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ATEI, together with sister exhibitions ICE and ICEi, has beaten off the challenges of mammoth international b2b events such as the 1,156-exhibitor IPEX print technology show and World Travel Market to be crowned Trade Show of the Year by the Association of Event Organisers (AEO).

Clarion ATE’s Chief Executive Peter Rusbridge, Head of Exhibitions Karen Cooke and Head of Marketing John Fenna collected the award at a prestigious gala lunch in front of 1,200 other exhibition industry professionals at Old Billingsgate in the heart of the City of London.

In their citation the AEO judging panel, which received both a written and live presentation, highlighted the passion, knowledge and dedication demonstrated by the Clarion ATE team.

Peter Rusbridge believes that the award is just recognition of the efforts made by so many people in the industry to make the 2007 exhibition a success: “We knew that we faced a massive challenge to adapt the exhibitions in a way that was relevant to all of the sectors we serve and provide all of our stakeholders with a platform for future growth,” he explained. “The fact that we achieved this by working with our exhibitors, the venue and our various contractors was a key factor in us winning what is the most prestigious award in the exhibition business.”

He added: “To give some context to the achievement, World Travel Market, for example, attracts in excess of 45,000 travel professionals, of which 3,000 are journalists; and IPEX had an attendance of 82,000 from 200-plus countries. It’s a great honour for the London Shows to sit at the head of the top table and everyone involved – exhibitors, visitors, contractors and the organising team – should feel justifiably proud.”

It was a productive day for Clarion Events, which also won the Best Consumer Launch Show Award for International Caravan and Motorhome, which on its debut attracted over 70,000 visitors to Birmingham’s NEC.