There was a lot of expectation around the edition of Cifm/interzum Guangzhou, an exhibition dedicated to technologies and supplies for the wood and furniture held from 27 to 30 July at the Pazhou Complex. It was, in fact, the first appointment “in Covid-19 time” and the results showed that with the appropriate precautions a fair can be held with high safety standards, and that there is a strong, tangible desire of fairs, that the world market continues to need appointments where they can meet in person.
800 exhibitors presented themselves in Guangzhou and met 100,000 visitors: a great “furniture festival”, also thanks to its contemporaneity with CIFF-China International Furniture Fair. The numbers are obviously not comparable with past editions, but it is clear that this “return to trade fairs” was a success beyond expectations, which undoubtedly also benefited the three Italian companies present, namely Paolino Bacci (machines), Italiana Ferramenta (supplies) and Ica (paints).
In general terms, foreign exhibitors preferred to stay at the window, but there was no shortage of international operators – Europe in the first place – who did not want to miss the opportunity to exhibit in China. A market that remains one of the most important in the world, an intense demand demonstrated by the authentic record of admissions recorded on the third day of the fair, data even better than those recorded on the same day of the previous edition. A sign that the strict measures adopted to guarantee the health safety of exhibitors and visitors gradually convinced the operators that the fair could be visited in complete tranquility, to the point of reaching “pre-Covid-19” numbers.
“It was undoubtedly an intense fair, held in a very particular period” commented Thomas Rosolia, CEO of Koelnmesse Italia. “With the passing of the hours the influx of visitors has grown. This shows that – by maintaining high levels of individual protection and verifying the strong, constant attention of all staff – fairs can be experienced in a positive and profitable way“.
And so it was, thanks also to a strong activity on the digital side, which in fact led to a sort of “parallel fair” that filled the great event in Guangzhou with new contents and different methods of contact, making it extremely convenient and simple “being at the fair” while staying at home or in your office.
The appointment is now with the upcoming Koelnmesse events, starting with THAIFEX-Anuga Asia to be held in Bangkok in September and Yummex Middle East in November in Dubai, rather than Arte Cologne, also scheduled for November. “The “package” of measures for the safety of #B-safe operators, a long list of interventions and prescriptions, has worked and Koelnmesse has shown how it is possible to ensure that a trade fair appointment takes place with the necessary tranquility. A modality, I am sure, that will convince a growing number of Italian companies to be with us even in these times which are still complex and worrying”, concluded Rosolia.
