The second Sicam, an event with a troubled birth everyone knows about, is turning into a success with over 500 exhibitors (24 percent from abroad) expected in Pordenone from 20 to 23 October.
Facts first: Sicam remains the undisputed master of the exhibition scenario in October. This year the industry will not be forced to choose. Or better, they have already chosen to be in Pordenone from 20 to 23 October for the second edition of Sicam, the international exhibition of components, semifinished materials and accessories for the furniture industry.
Over 500 exhibitors are attending (24 percent from abroad, mainly Germany, Austria and Turkey) covering an area close to 14 thousand square meters (versus approx. 9,500 in 2009). All halls are full, including 1 and 9 that in 2009, when Sicam debuted, were not used. Nobody’s missing: the big international groups are there, as well as the small and medium companies that build up the backbone of this industry. And there will be all product categories, as all market segments will be adequately represented at Sicam this year, featuring the leading actors in terms of dimensions and innovation capacity. So, everyone is coming to Pordenone to benefit from the early signs of recovery that have been in the air lately… The conditions are ideal to go beyond the 13,250 visitors from 79 countries attending last year, according to the trend of online registrations on www.exposicam.com.
“We can say we are the most important exhibition of supplies and semifinished materials in even-numbered years, and the second one after Interzum in odd-numbered years”, said Carlo Giobbi, organizer of the show, as we met him in his office. “We have conquered this role with a serious approach and great attention to the needs of exhibitors and visitors.At the second event we have already become an international reference, this is an amazing result if you consider that it has been achieved with few people, including my children Carolina and Michele who represent the future of this event.”
Let me tell you, I am convinced that one of our strengths is that the “managers” of the event consider it as something “of their own”.We are talking about events that are strongly influenced by the personality of their organizers…
We still have good customer-supplier relations with the Pordenone Fair, although there have been significant changes, such as the appointment of a new general manager, Alessandro Zanetti, replacing the previous managing director Paolo Rosa.”
Mr. Giobbi, we cannot avoid commenting upon the past, and the future as well, considering the Zow will come back to Italy in 2011…
“The situation was cleared up last October and everyone made a choice.What we have now is the result, the obvious consequence.The industry has chosen Sicam.Will Zow be back in 2011? It’s easier said than done… Take a look at what’s going on with Zow all around the world…”.
You knew it would end up like that…
“Not at all.I have always tried to be clear about our collaboration, defending my independence as organizer.I have been doing this job for many years.I organized collective stands at Interzum in the Eighties, when I got to know my current Sicam exhibitors.Starting from that experience, we have joined a project, interpreting it and adopting a number of innovations that have proved successful… but I don’t want to talk about the past, all I want to say is that we are “exhibition people”, we know what we are talking about and how we should do our job.”
Are you not scared when you think that all industry exhibitions are managed by big groups or powerful associations, rather than a small company?
“We know our limits and our strengths.We work the best we can, aware that we are in a position that allows no mistakes.We don’t want to fight with giants, we are not pursuing goals that are not consistent with our philosophy or out of our reach.We do our job and, I repeat, we offer efficient service.We know how important it is for the supply and component industry to have an annual meeting point in Italy, a country where furniture is at home.We need an international event in one of the reference markets worldwide.At present, Pordenone is an ideal site; moving back to Milan would trigger effects that we have already seen and have ended up the way we know.On the other hand, Interzum remains the event by excellence, a place where companies show their best every two years, choosing the area and the installation they prefer. Which is not possible at Sicam, as you know”.
A new season has opened: it is not inadequate thinking about the future. There are rumors of possible collaborations with other exhibition companies…
“Whatever rumors say, I think we all know that several fair companies were interested in acquiring Sicam, but we will never do anything that is not approved by our exhibitors and we’ll keep doing what they expect from us, what they have chosen.Any merger or acquisition might be a bad step and be rejected by exhibitors.I’m not saying that things cannot change, but whatever we may decide in the future, that will be based on the desires of our customers:we will not make the mistake of deciding without listening to them!
Of course, if we had a huge exhibition hall near the Venice airport, that could be a factor to start considering some changes…”(l.r.)
Sicam is back on stage
with a starring role
ultima modifica: 2010-09-20T00:00:00+00:00
da
