Successful ExCeL debut for Infrarail and CITE 2016

With unprecedented levels of rail investment and the rise of national infrastructure up the political agenda, there was an upbeat mood at the Infrarail 2016 exhibition of railway infrastructure products and services and at CITE 2016, covering the civil infrastructure sector, which successfully took place together at ExCeL London in the capital’s Docklands from 12 to 14 April.

World pharma today/Press releases/-The total number of attendees at the combined event was 6,596 – virtually the same as the figure for the two shows in 2014, when Earls Court was the host venue. They comprised 5,293 visiting managers, engineers and industry professionals and 1,303 exhibitors’ personnel. Visitors came from 51 countries, underlining strong international interest in both Infrarail and CITE – and in the markets they serve.

Exhibitors totalled 242 overall, including those in the CITE hub, with 13 countries represented. The number of companies present was again similar to that for 2014 but the amount of exhibition space taken rose by around 12% to 3,370m². Exhibiting firms displayed a vast range of innovations and state-of-the-art technologies aimed at optimising the safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness of rail and civil infrastructure projects and operations.

In responses received by the show organisers to a questionnaire seeking views on Infrarail from companies that exhibited, 100% stated they achieved their objectives at the show and all said they had received positive business enquiries. There was a similar high level of positive feedback from CITE exhibitors.

High-profile keynote speeches
Infrarail and CITE were formally opened on 12 April by Claire Perry MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport. In a keynote address the minister highlighted the massive business and economic opportunities being created by rail investment in the UK, praised the efforts of the supply chain and urged the industry to use the increased strength of the domestic market to develop exports.

Claire Perry’s speech was one of three high-profile keynote addresses at Infrarail. Also speaking were Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chairman of Network Rail, and David Waboso CBE, Capital Programmes Director at London Underground. At CITE there were keynote speeches by Peter Antolik, Highways Director at the ORR, Sian Thomas, Deputy Head of Asset Management at Thames Tideway, and Victoria Hills, CEO of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.

Their presentations together with programmes of industry seminars, project updates discussion forums and the CITE Conference all played an important role in supporting the business carried out at the exhibition by giving everyone attending opportunities to learn more about policy, projects and technologies. They also contributed to the effective networking that was very evident at the two shows.

This was the eleventh successful Infrarail and the second time that CITE has been integrated with it. It was also the first time the event had been held at ExCeL London, though sister event Railtex took place there in 2007.

Exhibition Manager Kirsten Whitehouse said: “In terms of both visitor numbers and exhibitor support, this year’s combined event fully met our expectations. Any initial concerns about the move to ExCeL London turned into warm approval for the venue. There was also welcome positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors confirming that CITE was a very important part of the overall event.”

Companies booking early for Railtex
The mood of optimism in the industry that was evident at Infrarail and CITE provided a further boost for next year’s Railtex 2017 railway technology exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham from 9 to 11 May. There was steady flow of stand reservations for this event by exhibitors at ExCeL and companies wishing to exhibit are urged to contact the organisers soon to guarantee their choice of stand location.

Jim Hatherley, Project Manager, Rail Division at the Adey Steel Group said: “Following visits to both Railtex 2015 and Infrarail 2016 we have come to the conclusion that we cannot afford to not have a stand at Railtex 2017.”

For further press information on Infrarail 2016, CITE 2016 and Railtex 2017 contact:

Ken Harris
Tel: (+44) (0)1273 300 434 
Email: ken.harris@mackbrooks.co.uk

For general enquiries contact:

Kirsten Whitehouse, Natalie Parker or Emma Preston
Tel: (+44) (0)1727 814 400
Fax: (+44) (0)1727 814 401
Email: infrarail@mackbrooks.co.ukor cite@mackbrooks.co.uk