I have just read some of the postings, NEIL - the show is not a trade show but a public show. Note the number of distributers/dealers exhibiting. The NEC as a venue is much better for the public, more central for most customers with excelent road rail and air links, and parking within the exhibition site. The NEC is less good for manufactures, who will try to strike deals with suppliers and Dealers. The corporate enetertainment infrastruture is no-where as well developed as London. The NEC is definately a public show, my suspicion is that if it were to leave the NEC, London would prove to be too expensive now. so Use it or Loose it!