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Welcome to The Reference Point

We are The Reference Point, an international, multilingual trade show agency headquartered in Arundel, West Sussex, UK.

Trade Show Representation

We are representing several world-leading technology trade shows to the UK and Irish markets. We are your first port of call for exhibitors and visitors that wish to participate at these events.
Process Technology
Sole Representative for the UK and Ireland

We are the official sole representatives for ACHEMA, the World Summit and Forum for the Processing Technologies in Frankfurt, Germany. This event takes place every three years. The next time from 14 - 18 June 2027.

Marine Technology
Official Representative

The Reference Point is the official representative for Hamburg Messe und Congress for the UK and Ireland. In the shipbuilding and maritime sectors we are representing the bi-annual shows SMM Hamburg (Shipbuilding, Marine Interiors, Machinery; 2026), Marine Interiors (Hamburg, 2025) as well as INMEX SMM India in Mumbai (2025).

Wind Energy
Official Representative

The Reference Point is the official representative for Hamburg Messe und Congress for the UK and Ireland. In the renewable sector we look after WindEnergy Hamburg, the global on- and offshore expo, also held in Hamburg every two years (2026).

Leisure Marine
Official Representative

The Reference Point represents Germany's annual, largest in-water boat show, the ancora Yachtfestival at the German Baltic coast to the Dutch, French, English and Irish markets (2025).

Our trade show services for you

With many years of experience in the international trade fair industry, we know the ins and outs, the nitty-gritty and the obstacles of organising an exhibition participation at trade shows and congresses.

We can plan your exhibition participation anywhere in the world, from start to finish. Let us do the hard work – we will let you enjoy just being there. Our services will make your life easier: one reference point for your questions and concerns – and our solutions.

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Lets talk trade shows

our team is ready to help

What we do

Our main service areas

Head to our trade show section, service offers or our trade show selector to find out more about each show and where you can exhibit. You'll also see how we will be able to support you.
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TRADE SHOW & EVENT SERVICES
Count on us to sail through your exhibition and event participation stress-free
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INDUSTRIES & SECTORS
Event Finder
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HELPFUL INSIGHTS
News, Insights, Guides, Best Practice
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UPCOMING EVENTS THAT WE REPRESENT

Review the upcoming trade shows that we represent here.

ancora YAchtfestival 2023
ancora Yachtfestival
Annual trade show for the leisure boat industry. Open to everyone.
23 - 25 May 2025
Neustadt, near Hamburg, Germany
View Event Info
INMEX India
INMEX SMM India
Biannual trade show for the international commercial marine industry.
8 - 10 Oct 2025
Mumbai, India
View Event Info
SMM Show
SMM Hamburg
World-leading biannual trade show for the international commercial marine industry.
1 - 4 Sep 2026
Hamburg, Germany
View Event Info
Windenergy-Hamburg-Featured-v2
WindEnergy Hamburg
World-leading biannual trade show for the international on- and offshore wind energy industry.
22 - 25 Sep 2026
Hamburg, Germany
View Event Info
ACHEMA_Lab equipment
ACHEMA
Triannual trade show and world forum for the process technology industry.
14 - 18 Jun 2027
Frankfurt, Germany
View Event Info

Happy to answer your questions.

Please call us on +44 1243 884 389 or email us to discuss your requirements.

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Targeted
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Responsive
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WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY.

The Reference Point has always been an excellent partner for Vickers Oils in planning and organising the SMM exhibition in Hamburg, Germany. From efficiently handling the requirements of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (the event organisers), to supporting us with our requirements at the exhibition, they have played a crucial role in our success at SMM over the years. Nele Andersch has personally looked after the requirements of Vickers Oils and supported us along every step in organising and planning the exhibition. All queries were effectively conveyed to the organisers by Nele and appropriate solution was reached on behalf of both parties. We always look forward to exhibiting at SMM and working with Nele in making it a success. Vickers Oils have partnered with The Reference Point for more than 10 years.
Vickers Oils, Leeds
We’ve been working with The Reference Point since 2016. Due to the scale of the event, the booking process for WindEnergy Hamburg is quite different to other exhibitions we attend, Nele is always on hand to help us navigate this and achieve our objectives both with exhibition space and sponsorship opportunities. Her knowledge and expertise have been extremely useful as well as her flexible approach adapting to changes in our business needs.
Renewable Energy Systems Limited
Nele is a consummate professional. Multi-skilled, multi-lingual and head of a multi-disciplined practice. Efficient, energetic with good business sense and great contacts throughout the maritime, offshore and renewables sectors in particular. Very easy to work with.
Edwin Lampert, Group Editor, Riviera Maritime Media

2024 Combined figure from the shows we represent

Everyone is happy

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327.500
Sq m sold
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197.000
Visitors
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6.686
Exhibitors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sometimes. For all shows it is worth remembering that stand spaces are being allocated in a very bespoke way and in date order of receiving bookings.

ACHEMA charges exhibitors in three instalments. The first one is due on booking a stand space. The remaining amounts will be invoiced in two steps prior to the show and based on the final agreed stand space. The payment is due before the show starts.

The ancora Yachtfestival bills you upon agreement of the berth or space on land (pagoda tents). The payment is due before the show starts.

SMM and WindEnergy will invoice exhibitors the whole amount of the floor space after the final stand space has been agreed. The invoices will be issued that the beginning of the year in which the show is being held and the amount is payable in full at the date stated on the invoice.

For all shows it is the rule that services are being invoiced several weeks after the event has finished.Refrettably

Regrettably this is not possible for any of the shows we represent. The shows are too big for that and all our exhibitors have individual requirements that we will be considering when offering a stand space. These requirements are for example type and size of stand, hall (all the halls are dedicated to industry sectors), close to or not close to competitors, vicinity to customers and many more.

All exhibitors are being made at least one, if not several, stand offers (this varies from show to show). They can certainly be discussed and alternatives can be found.

You have several options.

Everyone can apply online. Either on the event websites or by using a bespoke application link that we provide.

Should that not be possible we can use a pdf.

Existing exhibitors have access to their online account using a bespoke log-in code. An application for a trade show can be made from within an online account as well.

The Reference Point will send you their TRP booking information document for each show.

Once a company has been admitted as an exhibitor the main contact will be given log-in details by the organisers to access an online exhibitor centre that holds all the relevant (historic) information and offers further booking options. This is a version of an exhibitor manual.

Please get in touch with us.

We'd love to talk !