Belfast plays host to Europe’s first scaffolding expo, hailed as a turning point for the industry 

For Immediate Release 

Belfast today played host to Scaffex24, the inaugural conference and exhibition for the scaffolding profession and the first of its kind in Europe. Taking place at the ICC in Belfast on Friday 29 November the event was organised by National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Scaffex24 included a full conference programme, with leading figures from across the industry discussing opportunity, the needs of buyers, innovation and skills and education, and an exhibition with almost 30 firms taking part. In total over 500 visitors attended during the day, with a similar number due in the evening for the NASC Ball and Scaffolding Excellence Awards.   

NASC CEO, Clive Dickin, said “I’m delighted at how the entire industry has responded to this first event, whether they are NASC members or not. There’s no doubt that Scaffex will become a regular fixture in the industry calendar. Today marks a turning point for the industry. We’ve already been approached by exhibitors wanting to book bigger stands for next year’s show. After today, the industry will come together more often to share insights, ideas and innovations in this way.” 

As well as lively discussions and keynote presentations, Scaffex24 saw NASC unveil two major announcements that will also change the industry. It unveiled the game-changing TG30, which promises to do for system scaffolding what TG20 did for tube and fit. And it also announced it is adopting the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) as an optional add-on to its audit. 

Scaffex24 drew global attention, with representatives from Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and from across Europe attending the conference and exhibition. Visiting dignitaries were keen to see and learn best practice from UK and Northern Irish businesses, who have a world-renowned reputation for excellence in health and safety practices. 

The exhibition will be followed in the evening by the NASC Ball and Scaffolding Excellence Awards 2024, hosted by acting legend James Nesbitt and a host of special celebrity guests.