Such is the importance of the forecourt retailing industry, that IFFE is now an annual event. For 2006 it runs for four days -- from Sunday March 19 to Wednesday March 22 -- giving forecourt operators ample opportunity to visit. And you really should visit as the NEC will be jam-packed with companies offering products and services specifically for your businesses. All the big names will be there from across the entire forecourt industry -- including Air Serv, CPL Petroleum, David Franklin, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Graphite (UK), Liquid Cargo Management, PetroTechnik, Tokheim, Torex Retail, TQIPS and VBi. IFFE is also happy to welcome back exhibitors from years gone by including Atlantis International, Euro Fresheners, Linpac Environmental, and Pumptronics. And new exhibitors include AGE CCTV, API Security, Fexco, the UK arm of Western Union, ATM company Infocash and cleaning company, Johnson Diversey.

Quite simply, you name it, and you’ll find it at IFFE 2006 -- everything from pumps and pay-at-pump technology, car washes and canopies, vapour recovery equipment, and air and water delivery systems, to electronic data systems, tank measurement devices and security systems.

In addition, the show has the backing of the PEIMF, the Petrol Retailers Association, the Energy Institute and Garage Watch -- and if these guys are involved then you should be too. Apart from seeing all the new products and services, IFFE is the ideal platform to make new acquaintances and re-establish contact with old ones.

Show director Neil Felton comments: "We know that petrol retailers are busy people and their time is valuable, but we believe that a visit to IFFE will be time well spent. We’ve got some of the biggest names in the business attending -- where else can you get to see them, face-to-face all under one roof?

"IFFE really is an opportunity to see all that’s new in the marketplace and to get some good ideas to keep your operation at the top of the game. IFFE is the number one show for ideas and solutions."

== Forecourt Live! ==

Last year’s Forecourt Live! feature was such a success that it is returning for 2006. Forecourt Live! brings together the industry’s experts for talks and panel discussions. Once again Forecourt Trader editor Merril Boulton will present her Working Lunch sessions -- there will be two, one on Monday March 20, and the other on Tuesday March 21, both at 12 noon.

There will also be a talk by Forecourt Trader of the Year 2005, Susie Hawkins, and sister magazine Convenience Store’s Top Shop 2005 winners Craig Dike, Sarah Dike and Adam Vincent will give their definition of convenience. Plus successful forecourt operator, Jonathan James, will talk about ’What it takes to succeed with the help of partners’.

The Energy Institute returns to Forecourt Live! and this year will look at the evolution of forecourt retailing in a talk that will take place at 2pm on Tuesday March 21. Tackling market trends and future developments for the forecourt sector, this seminar provides an ideal forum for discussion while at the same time providing an insight into the future petroleum industry.

In addition, Torex Retail will talk about pay-at-pump solutions, InStore Digital Media will discuss the opportunities available for the independent fuel retailer, and there will be presentations from Gilbarco Veeder Root and King Tanktechnic. Responsible retailing, retail crime and employment law will also be addressed in panel sessions chaired by journalists from Convenience Store magazine.

Full details of all the talks and their timings will be advertised at the show. Visit us on stand B20.

== What’s new at IFFE 2006? ==

? Atlantis International will be exhibiting the new CB1 machine from Karcher, the world’s biggest cleaning company. Also on display will be BudJet -- a new low-price jet wash. Look out for Atlantis’ special show offer -- £500 guaranteed trade-in price for your existing jet wash when you purchase a new Revolution model. C30

? Dispenser, pos and payment solution supplier Tokheim will be launching outdoor payment terminal Crypto VGA. F31

? Fexco Money Transfer, the UK arm of Western Union, will be showcasing a new staged transaction terminal which it has launched in partnership with Paypoint. This terminal enables retailers to offer Western Union Money Transfer services in their stores using the Paypoint terminal -- and they earn additional revenue for this service. B41

? AGE CCTV has a new competitively-priced digital recorder called the Vista Quantum 16-way. The company will also be showcasing several new-to-the-market aesthetically-pleasing internal cameras. Plus there’s a biometric door entry system that’s ideal for forecourt stores. B21

? The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is launching a range of publications on Hazardous Areas and Smart Homes. B49

? Stop by the Tektronics stand for the first look at the new Sam Junior alarm panel -- it’s smaller than ever but has more memory and features. B48

? Stream Car Care, as the sole UK distributor for Autoequip, is using IFFE to reintroduce Autoequip car washes to the UK. Autoequip managers from Italy will be on the Stream Car Care stand to meet with customers. E30

? Scanlite Visual Communications will unveil a range of LCD displays. F25

? The Safety Fill company will be at the show with its range of Safety Fill refuelling nozzles. Previously known as Rapid Fill, the nozzles are designed for the safe transfer of fuel from petrol cans to fuel tanks. The special design means the nozzles automatically shut off when the tank is full, to prevent spillage. D24

? Boxer Games will offer a range of novelty traffic signs and keyrings. Messages include ’Courtesy car while Porsche is in garage’, ’A1 driver’ and ’UR2 5exy’. B25

? ISM will be showcasing its Pay for Fuel vehicle number plate recognition scheme which is being run in partnership with BOSS and the Avon & Somerset constabulary. The company says that with conventional systems the evidence provided cannot always be used in a court of law but with Pay For Fuel the evidence is automatically presented to the police and therefore acts as a powerful tool to help convict repeat offenders. D25

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=== Opening Hours ===

? Sunday March 19: 10am - 5pm

? Monday March 20: 10am - 5pm

? Tuesday March 21: 10am - 5pm

? Wednesday March 22: 10am - 4pm

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=== More ideas ===

In 2006 IFFE is not only being held alongside the Convenience Retailing Show (CRS) but also Food & Drink Expo and Foodex Meatex. Combined, these shows make up the UK’s largest food-led event with an expected attendance of 40,000 visitors.

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=== Free breakfast baguettes! ===

That’s right, visitors to IFFE on Sunday March 19 will get a free breakfast baguette courtesy of Country Choice. Baguettes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.