There were over 3,200 people on the show floor this year making the ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace busier than ever. With a 15.6% increase in unique attendees, a 16% increase in revisits on Day 2, this year’s event confirmed its growing importance as the central hub for live performance professionals. The show welcomed over 200 global brands, featured a vigorous seminar programme, and hosted hands-on workshops led by renowned industry figures — all aimed at advancing careers, showcasing innovation and facilitating powerful new connections.

ABTT CEO Liz Sillett commented: “My first ABTT Theatre Show as CEO was a whirlwind of excitement and brilliance. The buzz was incredible, coming from such a talented and inspiring mix of exhibitors, visitors, workshop leaders and speakers, and not forgetting our generous sponsors. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!”

A Must-Attend for Industry Professionals            
Feedback from attendees reinforces the show’s unique value:

• 94% would recommend the ABTT Theatre Show to friends or colleagues,
• 92% plan to return in 2026
• 3% achieved their objectives at the event.

Attendees came with a purpose:

• 80% aimed to meet exhibitors with intentions touching base with current or finding new suppliers
• 75% attended to benefit from the networking opportunities
• 65% came to see new products and innovations
• 60% explored educational seminars and workshops
• 30% investigated job opportunities and career development

Attendees fed back that: “The event is fantastically run, it has a well laid out floorplan and a good variety of exhibitors.”, “The ABTT Theatre Show always provides useful industry knowledge, with very engaging workshops and seminars that enhanced my knowledge of the sector”, “It is a great opportunity to catch up with suppliers and colleagues from around the industry” and is “always a highlight of the year!”

A Truly Global Gathering

The 2025 show welcomed visitors from across the UK and countries as diverse as the USA, Australia, Canada, France, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, highlighting the ABTT Theatre Show’s growing international reach.

Standout Contributions and Industry Support   

Among the highlights:

• ABTT Platinum ISG Member TAIT once again sponsored the ABTT Award Presentations and Social on the Terrace which took place after a busy first day on the show. A major highlight on the industry’s calendar, the awards showcased the amazing contributions people and products have been making to theatre and live events.Ted Moore, Director at TAIT, said of the Awards: “TAIT is really proud in to sponsor the ABTT Awards, which we truly believe are the best award presentations anywhere in our industry.” Thanks to TAIT, attendees enjoyed refreshing drinks that fuelled the excitement while celebrating the remarkable talents driving the future of the industry. The Awards were followed by networking opportunities at the Social on the Terrace. With food available from a variety of vendors and the bar open, the discussions went on into the late evening.
• ABTT Gold ISG Member ROBE UK enjoyed a busy, successful and positive ABTT Theatre Show. Presenting two dynamic exhibition areas; a stand upstairs in the main hall, together with a large demo and seminar area located downstairs in the venue’s Palace Suite.

Robe UK’s David Catterall added, , “Another great ABTT show! This show always feels completely unique, allowing all parts of the industry to come together to make new connections as well as refresh friendships with familiar faces. This year Robe highlighted their family of brands and expressed this in exhibition displays and demos as well as through seminar contributions from Anolis, Artistic Licence, Avolites, LSC and Robe Lighting.  We very much believe that education and learning are as much a part of this trade show as showing new products, and we look forwards to continuing this next year too”.

• KV2 Audio took over the Roman Bar for product demos. Tom Weldon, UK Sales Manager KV2 Audio noted, “Our priority at all times is to actively demonstrate our products and our takeover of the Roman Bar at this year’s ABTT Show was hugely beneficial, elevating the show experience for both ourselves and the many people who visited our demonstrations. Attendees to the demonstrations – whether existing owners, users and fans or people new to the KV2 brand – were unanimously impressed with the quality available with KV2 equipment and we look forward to repeating the experience at ABTT 2026!”       

