I am therefore delighted that the organisers of AVEX have grasped the proverbial nettle and made much needed changes to our premier industry showcase. Whilst I'd be the last to say that AVEX was dying a slow death it was certainly in need of a re-vamp.

The move to a different venue was also long overdue and I expect that being based at the NEC will mean a larger attendance. We are a truly national industry without any specific geographic basis. Venue facilities aside there is no reason why AVEX should be in any one specific location. Looking to the future perhaps AVEX should move around on a regular basis, much like the political parties and their annual conferences. This would ensure that specific groups or businesses are not unfairly penalised as well as keep the event fresh.

I'm also particularly pleased with the reduction in event length - from three to two days. I'm sure I'm not the only person who seems to get busier as each year passes (at least I hope not!). Three days out of the office these days is just too much to ask. I'd detected a noticeable lull on the third day at the past few exhibitions - I'm hoping that with two days that there will be a constant buzz on the show floor coupled with plenty of activity on every stand, but not too busy that we can't have proper conversations with each and every visitor.

The primary purpose of AVEX has to be as a showcase for manufacturers, ingredients suppliers and others to market themselves to the operators and a lesser degree major end users; but it must also act as a fertile ground upon which existing relationships can be strengthened and new ones developed and enable new ideas and approaches to be seen, understood and shared. As our industry continues to evolve, innovate and change so too should AVEX.

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