleaning Show, when the show returns in Manchester in 2024.”
The Manchester Cleaning Show 2024 is set to take place from 13-14 March 2024 at Manchester Central. You can register your interest in that show here.
www.cleaningshow.co.uk (
www.cleaningshow.co.uk/manchester)
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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