Countdown to Railtex 2011

Listen to this article

No business like show business

The countdown to Railtex 2011 is well underway and visitor registration is now open, with less than three months until the three-day show opens its doors at London’s Earls Court on 14th June. This will be the tenth Railtex and most readers will be familiar with a format that has established the show as a firm fixture in the industry’s calendar. Some 300 companies will be exhibiting, covering the entire range of equipment, products and services for both fixed railway assets and rolling stock. The latest list of exhibitors – available via the show’s website – includes many of the sector’s best known companies. Significantly, Railtex also provides a valuable shop window for smaller firms bringing innovation to the market, some of them exhibiting for the first time.

Strong support by suppliers’ organisations is a key feature of the event and this year’s Railtex is endorsed by both the Railway Industry Association and the Rail Alliance. Both will have a stand presence. The RIA, in partnership with the government’s trade promotion agency UKTI, is also organising a ‘meet the buyers’ programme during the show, bringing together UK suppliers and foreign buyers.

Listen and learn

The continuing development of Railtex by organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions has seen an increased focus on enhancing the benefits of a visit to the event by providing additional opportunities to keep abreast of market developments and trends. A highlight this year will be a programme of drop-in seminars hosted by the rail engineer. These will take place in the main exhibition hall and will be free to attend. With Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and Sir Roy McNulty, author of the Rail Value for Money Study, among those making presentations, the seminars are not to be missed.

Further insights into the development of our railway system are to be provided by Network Rail, with senior company managers giving briefings on current major projects. These are likely to include a progress report on Thameslink, the development of London Bridge, the processes to be adopted for the planned programme of electrification, the Birmingham New Street redevelopment and Reading’s capacity enhancement scheme. Also covered will be Network Rail’s new approach to supplier engagement. Again, these drop-in sessions will be open to all Railtex visitors.

Underlining its support for the event, Network Rail will also be present with a stand and company chairman Rick Haythornthwaite will formally open the show on 14th June.

Meeting place

Not overlooked either are those informal opportunities offered by Railtex for meeting industry colleagues. In particular, the ever popular networking reception – open to all exhibitors and visitors at the close of the show’s first day – will be an occasion to make new acquaintances and renew existing ones.

For pre-registered visitors, entry to Railtex and its associated seminars is free. The fastest way to register is by following the links on the show website. There is also a telephone hotline for pre-registration. This will avoid a fee of £15 to enter on the door and provides faster access to the exhibition. Check online for more details of all that is happening during the show, plus information on opening times and venue access.

Article courtesy of the rail engineer magazine.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...