This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show has been cancelled. The Commercial Vehicle Partnership (comprising the SMMT, RHA and SOE), and the CV Show Committee, have chosen to axe the 2009 show rather than host it with reduced numbers, as the majority of leading commercial vehicle manufacturers have already pulled out.
The organisers said that despite the 290 exhibitors still keen to exhibit, it wasn’t enough to maintain the show’s reputation as a major international event.
Nigel Emms, CV Show committee chairman, said: “This is of course disappointing, but given the current economic climate and the uncertainty created, it is the only decision we could make. Naturally, the Partners are grateful for the NEC’s support for this decision. Future planning for the next show should be done against the backdrop of the outstanding 2008 event and not a compromise one for 2009.”
“We have obviously noted that just about every other show in this sector has been cancelled for 2009”, said RHA chief executive Roger King. “But the advanced status of ours did not permit us to cancel without careful consultation.
“This was a difficult decision but, on balance, the right one. What we learned from this exercise was that despite a generally negative response to 2009, there appears a much more positive approach to 2010 which encourages the Partnership to set plans in motion for a show in April of that year”.
Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive added: “2009 will be an extremely challenging year across the motor industry but this decision, while difficult, creates the opportunity to ensure the 2010 event best reflects the changing needs of the road transport industry.”
And Society of Operations Engineers chief executive Nick Jones said: “While the cost of cancellation may be considerable, all exhibitors will receive a full refund. We are confident that exhibitors will be ready to sign up when details are announced for the 2010 Show.”
