Scheduled for March, the event has consolidated its position as a European benchmark in its sector
The many different home countries of the firms registered to date once again confirm the high international profile of Ferroforma-Bricoforma. Provisional data indicate that around 50% of the firms registered are foreign: a similar proportion to previous editions. The event is scheduled to take place at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on March 25-28, i.e. in eight months time.
Germany, Italy, Portugal, the UK, China and Taiwan currently top the rankings in terms of the number of firms represented. Group participation makes for high loyalty rates.
The attractiveness of the 2009 event for foreign firms is enhanced by the introduction of the Exhibitor+ card scheme, developed jointly by the Bilbao Exhibition Centre and the KölnMesse in Cologne in benefit of firms which exhibit at both centres. Participants in both Ferroforma-Bricoforma and Eisenwarenmesse/Practical World can obtain major advantages in terms of technical features, services and promotions thanks to the strategic partnership agreement signed by the two trade fair complexes.
NEW EXHIBITORS
One of the most significant points of the current Ferroforma-Bricoforma campaign is that 19% of the firms signed up are first-time exhibitors. They include a significant number of recently incorporated firms and firms who do not usually attend such events. This confirms the usefulness of the event as an open platform for commercial opportunities, where manufacturers, agents, distributors, retailers, market makers and users can see first hand the latest new products on the national and international markets. The sectors for which most firms have registered to date are hand tools, industrial supplies, locksmithery, hardware and home products.
CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT VISITORS NOW UP AND RUNNING
The organisers of Ferroforma-Bricoforma have begun their campaign to attract visitors for 2009 with an offer of co-operation agreements for associations, purchasing groups and DIY centres. These centres are one of the focal points for action this year. Firms and their associates will be offered preferential arrangements for their visits, including special services (meeting facilities, VIP cards, automatic accreditation, coach travel for trade visitors, etc). The campaign will also be taken to international groups following the excellent results obtained in 2007, when the event was visited by representatives of top ranking purchasing groups including Home Depot, the International Hardware Association, Brico Depot, Leroy Merlín, OBI, EDE, King Fisher and EDRA among others.
For this year's campaign the network of domestic agents and offices abroad has been extended. Within Spain, more delegates have been drafted in to campaign in Castilla-León, the Basque Autonomous Community, Navarra, La Rioja, Cantabria and Asturias: a total of 14 specialists will be working intensively throughout the country as from September. Outside Spain, direct agents of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre and SPRI, collaborators and associated marketing networks will be joined by specific marketing channels at the KölnMesse in Germany and in Austria, Canada, the USA, the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland.
Finally, in just a few weeks the programme to attract delegations of foreign purchasers will begin. Initial contacts have already been established.
STOP COPIES!
ACTION AGAINST UNFAIR COMPETITION
Seeking to reinforce its commitment to intellectual and industrial property rights, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre is preparing further actions to combat unfair competition at trade fairs. The latest moves in this direction include the forging of close links with the competent authorities, the signing of memoranda with associations of manufacturers, the addition of a specific clause to the contract for participation concerned with legal protection of brand names under which participants undertake to act in good faith, and the provision of an advisory service during trade fairs. Thus, at Ferroforma-Bricoforma specialist legal advisers will be available on an information stand located in the central atrium to offer on-site advice.
NATIONAL WOOD CONGRESS
During Ferroforma-Bricoforma 2009 the Bilbao Exhibition Centre will also host the 3rd National Wood Congress, which will feature topics of the greatest interest to the sector, presented by high-ranking speakers. This Congress will bring together a strategic group of trade customers for the exhibitors at the main event.
Dept of Communication, July 2008
