The CV Show 2014 will mark the last event to be supported by Crystal Communications and transport industry veteran Bob Sockl.
Sockl, who has been the friendly face behind what was the SMMT's Commercial Vehicle Bodywork Show since 1995 – moving it from the Stoneleigh ground to the NEC – is retiring from the event to focus on his transport publishing activities.
He presided over the merger of the then IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) Show, staged in Telford, the RHA's (Road Haulage Association) Tipcon event, in Harrogate, and the Commercial Vehicle Bodywork Show – opening the first CV Show at the NEC in 2000.
Adding the Aftermarket Show in 2006, to introduce what has since become Workshop, sealed what was already the industry's annual event for the UK, which peaked in 2008, before the economic crash, with 651 exhibitors taking 82,000 metres of space and hosting 28,500 visitors at the NEC.
The rest is history: restarting with the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show in 2010, the CV Show has since seen a resurgence that saw last year's event boasting 432 exhibitors, 47,000 metres and more than 18,000 visitors. And this year's will be far bigger again.
For the CV Show 2015, Robert Skelton, David Crawford and Susan Kitchener will continue to provide space sales, marketing and organisational services for The CV Show LLP (comprising the Show partners IRTE Services, RHA and SMMT).
"The partnership – IRTE, RHA and SMMT – remains right for the transport industry," comments Sockl. "Together, they have all the knowledge they need of what the industry needs and expects from this magnificent show."
All enquiries for the 2015 CV Show should still be directed to enquiries@cvshow.com