this year’s International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment (IFFE) show will see no less than six oil companies presenting their different retailer offers. BP will be promoting its new Connect Franchise deal by running a real Wild Bean Café in the Networking Lounge. Howard Nunn, BP’s franchise development manager, says: "We are hoping to meet both existing fuel retailers and investors looking to purchase a petrol filling station to convert into a BP Connect."

Gulf Retail, meanwhile, is a returning exhibitor and will be talking to visitors about the benefits of its popular dealer package at the IFFE Meeting Zone. Pace Petroleum and Murco are both making their debuts at the show, while CPL returns.

Finally, Harvest Energy will be showcasing its new branded supply deal for independent retailers. And since the company is also the supplier of Harvest BioEthanol E85, the stand will be worth a visit for anyone interested in alternative fuels.

These six oil companies join more than 80 specialists, all brought together under one roof for three days at Birmingham’s NEC from March 6-8. So whether you’re looking for advice on Stage II Vapour Recovery legislation, or want to take a look at the latest car washes, IFFE is the place for you.

It’s also an ideal opportunity to meet like-minded business people and make new contacts in the industry. And since the shop side of the business is now so important, the Convenience Retailing Show is once again running alongside the event, meaning you get two shows for the price of one.

Show director Neil Felton says: "IFFE 2007 has the backing of the forecourt industry’s major trade associations, including Garage Watch, the Energy Institute, Petrol Retailer’s Association and the PEIMF, and with that sort of support it really is a top-class event."

It all kicks off on Tuesday March 6, when current Forecourt Trader of the Year, Karl Brocklehurst of Westbridge Motors, Northampton, officially opens the show at 10am.

== hot TOPICS ==

The newly-adopted Stage II Vapour Recovery legislation will be a hot topic at the show and visitors have the chance to see some of the latest solutions on the market from various manufacturers - see What’s New At IFFE on the next page for details.

The car wash companies are also out in force. Atlantis International, Car Wash UK, Istobal, Ryko, Washtec and Wilcomatic will all be showing off their latest models. With water restrictions becoming an increasing issue, particularly for sites in the south, it will also be a good opportunity to check out the latest recycling systems.

Among the new exhibitors are insurance companies CUS Underwriting and Layton Blackham, which offer bespoke packages, specifically designed to protect forecourt businesses. Representatives from the all-important National Weights & Measures Laboratory will also be present for the first time - they are responsible for ensuring all fuel measurements are fair, accurate and legal.

== BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ==

If you’re looking for advice or tips to boost your business, then make sure you visit the new Business Solutions feature. Speakers from both the forecourt and convenience sectors will be holding a series of seminars and workshops, run in conjunction with advice specialists from Essential Business.

Experts from Gilbarco Veeder-Root will be talking about wireless tank monitoring technology (March 6, 2.15pm), the rise of alternative fuels (March 7, 2.15pm) and Stage II Vapour Recovery (March 8, 2.15pm). Meanwhile, Tokheim’s presentation is called The Forecourt Infrastructure and will cover a wide range of areas, including payment technology, vapour recovery, dispensers, standard temperature accounting and more (March 7 & 8, 3.45pm).

There will also be presentations from Gallaher. The company’s personnel will talk about the hot issues affecting the UK tobacco market, including the imminent smoking bans and new legislation that will increase the age for purchase from 16 to 18 (March 6-8, 3pm).

Other highlights include a daily panel of award-winning retailers who will be offering tips on how to boost sales and profitability (March 6-8, 11pm). And visitors can also pick up a free copy of the Business Solutions Guide, worth £7.95.

== NEW AT IFFE 2007 ==

l Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s dedicated Stage II Vapour Recovery team will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on the planning and implementation process, including investment, installation, monitoring methods and training. E31

l There will be four major launches on the Torex Retail stand. As well as its Stage II Vapour Recovery solution, Clean Air, there will be a new tank gauge, a new automatic wet-stock management solution - with a plasma screen presentation to explain how it works - and the latest energy control systems to help retailers save money on electricity. F40

l Dresser Wayne will be showing its new Xflo fuel metre, which it says sets a new standard of accuracy and will save retailers money. The company will also be promoting its Stage II Vapour Recovery system, which can be fitted to both Dresser Wayne and third-party dispensers. F20

l Dutch company TST Electronics will be showing the Vareco Pro, a self-regulating and self-monitoring vapour recovery system. F31

l Indigo Retail is unveiling its new solutions for Stage II Vapour Recovery and cash counting. D40

l Unipart Automotive is launching a new range of shelving solutions for car care products and accessories, as well as showcasing its latest seasonal offers. New products include satellite navigation systems, 12-volt TVs and DVD players and hands-free kits. C40

l The Premier Group will be exhibiting its new tank gauge. E21

l Calor will be showing an automated vending cage, which allows consumers to purchase LPG cylinders any time, day or night, without forecourt staff assistance. H21

l The David Plumb & Co stand will feature displays and information on its specialist services including fuel storage tank cleaning and forecourt demolition, decommissioning and decontamination. Visitors can watch a video of the David Plumb team in action.F10

l Cash management specialist Volumatic Omal will be show- casing the CountEasy Retail, which it says can reduce cashing-up time to less than a minute. Other new products on the stand will be the Intelligent Counter Cache and the latest version of the Omal MultiCount cash counter. B28

l Apex is introducing a new lockable forecourt bunker. D18

l Air-Serv will be introducing a new Chip & PIN system and triple-foam jet wash. B21

l Car Wash UK will present the ’Easy1’ jet wash and air/water unit, which is new to the UK, as well as the latest Pegasus and Aries rollovers from Cecatto. E19/F18

l Fuel tank experts King Tanktechnic will be telling visitors about new services and its waste disposal centre. H1

l Coca-Cola Enterprises is targeting forecourts with its isotonic drink Powerade and energy drink Relentless. They are supported by a combined media spend of £6.7m in 2007. Promotional initiatives will be on show. C38

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=== Opening Hours ===

? Tuesday March 6: 10am-5pm

? Wednesday March 7: 10am-5pm

? Thurdday March 8: 10am-4pm

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=== grab a subway sandwich ===

A team from Subway will be making fresh subs for visitors at stand C30, as the expanding chain looks to recruit businesses to lease space to a trained franchisee.

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=== your chance to win a car wash!! ===

Washtec is launching the SoftWash, its latest rollover machine, and will be giving one away to a lucky visitor to stand H30. The prize package is worth around £50,000, including installation, with the draw taking place at 2.30pm on Thursday March 8 (conditions apply). The new machine has been designed for sites where space is at a premium and comes with a full package of extra options.