Interview with Hans-R. Brauchli

HANSRUEDI’S WORDS WHEN BEING INTERVIEWED FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF THE MAGAZINE ABOUT THE 35 TH ANNIVERSARY OF IELA, LAST SPRING 2020

We had high expectations but nothing comparing to today’s reality. IELA’s current success was unimaginable as it reaches far beyond expectations! ”

“I still remember the first edition of the IELA magazine, on October 1985, when at this time it was called the “IELA DIARY.

IELA: DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER MENTIONED IELA AND WHAT IT STOOD FOR? HOW WAS THIS INITIATIVE CREATED?

Hans-R.: During the late seventies,I discovered that we could become a site agent at the Palexpo Geneva site. Steve Barry of Three Way (later TWI) was looking for a local partner to handle the Telecom shows and that was the beginning of our relationship!

The international moving industry, in which I was active until then, was represented by associations which promoted its members in a worldwide network of top class companies. The idea was born to create an association for the international exhibition logistics industry.

Between 1979 and 1983, various informal meetings took place mainly between Steve Barry, who liked the idea, and myself to develop a concept for a meeting and exchange platform for companies active in the international Exhibition Transport and Service Industry. On June 12 th 1984, a special meeting took place to decide on the name of this association: it was confirmed as “IELA International Exhibition Logistics Associates”.

When thinking back to the origins of IELA, I always have a special thought for the 3 founding members who have left us already - Steve Barry, Ernie Droessaert and Klaus Rauch. I remember how honoured I felt to be able to join them and make IELA what it is today. We shared a lot of memorable moments together over the years.

One thing I will never forget is meeting regularly in Paris and Ernie introduced us to the best restaurants in town!

DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY WHEN IELA WAS CREATED? YOU SURELY HAVE MORE THAN ONE ANECDOTE ABOUT MARCH 6 th 1985. CAN YOU SHARE ONE WITH US?

March 6 th 1985 was the day the association came to life and the dream came true. After dedicating so much time, volunteer work, compiling correspondence, etc., we finally created an official structure.

Without exaggerating, I was very excited. Once the association was founded, we had functions. Ruth Meister likes to remember the first time she sat there writing the minutes. She had never done this before but she jumped into the job.

In one year, the total number of members had passed to 20 and we were all thrilled to be meeting market leaders under the same roof working in the same industry worldwide.”