Showlite

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.

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

Product category

Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAFAGAD

Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management)

Business & Public Services/Marketing, Advertising & PR Services/Experiential & Event Marketing

SECONDARYTHAHAHAC

Modular & Portable Display Systems (Pop-Ups, Tension Fabric, Kits)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Booth Design, Exhibition Stand Builders & Show Services

SECONDARYBPAFAGAK

Event Fabrication & Scenic/Set Build (Custom Builds, Installations)

Business & Public Services/Marketing, Advertising & PR Services/Experiential & Event Marketing

SECONDARYTHAHAHAL

Onsite Installation, Dismantle & Labor Management (I&D Crews)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Booth Design, Exhibition Stand Builders & Show Services

Keywords

• Exhibition services
• Shell scheme stands
• Bespoke exhibition stands
• Exhibition graphics printing
• Event contractor services

Headquarters

HQ city

Andover

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Organiser Support Services: Comprehensive event management services for organisers including floorplan design, communal spaces, exhibitor portal management, and on-site support.
3. Product Sales: Sale of exhibition products including furniture, flooring materials, graphics, electrical equipment, and stand components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bar 55 (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Showlite 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 InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Showlite 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Showlite 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 DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister 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.
• ReconomyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Showlite
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/showlite-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/showlite_ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShowliteUK

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Showlite