Record-Breaking InstallerSHOW ticks all the boxes

InstallerSHOW continues to break records as an unprecedented number of professionals from the installer and specifier communities flocked to the NEC from June 27-29 to engage with more than 450 exhibitors and take part in an unrivalled live content programme focused around the future of heat, water, air and energy.

Over the three days of the event, visitors took in more than two dozen product launches and were able to see first-hand the innovations that will drive the UK’s journey to Net Zero.

Live content
With more than 160 speakers across 10 live content areas, InstallerSHOW played host to experts offering a range of insights into the future direction of the industry and the road to Net Zero. The InstallerPLAZA saw Great Debates on topics including life on the frontline; the heat pump revolution; and the potential for hydrogen heating. Among the big names in the two elemental theatres, former housing minister Esther McVey joined a panel to assess the role of Government and industry as the UK transitions to a low-carbon housing stock.

The event’s keynote speaker, Manchester United legend Gary Neville, used his platform to advocate passionately for greater awareness and understanding of sustainability in the industry. Another former Premier League footballer, Paul Dickov, also shared his experience of working on projects with Manchester City’s Cityzens Giving campaign and Xylem, the club’s official water partner, to deliver safe water to communities in Asia.

Alongside returning attractions such as Installing The Future. NOW!, Net Zero By Design and the Installer Training Theatre, new additions for 2023 included the BMA Bathroom Zone, Solar Innovations Zone (sponsored by City Plumbing), The Future is Electric Zone, and the Heat Pump Ready Zone – each providing in-depth discussion within specific sectors.

InstallerMERIT
The fourth InstallerMERIT evening once again shone a light on some of the industry’s stars, who do incredible things for little or no personal gain. The three recipients this year were:

Tony Rees – while fighting his own battle with cancer, Tony saw first-hand how the disease can affect the lives of the people, the families and the friends of those going through it.

It is especially tough to see young children dealing with these circumstances, so Tony came up with an innovative and fun way to support them and raise funds. His Gaming Fun Bus has raised over £2,500 for the Royal Marsden Charity Centre and spread joy around the UK.

DEPHER – installers working on the tools every day will encounter vulnerable and disabled people who struggle to afford repairs and new installations when they have problems with their heating system. This has been taken a stage further with COVID and the cost-of-living crisis, which is pushing people to their absolute limits.

Heating engineer James Anderson decided to do something about it, and came up with DEPHER, a solution to provide heating and plumbing emergency support, gas, electricity and even food, to those who need it most. Since 2017, the organisation has helped over two million people in the United Kingdom, raising and donating millions of pounds in boilers, gas, electricity and food to vulnerable people.

Wayne Burgess – this heating engineer’s world was turned upside down when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Wayne put his business and life on hold to care for her as she battled and overcame the disease. Unfortunately, as soon as she got the all-clear, he himself was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

The industry came together to support him during this tough time, raising money, keeping his spirits up, and making themselves available to answer a phone call or message. Now he wants to give back and spread the power of positivity in the industry. InstallerMERIT recognised Wayne for spreading the power of positivity, but it also recognises all of those in the industry who donate their time, products and money to support people when they need it most.

Each of these causes will receive a donation of £1,000 to their fundraising or a charity of their choice. InstallerMERIT will also be donating £500 to each of four further initiatives that couldn’t be allowed to go unrecognised.

New products
InstallerSHOW 2023 saw the introduction of new products on a huge scale, with big name exhibitors choosing the event as a launchpad for their latest innovations – including the grand unveiling of the new Vaillant ecoTEC plus boiler, which drew a bumper crowd on the first day.

Awards ceremonies
The Heating Installer Awards took its customary place at the heart of proceedings on the second day. James Bowen of Integral Plumbing and Heating in Stafford took the title, with Liam Barry of Banbury-based Custom Renewables scooping the Most Sustainable Installer Award and Sophie Maguire recognised with the Rising Star award.

The RACHP National Competition Final was held live across the three days, with Adam Donges of Cosham Refrigeration and City of Portsmouth College crowned the winner.

There was another heavyweight name from the sporting world on hand as former world champion Frank Bruno MBE presented the prizes in the first LPB Plumbing Awards on the Lawton Tubes stand. Ian Briggs from IRB Heating carried off the Plumber’s Plumber of the Year title, with Octillion Training Academy winning the college award.

Paying tribute
The end of day two saw the InstallerPLAZA transformed. As part of Glow-worm’s celebration of the Best of British, legendary Oasis tribute band Definitely Mightbe took to the stage for a showstopping journey through the early hits of Manchester’s finest that had the huge crowd singing in the aisles.

InstallerSHOW 2024
Among the features already announced for 2024 is the launch of Installer Kitchens & Bathrooms – which will take place alongside InstallerSHOW. It will incorporate immersive, dedicated content for the kitchens and bathrooms industry – with the backing of organisations including the BMA, BiKBBI, NKBA, AMDEA UK and the Unified Water Label.

There will also be an increased focus on electrification and the synergy between technologies such as heat pumps, solar PV, energy storage and EV charging solutions.

Mike Costain, Managing Director of Lyrical Communications, said: “The appetite for InstallerSHOW from both exhibitors and visitors has allowed us to grow the event fourfold over the past two years, and we’d like to say a big thank you to them all for their commitment and enthusiasm. We won’t be resting on our laurels, and we have huge plans for next year’s event as we continue to support the industry in delivering the solutions needed to secure a stable future.”

InstallerSHOW 2024 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham from 25-27 June.