Welcome to the first issue of the TSNN UK Newsletter. This e-magazine is going out to over 15,000 exhibition industry professionals in the UK, as well as another 60,000 around the world, and is intended to be a resource that will benefit everyone who reads it.

In every issue we are going to have news, views, features, interviews and just a little bit of gossip, a mix that should provide an informative and entertaining read for our subscribers.

I am very keen that the magazine will act as a forum for debate. To that end, please let me know if you think there are issues that we ought to be covering. Similarly, if there’s something you want to get off your chest, drop me a line and tell the industry what you think. It’s your magazine so make the most of it.

On a personal level, I’m delighted to be back in amongst it after a year’s sabbatical. I’m rather afraid that the industry has got under my skin somewhat and despite my best efforts I find that I need to become involved again in order to get my fix. A bit like a child at 4am on Christmas morning, I’m finding it all a bit too exciting.

But what an exciting time to be in the exhibition industry. The number of things going on and stories that we need to look at is as high as any time that I can remember.

The EIA is now up and running and, with EVA finally coming on board a couple of weeks ago, the whole industry seems to be, in theory at least, finally under the one umbrella organisation.

Needless to say, there are dissenting voices and it would be fair to say that in many cases these are the usual suspects.

In this issue, Trevor Foley tells us how things are going now that EVA has joined up and the final piece is in the jigsaw.

Trevor is joined in this first issue by Simon Burton who is looking forward to the third running of his Exhibiting Show. He talks about what’s going to be happening this year, including the potentially fascinating contractor conference, when the show rolls out at Excel at the end of June.

Speaking of Excel, plans are continuing apace for the implementation of Phase 2 which will see the venue increase its events space to 100,000 square metres.

It is unlikely, however, that London Book Fair will be taking up any of this new acreage in the future following its surprise move back to West London. The Reed show has taken a slot that had been eyed up by Frankfurt Book Fair, who were wanting to set up a rival show. Suddenly the German firm is out of the picture and LBF is to run at Earls Court in 2007. See the news section for more details.

As I said, it’s not only an exciting time, but also, as always, a hectic one for the industry. Enjoy the magazine and let me have your observations and comments, I look forward to hearing from you.

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