Q&A: Tom Moon

Demand for green energy solutions is at an all-time high and, as the UK’s largest renewables event, Solar & Storage Live is the industry’s destination exhibition. Having already launched a second event in London – and with just eight weeks to go until the flagship show at the NEC this September – event director Tom Moon talks exclusively to Smart Display about why the show is the industry’s essential platform for selling, networking and exchanging ideas.

Q: What’s the story behind Solar & Storage Live?

A: The show began in 2008 as a conference and gradually grew into an exhibition. The flagship event is the NEC, however there are 14 shows globally with more launches for 2025. The event has become a global concept, owned and organised by Terrapinn and an essential networking hub as well as a buying-and-selling marketplace.

Q: What prompted the launch of the London edition?

A: We felt that the market was ready for a second show. Everything is coming into play for the renewables sector at the moment; government targets, funding schemes and a general sense of combustion engine bad, green good. Attendance at the NEC is seeing phenomenal growth year-on-year, so we felt the demand was there for a second edition in spring in a different geographical location. The debut edition of the London show at the ExCeL saw over 8000 visitors attend, which is fantastic for a launch event.

Q: Does the London edition attract a different profile of exhibitor and visitor?

A: Yes and no. Some brands feel that they need that presence at both shows to maintain their marketplace share. Some reported multi-million pound deals at both events, so the reception to the introduction of a second show was very, very positive amongst exhibitors. With regards to the visitor demographic, there is a marked difference; the NEC edition attracts a lot of plumbers, electricians and installers who want to see and touch product on the stand, whereas the London edition saw a lot of financiers and developers coming along to see the latest innovations and developments.

Q: How has the flagship NEC edition of the show developed and progressed for 2024?

A: The floorspace has increased from 25,000 sq m to 45,000sq m and we have less than ten per cent left with two months still to go. Visitors will notice that we have expanded into five halls having only occupied one last year, and we are anticipating attendance figures of around 25,000 compared to 15,000 last year. Everyone wants to be greener, and this sector is constantly evolving and changing to deliver inspiring solutions across the board.

Q: How are you improving your own green credentials as an exhibition organiser?

A: Visitors to the last event will have noticed that we no longer have carpeting throughout the halls. Aesthetically, it’s not as nice, but it saves on two to three football fields’ worth of carpet that cannot be re-used and goes straight into landfill. This year we are also using repurposed pallets to create our seminar theatres, which will look very different. We are all about sustainability, so we have to follow the rules ourselves.

Q: Have exhibitors adopted a more sustainable approach to their stand builds?

A: In the last three to four years, we have certainly seen an increase in the amount of eco-friendly stands that are being stored and re-used. But there needs to be even more awareness of the implications of building a new stand year after year, and the benefits of opting for a sustainable stand that can re-used. In general, exhibitors are investing more time and thought into their exhibition stands, and the role that they play in presenting a brand presence. Even though exhibitors could potentially have split their budget in two to attend both the London and Birmingham editions, we have actually noticed more of an investment into better stands. These are stands that not only look good, but achieve more efficient management of foot traffic onto and around the stand – essential when a show is as well-attended as Solar & Storage Live.

Q: Are there any new features visitors should look out for at this year’s show?

A: We are hosting the European Solar Games at the NEC in September; a new aspect of the event which we think will create a real buzz around the event. Taking place on a big stage with loud speakers, teams will compete to install solar panels within the hour, encouraged by the crowd and judged by a panel of independent industry experts. The event is designed to highlight the safe and precise installation of solar panels, while also adding a bit of theatre to the UK’s biggest event for renewable energy and solar solutions. We also have the Meet the Installers zone where you can use the event app to book meetings with featured installers at this dedicated meeting zone as well as a VIP visitor ticket which gives you access to the full attendee list on the Event app, and access to a VIP Networking Lounge on the show floor to host meetings.

Solar & Storage Live returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 24-26 September, and the London ExCeL on 2-3 April. To register your interest for a stand click here, while visitors can pre-register here. If you want to discover how Smart Display can create a sustainable stand that’s full of impact and elevates your brand above the competition, get in touch today and ask to see our past designs #wemakeevents.