Despite significant changes within the UK education sector, BETT, the world’s largest technology in education show, saw a 3.84 per cent increase in visitor numbers this year, with UK visitors accounting for the majority of the rise.

 

According to official figures, a record breaking 30,372* educators, teachers, and leaders from across the world gathered together at Olympia, London, over four days from 11-14 January 2012.

 

Reinforcing its position as the largest, most impressive show of its kind, BETT pulled out all the stops to bring visitors the latest innovations in education and the best Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities available.

 

All exhibitors interviewed confirmed that the show had been the most successful ever, demonstrating that despite changes in schools’ funding, there is a still money available for the right products and services.

 

Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for education visited Olympia on the 11 January to open BETT and to confirm his absolute belief in the importance of technology in education. HRH the Duke of York visited the Show to close the Education World Forum, an annual international event for international education ministers.

 

Debbie French, Exhibition Director at BETT organiser Emap, commented:

 

“Once again educators proved their infallible passion in supporting learning through technology. BETT also attracted an increasing number of international visitors, wanting to learn from the leaders in the adoption of learning technologies, the UK.”

 

Ray Barker, Director of show partner, British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) added:

 

“Government policy now gives schools and teachers the autonomy to make their own decisions about which solutions suit their students’ specific learning needs. With the desire to invest wisely, BETT attracted the largest number of visitors wanting to review and evaluate all products available to them.”  

 

The continued success of BETT has resulted in the show moving to the larger, state-of-the-art ExCel exhibition centre in 2013.

 

 

“Olympia has been a wonderful venue for BETT for many years but the show’s success means it has outgrown these limited premises. As the world’s largest technology in education show, ExCel not only provides the space we need, it also has the appropriate 21st century facilities.”

 

Floor space rebooked during BETT 2012 already totals 104 per cent of the Olympia venue, suggesting that the move to the larger ExCel has come at the right time. BETT 2013 will be held at the ExCel Exhibition Centre, from Wednesday 30 January to Saturday 2 February 2013. Click here for more information.