Last year it was alleged that it should have been called 'SolarWorld' so who knows what will be there this year.
Got a trip up country beginning of the month so I won't be there.

I suspect solar may not be quite so prominent this time around (although it is still financially viable on the new FIT rates), but possibly heat pumps will be, especially air source as they are 'easiest' to sell in a mass market.
The used car/double glazing style sales pitch is becoming embedded in these events now as many exhibitors are backed up by big money, so whichever technology they have latched on to to make a fast profit will be trying to dominate the floor space.
Its a quandary because without the technology becoming mainstream the cost will never reduce but as soon as it is mainstream, we have to put up with those 'salesmen' who really know very little but push quite a lot!
Maybe this just makes the event better for the more 'informed' of us?
I wont be at that event as I live/work in the north west and time/money wont stretch to a visit, but I sympathise with the event organisers trying to fill floor space in a recession getting all interested exhibitors in there.

I am going, so can report back. I will be 'on duty' though, so I doubt I will get to really give a good going through.

I'm in two minds about going:
PLUS
- new / latest information for my in progress ideas (www.silverspray.co.uk)
- see stuff in action
- have chats with people

NEGATIVE
- it's full of people selling their solution as the best, so normal bias creeps in
- it's a long way from Cornwall and for a lot of my project I want, where possible to use local suppliers and materials

So any comments from somebody who went in the past, on how much they found it usefull (or not) would be great.

Rory

I'm undecided but have registered anyway just in case. I need to look at heating/dhw appliances and green roof systems. I think it's good to go at least once if you've just embarked on a build project - 2 days should get you round!

I would also highly recommend going, I have been a few previous years and it has been immensely useful and we have actually followed through on some of the products seen there a few years back, and now our roof is on so we are almost home with the new build.
Take in a couple of the seminars too. I found the oak frame company we ended up using this way. And they were not even at the show or directly involved with the seminar! they just kept being highly recommended by a few speakers. True to this, we are 100% happy with their work too.
I could'nt recommend Ecobuild as a show highly enough as a self builder. I would'nt even waste my time attending any others.

There's a lot of greenwash but some of the best stuff is the seminars.

I am planning on going again, will be my 3rd show, I also find it really useful. There is nowhere else that you will get so many sources of info under one roof. There is lots of greenwash, lots of saleman types who clearly don't know what they are talking about but also lots of honest knowledgable folks. The key is to spend enough time to take it all in and gain what you need and ignore the rubbish!

I would also recommend going over more than one day especially if you want to attend any seminars/debates and be wary of the latter part of last day, all the exhibitors are knackered and it starts winding up very quickly. Also, take a strong rucksack, you soon find yourself carrying half a tree of bumf around with you :-)