Gerry VaHely, managing director of Valle ly Engineering, is fed up
Page 54
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
with having to attend a myriad of commercial vehicle shows and argues for nr‘i=. big international event to be held at the NEC...
'One venue, one show, one week— a truly international event'
Ihave recently returned from the Institute of Waste Management's show in Torquay, Devon, an event which no doubt the organiser will have us believe was an outstanding success. But I wonder whether it was—and for whom?
Yet again the weather played its part in destroying the best laid plans. The show runs for three days and the day before is the main setting up day. It rained all day. The forecasters predicted rain on Tuesday and most of the would-be visitors stayed away. Wednesday was a much better day, but by 4pm the place was deserted (Scotland was playing Brazil in the World Cup) and it rained again. Thursday started wet and cold, but brightened up in the afternoon. However, many visitors had not bothered to turn up, having probably gone home the night before. Most IWM attendees had experienced inclement weather at Torbay at some point in the past and didn't need much persuading to stay away. Yes, the organiser could have prepared a
better SED-style trackway perhaps, or a quicker response with the mulch might have eased the quagmire, but is it seriously concerned? I fear not. Every year talks of moving come to nothing. And despite what is said, the Torquay residents are lukewarm to hosting this little annual intrusion. What is certain is that the other visitors to the centre of the English Riviera know they've picked the wrong week.
So what can be done? Firstly, there is too much self interest with the organiser; the IWM. But who can blame it? It's revenue it probably needs. I appeal to the truck manufacturers and the big players in this industry, especially those who attend IWM, Tipcon and Tankcon in Harrogate, the Institute of Road Transport Engineers' show in Telford and the numerous other industry get-togethers held here, there and everywhere, except where they should be. And that I firmly believe is at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The fragmentation must stop now; one show, one venue, one week—a truly
international event and one that we can all reach easily. Some of us could even get there and back in a day. The hotels near the NEC have car parks with courtesy buses and the staff know how to treat business guests. You can park your car, arrive by plane, train or chopper. Of course the NEC will charge the earth far every square inch and every lift and service, but it will be worth every penny because we'll all be there and everyone will want to attend.
We cannot enter the new millennium displaying our engineering skills and human ingenuity in such a fragmented way, carboot-like at the mercy of the elements. To the big boys of industry, use your influence, we will support you. If we set out our stall in the right place, well organised and well presented, we stand a fighting chance of competing with the rest of Europe.
• If you want to sound off about a rood transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) to Nay Clarke on 0181 652 8912.