The Promotional Marketing Exhibition, the annual show for the incentives and motivation sector, has switched to an earlier date and a new venue for next year.

After spending the last two years at London’s Olympia, it will now be in the art-deco Lawrence Hall, part of the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster.

After taking place in mid-April over the past two years, the show is also moving back a month to March 24 to 26 – a similar timing to the inaugural show at London’s Barbican in 2006.

The show’s co-founder Ian Allchild has stepped down as chairman of organiser Volume Exhibitions to take on a consultancy role “to devote a larger proportion of his time to his other business interests“.

He will continue to work with managing director Simon Tilley, sales director Dave Jeanes, and sales consultant Charlie Willis, who remain at the business.

Tilley said: “Exhibitors at this year’s show recognised that the quality, stature and decision-making capabilities of visitors has significantly improved and it was important to us looking forward to embrace this by selecting a venue that provided easy access, a more intimate environment and the upmarket surroundings quality visitors will expect.”

During its 80-year history, Lawrence Hall (pictured) has become home to many successful trade shows and exhibitions. It has housed events this year for the beauty, fashion, construction, heating and ventilation, and automotive industries.

As reported in the May issue of Sales Promotion magazine and on SalesPromo.co.uk on April 25, Volume Exhibitions originally planned to hold the 2009 show at Olympia from April 21 to 23.

Rod Duncan, managing director of pen manufacturer Prodir, a regular exhibitor at the Promotional Marketing Exhibition, said: “Having exhibited at Royal Horticultural Halls in the past, I was impressed with it as a venue. The facilities are of a very high standard and The Lawrence Hall provides a really good balance between space and intimacy. With great transport links and visitor accessibility I have no doubt that the organisers at Volume Exhibitions have found a venue that will encourage the quality visitors we exhibitors look for.”

This year’s exhibition, which took place from April 15 to 17, attracted 2,341 visitors, an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year.

Gail Holm, who joined Volume Exhibitions as event director from Reed Exhibitions in 2005, left the company after this year’s show.