The industry response towards the first UK Venue Show, set to take place in February, has been “amazing", according to event organiser Tanya Cohen. Ocean Media Group will launch the new trade show at Olympia on 1-2 February 2012, to run alongside the Event Production Show.

Cohen has 22 years' experience in the industry, including launching Square Meal and the National Venue Show. She was also a previous event director of the Confex show, which takes place just one month after the UK Venue Show in its new home at London ExCeL. Cohen said: “So far it is going really well – the reaction from the industry has been amazing. People now have a choice of shows they can attend, and they are happy with the choice.”

In 2011 the Event Production Show welcomed more than 3,000 visitors, and for 2012 Cohen is expecting it to increase to up to 4,500 for both shows. She said: “If people are coming to the Event Production Show, they must need to find venues for their events!"

Cohen did, however, admit that with the current economic climate it was not the ideal time to bring out a new show: “The current market is difficult and we are coming in at a time when people haven’t budgeted for it, but we are seeing interest from companies that haven’t exhibited for years,” she added.

The UK Venue Show’s full speaker programme  is yet to be announced, but Take That production director Chris Vaughan, Live Nation COO Music John Probyn and Clive Little, director of events & programming at the Olympic Park Legacy Company, are already confirmed. The show has also issued a call for papers for further speaking opportunities.
Exhibitors already signed up for the UK Venue Show include Unique Venues of London, Royal College of Physicians, The Concept Centre and The Concerto Group.