International Construction Exhibitions

Through its ‘Trade Show Access Programme’, UK Trade & Investment provides financial support to UK-based construction businesses seeking to exhibit at certain international construction trade shows. In order to find out more and which events are covered, see our article UK Government Support for Exhibiting Overseas.

As covered in our article, Exhibiting at Trade Shows, committing to an exhibition, whether in the home market or overseas, is likely to prove demanding on resources, finances and time. Exhibiting internationally requires additional planning for preparation of suitable literature, stand graphics, hiring of translators, etc. (see our index of translators with construction industry experience). Research into local cultures, working practices and traditions is also likely to be an important factor. In order to help with this research, a very useful, free of charge, guide has been published by Open to Export, entitled ‘Overseas Exhibition Checklist and Action Plan’. This week-by-week guide provides essential information for the exhibitor on the various considerations and actions necessary for any successful event. Further useful information appeared in Brian Todd's article in The Exhibitor magazine, entitled 'Four Steps to Foreign Exhibiting', which considers issues such as travelling, exhibition deadlines, and the impact of currency conversions and fluctuations on employing stand contractors, etc.

If considering exhibiting overseas, it is also worth remembering that the British Exporters Club offers its members a discount – equal to the full amount of commission (being anything between 5%- 20%) they would receive from an international exhibition organiser for any client delivered to them for their exhibition. For details, click here.