The new venue for London\'s Natural Stone Show next year (5-7 March) is proving a hit with exhibitors.

The next in the series of these exhibitions, which have succeeded in providing a showcase for the whole of the stone industry in the UK, is moving from Wembley to the brand new ExCeL exhibition centre at the Royal Docks, with its parking for 8,000 cars and a specially built road link leading to the M25.

It also has a direct link to the Docklands light railway and the Jubilee Line extension. And there is a bus directly from London City Airport to ExCeL which takes just a few minutes to compete the journey, which will be good news for the increasing number of overseas visitors to London\'s Natural Stone Show & NAMM Tradex.

ExCeL even offers a display of stone, with its 400m long by 20m wide public access area paved in Sardinian grey granite by Stone Cladding International (SCI), not to mention the stonework in the hard landscaping of the area.

The development has included its own hotels, restaurants and night spots right next to the Thames, so there is no need to leave the area, although there is easy access to the West End for those who prefer the attractions of central London.

The quality of the new venue is an appropriate reflection of the expansion of the stone industry itself in the UK (see page 37 in this issue) and the increasing significance of the exhibition to the industry and its customers.

And space at the 2002 show is selling faster than ever, in spite of a late start due to the change in venue from Wembley, where the previous Natural Stone Shows have been held. Sales of stands are already four months ahead of those for the Millennium show last year.

The exhibition will again include a series of CPD accredited lectures including Stone Federation Great Britain\'s travelling introduction to the stone industry, \'Stone in the City\'.

As the date of the exhibition approaches, more information will be appearing on the website (www.stoneshow.co.uk) where, in the weeks before the opening on 5 March, visitors will be able to arrange appointments with people they particularly want to see. This should help both visitors and exhibitors make the best use of their time at ExCeL.

To book a stand to exhibit at the natural Stone Show & NAMM Tradex 2002 call: