After the sad cancellation of OATA Impact Exhibitions’ AQUA trade show Water Alive consumer event, the organizers of AQUAH stepped up to fill the gap left by the UK’s then-biggest and best-known aquarium-focused trade show. Although similar in being open to both the trade and the public, AQUAH differentiated itself from AQUA by dedicating focus to both aquatics and reptiles – the UK’s first public event to do so.
Despite its natural predecessor, AQUA, facing financial and other difficulties that ultimately led to its demise, last weekend’s first-ever AQUAH event went off seemingly without a hitch and has been hailed as an early success. The event, held at the Midlands’ NAEC Stoneleigh across the weekend of the 21st of September and 22nd of September, attracted over 3,300 visitors during its two days.
“AQUAH 2024 was a resounding success, bringing the aquatic and reptile community together under one roof for an unforgettable weekend,” said the event’s organizers this week.
AQUAH 2024 featured numerous guest speakers, including Professor Michael Sweet and Dr Marcus Wengel. Professor Sweet is a leading marine biologist known for his ground-breaking research in coral health and ecosystem restoration, while Dr Wengel is an authority on marine water chemistry from Tropic Marin.
Such has been the success of AQUAH 2024 that organizers have now announced next year’s event. Touted as bigger, better, and busier, with more exhibitors, exciting new features, and enhanced experiences for everyone involved, AQUAH will return to NAEC Stoneleigh on the 20th and 21st of September 2025.
Organizers expect visitor numbers to rise from this year’s total of 3,351 to roughly 7,500 visitors across the weekend of AQUAH 2025.