• The ABTT Theatre Show Seminar Programme was supported by ABTT Gold ISG Member Preevue, with seminars taking place of Palm Court and in the Great Hall, a new addition to the show floor for 2025. Sessions covered cutting-edge guidance, key industry topics and the latest technology with discussions led by top industry experts.
  Sessions presented were on a broad variety of topics including ‘Introduction to Busking Lighting’, ‘Job Sharing – What Benefits can it Offer You?’, ‘“Not the End of the World” – A Positive Approach to Sustainability’, ‘You’re a Skill Set, Not a Job Title’, ‘Not Just Nice to Have – The Emerging Case for Wellbeing Roles in Venues’, ‘Martyn’s Law: What the New Terrorism Act Means for Theatres and Venues’, ‘Unlocking 3D Digital Practice for WHAM’, ‘Stage Automation and the Law’ plus many more. Recording of these sessions will be made available to ABTT Members in July 2025.

Ryan Metcalfe, Preevue CEO stated: “The ABTT Show has become one of the highlights of our year. It’s where we catch up with people we’ve worked with for years, meet new faces, and feel that sense of community that makes this industry special. This year felt bigger and more energetic than usual, and we were pleased to help support the seminar programme, which featured some fantastic panels on topics that are pushing our industry forward. The show is great for business – it leads to many new opportunities and projects for us – but what I love most is the chance to contribute something back and be part of that collaborative spirit that makes our field what it is.”               

• The ABTT Annual Exhibitor Breakfast Seminar, an educational session with hot drinks and pastries available, was this year supported by ABTT Silver ISG Member, Clark Door. Delivered by the ABTT Schools Theatre Support Group the session covered ‘What can you do to support the next generation entering the production workforce?’ Attendees discussed how industry and education can better align to equip young people with the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to pursue careers in production, helping shape a more accessible and sustainable talent pipeline for the future.

Michael Conneely, Regional Business Development Manager (Dubai Office), Clark Door Limited, commented: “I travel back from Dubai especially for the ABTT Theatre Show. It’s an event I wouldn’t want to miss. Clark Door has had a stand at the show for several years now, and it continues to be a valuable opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections and stay involved with the wider industry. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”

• The ABTT Theatre Show also delivered highly praised hands-on workshops, which gave attendees taster sessions on the practical skills needed in different job roles in the industry. 95% of attendees rated these workshops as meeting or exceeding expectations. Kindly sponsored by ABTT Gold ISG Member’s Charcoal Blue and Harlequin Floors and ABTT Platinum ISG Member White Light, they covered a wide range of topics relevant to theatre technicians, from crucial knots and manual handling to lighting, audio, WHAM, costume and even stage pyrotechnics.

Fanny Saint-Pasteur, White Light’s Head of Marketing said of the event: “The ABTT Theatre Show continues to be a cornerstone for our industry and we’re proud to have supported it for decades. As one of the original exhibitors since the show’s early days in the 1970s, White Light values this event as a unique opportunity to reconnect with clients, partners, and fellow professionals. This year, we were especially proud to sponsor the Workshop Room as part of the diverse offering available to attendees – a vital space for learning, conversation, and professional development. Supporting the next generation and sharing knowledge is central to who we are and we believe it’s essential to nurturing a strong and sustainable future for our industry.”

Graeme McGinty, Associate Director Charcoal Blue added, “The ABTT Theatre Show is a rare moment in the calendar where theatre-makers come together to share knowledge, challenges and ideas. Sponsoring the event reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the future of live performance and the people who make it possible”

Steve Green, Marketing Director Harlequin Floors, stated, “We’re pleased to once again support the ABTT Theatre Show, a key event in the calendar for anyone involved in the performing arts and theatre industry. We chose to sponsor the show this year because it continues to bring together the very best of technical innovation, expertise and collaboration across the sector under one roof.”

• In long-standing tradition, ABTT Bronze ISG Member RB Health and Safety sponsored the FREE Hearing Tests available at the event. Enabling visitors to visit their expert mobile audiometry service, they provided a convenient on-site option to detect early damage to hearing resulting from exposure to excessive noise.

ABTT Event Manager Elysia Moore said “Employers have a duty to provide health surveillance (hearing checks) for all employees who are likely to be regularly exposed to high levels of noise within their job role. We are thankful to RB Health and Safety who continue to offer audiometry testing at the ABTT Theatre Show and no cost to our attendees.”

