The numbers are still being crunched, but preliminary figures indicate that more than 40,000 visitors attended this year’s Interbuild.

The show has been deemed such a success by the 1,100 exhibitors that 64% of them have already applied for space at the next Interbuild, which reverts to its usual autumn timing (October 28-November 1, 2007).

And within the show, the inaugural Timber Zone has been widely acclaimed, with TRADA, which was involved in devising and promoting the initiative with show organiser EMAP Construct, looking to repeat the exercise next year.

Thirty-seven exhibitors took space in the Zone and exhibitor comments were overwhelmingly positive about the united front presented by the timber industry.

“It was a new venture for us and we entered into it not knowing what would happen,” said TRADA chief executive Andrew Abbott, speaking at the show. “The best measure of how it is going is the seminars, which have been well attended, with people standing in the aisles.”

Early estimates put the figure for seminar attendance at approaching 800 across the five days, with timber frame and Part L presentations attracting the most attention. Attendees included a high proportion of architects, along with builders, developers and timber traders.

EMAP Construct sales manager Loretta Sales, who marketed the Timber Zone, was delighted with feedback from both exhibitors and visitors. “It’s been a 100% success,” she said.

“Next year’s Timber Zone is going to be bigger and I’d be very surprised if people don’t re-book.”

“It’s important that timber has a focus at Interbuild,” said Andrew Abbott. “This is all about demonstrating that it can punch its weight alongside all the other construction materials. It looks like something we’d be interested in repeating.”

Timber Zone media partner TTJ and its sister title Timber Building magazine exhibited at Interbuild for the first time and welcomed more than 800 visitors to its stand.