Strong showing at Brisbane pool, spa and outdoor consumer expo
The recent sold-out Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo at Brisbane showgrounds recorded one of their strongest shows in years with exhibitors reporting excellent results from the show.
Show organiser, Noel Gray of Australian Exhibitions and Events (AEE), says that while overall attendance was down slightly on last year’s record-breaking event, the crowd was solid over the two days with many visitors well prepared and ready to buy pools.
Spa companies reported consumers were less keen this year to sign up on the day, so had more follow-up to do after the event to convert the sales.
“This may reflect on the tightening of discretionary spending in the household as cost of living expenses continue to impact on household spending with consumers being more careful before committing to buy spas,” says Gray.
Enthusiastic exhibitors
Some exhibitors were enthusiastic, such as Lauren Ramsay of Esana Aquatics.
“The show has been incredible and we are more than happy. Our leads and enquiries have been sensational,” she said, adding that she will book the same stand next year”.
Another was Ronny Barth of Ideal Pools who said the show was excellent and based on his orders, was much better than last year.
“I honestly believe we will get 60 pools out of this show and last year we did 50 pools,” he said.
The show was a sellout with 96 exhibitors participating in the expo which was a record for the Brisbane event and reflected the strength of the expo and the Queensland marketplace.
A highlight of the event was the interactive Landscape Design Feature that was presented by award winning designer Alistair Hutton from Infinity Pools Builders and Everscapes with support from a host of industry sponsors that provided product for the area.
Rich door prize
The door prize at this year’s show was the highest ever offered with a complete pool installation of an Entertainer 5.5 Fibreglass Pool from Freedom Pools & Spas valued at $31,900 which was won by a delighted Chris Hammond of Aspley.
Other prizes were donated by Zodiac, Ecozen Pools and Landscapes, Argo Architects and Newport Consulting Engineers, Aqua Action Slides and Belouis Investment Group with a record breaking $48,877 of prizes on offer.
The seminar sessions were well attended and showed that consumers were doing their homework before they buy. The busiest sessions were on pool design by Argo Architects and Newport Consulting Engineers and landscaping by Everscapes. Other sessions that focussed on technology for maintaining pools and energy savings were also well attended. The industry networking drinks that were sponsored by United Media and held at the Jubilee Hotel straight after the show on the Saturday night also proved popular with many exhibitors catching up with colleagues.
The next Queensland consumer show will be held in late May 2019.
Contact: ngray@auexhibitions.com.au
