JLS and Alexandra Burke headline Trade Only National Show

Buy photos » The JLS boys take time out to check out the Ricoh Arena. (s)

CHART-toppers JLS were joined by fellow X-Factor star Alexandra Burke as the a national trade show broke new records at the Ricoh Arena.

The seventh Trade Only National Show for promotional products and corporate clothing attracted more suppliers than ever with 345 exhibition stands and nearly 2,000 staff.

Almost 3,000 visitors came through the doors of the two-day show including guests from 52 countries.

And there was also a record attendance of 900 suppliers and distributors at the British Promotional Merchandise Association (bpma) Annual Awards Dinner which was organised by Trade Only in the E.ON Lounge at the venue.

“It was an incredible few days,” said Nigel Bailey, event director for Trade Only.

“The show just keeps growing and it is now one of the biggest and best promotional product trade shows in the world.

“One of the highlights was the bpma Annual Awards Dinner organised by Trade Only on the middle night of the show, with electrifying performances from Alexandra Burke and JLS and there was a live vote for Campaign of the Year, which was won by BTC Group.

“We are already hard at work planning to make next year’s event even better.”

Almost 150 delegates also attended the inaugural bpma Education Day, endorsed by the show, which included sessions by renowned promotional merchandise speaker Cliff Quicksell and a closing address by Paul Bellantone, President and CEO of Promotional Products Association International.

Chris Owen, Senior Event Manager at the Ricoh Arena, said organisers had used more space at the venue than ever before.

“Our central location and flexible facilities meant the exhibitors were able to make full use of our halls while the staging in the E.ON Lounge was perfect for JLS and Alexandra Burke to wow the audience.”

The eighth Trade Only National Show will again be held at the Ricoh on January 22 and 23, 2014.

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