Global construction equipment manufacturer, Terex, welcomed industry professionals from across the globe to the West Midlands earlier this month, for its international distributor conference. The specialist machinery convention, which took place at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, saw international delegates meet together and discuss the latest market developments.

As well as attending presentations and breakout sessions to discuss opportunities and the company’s new plans to support the distributor network, delegates had the opportunity to trial the latest range of Terex equipment and find out about the Coventry facility’s development plans for 2014.

Following on from last year's success, the trade event for the content delivery industry is returning to the UK's premier location for shows and exhibitions, the NEC Birmingham.

With its central locality and unrivalled facilities the NEC is the ideal venue for the only show that concentrates on signal reception, distribution and network delivery.

As the UK's national timber event for the built environment, Timber Expo is now firmly established in the industry calendar. The event provides a platform for exhibitors from across the globe to showcase the latest innovations - however Timber Expo is now recognised as being more than just a ‘market stall' to promote products and services, it is also a platform for ‘thought leadership' and knowledge transfer.

But when other trade exhibitions are in decline, why is Timber Expo expanding year on year?

Record numbers attended the ISCEx2014, the annual exhibition and seminar event for the ISCE (Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers), which proved a big hit at its new venue in Birmingham City Centre on 4 & 5 March.

One exhibitor, Kevin Sherwood, vowed to return after successfully launching a new range of products. Kevin, 2N Product Manager/Field Sales Director of CIE Group, said: “ISCEx2014 was an excellent opportunity for CIE to launch the 2N Telecommunications portfolio of IP Audio streaming devices and IP Intercoms. As a supporting member of the ISCE, this was the perfect chance to show the new range to customers old and new and gather their ideas and comments on the relative new market of Audio over IP.

The countdown to one of the largest private services and hire shows in Europe is on, and with limited places available, businesses are being encouraged to register free of charge to secure their place.

The Speedy Integrated Services Show, which takes place on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th March at the International Centre in Telford, has been extended to two days, and more than 200 suppliers and partners will be showcasing the very latest product and service innovations on the market.

It matters not how good you are at selling a TV set – it will only be as good as the quality of signal you feed in. Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd (CAI) senior executive, Tim Jenks looks forward to the NEC show on 30th April that is all about feeding broadcast signal, video, audio and data to all the TVs in the home.

Last year saw the CAI make a radical move into hosting a show at the NEC Birmingham. The NEC is the UK’s premier exhibition site, reserved usually for huge players in global markets, so it was brave, smart or very silly. It turned out to be one of the best decisions ever made in the 36 year history of the confederation. There were no negative comments at all.

Surface Design Show, the home of innovative surfaces for architects and interior designers returns to the Business Design Centre, London between 4 and 6 February 2014.  The show kicks off with a themed Preview Evening hosted by architect and radio and television broadcaster Maxwell Hutchinson on Traditionalism, Modernism and the Vernacular.

The Structural Timber Association (STA) is engaging with UK housebuilders to encourage greater uptake of timber within construction.  As the UK housing market reports an upturn in activity, the STA is leading the charge in demonstrating how timber has the solution for immediate construction needs.

Through rolling out a series of factory and site tours with industry engagement, the STA aims to engage directly with house builders and increase understanding of the benefits of timber construction.  The Association has invited industry leaders to the factory tours at a number of member locations across the UK, which will support its industry in capitalising on the current upturn.

The second ProTimber Industry Summit took place at Timber Expo on the 24th September and saw a wide range of timber industry leaders focus discussions on the opportunities ahead for the timber sector in developing a clear and robust response to the UK Government's Construction Strategy 2025.

Organisers of Timber Expo today announced the 2013 exhibition was the most successful in the event's three year history.

Event Director, Loretta Sales said: "Moving Timber Expo to the NEC proved to be a sound decision, with a total 4,611 visitors attending the exhibition - a 9% increase on 2012! There was a real buzz around the event, with a definite increase in international visitors, some travelling as far afield as Bolivia, Nigeria and Malaysia. This is not purely a numbers game and attracting the right sort of visitor is crucial, so we are delighted to report an increase in architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors - many with live projects."