Almost 20 event industry leaders gathered today (12th July) to experience and celebrate one of Britain’s most successful major events - the Farnborough International Airshow 2016.

In attendance were representatives from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, VistBritain, the UK Events Industry Board, UK Trade & Industry, the Business Visits & Events Partnership, the Events Industry Alliance, VisitEngland, the International Live Events Association, London & Partners and MPI UK & Ireland Chapter.

Held at the venue since 1948, the Farnborough International Airshow takes place every two years and attracts up to 200,000 visitors over the five trade days and public weekend. In 2014, the show saw over $200 billion of aircraft and engine orders announced.

During the event, delegates were also briefed on the new state of the art Hall 1 facility which is due to open in 2018. The new purpose-built space will be flexible enough to cater for almost any kind of exhibition, conference, meeting, dinner or launch event thanks to 12,500sqm of exhibition space, 2,500 conference seats and fourteen multiple purpose-built function rooms. Alongside its existing facilities, including the permanent 3,000 sqm Hall 5, the new Hall 1 will make Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre the pre-eminent events venue in South East England.

The 2016 airshow will be the last ever event to utilise the current Hall 1 facility, one of several temporary structures that the entire event space can accommodate. As soon as the structures come down after the show closes, contractors will move in to begin work on the new permanent Hall 1 which is due for completion in 2018.

In attendance was James Heappey, MP for Wells and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, who commented; “It has been great to not only hear about one of Britain’s greatest event success stories but to experience it in all its glory. It is also very exciting to hear the plans for the future expansion of the show and additional events taking place on the site, with the development of the Hall 1 facility.”

Michael Watton, Venue Director added; “We have been delighted to host such an important group of event industry figures today, hearing their insights and different perspectives on the value of major events. We look forward to welcoming them back to the airshow in two years’ time when the build of our new venue is completed, boasting the first class facilities that will make us the premier event space in the South East.”