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It was just over a year ago that I announced the launch of Angling International LIVE and set in motion a plan that ultimately led to our first ever show in Budapest six months later.
When I made that announcement, I knew two things. The first was that Europe needed a trade show. Some people doubted even that. But how could a major centre of the global tackle trade not have an annual event for connecting businesses face-to-face?
The second was that we should not compete with EFTTEX, the long-established trade show for Europe. For those of you who do not know the full history of Angling International LIVE, we postponed our launch announcement a year ago until we knew for certain that EFTTEX would not be on the calendar for 2024.
But if a month can feel like a long time in business – just ask anyone dealing with the announcements on US trade tariffs in the past four weeks – then a year can change just about everything.
EFTTEX’s removal from the calendar was only temporary. Last year, we made good on our promise of delivering the European trade show that so many businesses needed. With their support, we entered 2025 planning a bigger and better show for June. But we did so in the knowledge that we would be competing with a returning EFTTEX, planned for September.
It was less than ideal. We had many satisfied exhibitors from 2024 who were re-booked and primed for a second event. We had delivered what the trade in Europe needed at a time when no one else was prepared to take the risk. But, as we continued with our plans, we also had the competitor we never wanted.
It meant that this year began with companies in Europe having a choice of two shows, Angling International LIVE in Bratislava in June and EFTTEX in Brussels in September.
Businesses, of course, detest uncertainty. Once again, you only need look at the disruptive nature of the tariff announcements from President Trump. The mere suggestion of extra duties was enough to cause companies around the world to panic.
There is a lot to be said for arriving at a sensible decision. Yes, being disruptive can be energising for businesses. And finding a creative solution to a challenging problem can be exciting too. But sometimes, it’s the most sensible decisions that create the best conditions for businesses to thrive.
So, that is what we have done this month. The organisers of Angling International LIVE and EFTTEX have settled on an agreement to merge the two shows in 2025. There will be one event at one time in one location, and I know from talking to our Angling International LIVE exhibitors – and to companies we have been meeting and calling in the past six months – that it is a sensible decision that will be warmly welcomed.
The organisers of the two shows have made some compromises. But what the agreement means for our businesses matters little when compared to what it means for the businesses of suppliers and buyers actively seeking opportunities in Europe.
The merged show will take place in Brussels between September 10th and 12th, and when exhibitors arrive in the Belgian capital it will be to meet with the highest number of buyers that anyone could possibly bring to an event in Europe in 2025.
We chose to come together in September to give businesses the most amount of time to make their arrangements. It also means that the joint promotions of Angling International LIVE and EFTTEX in the months between now and the show will generate interest amongst serious buyers across Europe and further afield.
There is work to be done between now and September, and plenty of it. But I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who contributed to the success of the Angling International LIVE show in September last year. In what was one of the toughest years for the trade that I can remember, businesses came together from 50 nations to make connections and improve the trading situation in Europe.
It was a difficult challenge for the organisers to make the show happen, so we really appreciate the support of all our exhibitors and visitors who were with us in Budapest. You also contributed to maintaining the continuity of tackle trade shows in Europe. Without your commitment last year, I am sure we would not be planning a new show this year. Everyone in the European tackle industry who believes in trade shows owes you a debt of gratitude.
The aim now is simple – to create a single event where more business connections are made than would ever be possible at two separate shows.
Donald Trump believes that in negotiations there must always be a winner and a loser. But how about an agreement where everybody wins? We think we have arrived at just such a sensible arrangement with the organisers of EFTTEX. Now it’s over to you.
