AGROKOMPLEX-Výstavníctvo Nitra, a major exhibition company in south-central Slovakia, saw an increase in foreign exhibitors in 2005.
Ladislav Švihel, general manager of Agrokomplex - Výstavníctvo, said Nitra estimates that the number of exhibitors increased by 6 percent year-on-year in 2005 to more than 3,000 companies. The amount of exhibition space rented grew by 12 percent.
Compared to the previous year, the greatest increase (31 percent) occurred in the number of foreign exhibitors. As a result of the growing interest of exhibitors, 2005 saw the completion of Pavilion G, which was immediately put into service. Other pavilions are expected to be completed in the first half of 2006, Švihel added.
"The history of our exhibition area has repeatedly confirmed that trade fair events may give a significant impetus for the development of economic sectors, even in hard times. That's why we want to be a good partner for everyone who decides to use trade fairs to communicate with clients," Švihel said.
Švihel provided a short review of some fairs and exhibitions in 2005.
The Furniture and Living Exhibition, with its 484 exhibitors (56 of them foreign), was among the largest events in Central and Eastern Europe and was focused on furniture and housing accessories. This branch is considered one of the most dynamic, Švihel said.
Gastra & Alimenta & Coba is one of the best-known gastronomic exhibitions in Slovakia. Like foreign events of its kind, the exhibition takes place biannually in April. More than 200 companies presented restaurant equipment and food and packaging technology in 2005. Additional products included bakery and confectionery products and, for the first time, coffee and tea imports. The next such fair will be in April 2007.
A totally different atmosphere greeted the visitors to seven spring exhibitions taking place at the end of April. Lovers of gardens, flowers, bonsai trees and the wisdom of Asian philosophers found much to enjoy at the Bonsai Slovakia, Gardenia and Enviro Exhibitions. Much interest was also generated by the unique expositions of botanical gardens, the Tatra National Park, and a collection of insects and small birds. More than 150 bonsai tree growers from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Indonesia were attended.
The summer season was dominated by the popular international agricultural and food fair, Agrokomplex, which offered a variety of agricultural machinery, foods and animal- and plant-related equipment. In its 32nd year Agrokomplex drew 690 exhibitors, 31 percent from foreign countries such as Italy, Egypt, Canada and Russia.
The largest and most prestigious international car show in Slovakia, the 13th annual Autosalon Nitra, closed out the autumn season. The show focused on the current car scene, and 275 exhibitors attended. The Czech automaker Škoda celebrated 100 years of car making. The British Morgan also whipped up interest with its first-ever exhibition in Slovakia. More than 160,000 visitors came to see the show.
Agrokomplex-Výstavníctvo Nitra has a total area of more than 160 hectares, 20 exhibition halls with a total sheltered exhibition area of 44,271 square metres, and open exhibition areas of over 50,000 square metres. The exhibition area includes the Slovak Agriculture Museum as well as agricultural exhibition fields.
Selected Events in the Agrokomplex - Výstavníctvo 2006 Calendar
Aqua-Therm Nitra (February 7-10)
8th International Expert Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Measurement, Regulation, Sanitary and Ecological Technology
Furniture and Living (March 8-12)
16th International Furniture and Household Accessories Fair
Forum of Design (March 8-12)
9th International Exhibition of Furniture Design
Gardenia (April 20-23)
10th International Sale Exhibition for Gardening, Hobby Gardeners, Bonsai, and Flower Friends
Enviro (April 20-23)
11th International Exhibition of Environmental Technology
International Engineering Fair (May 23-26)
13th International Engineering Fair of Machinery, Tools, Equipment and Technologies
Eurowelding (May 23-26)
12th International Exhibition of Welding and Welding Techniques
Dog Show (June 3-4)
23rd International Exhibition of Dogs of All Races
Agrokomplex (August 17-22)
33rd International Agricultural and Food Fair
Coopexpo (August 17-22)
13th International Contracting and Sale Exhibition for Cooperatives
Autosalon (September 7-12)
14th International Exhibition of Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles and Accessories
Optic (September 22-24)
3rd International Fair of Eye Optics and Ophthalmology
Lignumexpo (September 22-24)
16th International Timber Trade Fair
Source: www.agrokomplex.sk
