The Farmers Mart Feb-Mar 2019 - Issue 61 | Page 41

EVENTS 41
• FEB/MAR 2019
PACKED NEW-LOOK LAMMA
SHOW “A GREAT SUCCESS”
LAMMA’S move to the NEC in
Birmingham has been hailed
as a great success by many of
the thousands of visitors who
thronged to the revamped event
and the 650-plus exhibitors who
packed the halls with the latest
farming machinery, equipment
and innovative technology.
The first all-indoor LAMMA
show, which took place on 8th
and 9th January, represented
a new era for the UK’s largest
farm machinery and technology
event.
The overriding message that
emerged during the show was
that the new indoor venue had
proved ideal for a national event
of this size and stature. It provided
a comfortable environment in
which to view and discuss the vast
array of agricultural kit on show
and to talk business, leading many
exhibitors to comment on the high
quality of conversations they had
with visitors.
The move also helped LAMMA
build on its reputation as a launch
pad for a host of machinery from
the UK and across the globe, with
many exhibitors using the new
venue to unveil new tractors, com-
bines, drills and cultivation equip-
ment, feeder wagons and forage
machinery, as well as a wide range
of innovative technology.
LAMMA also stayed true to its
roots, attracting not just large
machinery manufacturers but also
hundreds of smaller agricultural
engineering and machinery firms
hosting the widest range of inno-
vative and established agricultural
machinery and equipment under
one roof anywhere in the UK.
LAMMA’s commitment to
innovation was reinforced in the
Innovation Awards, which were
relaunched at the NEC. The com-
petition champions agricultural
machinery, equipment and servic-
es innovations, and an Innovation
Trail enabled visitors to find out
more about the gold and silver
medal-winning products show-
cased on exhibitors’ stands.
Other sectors including agron-
omy, business and farm manage-
ment advice also featured.
AgriBriefing group events di-
rector Elisabeth Mork-Eidem said:
“We are absolutely delighted with
the outcome of what has been a
busy and exciting year planning
for the show.
“We are thrilled with the incred-
ibly positive feedback both from
our exhibitors and visitors taking
part over the past two days.
“Together we pulled
together and provided
the show UK agricul-
ture deserves. Around
40,000 people attended
the event, and there
was a real sense of
excitement and buzz
throughout the 11
packed NEC halls.
“LAMMA would like to
sincerely thank all our
exhibitors and visitors
who took this important
move with us. UK agriculture final-
ly has a show to rival its European
counterparts and we cannot wait
to start working on next year’s
show to make that even bigger
and better.”
Jon Hercman of LAMMA head-
line sponsor Asset Finance Part-
ners (AFP) said: “AFP thoroughly
enjoyed headlining LAMMA 2019.
“It was great to see so many
people from the wider agriculture
industry under one roof and the
indoor format at the NEC created
a real positive energy which re-
flected in the discussions we were
having on our stand.
“It was a great start to what will
no doubt be another exciting year
in agriculture. AFP would like to
thank everyone who joined us at
our stand for a chat.”
The buoyant mood was reflect-
ed by a raft of tweets from visitors
and exhibitors (see @lammashow
and #lamma19), and summed
up by Essex farmer and NFU
vice-president Guy Smith (essex-
peasant) who wrote:
“Impressed @lammashow
today. Lots of kit and farmers. I
always felt when our industry lost
Smithfield and The Royal we lost
more than the events themselves.
It was good to witness what felt
like a statement of faith in the
future of UK ag at the NEC.”
Warwickshire farmer farmer-
angus1 backed up that sentiment
with: “Well done @lammashow
crying out for a venue like this for
years, cracking atmosphere and
felt a real buzz inside. No more
negativity in agriculture – the
future generation don’t need it.”
Lincs farmers James Willox3
added:” Got to say #LAMMA19
at the NEC was by far the best
LAMMA show I’ve been to. Hope it
continues and goes from strength
to strength.”
Yorkshire farmer Jono Dixon
(Sunkfarmer) said: “@lammashow
fresh in our minds and been a
huge success. #LAMMA19 in my
opinion was excellent.”
Fendt national sales manager
Martin Hamer said: “We have been
really, really busy. We firmly be-
lieve agriculture deserves a really
good shop window and we very
pleased to be at the NEC – it’s been
a really positive experience.”
McConnel’s Nicholas Hassell
described LAMMA ’19 as the best
show ever. “It has been absolutely
amazing – we couldn’t see the
stand carpet for visitors yester-
day. We’ll be looking to increase
our stand space next year.”
LAMMA ’19, supported by head-
line sponsor AFP, took place on
Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th
January.
www.lammashow.com