Europe’s biggest accountancy event welcomed its largest ever audience, with an 18% increase for 2019
Accountex – Europe’s #1 conference and expo for the accounting and finance industry – has reported a record-busting 9,063 attendees flocked to its 2019 event, which took place at London ExCeL on 1-2 May. It’s a massive 18% increase on the previous year, reinforcing the show’s position as the annual meeting point for the accounting and finance world.
“This is only the third year that Accountex has been part of the Diversified Communications portfolio, and so far we have seen the show grow and grow – but this year surpassed all expectations,” says event director Zoe Lacey-Cooper.
The unprecedented number of accounting professionals who thronged to the capital for the two day industry showcase came together to enjoy unrivalled access to over 230 exhibitors, ranging from software suppliers to cashflow forecasters, and take advantage of the expansive content programme, featuring more than 200 expert-led, CPD-accredited seminars, Keynotes and panel discussion in 12 theatres.
Ms Lacey-Cooper continues: “The bustling aisles and energetic mood of the exhibition hall didn’t subside once, from the minute the doors opened on Wednesday morning to welcome a flood of visitors, until the reluctant exit of thousands of attendees when the show closed on Thursday afternoon. The scorching success of the event is a true testament to the passion and enthusiasm of this thriving industry and the individuals in it… and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”
“A must-see event” – visitors describe Accountex 2019
Glowing testimonials have been coming in thick and fast from across the show floor. Fantastic, informative, insightful, lively, buzzing, well-organised, motivating, must-see, an amazing opportunity, and exceeded all expectations, were just some of the phrases that visitors used to describe this year’s stand-out show.
“Accountex 2019 was a whirlwind of an event. It really was the best way to get to grips with the trends happening in the accounting industry and to network with software providers and fellow accounting firms – all with the joint aim of improving our services for clients! A fantastic experience,” says Sasha Hoey, national marketing & business development executive at UHY Hacker Young.
“Accountex provides the impetus, inspiration and fresh ingenuity to continue to drive forward the business year after year,” says Douglas Quinton, director of Quinton.
“A great way to take the pulse of the accounting world,” says Emilio Reyes, finance manager of Mercy Ships UK.
“A must-see event for any serious accountant wishing to keep abreast of developments in a world of continual change,” says Stephen Quay, senior partner at Stephen Quay Accountancy.
“This was the ultimate event for anything and everything to do with accounting and taxation. I was going to attend for an hour or two but ended up going on both days. Would have returned for a third,” says Phoenix Debola, accountant at Phoenix Debola Accountancy Practice.
The industry’s favourite show
Visitors weren’t the only ones wowed by the show. Exhibitors at Accountex 2019 were also quick to praise the quantity and quality of the interactions and new business leads at the event. The huge crowds offered unequaled networking opportunities – almost half of visitors to the show were first-time Accountex attendees and their numbers included representatives from top UK accounting firms, big brands, government departments, big name bookkeepers and leading tax bodies.
Reflecting their positive experience, nearly 65% of exhibitors have already rebooked stands for 2020, with big names such as Xero, Sage, Intuit QuickBooks, TaxCalc, Futrli, Receipt Bank, FreeAgent, Silverfin, Thomson Reuters and Wolters Kluwer among them.
“I’ve travelled the world exhibiting at accounting conferences and Accountex London is one of the best I’ve seen. A balance of quality attendees and great content has made Accountex a staple in our event marketing calendar,” says Trent McLaren, head of accounting at Practice Ignition.
“This was the first year Funding Circle has attended the show. The conference was packed throughout the two days and we hope to follow up on some great opportunities,” says Craig Jackson, regional partnerships manager at Funding Circle.
Illustrating Accountex’s strong industry backing, all the major accounting bodies and associations were in attendance for this year’s record-breaking show, including ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, HMRC, CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, IFA – Institute of Financial Accountants, AIA – The Association of International Accountants, ICB – The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers, ICPA – Institute of Certified Practice Accountants, and many more.
