Showlite
Showlite is a UK-based full-service exhibition contractor serving event organisers and exhibitors with modular shell schemes, bespoke stands, graphics, flooring, lighting, furniture, and electrical services, operating from Andover with a warehouse in Pontypool.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersAndover, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Showlite does
Showlite is a UK-based full-service exhibition contractor headquartered in Andover, Hampshire, with a warehouse facility in Pontypool, that plans, builds, and operates exhibition infrastructure for trade shows and events. The company's service portfolio spans two product families: modular shell schemes (Showlite Shell and the elevated Showlite Shell+ with fabric graphics) and a fully bespoke stand-build service called Showlite Select, supplemented by in-house large-format graphic printing, flooring, furniture (sourced from Xpect), lighting, and BS7671-compliant electrical installation. Underlying technology includes an Exhibitor Online Portal that allows exhibitors to self-configure stands, order ancillary products, approve quotes, and pay online, alongside 3D design and visualisation tooling used for bespoke builds.
Showlite operates a hybrid go-to-market serving two distinct customer segments. Organisers (Farnborough International, William Reed, Akabo Media, Professional Beauty Group, Brintex, Grounds Management Association, etc.) are served by dedicated senior account managers who run events from pitch to breakdown, including floorplan design, communal space build-out, and exhibitor portal management. Exhibitors are served through a self-service portal paired with an inside-sales team for mid-market and small-business clients. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; tiers span budget-friendly modular shells to fully customised builds, with revenue recognised per show/event.
The business is privately held, owned by Managing Director Nick Lindwall and Group Sales Director Lee Crew since December 2023, with Ottimo Digital operating as a sister company for graphic production. In October 2024 Showlite acquired Xav-Eight Ltd, adding approximately 70 shows including mainland European events and roughly 2,000 additional square metres of shell-scheme kit, and has since been recognised with consecutive ESSA Gold FSC awards (2024 and 2025), Tier 5 ESSA Sustainability Accreditation (June 2025), and CHAS/IOSH compliance credentials.
Showlite firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Showlite
- Legal name
- Showlite Ltd
- Website
- https://showlite.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Showlite is a UK-based full-service exhibition contractor serving event organisers and exhibitors with modular shell schemes, bespoke stands, graphics, flooring, lighting, furniture, and electrical services, operating from Andover with a warehouse in Pontypool.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Showlite industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Exhibition Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management) (BPAFAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Modular & Portable Display Systems (Pop-Ups, Tension Fabric, Kits) (THAHAHAC), Event Fabrication & Scenic/Set Build (Custom Builds, Installations) (BPAFAGAK), Onsite Installation, Dismantle & Labor Management (I&D Crews) (THAHAHAL)
Keywords
Where Showlite is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Andover
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Showlite business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Exhibition Stand Services: Revenue from providing shell schemes (modular stands), bespoke stand builds, furniture, lighting, flooring, graphics, and electrical services to exhibitors at trade shows and events.
- Organiser Support Services: Comprehensive event management services for organisers including floorplan design, communal spaces, exhibitor portal management, and on-site support.
- Product Sales: Sale of exhibition products including furniture, flooring materials, graphics, electrical equipment, and stand components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Showlite Shell - Budget-friendly modular stand option |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Showlite Shell+ - Enhanced shell scheme with fabric graphics |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Showlite Select - Fully bespoke custom stand build |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Showlite product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Showlite is a UK-based full-service exhibition contractor providing shell schemes, bespoke custom-built stands, large-format graphics and printing, flooring, lighting, furniture hire, and electrical services for trade shows and live events. It supplies venue-wide shell scheme packages to event organisers and individual booth build and ancillary services to exhibitors, supported by online ordering portals and in-house design.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Showlite Select: A bespoke, full-service experience for custom-built exhibition stands, offering 3D concepts through to stand dressing and on-site support.
- Evolve
- Shell+
- Showlite Shell
Products and services
- Showlite Shell A modular shell scheme package providing a standard octanorm-style exhibition stand with white walling and basic fascia for exhibitors needing an entry-level booth at UK trade shows.
- Showlite Shell+ An upgraded modular shell scheme package providing enhanced walling, flooring, and lighting compared with the standard Showlite Shell, targeted at exhibitors wanting a more polished look without going fully bespoke.
- Showlite Select A premium shell scheme package offering higher-spec wall finishes, upgraded flooring, and integrated lighting/graphics, positioned as the top tier of Showlite's modular stand range for exhibitors wanting a high-impact booth within a shell format.
