LIWF 2014: prices to drop over 20%

Stand prices for exhibitors at next year’s LIWF will drop by 20% to 25% in an attempt to “level the playing field”.

The price drops are part of a series of radical and wide-ranging changes to the LIWF that were announced this week by event director Ross Carter.

The drop in price is no doubt in response to complaints of late that the fair is more expensive than other big expositions such as ProWein.

Carter even admitted that, “costs have become a little prohibitive”.

It will be welcome news too for overseas exhibitors who, as well as having to cover the cost of the fair, also have to deal with the very high cost of food, travel and accommodation in London.

Lowering the cost is a more tangible and obvious means for Carter to bring “value” back to the LIWF.

The stands themselves (with the exception of the generics) will also be subject to size restrictions, none bigger than 100m², no double-decker stands and no overhead banners.

As a statement explained: “This will help to make the show a more level playing field and also remove the sense that stands have to be big and expensive to be eye-catching.”

It is thought that exhibitors will be able to save 50% to 60% of costs in previous years.