“Without doubt this was the best Accountex yet! Our ACCA theatre focused on two key areas this year – tech and talent – and whilst we’d almost doubled our seating capacity, we were delighted that yet again it was standing room only,” says Jason Hinkle, head of member engagement for Europe & Americas at ACCA.
He continues: “We had hundreds of fantastic conversations with ACCA members, students, businesses and partners across both days. We’re already looking forward to Accountex North later this year and thinking about how we have even more impact at Accountex next year. It’s now firmly one of the main events in our calendar and the whole team are excited to work on it!”
Highlights from 2019
Pioneering new accounting trends, thought-provoking seminars and transformative innovations were all on the cards at this year’s Accountex. One fifth of visitors dedicated more than one day to the show, reflecting the caliber of the content on offer, from the exhibitor offerings on the show floor to the inspirational sessions packing out the theatres.
The show’s exceptional lineup of expert speakers continues to be a huge draw year after year – and 2019 was no different. Crowds spilled out into the aisles as attendees streamed to major Keynote sessions from industry leaders including Theresa Middleton (HMRC), Jennifer Warawa (Sage), Caroline Miskin (ICAEW), Nick Williams (Intuit QuickBooks), Steve Cox (IRIS Software), Mark Purdue (Thomson Reuters), Ed Molyneux (FreeAgent), Richard Asquith (Avalara), Neil Robertson (Compleat Software), Alex Falcon Huerta (Soaring Falcon Accountancy), Andrew Van De Beek (Illumin8), and Alastair Barlow (flinder).
“Every seminar I attended gave me new insights into how the accountancy and finance profession is evolving and how I can grow professionally with these developments,” says Lola de-Lima, director of LCA Book-Keeping Services.
“If you can’t find time to be at the Accountex, you will never discover how much you are missing. No other conference will give you free access to such a variety of exhibitors, speakers and possibility of networking with people in the same industry whose sole aim is to share their best practice. Accountex is a place where you can recharge and reinvigorate yourself and your business in just two days,” says Lizzie Wojtkowska-Wright, business partner at Clarity First.
“Topping this year’s phenomenal show will be tough, but I’m confident we’re up to the challenge,” says Ms Lacey-Cooper. “We’re already discussing lots of ideas about how we can make Accountex 2020 measure up to and surpass this year’s event. The level of industry support is inspiring – there’s so much energy and excitement that we’re counting down the months until we can do it all again and take things to the next level.”
Save the date Accountex 2020 & Accountex Summit North
Accountex will return to London ExCeL on 13-14 May 2020. For further information, please visit www.accountex.co.uk/london.
Accountex Summit North is a free-to-attend, one day conference that will take place on 10 September 2019 at Manchester Central. To register your interest in attending, please visit www.accountex.co.uk/summitnorth and use priority code ASN104.
###
Media enquiries:
Grace Donnelly, PR Executive
t: +44 (0)1273 916523
e: [email protected]
Emma-Louise Jones, Head of PR
t: +44 (0)1273 645134
e: [email protected]
Website: www.divcom.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
Jenni Sandells, Marketing Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645161
e: [email protected]
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Accountex
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Accountex
Sales and sponsorship enquiries:
David Maguire, Group Event Director
t: +44 (0)1273 645127
e: [email protected]
Rachel Gregory, Sales Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645145
e: [email protected]
Notes:
Logo: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/03/NEW-Accountex2019_BLACK_bright_blue-2.png
Diversified Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast-growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton, Peterborough, Nailsworth, and London. Diversified UK’s portfolio includes Accountex; Accountex Summit North; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; Digital Construction Week; British Tourism & Travel Show; Casual Dining; lunch!; Commercial Kitchen; Natural & Organic Products Europe; Nordic Organic Food Fair & Natural Products Scandinavia in Malmö, Sweden; Organic Food Iberia & Eco Living Iberia in Madrid, Spain; GEO Business; Ocean Business; MARELEC Marine Electromagnetics conference; Euro Bus Expo; Coach & Bus UK; and London Design Fair. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.
Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: building and construction, food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.