- Bespoke Custom-Built Stands A design-and-build service producing fully custom exhibition stands for brands requiring a unique, non-modular booth, including 3D design, in-house fabrication, graphics, and on-site build and dismantle.
- Graphics and Large-Format Printing In-house large-format digital printing of exhibition graphics, including backdrops, panels, banners, and branded wall coverings, supplied to exhibitors and organisers alongside stand build packages.
- Flooring Solutions Supply and installation of exhibition flooring including carpet, vinyl, raised platforms, and custom floor finishes for shell schemes, bespoke stands, and full venue shell scheme contracts.
- Exhibition Lighting Supply, installation, and dismantling of lighting solutions for exhibition stands and shell schemes, including spotlights, floodlights, and feature lighting integrated with stand build.
- Electrical Services NICEIC-qualified electrical contracting services for exhibitions, including power distribution, socket provision, and electrical connections for individual stands and full venue shell scheme installations.
- Exhibition Furniture Hire Hire of exhibition furniture including seating, tables, counters, display units, and accessories for shell scheme and bespoke stand customers.
- Online Exhibitor Portal Web-based portal that allows exhibitors to view their stand allocation, select shell scheme packages, order graphics, furniture, flooring, lighting, and electrical services, and track delivery and build details for their event.
- Organiser Services (Venue-Wide Shell Scheme Management) End-to-end venue-wide shell scheme service for event organisers, including scheme design, hardware provision, installation and dismantle across all halls, electrical infrastructure, and on-site project management via a dedicated account manager.
- Online Organiser Portal Web-based portal for event organisers to manage venue-wide shell scheme delivery, including stand allocation, exhibitor service orders, reporting, and communication with Showlite's account management team.
- Design Proposals and 3D Render Service In-house design service producing 3D renders and design proposals for bespoke exhibition stands, helping exhibitors visualise their booth before committing to build.
- Evolve Sustainability Programme Showlite's sustainability initiative covering the use of recyclable materials, sustainable timber sourcing, and environmentally responsible practices across shell scheme and bespoke stand services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold FSC Award two consecutive years (ESSA Awards)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Showlite
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Showlite technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Showlite partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Bar 55 (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)minorShowlite is a partner of Bar 55 at the iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff alongside Ottimo Digital, Allianz and Hubbard-Miles. Showlite participated in their first matchday event for the Wales vs Scotland rugby game.
- Farnborough InternationalcoreShowlite appointed as Official Exhibition Services Supplier for Farnborough International Airshow 2026 & 2028. The partnership was first established in 2022 and has been expanded with Showlite delivering all exhibition build elements including shell schemes, electrical installation, carpeting, feature areas and lounges. The expanded scope includes a new sixth hall making the 2026 Airshow the largest in Farnborough's history.
- Simon Ridout (Xav-Eight Ltd)coreShowlite acquired Xav-Eight Ltd, a full-service exhibition contractor, adding approximately 70 shows to their portfolio including events across mainland Europe. Simon Ridout, former owner with over 30 years of industry expertise, joined Showlite to oversee integration and drive new business development.
- Ottimo DigitalcoreSister company to Showlite, owned by the same principals (Nick Lindwall and Lee Crew who co-founded Ottimo Digital in 2009). Ottimo Digital handles graphic production for Showlite projects, particularly for Farnborough International Airshow.
- ReconomyminorPartnership for recycling graphic materials. Showlite actively recycles their graphic materials through this partnership as part of their sustainability initiatives contributing to Tier 5 ESSA Sustainability Accreditation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Showlite competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Showlite social profiles
Digital presenceShowlite compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Showlite financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Showlite leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Showlite subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Showlite funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Showlite M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Showlite
What does Showlite do?
Showlite is a UK-based full-service exhibition contractor providing shell schemes, bespoke custom-built stands, large-format graphics and printing, flooring, lighting, furniture hire, and electrical services for trade shows and live events. It supplies venue-wide shell scheme packages to event organisers and individual booth build and ancillary services to exhibitors, supported by online ordering portals and in-house design.
Is Showlite a public or private company?
Showlite is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Showlite founded?
Showlite was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Showlite based?
Showlite is headquartered in Andover, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Showlite make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Exhibition Stand Services are the primary driver. The others are organiser Support Services and product Sales.
Does Showlite have an API?
No public API is recorded for Showlite.
What industry is Showlite in?
Showlite's product category is Exhibition Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAGAD, Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management), with a secondary code of THAHAHAC, Modular & Portable Display Systems (Pop-Ups, Tension Fabric, Kits). Its NAICS code is 561920.