Building the Future of the Industry

ABTT Event Manager Elysia Moore continued: “I’m proud we are able to offer a diverse programme designed to educate, inspire and empower the next generation. It has been a real pleasure working with our exhibitors and hard-working volunteers at the ABTT to develop a varied assortment of seminar and workshops to complement our busy and growing show floor. Our ‘Careers and Professional Development Hub’, now in its fourth year, also continues to be a vital space for connecting future professionals with industry specialists.”

The 2025 edition of the event saw Associations, Unions and Industry Charities situated in the Palm Court entrance. Making a bold statement to attendees about their importance within the Industry, it encouraged them to engage with the vital work they are doing to support the sector, in supporting individual career development and fostering collaboration – driving industry growth.

Situated in the West Hall visitors could also engage with ‘Education Alley’ – a one-stop shop to meet exhibitors including schools, colleges, universities or apprenticeship providers who are focused solely on supporting theatre and live events education, career development and training.

ABTT Affiliate Organisation Rose Bruford commented “I think (the ABTT Theatre Show) is one of the biggest exhibitions, particularly for students and young people, and it is very well known in the industry. We particularly like “Education Alley”, as students can actually see and speak to different universities and courses providers side by side and make an informed choice. I would encourage people to come along as the networking is extraordinary… the venue itself is extraordinary and the energy of the event is magic.”

New exhibitors this year included Anytronics, Arden School of Theatre, ATP Projects, Audiologic, DPL Productions, FaberExposize UK, Fiilex, Glasson Electronics, J.D. McDougall Ltd, London College of Fashion, LUMINOUS, Lutze & Amphenol, Mayr Transmissions Ltd, MGC Entertainment, Motion Software, Nemesis Research, Papertrail, PiPA, Prospero Labs, PSCo, RELIABLE SOURCE LTD, Show Works Ltd, ShowVector, Smartshow Lighting, St Marys University, The Power of Events, Training Plus and Water Search and Rescue Team further cementing the show’s reputation as a launchpad for innovation.

The variety of Exhibitors continues to reflect the breadth of our industry with 27 exhibitors available to discuss sound and AV, 17 in rigging and engineering, 24 in lighting, 26 in careers, education, training, 24 in recruitment, 5 seating suppliers, 2 booksellers, 6 in health and safety, 4 in WHAM and Costume, 17 associations, charities or committees and 32 specialist companies covering areas such as 3D printing, fire doors, laser scanning, floors, drapes, production, theatre supplies, software and plenty more!

With over 70% of attendees having buying power, the ABTT Theatre Show continues to deliver real value for exhibitors and attendees alike — as a place to do business, build knowledge, and shape the future of live performance.

Ted Moore, Director at TAIT, added; “The ABTT theatre show is certainly the best tradeshow we attend in the UK and Europe, and we are avid supporters of this event and the ABTT itself. The Show brings in a lot of our clients both locally as well as from all over the country, and you get to see a huge range of companies, products, and people in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”

Reflecting on positive reception of the show, ABTT Events Manager, Elysia Moore, commented: “2025 is the 45^th edition of this essential industry event and I feel privileged to be trusted in directing such a popular exhibition. Receiving such glowing feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike about the atmosphere, networking and education opportunities available is overwhelming. It is amazing to see the show continue to grow and I am delighted that the ABTT Theatre Show continues to provide a platform for our industry to discuss, share, reconnect and be inspired. I am already looking forward to next year’s edition scheduled for the 3^rd and 4^th of June 2026.”

To find out more about ABTT Theatre Show 2026 visit: https://www.abtt.org.uk/abtt-theatre-show/

If you would like to exhibit at the ABTT Theatre Show on the 3^rd and 4^th June 2026 please express your interest by contacting ABTT Theatre Show Manager, Elysia Moore on office@abtt.org.uk

General booking will open in August 2025. More information can also be found on the website here: https://www.abtt.org.uk/abtt-theatre-show/exhibit-at-the-show/