GSE Expo Europe 2024 broke records welcoming 3,755 plus delegates from around the world who represented all sectors of the GSE community.
The show opened on Tuesday 17 September with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by board members from the International Airport Equipment Manufacturers' Association (IAEMA) and representatives from Ground Handling International (GHI).
By mid-afternoon, over 2,500 industry professionals had already passed through the doors on day one at the FIL in Lisbon with over 170 companies with over 200 pieces of GSE - weighing 880 tonnes - exhibiting inside and outside one of Portugal's most important exhibition centres.
Allen said: "It’s incredible to think that this is only the second edition of GSE Expo Europe. We’ve been really proud to deliver this exhibition alongside the great team at IAEMA. This is an exhibition which was built by the GSE community for the GSE community; and it’s fantastic to see that community come together for a busy three days in Lisbon.
"The show has highlighted the best of GSE. It has provided an opportunity to showcase new products and innovation, as well as be a forum for the movers and shakers in the industry to network and do business. It has exceeded our expectations in terms of both the quantity and quality of attendees, as well as the number of companies who have exhibited at the show.
"Thank you to everyone who attended the show, whether as an exhibitor, sponsor or visitor. We’re already planning the 2026 edition, which based on the success of this year, is going to be something to really look forward to.”
Conference Chairman Max Gosney said: “It is brilliant to see the development of GSE Expo Europe. We had a great launch show and it is spreading with manufacturers helping us bring the customer base here.”
Gosney was also proud to say that it was not just the number of delegates through the door, they were coming from a wider range of countries with more visitors from Asia, the Americas and Africa.
He said: “It is great record numbers and we are getting global representation. It is called GSE Expo Europe but it is very much an international show.”
GSE manufacturers used the show to unveil new products with Mallaghan showcasing its new TSU3000E, a fully-electric lavatory truck powered by 80V Lithium-ion batteries, Power Stow exhibited its new Tail Loader and Textron GSE proudly revealed its new Safeaero 220E electric de-icer.
The Innovation and Demo Zones also drew the crowds with the latest developments in autonomous and handling vehicles from companies such as TractEasy, Timsan and Charlatte.