IT faced some pre-event negativity – not least a boycott of some of the biggest machinery names in the business – but the 'new' LAMMA show in the NEC, in Birmingham has been hailed as a great success.

Though some of the big names were not there, the show was packed with 650 stands and it was thought that more than 40,000 visitors thronged to the revamped event, which was held for the first time all indoors.

Feedback has apparently been superb from both visitors and exhibitors. Some of the pre-event chat was about the eye-watering amounts some had paid to take trade stands at the show, but many visitors took to social media to recommend that the organisers put an charge on to help subsidise next year's event.

Held on January 8 and 9, an overriding message that emerged during the show was that the new indoor venue had proved ideal for a national event of this size and stature, which may fuel more speculation that the event will move to every two years to fit in with the popular Agritechnica event in Germany.

The move also helped LAMMA build on its reputation as a launch pad for a host of machinery from the UK and across the globe, with many exhibitors using the new venue to unveil new tractors, combines, drills and cultivation equipment, feeder wagons and forage machinery, as well as a wide range of innovative technology.

And some of the big companies agreed:

Fendt's national sales manager, Martin Hamer, said: “We have been really, really busy. We firmly believe agriculture deserves a really good shop window and we very pleased to be at the NEC – it’s been a really positive experience.”

McConnel’s Nicholas Hassell described LAMMA ’19 as the best show ever. “It has been absolutely amazing – we couldn’t see the stand carpet for visitors on the first day. We’ll be looking to increase our stand space next year.”

Krone’s UK head of marketing, James Duggleby, added: “The move to the NEC has been fantastic. We’ve seen what we think is record attendance, great positive mood, fantastic enquiry levels and everybody seems to have really embraced the move indoors. See you again in 2020!”

Kuhn’s Kate Bennett described the event as brilliant. “It’s a great improvement now we’re indoors, end users and exhibitors have been really impressed. We’ve had a constant flow of people and great interest in the machines.”